It's snowing today, on and off according to the experts. A minute ago it was a heavy and dense snow, now it's just a flutter. The trees are outlined in white and are very pretty. It's warm, 31, and I have a good fire going so all is well on the homefront. The dogs have already walked themselves this morning and are now exhausted and waiting for our trip to Plattsburgh.
I have a few errands to run, and lunch with Barb. We'll meet at the Greek restaurant, our usual spot. With Julie, on Wednesdays I eat Japanese food at OUR usual spot. Nice to have these 2 restaurants in close proximity to where my friends work.
My friends "The Boys" are here for a few days. These are the men who own one of the camps below my house. They come every winter to be in Hawkeye for Extremefest. They ski, hike, climb mountains and feed me dinners. I'll see them tonight, talked to them on the phone last night. They've all arrived, from California, Boston and Minneapolis. I love visiting with them, they always make me laugh. They've been friends since childhood and remind me of my brother and his childhood friends, when they used to get together and giggle a lot. Our house was a gathering place for Henry and his friends through high school and college so I vicariously enjoyed their brotherhood. I had my own group of friends, and we giggled a lot too but there's something very dear about men and their very close friends. Women, yes, we always have close friends. Men, maybe not so much all the time. Maybe I'm wrong, who knows.
I've been mildly productive this week. I did tidy up the living room, though maybe to the untrained eye this would not show. I finished cleaning the laundry room, the final cleansing involving removal of cobwebs and HUGE amounts of dog hair in clumps invisible to the naked eye on the black vinyl floor. The vinyl tiles are peeling off because of the several floods I've had when the pipes there freeze. I've solved the freezing problem (I hope) by wrapping the pipes and moving the washing machine so warm air can actually get to the pipes. I feel as if I've outsmarted cold air.
I'm working on losing weight, in my own way. I keep a food journal and count calories. Sometimes this is really discouraging and some days I do quite well. My plan was to lose a pound a week. I've lost 2 pounds since my last visit to the doctor, but that was probably because the nurse had me take my shoes off this time. harumpf. I did order a foldable exercise bicycle, which was on sale and supposedly easy to assemble. I would prefer a treadmill but don't have a good place to put it, it's too expensive, and how would I get it in the house? I did really well when I was doing Weight Watchers and walking on the treadmill every day--I lost 28 pounds. I found the 28 pounds, plus a few more, so I'm not doing well. Wish me luck.
Not much going on this weekend except for The Boys. I'll go to the big dump today on my way to Plattsburgh to drop off clothing and towels to be recycled. I'll go to MY dump tomorrow to recycle and get rid of trash. Why don't I do all of it today? Such a good question. I suppose it's just because I like to have something to do every day, and Saturday my "thing to do" is usually going to the dump to see Dump Bob and get biscuits for the dogs. I have some glass gallon jars to recycle. I used to dye my baskets with special powdered dye that I mixed up in these jars, but now I don't dye them, I stain them instead so I don't need the 8 jars I have. I'll keep some because why wouldn't I? They must be useful for something. A terrarium. Mixing up a big batch of something. Who knows.
I was in Plattsburgh on Wednesday for lunch with Julie. While we were eating lunch she watched a policeman put a ticket on my windshield. Really? A parking ticket in Plattsburgh? By a policeman, not a meter maid? I was parked more than 12 inches from the curb, which cost me $15 for the ticket. Honestly, I thought it was really funny (when I wasn't irritated). I've been teased a lot for it and everyone agrees I should practice my parallel parking of the Subaru.
Dogs are sleeping, I'm dressed and ready for town, will leave soon. It IS a winter wonderland out there.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Rain in January
We've already had our January thaw so what's with today's rain? All that will happen is that it will all freeze overnight and it will be hell freezing over. I don't get frustrated (much) by weather, though, because there's nothing we can do about it. Now that I don't have to drive to Plattsburgh every morning it seems like a less significant part of life. It's really a BIG part of life here in Hawkeye, our activities are often determined by weather, but it has less of an impact on my daily doings than it used to.
I'm trying to stay home more, resist the urge to run the roads. Saturday was a bad day, I went to the dump, came home, went to Wilmington to drop off stuff at the thrift store, then came home. Why not combine the 2? What was I thinking? Sunday I went only to P&J's, but yesterday I went to Plattsburgh for a doctor's appointment. Not a good time, my cholesterol is too high in spite of the statin I take. He's giving me 3 months to work on this before taking another approach. EXERCISE would make a difference, but who wants that? Anyway, I think my eating habits during the weeks leading up to last week's blood work were quite cholesterol-inducing so maybe I can be more careful. Yes, that's what I'll do. When it comes to this, genetics are not my friend. When it comes to my teeth, genetics are my best friend. One parent had lousy teeth, one has great teeth, so at least I can be thankful for that heritage. And that is a big deal to me.
I'm slacking off on my 3-things-a-day plan and need to get back into that. I cleaned out a bureau in the master bedroom and today I'll put the sheets I only use in summer in that bureau (what's the difference between a dresser and a bureau?). That will made a big difference in the laundry "room," which is just the hallway between the bathroom and bedroom downstairs. It looks like hell right now and I'm always trying to figure out how to improve on that. I love the way my mind works: slowly. It came to me this morning that I have a place to put the linens that fill the shelf there, a place out of sight. duh.
I'll make 3 trips to Plattsburgh this week, which is too many. One to the doctor, one for lunch with Julie and one for lunch with Barb. The lunches are necessary, I feel. The doctor was just thrown in to make me feel bad about myself. I don't mind going to Plattsburgh but I realize it's not the most constructive use of my time. And I spend less money when I stay home.
Lin and I went to the movies on Thursday, we saw Joy then went out for dinner. A nice time, and a good film. Not a great film, but very good. Nicely done by Jennifer Lawrence, that's for sure.
