Daily Notes for Wednesday April First... Oh what Fools we are.........

Let's name him or her... SPOT.

I ruminated on my Life before getting out of bed this morning....mistakes I made.  Ways I could have improved my Life...changes I could have made.  Too late now...and actually now...I am feeling good about my Life.   Wish I had friends.  People to do things with...but almost everyone I knew is my age and moving on to the Retirement they dreamed of.  Elsewhere.

Mainers look forward to Elsewhere.

I relocated the channel with the good shows. 1177.  I'l be watching stuff there.  Until British Soccer resumes.  

Daughter took my overdue books back to the Library and checked out a bag full of my favorites.  I have checked them out MANY times this Winter...... read and repeat.  Sigh.  Most have some sort of complicated love story in the plot.   Often making me cry.

I am finding myself being tugged reluctantly to the Art Supply cabinet.  Wanting to paint or draw or something.... more than likely watercolor.  I have a small collage I found in the Art Cupboard here my the desktop...an index card....I have it where I can look at it when I am on the couch feeling sad.

As to Streaming....The Computer Engineer said there was ZERO possibility of streaming of any sort here. Now or Ever.  The TiVo is a no go...The TV is a non starter.  So ALL of you telling me I could.....I can't.

I can't.

 

Daily Notes- Tuesday, March 31sr. Dismal, Damp Tuesday here in Maine.

Things are going on...but I managed to ignore the BOTS and get to my blog.

Not much to report.  Daughter brought down some artificial flowers- colors I asked for and I washed a  German crystal vase and have what I consider a lovely arrangement.   Daughter thought it needed "more". she took the remaining flowers back upstairs to the "Sewing Room". The only finished space upstairs.

She also took my books back to the Library and got me some old favorites...I think she knows me better than I thought....comfort books.  Always do the trick on these cloudy, damp overcast days...... at some point in Time it will be "safe" for me to walk to the end of the street and back......until then the Twin's Mom brings the old dog over to visit with me and daughter......giving the puppy time for a long nap.

Artist continues to be Manuel Jiminez.  On Facebook?  I really like this one.

Watched some vintage Law and Order yesterday......ones I didn't recall...watching...years ago.

We unplugged the porch/sunroom fridge...Lowes neglected to pick it up years ago.  Any water is draining into a restaurant sized metal pan.  I mentioned calling Loews and getting them to come pick it up....

The freezer was full of Black Walnuts....great for dyeing cloth to a sublime earthy black.  Which I did do several times.... disposal of leftover water is the problem...and the use of a pot you never intend to use again for people......  Pour the water out and kill any plants nearby. If I recall the warnings correctly.  They can't be put in the regular garbage.... hazardous waste??????

They are in sturdy freezer bags on the porch...I am doing research after I press publish.

I continue to watch the bombing........I saw that a multi billion dollar plane of OURS was bombed as it sat on the ground..... just waiting for a bomb to hit it.... why are Republicans so STUPID????

I went to the recycling site and black walnuts are okay to dispose of in the weekly garbage bags.... Heave Ho.......next Tuesday.

 

Daily Notes on a half sunny Monday in Maine. March 30th. April begins on Wednesday.

 Trump's Ballroom.

Twice as large as the White House- over to the left.  When are WE going to STOP HIM???? 

My desktop calendar is FULL...no room for today and tomorrow... well, three inches by 1.5 over to my lower left...another 2 inch by 1 inch space above Us Stock Market Remains Calm (it tanked).

When we last visited the moon neither of my children were newborns...I finally did the math.  I am miss-remembering things.  Looking forward to Artemis II next week.

Baked my two sweet potatoes after the pizza came out of the oven yesterday.  I will tuck butter and cheese into them....when I warm them up for lunch. Usually Swiss but do not have any so American...it might be good????  "Try New Things"

Reading:  Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone's "Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl".  Not what I expected but certainly what these two are "known" for.....I have ALL their other books.  I began reading them with Dumplin and If The Shoe Fits....and kept right on going...This one is hard cover and everything the others have ever been.  The first two were in the Young Adult section not regular fiction.  I am not positive but I think there was a book between Dumplin and If The Shoe Fits but my library never added it to the collection.

Repair Work on the Vintage Quilt has stalled out....reading has replaced mending.  I don't have enough fruit to get me to next Friday..... I have three oranges.   I can pretend the Sweet Potatoes are a "fruit"????

Yes, that will work.  The entire country is pretending everything is okay...

Daily Notes- Yesterday's post was actually written on Saturday. Today is Sunday.

The Library renovation.  Nothing is where it was...  I usually enter opposite the big red rectangle.

My book by Quinn is..not what I want to read this week..I have five more from that book shopping trip.. so I will pick one of them....I was not in the Danielle Steele Book Wheelhouse this time around.  I usually enjoy them...but not right now.   There's a second one that might have Time Travel. So I'll give it a go.

There is a little note to remind me to ask for Margaret Renkel's book the Weedy Garden.  

I told daughter I was okay with Time Travel but NOT the other weird stuff Deveraux gets into.

Watched the No Kings demos and parades.  Daughter usually goes to the ones here in Town and has very very good posters and signs.  Ny participation is left to voting and headlines glue sticked to my calendars. My desk top calendar is fully encased in newspaper headlines....as is the wall calendar across from where I eat breakfast.  I think I might need to crank it down some so the calendars look like calendars.  

Astronauts are going the Moon again... been 53 years since the last visit.  I think they were on the Moon when my son was born (but I am always WRONG).  I'll ask him how old he is... skip the Moon business. Perhaps it was when his sister was born????  

Being old is annoying but often amusing but only to myself...the amusing part.  I am almost aways annoyed so a good laugh evens things out. (Lucy would be my cartoon character in Peanuts)  Today is Sunday Pizza.  I have lettuce for a big bowl of salad. While the oven preheats my two sweet potatoes will be baking... I reheat them during the week for my lunch...Son remembered to buy them. For me. If I had gizmos I'd add a heart image.

I also got Corn Chips (made in the store) and dark chocolate chips so I'm significantly happier.....this week.  They DID NOT have the Lara Bars I like. Chocolate Chip so that was a bummer.  Must be the most popular ones??????  That's it for today.... on to the Steele book to see if I can stick with it.

 

Daily Notes- Saturday, March 28th. Chilly in the house- furnace running...bit of sunshine.

 Not another Dog. (but I have half a dozen more). Still Manuel Jiminez.

I found a spot on the internet for Egg Substitutes.   I don't like real eggs in the shell...so Ick.  And Egg Beaters is now available only in a QUART...not the small sized PINT.   We waste half or more of each quart we buy....as we are not doing Christmas or Holiday Baking....just normal once a week something or other.  So Substitution.

Mashed banana can be an "egg" with..1/4 cup of applesauce. ( no bananas and certainly never any applesauce)  Plain yogurt can also be a nice egg-  1/4 cup with maybe 1 teaspoon of flax seed (ground up). Sweetened condensed milk can also sub as an egg- using less liquid in the recipe.  

The odd ones are one tablespoon  of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of baking SODA.   Or one teaspoon of oil, 2 teaspoons water and 2 teaspoons of baking POWDER.   For cakes one teaspoon baking SODA mixed with 1 teaspoon of vinegar-also used for muffins and quick breads.

I was planning on an 8 inch square pan of cornbread.

Two episodes of Law and Order yesterday....both very old... Vintage. Clothing.

Today (and yesterday's) book is Till Summer Do Us Part.  Meghan Quinn.   Two unsuitable people (strangers) are matched up to do a Marriage Camp to iron out their "matrimonial difficulties"....Same author as Runaway Groom.  Writing is choppy...in Runaway- smooth.  I've closed the book twice...has one more chance and then into the Book Return Bag.  I do NOT suffer thru a poorly written book....EVER.

