Daily Notes- October 31st. And the COVID cases here in Maine keep increasing.

Happy Halloween.  Muffy got dressed for the Holiday a few days ago and wanted to be in that day's post but I told her she had to wait.  She has a very adorable "velvet" cat costume and her very own little cat.  I don't think she'll be trick or treating tonight.  Usually it's only the Twins who come by to show off this year's costume.  They might be getting a dollar bill in an orange envelope or a chocolate chip LARABAR.  But not sure the cashew/date bars are child friendly. If I had orange paper I might try an origami pumpkin.   I should have asked my son to make me two. I might look for some Beanie Babies in the Attic.

I looked at the candy section and- for two small boys?  I did not want to buy a bag of ick candy. And then eat the rest of it myself.  Last year I gave them the entire bag- momma was not pleased.

I sewed the very busy French-ish fabrics into four squares and have a few circles to hand appliqué today. Or tomorrow.  Did a load of wash.  Just finished.  And now bracing myself to drag out the central vac hose and vacuum the house.  The hose.......stiff and gets kinked up and well, it's a real workout. I'm thinking of standing in front of the Swiffer display at Monday grocery shopping and choosing dusting pads.  I have many floor cleaning pads and squirt solutions.  But never delved into the dusting components.  The house is dusty.

I have not liked any of the books in my pile so far.  Geez.  I really hate when that happens.  And no library visit until Tuesday.  Three days.  Most of the books came off the Staff Picks shelves and usually they do not steer me wrong.  I still have five in the pile.  One of them has to be good- right?

The closer we get to Tuesday.......the tension is getting overwhelming. And it won't be over on Wednesday. It feels like it will never end.  It just feels so impossibly...not American.  I might need a pan of Brownies.

Daily Notes- October 30th

Late again, but I was awake at regular time.  Just had some interesting things to do with my breakfast and coffee (two) but decaf so I am not all wound up.   Selecting fabric- which was meant to be a lap quilt but got entirely too busy.  So now the squares- half with circles and half without, will be hand sewn into square potholders as holiday gifts.   And if I run out of people wanting them- they will go into the potholder drawer.  Next to the stove.  The other thing was writing info into my notebook for cloth dyeing. Mordants etc and which parts of things give color.  Very interesting.  I have many of the listed plants in my garden or yard.  I was not aware of how to use and which parts yield color.  I will be looking for downed birch trees (easy enough in the woods).  Daughter has supplied me with many rusted items for my iron water mordant container.  And I purchased dyers alum last Christmas at the Artist's Supply.

I do need to ask my old walking buddy to save the skin from her daily avocado- not just the pits.

Thursday's Football Pizza was different (I did not have shredded cheese in the drawer so used fresh mozzarella and things got "loose")  but it was quite good.  The crust- after 4 or 5 days in the fridge, baked up thin but very nice.  The football was not so nice.  I guess the way to win- for the Falcons- is to send good players to the protocol tent.  I have never liked watching the Falcons play. Some teams are just mean spirited. The Patriots seem to have lost a few more players to injury......not looking good for the season.

My book, Good on Paper, was one I had tried to read once before but too much Latin etc. And Isabel's Bed I had also already read once before.  Okay, but I think I have moved on. I have a Canham Scottish romance here to try out.  I have stayed away from the Scottish ones but that was the only Canham on the library shelf (I never have looked for Canham at the library as they never have any but now they have one)- so I took it "as a sign" that I might want to read it at least once.  I could be three for three in the "I don't want to read this" pile.

Husband went out this morning to get his hearing aids "tuned up".  He's back and working on a word search puzzle to send in- they give prizes (a local paper) and he always hopes he will win.  When we used to get the local Times Record we always worked on the Turkey Search puzzle. (November)  Had the double page spread out on the dining room table.  Would walk past and then stand and search for awhile.  Most years we never found all the words.  I wonder if they still do the puzzle?

Cold, Dark, Wet is the weather for today.  Two inches of snow was also forecast but haven't seen any. More church contacts are now sick here in Maine and Donald Trump Junior was here and no one wore a mask at his "rally" so we are waiting to see the contact tracing on that fiasco.

I watched Christmas Movies on Lifetime Channel yesterday.  They seem to be more enjoyable than Hallmark ones but often they ARE Hallmark ones. I like the one about the grandmother who sends her granddaughter shoes.  And magical things happen when she wears them. I hope I get to see that one again. The one I watched last night was the single career woman who is now the caregiver to her dead sister's child.  She hires a guy to be the nanny.  It had Gingerbread House Baking and Nutcracker Ballet. And a Meet Cute.  I always check for Hallmark Bingo Items. Oh, and Mistaken Identity.  If I get to see the Shoes one- I will make a Bingo List.  There's a Meet Cute in that one.  For sure.

Daily Notes- October 29th-

So what do we make of the five years ago thoughts and feelings of Lindsey Graham?????? 

Tardy today.  Have my second breakfast on the left of the keyboard.  I slept until 12:30.  Had breakfast, read the paper, looked for my car keys, went to the library and am now back home having a second breakfast.  One would think I had too much to drink last night.  Would be wrong.  I just was tired I guess.  And now I am hungry. 