The dogs are just fine. Tess seems to be on a roll about going out and coming in and going out and coming in. I live to serve. Both dogs like to stand on the deck and bark endlessly. Oh how lucky I am to have no neighbors, this is great entertainment for the dogs.
I really need to make an effort to walk more. My walk to camp last week was fantastic and beautiful, my walk to the mailbox was a bit cold, and that's all I've done. Today I'll walk to the mailbox, oh yes I will.
I'm reading The Martian for book group, and am enjoying it. Too much science in it, really, for me, but it's a well-written account. Of course I get to picture Matt Damon when I read it and that only improves my reaction to the book.
I chatted on Facebook with a high-school friend. We're friends on Goodreads and recommend books to each other successfully. It was nice to communicate with her, like an abbreviated phone call. I saw this woman at our 40th high school reunion but didn't really visit with her then. I wish I had, but probably not enough to go to another reunion. ugh.
I'm trying to stay home more, resist the urge to run the roads. Saturday was a bad day, I went to the dump, came home, went to Wilmington to drop off stuff at the thrift store, then came home. Why not combine the 2? What was I thinking? Sunday I went only to P&J's, but yesterday I went to Plattsburgh for a doctor's appointment. Not a good time, my cholesterol is too high in spite of the statin I take. He's giving me 3 months to work on this before taking another approach. EXERCISE would make a difference, but who wants that? Anyway, I think my eating habits during the weeks leading up to last week's blood work were quite cholesterol-inducing so maybe I can be more careful. Yes, that's what I'll do. When it comes to this, genetics are not my friend. When it comes to my teeth, genetics are my best friend. One parent had lousy teeth, one has great teeth, so at least I can be thankful for that heritage. And that is a big deal to me.
I'm slacking off on my 3-things-a-day plan and need to get back into that. I cleaned out a bureau in the master bedroom and today I'll put the sheets I only use in summer in that bureau (what's the difference between a dresser and a bureau?). That will made a big difference in the laundry "room," which is just the hallway between the bathroom and bedroom downstairs. It looks like hell right now and I'm always trying to figure out how to improve on that. I love the way my mind works: slowly. It came to me this morning that I have a place to put the linens that fill the shelf there, a place out of sight. duh.
I'll make 3 trips to Plattsburgh this week, which is too many. One to the doctor, one for lunch with Julie and one for lunch with Barb. The lunches are necessary, I feel. The doctor was just thrown in to make me feel bad about myself. I don't mind going to Plattsburgh but I realize it's not the most constructive use of my time. And I spend less money when I stay home.
Lin and I went to the movies on Thursday, we saw Joy then went out for dinner. A nice time, and a good film. Not a great film, but very good. Nicely done by Jennifer Lawrence, that's for sure.
The dogs are just fine. Tess seems to be on a roll about going out and coming in and going out and coming in. I live to serve. Both dogs like to stand on the deck and bark endlessly. Oh how lucky I am to have no neighbors, this is great entertainment for the dogs.
I really need to make an effort to walk more. My walk to camp last week was fantastic and beautiful, my walk to the mailbox was a bit cold, and that's all I've done. Today I'll walk to the mailbox, oh yes I will.
I'm reading The Martian for book group, and am enjoying it. Too much science in it, really, for me, but it's a well-written account. Of course I get to picture Matt Damon when I read it and that only improves my reaction to the book.
I chatted on Facebook with a high-school friend. We're friends on Goodreads and recommend books to each other successfully. It was nice to communicate with her, like an abbreviated phone call. I saw this woman at our 40th high school reunion but didn't really visit with her then. I wish I had, but probably not enough to go to another reunion. ugh.
The Chair
Friday, January 22, 2016
Special time
One of my favorite things ever is being outside on a still, sunny, clear winter day when the temperature is around 20. Lucky me! Yesterday and today are days like that. Not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind. It's just beautiful. Yesterday I walked to camp, without the dogs, without a sound, without any tracks on the road or on the lake. How lucky am I? I didn't take the dogs because I don't know how thick the ice is, and neither do they. I had a dog long ago who wouldn't walk on thin ice, but these 2 are so foolish and naive that they wouldn't think about thickness of ice, they would just think of a huge open space where you could run and run and run. So they stayed home.
I've had a good week, pretty busy for an old retired woman. I went to Plattsburgh on Tuesday, did y blood work, had a haircut, got some groceries. I noticed when I left home that my mailbox had been blasted again by a plow. The arm was snapped, same as the last time. I stopped at the Highway Dept. in Plattsburgh (it's the County that plows the hardtop, where my mailbox lives) and reported it. By that night the post was repaired, mailbox back up and there's now a big neon flag on top of the box. YAY! Nicely done, County workers.
I went to Pat & Jim's on Tuesday, had a good visit with them.
Wednesday I was back in Plattsburgh having lunch with Julie. We always have a good time together, an we always eat the same Japanese food at the same Japanese restaurant. We've switched from the Thai restaurant uptown to the Japanese restaurant downtown. We're pretty boring when it comes to lunches.
Yesterday Lin called in the morning. She's taking 2 days off from work this week to get some stuff done around the house. She wanted to see Joy, and have dinner in Plattsburgh, so I picked her up and away we went. The movie was good (but long) and Jennifer Lawrence was really great. We had an OK dinner, cheap because it was early at Texas Roadhouse. OK, we went there, we don't need to go back. It's loud there, and very dark. Too much noise and bustle for me.
Today I have a list of tasks: sort picture frames to find ones that Lin might want, cut the dogs' nails, call Subaru to make an appointment for early Feb., move the dog cage that I haven't used in more than a year, and deliver egg cartons to Marylou in Wilmington. Moving the dog cage is the biggest challenge. It involves finding homes for the things I've been storing on top of it. Then, of course, what do I do with the space it will leave? Oh, not to worry I'm sure I can find SOMETHING to put there.
