Field Notes- Saturday, December 31. 50 degrees outside. 64 inside. I'm Frugal.

 A nest of thread and scraps.  2022.

It's the last day of this Year.  I think, once upon a Time, I read about sweeping the Old Year out of your house with a broom.  For a clean start.  Or Re- start.

How long have we been masked and worried about getting sick and dying?  Too long.

Remember when the grocery stores ran out of the basics of Life- toilet paper.......flour.  Did any of you bake bread?  I might have...once. Then had no yeast.  I discovered the outside edges of the grocery were well stocked.  The inside Aisles were not... so I shopped the edges.   We survived.

What I missed the most in this Pandemic Era...was books.  I had enough Cloth.  Thread.  Needles. I didn't have enough Books.  Now I do.

My Life these days- post Pandemic (or maybe not)- is plainer.  Just the basics.  So much has fallen to the side.  Forgotten. No longer needed.  No longer worried about.  Health.  Heat.  Books.  Booster Shots.  Friends. Neighbors. Family. A few great tomatoes from the garden.  Enough zucchini for a meal. Cucumbers.  It's enough and more than enough.

Another stronger variant has been discovered. To be solved in 2023. Next year.  I'll be here.  Joanne

Field Notes- Friday December 30. Are we done yet? Sun and Clouds.38 degrees- 89% humidity.

 Cheese.  I only like some of the cheese that people make.  Not the Funky Stinky ones. Swiss and Cheddar. Parmesan-- The Real stuff. I even like Plastic American Cheese.  None of the soft cheese. Goat. Ick.

Husband vacuumed the floors.  He also vacuumed up a puzzle piece.  By the time he saw what was on the floor it had gotten sucked up.   It's not a great puzzle.  It's an old one from a dollar store.  Buttons.  Brown, muddy reds, beige, off white.  I found three pieces the last time I stopped by the table.  Most of the pieces are the same shape- so you have to look for color clues along the edges. Mentioned that.  To him.

There is one more NEW puzzle he hasn't done yet.  He should just change it out.

The Cheese image up top would make a good puzzle.  Not. All that red background would be tedious.

I ate real food yesterday and it made one of my teeth hurt. I think we have dentist appointments. In January.

I asked daughter if she had gotten me a desk calendar for 2023.  She said she read my blog and I had gotten a calendar.  I said yes...for the wall in the dining room for appointments.  Well........

She is still coughing.  The half dose of DayQuil has stopped MY cough.  So...that's nice.  Whatever she has is still going strong.  Not sure if she is going to work.  It's a very slow week at the Candy Factory. In fact, it doesn't pick up until February and then it stays busy thru Easter.  Then she leaves to return to Landscaping.  A  college degree.  Unused.

Well, I need to turn on some lights.  No Sunshine.  Hope some of you reading this have sunshine.  Joanne

Field Notes- Thursday, December 29th. 31 degrees, cloudy with a thin coating of light snow on the grass.

 Exactly how it feels.

I need to get up and turn on a few lights...... the house feels cold.  I feel cold.

The daily newspaper is now not only less pages--now it's narrower.  Shrinking.  Not in the price we pay for it.  Just in pages and words.  I checked the tv guide pages...nothing to watch today.

Once Christmas Day is past...the remainder of December should just be...deleted. Nothing happens. Usually we would have leftovers and desserts.  But the past few years, since I stopped making the traditional Pierogi for Christmas Eve- resulting in many days of deliciously fried in butter leftovers...... it's just not as wonderful...... I can see why Old Mainers fly or drive to Florida. And stay until April or May.

Florida..I was going to say it isn't what it was when we lived there.....but I think it was like it is now. I just wasn't paying attention. My marriage went off the rails when we lived there.  My husband starting running wild and then started traveling for work.  Gone. Days and then weeks he would be gone.  And that was it.  Once the company found out he liked being gone...he was gone all the time.  His paycheck got deposited. Our marriage, for all intents and purposes...was over.  But I stayed put.  The kids needed a good home and regular food and new shoes.  The divorced wives...didn't have that. I stayed.  We kept moving. He kept going.  And now we live in this barren wasteland of a State- alone together.  Sigh.  Not what I had wanted.