 These two (in the book) do NOT know each other, are NOT married to each other or anyone else and one is only doing it for shits and giggles (the guy) and the other (gal) to SAVE her JOB. As far as I can tell...on page 60-- the guy has zero employment ( but I suspect... lots of money)...and is the recommended brother of Girl's Favorite Bartender....already it sounds stupid. Even to me a dedicated Rom Com Reader.

At this point in the book the Therapist and the Guy are tossing a basketball around while the girl- losing her employment-- is watching them and concluding they are both useless. Page 60.

But then the Runaway Groomsman didn't have much going for him but he did know everything about construction, plumbing and wiring. And hardly EVER wore a shirt.

In other news I finally figured out how to  get my new PIN number attached to my library card number... Let's just say- when Library says it's "easy" they are so NOT telling the truth.  I got into my account...I saw what I have checked out and what is now overdue and needs to be returned..... considering it a victory.. I need balloons and streamers!!!!!!. 

Today and tomorrow all parking at the library will be closed as a very very big truck ( Library's Word Choice) will be removing the enormous "chiller" from the roof- three stories UP and installing a new one..... they go on to say all the "new" is being funded with DONATIONS.  PRIVATE ONES..........ENTIRELY.  I am guessing there were some QUESTIONS.......... some complaining.

Daily Notes for Friday March 27th. Sunshine and bare brown grass.... I think I liked the snow better.

 Two dogs.

Tried to use my Library Card in the NEW SYSTEM...no....just plain no- it would NOT work.

I will read the bookcase books that I own...

Son has not come down stairs....today is Library Grocery Day... One of the only highlights of my week. So I am wondering if there is something wrong.....  

We don't have much on the shopping list.  I need milk.  Dark Chocolate Chips, Oranges..(down 25 cents each).  

He came downstairs, we shopped and we are now back home... looking forward to grilled cheese sandwiches and baked beans.  Hope your day is wonderful...

Daily Notes for Thursday March 26th. Clouds here in Maine. Rain and Puddles.

 Red Dog. 

Well, my taxes are ready to be filed....electronically.  Zip and they are gone. I wouldn't want to step back in time and be using a small calculator and a pencil with good eraser.....like I did back in the day...stopping to give small under age toddlers a snack every so often.......and truth be told NOT owning prescription eye glasses.....so seeing was difficult. 

I am calmly waiting for better weather...so I can resume my walks to the far end of my DEAD END street (there's a LARGE sign that says that at the end by the two lane road)......first thing we see when turning onto our street coming home.  Dead End.

Quite a few things bother me.  Not the best day for writing a blog post so I'll stop.. Sun is out a little, daffodils my brother in law sent me as a gift long ago are up and looking good,  I have bread, cheese and pickles for a Grilled Cheese Lunch.   It's actually a great day....well, until I face plant in the Daily Suduko Puzzle.   Snow will melt, the sun will shine and SPRING will actually arrive in Maine'

And the local bakery people will be back from Florida and make Jelly Donuts again.!!!!!!!!!!!

Daily Notes- Wednesday March 25th. Sunshine and Melting Snow. 47 degrees

 Green body and red ears.

Well, I had to sort thru some papers to find the missing stock document for the taxes.  I found it and lost it twice.  My mind is not functioning well today.  I might actually NEED to be placed in Assisted Living..... BUT I found it....

I found lots of documents... which need to be sorted and perhaps even put in ABC order???  

You would never believe that I was once in charge of the entire advertising "document" department of a daily newspaper... I would NOT believe it either.  And I FOUND anything that could NOT be found.  I'd like to be that version of myself every so often.....  find stuff.  Like today finding a tax document.

It's Wednesday.....no clue it was Wednesday.  But it is.  I really am off "my wheels" today.

Iran said No to Trump....good job!!!!   Let's hold up signs that say NO. Just that one word.  NO.

A Democrat won something Political in Florida that includes Trump's Vast Tacky House and Golf Course. Gotta love that.....  I'll say YES to that.

I need to finish a book... watch some TV......watch the snow melt outside.  The grass is still TAN or LIGHT BROWN.....sigh. The very MANY daffodils (over the Septic outflow pipe) are getting taller. Spring in Maine.    I am starting to wonder what LUNCH will be. Good Sign....

"Interested in Food" gets a check mark today.

Daily Notes... Tuesday. March 24th. Sunshine and Snow. 32 degrees

 Colder..  Sunny but colder with snow on the ground. I'm not sure this is typical March weather.  Even for Maine.  

I have five more carved dog images for the posts...just so you know.

Dinner down the street with Good Neighbors was lovely as usual...and the food was excellent. Dessert was ice cream sandwiches out of the freezer... quite delightful...everyone really enjoyed them... The Corned Beef was super tender and delicious.  

I have a half dozen or so index cards here on the actual desk covered in ideas..  for a "maybe" vegetable garden. Out back and also for the decorative flower planters out front.  The largest problem out back is watering. Late Husband's  arrangement of hose connections up by the house and then over the lawn is no longer usable. Never was that easy to use and leaked quite a bit.  Almost all the hose connections leak. 

I might use the connection from the garage instead... or just use containers on the driveway. And a watering can.  I did do that in the last few years....that I grew tomatoes etc.

Finished the Paradise Problem and I am now reading  Runaway Groomsman.  Listening to the furnace go on and off.  The sunshine outside makes me think it's warmer than it actually is...the house itself feels rather "chilled" but eventually we will reach the temp I chose.  64 degrees. 

The morning paper was enough bad news for an entire week.... so..I think reading, British Soccer and some hand sewing of squares and rectangles in assorted fabric will keep me occupied.  I will bury my head in the sand - no news is good news?????

Daily Notes for Monday, March 23rd, Clouds, Snow. Son hopes he shoveled for the last time????

Stealthy.

Well, Son is not a "Happy Camper" after shoveling snow yet again.  Late March and one would hope the snow would transition to Rain by now.  But nothing in 2026 is "as one would expect it to be" especially the Government.

My oatmeal this morning was quite good.....it happens all by itself...being good.  Nothing I did to anticipate a better outcome.  Just oats and water in the microwave for 3 minutes.  Has to be the random amount of oats and the even more random amount of water.  Random should be my middle name....if I had a middle name.  Which I don't...

Watched some "Talking Heads" discuss the "Mess Trump has Made".......and if there is a way out without a huge death toll for our military.  Trump's entire cabinet would have to come down with stomach flu and the trots in order for someone SMART to get us the hell out of this war.  Use up Trump's diapers.

Perhaps that dog up top is also looking for a "way out".

I have my book to finish reading before we go to dinner....down the street.  I also need to wear something green....and will need to iron it before wearing whatever it is.  

I found some more art supplies...in a drawer while looking for something else.  Nice stuff.   Art Supplies tucked away in every drawer and closet.

I still haven't written to Gretchen for a list of things she will have in her new garden.  That big old fenced garden out back of my house is sitting empty and needs a few things....herbs????  New Blueberry bushes?  The ones back there aged out.  Rhubarb never took hold.  Grapes?   Still covering the wooded frame with leaves but stopped making grapes long long ago.  I used the left over ones to make a very very nice blue dye bath.....such a lovely blue.   Well.time to reheat my coffee and get on with reading my book,

 

Daily Notes for Sunday March 22nd. Sunday Pizza is in the line-up. Clouds and Snow Coming Down.

