Daily Notes for Friday, July 11th.....Clouds and Humidity

 I figured it out....it wasn't Google (cookies) it was Joanne. Duh.............

1. Weather which I already did up top.  73 degrees in the house.

2. Taking the bag with picked chicken bones out to the garage... garbage bag. (something to commit to doing today)

3. Yesterday I stopped watching mindless TV and read a book.  (one thing I did well yesterday)

4. (one thing I could have done better)- find additional books at the Library.  BUT I will be reading out of my home bookcase which is a very good thing.  I felt a bit "out of it" at the Library.....still do here at home.  Like I need a nap....

5. Something bringing me joy....I stuck some fake (artificial) flowers in the large outdoor planter to fill an empty space.  Son will find this to be unexplainable. Grocery didn't have any LIVE plants (with flowers) for sale today. A. fellow shopper, had a lovely green pepper plant she was buying.  I keep forgetting summer has two more months...

6. What I am reading....Book 3 in Clayborn's Luck Series... this one titled....Best of Luck.  Book 2 is not available in any Maine Library.  Daughter is on the hunt. The first book Beginner's Luck was very good- not great but very good.  I'd be happy to have the three in my bookcase.

7.  I was looking for something like the Trader Joe's cereal I bought a few weeks ago...turns out I bought a different variety of the SAME BRAND of flakes....at my local grocery....next time I'll get the variety I bought at Trader Joes.   They are very very crisp and chewy.  I had the identical ones in my hands and put them back....duh!!!!  Heritage Flakes.  I bought the MultiBran Flakes.   I do like a thick Flake..

Thursday July 10th... Cloudy with a small chance of rain.......I really want it to rain

 We are still unable, here in my desktop- to install images onto the page.....I see other people posting images so, even though my Son says it's Not, I think it might be my desktop that refuses to accept images. I drag them over like always and they disappear.  And this desktop is NEW.

1. I keep trying.  Now the weather..some indications of precipitation over night. Vague ones.

2. A Crow left me a well picked over half ear of sweet corn this morning on my front steps. Could also have been a Chipmunk.  Crows are more meticulous.  Larger brain.

3. Son and daughter moved one of  Maine Summer Camp Dormitory (from the 50's or earlier) Bureaus out of my bedroom and replaced it with one of the very first pieces of antique furniture husband and I bought after moving from college to Georgia in 1969.  I like looking at this old wooden object with it's curved backboard and arms at each side..  I would add a photo but...can't.  I had it in the kitchen at the first apartment....to hold things in the very tiny kitchen space.  Later, weeks or months, husband's cousin brought over the Rattan Round dining table and chairs....I look at that table every day as it is by the front window here in the living room with different very lovely cherry wood chairs we had custom made in Maine.The rattan ones (taller) are around the table where I eat breakfast and read the newspaper.... that table is old also and German or possibly some other nationality..

4. The other Camp Dresser is on my side of the Ethan Allen High Poster Bed.... holding my underwear. The large black metal Monk sits on top. I saw him the day he arrived at the greenhouse in the gift shop.. I bought him that day and had one of the guys carry him out to my car. It felt like we had been together in another Life.

5.  I have a few cherries left to eat today- with yogurt (maybe- probably).  Another Toasted sandwich with  last of the American Cheese and pickle chips. Grocery Shopping tomorrow. I need to remember mouthwash, milk and shredded wheat.  Also bread and American Cheese.

6. This should have arrived higher up in the post...but I used my Swiffer and some Bona Spray Wood Cleaner to do the kitchen dining room floors..they were filthy.  They get swept (and occasionally vacumed) but sweeping doesn't "clean" anything.  Sigh.  I had to stop when my breathing got difficult  Or I would have continued into the front hallway.  Maybe later.........today.

7. Library Tomorrow.  I am starting my last Library book in a few minutes.  Best of Luck. Clayborn. Have asked daughter to find all three of the Luck books for my bookcase.  The middle one is listed as "lost".....and NO other library in Maine has a copy of Luck of the Draw.  Beginner's Luck was a delight. Daughter loves a difficult "Book Hunt" more than anything. She was here yesterday and looks exhausted.

Daily Notes for Wednesday July 9th. Clouds and chance of rain.

 Today is a Bad Day for Google....Son thinks....I can't move images over to the desktop.