The Honey Don't List was a good book.  I have requested other books by this author (really two women) Lauren Christina.  They use their first names as the "author".  My library only bought the new book and none of the others.  Slim pickings in the library.  The Early Birds get the books.

I watched NOVA on climate change last evening and got so depressed I watched two Hallmark Movies back to back. I don't even remember the plots.  One was set in Rome with the Hallmark actress that looks like a chipmunk in 4 inch heels.  She's very popular with the casting people at Hallmark.  Not with me.

So...here it is Thursday.  People here in Maine still getting sick but we aren't having our hospitals loaded with very sick people. Yet. Most of it contact traced back to the second church event while the wedding event is still a gift that keeps on giving.

I think I will settle into the couch with my new"old" magazines- Gun And Garden and enjoy a do nothing day.  There is a crappy football game on Fox tonight but qualifies  enough to get me to bake a Football Pizza for supper.  I hope you are having a more productive day.  

Daily Notes- October 28th- COVID cases still in the 40 plus range each morning.

It's SNOWING!!!!  Not cold enough on the ground for it to stick- but I am watching it snow.  We still have leaves all over the lawn.  This has happened before here in Maine.  Snow covered Fall Leaves. Today's snow is rather weak.  It won't do much of anything.

My pile of books.  The Honey Don't List.  That's my Life right now.

The Split Pea Soup- followed the recipe to the letter- came out "watery" which is not a modifier one would choose with split pea soup.  I filled the quart jars and let them cool- the water came to the top so I spooned it out.  The soup tastes good- but thin.  I hope the removal of two cups of water solves some of the problem.

I watched Storage Wars and Hallmark Movies yesterday.  A total waste of a day.  I did dress Muffy in her Halloween costume for her Halloween photo on the blog.  I was surprised to find she only had one Halloween costume.  I am guessing that is all she actually would need.  But I thought I had bought her a pumpkin costume.  I had not.

I managed to do a load of wash this morning.  It's in the dryer now.  I was going to do a second load but there is just not enough.  So I'll wait a day or two.  The load I did was mostly the clothing husband wears to do outdoor chores.  Husband was out early today to get his HD Flu shot and he registered his trailer so he can safely travel to the Town Dump without getting a ticket.

My neighbor at the far end of the road- house #2- emailed me that she has another armload of magazines for me.  Wow.  I love it when she brings them.  Gun and Garden and Maine Design.  I tear out images for paper collage.  I have a good selection right now.  But always wanting more.  The Maine Design magazines used to have wonderful full color pictures of art.  I used tons of them in my many journal pages over the years.  I would paste the art work in the journals and then fill in with words on the empty spaces. The last journal is not finished- It was started during the house construction way back when.  Full of pictures but no writing as it was chaotic around her for so so long.  Now I write in the lined notebooks I started using for the Morning Pages.  Now those notebooks get filled  with writing when I do laundry.  I did two pages while the one load of wash was going.  The washing machine behaves well- if I am in attendance.  I find the writing sitting there in the bathroom watching the washing machine do it's work- are more honest and true than the Morning Pages ever were.  Perhaps because they do not happen every day. I think they will be interesting to read someday.

We are finally out of ice cream.  That is one less thing for me to think about.  

Daily Notes- October 27th- 52 new cases of COVID in our Yellow State.

Christmas Cactus blooming in late October.  Welcome color on these chilly mornings.  Furnace running already.  Sweaters on.  Corduroy pants.  Smart Wool socks.  Lap throws in use. Dark by 4 pm coming soon.

Regarding the Christmas Cactus.  When I worked I mentioned in Fall classes to STOP watering the Christmas Cactus for the month of October and then begin watering to get flowers for Christmas.  It's the "feast or famine" principle of Mother Nature.  If plants think they might be dying- no water- they send up flowers (which contain seeds) to perpetuate the line so to speak.  I failed to water and then watered.  They got the message but too early.   And ..to clarify- if you water regularly- they might never flower. You have to scare them.  The red ones- are over 30 years old.  A Welcome Home gift from the Realtor.  We moved in on December 6th 1991.  Divided rarely- repotted even less often.  They like it that way. I do too.

Momma Rules for Christmas Shopping during COVID.  Make it. Bake it. Daughter is making the rounds of Goodwill for used clothing gifts and used books.  Nothing more is needed.  Well, a tree.  But that can wait till around Thanksgiving.  I just need to call in my order.  Hopefully, someone there remembers my name and I actually get a tree.

Paula out in Colorado is living thru the Fire and snow nightmare.  Los Angeles.  I can't imagine it. 

It's like the end of the world.  Disease, Fire, Hate. 

Today I am making Split Pea Soup for daughter.  I have two recipes.  One from Barefoot Contessa.  They are pretty much the same- split pea soup is pretty basic.  But Ina, holds back a quarter of the dry peas for an hour and then adds them.  Perhaps, less of a mushy texture?  We'll see.  It's more of a chopping recipe. Carrot, onion, celery and potatoes.  I enjoy chopping.  Especially if there is no "hurry up" involved. And I am happy to have that lovely baked ham end cut to add to the pot (and later cut into small pieces).