There was a tipping point and I missed the flashing lights and warnings......of when I should have made a left turn onto the exit ramp and made a run for it.

Well the Sun seems to be shining outside......I have a book to read.  I have the opportunity to take the sheets off the bed and wash them......maybe. And I need a fresh hot cup of something....Joanne.

Field Notes- Wednesday, December 28th. Clouds, Cold and Cough.

 Wouldn't this be a delightful destination for a Daily Walk?

It's cold here in Maine.  Dreary. But I have no complaints. None.

My oatmeal was very good this morning.  

The newspaper was full of bad news with a full front page story on Buffalo, New York.  Which is terribly sad and it's as if nothing can solve this problem. Even their Fire Trucks are stuck in snow and ice.  One.

And then Southwest Airlines.  I'm pretty sure they will file for bankruptcy just to get out of this mess. That won't get anyone their money back or get them home or get them their lost baggage.  Two.

This Jew-ish guy who never had a real job. Never went to college and isn't Jewish but said all those things to get elected to Congress.....and, surprise....the Republicans are going to swear him in as a congressman. Three.  Four would be the 700K he "found somewhere for his campaign"

Not even Hallmark or Law and Order can cheer me up.........three more days of 2022.

I had my oatmeal for breakfast yesterday and bread and butter for mid-day and then nothing but re-heated sweet tea and ...well, nothing else but cough drops and DayQuil.  Husband had soup.  He had the soup and carrots etc all warmed up and ready to eat and then decided he needed to make more noodles.  He was getting out the big pot and was going to boil water.......thinking processing was on OFF.  I said No.  He was angry about eating the Soup without the HEAPING PILE of noodles.  Tough.   He even adds a large amount of pasta to the Chicken Parm dinner.

He has driven himself off the Anorexia Road he has been on for YEARS (as long as I have know him- and usually its ONLY home cooked food he won't eat) and is now.......piling on the Pasta and having Coffee and Six different "store bought" dessert items each evening.  It's amazing to watch.  

My clothes were always baggy but now they are MORE.  Well, the DayQuil has kicked in. I am now going to read......have a lovely day all of you out there reading this.....Joanne.

Field Notes- Tuesday December 27th. Sunshine and 31 degrees. Library and Grocery Store.

 Isn't this Something?  

Library was okay- no books for me.  Gary got two- he says "he hasn't ever read them".......wow. He has. but I stopped looking for anything for me and decided I had five on the table and an entire bookcase full.

Grocery Store.  Husband said we "had nothing to eat".......he was out of orange juice, candy yogurt and bagels. I actually don't know what he sees when he opens the fridge.......But we WERE out of orange juice and bagels.

I got myself milk, bread, cold baked chicken and some cookies.

I got both of us Kleenex and Toilet Paper.

I started coughing again last evening.  This is what is "going around" here in Maine (and I guess in Boston).  An all encompassing cough. No fever. No chills.  Just coughing.  It wears you down.  Wears me down.  When I am not coughing I feel perfectly healthy.  I am now going to turn on the TV, have a second cup of instant coffee, choose a fresh book to read....... husband has decided to have soup.  The last portion. For supper. Later. I'll remind him when he pulls a spaghetti dinner out of the fridge.

He's now settling in to color.  So...an uneventful Tuesday in late December. Good Enough.  Joanne.

Field Notes- Monday, December 26th. Cold outside but warm inside. Weak sunshine.

 Well, it was a fantastic Christmas.    No gifts- and what a relief that was and will be going forward.  We walked down the street to the Twins house at 2 pm for Christmas Dinner with the Twins' parents and grandparents. We both had on red sweaters. The Twins showed us their Electric Guitar and amp.. wow..........and played carols on it. They also got watches so they can text each other. In the house.  Instead of talking.  It's a New World. (to me)

We had Prime Rib, Baked Ham. Lobster Tails, wonderful Roast Potatoes all crisp and delicious, Broccoli, Carrots, Gravy and warm buttered rolls. We started with a lovely mixed greens salad.  Dessert was Pumpkin Pie and Ina Garten's Cheesecake topped with cherries. We were sent home at 6 pm with a bag full of leftovers for today.  And we had lovely conversation with our hostess's parents in from Rhode Island.  Best Christmas in a long time.