1. I know they aren't Earth Shattering images that I put here but I do like sharing my work or just images that I like.... I was doing images of cloth squares I am making from the tumble of scraps on the ottoman....I started a new one yesterday...off the grid.  Using what was on the ottoman next to me....not "looking" for matching anything in the tubs next to the couch..  I even colored a blank strip with colored pencil.  Because I needed least a few to actually "match".  Being Virgo is a real trial.

2. Cloudy outside and perhaps we'll see some rain... the weather channel has been promising rain for a few days now.  And it hasn't rained. They are also promising flash floods.  Which I am happy to skip as the water table is still pretty close to the surface of my back lawn.. when we moved here any hole my husband dug filled with water.  As he was digging the supports for my fenced vegetable garden.

3. I woke up to very very itchy arms as the red circles on my arms decided to ITCH again. I've stopped thinking they are mosquito bites and now have to admit they are Brown Tail Moth.  Things that float in the air and attach to moist skin.  You touch or rub them and a very itchy rash happens as the thin threads embed themselves in your skin.  Usually very hot water deadens the itch....for a few hours.

4. I also put on a fresh workshirt as the other might have had Moth Hairs on the surface.

5. I keep trying to insert an image....not happening.

6.  Yesterday (and today's) book is Beginner's Luck by Kate Clayborn.  A series about three friends who buy a lottery ticket and win.  Three Books. So far, I am enjoying book one.  The win allows Kit in Book One to work on the very very old house in very very bad condition.....that she has purchased.  2017. I have book two and need to order book three.

7. The Guy in the book is a recruiter and he is trying to get her to interview with a company in Texas.....she is working in the research labs of an underfunded college on the East Coast.  And she is happy there- fixing all the broken old equipment. The Guy is in Town to care for his dad who fell and broke his leg.   Gosh, I've written a book report.

8.  With number 8 I will let you all go for the day...Let's hope it does RAIN here in MAINE and the fertilizer the Tru Green guy put down gets soaked into the soil beneath my less than great looking grass... it will be a quiet day on this Dead End Street.......as usual...but the "New People" across the street might be doing something interesting????????  Yesterday they stood on the driveway staring into their garage......and I watched them DO just that....for a while and then I started making cloth squares out of scrap cloth and reading the book.  BONES wasn't on...hope it's on today.  Now, oatmeal and the paper.

Daily Notes- Tuesday July 8th... Clouds and Hoping For Rain.

1. The ottoman next to my couch...has always been where I keep all my sewing etc supplies.  My reading glasses are to the far right edge south of the Kleenex.   Tru Green came to MY house yesterday- got the right house this time---and applied fertilizer-- I am hoping it rains.... to water it in.

 2. A real estate agent called yesterday to ask if I was interested in selling my house...now or next year.  I said no but am not reconsidering my reply.  I did see myself living in a much smaller one floor house.....intown within walking distance to Grocery, Library and Restaurants on the newly installed flat smooth sidewalks......  Doctor would necessitate a taxi. Or ambulance.

3. The remainder of the book title is Botanical- it's a coloring book (right of the pin cushion)..  My coloring pencils are back and over to the far left.  Next to my left elbow

 4. Sky has darkened.

5. I was very very disturbed by the camp flooding and loss of life in Texas.  As a Scout Leader....I know how that must have felt for the persons in charge.....My eyes are filling with tears just thinking about it. The news (CNN) comments by the man who shall not be named were horrible, unkind and just plain thoughtless.  I shut the tv off....started hand sewing to calm myself.

6.. The cherries I purchased last week have ripened in the fridge...I had a large bowl of them yesterday and look forward to another today.  Possibly pitted and halved with yogurt and bran buds.

7.  My daily problem with itchy red spots on my arms continues...I have decided it's from the netting I put over my annuals out front...which by the way look AMAZING.  I am now going to have a glass of water, sit on the couch close my eyes and think pleasant thoughts....and hope it rains. Waters the fertilizer into the lawn.

8. Thank you for all the replies to 'who is reading" some names are new to me and others old friends. Welcome. To all of you....

Thank you for the comments- replies.... Now that I "know " you are out there- I will write....