Storage Wars is on all day today.  And I have a new book to read.  I don't know which book I will choose. And Law and Order is on.  Yesterday there was zero for me to watch.  Zero.  I did watch a recorded NOVA episode on the alphabet.  How we went from pictures/marks to writing.  Every language's alphabet has the same source.  That was fascinating.  The origin of all the languages- the same source. And perhaps, with all our differences- all people from the same source as well.  It's something to consider.

Daily Notes- October 26th- Cold, Wet, Dark

How my husband rolls with coloring.  Boxes and jars full sets of colored pens and pencils.  He has to have a large table to spread them all out.  He's coloring a calendar I bought years ago.  Consults with me regarding color choices.  To the far left is a color wheel I gave him.  I think it might be the second or third one.  They get "lost".  This one is upright as I mentioned-- it's the last one.

An old friend from Germany days called from California where they live these days.  Her husband (also a friend) is in the hospital with a heart transplant after years of being on the list.  He had been walking around- alive- with 15 pounds of batteries that kept his old original heart beating while they waited. Now they wait to see if his body rejects the new heart.  They are so brave to be doing this- now.  She is not allowed to see him- be with him.  Any hospital stay is dangerous.

She relayed some voting news- I hope she got it wrong.  In one Texas county of very poor people- only ONE absentee in person voting site.  Must drive.  It's a drive thru.  These people do not own cars.  They are not allowed to walk up.  A way to keep them from voting.  My friend wants to drive there from California and offer rides all day everyday to poor people so they can vote.  It brings tears to my eyes. She was born and lived in Germany most of her life and is now an American citizen.  And if her husband wasn't in the hospital with his new heart- she would be on the road to Texas.

My husband is going into Town to pick up a new handle for the lawnmower.  The original cracked. He says I cracked it doing circles and curves in the lawn- what he calls "crazy stuff".   I examined the handle- it was rusted around the crack site.  I'll take the blame and continue to cut the grass next summer in swirls, circles and whatever.  Because......I always have done it that way.  When he worked and was never home. I also shoveled snow on the driveway in patterns.  But he has a new snowblower for this Winter.  I actually should learn how to use it.  Plan ahead for "any eventualities".  

Did any of you see the weather news this morning.  It is snowing in Colorado and there is a wild fire burning also.  The pictures looked like Hell On Earth. Dark skies, blood red flames and snow. Horrible.

I did the weekly grocery shopping.  So many cars in the parking lot but not so many in the store itself- perhaps they all checked out while I was standing in the deli line to have ham, turkey and cheese sliced very thin for husband's lunches.  I also got a a cut off from a baked ham to use to make daughter's request for lentil soup.  Or split pea.  I got dry lentils and split peas because- I don't remember which it is.

I am going to take a nap.

Daily Notes- October 25th

The desk to my left.  I was watching Alton Brown's Quarantine You Tube show yesterday.  While it's mildly fun - they were drinking far too many dirty martinis on the second episode. So when my attention flagged, I sorted my very cheap set of tiny pens into a yogurt jar and colored images I had drawn in pencil in my notebook.  I am forever making lists, drawing sketches, copying interesting quilts I see on the internet, writing recipes.  The pens have a very limited supply of ink.  They are 3.5 inches in length. As they give out- I toss them and just "make do" with the pens/colors that remain.  I am using a Sharpie for the black.  No tiny black pen.  Lots of purple ones- ick.

The pens originally were my husband's pens.  He wasn't using them so they became my pens.  I kind of like the ease of use of them- from the Dollar Store.  So there is no expectation of excellence.

Today's Sunday Food section of the paper had two interesting items.  Make Your Own Bagels and Make Your Own Flour Tortillas.   Both recipes are lengthy in Time but not in Effort.  But what really got me mad was reference to a PBS show on Mexican cooking.  Not here in Maine. Oh, no..... not in Maine.

A very very large Trump sign has recently been affixed to a homemade billboard on my road.  I get to drive past it on my way home from every trip into Town. It was there in 2016 but was hand painted. It's the only Trump sign in the entire neighborhood.

 I took great happiness in ripping my name and address off a large stack of political mail on heavy shiny paper before dumping the large pile into the recycling can.  All- un read.  I  imagine the recycling boxes up and down the street will contain much of the same on Monday evening. Wish they had spent the money feeding people or paying their rent.

Football today.  I didn't plan ahead to make pizza dough but I can do that as soon as I hit publish. I made pasta sauce for husband last evening while he took a shower.  He cleared the driveway in anticipation of snow.  Got all the tomato boxes emptied and stacked away. Moved soils into the garden for the Winter. He had already gotten the hoses drained and into the crawlspace under the house.

Shingles shot arm didn't really get to aching until second day. It's plenty sore now.

That book- well it pulled itself together in the final pages.  It was okay by the end.  Nicely finished. Musical Chairs.  If anyone wants to give it a go.  I haven't chosen a new book to read as yet. I may wait till tomorrow to chose.  Football and Law and Order.  I'm good for the day.  Hope you are as well, dear ones.

Daily Notes- October 24th. Are we in the fifth circle of Hell yet?