 Winter is holding on with quite the grip.  I see green grass every other day it seems and recently two days in a row.   British Soccer games cheer me up (green turf) and so is the book I am reading again...but with fresh new eyes....I am recovering..I am happier, less angry.  It's a relief to let it all the unhappy stuff go...little by little.

Today is Sunday Pizza.  With some sort of Sport on the TV--- usually, for me it's British Soccer.  Which is on the telly right now as I type...   The crowd is departing the stadium....before the game is over.  Soccer Despair.  My son tells me Soccer is the most popular of all the SPORT.   In the World.  

I like watching with my daughter who played College Soccer...she explains what they do right and what they do wrong.... which helps in my enjoyment of future games...

Storage Wars last evening....I know it's all fakery but it's so darn weird....  

One guy on the pitch on his knees and a good long look at his muscular tattooed thigh.  Usually I just admire their haircuts. For some reason I don't get to see any of the Irish games.  Liverpool.  Son says it might be a licensing agreement.  Oh,   They missed the goal yet again.

We are having dinner out tomorrow down the street....an invite came in the emails... more Corned Beef.

Well, I have coffee to drink, soccer to watch and a book to finish reading.  The Sunday paper was good enough and the Suduko and Jumble puzzles above my pay grade.   As usual.

The one team just got another score and it's being described as an easy, too easy score.  The crowd is SINGING!!!!!!!

Daily Notes for Saturday, March 21st. Clouds in my Coffee.

 Having just read Dee's post...I have tears in my eyes over the loss she is suffering.  Nothing I type will be of any help but her sorrow will be with me today and for quite awhile.

Daily Notes- Friday March 20th.... Sunshine and Melting Snow.

We have enough  snow on the ground to make the reindeer feel at home,......until it all melts.  Love the dots.  Manuel Jiminez again.

Grocery Shopping went  well....before we left Son pulled all the "expired food" out of the pantry and fridge.  I managed to get pickles for my Pickle and Cheese Sandwiches.  I'd forgotten the last two times I had been in the grocery store.  I also have more Oranges for the daily fruit..

I never got around to reading (starting) my book....perhaps today-  I did watch Tracker.   And Antiques Roadshow.

I think I will watch British Soccer today....  and sew a few black with white fabrics into a square.  White dots.- different sized dots....And another pile is white stripes on black.  From the Fabric Stash.

I am going to check the floss storage boxes for another paddle of matching red....but I don't have the labels with the color number anymore.... so matching is going to be by eye.....my eye is still pretty good at color matching.  In another Lifetime I'll write the color number on the white plastic paddle.

That's it...not much happening...I have a (few) nice series set to record on the TiVo.  In addition to the three or four in the recorded section already.  One is about George Washington.  One is about Craft in America. One is Pole to Pole... with Will Smith.  The Craft In America is always enjoyable.  I found a channel deep in the lineup with classic movies from the 40's....maybe even some from the 30's.  That I watched with my grandmother.  Back in the Day,..... 

Walked down to the sewing room and found...in another box of  embroidery floss..three full  paddles of the RIGHT matching red....for sure from the Five and Dime in Town decades ago.  I had little spending money in those early days of owning 2 McDonald's restaurants...but COULD afford some colorful floss. .

 

Daily Notes and It's SNOWING here in Maine... Wondering if it will Snow into July????

 Artist is Manuel Jiménez.   Carved Animals with real Personality... Will have a few more of these in the next posts.

What am I doing?  Well, daughter and I washed and dried some very large (and heavy) crystal items...I made supper but still having difficultly finding the knob on the New Bosch Stove that turns on the OVEN.  Son is going to find a way to add a  "dot" under that knob. Has to be the right kind of "dot".

I "trial" matched some red floss in my sewing room closet to the linen table topper I have been working on since my two children were in middle and high school. 

I saw an interesting cloth on top of an ancient chest in the entry of the house where we were staying during the 10 days of School SKI Vacation back in the early 1980's.  Yes, they have that in Europe.

I couldn't find the rough textured beige linen the artist used so got some soft white not so rough linen, needle and red embroidery floss. I worked on it much to the delight of our host where we were staying--after she saw me measuring  cutting and hemming my linen...and starting in on the design.... she gave me  a copy of the design paperwork she had used to make the one I saw in the entry. (and kept my tea cup filled).   I still have all the parts and design in the same paper bag I got at the shop.  .  And now one- only one paddle of red floss.  And no where to buy more.. quilt shops and craft stores are all closed here in Maine.  I might just use the red I have and then..finish with other non-matching reds. Like women did during the Great Depression.  In 20 years it will be an oddity in a resale shop...And I will be dead or celebrating my 100th birthday.  

Watching the news makes me feel like The Second Great Depression is almost upon us.  I have the oil furnace running....no clue as to whether we will be able to fill the tank when it runs out. Our only source of heat and hot water.

The little animal up top has had to listen to all this whining....you, also.  So now I reheat my coffee for the third time and settle into the couch.....think about a Herb Garden....in a Grow Box on the back deck...or out on the walk with the ornamental planter boxes.  Life would be perfect if I had a Carpenter on Call.  To build me a few things and repair a few MORE things rotting away on my house,

Growing Old...sigh. For People and for Houses.

Daily Notes for Wednesday March 18th.....Bright outdoor light and melting snow.

Pansies today....my favorite flower....so cheerful.

I have the stove going with a large pot of water and some corned beef....I forgot yesterday was the day to make it...so today..I am making it.  Low simmer for almost 4 hours. I'll check on the water levels every so often.   Then...according to my recall..... the corned beef comes out (and spends time in the oven getting crisp around the edges) and the cabbage, small red potatoes go in.   I think something else goes in but Son will remind me.  Carrots...Only I like boiled carrots.

I have not started my book....the one I spoke of yesterday... a former neighbor sent an email and wanted a nice long letter re: what's happening in the neighborhood. I wrote a full page.  Containing public business.  Nothing else.  She now has FIVE Granddaughters. Just got a new one.

Daughter is home with a very bad headache.  She called to see if the store brand prepared soup had one specific ingredient in it...no.  So it's something else.

News from the "White House of Ill Repute" continues to baffle me.  Another head of Homeland Security has turned out to be same or worse than previous.  Hard to believe???? Nope.

We washed and dried and boxed up Swedish Crystal......it's now way up on top of a cabinet...Safe and Sound.  I no longer have to ask where it is.  Daughter got tired of me asking.

Well, Supper is simmering....I need to get the heat up a notch higher...or wear o scarf around my neck. Half the bagged and boxed items we are getting rid of ...are gone.  WAS QUITE A PILE.  Still more to find and get rid of.  Scandinavian Death Cleaning.

 

Daily Notes- Tuesday, March 17th. Sunshine here in Maine and melting snow- New snow arriving???

 Well, Collected all the items needed for Income Taxes.  I used to do them myself..but when we owned a company...they had to be done by an accountant.  So I stopped....and never really got back into it until Turbo Tax.  And I wore my NERVES to the quick with Turbo Taxes for ten years.... and now, I just collect the papers and someone picks them up........ I feel it's worth the money to save what I have left of my "nerves"....

The Maine Snow is melting....again.  Comes and Goes.....I have zero plans for today.....perhaps some English Soccer....the book I was going to read happened to be one I already read once and never finished reading....needed a better editor....got tedious.  There was a plot line there that could have worked but they left it hanging........

I have a Christina Lauren book to read...the only one of their books I do NOT own.......I will read it once more and decide if it's worth my time......I have never actually read it thru to the end...perhaps at 79 I will be able to????   I pulled it off the shelf and then was tempted to put it back on the shelf (at the Library) it's that sort of book....never really gels.  The other one of their books I don't care for is the cowboy one.  These two haven't written anything new in awhile or my Library hasn't bought anything new. I will check after hitting publish.