Daily notes for Monday July 7th. Sunshine here in Maine....74 degrees at 9am

 I was tempted on this one to travel to the Quilt Room and use the cutting table....to make straight sides. and then I thought-why???   You will see it here (only because a few of you asked) and then..no one but me will see it........ever again 

1. I showered with hot water this morning as the itch on my arms was getting intense.....I think it's going away and it blooms into red swollen spots yet again. I have pink Calomine lotion on my arms now.  Hoping the itch stops.... the spots dry up.

2. A NYT recipe for Protein Bars was full of sugar and negative comments (at the end of the recipe there were 96 negative comments mostly regarding a negative amount of "protein".).  This is the lesser amount on a Sunday NYT's recipe. Usually we hit three digits pretty fast.  Do this, don't do that. Sub this and then this..... it goes on and on.  

3. There was only one NYT's recipe that I actually made- a Vegetable Bean Soup... I used some of the yes comments and all of the no comments to provide myself with a very good soup.  

4. The Calomine is working the ratio of itch has decreased.

5. I am also tempted- if you actually get down here to numeral 5 and IF anyone actually reads this post. To stop publishing these posts.  I will still type them each morning but will hit print instead of publish. I might need to actually send a copy to each of my adult children as proof of Life.  I might send one to Connie.  Because she actually might read the Daily Notes.

6. It seems useless to keep pretending anyone comes here to read this...

Daily Notes- Sunday, July 6th. Sunshine.84 degrees.

 Last set of borders (and everything else) was a bit off...laughing.   I do like it though. Tiny label says Block Party

1. Slept well I think, but my neck is a bit stiff...and I seem to have gotten some ITCH on my neck as well...sigh.  I had Shredded Wheat for breakfast followed by Open Wheel Racing in the Rain somewhere in Europe.  Very very exciting as they slipped and slid into each other.  Not many finished.

2. I have itchy spots on my neck and right arm AGAIN today....The Cortisone-10 works- eventually-- to make the spots stop itching.

3. Pizza later today.  With a Big Salad. (for me)

4. Not much else going on here.

5. I'm days behind on my desk calendar (drawing or pasting art on it.). The last thing I did was on the 2nd day.  I have to look for some art.

6. Will finish A Fall of Marigolds today.  I have a Hallmark Christmas Movie on the tv right now but intend to move on to Soccer as soon as I hit publish.  Not ready for Hallmark or Christmas.

7. Wimbleton is a real SNOOZE this year. And that's all I have for you today.  What's happening with you???

Saturday, July 5th. Cooler over night- Good Sleeping.

 Number three block.  Will be getting two more sets of borders...still pretty small. I did find more of the gray fabric but perhaps not enough for four borders.  We'll see.

1. Windows open last night so I got to hear the small amount of neighborhood fireworks. We did find the flag so it was on the front porch to celebrate the holiday.

2.  Unwrapped the two planters this morning and the smaller one needed watering.  The tall annual in the center of the larger planter is having trouble....perhaps too much water settling in the center of the container? The smaller things around the edges are doing very well.

3. Sports News: I have two  British Soccer games set to record this afternoon.  Tennis has been disappointing for me and almost everyone else?  Two Soccer players died in a car crash yesterday.  Brothers.

4. Picking up SIX Library books today...when the Library opens.

5.  Pizza and Open Wheel Racing tomorrow.

6.  Have 100 plus pages to read in A Fall of Marigolds.  Susan Meissner.  The Brooklyn Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and 9/11

Happy 4th of July..... It rained quite a bit yesterday but today is breezy with sunshine. It even rained with the Sun shining.

I started this and then it was time to go to the grocery store.....which was very crowded...

1. I have strawberries in the freezer.  Berries my friend Patty and I hand picked on a lovely June day. I thawed some to go into the homemade rhubarb mix for my yogurt and Bran Buds (regular lunch item).  

2. Library was closed- I must have mis-read the news on the Library site- Son says we'll stop in tomorrow if I need books.. We did drop off the books I had finished reading.  I find I am enjoying reading books from the shelves here at home.  

3. Books that are like old friends on the shelf at home... if the type is large enough for my 78 year old EYES.  Some type has so little ink that I cannot read the words.  I tried large print...too large. My brain couldn't track the words.  I was exhausted after one page.  I have stacks of books I can no longer read because of tiny print or faded ink.

