Up early today, can't say I've made good use of my time. I visited with the neighbors for a couple of hours, had a nice time with P&J + Bill. All are well, Jim is 81 today. Whew. We celebrated last night with dinner at Plattsburgh's seafood restaurant. It was a nice party, 11 of us and very festive.
I went to Burlington on Friday with Lin. Back to the dealer where I bought my car for some basic servicing ($114) and identification of the sensor problem with the passenger side airbag (it's a sensor problem, duh). I'll have to go back to have a new sensor installed, of course they had to order one.
We had a good day but waited a long time for the car. They have a nice enough waiting area with wifi but I can only read and entertain Lin for so long. After that we were both really, really hungry and it was 3:00. We went to The Shanty and had some clams, very tasty. It was late--Lin likes to get home to Ralph pretty early, as a rule--but we made time for a quick stop at Trader Joe's. Then we came home. Uneventful ferry rides. The lake is open this year, no ice in the ferry lane or even nearby.
Yesterday I had a really nice time with a friend at a coffee place in Keene. We met, talked for 2 hours, then went home. We covered plenty of things, as one would hope in 2 hours. I came home and did what? Boy I've not been very productive lately. I did go to the dump, then I drove our team to dinner in Plattsburgh.
Last week I watched some episodes of both Homeland and The Americans. It was good to see them, Homeland is far too graphically violent for me and The Americans is entertaining but kind of monotonous. Good acting in both, and good entertainment. This afternoon I think I'll watch The Newsroom, with Jeff Daniels. I saw much of the series when it was on but missed the early episodes.
I'm reading the new Chris Bohjalian book, which is good and moving right along. It's an unpleasant story but reads well, as most of his books do. I've put aside The Martian, our book group book, and will pick that up soon enough. I have 2 weeks before we meet again.
My big achievement for the week was assembling the inexpensive and simple exercise bicycle I bought. Wow is it nice! I'm only pedaling 20 minutes a day, will increase that next week. It's in the middle of the living room and that's fine as long as no one else comes to my house. It's pretty portable and light so I can move it if I ever have company. Which I will soon enough, I have a pork shoulder roast that Linda left with me to cook for Bill and Fred. That will happen sometime soon.
The dogs are great. They take themselves for a walk most mornings when I get back from getting the paper, don't generally stay away long and get a treat when they come home. What that means is that Tess wants to go outside 50 times a day so she can come back and have a treat. Sorry, missy, it doesn't work that way. I think what I'm really teaching them is to run away so they'll get a reward.
This week looks pretty good. The weather is supposed to be more like winter. That's a relief to me. I fear that, since February has been more like March so far, then March will be February and that will be a drag. It's supposed to snow this week, then get below zero and be appropriate weather. That will be fine.
Joe comes for The Burn soon, then it will be March and my mother will be 90. She doesn't want to be 90 but does want to see her family, who are gathering to celebrate with her. That will be nice.
Sunday, February 07, 2016
Thursday, February 04, 2016
Feeling blue?
New color, no significance, just something different to look at. I'm not one for fancifying or making use of everything that's available, I just like to write. Especially about myself, apparently.
I put together my new inexpensive exercise bicycle and pedaled for 10 minutes. Boy do I feel self-righteous. It's my goal to lower my cholesterol levels and exercise, sadly, is the key to that. Diet, too, but that won't do it unless I add moving around. I was hoping to get into the habit of walking to the mailbox every day but no, it's oh-so-easy to drive instead. Bad girl. The disadvantage of the bike, of course, is that the dogs get no exercise on it. They exercised themselves this morning by chasing a flock of turkeys. That went well until the turkeys discovered they had wings and could fly. Dogs came home without even a feather.
I put together my new inexpensive exercise bicycle and pedaled for 10 minutes. Boy do I feel self-righteous. It's my goal to lower my cholesterol levels and exercise, sadly, is the key to that. Diet, too, but that won't do it unless I add moving around. I was hoping to get into the habit of walking to the mailbox every day but no, it's oh-so-easy to drive instead. Bad girl. The disadvantage of the bike, of course, is that the dogs get no exercise on it. They exercised themselves this morning by chasing a flock of turkeys. That went well until the turkeys discovered they had wings and could fly. Dogs came home without even a feather.
Warm weather
It's still warm here, 33 right now. That's down from our overnight temps, but still too warm for this time of year. It rained and rained yesterday, melting snow and revealing the thick ice underneath. That is SO typical of March. Are we really just a month ahead in weather? I wish I could stop fixating on the weather, but that's what we do (especially in the winter) here in Hawkeye. We can't fuss about each other, there aren't enough of us, so we study the weather.
Duncan and David reported that there was open water along the shore--not open water on top of ice, but free and open water. That is very strange. Someone told me that the ice on a nearby lake was 13" thick, so he thought our ice was probably 10" or so. Wrong, I guess.
They're leaving today, the end of Winterfest or Extremefest, their annual winter visit. I had such a great time with them this year. I spent a lot of time with them, many meals and lots of laughter. They are very dear. Would they like being called "dear?"