I stepped out on the front porch to take this picture.  The red shrub right of center is Purple Smoke Bush. The leaves on the large Smoke Bush print so nice on steamed cloth.  On this small leaf variety- no.  My yard is very colorful.  I had to open and close the door quickly as the very clean white w/ grey stripe stray cat was on the porch.  I am always afraid he will run inside the open door. He's been neutered. He seems very lonely.  Very astute hunter.  Always something in his mouth that he captured.

The Sun is nowhere to be seen today.  I have all the house lights on. Need to take off the shirt and pull on a sweater.  I do have on wool socks.

I got my 2nd dose Shingles shot yesterday at 5 pm on the dot.  The muscles in my arm are sore.  But that's all. I slept very well.   The Pharmacist gave me the shot (over $200 without insurance) and said that the soreness is caused by the material added to the vaccine- which makes it's intake into the system more complete.  Never know what sort of information one can get even getting a shot.  I had Shingles once.  That was enough for me.  

Breakfast of Champions today- Bagel followed by a gluten free coconut cookie.

I was happily surprised to get an envelope of fabric pieces in the mail.  So lovely.  Thank you Liz.  I have an envelope in the mailbox out by the street coming back to you.  And I need to buy washi tape.  That was such a nice touch.  My return envelope is held closed with Scotch tape.

I am reading book three.  Musical family.  Woman living in a falling down Summer house that she doesn't take care of. ... she hardly takes care of anyone including herself.  I am close to the end.  They are all going to do "mindful eating and meditation" and I guess it will all end happily ever after (when they stop drinking and smoking weed) and they fit into their wedding clothes. New York people in Connecticut.  Farmy Connecticut. Who knew???  This book-- number three- could have used a more aggressive editing. There are side characters more interesting than the ones highlighted. 

Would I read this one again? No. Recommend it to you- No.  I am wondering if book three is the first book this author wrote?  That happens.  Publisher figures it will get purchased and then we'll say what????

Daily Notes- October 23rd- 49 COVID cases from the Maine church

Two figs.  The rest are still green.  Husband loves Fig Jam but doesn't like fresh figs.  Two figs do not make a jar of jam.

My homemade pizza (with regular not bread flour) was pretty decent.  It had risen in the oven- off and cold- and then sat in the fridge for a couple days.  Yesterday was Thursday Night Football and we had Football Pizza.  No debate watching.  We already voted.  Husband wanted to watch- I said NO. And the Giants lost.  Fantastic.  There are teams I just don't like.  (Falcons)

Liz mentioned ripping cloth into strips.  I like ripping cloth.  Much more than using the rotary cutter.

Finished reading Limelight the second book written by Amy Poeppel.   Woman becomes the Personal Assistant for a rich young rock star "accidentally" after moving her family to New York City from Dallas. I never actually thought I would like it.  Sort of "grew" on me.  I now have her third book to read titled Musical Chairs.  The first book was Small Admissions.  I like reading my way thru an author's books. At times the first one is the only good one.  Sometimes you can see that book two was actually written before book one.  Sometimes you can see that two books used to be one book. It's all very interesting.  To me.

Today the Sun is not shining.  The gifted yogurt- Siggi Non Fat Plain (all these descriptive words are tasteless) was made quite delicious with additions of one pack of Splenda and a large splash of heavy cream. I added fresh raspberries and Bran Buds.  Very very nice. Today I will sub honey for the Splenda  but keep the heavy cream and see how I like it that way. I might go back to the Splenda and add a small bit of vanilla to the heavy cream.  Tinker. And eventually get it to taste like Noosa. Which I love. But is not what Whole foods sent to my neighbor.  And when I have eaten all the raspberries I'll supreme the red grapefruit. I love it with yogurt and Bran Buds.

I am going to the "Pharmacy at the Grocery Store" to get my 2nd Shingles shot today.  The first one made my arm hurt for about a week.  And I nearly fainted.  Blood pressure dropped fast. Lets hope I do better having the shot at 5pm???   I am just getting past having my Flu shot. That also hurt.  After not during. I'll be sure to use my rescue inhaler before.  It might help. Keep oxygen going to my brain. That sort of thing.

The new Pentecostal Church is a superspreader event. Each day more cases. Waldo County. 

Daily Notes- October 22nd- Sunshine 49 new COVID cases (another church gathering)

A visit to the library and a gift from the reference librarian.  An Atlas of Maps.  Not all at once but, I think if his Nana is okay with it, the very large book could be sent via post office at some point in Time. There is plenty of Time.

I lived in the surrounding areas of Atlanta for six almost seven lovely years.  The city where both my children were born is not on this map- perhaps it doesn't exist any more?  Had a very large and modern hospital.  Austell. Could be under a runway.

I am having some trouble breathing today.  Used the rescue inhaler.  Wearing the mask out in public is hard for me.  Not enough oxygen.  But...the upside, I can't spent too much time in public places. Safer that way.   

I was thinking about why I stopped making pieced quilts.  I don't like the cutting of pieces one has to do with a pattern.  I don't mind the fussy machine stitching- that was okay with me- and now- in my "old age" I can hand sew.  Needle turn appliqué. No deadlines.  But pressing the cloth, cutting out the pattern pieces with the rotary cutter and a see thru ruler .....  And the "rules"........ this goes here and not there.  Etc.  