4. Son found me a package of Baked Chicken Breasts at the store today that I shredded with a fork.  Added honey and mayo and will be enjoying it after it has gotten cold.  I also got some Romaine Hearts for a Salad......Yogurt with Fruit.... Chicken with Honey and..... Toasted Cheese with Pickles.  My Summer Menu.  The Frozen Yogurt Bars I like- not available....the guy stocking the ice cream bars told me.....when I asked.  Bummer.

5.  The Jeep being hauled away (we donated it) was like the "end" in some way..... perhaps because it was parked out front and we saw it everyday.....now we don't ...see it.  I had a difficult night.  And that was difficult to type. I recall horrifying drives in the Jeep when husband didn't know where he was going......and I had to calmly coach him into getting us turned around and heading the right way in the right lanes etc. And finally not driving at all.  Things I prefer to have forgotten. He was very stubborn.

6. I was going to get some string and try and put the American Flag out front on the porch...I think I used to use hooks but not a clue where they are.  Son brought the flag down from the Attic.

7.  My clothes are getting looser...I don't know how or why....things that never buttoned- do now. I am eating as much and as often as I always did.  Perhaps it's just Old Age. I still look the same.

8. There is a fly in here.... where do they come from??????

9. I am going to change out of this very stiff (go out in public) shirt and put on something soft (and old)..... and watch some Women's Soccer.  And have another decaf coffee.  Perhaps close my eyes and nap...wouldn't that be a gift......to treasure?

Daily Notes- Thursday July 3rd. Sunshine but Cooler than yesterday.

 Another small piece.   None of these were ever going to get any larger or become "something". They were just ways to stay occupied on long dull endless days.  So many of those.

1. Yesterday's book was Elinor Lipman's Every Tom, Dick & Harry.   I enjoyed reading it from first page to last... yesterday.  TV didn't have anything interesting (as usual) so sewing and reading were the activities of the day.  Mostly reading.

2. AC window units are off (were on yesterday) and at 8:23 am, light sunshine and no breeze. 71 degrees with 80% humidity- on the little machine but I was out uncovering my ornamentals and it wasn't humid at all.  I would appreciate a nice cool shady day.  But I see the Sun shining.... Summer Rain would be nice.

3. Husband's Jeep was picked up and taken away yesterday afternoon.  Goodwill will have it auctioned off and the proceeds will be our donation to them.  We can cross that off the "to do" list. 

4. Just going out to uncover the plants and I feel itchy.  My arms are covered in small red bumps that itch. And today my neck also feels like that.   And it's only the very beginning of Summer. 

5. I continue to have a hard time finding clothing to wear each morning. End up wearing the same two outfits...one on me and one in the wash basket.  Short sleeve cotton tee shirt, cropped lightweight cotton pants, work shirt  with sleeves rolled up.  Work shirt is very old...but still in good condition...faded.  I keep the two DebL dyed ones for special occasions- like grocery shopping and the library. The plain ones are house shirts. I think I got them at a chain store that is no longer in business in Auburn....it was across the road from a Mexican restaurant husband and I visited. Also no longer in business.  I am also no longer in business.

6.  I will be having Shredded Wheat for breakfast today-  and instant coffee.  The newspaper is waiting for me on the table.  I'm thinking about a Toasted Cheese Sandwich for mid-day. With pickles. Perhaps a frozen yogurt bar later in the afternoon while watching Women's Soccer.  And those are the actual HIGHLIGHTS of my day.  I will have to raid my bookcase to find something to read. 

7. And it's ONLY 9 am.........

Wednesday, July 2nd. Muggy and Damp at 7am. Why am I awake?????

 I took pictures of all the squares for your enjoyment.  Some of the work is okay and others are not.  I tend to work with a handful of cloth strips that may or may not work well with each other..but have a color in common....always have done that.   I have ten to show you.  So ten posts. That top left corner needs a small patch to even up.. this is not one of the the more interesting squares..

After having the Gee's Bend books here in the house..... on the table...I can see the influence the images have had on me.   Use what you have.   If a strip of cloth isn't long enough add a piece of something else...but don't go looking for anything that matches.  I need to do some work on the left top corner. Even things up.  How it got called PATCH work.

1. Itching again this morning....Took a Hot Shower before bed and washed any irritating things off my skin. But feel itchy.  Lots of red bumps... perhaps my shirt has moth hairs on the inside???

2.  Memory problems yesterday regarding some project Son and I were working on. I got confused. And then felt "less than" the rest of the day. Not a great feeling.