Yesterday I was in Plattsburgh for lunch with a friend. She's having a troubling time so I hoped I could lend her some strength through my support. There's not a lot you can do sometimes to help people, but she likes having me to talk to and knowing that I really do listen to her and offer soothing comments. Anyway, it was a quick trip to town in the rain. Lunch was good. Today I'll go to AuSable to pick up a package at the post office. The mail carrier usually delivers packages to my door but I'm sure she didn't want to deal with the icy slope that is my driveway, so today I travel to the Forks. That's fine with me, as everyone knows I love to run the roads.
Tomorrow I'm taking the car to Burlington for work at the dealer there. That's where I bought it, and I have confidence in the work they do so off I go. Lin may go with me, I'm not sure what we'll do while we're there but I bet it will involve a meal. I started listening to a book, something I haven't done since I retired. I chose The little Paris bookstore, or some variation of that. It's OK, too soon to tell, really. I've been listening to Darius Rucker CD's, I watched a concert of his on VH1 and liked his music. He switched to country music a long time ago and some of his songs are a bit too country, and they mostly all deal with lost love. I like them anyway.
I'm watching young girls pick up toys on the Today Show. I'm not sure what they're supposed to learn by picking up as many toys as they can in 30 seconds, and I'm really not sure why I'm watching this. I watch too much TV, pretending to keep up with American culture and news. Really I'm wasting an inordinate amount of time. I started watching Homeland the other night but wow is it brutal and violent, so I doubt I'll keep up with that. Prior to that I was watching The Americans, mostly because of Keri Russell. It, too, is good, but maybe a bit monotonous. What to watch, what to watch. How about turning it off? OH NO. That won't happen.
We're having a big celebration in March for my mother's 90th birthday. My sister, her husband and daughter are coming to America and that's really exciting. Jenica and her family will be there, and a cousin from California is pretending he'll be there too (I seriously doubt he'll make it). My mother is freaking out and had refused to plan for it but is now much more excited and planning where we'll all sleep. Maybe she has figured out that it's next month. I have the same problem of realizing that March is a month away. Yikes, can this really have been winter?
The dogs are fine. Tess is old, 12, and is not the same dog she used to be. The thing about old dogs is that they are so different from the younger dogs we used to have. Their behavior changes, their personality is different, and of course their bodies are problematic. Tess is not exactly grumpy, but she really does want things her way. She moans and groans a lot and snores very loudly. She's insistent when she decides she wants something or wants something to happen. I find it very sweet but it sometimes is truly annoying. She sleeps a lot and can't run very fast but gives it her best effort when she & Treasure take off down the driveway.
I'm happy. I like my life. I'll be more productive one of these days.
Duncan and David reported that there was open water along the shore--not open water on top of ice, but free and open water. That is very strange. Someone told me that the ice on a nearby lake was 13" thick, so he thought our ice was probably 10" or so. Wrong, I guess.
They're leaving today, the end of Winterfest or Extremefest, their annual winter visit. I had such a great time with them this year. I spent a lot of time with them, many meals and lots of laughter. They are very dear. Would they like being called "dear?"
Yesterday I was in Plattsburgh for lunch with a friend. She's having a troubling time so I hoped I could lend her some strength through my support. There's not a lot you can do sometimes to help people, but she likes having me to talk to and knowing that I really do listen to her and offer soothing comments. Anyway, it was a quick trip to town in the rain. Lunch was good. Today I'll go to AuSable to pick up a package at the post office. The mail carrier usually delivers packages to my door but I'm sure she didn't want to deal with the icy slope that is my driveway, so today I travel to the Forks. That's fine with me, as everyone knows I love to run the roads.
Tomorrow I'm taking the car to Burlington for work at the dealer there. That's where I bought it, and I have confidence in the work they do so off I go. Lin may go with me, I'm not sure what we'll do while we're there but I bet it will involve a meal. I started listening to a book, something I haven't done since I retired. I chose The little Paris bookstore, or some variation of that. It's OK, too soon to tell, really. I've been listening to Darius Rucker CD's, I watched a concert of his on VH1 and liked his music. He switched to country music a long time ago and some of his songs are a bit too country, and they mostly all deal with lost love. I like them anyway.
I'm watching young girls pick up toys on the Today Show. I'm not sure what they're supposed to learn by picking up as many toys as they can in 30 seconds, and I'm really not sure why I'm watching this. I watch too much TV, pretending to keep up with American culture and news. Really I'm wasting an inordinate amount of time. I started watching Homeland the other night but wow is it brutal and violent, so I doubt I'll keep up with that. Prior to that I was watching The Americans, mostly because of Keri Russell. It, too, is good, but maybe a bit monotonous. What to watch, what to watch. How about turning it off? OH NO. That won't happen.