Maine is under a Flood Watch today with High Winds to follow.  Could be exciting.  Here at my house I have melting snow and green grass showing up....over wintered bulbs are up a few inches.... they are near the septic tank outlet- warm water (showers) thaws that area out early in the season..  Hot showers thaw this old woman out as well.   Well, I need to find something to do....after I reheat my coffee.  Get on with it.  I have an index card to color.

DebL- collected all the cloth of yours in one place...it was well scattered thru sewing room and living room areas...now all together...I did this because I have had a "creative idea"......and haven't had one of those in awhile....need to run with it before it evaporates......now I need to find the "faded golden print" I made a notation about........sigh.  It's always something.....

Daily Notes for Monday, March 16th.. Foggy, Damp Day here in Maine.

Daughter and I reloaded the Goodwill bags and made another bag full of ART SUPPLIES for the Library- they sent an email to all patrons re: art supplies that we might no longer need.  Well, Sam and I had a full cardboard box full.  We no longer needed.

She was here and now gone to buy a new machine for her basement to remove humidity...a new one every year.  Lots of humidity in her basement.  

We are also contacting the Banker who does my taxes..... she is having her paperwork picked up tomorrow and I asked for list of what I need to send him and this same Erika can pick up my info... I think this time I will make a photocopy of the list and use a black felt tip marker to add with word TAXES to the paper.

 In case I'm alive next March.  But I will be alive for a few additional weeks as I now have two boxes of COOKIES in the cabinet.....And Corned Beef and Cabbage to look forward to cooking and eating.  It helps to have something Future to look forward to.... 

The bags of crafts hold quite a bit from my Art Room.  And the shelving is still full...The frozen paint  is now soft and pliable.....waiting to be used...

Daughter and I discussed Peonies. Husband set fire to two of the five out back by the porch steps (with a gas can and a riding mower)...and somehow the other three died.. possible they got "weeded" as he pulled "weeds" a lot.  I might be too old to buy new ones...moving Peonies shuts them down for a year or two before they decide they like the new place......then other year or two to make flowers....  Woo Peng is still okay out front... Made one blossom last summer or the one before.  Sigh.  Took MANY years for that to happen.

So.....I need to turn on some lights and crank the thermostat up...chills on my neck...oh, and rehear my Morning Coffee....at 2 pm.....some days I feel like I'm just taking up space and not really living. I wonder if the President feels the same way.

 

Daily Notes- Saturday, March 14th. Sunshine, shoveled walks. 37 degrees

Jonathan W Gemmell I believe is the artist.

Reading...Still... Tell Me Lies.   Library says Runaway Groomsman is waiting on the shelf for me.  If it was walking distance and there were clear dry sidewalks...I would walk into Town...HA!!!!  I might make it to the end of the street and start looking for something to sit on.  Love that book.

My wall and desktop calendars record my Anger and Fear for this Country of Ours.  And now soldiers sent to a War that was started because some weak minded man wants to have a WAR.  Because...why????? to make himself feel like a "man"..... a real man would not send them. He'd find a better solution.

I might try my hand at making a quilt like Dee's.....a house.  I have never tried a patchwork house but did try a big moon once like Dee's moons.  I drew the outlines on an index card for reference. I also wanted to make a mouse like Dee's......but that also wasn't in my skill set.

Saturday and I will be assuming PBS is still begging.....and none of the Cooking Shows are on. There are  more than enough British Soccer matches...on tv today....and I will watch or record as many as possible.

I have cloth, I have cheese and pickle sandwiches,  I have Soccer...Son is heading out for "lunch" ........

Daily Notes for Friday March 13th. Sunshine and melting Snow here in Maine.

More strange things...   Embellished Carrots.  Reminds me of the little squash I embellished.

Today was Grocery Shopping Day....I didn't get anything exciting.  I tried....laughing.... but it didn't work. It does work when I shop with daughter....we had to return home the back way...roads here after Winter Ice Heaves...well the heaves include chunks of asphalt.  We took the long heave-less way.....

Son thought I had pickles....I didn't have pickles....I do have some home canned pickles from 2020 and I left a jar out on the counter....I don't have a chance at ALL of eating them once he sees the date.  I opened the jar- nothing foaming etc....used vinegar which is acidic...should be fine.  They look tasty.... one other jar had low liquid so I dumped that one out but tasted one of the pickle slices...tasty.  I haven't died yet.

Not a clue what to do today as I have more energy than usual....Pickle Policing does that for me, I guess.

I have my book to read......find out if I recall any plot details.

Found TWO more Watercolor Children's Paint Boxes---on the closet shelf I was cleaning... now I have three.  The paint brushes are still hiding.  And the Watercolor Paper is also still not front and center.  I thought it might be in the side shelving of the coat closet....some amazing stuff WAS there....but no watercolor paper.  I still have more places to search..........finding stuff.....

 

Daily Notes- Thursday, March 12th. Cloudy and 40 degrees.

 Will be awhile before we can set out flowers like these....I'd love a big scoop of a planter...like this.

Not a clue as to what happens today here in the house....I emptied a few more boxes....some really nice expensive craft projects are going to Goodwill.  Basket making supplies.  One for a wine bottle holder.

Daughter asked "when" was this something I wanted to do....I mentioned living in this house for decades. What I wanted 30 (or 40) years ago-- is quite different from what I want now.  What I wanted 50 years ago is even more different from the Life I live now.  Lots of disappointments.  Alongside some really really Wonderful times with friends. And quite a few jobs I adored.......but husband had to keep us moving. 

Now, he's gone and I don't move at all anymore.

Well......Panera's soup with little dumplings was very very good... I will get it again but not right a way.

Not much to watch on TV....and the news (OMG)  so I finished reading How to Walk Away. 

Today's book has been waiting for quite some time...Crusie's  Tell Me Lies....will find out if it's something I can read.....I do not suffer thru a badly written book...gladly....or at all.  

The Attic removals have produced some very fine paper for watercolors....and some very fine ceramic dishes full of watercolor paint was also dragged out of the coat closet.  Quite a few items were purchased in Europe...either during the visits prior to living there or while living there.  Wonderful Things.  Now to discover where the paint brushes are hiding.  We also found a matted and framed watercolor of mine....I hadn't seen in in YEARS....very nice.  Being surprised by the contents of my house...who knew??????

Wednesday, March 11th. Warmer than usual. 44 degrees- no sunshine.

 New York Times Orange Cake.

I have everything in the HOUSE to make this cake....even a food processor.  Where it is..I haven't a clue... Still haven't found the Swedish crystal champagne flutes.  Or the wooden box of silverware.  I did find extra pairs of brown slippers from LLBean...defective and very inexpensive (to employees only).

But none of the "good stuff" is being found.

The frozen stiff paints etc have thawed out...we will find out if they still "'work" when I find my brushes. I have my watercolor brushes but the ones for acrylic paint- a mystery to be solved.

I cleared out a shelf in the hall closet--where we keep coats etc.... Art Supplies...lots of really nice things. so I took some of them out...now to find a new closet to use as a storage area.   So I can USE them. SEE them. REMEMBER I own them.   The order should be Remember, Find, See.. Use...... Really nice stuff.

Listened to PBS- Opera..very dramatic and open air and raining. Pavarotti......various important singers sang... ...I recorded it so I could fast forward thru the talking parts where they ask for money.  I have at least one of his CD's with Rigoletto, La Traviata, and La Boheme.....to listen to.   I might have a second CD.  It was very very nice to just sit and listen and watch it rain.  As I said- I recorded it...so will watch and listen again as soon as I finish my book.... Katherine Center's How to Walk Away.  I've read it several times already in the past few years.