I got an email from Joe announcing the date of The Burn in February. That's one of the main events of the winter, for sure, and it's nice to have that to look forward to. Seeing Joe, not necessarily The Burn, although that's always fun, too.
I'll go for another walk today, it's just too pretty not to. Right now the dogs are sound asleep in the sun in the living room. They're exhausted why? They've been outside at least 5 times, they rode with me to get the newspaper, they've had their peanut butter and meds, have had treats, have eaten their breakfasts, had some "bed time" when we roll around on the couch and play mean viscious fighting dogs.
Life is good, very good.
I've had a good week, pretty busy for an old retired woman. I went to Plattsburgh on Tuesday, did y blood work, had a haircut, got some groceries. I noticed when I left home that my mailbox had been blasted again by a plow. The arm was snapped, same as the last time. I stopped at the Highway Dept. in Plattsburgh (it's the County that plows the hardtop, where my mailbox lives) and reported it. By that night the post was repaired, mailbox back up and there's now a big neon flag on top of the box. YAY! Nicely done, County workers.
I went to Pat & Jim's on Tuesday, had a good visit with them.
Wednesday I was back in Plattsburgh having lunch with Julie. We always have a good time together, an we always eat the same Japanese food at the same Japanese restaurant. We've switched from the Thai restaurant uptown to the Japanese restaurant downtown. We're pretty boring when it comes to lunches.
Yesterday Lin called in the morning. She's taking 2 days off from work this week to get some stuff done around the house. She wanted to see Joy, and have dinner in Plattsburgh, so I picked her up and away we went. The movie was good (but long) and Jennifer Lawrence was really great. We had an OK dinner, cheap because it was early at Texas Roadhouse. OK, we went there, we don't need to go back. It's loud there, and very dark. Too much noise and bustle for me.
Today I have a list of tasks: sort picture frames to find ones that Lin might want, cut the dogs' nails, call Subaru to make an appointment for early Feb., move the dog cage that I haven't used in more than a year, and deliver egg cartons to Marylou in Wilmington. Moving the dog cage is the biggest challenge. It involves finding homes for the things I've been storing on top of it. Then, of course, what do I do with the space it will leave? Oh, not to worry I'm sure I can find SOMETHING to put there.
I got an email from Joe announcing the date of The Burn in February. That's one of the main events of the winter, for sure, and it's nice to have that to look forward to. Seeing Joe, not necessarily The Burn, although that's always fun, too.
I'll go for another walk today, it's just too pretty not to. Right now the dogs are sound asleep in the sun in the living room. They're exhausted why? They've been outside at least 5 times, they rode with me to get the newspaper, they've had their peanut butter and meds, have had treats, have eaten their breakfasts, had some "bed time" when we roll around on the couch and play mean viscious fighting dogs.
Life is good, very good.
Gorgeous winter day
Monday, January 18, 2016
Day off
Well, I don't get a day off because EVERY day is a day off for me. It's a holiday, though, and what am I doing to celebrate? Thinking about things, having a quiet day.
I had a nice weekend, pretty busy by my standards. Saturday I went to the Democratic brunch, hearing from the candidate and visiting with the few people I knew there. It was nice, I went thinking it was my civic duty but was very pleased to have gone after all. Good candidate, good politics.
Yesterday I went to see Star Wars with Lin. First we had lunch in Plattsburgh, then we went to the movies. I really liked it, was surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing it. It's a very nice film, very funny and clever. I'm not much for battle scenes or light sabers, but was it was fun to see.
I've tried to keep up with my lists every day. This, I guess is a formalization of my attempt to do 3 things each day. My lists have more than 3 things, maybe so I have something to choose from. Today's list includes laundry (done), feed the birds (done), finish my letter to the Neels (done) and 2 other, loftier activities: move a chair upstairs and start working on the master bedroom. Since it's still morning there is a chance I'll do one or both of these things. A chance.
We got a couple of inches of fresh snow. It was sort of a disappointment, as it was predicted that we'd get 2-4 and I assumed we'd get the 4". Not to be. Now it's 15 outside, which isn't very cold. Temps supposed to drop for the week. That is good, we need cold weather to firm up the ice so my friends can walk on it when they come next week. Would I walk on it? That's questionable. I'll wait to see if they fall through. And hope for the best.
I'm reading The gravity of birds which so far is about a birdwatcher. I recently found a couple of CD's of bird calls. I used to listen to them in the car all the time. Only a few calls stuck with me. One trip I took with Anna, from here to RI, I made her listen to bird calls for hours (poor dear). The woman who described the calls was more entertaining than the calls, and the calls were entertaining enough ("Quick three beers," which is what bird? I only remember that, not the bird it belongs to). We laughed a lot, but as I say I remembered few of the calls.
This week I have 2 Plattsburgh trips scheduled. Tomorrow I'll go in the morning to have blood work done, followed by a hair appointment. Timing is crucial. I'll want to go early because it's a fasting lab, but my appointment isn't until 11. I guess shopping is an option, but for what? Maybe a visit to Starbucks would be time better spent. I can always read while I drink coffee. Wednesday is my standard lunch with Julie. We go to the Japanese restaurant downtown now, a change from the Thai food we were eating before the downtown restaurant opened.
The dogs are doing well. Last night they entertained themselves (and me) by standing on the deck in the dark and barking barking barking nonstop. They took turns, which I thought was pretty funny. I don't think there was anything out there but for all I know it could have been Sasquatch. Anyway they still take themselves for walks but not as often and for much shorter walks, now that they get a treat every time they come home. Geez, I wish I got a treat every time I came home.