We're having a big celebration in March for my mother's 90th birthday. My sister, her husband and daughter are coming to America and that's really exciting. Jenica and her family will be there, and a cousin from California is pretending he'll be there too (I seriously doubt he'll make it). My mother is freaking out and had refused to plan for it but is now much more excited and planning where we'll all sleep. Maybe she has figured out that it's next month. I have the same problem of realizing that March is a month away. Yikes, can this really have been winter?
The dogs are fine. Tess is old, 12, and is not the same dog she used to be. The thing about old dogs is that they are so different from the younger dogs we used to have. Their behavior changes, their personality is different, and of course their bodies are problematic. Tess is not exactly grumpy, but she really does want things her way. She moans and groans a lot and snores very loudly. She's insistent when she decides she wants something or wants something to happen. I find it very sweet but it sometimes is truly annoying. She sleeps a lot and can't run very fast but gives it her best effort when she & Treasure take off down the driveway.
I'm happy. I like my life. I'll be more productive one of these days.
Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Confusion
I just had a moment of total confusion about what day it is. Is it Monday or Tuesday? There's no way of knowing unless I reconstruct yesterday. I don't really enjoy this aspect of retirement, especially since I'm used to leading a very strictly scheduled life.
OK, I've got it. Yesterday I went to the Blue Heron for breakfast with Duncan and David. While we were chatting the power went out so cooking French toast was not possible. We sat in front of the fireplace for a long time, visiting and solving the world's problems. The power finally came back on and breakfast went ahead. David made delicious French toast and we had a grand time. More conversation after breakfast, and after many hours of being there I came home. What a good time I had.
The weekend was pretty quiet except for dinners with the Blue Herons. John was here until Sat. afternoon, so I had dinner with the 3 of them Friday night, and Saturday night I had dinner with Bill and the Herons. Lots of laughter and conversation, a lovely evening. Tonight I'm having dinner down there. Duncan and David are undecided about their departure date, it will be either tomorrow or Thursday. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be basically dismal but warm. Rain, maybe snow but probably rain because it's supposed to be in the 40's. Today is gray and cool, temp is 33 but it feels colder because of the dampness.
I went to AuSable this morning, mailed some things and got a few groceries. I'm taking dessert to dinner so I'll make brownies and I bought ice cream. The trip to town was quick and uneventful. I skipped the bank. I had a check from Jim that I'd left in the car: Treasure ate it so I'll have to report that to Jim, how embarrassing.
I'm watching Groundhog Day. It's not as good if you turn it on halfway through, but I adore Bill Murray. I've done 3 things today but will go to the Holts this afternoon to make sure their generator shut off when the power came back on. And I'll water Annie's African violet. I had a long talk with her on the phone this morning, we've been out of touch for a while. She and Rush are just fine and she's adjusting to life in DC.
Dogs are fine, they take themselves for a walk pretty much every morning when I get back from getting the paper. I guess it's OK for now--there's no one in the neighborhood and no traffic. I'm lazy and like to have them exercise themselves.
Not much else going on. I still feel very insecure about winter. Is this all there is to it? I just have the feeling that winter is coming and will be hard and long once it arrives. I should be thinking that every warmer day is one less frigid day, but I guess my glass is half empty about the weather. Oh dear, must work on that.
OK, I've got it. Yesterday I went to the Blue Heron for breakfast with Duncan and David. While we were chatting the power went out so cooking French toast was not possible. We sat in front of the fireplace for a long time, visiting and solving the world's problems. The power finally came back on and breakfast went ahead. David made delicious French toast and we had a grand time. More conversation after breakfast, and after many hours of being there I came home. What a good time I had.
The weekend was pretty quiet except for dinners with the Blue Herons. John was here until Sat. afternoon, so I had dinner with the 3 of them Friday night, and Saturday night I had dinner with Bill and the Herons. Lots of laughter and conversation, a lovely evening. Tonight I'm having dinner down there. Duncan and David are undecided about their departure date, it will be either tomorrow or Thursday. The weather tomorrow is supposed to be basically dismal but warm. Rain, maybe snow but probably rain because it's supposed to be in the 40's. Today is gray and cool, temp is 33 but it feels colder because of the dampness.
I went to AuSable this morning, mailed some things and got a few groceries. I'm taking dessert to dinner so I'll make brownies and I bought ice cream. The trip to town was quick and uneventful. I skipped the bank. I had a check from Jim that I'd left in the car: Treasure ate it so I'll have to report that to Jim, how embarrassing.
I'm watching Groundhog Day. It's not as good if you turn it on halfway through, but I adore Bill Murray. I've done 3 things today but will go to the Holts this afternoon to make sure their generator shut off when the power came back on. And I'll water Annie's African violet. I had a long talk with her on the phone this morning, we've been out of touch for a while. She and Rush are just fine and she's adjusting to life in DC.
Dogs are fine, they take themselves for a walk pretty much every morning when I get back from getting the paper. I guess it's OK for now--there's no one in the neighborhood and no traffic. I'm lazy and like to have them exercise themselves.