Perhaps daughter can find the Trade Paper copy for me.  Well, I have things to do...sort, wash, dry, put away.  And my coffee to reheat.....drink......finish the book. Sun is NOT shining here in Maine.  

Daily Notes- Yesterday daughter took me to the Library and I walked around in the stacks...

Charlie Moon again.

Walking in the stacks these days...at the Library.... isn't much fun.  And the new book section is VERY thin on books.  I took home a few oldies.  Books I have read before.  I am not feeling enthusiastic about the books I checked out.  I might just read an old cowboy romance by Johanna Lindsey.  From my bookcase.  Or A Knight In Shining Armor...time travel.

The books I refer to were on the Library Discard Trolley years ago.... outside in front of the Library entrance- free books the library no longer wanted....most of my home bookcase of hard covers are from the Library Discard Trolley.  Later they just lined them up on the window sill in the entrance foyer. And then on the lowest, closest to the floor shelf also in the entrance foyer.  Leaning over at 80-- one could tip over and smash one's head in. 

 Reading has become less of a pleasure as my eyes get old, dry and tired. But I keep trying...I keep reading until I have to stop and rest my eyes. Add drops. And watch British Soccer or Law and Order.  Or just sit on the couch with my eyes closed doing absolutely nothing.  Not even sleeping.

Well, today is just getting started and I am already losing interest. I did have a shower and washed my hair...letting it dry itself into whatever waves and curls it wants.  There is an interesting wave dipping past my eyebrow on the right side.  Eventually I will gather it up on top of my head.

I sorted "same family" colored scrap cloth here to my left into sandwich bags.....in case I decide to make something- A SQUARE is what I usually make....Sort of potholder sized....I always hope that I will persevere and make nine.  A larger square.......I don't.  

I ran out of the fabric scraps in  color families here on the ottoman.....I do have quite a bit of  black and white prints......way more than a sandwich bag's worth....that could entertain me today.  Notice I am saying scraps....I have LOADS of folded yardage in EVERY Color and Print....no shortage of fabric....just that right now I am more comfortable with scraps.  And no need for the rotary cutter and the ruler.  Dangerous. I try and stay away from the cutting table....though I do enjoy cutting strips.  I'm 80. Need finger tips.

One of the Amaryllis Bulbs my neighbor Peggy gave Son and I two or three years ago has two flower buds just emerging from the covering leaves.... looks like a very dark red.  Or dark pink.....the other is still stalled out with a small fresh tip of something emerging.  I didn't see anything I liked in the floral department of the grocery...mostly bouquets.  Husband would buy those for me...I have never bought  one for myself.  I tend to like things that I can "keep"....not watch fade and dry up.

 

Daily Notes for Monday, March 9th. Sunshine and 61 but everything covered in 3 feet of snow.

 This is titled the Orange Vase.  Weird.

I have this urge to paint or color or draw....ART....and no idea of what... the library visit was too early.. They are NOT ready to add the 4 digit code to my Library Card. (yet).....the program that it needs hasn't arrived or been installed or tested as yet.  Wow.  The target start up date was ...as the librarian put it- "just a suggestion".   I used the steps up and the elevator down.

Public TV had Sense and Sensibility on last night....also on another date- (which I set the TiVo to record). I like S&S much better than Pride Etc.   The camera work is very old style......close ups of faces expressing emotions etc.   There was the usual "begging" for cash that Public TV does.  It's pretty much all the time now.

So...60 degrees....NICE...very very nice.  It will take the 2 to 3 feet deep piles of snow (turning to ice) some time to melt.  Overnight..the melt will freeze if temps get low...it is Maine.

I have books to order....hopefully something interest will happen by tomorrow- or not.

Daily Notes for a Sunday in March...not snowing... no sun and 49 degrees.

 Titled "wonderful ladybug" by. Charlie-Moon-Little.  He has a Facebook page....I don't do Facebook so no help here on how to find him.  I actually only "do this post" and nothing else........ I found him over at Little Somethings.  Where you can find more bettle images.

I have on a different colored acrylic fabric top...The other lime green one is in the wash basket.  Waiting for me to do the laundry- just isn't enough in the basket as yet.  With just me filling the basket. I am seriously considering changing the sheets on the bed which will fill the basket.  Then I might need to sort the colors from the whites.  And not have enough of either,

Today is Sunday Pizza....Son is also questioning the viability of the potato I baked last Sunday and wrapped in foil and put in the fridge.....I find no fault with him questioning the viability of that potato. I did not have interest in the potato after baking it........I lose interest pretty quickly these days unless I move on the topic FAST.  Also there has been quite a bit of Attic Box Sorting which uses up my normal band-with of attention.  Deciding what to keep and what to let go of.... it's like looking in to the Future... will I need it in two years...five years.......next week????????  I don't know.

The Living Room thermostat battery died.....which might be why it was cold in here yesterday... I left batteries for Son to replace or whatever he does......  it works this morning.

I called in a refill on the wrong inhaler.....sigh...I don't seem to be able to do anything right and it really depresses me a great deal.....so in response I just stop doing things.... Stop sending comments....I get negative feedback on those as well.....I did contact an old internet friend. The Christmas card I sent her got returned...she has a new house....a new vegetable garden (I envy her the garden). and I re-mailed the card.

It was great getting an email from her and all her news....old friends are the best rewards for living I think. no need to explain yourself to them..... just be happy they are still around.

Moving In and Out of Time here in Maine--- Saturday March 7th. Son shoved snow early. It's WET.

An Engraved Beetle.... I will go back and find names and makers for you.  Isn't it lovely?  Made of Copper and Rose Gold.   Beetle is by Jonathan W Gemmell.  He might have an instagram feed.

There is a chill in the house......I have heat turned up but the spaces in the large rooms are too much and it's Maine...who knows what the situation is behind the walls- insulation????? House was built during a BOOM and supplies were limited...  the bedrooms are warmer as I had work done there...but we never made it to the living room, dining room and kitchen....I doubt there is much insulating this room from the back wall of the garage.   I am waiting for Spring and 50 degrees....I can managed 50 degrees. Right now I use a heating pad on lowest setting to warm up my down lap throw...while watching British Soccer or reading books.

Houses here were for Spring, Summer and Fall...then everyone packed up for Florida for the Winter. I am living in a Maine Summer House.  365.  The Boiler is working hard.   I might consider Florida in the decade to come but just for the Winter....a balcony over looking some water...paper, brushes and paint. Sounds like a decent retirement.  80 to 88.  Outliving all my dead relatives.  

Well, that might be a Pipe Dream.....today I will finish reading a book, watch Soccer and miss out on Saturday cooking shows due to PBS Fundraising.   My Lunch Buddy said I could actually get ALL the PBS content of mysteries etc on Am. Prime.  Which might be why the Fund Raising has become Quarterly rather than Annually.  Smarter People than ME have gone over to Prime.

Well, I need to go find the Beetle information for you...... 

 

Daily Notes for Friday March 6th.....light snow overnight. ( less than predicted) 31 degrees

 Daughter and I were tossing old Women's Club Newsletters from the 1980's and I found this black and white drawing....of the Taunus.  I added some colored pencil.   Frankfurt really did look like this back then and probably still does.  But not these colors....  my drawing.  Possibly copied from a photo.  The years of college art classes not wasted.

Daughter got invested in "organizing" the CD piles....husband had "his" music and I had mine.  I went for symphonies and old style rock and roll.  And Edith Piaf.  I play her most often.  I had a few things mixed into husband's stash...things that were originally mine....so NEW things to listen to while I repair this antique quilt.   I like the repair work- it goes slowly and it's just a tuck and tack..not the intense embroidery I usually get involved in.  Daughter now gets to remove the address labels from husband's CD's before they go to Goodwill. 