3. I'm still watching World Cup Soccer.  Antiques Roadshow. Bones.  Never watch news. Tried watching a movie but...just didn't want to.....Law and Order isn't on ANY channel I get.....so very sad.

4. Finally finished the book I have been reading.  Have new ones on the shelf but actually not much interest.  That worries me as I have always loved reading.  Not much interest in anything.  (I know what that means so don't think I am not aware)

5. My arms are dotted with red blotches from bites and brown tail itches.  Miserable. Yesterday they were fine  And the only thing I do outside is put netting on my ornamental containers in the late afternoon and take it off in the morning. My clothing must have the itchy hairs on them.  

6. The weather- it looks like it might have rained overnight or early this morning.  High humidity at 7am so the day, here in Maine, is going to be miserable.  I am almost out of lemonade.  So will be drinking Sweet Tea.  The boiler is working for some reason- making hot water?????

7. Cold cereal today.  Coffee with the Suduko puzzle.  Then the couch and me sitting there the remainder of the day... keeping myself company..... I wish I was a person who knew how to nap during the day. My husband could fall asleep anywhere and at any time. I never could...still can't.

Tuesday July First- Cloudy with a really good chance of humidity.

 Finished and Not...... in the same pile.  Of cloth strips.  I sewed two entire squares together yesterday- without trimming them square.  They are not square or rectangular...they sort of tilt. Like me. 

1.I learned something from the Gee's Bend Quilt Books....I ran out of one fabric- nothing in any of the color sorted scrap fabric boxes to match what I had used for three side strips-   so I sewed the leftover stub to another fabric scrap in sort of the same color family  and then sewed it onto the square....  it looked fine. It actually made the square more interesting.

2. Weather is working on being cloudy and HUMID today in Maine...unless a breeze off the Ocean changes things up.  Not counting on that happening but some rain would be nice. Increase the mosquito population.  Not serious....

3. I finally dealt with the Brown Tail Moth Blisters on my arm...... extremely hot water....Nothing is itchy. I had forgotten that simple remedy. Very Hot Water.  ... and the red bumps are flat not raised welts.  Fantastic.  The itch is actually from the hairs the moth leaves on our skin....I think I get them putting the covers on the ornamentals out front and then uncovering them in the morning.  Otherwise Deer eat all the flowers.

4. I ACTUALLY watched an episode of Bones I had NEVER seen before...I might have actually watched more than one but I was sewing and not paying complete attention to the tv....

5. Goodwill called for the VIN number of the Jeep.  I was asleep and then the nice lady said she would call back later as I had not one clue as to where to find that info for them...they haven't called back. I have the vin number on an index card next to the phone.  Black sharpie in big letters and numbers.

6. July has never been my favorite month... but, honestly each of the other summer months have not been my favorites either depending on what's happening.  Or NOT happening.  

7. The Homemade Frozen Strawberries and Rhubarb Jam- while a bit too runny- tasted really wonderful with the vanilla yogurt and Bran Buds.  I could have cooked it longer to get it thicker...but it was an "experiment" and a "learning experience".  No recipe to follow.

8.  We have a family birthday this month and the next two months....perhaps one of those events will benefit from a birthday cake.???????? 

June 30th. Halfway Point in 2025. Sunshine here in Maine. 77 degrees. As it should be.

 You get Pears today.  Son said publishing pictures of dirty dishes in the sink was not a great idea. I was seeing it as ART but I was alone in that opinion, I guess

I also have a news story "Goats Captured after escape onto Maine Turnpike."  Fifteen goats were finally corralled by police after escaping from a trailer on the Maine Turnpike.  The goats were gathered up by the Maine State Police Troopers of G squad (why we need to know that?) with assistance from Southern Maine Towing, Cumberland County Emergency Management, Cumberland Police Animal Control and the Maine Turnpike Authority Maintenance crews.  Traffic was slowed for 45 minutes.

Maine.....gotta love it.  The Tourists coming to Maine or leaving after the holiday did not love it......as much. July will be another huge traffic month- minus Goats?????  Lobster Rolls for everyone.

Fridge- the only appliance we haven't replaced- is making a very strange noise....just started as I was typing the goat story.  Might be getting a new fridge.

Gold Cup Soccer is coming to an end.... yesterday's game ended in penalty kicks- No one likes that.