Not much else going on. I still feel very insecure about winter. Is this all there is to it? I just have the feeling that winter is coming and will be hard and long once it arrives. I should be thinking that every warmer day is one less frigid day, but I guess my glass is half empty about the weather. Oh dear, must work on that.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Friday snow
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Christmas holiday
We had a great trip to RI, really enjoyed being there, had lots of good visiting and relaxing. Relaxing from what? Well, I was on vacation. Vacation from what? I just talked to a friend on the phone for a long time and she asked me what I've been doing to keep busy. Oh dear, how embarrassing, I don't do much of anything. Lunches in Plattsburgh. Play with Lab puppies at the breeder's. Watch too much TV, read too few books.
Anyway, Christmas was very nice. I got there on Monday the 21st, had an easy drive down. Liza was in good shape but has a torn meniscus and worries about her knee so doesn't do much. We went to town every day, which is the norm for visiting her. She sat in the car while I did shopping and errands, that was just fine. We had a good Christmas day, lots of presents and fun. Mark cooked a delicious chateaubriand for dinner (WOW) and that was fun. Mark and & took the dogs to the beach after Christmas--it was a short walk because it was rainy and windy and the dogs were not enjoying it at all, since they were on leashes. I went to Jamestown to see my friend Linda. We shared a duplex when I lived in RI so have known each other for 40 years. We had a good visit--we always get together at Christmas and used to go to lunch in Newport but now we just visit at her house. Easier and very pleasant.
I drove home yesterday, left Liza's at 8 and went around Boston instead of my usual Hartford-Albany route. I stopped in Hanover, NH to visit cousins. I stayed a couple of hours, had a really nice visit with them, then came home through Vermont and across the lake. There was a lot of traffic, which surprised me. It took longer than my usual trip because of the route, so I was tired when I got home at 5. The house was just fine, it didn't burn or collapse while I was gone. No frozen pipes, the weather was warm and wonderful while I was gone. Last night it was 10, and it snowed about 5" during the night. Now it's sort of sleeting but is 20 and not bad. I went out to get the paper this morning, they've plowed my road and the snow tires and AWD I have made it an easy drive. Tonight I'm going to a neighborhood party on the other side of the lake with friends. It should be nice, it's an annual gathering.
I have no plans for the rest of the week. I talked to Annie Holt this morning--they were here for Christmas week but went home yesterday so I didn't get to see them. They'll be back. I think my friends want to have me come for dinner--they're here from Scarsdale, and have a relative who's new to the area and they want me to meet her. Next week I'm going to the breeder's to help her give shots and microchip the second litter of pups. There are yellows and blacks in that litter, wow are they cute.
It's been a really nice holiday season. The weather, strange as it was, was fine. Now we're having winter but it's still warm, due to be 40 tomorrow I think. No sub-zero temps predicted. I have friends coming to their camp below my house at the end of January and they're hoping for extreme conditions. We have a long way to go to reach that.
I have chores to do--unpack & put away stuff, set up my new smoke detectors (that was all I wanted for Christmas), put away my new toolbox (very nifty present from Mark), feed the birds, shovel the deck, get more firewood. Will any of these count as an activity for the day? I need to get back on track with my 3 things a day.
Dogs are happy to be home. It seems strange, even though I was only gone for a week but it seems as if I left a long time ago. I have to adjust to my routines, get back into the Hawkeye swing of things. I'll go to Pat & Jim's in a little while, got some Canadian Club whiskey for Jim at the NH liquor store yesterday. It will be good to see them again, hear about their holiday. Soon enough it will be 2016.
Anyway, Christmas was very nice. I got there on Monday the 21st, had an easy drive down. Liza was in good shape but has a torn meniscus and worries about her knee so doesn't do much. We went to town every day, which is the norm for visiting her. She sat in the car while I did shopping and errands, that was just fine. We had a good Christmas day, lots of presents and fun. Mark cooked a delicious chateaubriand for dinner (WOW) and that was fun. Mark and & took the dogs to the beach after Christmas--it was a short walk because it was rainy and windy and the dogs were not enjoying it at all, since they were on leashes. I went to Jamestown to see my friend Linda. We shared a duplex when I lived in RI so have known each other for 40 years. We had a good visit--we always get together at Christmas and used to go to lunch in Newport but now we just visit at her house. Easier and very pleasant.
I drove home yesterday, left Liza's at 8 and went around Boston instead of my usual Hartford-Albany route. I stopped in Hanover, NH to visit cousins. I stayed a couple of hours, had a really nice visit with them, then came home through Vermont and across the lake. There was a lot of traffic, which surprised me. It took longer than my usual trip because of the route, so I was tired when I got home at 5. The house was just fine, it didn't burn or collapse while I was gone. No frozen pipes, the weather was warm and wonderful while I was gone. Last night it was 10, and it snowed about 5" during the night. Now it's sort of sleeting but is 20 and not bad. I went out to get the paper this morning, they've plowed my road and the snow tires and AWD I have made it an easy drive. Tonight I'm going to a neighborhood party on the other side of the lake with friends. It should be nice, it's an annual gathering.