I had a nice weekend, pretty busy by my standards. Saturday I went to the Democratic brunch, hearing from the candidate and visiting with the few people I knew there. It was nice, I went thinking it was my civic duty but was very pleased to have gone after all. Good candidate, good politics.
Yesterday I went to see Star Wars with Lin. First we had lunch in Plattsburgh, then we went to the movies. I really liked it, was surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing it. It's a very nice film, very funny and clever. I'm not much for battle scenes or light sabers, but was it was fun to see.
I've tried to keep up with my lists every day. This, I guess is a formalization of my attempt to do 3 things each day. My lists have more than 3 things, maybe so I have something to choose from. Today's list includes laundry (done), feed the birds (done), finish my letter to the Neels (done) and 2 other, loftier activities: move a chair upstairs and start working on the master bedroom. Since it's still morning there is a chance I'll do one or both of these things. A chance.
We got a couple of inches of fresh snow. It was sort of a disappointment, as it was predicted that we'd get 2-4 and I assumed we'd get the 4". Not to be. Now it's 15 outside, which isn't very cold. Temps supposed to drop for the week. That is good, we need cold weather to firm up the ice so my friends can walk on it when they come next week. Would I walk on it? That's questionable. I'll wait to see if they fall through. And hope for the best.
I'm reading The gravity of birds which so far is about a birdwatcher. I recently found a couple of CD's of bird calls. I used to listen to them in the car all the time. Only a few calls stuck with me. One trip I took with Anna, from here to RI, I made her listen to bird calls for hours (poor dear). The woman who described the calls was more entertaining than the calls, and the calls were entertaining enough ("Quick three beers," which is what bird? I only remember that, not the bird it belongs to). We laughed a lot, but as I say I remembered few of the calls.
This week I have 2 Plattsburgh trips scheduled. Tomorrow I'll go in the morning to have blood work done, followed by a hair appointment. Timing is crucial. I'll want to go early because it's a fasting lab, but my appointment isn't until 11. I guess shopping is an option, but for what? Maybe a visit to Starbucks would be time better spent. I can always read while I drink coffee. Wednesday is my standard lunch with Julie. We go to the Japanese restaurant downtown now, a change from the Thai food we were eating before the downtown restaurant opened.
The dogs are doing well. Last night they entertained themselves (and me) by standing on the deck in the dark and barking barking barking nonstop. They took turns, which I thought was pretty funny. I don't think there was anything out there but for all I know it could have been Sasquatch. Anyway they still take themselves for walks but not as often and for much shorter walks, now that they get a treat every time they come home. Geez, I wish I got a treat every time I came home.
Signs of spring?
Friday, January 15, 2016
Warming trend
It's 17 at 8:30 a.m. and that feels just great. Not sunny, which would be asking too much. We had some sun yesterday before it clouded over and snowed in the afternoon. I've been outside a couple of times so far and it really does feel nice, probably because there's no wind.
I had sort of a rough day yesterday, a day without focus. I need more structure than that, so this morning I made a list of tasks for the day. What does it say about me that I need a LIST to be productive? I can't wing it, I need to know what I'm doing and where I'm going. Is it because I was a librarian? A cataloger? Or am I just a disorganized dork...
I have a house full of disorder that should provide me with endless tasks that shouldn't require a written list to accomplish. Well, we have to accept who we are and how we function, so that's what I'll do. With a smile.
The mailwoman came to my house yesterday to deliver a package. She's really great that way--instead of leaving a note in my mailbox that requires a trip to town, she'll deliver things 1/2 mile down the road and up my "rustic" driveway to my door. Every time she does that she says "I don't know how you live out here, in the middle of nowhere, by yourself." I give her the same answer every time: I like it. She just looks at me when I say that, like a dog hearing a strange sound. I blabber on about how I'm not anti-social, I like people but I really like my privacy. And the quiet. Still she looks at me. She's retiring in March and I don't know what the new carrier will be like but I bet the new carrier won't drive to my house and chat with me. Well, it depends on who trains the newbie I suppose.
Tomorrow I'm going to a brunch for the Democratic Congressional candidate. Why? Well, my friends from Scarsdale asked me if I wanted to go and I often feel obligated to say yes to invitations. So I go. I went to some things like this when I worked with Rush's campaigns in NJ. One time I was his driver for the day, which was interesting, entertaining and a nice chance to visit with him. Another time I went door-to-door for him. When we were kids my mother used to have us do that for school board candidates. My sister hated it, I wasn't thrilled, but we tended to do what my mother told us to. In later years we went door-to-door for Eugene McCarthy, and not because our mother asked us to. Will I do anything to help this candidate's campaign? What he really needs is money, which I can't help with, but maybe I can make phone calls or stuff envelopes or something like that.
Life is good, if a little unfocused. I am entertained to learn things about myself all the time. Yesterday was a good lesson. I need a list, if I don't have any obligations, appointments or plans for the day. So today I have a list.
I had sort of a rough day yesterday, a day without focus. I need more structure than that, so this morning I made a list of tasks for the day. What does it say about me that I need a LIST to be productive? I can't wing it, I need to know what I'm doing and where I'm going. Is it because I was a librarian? A cataloger? Or am I just a disorganized dork...
I have a house full of disorder that should provide me with endless tasks that shouldn't require a written list to accomplish. Well, we have to accept who we are and how we function, so that's what I'll do. With a smile.
The mailwoman came to my house yesterday to deliver a package. She's really great that way--instead of leaving a note in my mailbox that requires a trip to town, she'll deliver things 1/2 mile down the road and up my "rustic" driveway to my door. Every time she does that she says "I don't know how you live out here, in the middle of nowhere, by yourself." I give her the same answer every time: I like it. She just looks at me when I say that, like a dog hearing a strange sound. I blabber on about how I'm not anti-social, I like people but I really like my privacy. And the quiet. Still she looks at me. She's retiring in March and I don't know what the new carrier will be like but I bet the new carrier won't drive to my house and chat with me. Well, it depends on who trains the newbie I suppose.