Daughter is very sick with a bad cold.  She stayed home in bed. A Candy Factory Cold from the various employees and their small children who bring germs home from Day Care. She sounded miserable.

The house is Warm.  The Football yesterday.....we missed seeing Baker Mayfield return to glory but did see Tom Brady get trashed. They won in overtime but it was painful to watch.

Husband is still sleeping.  He did something to his back again- I told him not to go down into the basement crawl space to look at the furnace.  He doesn't know ANYTHING about furnaces so why go down there????  It was one of those moments when I wished I lived alone.  

I was delighted to find 8 comments on yesterday's post.  Gosh-......Happy Day After Christmas.  Joanne.

Field Notes- Sunday December 25th. Cloudy. Eighteen degrees. Green Grass. We have Heat.

 Merry Christmas.

We have the furnace going.  House is Warm.  Internet is back- mostly.  No Sunday paper but found Christmas Cards in the mailbox.  The Mail Truck must have come by in the night.

It's very quiet.  No cars.  No Snow.  No Generators running.  Power is back on.

I think I had an image that was more Christmas like (in the file) but I chose this one because- as the last few days have proven to me- Neighbors and Friends are really the best Gift of All......

To all of you out there- some I know and some I haven't met as yet---Thank You for stopping by every so often to read the words I type.   It's a lonely Life here in Maine.  Lots of Solitude. 

Writing these words each day.....to "someone" out there in the internet--is my favorite time of the entire day.  Connecting to people I may never meet in person but who read my words, comment some times, become dear friends sometimes (which is so so wonderful) and make me feel "connected" to a community. the Best Gift I have ever gotten.  You.  So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Joanne

Field Notes- Saturday, December 24th. We lost power and the generator is bad and now the power is back on.

 What a few days this has been.  And it's freezing cold here in the house. Power in On. Well it wasn't quite ON. But now it is.  We had a few "yelling" moments which I have been asked not to have in Future.  But we got the power on and the furnace is running but will take TIME to get the house back up to Temp.

Sigh.  It's been a RIDE.  I am so going to order one of those backyard all house generators.  The ones all the neighbors have.  Power goes off and it comes on.  No gas cans etc.  No arguments. I was being asked to buy a $5800 generator to replace the gas hog running outside the garage.  I said no.  Every  other person said yes.  But........I don't ever want to have that thing going outside anymore. I am done with that.

So.....invited to Christmas Dinner at 1pm tomorrow.  Prime Rib.  The Twins and Family.

Son called from California and he is starting in on the Christmas Eve Pierogi which he and I both make each year.  I am not making them this year.  I might make them next week.  Not today.  Not Tomorrow.

Sigh...I need to get myself centered.  I can't tell you how happy I am to be typing this.  Even with ice cold fingers.  I need to make a big mug of hot sweet tea.  Merry Christmas.   Happy Bright and Warm.

Field Notes- December 23rd. RAIN WIND no FIRE as yet. The "Lake" behind the house if filling.

 So......prepared yesterday evening.  Made Chicken Soup which can be heated in the microwave if we are on the generator- a little one outside by the garage.  Just does a few basic things.  So, we have food we can reheat.  I made a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese and tucked it into the fridge for me.  I also have fruit and yogurt.  The generator can't power the stove.  Just the microwave.  And the fridge.  And the furnace which heats water. And the living room and kitchen lights.  And this computer and the tv.  

We listed necessities for the electric guy.  Good enough.  We have gas in cans to make it run.

Right now the wind is blowing.  It's raining. Temps are 49 degrees outside and 99% humidity.

I have a large restaurant tray and a thick towel under the kitchen skylight which leaks when it rains really  hard.  Other than that.......and the wind....and the rain slashing into the windows.......it's a regular  day. Daughter is off today and until Tuesday.  So....no worries of her out in the car etc.  Which means- no worries. None.