I have no plans for the rest of the week. I talked to Annie Holt this morning--they were here for Christmas week but went home yesterday so I didn't get to see them. They'll be back. I think my friends want to have me come for dinner--they're here from Scarsdale, and have a relative who's new to the area and they want me to meet her. Next week I'm going to the breeder's to help her give shots and microchip the second litter of pups. There are yellows and blacks in that litter, wow are they cute.
It's been a really nice holiday season. The weather, strange as it was, was fine. Now we're having winter but it's still warm, due to be 40 tomorrow I think. No sub-zero temps predicted. I have friends coming to their camp below my house at the end of January and they're hoping for extreme conditions. We have a long way to go to reach that.
I have chores to do--unpack & put away stuff, set up my new smoke detectors (that was all I wanted for Christmas), put away my new toolbox (very nifty present from Mark), feed the birds, shovel the deck, get more firewood. Will any of these count as an activity for the day? I need to get back on track with my 3 things a day.
Dogs are happy to be home. It seems strange, even though I was only gone for a week but it seems as if I left a long time ago. I have to adjust to my routines, get back into the Hawkeye swing of things. I'll go to Pat & Jim's in a little while, got some Canadian Club whiskey for Jim at the NH liquor store yesterday. It will be good to see them again, hear about their holiday. Soon enough it will be 2016.
Friday, December 18, 2015
CHRISTMAS!
Back to Plattsburgh this morning, a quick and uneventful trip. It was snowing when I got home, but now I think it's raining. I have chores to do but cannot, absolutely cannot make myself get started. I need to sort presents to figure out what's going to RI but that just seems like a lot of work. I guess this is what happens when you retire, after a year.
Supposed to snow tomorrow and I'm afraid that's OK with me. It just seems as if there should be snow, and dismal me thinks that, the sooner we get snow, the less we'll get at one time. It's those 2 foot dumps that are really a pain in the neck to deal with.
Well anyway, happy holidays to all.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Non-winter weather
It's warm, warmer, warmest. Temps have been in the 40's consistently, up to 50 near here. I can't seem to enjoy the weather because I keep thinking that winter days will be added at the end of the season. Instead, I should be thankful that we're using up so much of winter with warm weather. It's 30 today and that feels chilly. That's bad. We had barely a dusting of snow this morning, mostly that has disappeared. That, too, is bad. We need snow for its moisture and snowmelt. Yikes. So far my well is behaving OK but I'm nervous about that, too. I can find lots of ways to worry about my water supply. If the ground freezes hard without snow my well can freeze (that's happened). If we don't get enough snow my well can go dry (that's happened). Or, and this is my preference, none of this will happen and life will go on. So far so good.
Last week Julie & I spent a day in Burlington. I'm always happy to spend a day there. We did some shopping, had lunch at a nice restaurant, and had a fine time together. The ferry ride home was sort of rough, with big waves splashing over the bow of the ferry. We remembered the worst ferry trip either of us has ever taken, back in the 90's, when we were going to pick up my new car. That was in March and it was freezing weather. Huge waves, and the ferry started going up the lake instead of across the lake. I was sure we would have to be rescued by the Coast Guard, it was just awful. Neither one of us said much--all I remember is that I kept apologizing to her. When we got to the other side my car was encased in ice from the spray. Boy that was awful. This ride was nothing like that, just some rocking and splashing.
I had a good birthday, spent the day with Lin & Ralph. We went out for lunch, then to the movies (Spotlight) and I stopped at Pat & Jim's on the way home. Lots of birthday activity. I called my sister in the morning and we had a nice conversation. Talked to my mother after that and we had another nice conversation. My mother is laid up right now with a torn meniscus, which is really hard for her. The tear doesn't sound too bad, and the doctor she saw felt it wasn't a bad tear, surgery not necessary. My poor mother has not had any health problems in recent decades so is not used to being in pain and immobile. I offered to go there earlier than planned, to help her get ready for Christmas. I think she'd just as soon skip Christmas this year. Anyway, I'm going there on Monday the 21st, will stay for a week. There's a neighborhood holiday party on the night of the 29th, so I'll go to that.
I'm hoping to stop in Hanover NH on my way home from Liza's, to see a favorite cousin. I haven't had a good visit with him in a long time (since his mother's funeral) and we really like each other so it would be great to spend time with him. He's living in California right now but will be in Hanover for the holidays so hopefully I'll catch him then.
I've done most of my Christmas prep already, which is very strange. It's sooooo much easier to get ready when you're retired! I've been shopping here & there, sending Christmas cards a few at a time, shipped the presents to Italy and to a cousin in Vermont, and best of all, I bought a tree, put it up and decorated it. It's a good tree this year. The only problem with it is that I have too many ornaments so it's extremely well decorated. It looks good. I wanted to put up some outside lights but don't seem to be able to make myself do that, even in the warm weather.