Tomorrow I'm going to a brunch for the Democratic Congressional candidate. Why? Well, my friends from Scarsdale asked me if I wanted to go and I often feel obligated to say yes to invitations. So I go. I went to some things like this when I worked with Rush's campaigns in NJ. One time I was his driver for the day, which was interesting, entertaining and a nice chance to visit with him. Another time I went door-to-door for him. When we were kids my mother used to have us do that for school board candidates. My sister hated it, I wasn't thrilled, but we tended to do what my mother told us to. In later years we went door-to-door for Eugene McCarthy, and not because our mother asked us to. Will I do anything to help this candidate's campaign? What he really needs is money, which I can't help with, but maybe I can make phone calls or stuff envelopes or something like that.
Life is good, if a little unfocused. I am entertained to learn things about myself all the time. Yesterday was a good lesson. I need a list, if I don't have any obligations, appointments or plans for the day. So today I have a list.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Cold and snowy
It was 6 this morning, now, at 9:00 up to 12. We're supposed to have a relatively big snowstorm this afternoon (if you count 6 inches as "big") and tonight. We could use the snow. Well, wait, what do you use snow for? Anyway, it would be appropriate for us to have more snow. The lake re-froze, it was cold after it rained. Lots of ice in our driveways but the roads are clear.
I have no plans for the day, which is a very strange feeling. Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh to pick up something at UPS (the driver couldn't find my house--obviously not the regular driver). AND I took down the Christmas tree. Which one took longer? The tree was a mess, it was so dry that you touched a branch and it rained needles. I got it de-decorated, then cut off most of the branches before taking it outside. It's now lying on the deck, looking very sad. It may well stay there for the rest of the winter, that's not unusual for a lazy fool like me.
,
What I picked up at UPS was a new bowl for Treasure. It's plastic and has ridges in the bottom, like a maze. It's designed to slow down her eating. She eats so incredibly fast, doesn't really chew most of her kibble. So I thought I'd try this. The first time she used it I felt really guilty--she just looked at it before working so hard to get the food into her mouth. This morning she wasn't surprised about it, she jut sort of wilted. Tess thinks it's great because she finally finishes first so can help Treasure dig out the final pieces. It just seems as if I'm torturing poor Treasure. How do you explain to a dog that it's for her own good?
I started reading the latest Chris Bohjalian book, just released. It's on my Kindle, which is less fun for me to read from than print copies, but it was cheaper and immediately available. We had book group on Sunday, our book was Ordinary grace, which we all agreed was a good choice. Next up is The Martian. There were 5 of us, counting Linda via phone. She called and we had very nice time chatting with her. She's an important addition to the group so it was great to have her here. Lin made delicious pizza, Marylou brought a LOT of chocolate, Lori brought potato chips (forbidden fruit) and cookies. I made a salad and served ice cream with raspberry sauce for dessert. Lots of good food and a nice time visiting.
Tomorrow is my weekly lunch with Julie in Plattsburgh. There's an ad in today's newspaper for a driver needed, to drive once a week to Plattsburgh from a town between here and there, pays $100 per trip. It is sooooo tempting to call and sign up for this. It feels as if I drive as a hobby, so it would be good to have someone else benefit from this, and of course the money would be handy.
The dogs are taking themselves for a walk. I let them do that this time of year. There's no one else in the neighborhood and they don't seem to go to the hardtop (most of the time). I suppose I like having them do this because it means I don't have to walk them. I am, as we know, an inherently lazy person.
As part of my "3 things a day" plan I will have to come up with 2 things for today. I'll visit with Pat & Jim later in the day so that will be 1, and if I were smart I'd walk to the mailbox for #2, then what? I could take the Christmas stuff upstairs and make room in the master bedroom/storage unit for them. That seems almost insurmountable but may be what I do. The day will define itself I'm sure.
I have no plans for the day, which is a very strange feeling. Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh to pick up something at UPS (the driver couldn't find my house--obviously not the regular driver). AND I took down the Christmas tree. Which one took longer? The tree was a mess, it was so dry that you touched a branch and it rained needles. I got it de-decorated, then cut off most of the branches before taking it outside. It's now lying on the deck, looking very sad. It may well stay there for the rest of the winter, that's not unusual for a lazy fool like me.
,
What I picked up at UPS was a new bowl for Treasure. It's plastic and has ridges in the bottom, like a maze. It's designed to slow down her eating. She eats so incredibly fast, doesn't really chew most of her kibble. So I thought I'd try this. The first time she used it I felt really guilty--she just looked at it before working so hard to get the food into her mouth. This morning she wasn't surprised about it, she jut sort of wilted. Tess thinks it's great because she finally finishes first so can help Treasure dig out the final pieces. It just seems as if I'm torturing poor Treasure. How do you explain to a dog that it's for her own good?
I started reading the latest Chris Bohjalian book, just released. It's on my Kindle, which is less fun for me to read from than print copies, but it was cheaper and immediately available. We had book group on Sunday, our book was Ordinary grace, which we all agreed was a good choice. Next up is The Martian. There were 5 of us, counting Linda via phone. She called and we had very nice time chatting with her. She's an important addition to the group so it was great to have her here. Lin made delicious pizza, Marylou brought a LOT of chocolate, Lori brought potato chips (forbidden fruit) and cookies. I made a salad and served ice cream with raspberry sauce for dessert. Lots of good food and a nice time visiting.
Tomorrow is my weekly lunch with Julie in Plattsburgh. There's an ad in today's newspaper for a driver needed, to drive once a week to Plattsburgh from a town between here and there, pays $100 per trip. It is sooooo tempting to call and sign up for this. It feels as if I drive as a hobby, so it would be good to have someone else benefit from this, and of course the money would be handy.