I haven't actually finished the book I was reading a few days ago......odd for me not to read-so wondering what's going on with me?  I didn't sew.  I didn't color.  I didn't draw anything.   I did cook some frozen rhubarb with some frozen strawberries and sugar.  To mix into my Vanilla yogurt and Bran buds. Sunday pizza was very good as usual and I had a Big Salad with my slice.

I don't seem to be losing any weight...in fact I feel like I have gained weight even though my clothing doesn't show that.  Stuff is loose.  Well not the LL Bean stuff of Winter and Spring because it's all misfit clothing with the waistband not actually being the right one for the pants. Either way too big or much too small.   I loved getting the pants with one short leg and one long leg returned to my register when I worked at Bean One Summer into Fall.   

I still have what looks like mosquito bites all over me.  Just from going out to uncover and cover the ornamental potted flowers.  I do spray myself for the 5 minutes I'm outdoors.  They seem to like my arms this year and are ignoring my ankles.

Cooler but Damp here in Maine this morning.....Sunday June 29th

1. You get to see my flat oatmeal bowl today.....I got the flatware- silver mat black with dots on a trip to Sweden or Denmark with my husband...the "once a year take your wife to work trip".  Everything else in the photo is USA.

2. Sunshine today but must have rained a bit overnight...sidewalk was still wet when I went out to uncover the flowers.

3. We stopped filling the front porch bird feeders and I noticed my Son had taken them down.  It was getting to be a real MESS.  I suggested this time period so the birds could find another source of food...three months of warm weather should do the trick..  I have berries going to rot in the fenced garden so I hope some of them are getting eaten.  The wild blackberries are not for the faint of heart as they have horrendously sharp  things on the branches.  I transplanted a few from the woods out back and they have  gone crazy in the past ten years or so.  My plan was to stop deer from visiting the yard and eating my flowers.  A plan that was quite "laughable" in retrospect.,  The grapes are looking quite happy- covering any standing structure left in the garden.  One in the center of the garden and the back fence.

4. Maine - away from the ocean is really a thicket of brambles, sand instead of soil, wild animals and ticks.  Also a few snakes- I have one who slithers around when I turn on the hose to fill the watering bottles.  The deer come at night. Which is why I cover my ornamentals.

5. Pizza today.  I'll have mine with a salad.  I'm taking over the counter allergy tabs so NO WINE.  But I would love a nice Gin and Tonic with lots of lime wedges.

6. I slept well.  Meaning I have no memory of sleep or being awake.

7. Still the same book I am reading - Love at First_ did NO reading yesterday at all- sat quietly with my eyes closed... Some TV noise but not much after the cooking shows on PBS so TV got turned off..

8. My itchy rash continues to be a GREAT ANNOYANCE but seems to be less each day.  I guess that could be one thing that brings me joy- number 5 on this list I have,

 

Saturday, June 28th. Still Cool....Damp from overnight rain. Both arms are itchy now.

 One Bowl and Three Spoons.  White Slash of Cloudy Sky.

1. I calmed down the itchy red spots- now both arms----with Aveeno Itch Ointment.  I might need it on the right side of my neck as well.

2. Cooper Flagg on front page two days in a row....(basketball if you are wondering).  17 years old, I think. And the Dallas Team got him in the NBA draft.  He has a twin brother...also plays basketball but not like Cooper.  Six foot eight --possibly.  Massively TALL.  Decided to skip college ball at Duke. His MOM played college basketball....... 

3. We needed rain- the grass looks very happy.

4.  House is getting chilly so I might close a few windows....I may only have one window open...my bedroom.  Or turn off the ceiling fans.  That seems more likely to happen.

5. Still reading Love at First from my own bookcase.  At the Library I listened to soft spoken disappointment (patrons like me) in the books on the new releases shelving.  And the new fiction..... I had actually noticed that books I like re-reading are "no longer in the collection".  It has become quite puzzling to me.....what is chosen for the library and what people like to read.  And meanwhile the discarded book shelving stays full..........I used to pick up a free book or 2 or 3.... every visit.   Now in my bookcase.

6. House down the street (my side) is getting WHOLE HOUSE covered in som New Siding.  I am going to email my Lunch Buddy to see if she has heard what......is going on.

Sunshine and a bit of Maine Chill in the Air but that warmed up pretty soon after I typed the word Chill.