Am I sticking to my 3 things a day plan? Not always. I was on a roll before Thanksgiving but sort of lost it when I went to RI. Now I'm just focusing on getting things done for Christmas. Most days I stop and ask myself how many things I accomplished by the end of the day. I do pretty well, most days I can list 3 things.
The dogs are doing well. Tess refuses to age any more and is doing very well. She's not lame, isn't deaf or blind at all and I'm really pleased with her. She's nearly 13 and is very stubborn, more stubborn than she used to be. She's demanding in a gentle, sweet way, pretty pushy. I get a kick out of her. Treasure is OK too but she likes to run. She takes off down the driveway and I don't know where she goes but she's not usually gone long so I guess she's mostly just eating rotten apples on the ground.
Life is good, very good. The weather is the only thing I have an issue with. What am I going to do if winter comes?
Last week Julie & I spent a day in Burlington. I'm always happy to spend a day there. We did some shopping, had lunch at a nice restaurant, and had a fine time together. The ferry ride home was sort of rough, with big waves splashing over the bow of the ferry. We remembered the worst ferry trip either of us has ever taken, back in the 90's, when we were going to pick up my new car. That was in March and it was freezing weather. Huge waves, and the ferry started going up the lake instead of across the lake. I was sure we would have to be rescued by the Coast Guard, it was just awful. Neither one of us said much--all I remember is that I kept apologizing to her. When we got to the other side my car was encased in ice from the spray. Boy that was awful. This ride was nothing like that, just some rocking and splashing.
I had a good birthday, spent the day with Lin & Ralph. We went out for lunch, then to the movies (Spotlight) and I stopped at Pat & Jim's on the way home. Lots of birthday activity. I called my sister in the morning and we had a nice conversation. Talked to my mother after that and we had another nice conversation. My mother is laid up right now with a torn meniscus, which is really hard for her. The tear doesn't sound too bad, and the doctor she saw felt it wasn't a bad tear, surgery not necessary. My poor mother has not had any health problems in recent decades so is not used to being in pain and immobile. I offered to go there earlier than planned, to help her get ready for Christmas. I think she'd just as soon skip Christmas this year. Anyway, I'm going there on Monday the 21st, will stay for a week. There's a neighborhood holiday party on the night of the 29th, so I'll go to that.
I'm hoping to stop in Hanover NH on my way home from Liza's, to see a favorite cousin. I haven't had a good visit with him in a long time (since his mother's funeral) and we really like each other so it would be great to spend time with him. He's living in California right now but will be in Hanover for the holidays so hopefully I'll catch him then.
I've done most of my Christmas prep already, which is very strange. It's sooooo much easier to get ready when you're retired! I've been shopping here & there, sending Christmas cards a few at a time, shipped the presents to Italy and to a cousin in Vermont, and best of all, I bought a tree, put it up and decorated it. It's a good tree this year. The only problem with it is that I have too many ornaments so it's extremely well decorated. It looks good. I wanted to put up some outside lights but don't seem to be able to make myself do that, even in the warm weather.
Am I sticking to my 3 things a day plan? Not always. I was on a roll before Thanksgiving but sort of lost it when I went to RI. Now I'm just focusing on getting things done for Christmas. Most days I stop and ask myself how many things I accomplished by the end of the day. I do pretty well, most days I can list 3 things.
The dogs are doing well. Tess refuses to age any more and is doing very well. She's not lame, isn't deaf or blind at all and I'm really pleased with her. She's nearly 13 and is very stubborn, more stubborn than she used to be. She's demanding in a gentle, sweet way, pretty pushy. I get a kick out of her. Treasure is OK too but she likes to run. She takes off down the driveway and I don't know where she goes but she's not usually gone long so I guess she's mostly just eating rotten apples on the ground.
Life is good, very good. The weather is the only thing I have an issue with. What am I going to do if winter comes?
Sunday, December 06, 2015
Easy Sunday
Not much to report for today. I was up very early so went to Plattsburgh as soon as the stores opened. I needed more yarn, plus got a poinsettia for Pat. It was a quick trip, in and out, no traffic and no crowds in the stores. Lovely. I went to Pat & Jim's at noon, had a nice visit with Bill and others. Came home, did some knitting, stoked the stove--all of my wood is now stacked and under cover. That is just too amazing and cool.
Yesterday was a wonderful day because I got to play with PUPPIES. I've been in touch with my dog breeder, offering to help her with litters or other chores. We finally worked out a good time and I went there to help her vaccinate seven 6-week-old chocolate Labs, and to microchip them. She waits until the puppies are tired and sleeping to do this, they're not at all wiggly and are sooooo cuddly and fantastic. Jeezum those pups are cute. It all went well and Sue (breeder) and I had a good visit. We've known each other for a long time, I've had 4 of her dogs. She asked if I would be a reference for perspective buyers. I was really flattered and said yes, of course. She has the best dogs and is a very serious and conscientious breeder. She has an adult female she's thinking of retiring within a couple of years and thought that dog would be a good match for me. Well... I don't want to have 3 dogs right now, but Tess is 12 so maybe in the next few years it might work out. Tess is in good health and does very well. She and Treasure make a good pair.