Which reminds me.  Candles and matches.  Yep. Found them...together.  I'm an excellent Girl Scout.

So.  Good here.  Bills went out with the mail yesterday.  All caught up.  Take care where you are.  Stay safe and warm and dry if you can.  I know those of you getting SNOW and the Blizzard Bomb are in for the worst.  Tonight all our roads etc will freeze solid.........God Bless you all with Safe Passage Thru. Joanne.

Field Notes- Thursday, December 22nd. Paid bills. Added Santa Stamps. No Rain. No Snow. No Sun.

 Making me want to cut and paste paper. Circles.  Free cut circles.  Wobbly.

Paid Bills.  Gave each bill envelope a Santa Stamp. Only three numbers on today's Sudoko.  Ugh!!

We are expecting torrential rain and wind.  Here in Maine.  Fifty mile an hour stuff coming off the Ocean.  Which is just a few miles away from my house. We are supposed to EXPECT power outages.  I am going to put a pot of water on the stove and drop in frozen chicken thighs and carrots etc- we can heat soup up in the microwave.  Happy Maine Holidays.

I am also going to go do a load of laundry as we are both nearly out of clean underwear.  Unhappiness is wearing dirty underwear during a Maine Power Failure..  So-- doing laundry.......... making soup.

My cough is nearly gone.  It reappears when I talk about it being gone. So...nearly gone.

Not much good news on the television.  Not many things to watch.  I have a book I started yesterday-  one I have already read- Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst.  She also wrote Maggie finds her Muse.  My library doesn't have the Maggie book which I like more than this one.  But this one is good. It's about French things.  I love French things. I love European things.

Phone keeps ringing.  I am always hoping it will be someone or something good.  It never is.

Well, the addressed and stamped bills aren't going to walk themselves out to the mailbox on the street. So I am going to bundle up and venture forth......  It's December 22nd. Nearly to the end of 2022..... Lots of 2's.

Field Notes- Wednesday. December 21. Solstice??? Sunshine while we wait for Torrential Rain.

 Bow Ties.  Might make a cute wacky small quilt.  Or new Placemats.

Yes, the Weather People say we will be getting rained on, flooded and will most likely lose Electric Power. 

Goody......

Nancy and I had a lovely Luncheon.  I had Eggplant Parm and Pinot Noir.  We talked.  It was good.

My Winter Hat is still Missing.  I took the Hall Closet apart and no hat.  Daughter went to LLBean and bought me a hat.  It was too tight and I still felt cold. Hat is being returned.  We were out on the pitch dark front porch. She can't come into the house while working the Candy Factory.  Many employees have small children in day care. They get sick ALL THE TIME.  They get COVID.  So...daughter stays 10 feet away on the porch--outside.

I am still coughing.  But I tend to cough with regard to the "asthma" as well.  So...... NO fever. no aches, no anything.  Just the cough. Productive if you gather my meaning.  The Cough And Flu section of the drug store shelving (grocery store) was bare. EMPTY.   I got two of the three boxes of generic DayQuil.  I could have just taken one.  But.... G might start coughing.

I saw my cross the street neighbor in the store (the house I babysit while she is so often gone) and she sent an email telling me- from now on I should tell her if I need anything and she will shop for me. Okay. The new next door woman was out in her car waving to Nancy and I.  So she's okay.  We both decided to go with "okay" even though the new neighbor looked a bit giddy.  Like she was on a parade float.

Field Notes- A Wonderful Card in the Mail... Gretchen!!! Sunshine.34 degrees

 I do love these little art pieces made out of pasted paper cut outs.  I should stock a shoe box with interesting paper I find.... origami paper? a glue stick....scissors.  A Project Box. I should.  I could.  I would....... Sounds like a Dr Suess poem.

Luncheon Date today.  My neighbor down the street and I.  We met at the library on Monday and made a plan to have more frequent lunch/chat dates.  We are both married to men who are irritating to be around. Good to get away from them.  Especially in Winter.  Her husband likes Fox News.  So she is more eager than I am to get out of the house. She drives.  So..its a delight for me.