 1. Another sink photo.....we are preparing for the Library Grocery Store.... (and now we are back).

2.  I have the book bag packed and need to carry one additional huge quilting volume by hand.   

3. I have bug bites on my right arm.  My neck.  My right hand.

4. Ready to go- talk to you later

5. Returned books and picked up three I had ordered (I forgot I ordered them)......found nothing interesting in the New Books Section.  The three people also looking...didn't seem to be finding anything either.....this season's best sellers have been..  unreadable.

6. I'm tired and Fussy.

7. Yesterday and today I am reading Love at First.  An all time favorite.  No one is in love ..yet. No one is admitting it yet.

8. Temps are warming up here....not 100 degrees and not hot enough for AC units.

9. I have a few uncolored index card drawings I could color....I have the cloth square that needs borders....I have the book to finish.........I could make a second cup of decaf coffee......I'm not turning on the tv. I bought four pears and THIS TIME I intend to do a line drawing....of them.  I noticed I have drawings and paintings of pears....all around the house....it must be a "thing" so why not make more?

Cooling off a bit this morning- 68 degrees.

 Bowls in the Sink.  Summer Still Life.

1. The AC units are off (right now)...and the ceiling fans revolving....hard to say if it's actually cold in here as my Internal Thermostat doesn't match up with the actual room temp.  I'm running cold in my old age.  My mom said I was ALWAYS cold as a baby.  Perhaps I am reverting??????

2. I didn't sleep well.....the AC unit sounds bother me.   I woke up tired.

3. Re-reading (been years since I read this book)  Love Lettering.  It's a long time favorite of mine. It reads differently this time...I'm different this time.  This might be the first time I am actually experiencing the difference (in my inner self) since my husband died.  I need to sit and consider .......

4. Cable TV yesterday was a mixture of very old series starting with season one.....and Breaking News. this is why I am reading books out of my bookcase.

5.  I am going to get up from this office chair--make a bowl of cereal and a mug of instant coffee and read the morning paper and try to get more than five numbers for the Daily Suduko Puzzle.. And call it a Win.

6. I might venture into the depths of my two closets (took over husband's) and search for Summer Things That Fit Loosely.  And take a picture for tomorrow's post...I missed taking a picture of the snake that slithered out when I went for the hose to water my containers.  We both jumped back.

7. I envy Deb L and her pool out behind her house in Georgia...I would be floating out there all day every day just like I did on Florida vacations long ago.  Or not as I no longer have a bathing suit. Disappeared with a number of camp shirts I think.  Do not envy her the snakes....had enough of those in Florida.

Daily Notes. Almost hit 100 degrees here in Maine. 81 and muggy and damp early this morning.

 1.I have a very itchy, wet spot on the right side of my jaw....I have it covered with a bandaid to keep myself from touching it....getting it infected.  It's also got a special ointment on it.

2. I finished a book, watched tv commentators discuss the "news", watched the end of a soccer game, sorted out my underwear drawer and have a bag full of black athletic wear to offer to daughter and if she says no to take to Goodwill.  Found two more white short sleeved LLBean Camp shirts....Fantastic!!!!- They were under a bunch of stuff I never wear at the bottom of a closet- on the floor actually..  I am in no shape to be pulling on tight black sporty under garments. Just thinking about it exhausts me. Square cotton camp shirts for the win.

3. Up top is one of my index cards- I make a line drawing and then...do nothing...later I color them in. Not all the way as I lose interest in the coloring pretty darn fast....why I like painting...it's faster.  I also stop before I ruin the thing........I'm best at the very start and love that lower right area quite a bit..  After the book and during a news program--I drew designs on a few more cards.    The top and bottom brown areas are the table they sit on.

4. If Son goes out for lunch today- might not as he went out yesterday-----I'll ask for ice cream.  Or frozen yogurt bars.  Or those plastic tubes of fruity ice pops  Even though I only like two of the eight colors in the package...they all disappear.....

5. So hot yesterday I hauled hose and watered the stuff that had been weeded by M.  Mostly the three hydrangea that are making a GREAT EFFORT to produce flowers for the very first time. I wore myself out and spent the remainder of the afternoon recovering.  I do not like HEAT. 

 AND it occurred to me......we STILL have July and August......UGH.  I had forgotten those two months.