I liked the "look" of Freddy Moran's house quilt.  I have all the fabric necessary to make one almost identical to the one in the book.  Yes, almost identical.  But Freddy made a few errors (she admits) in fabric placement.  I wouldn't.  But what would I do with yet another quilt????  Husband and daughter say I should just make a very small one- just four houses (or nine houses- I like the number nine).  I'm not even sure about that.  But it would give me work to do going into November, December and January.  I just need to find a chair for the sewing machine.  Husband has the one I have been using for years and years.  He's that kind of guy.  What someone else has is what he wants.

I'm the sort that looks at what someone else has and figures out how to make something better.

Let's make one house.  See how it feels.  I might just hate the whole process at 74.  And loved it at 47. 

I found the recipe card for cranberry orange loaf (my recipe box is packed with a zillion cards in no obvious order anymore) and will be making it today.  I have had the fresh cranberries in the fridge for a few weeks now.  Time to bake something.  I also am going to thaw out a few of the foil wrapped frozen bananas and make a loaf of banana bread with chocolate chips for husband (if THAT card can be found) and I think that recipe would use some of that yogurt my neighbor gave me.  He doesn't like cranberry loaf.  I always have a few frozen bananas in the freezer- in case I want to make a smoothie.  I haven't wanted one- so they get made into banana bread.  Eventually.  My goal is to make more room in the freezer for chicken thighs (soup) and ice cream (me).  I need more goals like this.

Daily Notes- October 21- Furnace On.

I had a long wait- holding still.  Waiting for one of the birds to gather his or her seeds where I could get a picture.  This little feeder that sticks to the back window is very popular with small birds.  They grab some seeds and then go over to the deck to work on cracking the seeds open.  No where for squirrels to hold on when they try and "make a leap for it".

I have the furnace on to get temps here in the house up to 64.  And the house lights are on.  It's dark in here even at 1 pm in the afternoon.   

I'm a bit late posting.  Husband went out for foot doctor appointment and never came home.  I made some calls to his cell phone but he had it set not to ring.  Or, that is his story and he won't admit to setting it so I could not call him. He did seem confused.  Who knows.  He has the phone connected to his hearing aids. He was wearing them.  But he is home now.  And not lost.

The book I am reading- Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel is very confusing.  There are at least four (but so many extra women floating in and out)- two are sisters but all four went to school together but now are living in New York City.  But many times in the writing it is not clear who is speaking.  A paragraph will begin "I was trying to help........" but no identifier as to who is speaking.  And now we have more characters- parents of children applying for admission to a private school where Kate has gotten a job. 

Kate is the main character.  She left everything to fly to Paris for a man.  He told he he wasn't interested when her plane landed- had changed his mind about her.  There she was ..... having left her job, sublet her apartment, standing in Paris at the airport, alone.  The guy walked off- left her there alone.  Her brother in law bought Kate a return ticket while she sobbed on the phone with her sister.

Kate.  Is a mess.  A very well educated mess.  There are many "men" we meet-- in the pages-- ever so slightly- hard to know who is who.  One of the four women is now having drinks in a bar with the Paris guy.  He's in New York.  The author doesn't give us the name of the woman- she is writing in first person. "I am meeting Robert in a bar for drinks".  That sort of first person. Who are you????  Is it even worth finding out?  Perhaps there are clues to identify I am missing?????

I have sufficient sprinkle supplies to make Confetti Cookies for husband if I want to do that.  I made pizza dough yesterday morning and forgot about it until bedtime when I saw a pizza commercial on tv.  Bowl of dough is now in fridge.  Pizza dough is super forgiving.  I can bake it today or tomorrow.  Whatever.  Well. I am going to return to my book and find out who is at the bar with Robert.  I don't think it is Kate.

Daily Notes- October 20- A Dark and Rainy Day with bursts of Orange Leaves

Freddie Moran's closet.  I was very much impressed by it and tried my best to have one JUST like hers. A Reader mentioned learning of Freddie in my old blog posts from years ago.  I searched the bookshelves but only have one Freddie book.  Freddie's House.  But my "style" back then was Very Freddie.

In fact. I drew a few sketches after finding the book.  I have "plans".  Because I have all the fabric!!!!!

Why do I want dark colors?  Well, actually, I should have said blues.  I would like a jacket covered in blue.  All the shades of blue which I do not own. (The blue shelf has no linen- only commercial prints)

Or, if blue is impossible then woodsy, mossy greens.  Or all the impossibly glorious shades of grey with a sliver of gold.  Those are my colors.  I love red but my only red item is Gregor's sweater.  Not even mine. And a sliver of red is most often just the right amount.

It's rainy.  Wet.  Daughter is at Goodwill.  Found me a "bouncy" old table runner.  I am giving her a touch course in recognizing linen.  Cotton doesn't feel "bouncy".

Storage Wars all day on television.  Yippee.