The Football last night was- ugh.  We stopped watching before it was over.

The neighbors next door had mentioned being sick when the Twins delivered their box of Christmas Cookies.  And then the Ambulance.  I don't have their phone number so I asked a neighbor who might...to check in on them.  It's the "right thing" to do.  I hate to think one is in the hospital and the other is home alone without care.  Even though the months of construction noise at 7am made me madder than I have ever been.  They could have both gone to the hospital.  They have cats.  Who need to eat.

See- even though I have complained about them...I am actually a nice person.

Or a worry wart.

Gretchen from New York sent me the nicest letter and a very very lovely pop up Christmas Card that I love.  She reads this blog so I am sending a thank you and you will be getting a long letter in the mail in the next week or so Gretchen!!!!!  Promise.  My cards will be going out late but.....they will be going out. Until you get your cards.....know that I love and appreciate all of you- (if I have addresses) other wise this line of words will have to do......  Joanne.

Field Notes- Monday, December 19th. Cold. Sunshine. ICE.

 The Picture File is down to things I save..... not much of interest.  So..how about we share a cocktail?

It's cold and the Sun is shining.  Which puts a lovely wet skim coat over the ice surfaces.  Great for ice skating but not for Elderly People Walking.  EPW.

We had Football Pizza last night and our cable tv gave us three games.  That's all.  We saw highlights of all the other games but - locally- three games.  Period.  Our game stunk to high heaven as they say. But the pizza I made for us was really really excellent.  (I had the last of the wine with mine).

Great having an email regarding the game from Connie who SAW the game.

I did get to see the Soccer.  ARGENTINA!!!! Wow, it was great. France seemed to stop trying in the sudden death penalty kicks- everyone hates when it comes down to penalty kicks.  But it was a Great World Cup.  Loved every minute.

It's still early so we haven't gone to the Library or the Grocery Store as yet. I don't know why we were up so early........ in fact, when I saw the time on the clock while making my oatmeal in the microwave (regular oatmeal)...I was rather surprised.....9 am.  And I was up and dressed.  Head Slap.

Big pile of books going back.  Terrible choices. The WORST.  Next books are coming out of MY bookcase.

I'm tired.  I'm bored.  All the White outdoors makes my eyes hurt.  Is it Spring, yet?????

Field Notes- Sunday December 18th. Snow yesterday that is now ICE. 33 degrees.

 

The picture file has few usable images left.  Some are reminders of things I want to make- so they aren't all that interesting.   The fact that my picture file is boring....leads me to believe I am getting STALE.

And I mention one other thing- the computer is having some troubles getting going and getting to the right places.......I may not be here with you very much longer. But I will try to patch and mend as best I can...

The ice outside is flat and smooth.   I shoveled the snow blower mess that husband leaves behind off the lower street side part of the driveway and the sidewalks.   Then I reached my physical limit  (at 76) and came inside.   The pad in front of the two car garage is a bumpy, frozen mess. Last year I could have done both.  Not this year.

I understand that he likes to walk slowly (very) behind the snowblower.  But if he had it going faster - the machine would clear things FASTER and BETTER.  Not leave behind a mess. I think it's Time to have SOMEONE come and plow.  Even if they take out half the lawn.

At least I got what PEOPLE see from the road- nice and clean.

So.  I am having a productive cough.  Always a good sign.  Things moving about in the lungs. Loose. The Green NyQuil is very effective in my getting a very good night's sleep.  Which I appreciate.  

I made myself a lovely toasted cheese sandwich with lots of sweet pickle chips.  Later I had fresh raspberries on top of a jar layered with bran buds and honey flavored Noosa yogurt. So I had food. 

The twins down the road brought over a gift box of cookies they had helped bake and the Annual Christmas Card of Family Photos.  The boys were babies when they moved here.  We have watched them grown up.  Well, that is all for today.  I have a book I am trying to read but I think I will give it up.  It is not all that interesting.  And I don't really care which man she marries.