The dogs are taking themselves for a walk. I let them do that this time of year. There's no one else in the neighborhood and they don't seem to go to the hardtop (most of the time). I suppose I like having them do this because it means I don't have to walk them. I am, as we know, an inherently lazy person.
As part of my "3 things a day" plan I will have to come up with 2 things for today. I'll visit with Pat & Jim later in the day so that will be 1, and if I were smart I'd walk to the mailbox for #2, then what? I could take the Christmas stuff upstairs and make room in the master bedroom/storage unit for them. That seems almost insurmountable but may be what I do. The day will define itself I'm sure.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
It's melllllting!
It rained really hard today, and is now 40 degrees and windy. The perfect equation to melt the noisy ice and turn the snow into slush that will freeze tomorrow and be hell to deal with. It was funny to have such hard rain, but I always favor rain--water in the well.
I spent time yesterday and today cleaning the house for book group. There will only be 4 of us (at most) but the house really needed some attention. What happened to my plans of cleaning the entire house? All I ever really take care of are the kitchen, living room and bathroom, and sometimes my bedroom. This house is too big for me, and I don't want to live in a 2-story house, but it's my home and it's where I live. If I win PowerBall I'll bulldoze this place and build something better. In the same spot? Maybe a little farther up the hill. And I'll buy a jet and hire someone to take me anywhere I want to go any time I want. Yeah, that's right. And everyone I know gets tens of millions of dollars. Then the rest goes to charities I get to pick, oh what fun I would have picking.
I haven't taken the Christmas tree down yet, have left it up for book group viewing. It's incredibly dry and dropping needles like mad. It will make a huge mess when I take it down. It's still pretty and colorful. And overdressed.
Lin is making pizza for book group dinner tonight. I've made a big salad, have a bunch of snacks, and will serve ice cream with raspberry sauce for dessert. That should take care of us. I bought some red wine but last time no one drank any so I'm not opening the bottle yet.
What's up for the week? Not much. I guess I'll go to Plattsburgh tomorrow afternoon because UPS has the special bowl I ordered for Treasure but the driver couldn't find my house so I have to pick it up there. They don't open until 3, what a drag. The day after I got the notice from UPS another driver delivered my box of fatwood. Go figure. The bottom of the bowl is all bumpy and lumpy and is supposed to slow down her eating. I talked to someone who's Lab is the same way about food and they got a lumpy bowl, which did the trick. I can't imagine ANYTHING that would slow down Treasure's eating, but I'll try this.
I saw a big woodpecker at the bird feeder this afternoon--either a three-toed woodpecker or a black backed woodpecker, I couldn't tell which. They're fairly rare but we used to see them all the time at Ken's suet feeder. I don't have much in the way of interesting birds this year: chickadees, blue jays, finches, woodpeckers. No nuthatches yet. I've seen snow buntings in my travels 3 times, which is impressive. We call them snowbirds.
Dogs are just fine. They're exhausted right now, after spending 2 hours sleeping in the car while I was at Pat & Jim's, and running away twice. They're not begging for dinner, which is amazing. Should I wake them up? NO.
I spent time yesterday and today cleaning the house for book group. There will only be 4 of us (at most) but the house really needed some attention. What happened to my plans of cleaning the entire house? All I ever really take care of are the kitchen, living room and bathroom, and sometimes my bedroom. This house is too big for me, and I don't want to live in a 2-story house, but it's my home and it's where I live. If I win PowerBall I'll bulldoze this place and build something better. In the same spot? Maybe a little farther up the hill. And I'll buy a jet and hire someone to take me anywhere I want to go any time I want. Yeah, that's right. And everyone I know gets tens of millions of dollars. Then the rest goes to charities I get to pick, oh what fun I would have picking.
I haven't taken the Christmas tree down yet, have left it up for book group viewing. It's incredibly dry and dropping needles like mad. It will make a huge mess when I take it down. It's still pretty and colorful. And overdressed.
Lin is making pizza for book group dinner tonight. I've made a big salad, have a bunch of snacks, and will serve ice cream with raspberry sauce for dessert. That should take care of us. I bought some red wine but last time no one drank any so I'm not opening the bottle yet.
What's up for the week? Not much. I guess I'll go to Plattsburgh tomorrow afternoon because UPS has the special bowl I ordered for Treasure but the driver couldn't find my house so I have to pick it up there. They don't open until 3, what a drag. The day after I got the notice from UPS another driver delivered my box of fatwood. Go figure. The bottom of the bowl is all bumpy and lumpy and is supposed to slow down her eating. I talked to someone who's Lab is the same way about food and they got a lumpy bowl, which did the trick. I can't imagine ANYTHING that would slow down Treasure's eating, but I'll try this.
I saw a big woodpecker at the bird feeder this afternoon--either a three-toed woodpecker or a black backed woodpecker, I couldn't tell which. They're fairly rare but we used to see them all the time at Ken's suet feeder. I don't have much in the way of interesting birds this year: chickadees, blue jays, finches, woodpeckers. No nuthatches yet. I've seen snow buntings in my travels 3 times, which is impressive. We call them snowbirds.
Dogs are just fine. They're exhausted right now, after spending 2 hours sleeping in the car while I was at Pat & Jim's, and running away twice. They're not begging for dinner, which is amazing. Should I wake them up? NO.
Thursday, January 07, 2016
Noisy ice
The lake froze over yesterday and the ice was really loud this morning. It moans and groans when the ice plates move around, which is very entertaining (as long as you know what the noise is). I heard it when I was chasing the dogs. I was getting ready to go to Plattsburgh and they ran off, down the hill and off into the woods. Oh was I mad. I finally found them, 20 minutes later, at the end of the driveway. They always seem so surprised to see me when I catch them out and about. Ratpigs.