I have turned a corner.  Books I am re-reading- books that I had a very hard time reading before.  This Time around, I am not having mean thoughts.  Not angry.  I read a certain part- like last night- and I am thinking why did I find this part was awful and mean the last time around?  Nothing here is awful or mean.  So there were things in MY LIFE that were awful and mean.  And they aren't anymore.  And that has the feeling of "acceptance" and "release" and those are good terms.  Feelings.  I am healing or getting better. Whatever it may be- it feels good.

Perhaps with these "new"good feelings- the cloth will follow?  Cloth that will make me smile and laugh out loud? Used to be that way in the sewing room.  So much FUN!!!  Not that way for years and years. But the Magic Attic and the Cloth Closet have waited.  It might be time to have fun again. 

I'll begin with a simple rectangle with black and white background and all the colors in a vase full of flowers. Doable.  

Daily Notes- October 19th

I got this off a website.  A jacket covered in scraps of cloth and Boro stitching.  All solid colors no prints. I don't have many very old "tender" fabrics in dark colors.   Perhaps I will need to find some and dip them into indigo or iron water baths.  Goodwill isn't a good place to find charcoal or dark green or indigo blue.

I would wear this jacket.  From now until the end of my time on Earth. Mending it as it decayed and fell apart.  I like owning things/ knowing them for a long long time.  Today and yesterday the old dark charcoal grey sweater with tiny buttons and a soft collar.  Cold enough for a sweater.  I think I have been wearing this sweater and the soft light grey one- since the 1990's.  The only new sweater is the red one- that I asked for when Gregor passed.  Her sweater.  Mended last year for the first time. Worn often.

I had a green sweater I wore on all car trips.  A mossy dark green V-neck pullover.  Warm but light.  The shoulder seat belt wore the surface of the sweater.  It became "see thru" transparent.  I found a green long sleeved tee to wear under it. Continued to wear  the sweater.  I don't know what happened to it.  Why it's gone.  But I miss it. There was a black one- I bought the two at the same time.  Not as well worn but showing its age.  I wish I had gotten two green ones.

I've cried every evening this week.  As I look out the front door at the street before heading off to bed.  Reminded of getting Riley into his harness and myself into my coat and hat and reflective vest.  For the "last call walk" between 11pm and midnight.  The deer coming out of the mist like ghosts.  Just curious or in solidarity for another animal "passing over soon".  So....tears.  I'm not sad.  Just reminded of that deep loving bond.  Missing him.

I think it's okay to cry a little each day.  It's not like I am depressed.  I cry because I remember all the happy sweet days and years.  The bells ringing at the back door when he wanted to go outside.  The way he settled down to sleep as soon as he heard the Law and Order sounds. The way he peeked  around the cupboard in the kitchen- hoping to get a treat.  

anyway......I think it's time to make a fresh cup of coffee and chose today's book to read.  I'm going to wait until tomorrow to do that one load of wash.  There's left over Chinese food.  Canned soup.  And I stocked husband up with Little Debbie treats.  It's all good.

Daily Notes- October 18th

The notation on the brown paper bag from our Chinese Takeout.  So many identifier words. So specific. what sort of beer would it have been made to carry?  Six pack?  Cans or bottles?

Football Sunday is so far not quite what we wanted to see here in New England.  I know they didn't practice for the two weeks in Quarantine......but, don't they retain body memory???  But no touchdowns only 54 foot kicking things- the word escapes me.  Tampa Bay later this afternoon.

No one complained about my politics yesterday.  I just thought I really didn't want my Daily Notes to run that way. It may have been a different story if someone had complained.  I don't know.  I am opinionated.

I watched Hallmark last evening.  I thought at first I was watching the Black Hallmark Network but a few white folk showed up.  I don't mind.  It was also the Hallmark Short Men/Tall women Network yesterday. Very Autumnal in colors- lots of gold and orange.  My Reading /Sewing Eyes were tired yesterday. So, Hallmark is my Fall back position.  Ha!  A pun.

Husband is testing out a new grocery store pickle with his lunch.  So far he is okay with it.  He might say "good, but don't buy it again" which happens when I buy new or sub in something when the regular isn't available. I am trying a new yogurt and so far- I don't like it.  Has a "paste like" texture.  Fat free food.  Just not that great.

Enjoying my book "Little Beach Street Bakery".  I had it on a list of books I got off Amazon one evening. Mostly trade paperbacks.  So I was happy to see it in my library stacks.  I was surprised to find it'a British book.  One hundred pages to go.  Our heroine is going to give beekeeping a try since the beekeeper ran away from home due to a Hallmark type- misunderstanding.  Sigh.   

Patriots.  They can't seem to hear me yelling at them.

Daily Notes- Saturday, October 17th

The photo  from yesterday.  Eventually, about a dozen showed up.  Around 8pm.  I had peeled, seeded and cubed a very small butternut squash and then baked until soft and slightly browned on the edges.  While that was finishing up, I boiled some macaroni and melted butter and tossed the squash with the pasta and added Parmesan cheese.  A nice riff on Mac and Cheese.  I have more for today's lunch.  A cold and wet day here in Maine.   You can also see my favorite knife.