Field Notes- Saturday, December 17th. Four Inches of wet sloppy snow. 40 degrees.

 I can't figure out the pictures in the picture file.  so....this one seems okay for today. It's from a site trying to sell me these items.

I am on day four of the orange Dayquil and the Green night time capsule.  Still a bit of a cough.  No fever. well, now that I typed that.  I am coughing.

Television has been iffy and I am exhausted by the re-hashing of the Trump Crap.  Monday and my favorite Committee can't come soon enough.

 We watched PBS stuff.  Space.  Planets.  Milky Way. etc. Stuff I recorded.  Kept.  I also watched the newest installment on the...gosh I can't recall the cathedral's- Notre Dame......restoration processes.  Fascinating as they dig into it and see how it was built  in Medieval times and have been trying to replicate tools, materials etc.  I can't recall if they said 900 million was the cost.  900 million doesn't seem to be enough.

Clean up has been slow and difficult.  Trying not to do more damage and the things they remove have lead and other toxins.

I've been to Paris many times.  I never visited Notre Dame.  I regret it very very much...now. But on family vacations to see friends living in Paris- it was August.  Everything is closed. Not much of an excuse.

Field Notes- Friday, December 16th- Dismal, snowing, raining Day. House lights on.

 I can't really tell what I have in the picture file until I see it here on the screen.  Spaghetti with vegetables. Certainly been here before.  But it's what you get.

It's cold in the house but it just might be me.  Still a bit whiff-y. But getting better.  Very little cough. And more chance I will be fed today as I have bread and sliced cheese and a nice Toasted Cheese with sweet pickle chips is in my future.  I tossed the idea of making soup for myself- around a bit- and then just let that go.  Maybe tomorrow.  I recall last year at this Time, making raspberry jello with frozen raspberries and topping with whip cream left over from Pumpkin  Pie.  That was delightful.

That could have been a FEW YEARS AGO.  the Jello.

Christmas is days away.  Thank goodness i didn't try for a tree or gifts etc. As fast as the days are going past.......the holiday will be gone and I certainly won't feel like I missed anything.

I haven't sent cards yet.  But I haven't gotten many either.  So..we are all in the same boat.  I dug around in the dresser drawer filled with cards.......looking for one in particular.  Didn't find it.  And was reminded of last year and the painted hearts I sent for Valentines.   I liked that.  Very much.  I did find blank brown card stock that I had used for years.....when I drew a spindly evergreen tree and added red ornaments and snow. I even have one I made from scraps of silk in shades of green and gold- I found it at my dad's house after he passed..  He had it pinned to the wall by his kitchen chair.

I WAS creative once.  Where has it gone?  Does it need to be fed by friends and co-creatives??? And when you are away too long- from human contact-- does it fade and go away?  Is this what growing old is like. Having what was...fall away????  I miss myself.

Field Notes- Thursday, December 15th. Ten Days Till Christmas.

 One more mug.   The Spotted Cow Mug... at least that is what I would call it.

Lingering bit of cough.  Productive.  If you know what that means?????  But not as light headed and woozy as previous two or three days.  Not achy. I think the baked chicken with mayo and honey did the trick. I needed food. Animal Protein.

Work continues next door.  The fact that the kitchen beams didn't go all the way across the space..well, leaves me wondering why the second floor didn't cave in. Long ago. Leaves me wondering why they didn't sue someone like the imspection teams.  There were many men looking at things prior to closing.

Across the street, new drywall to patch the ceiling in the kitchen that fell onto the dining room table.  Yes. Same house as next door.  SURPRISE!!!!  Electricity is needed and the dining room set has been picked up and taken away to be refinished before Christmas Dinner..  I think the Builder is long gone or dead.  No one to SUE.

The Twins live in another of these houses as does the friend I go to lunch with.   

News?  I stopped watching.  My Holiday gift to myself.  A few weeks off.  I read the newspaper headlines. and then I just turn the page and read something else.  Blizzard Warnings.  I have a few new books to read. but I am trying to finish When Franny Stands Up.  It's set in the years after WWII.  The fifties. Franny wants to be a stand up comedian.  The writing and content have so far failed to hold my interest for more than 20 pages at a time.  It might be time to let the book go.  Move on to the others I have waiting.