I had a good trip to town but didn't get everything done that I'd hoped. I got groceries for book group Sunday night, got the car washed, bought gas, mailed something to my mother, but mostly had lunch with Barb. We always have a good time together and cover a lot of subjects. It was very nice. I had a big salad, pretending to further my effort to lose a pound a week. What did I have for dinner? Peas, lots of peas. Only 280 calories of peas, which is four servings according to the package. Am I full? No, but I'm not really hungry, either. I've got fruit and yogurt to eat in a little while.
I'm not doing terribly well with my plan to do 3 things every day. What did I do today? Went to Plattsburgh (1), carried in a lot of firewood (2--really?) and chased the dogs (3, a real stretch). I have to get back to being what I carefully define as productive.
Someone repaired my mailbox post and put a new mailbox on it. WHO??? I'm assuming it was the County Highway Dept., but must check with the tomorrow to make sure it's for me. No mail delivered today so I guess the mailwoman wonders the same thing. I'll go into AuSable to finish shopping for book group and talk to the people at the post office there.
I decided not to finish John Irving's latest book. Pretty dramatic, I really like his writing and think some of his work is really grand. This one did nothing for me. I read about a third of it, put it down and read 4 other books. I tried reading it again, but it just didn't get me. I'm reading a collection of short stories by David Guterson and am really enjoying it. I'm trying to come up with titles for book group to choose from. It sure is different doing this without the benefit of CEF's collection, but I poke around different websites and come up with titles.
Although it was -11 earlier this week, it was 8 this morning and up to 33 this afternoon. Some predictions call for 40-degree temps and sleet on the weekend. Bet we don't see 40, we're always cooler than what's predicted on TV.
I started using my Roku, at last. This afternoon I watched Trailer Park Boys, which I'll continue to watch. I also watched Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in cars with coffee, which is very clever and funny (and are short bits). I watched House of Cards earlier in the week but it grabbed me about as much as John Irving's latest book did. There is nothing much on TV that interests me so I should really be streaming more often. Or, heaven forbid, turn off the television (NOT).
Dogs are fine, exhausted tonight after their busy day touring the 'hood and Plattsburgh. They are special, very special. I thoroughly enjoy them (even when they're evil toads).
I had a good trip to town but didn't get everything done that I'd hoped. I got groceries for book group Sunday night, got the car washed, bought gas, mailed something to my mother, but mostly had lunch with Barb. We always have a good time together and cover a lot of subjects. It was very nice. I had a big salad, pretending to further my effort to lose a pound a week. What did I have for dinner? Peas, lots of peas. Only 280 calories of peas, which is four servings according to the package. Am I full? No, but I'm not really hungry, either. I've got fruit and yogurt to eat in a little while.
I'm not doing terribly well with my plan to do 3 things every day. What did I do today? Went to Plattsburgh (1), carried in a lot of firewood (2--really?) and chased the dogs (3, a real stretch). I have to get back to being what I carefully define as productive.
Someone repaired my mailbox post and put a new mailbox on it. WHO??? I'm assuming it was the County Highway Dept., but must check with the tomorrow to make sure it's for me. No mail delivered today so I guess the mailwoman wonders the same thing. I'll go into AuSable to finish shopping for book group and talk to the people at the post office there.
I decided not to finish John Irving's latest book. Pretty dramatic, I really like his writing and think some of his work is really grand. This one did nothing for me. I read about a third of it, put it down and read 4 other books. I tried reading it again, but it just didn't get me. I'm reading a collection of short stories by David Guterson and am really enjoying it. I'm trying to come up with titles for book group to choose from. It sure is different doing this without the benefit of CEF's collection, but I poke around different websites and come up with titles.
Although it was -11 earlier this week, it was 8 this morning and up to 33 this afternoon. Some predictions call for 40-degree temps and sleet on the weekend. Bet we don't see 40, we're always cooler than what's predicted on TV.
I started using my Roku, at last. This afternoon I watched Trailer Park Boys, which I'll continue to watch. I also watched Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in cars with coffee, which is very clever and funny (and are short bits). I watched House of Cards earlier in the week but it grabbed me about as much as John Irving's latest book did. There is nothing much on TV that interests me so I should really be streaming more often. Or, heaven forbid, turn off the television (NOT).
Dogs are fine, exhausted tonight after their busy day touring the 'hood and Plattsburgh. They are special, very special. I thoroughly enjoy them (even when they're evil toads).
Friday, January 01, 2016
New Year
Time to pay attention to this blog--either post more often (and more interesting) or give it up. I'm not ready to give it up so I'll try to post more often. Do I have anything to say? Always!
Went to Potsdam today, left home by 10 and stayed at Jenica's until after 3, was home around 4:20. The roads were fine, some a bit slick but mostly all was just fine. The windshield kept icing over in the morning, which meant that Tess was too hot in the front seat and panted a lot. The visit was great, Jenica and I always have good chatting and enjoy each other very much. Gwen is a cute, cute little girl with curly blonde hair and the Parker genes hard at work (Parker=my maternal grandmother's family). She looks a lot like a baby Jenica, and let's hope that space between her front teeth is a temporary thing.
Justin (Jenica's husband) showed me a nifty portable propane heater, which can use regular propane canisters. I hurried up and ordered one for my mother, had it shipped to her. It seems simple and straightforward enough for Liza to use, if she needs it. She worries endlessly about power outages and the lack of heat. Let's hope it's not an issue for her, but I think she'll find this to be reassuring.
Jenica reminded me that this round of El Nino weather may match that of 1997-98. Swell. That was the hell of the ice storm. I have a much better understanding of how to handle that situation, should it happen again. But oh my oh my do I hope we skip it. That was just awful. Thank goodness I have good friends who helped me and supported me though the crisis.