A short 4.5 inch rectangular blade.  Almost the entire knife is shown here- Wusthof / Germany.  I have a rather large collection of this brand of knife.  Started in the 1980's in Germany and then a continued accumulation over the years in Chicago and here in Maine as Christmas gifts..  It has been mentioned that I should buy new quarter sheet pans.  But the ones I see on restaurant/cooking shows- they look worse than mine.  So...they stay.  I have parchment paper if I want things to "not stick",

I deleted political stuff from yesterday's post.  I had kept things to myself. Should continue that way.

Husband's tooth is not bothering him but he is bothering the place where the tooth was with his tongue. I told him to stop.  His toe now has only Neosporin and a regular bandaid.  And he has agreed to try using the small ball between his knees while doing his back exercises.  He did yesterday and said it felt so much better- durning and after the exercises.  So...today again.  He will use the ball.

We also spoke of doctor's visits etc being a form of "going" for him.  Going somewhere.  Not because he needs the medical attention.  He just wants attention.  Something to "do".  We talked for awhile of him finding something other than medical appointments to fill his day.  And not having the daily walk with the dog.  That was a big hole left in both our days. Nothing was decided.  There is really nothing right now and into the Dark Days of Winter when daylight is gone by 4 pm here in Maine.

I asked and husband had the same answer as I had.  The trees being gone has changed nothing.  It's still like a Grimes Fairytale out there.  Dark. Dark. Dark.  We still live in the woods and the trees suck up all the light.  And now.....with Winter..........

Dee, if you are reading this...I have 56 Hallmark bingo plot points so far.  

Daily Notes- October 16th

Not the picture I wanted here but the only one I had.  I sent the photo I took this morning from iPhone to computer via email and six times it failed to send.  Too big.  I think that is the problem.  So.  You get generic Fall leaves.

Neighbor across the street sent email.  Whole Foods sent SEVEN 24 ounce containers of yogurt.  A great mistake.  I said I would take THREE. Plain Icelandic.  I like it. Yogurt is a good thing for me to eat.

I am reminded of others ordering 3 bananas and getting three large bunches of bananas instead.  But one hundred sixty eight ounces of yogurt.  How the written word can be mistaken is difficult to explain while packing seven large containers of yogurt in a paper shopping bag? huh?

Husband's tooth removal was more than he expected or wanted.  Two Hours.  I am thinking the tooth was broken and the removal broke it even more.  He was a very very sad camper when he arrived home.  And then I had to rush out for his dental prescription.   He settled into the couch for a long nap and when he woke up I offered soup.  He decided he wanted pasta.  Plain with butter and cheese.  He ate two bowls and then ate two small bowls of the soup.  Had his pills.  Read his book.  And is fine. Slept well.  Good breakfast.  I was worried it would be "SOMETHING" and it wasn't.

New things at the library.  The welcome- Mask Check and Hand Sanitizer- station is now further inside- it gets chilly with the door opening.  Next week THREE days to find books each week.  I came home with three for husband and four for me.  I read Love Lettering (twice) and recommend it to any of you who like the new contemporary romances.  I started reading them last year at some point and-well, I love them. Usually (always) in softcover trade paper.  Artist and a Quant.  I have another here next to me The Little Beach Street Bakery.  Going to start in on it as soon as I make a fresh cup of coffee. I think I might have already read it but....that never bothers me too much.

Daily Notes- October 15th- with added paragraph

Pre-breakfast I did my "nurse" work and changed the bandage on husband's toe surgery.  And then gave him a pep talk as he went off to have a tooth removed.  He's losing parts of himself.  Literally.

No frozen ball of pizza dough in the freezer.  Bah Humbug. But with tooth removal- we wouldn't be having pizza any time soon so it's okay. There aren't many things of interest in the freezer- mostly bags of Trader Joe's potstickers.  Husband likes them. I used to make homemade ones. A lot of work but they were delicious. If I do say so myself.  Chicken filling.

My square buttons.  I just like the look of them. So I have never used any of them on any cloth work or clothing.  Reminds me of the tiles for that game-- Dominos???

I have no plan for the day.  I should begin my daily "practice" of a 30 minute walk.  My doctor asked me to go back to it.  With Riley it was easy to do- we went out several times a day (longer than 30 minutes).  Riley liked to look and smell. But it is hard to do alone.  My eyes get so wet I can't see. It's almost a year.  Still feels like it was yesterday.

I got a bag of fresh cranberries and was thinking to make the orange cranberry loaf I like.  Use some of  husband's orange juice and some zest off a few clementines.  I might. I might not.  It's that kind of feeling today.  It doesn't happen often but....well, it happens.  Sigh.

I was thinking of asking for prompts- to do my own daily collage again.  But with some one else making the prompts.  That was the interesting part. Never knowing what was next- never knowing if i had the images for that next prompt.  Finding a way to make it work.  Not the collage itself- but the thinking of how to define the prompt in images.  Would someone out there - or more than one- be interested in writing prompts for me?  Perhaps waiting until January?  I guess it doesn't matter. When.  Let me know.