A large cardboard box containing all the tubes of acrylic printing ink and acrylic paint came down from the Attic. Really HEAVY BOX.... the acrylic paint tubes were  hard....so we set them up by the south facing kitchen radiator- on the floor under the table holding blooming plants.  Daughter will to happy- the tubes are now pliable.  Ready for art work.  Or Goodwill.  I'm going to give myself a "grace period" to consider reviving my painting career.......which just means making stuff for myself.

This morning I was considering making another Baltimore style quilt top.  I love the one I have hanging in my bedroom.  I love the leaves I hand appliquéd all around.  I want that sort of thing again...once more before I am too old.  And my fingers and joints go stiff.  Too.stiff to hold a needle.  Or a paint brush. But hopefully still able to hold book.  And eyes still able to read that book.

Daily Notes for Thursday, March 5th. Sunshine here in Maine. 37 degrees

 Some color other than WHITE to brighten your day...and mine.  

I slept well and was up earlier than usual.  My "Interpersonal Contact with Humans" has been less than positive lately...I was almost to the point of closing down this blog and my email.  Almost.  But I will persevere..... Life at 80 is not a Popularity Contest.  It's a Long Distance Slog. No Prize at the end.

Daughter and I went thru several boxes (from the endless supply in the Attic) and sorted buttons- yes, a LOT of buttons....before they head over to Goodwill (possibly already gone as daughter is very efficient) anyone need buttons?????  Buttons are gone....I saved the ones I had gotten from my grandmother's house...  Depression Era- she did not throw anything away that might be needed...zippers, buttons, thread. She saved bones to make soup broth.  Every bone.  Always had a garden. I saved the 1900's buttons.. Rather large....or very tiny.....  My Heavy Black Wool Coat will eventually need a button.

I spent...it seems....way too much time with my grandmother...picked up all the Deep Depression Era NEED to hoard things... SAVE everything.  Even socks with holes in them... which I mend....Sweaters are heavily mended with the thin spots supported by a donor sweater (elbows).  I can only wear them in public WITH a coat over the entire outfit.  Other wise I look "homeless".  (I'm told)--25 cent LLBEAN reject pants........I refuse to pay $90 for a new pair of pants that look identical to the 25 cent pants.  And it's Winter- no one sees my pants.  No one sees ME!!!!

It's really really difficult to find a NICE good quality sweater these days ....odor free.  I am even okay with paying $$$ for cashmere.  But what is being sold is so thin you can see you hand thru the wool.  

So I mend.   We also packed up a large box full of husband's shoes...even a brand new pair he never wore. And his collection of hats. Going to the local Goodwill.   Took awhile to get over all that letting go. Surprised it was shoes and ball caps.    

I am noticing that I didn't post yesterday. Today is Wednesday the 4th of March 38 degrees

 I will add any image I can find that brings bright color to a world right now that is mostly dark. And unfortunately on FIRE.

My oatmeal was good, I didn't tip off my chair and smash my forehead (my worst fear) while pulling on my smart wool socks.   The Sun is shining here in Maine...no morning newspaper. (overnight snow)..the day feels off center minus the paper.  Yes, here in Maine you don't get a morning newspaper if it snows overnight..... ?????.  

The engineer has figured out the snow blower and is now a Big Fan... some of the problems, I think, were misuse by husband...getting settings messed up etc.   Now it's working as it should.

I haven't selected a book for today as yet.... I might select Getting Rid of Bradley by Crusie.  

Yesterday daughter brought down two more boxes and we sorted buttons and beads etc....lots of buttons... I was wondering what I had in mind for them...........We filled a good sized cardboard box with all that "stuff" I was buying and NOT using????? and now it's sorted into sandwich bags and headed for Goodwill--the one we like.  We have two nearby Goodwill places....we like one better than the other.

And I found my box of Deb Thread.....in a closet on a shelf...and yes Deb there was tangerine and a yellow green.... and what ever other color I was wanting....all in the box.  Ready to GO. Now I have to try and remember why I wanted it.

Here in Maine- and for sure everywhere else....the MOON has been very very bright and shines into my bedroom windows and off the snow covered yard.  Making it difficult for me to fall asleep.... I wake up tired.   So.....Getting Rid of Bradley, a reheat of my Morning Coffee, and whatever else comes my way. And I think a grilled cheese and pickle sandwich for lunch.   I STILL haven't made SOUP!!!!!

My hair is actually- a few days a week- looking quite nice...it's starting to regain the curl....not that the curls are organized in any way shape or form....  Just shine silver curls.  

Well, I have list here to my left of authors I like...so I'll see if they have written anything new...

Another Sunny Day in Maine-- March 2nd, It's Monday...

 There's a bird in there somewhere.  I read a book yesterday and turned off the tv.  We are going to Hell in the proverbial "hand basket" bombing other Countries......just because we can.  Former Presidents are turning in their graves.......they will eventually BOMB US......you Brainless Twit.

So- Blinding Sunshine here in Maine and 20 degrees.  Our solid Republican State is not so solidly Republican anymore.  Interesting ........of course I make a practice of not listening to news...longer than 5 minutes..  

Where did that big gray haired Chief of Staff come from??????  I've been wondering about that.

I have a sliding mess of illustrations cut from magazines etc here to the left...the glue stick is over to the right.  The Washable Paint Set is still not open or used but the March calendar has some additional images glue sticked to it.....I'm in a collage state of mind.  I added Cuba to the US Map. (not) Where to paste it was the problem- what state gets this "extra"?  Florida??  Gosh...that would be something. 

Maine needs population growth....  

I have nothing else for you...I slept well.   The Sun is shining....  My oatmeal was very nice.  My coffee is lukewarm warm and needs a re-heat...

We now have lists of what is in the fridge and freezer on the door of said fridge and freezer.  So I can stare at the lists and not even have to open the fridge doors........ I am thinking about toast with butter and jam... But will have the baked potato instead.   Take care....we don't have much time left....

Daily Notes for SUNDAY March FIRST. Calendar changing day.

 No images....I just have nothing to show you today or yesterday or tomorrow.

So...cloudy here in Maine, lots of snow piling up. 30 degrees today and was in the 40's yesterday.  Weird Weather.

Warner-Paramount sent a 2 inch thick phone book sized manual regarding the take over and stock purchase....I have two shares my Dad gave me decades ago..  I am wondering if just tossing the entire manual in the recycling would work or do I have to remove the pages??????  Because I just don't care.  The stock price has gone up and I am looking forward to a check when they buy my 2 shares. I'll have enough cash to buy a quart of good ice cream... maybe MORE...

I'm tired of Winter...I'm actually just tired of about everything.... I did perk up enough to enjoy the Mars Discovery show.  And yesterday I chanced upon some of that show where people buy storage lockers full of crap.  I watched that for an hour or two.  I always expect a dead rat in the unit.

Well, British Soccer isn't going to watch itself....if there is any... I missed all the Saturday Cooking Shows because Maine Public TV is BEGGING YET AGAIN.... I gave them a car.

The local Music Theater is having a Tent Sale and asking for donations of NICE THINGS....my Lunch Buddy gave them her Wedding China a year or two ago- missing one tea cup....she found it before the auction and they were "thrilled".   

If we did a survey here....how many of you eat at the dining room table with good china and conversation??   Let's be truthful....