Justin also fixed my mailbox! Boy am I excited about that. It was smashed and he hammered it out. It actually opens and closes now. Next step: attach it to a post. I am still pissed off at the county plowman who broke the post and the mailbox. Joe has offered to fix it for me when he comes in May but I'm hoping I can figure something out soon. Meanwhile I go to AuSable to pick up my mail, not every day. Do I get a lo of mail? The mailwoman thinks so. I have probably too many subscriptions--I inherited the need for constantly renewed printed matter from my father. When I was a kid we subscribed to just about every conceivable magazine (Time AND Newsweek, Look AND Life, even Punch, the British magazine with cartoons I never understood). And so I repeat the pattern. Do I read everything I get? NO, of course not, but I do enjoy what I read. Can I keep up with The New Yorker? or The Week? Barely. OK, honestly, not totally, but I try. I depend on television much more than my father did as a source of information and news.
I don't know that I've ever had actual resolutions for a new year, but this year I'm truly hoping to lose a pound a week. I'm doing better at limiting what's in my kitchen to healthier options, and I'm trying to eat protein for dinner every night. Boy I sure do prefer whole milk yogurt over low- or no-fat yogurt. Yikes--that was all they had for plain yogurt in AuSable, so YUM I'm enjoying it.
Ah, Bill Cosby is on the news right now. What a pig. Shouldn't I reserve judgment until all is settled? Not when there are 50 people saying the same thing.
It's still warm here, 25 right now. We're due to have real winter weather Sunday night through Tuesday morning; temps going below zero. I hope I've figured out enough about using my wonderful stove and have made a difference with the few things I've done so it will be warmer in my house this year. It will still be expensive because I have to use my electric heaters, but it is what it is.
The dogs are great. I took them with me today and the poor things never got out of the car. They were well-behaved, except for Tess' batting my arm on the way home. PAY ATTENTION TO ME. She probably had to pee. Anyway both dogs are doing well. I had New Years Eve dinner with friends last night--the son of these friends (well, I suppose he's my friend too) has a black Lab from the same breeder I get my dogs from. She's a beautiful dog, born around the same time Treasure was. And WOW on Monday I'm scheduled to return to Sue's (the breeder) to help inoculate and microchip another litter. Whenever I talk to her I am reminded how much I really, really like dogs. Especially Labs. What great animals.
Went to Potsdam today, left home by 10 and stayed at Jenica's until after 3, was home around 4:20. The roads were fine, some a bit slick but mostly all was just fine. The windshield kept icing over in the morning, which meant that Tess was too hot in the front seat and panted a lot. The visit was great, Jenica and I always have good chatting and enjoy each other very much. Gwen is a cute, cute little girl with curly blonde hair and the Parker genes hard at work (Parker=my maternal grandmother's family). She looks a lot like a baby Jenica, and let's hope that space between her front teeth is a temporary thing.
Justin (Jenica's husband) showed me a nifty portable propane heater, which can use regular propane canisters. I hurried up and ordered one for my mother, had it shipped to her. It seems simple and straightforward enough for Liza to use, if she needs it. She worries endlessly about power outages and the lack of heat. Let's hope it's not an issue for her, but I think she'll find this to be reassuring.
Jenica reminded me that this round of El Nino weather may match that of 1997-98. Swell. That was the hell of the ice storm. I have a much better understanding of how to handle that situation, should it happen again. But oh my oh my do I hope we skip it. That was just awful. Thank goodness I have good friends who helped me and supported me though the crisis.
Justin also fixed my mailbox! Boy am I excited about that. It was smashed and he hammered it out. It actually opens and closes now. Next step: attach it to a post. I am still pissed off at the county plowman who broke the post and the mailbox. Joe has offered to fix it for me when he comes in May but I'm hoping I can figure something out soon. Meanwhile I go to AuSable to pick up my mail, not every day. Do I get a lo of mail? The mailwoman thinks so. I have probably too many subscriptions--I inherited the need for constantly renewed printed matter from my father. When I was a kid we subscribed to just about every conceivable magazine (Time AND Newsweek, Look AND Life, even Punch, the British magazine with cartoons I never understood). And so I repeat the pattern. Do I read everything I get? NO, of course not, but I do enjoy what I read. Can I keep up with The New Yorker? or The Week? Barely. OK, honestly, not totally, but I try. I depend on television much more than my father did as a source of information and news.
I don't know that I've ever had actual resolutions for a new year, but this year I'm truly hoping to lose a pound a week. I'm doing better at limiting what's in my kitchen to healthier options, and I'm trying to eat protein for dinner every night. Boy I sure do prefer whole milk yogurt over low- or no-fat yogurt. Yikes--that was all they had for plain yogurt in AuSable, so YUM I'm enjoying it.
Ah, Bill Cosby is on the news right now. What a pig. Shouldn't I reserve judgment until all is settled? Not when there are 50 people saying the same thing.
It's still warm here, 25 right now. We're due to have real winter weather Sunday night through Tuesday morning; temps going below zero. I hope I've figured out enough about using my wonderful stove and have made a difference with the few things I've done so it will be warmer in my house this year. It will still be expensive because I have to use my electric heaters, but it is what it is.
The dogs are great. I took them with me today and the poor things never got out of the car. They were well-behaved, except for Tess' batting my arm on the way home. PAY ATTENTION TO ME. She probably had to pee. Anyway both dogs are doing well. I had New Years Eve dinner with friends last night--the son of these friends (well, I suppose he's my friend too) has a black Lab from the same breeder I get my dogs from. She's a beautiful dog, born around the same time Treasure was. And WOW on Monday I'm scheduled to return to Sue's (the breeder) to help inoculate and microchip another litter. Whenever I talk to her I am reminded how much I really, really like dogs. Especially Labs. What great animals.
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