I've no plans for the next couple of days. I did spray that horrible spray foam insulation in the cellar hole. What a mess. I didn't know how to do it--it's not as easy as it might seem, and I got it all over. I did get some holes filled, but there's a big spot where the foamboard has broken so I need to tape it back up. I don't like working down there, would rather ignore the whole mess of primitive plumbing. I still haven't wrapped the pipes in the laundry room, maybe that will get done tomorrow.
Wednesday I've got plans to go to Burlington with Julie, just for fun. She has vacation time to use up and she suggested we go--I'm always up for a trip across the lake. That will be nice. Friday I'm having lunch with Barb for our annual birthday visit. We'll have a good time, we always do.
Dogs are fine, I'm fine. The house is warm (but it's not winter yet). The bathroom needs to be cleaned. Let's see...if I wrap the pipes and clean the bathroom, then walk to the mailbox, that will make THREE things in a day. I need to get back to that. Reading doesn't count. Knitting doesn't count. Watching Law & Order reruns doesn't count, either (too bad).
Yesterday was a wonderful day because I got to play with PUPPIES. I've been in touch with my dog breeder, offering to help her with litters or other chores. We finally worked out a good time and I went there to help her vaccinate seven 6-week-old chocolate Labs, and to microchip them. She waits until the puppies are tired and sleeping to do this, they're not at all wiggly and are sooooo cuddly and fantastic. Jeezum those pups are cute. It all went well and Sue (breeder) and I had a good visit. We've known each other for a long time, I've had 4 of her dogs. She asked if I would be a reference for perspective buyers. I was really flattered and said yes, of course. She has the best dogs and is a very serious and conscientious breeder. She has an adult female she's thinking of retiring within a couple of years and thought that dog would be a good match for me. Well... I don't want to have 3 dogs right now, but Tess is 12 so maybe in the next few years it might work out. Tess is in good health and does very well. She and Treasure make a good pair.
I've no plans for the next couple of days. I did spray that horrible spray foam insulation in the cellar hole. What a mess. I didn't know how to do it--it's not as easy as it might seem, and I got it all over. I did get some holes filled, but there's a big spot where the foamboard has broken so I need to tape it back up. I don't like working down there, would rather ignore the whole mess of primitive plumbing. I still haven't wrapped the pipes in the laundry room, maybe that will get done tomorrow.
Wednesday I've got plans to go to Burlington with Julie, just for fun. She has vacation time to use up and she suggested we go--I'm always up for a trip across the lake. That will be nice. Friday I'm having lunch with Barb for our annual birthday visit. We'll have a good time, we always do.
Dogs are fine, I'm fine. The house is warm (but it's not winter yet). The bathroom needs to be cleaned. Let's see...if I wrap the pipes and clean the bathroom, then walk to the mailbox, that will make THREE things in a day. I need to get back to that. Reading doesn't count. Knitting doesn't count. Watching Law & Order reruns doesn't count, either (too bad).
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
Thanksgiving trip
The whole visit was nice. We had lots of good visiting and spent a lot of time reading. I took Liza shopping several times. Since she doesn't drive anymore, Mark takes her wherever she needs to go and she doesn't like that much. I don't mind taking her anywhere she wants to go. We went to the grocery store several times, and did some Christmas shopping as well. The weather was good, it was cold one day, rained one day but mostly was warm and pleasant. Mark and I walked the dogs on the beach on Thanksgiving, then later in the week we walked them at the Univ. of RI's botanical garden on campus (my alma mater). That was very pleasant but again the poor dogs were never off their leashes. Tough luck, sweeties.
My trips down and back were fine, uneventful and easy. I traveled on weekdays and avoided the holiday rush, which was my intention. I made good time both ways, under the usual 6 hours it takes. Hmmmm. I'm always trying to beat my best time, without taking any chances or driving too fast.
I'll go back for Christmas, will probably spend a week there. I worried about my house this trip, as I always do. Nothing to worry about, though it was 7 the morning I returned. I left the heat on, had the heater in the cellar to keep the pump warm, and all was just fine. Maybe the best thing about my Thanksgiving was that the Holts stacked ALL of my firewood, putting it in the wood shed under cover. YAY. Not only did they do that for me, they tidied up outside and did a DUMP RUN in Annie's truck. I had a mini-dump of crap that I collected in anticipation of a dump run, but I didn't expect them to do it. That was really, really nice. What a relief.
I went to lunch with Julie in Plattsburgh today--we've been eating at the new Japanese restaurant for the past several weeks, a switch from our usual Thai meals. I ran errands while I was in town, got some Christmas shopping done plus hit the grocery store big time. I guess I haven't done a big buy in a while. Always a shock how much we spend on food.