I eat sitting at the table, alone, reading the paper or doing Suduko puzzles.  Or I make a sandwich and eat it while watching tv on the couch (thinking about when I made my husband's lunch and he always got  ham and cheese roll ups and chips and pickles and a tall glass of lemonade with a side of two very tiny mandarine oranges).   While he watched Wipe Out on tv.  He worked hard his whole life...deserved a prepared lunch.  And the often baked cookies with sprinkles mixed into the dough.

I often forget I took very good care of him.

Daily Notes=. Saturday February 28th. Chilly here in the house. 41 with sunshine outside.

 No image.  Being stuck- in the house and in my artistic pursuits- equal's no images.

I Finally remembered the name of the junior (second semester) and senior year dorm at Ohio University-- Boyd.  At least I hope that was it....I have no recollection of the name of men's dorm across the small grassy Quad.   The river that flooded was right behind Boyd.  I was in a fourth floor Attic single.  Hardly anyone else was on the fourth floor.. the exceptional shower was always free for me to use-for very long hot showers...the third floor bathrooms had one deep bathtub each. 

Connie....I wish I had known about the ice cream machine.  In the Boyd cafeteria. But perhaps it was installed after my senior year.

Well, Son has gone out for lunch after adding new license plates to his car.  He wanted the chickadee but got the pine tree.  Very disgruntled.   I think the new plates are AWFUL. 

I sorted out all my white short sleeved v-neck cotton tee shirts.... The ones that are "still" white are staying and the ones a shade or two of "not white" are going to be used for washing the cars, or cleaning up messes. The old ones also have shredded necklines....well loved and well worn.

I might try and visit LLBean on line...I used to get a catalog but they don't do that anymore.  I also used to work there.  Well... one Winter into Summer.

With all the Epstein things...who is running the government?????

Daily Notes- Friday February 27th. Sunshine, Snow and 31 degrees here Maine.

Someday soon the image I sent to the computer will show up.  Seriously weird time spent trying to get this heart here.  Colored pencil on index card...not like the heavily stitched ones by DebL that I love. But something that is "here to remind me" of hers..

I watched an interesting program about MARS yesterday on the Discovery Channel???? Science Channel???   There are more episodes. Mars was once covered entirely with water.  I also watched a few other things but can't recall right now what they were....then I read an entire book. 

Twice Shy by Hogle....  I'd read it before but now the book cover says it's brand new.  There was a very very slight difference....they removed references to an out of control AMAZON buying habit....by an  older woman...in the earlier book they had more about Amazon and one of characters set up a website and repackaged the items and sold them...  that was gone.  Amazon kicks fictitious butt.

The Mars thing was great- they showed the expensive machines they sent into orbit to Mars....over the years...showed us the awesome crashes they made into the Mars Surface.  Really slammed into the surface.

Watched Hilary Clinton speak on MSNBC... would have been so great as the First Woman President. Smarter than everyone..maybe even Obama.  Might also have heard her grinding her teeth when asked about Epstein...I loved when she said- " you have to ask my husband".... WOW.

Daily Notes for Thursday, February 26th. I'm Still Alive.

Going to have a MASS of these in this year's garden boxes.   I love them cooked down into a very sticky pasta sauce.  Looking FORWARD to SPRING and the outside planter boxes.  Might have the cherry tomatoes as "filler" in the two big containers out front....I recall them getting tall and bushy in past years.  I also recall  the DEER eating most of them......I had to cover all the plants with chicken wire cages.

The deer just walk out of the Commons Woods and eat stuff... I used to bang a spoon on a pan and scare them away...now they just ignore me.  Very very comfortable with humans now.

Son and Daughter are now on their way out for Lunch.... Frosty's Donut Shop has reopened and I have two most excellent Jelly Filled Donuts to enjoy.  The Florida Winter Mainers are returning.  A bit early as there is QUITE a bit of SNOW on the ground.  More over night.

I really don't know what to do with myself today.....I found some art supplies yesterday but...I think I found them once before.......and NOW again.....which is bothering me....I forgot them in between. I guess  that's how things go as I get closer to 80.  But I was pretty darned excited about the art supplies...possibly said the same here on the post when I found them the first time.

I haven't done much as yet.....Suduko puzzle was difficult...instant coffee was quite good.......oatmeal was nice.....not sure if I want the tv on.   No bills to pay.  Reading Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle.   I read this book once before....I recalled the entire beginning...and now...as happens....I like it better this time...I believe I never actually finished reading it....or if I did- don't recall.  Yesterday was a Crusie with ghosts...I skipped large amounts of pages....not her best effort.... LARGE bag of books being returned tomorrow.  More awaiting pick up.

Well, it's cold in here.  I forgot to turn up the thermostat.....now furnace is rumbling...

I have a lot of "political" news commentary to either watch or ignore today.  I didn't watch the speech itself.  I did notice that the "Guthrie Missing Mom Story" is getting very very little space on the news now.....and when I did find some- none of it was actually "news".  

Well, the "children" going out to lunch has made me curious as to what I should be thinking about for lunch..... I might microwave two of the frozen egg and cheese things I have in the freezer.....for just this sort of occasion....I have NOT made soup as yet but TALK about making it quite often...... if I actually boiled water I could have Mac and Cheese....or Steamed White Rice and Peas.  Or just spoon peanut butter out of the jar.   I'm not picky.

 

Daily Notes- Tuesday February 24th....Sunshine, Fresh Snow, 28 degrees,

 Desk Calendar Image...

One from outdoors would be ALL WHITE.......Son is out shoveling snow. Again.

Trump's Florida Judge Aileen Cannon has come thru for him yet again.  As usual it's Jack Smith Trump is afraid of....overhead shots of Maralago look like it had a 100% make over....  tax payer money??????

So...I finished reading Welcome to Temptation and today's book is Faking It.  Reading backwards a bit with the Dempsey Family who had star status in Welcome to Temptation..  I should have gotten the books in better order---my bad.  I've read them all.  It doesn't really matter.  There are no surprises. Other than my enjoyment of them this time around....

Political Crap keeps happening...gag me.  I live in a Republican State...double gag me.

At some point my daughter will bring me some celery and I will proceed to making a pot of vegetable soup....eating the soup and enjoying it while looking at the 99% WHITE outdoors.  Blinding. This soup recipe has a few quirky things....Turmeric and Red Pepper Flakes.  Also Rice instead of Noodles.  I'm looking forward to it if the promised celery ever arrives.

I wrote checks for two bills.  I need help making copies of the oil delivery bills.  Then I can pay that one also.  My new to me copy machine... I have not mastered it.  It belongs to Son...I finally got used to the new paper shredder- which had belonged to daughter.  It's noisy.  I jammed up my OWN shredder and it went to the Dump Guy Pile.  In the Garage.  

And it's snowing.... Not as much (yet) but still coming down. blowing around.

 Hope the bus didn't hit the plow.   Looks like Maine Street in my little Maine Town- minus the BUS... We don't have busses...Boston has busses and comes north to our train station every so often to drop off college kids.  Coming to school on buses, trains and planes.  Bowdoin College.

I don't hear the rumble of the whole house generator so we must still have power.

I received an email from the company that delivers heating oil.... February 22nd- $709.89  and on March 24th 638.80......Son knows how much oil goes in the tank- 1400 gallons and we now own $1348.69 of  new oil....no mention  on the bill as to what each gallon cost.

I've had breakfast.   I'm enjoying my one a day cup of coffee.  No newspaper so no Suduko puzzle to work on.  I could- emphasis on could---try finishing one of the puzzles I didn't finish in the past month.  They are really difficult or I really don't know how to do them.

Well, I have to go check on the cold draft hitting me right now.....raise the temp in here.

Daily Notes- Not sure if there was overnight snow...

 Well,   I have a load of clothes in the washing machine....need to transfer to the dryer.