6. I have the center square sewn and the edging strips ready to sew around the edges of A square.  Might actually be the best one of all of them.......that's what happens when you make multiples...one of them is actually worth the effort.  Perhaps today I will talk myself into hand sewing one strip to one side.....while watching World Cup Soccer.

Daily Notes--- Tuesday June 24th.. Window AC units in...Short sleeved linen LLBean Camp Shirt ON.

 I drew this a long time ago.  A Self Portrait.   That is my impression of our CAT. 

1. New neighbors across the street put their two AC window units in yesterday and a few hours later, ours got installed.....we had to wait for Daughter to finish work.... the two units take the moisture out of the air and cool it just enough...we might need to replace them later this year or for sure- next year.  Ceiling fans in living room and dining room....both areas had light fixtures in ceiling....I wish there had been a ceiling fixture in the bedroom-  new AC units next year.

2. If I still live here.  I'm counting on long waiting lists for ALL senior living in Maine. Six year wait is typical right now....for the good places.

3. The front porch steps and columns have been repaired....painted and look very very nice (brand new).  I also have a "real" mailbox post (husband stacked cement blocks and set the mailbox on top)......the stick on polka dots have fallen off so...if I can find some white paint in the art closet....acrylic- I'll paint dots on the box...but not when it's sticky hot outside.  Mosquitos are vicious.

4. I might be wrong but I think today would have been my younger brother's birthday.

5. World Cup Soccer continues to occupy my TV watching.

6. I am really comfortable and cool in my vintage thrifted linen camp shirt. May the (few) shirts I have "Live Long and Prosper."  It's like the PERFECT summer wearable.

7. Yes...FARGO and the Chipper!!!!!!!  Son corrected me- it's a comedy not a horror movie.  I recall it being very funny the one time I watched it........and I often get it confused with the Billboards movie. I really need to get Netflix or Prime so I can watch movies.  Old ones.

Daily Notes: Muggy News here in Maine. 80 degrees

You get a drawing I found in a notebook.  I have a few more.....reminded about being artistic in the past..not so much now.  How did that happen?   I assume it was the caregiving I didn't notice was taking up more and more of my Life.  As he was loosing more and more of his.  Decades.

1.I have an itchy rash along the ENTIRE right side of my face.. (one spot is very itchy and most of the skin is bumpy)..Calomine Itch Relief is doing a bit of good. I think I have some tiny allergy pills as well.  Pink also.  This rash might occupy my thoughts and actions most of the day.  If it spreads.  It's also on the inside of my right arm along with two large mosquito bites....I swell up with mosquito bites..

2.  I brought the AC units up in conversation but no one did anything about it...so they are still in the garage.  ( I suggested buying newer more effective ones..).. I have the two ceiling fans going-slowly.  All doors and windows closed. Takes two strong younger than me people to get them in the windows. Daughter is at work...sweating and covered in bugs for sure.

3. Son shared his interpretation of what is going on with Iran.  I recalled - when we lived in the Chicago area and both kids were in college- someone bombing Iran or Iran bombing someone.. or just firing off rockets,.  This might be a repeat performance- but way more dangerous if they have actually made a bomb.  Son says that is MUCH more difficult....... trying not to blow yourself up, I guess.

4. Yesterday's Sunday Pizza was very very good...we get better at it each week.  We discussed various other toppings for Future Summer Sunday Pizza.   I am also being encouraged to bake something with the rhubarb in the freezer.  My fallback position is always a pie.  He suggested some sort of Bundt Cake. I will look for a recipe.

5. No newspaper today....I think I will have cold cereal today- Shredded Wheat and milk.  I have books to read and perhaps catch up on the World Cup Soccer matches. Or just sew....a few more squares... I did have to go into the sewing room and dig thru boxes of "sorted by color" fabric.  What I was looking for was that center square in each of a "special" fabric".... a small 2 inch square...well, I would have to cut it. I was NOT finding it...so I finished reading the Love Haters for the third time. and I also cut out pictures for the desktop calendar under this keyboard.   Most of the space on the calendar is now filled...drawings, newspaper headlines and a big orange and yellow SUN.

6, More World Cup Soccer for today....More calamine lotion on the itchy bits.  And just now the BIG TREE CUTTING WOODCHIPPING TRUCK across the street.  They brought the BIG CHIPPER. What was that movie??????