Later:

I read Marti's comment on Spirit Cloth- her bag of scraps getting blown away by the wind.  And I think about the cloth in the Magic Attic- collected some 10 to 20 years ago.  Not the cloth of me- now but the cloth of me- in the past.  What would it be like to have that blow out into the World and find a new place a new sew-er.  And for me to go out int he yard and find other cloth blowing into the yard, stuck in the tree branches????  What would that be like?  How would it change the way I see my "making" of cloth????

Daily Notes- October 14th

Not my breakfast but I wish it had been.  I had oatmeal and instant coffee.  I have never been a breakfast cooker.  I loved having breakfast with my German friend Monika and her family.  Tablecloth, fancy dishes.  It was just Brotchen and butter and jam or Nutella, coffee and juice.  But it felt so "festive".  And we sat over breakfast and conversation until- sometimes- it was lunch time and then we decided where to go to eat lunch.

I watched Storage Wars until bedtime.  My flu shot shoulder hurt.  And I didn't feel like doing anything- not even read another book. I went to bed early and husband stayed up.  Which is odd.

It rained yesterday.  And was cold.  Today it's sunshine and still cold.   I only mention this because the living room window is very large and I am looking at the sunshine.  It even sort of hurts one's eyes.

I wanted to have pizza this week but the prepared dough we use (and love) has been recalled.  A demented person had added razor blades and small chips of razor blades to the brand of pizza dough I buy and enjoy.  So... no dough unless I make my own- which is fine but not as perfectly textured as the grocery dough from Portland Pie.  It's just one more thing on the pile of things............small pleasures. Missing. But before I drop into grilled cheese for supper- I plan to dig around in the freezer.  Might be a ball of dough in there.  Very hopeful.  There is a lot of mysterious stuff in the freezer. But pizza dough I should be able to recognize.

Democratic Voters in Maine have decided to vote early and in person.  Not trusting mail in ballots. We are very interested in getting rid of our Senator.  Susan Collins. Very.  Sorry Mitch! 

Well. I have a birthday card to send and a map to find.  My goals for the day.  Be safe- be happy!!!

Daily Notes- October 13th

Annual doctor's visit.  I need to go back later this week for my lipid blood test.  But I got a HD Flu shot. I was very lucky as they are in very short supply these days- the HD ones.  For people like me with Asthma. It was a regular office visit.  In person.  I took an allergy pill before I left the house so I wasn't having to blow my nose or sneeze or cough.  That would have made the very few patients I saw- very nervous.

It was a strange experience.  I had to take off my mask and put on one of their masks.

I asked if I could stop taking my lipid pills so I could eat red grapefruit this Winter.  No.  I asked a second and third time.  Now ......I can eat red grapefruit 3X's a week but still take my pills.  I guess that means the pills will work the other days?  Whatever-  I am going to eat grapefruit this Winter.  Yippee.  And still take my pills.  Along with my 4 servings a day each of leafy greens (kale, swiss chard, broccoli, spinach) and dairy (cheese, milk and yogurt). I also need 1000 to 2000 units of Vitamin D each day.  And she would like me to walk for 30 minutes each day.  I only like broccoli and kale.

I called and asked about the fasting lipid test. Twice.  No one I spoke to spoke to my doctor.  She would have signed me up.  I could have gotten it done.  I have to have another annual mammogram.  I am not happy about that.  My shot arm is sore.  I am going to sit on the couch and watch Storage Wars and possible take a nap.  Or just close my eyes.  Till tomorrow.  Love you- stay safe.

Daily Notes- October 12th- Columbus Day here in Maine

All the banks and public buildings are closed for the "holiday".  Why is it a "bank" holiday??? 

We were going to vote- will do it tomorrow.  Early voting here in Maine.  Very chilly today- in the high 40's.  Damp.  No sunshine right now.  House lights on.  Red sweater on.  Second re-heating of my coffee. Husband mixing seeds for the birdfeeders. Birds are really EATING!!!

Picture is of my very very cheap set of pens being used to color "color by number" pictures in a book.  I started out trying to match pens to numbers but gave up.  I didn't like the colors.  So, now, its what ever color I like or whatever pen still has ink in it. You can see- by comparison to the regular sized pen- the little color sticks are very small.  Run out of ink just when they shouldn't.  But I like coloring.  Mindlessly filling in spaces.  I think the set is from the Dollar Store.  In England they are called Pound Shops.

Football was a waste of time but did see the gory live shot of the quarterback's ankle breaking and the bone- the long shin bone sticking out.  They never replayed it.  What sort of horrible emotional pain to know you will never again be able to do what you loved doing?  His face.  The tears.  The knowing. Straight to an ambulance and into surgery.  Later pictures showed him in the hospital smiling.  Drugs. I sent positive thoughts his way.

Patriots were supposed to play Tuesday but now cancelled until the week after.   

My doctor's office called.  Only Zoom is covered by insurance.  We have very iffy "live" internet.  So- my choice is no doctor visit or to actually go into the office tomorrow. In person.  Will be going to office.  See how that goes.  With my cold.  Should be fun.  

More fun than the robo calls from "Mark" and Senior Benefits (via India).  Or the call from a woman saying my name (from recorded letters) and saying "if this is your name press "5".  I did not.  Then "if this is not your name- press "3""  I did not.  Land lines are so annoying but I need one if cell service goes out.

I need a cookie.