My oatmeal was great today...I got it just right.... Still working on my one cup of coffee (a day) and finished the newspaper.  I'm hoping the TiVo is recording British Soccer... YES it was.  Yesterday's Curling (women's) was a let down.... Not sure if there is any today....

Guthrie news is a few lines in the newspaper and zero on the TV news.  It's been three weeks.

I am reading a book I thought I didn't like...turns out I was just not "ready" to read it... Now I am enjoying it. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie.  And it's best read before Fast Women.  Or after.  Or by itself....there are other books before. Tell Me Lies and Crazy For You.  Will check library for either or both.

Heating Oil was delivered this morning (surprise)...before the Big Storm... yes...we are going to have a real Nor Easter blowing into Maine.  Possibly using the whole house generator if the power goes out.   I had noticed the little red level and said something to Son- he said the amount was fine....I'd been dialing down the house temp and conserving.  Now I can raise the temp in here to 65,

When I say living in Maine YEAR ROUND isn't for the Faint of Heart...I MEAN IT.  That Winter House in Florida (Gag me) ?????  Not happening.....but someplace smaller?????  Easier to keep warm?????

Daily notes for Saturday, February 21st. More snow.

 I plan to dig out one of these pots and USE it... it's pretty deep in the cupboard so I'll get daughter to get it out.  I loved how the pots looked more than I loved making coffee in them.  But that coffee was way better than instant....but instant is fine with me....I'm not that picky about coffee....it's bitter... no matter how it's made or how much it costs.....bitter.  I did like European coffee that had this shadow of chocolate...while being VERY bitter.    Just rewarmed my cup with a bitter dark chocolate bit....wow.  Life changing.

Supreme Court...now that was a take down!!!!!  Trumps's Trio stayed loyal.

I need some Celery for my SOUP.

Son was exhausted and depressed when he finished the snow shoveling...he's ALL IN on hiring a plow guy for next winter.  I'm too "old" to help with the shoveling...  I agree.

One of my new Library books- was a dud.  There were also a number of words etc that needed correction. So the proofreader wasn't very good (AI).  I got 20 pages in and had already found so many mistakes...I'll leave it for the woman or man who likes to add corrections to library book pages. In pencil. 

Sigh.   Arranged my table top....I have two bills to pay....but not on Saturday.  PBS is being recorded- cooking shows...two favorites are now gone...Lidia must have moved over to Amazon.  Another is one earlier so I have to adjust the TiVo.........Adjust....my word for 2026.  Adjust.

I asked daughter for some eggs and immediately forgot WHY.  Perhaps she will remember...I am almost sure it was for making and baking a pan of cornbread.  With coarse ground corn....in the glass jar on the counter.......so many "clues"....  But not today..... Grilled cheese and pickles today and pizza tomorrow.

What are you having or making????

Daily Notes as the Boiler Rumbles Louder than Usual......Friday, February 20th.

 Begonia.   The Shopping Channel had Hydrangea and French Blue something or other herb....for sale.. I am never actually tempted...but the blue herb would have looked amazing out front in the bed along the porch.  The Septic Tank people also deliver and sell brown mulch....and the beds need mulch to stop the weeds from taking over 100%.  Once the snow melts I can start calling people.

Today is Grocery Shopping Day...(no Library)...and I have plans for a Soup this week.  The last soup sat around too long and the final bowl had to be composted.....well, it would have been if I had my compost bucket read to go....it's a large blue soup pot.... and I layer food scraps with shredded newspaper (and I have lots of paper to shred).  Then toss it all in the bins out back..... Which are FULL of the nicest compost....soft and brown and hopefully none of the big fat worms... Not a fan of big fat worms. I know their poop is a great addition to compost. But I'm okay without them.......

I'm tired....don't know why...it's not like I did any heavy lifting ....or dragged the central vac hose around. The grocery sometimes has books in the magazine area....none today...but I have enough books here....to read ...and because I stop often to do other things...the reading takes much longer these days. And the entire Louise Penny Collection is waiting for me to read them again....in order.  (in the book case)..I haven't because they make me cry.....because I don't have a group to visit with in a cafe.

Fast Women is going slowly...they just discovered why the couch is so uncomfortable to sit on. I'm thinking I will read the book about the Music Teacher and the Rock Star next....after Olympic Curling has finished up.  Unless something exciting happens on the news....

It feels like I said ALL of this yesterday and possibly the day before, also.... Nothing much happens here.

Same day everyday.

Daily Notes for Thursday, February 19th...Sunshine here, 35 degrees.

 Angelique Tulip.   I have not had much luck with tulips bulbs....but I like the flower itself up on top of a sturdy stem.  The flowers last quite a while with just an inch or two of water in the vase...

I'm tired.....I'm old.......I'm more often than not bored..(and very crabby)....I talk to myself as I am more often than not alone with my thoughts and would enjoy company...even if it's my own voice.  All this is very very sad.  And I haven't "enjoyed" Assisted Living as yet- which I hear is terribly boring. And sad. 

I really don't want to go there.. alone at home seems so much nicer.  And home lunches are much better also.  I only wish my home lunches came with a side of chips or French Fries.. I always made sure my husband had a small pile of chips with his lunch....be nice if someone made sure I also had chips. (very very crabby today)

I have a good well read (often) book here to finish...then I need to select something new. There isn't much on the Library Book Shelf here right now....things are getting "slim to none" at the Actual Library....the Present Director is leaving in October and I think her intention is to leave the library Bare and Vacant. I might need to encourage daughter to forge an even better friendship with the Used Library Bookshop.  Twice Told Tales.......and the back room.   Or I need to start with A and work my way thru my own bookcase.....or go online and order books....Amazon has so many. I hate using a credit card on the internet. It doesn't seem safe.

I am ordering books today from my Library and will be redirected to other Libraries to find a copy of each book......it's how things are rolling....I do have an entire collection of Louise Penny mysteries. in the cupboard--..hoarding them for emergency reading.....once Olympic Curling is over- soon...very very soon.....

So that's how sad and disturbing my day is so far.....there might be something interesting going on with the Olympics.....and of course Law and Order reruns as a major fall back position.  A nap would be a delightful experience if I actually EVER had a nap...not a good napper...never was...never will be.

I'll look at the rose up top for awhile before hitting publish...it really is quite lovely.  I might buy some flowers tomorrow at the grocery store....something alive that smells nice.  And some ice cream.

Daily Notes- Wednesday, February 18th. Bright Sun reflecting off the SNOW. 40 degrees

Tulips....and I like the shed in the background also.  Strong reminder of my Grandmother's backyard.  Just realized that as I looked at the image.  She had long beds of flowers in her backyard...grape vines to the left along the driveway.  Peach and Plum trees. Red Current bushes along the back of the property. A vegetable garden over to the right...

I loved that house, that yard, that neighborhood. I was happiest there. And then never again after we moved.

I was more my Grandmother's Child than my parents.  Until my ninth birthday. We moved and I hardly saw much of her until my college years....when she and my grandfather moved closer to our neighborhood. And then I was married and living far far away.......always.  Every time we moved we moved farther away...then across an ocean......

So...on that less than happy note.......still reading Fast Women.... Lunch will be a Grilled Cheese with Pickles or a bowl of grocery store soup.....I'm thinking the Grilled Cheese will be the winner.

Not much else going on- some Curling later this afternoon...an orange for snack.....daughter took a large bag of Kitchen Things  (still in boxes) to Goodwill.  She'll check out the used book area.... I am still reading Fast Women........we checked with each other and neither of us was ever going to use any of the Kitchen. Things.....some because they had very sharp blades in them....