Other than that- I often just close my eyes and think about things...........

 

Field Notes- Wednesday. December 14th. Still Alive!

 Hey!  Busy day so I forgot to post till NOW!!!!  Haircut (for real) today.  Library.  Grocery- I needed mouthwash and some baked chicken breast to mix with honey and mayo.  I NEEDED PROTEIN. So I ate "dead baked animals"......... Husband had 2nd bowl of the second batch of chicken soup.  Yep.  Second Pot of Soup.  Chicken for the Win.

Things here on the blog are a a bit Wack.  Took awhile to get the page to look normal.

SOCCER!!!! Husband watched today.  He loved it.  We'll watch Sunday to see who wins.

Elon Musk and Twitter.  See what happens when a nut case buys things??????  We know this...We saw someone buy the Presidency and how opposite of great that was?  Things come in threes- so who is up next? Someone on the Supreme Court?  Please.

My book arrived from Amazon.  I heard from the Santa who bought it for me that it's a replacement as the original went.....walk about.  I re-ordered my bookcase to fit it in.  I have a Jane Austin section.  Not all books by Jane but books inspired by Jane.

Washed my mask.  After I wore it.  Back to the old ways.  Still taking DayQuil and things are fine.  I'm tired but alert and doing stuff.  Then I take a rest break.  I enjoy my rest breaks.  I haven't read a book in three days.  But I am resting......which is a good thing at 76.

No worries.  No fever.  No Aches.  No Cough.  Just Tired.

Field Notes- Sunshine, Cold, Light Snow Cover.

 Haven't made any yet. Pancakes.  I am sick.  Coughing and a mild fever.  DayQuil and NyQuil.  Started on Monday morning.  Well, Sunday overnight with muscle aches.  Uncomfortable sleeping. I am very tired.  

I don't know what it is or how I might have gotten any germs.  I wear my mask out in public. But perhaps I should be washing it after each use?  I took Dayquil an hour ago and feel okay now that it has taken effect. Before that I was coughing.  It's an "unproductive" cough.

I watched the PBS series Magpie Murders yesterday.  It was reasonably okay.  Confusing. The last one left in my file is Scarlett something......those are usually good.  then the files will be empty.  I have the Little Women movie recorded.  I liked it.  When I saw it at the movies just before COVID lockdown.

I have books but haven't felt like reading.  I would enjoy a nap.  But I have Law and Order to watch and then Soccer.  Coughing again.  I need a big mug of Sweet Tea.......

I made a second batch of Chicken Soup for husband.  Which is great.  

Football Game last night was miserable.  They won but geez......  Well, I feel sleepy.  

Field Notes- Morning SNOW. Not much. I have a COUGH. Coughing enough to wet my pants.

 The new International McDonald's in first floor of Corporate Headquarters.  Food shown in this "program" looked sloppy and not all that great.   I thought the behind the counter "look" said all that needed to be said.  Standing and Leaning was never allowed in the old days.

I did not sleep well and now- this morning have a Non-productive COUGH.  I haven't been anywhere since Monday.  So.....where did the GERMS come from?????

I took a pill for cough or loosening a cough.  It's been 15 minutes.

We went to the grocery and I tried NOT to cough.  I had on my mask.  I was dizzy.  I was very very happy to get back into the car and be driven home.  My right side chest hurts.  Tight. 

I have a fresh pot of Chicken Soup on the stove.  It's simmering.  G is wanting to be eating SOUP.  So I am making Soup.  I have to keep an eye on the clock.  So it cooks long enough.  3 hours.  I should follow DebL's path and just dump everything in the crock pot.  Can you make soup in the crock pot??????

So.... Snow.  I had to wear a coat.  I wore my non slip restaurant shoes.  The parking lines are slippery when wet..........

Okay.  I am going to sit on the couch.........My Sports show is on and then Soccer.