Tomorrow I'm hoping to get back to my 3-things-a-day routine. I'd like to spray foam in the cellar to plug the holes in the walls and insulation. Ugh. I also want to wrap the pipes in the laundry room, which freeze and burst pretty much every year. That will be a trick, getting behind the washing machine. What a difference that should make!
Life continues to be good for me. My house is warm and dry. It's raining outside, due to turn to snow tonight. Nothing dramatic, just a few inches. It's about time.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all. I'm leaving in the morning for Rhode Island, looking forward to safe travels and a nice visit with my mother and Mark. I've got myself somewhat organized for the trip but I never really pack until just before leaving--what would we do without traditions?
Our Thanksgiving is really nice, very quiet and sort of private. We have a turkey (I bought one here and it will have many miles on it before we cook it), mashed potatoes, good stuffing, and Mark insists on having TWO kinds of lima beans--once I told him that I can't get Fordhood limas here, and Liza likes baby limas, so he buys tons of both kinds. What would we do without traditions? I make a delicious pumpkin pie using Martha Stewart's old recipe, which has 1/4 tsp of chili powder that makes it delicious.
I had lunch with Julie today and ran some errands in Plattsburgh (my second home). I got wine and champagne for RI, picked up a prescription, and Julie & I ate at our new-favorite Japanese restaurant. We have lunch once a week and always went to the Thai restaurant but this Japanese restaurant opened downtown recently so we've changed our routine.
It was cold--but what I'll soon think of as "cool," in the 30's today. It didn't get above freezing here in Hawkeye but was in the 30's in Plattsburgh. I got chilled, which sort of upsets me because I really have to adjust to cold, colder, coldest temperatures. Right now the living room is toasty, with a good fire and the heat on. I'll leave the heat on while I'm gone and will worry about my house. I'll turn on the cellar heat, not really necessary but a safety thing.
The Holts are coming tomorrow and will be here exactly as long as I'll be in RI--we'll totally miss seeing each other. I asked them if they would stack some of my wood, which I hated (REALLY hated) doing, but it seems almost insurmountable at this point for me to do it myself. If I were more disciplined and in better shape I could do it with no problem, but I just looked at the 4 cords left to be stacked and thought how cold it's going to be and how long it will take me. Oh I'm just a wuss.
I take the dogs with me and they seem to like being in RI even though they have more fun here at home. Right now Tess is out on the deck barking non-stop at the woods. I do wish we could communicate better with our pets, it would be fun to know what they bark at. It's like high sport to them sometimes. They went to Plattsburgh with me--I take them in the car whenever I can. They get excited about "Want to go in the car?" but it's never very exciting for them (by my standards). They mostly sleep but do get to bark at other cars and people in parking lots.
I hope everyone has a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving, full of whatever pleases us all.
Our Thanksgiving is really nice, very quiet and sort of private. We have a turkey (I bought one here and it will have many miles on it before we cook it), mashed potatoes, good stuffing, and Mark insists on having TWO kinds of lima beans--once I told him that I can't get Fordhood limas here, and Liza likes baby limas, so he buys tons of both kinds. What would we do without traditions? I make a delicious pumpkin pie using Martha Stewart's old recipe, which has 1/4 tsp of chili powder that makes it delicious.
I had lunch with Julie today and ran some errands in Plattsburgh (my second home). I got wine and champagne for RI, picked up a prescription, and Julie & I ate at our new-favorite Japanese restaurant. We have lunch once a week and always went to the Thai restaurant but this Japanese restaurant opened downtown recently so we've changed our routine.
It was cold--but what I'll soon think of as "cool," in the 30's today. It didn't get above freezing here in Hawkeye but was in the 30's in Plattsburgh. I got chilled, which sort of upsets me because I really have to adjust to cold, colder, coldest temperatures. Right now the living room is toasty, with a good fire and the heat on. I'll leave the heat on while I'm gone and will worry about my house. I'll turn on the cellar heat, not really necessary but a safety thing.
The Holts are coming tomorrow and will be here exactly as long as I'll be in RI--we'll totally miss seeing each other. I asked them if they would stack some of my wood, which I hated (REALLY hated) doing, but it seems almost insurmountable at this point for me to do it myself. If I were more disciplined and in better shape I could do it with no problem, but I just looked at the 4 cords left to be stacked and thought how cold it's going to be and how long it will take me. Oh I'm just a wuss.
I take the dogs with me and they seem to like being in RI even though they have more fun here at home. Right now Tess is out on the deck barking non-stop at the woods. I do wish we could communicate better with our pets, it would be fun to know what they bark at. It's like high sport to them sometimes. They went to Plattsburgh with me--I take them in the car whenever I can. They get excited about "Want to go in the car?" but it's never very exciting for them (by my standards). They mostly sleep but do get to bark at other cars and people in parking lots.
I hope everyone has a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving, full of whatever pleases us all.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
What will I do when winter comes?
It was in the 30's today and I felt very chilled. Not good, what will I go when it really gets cold? It was a cloudy day, slightly damp, and it was just unpleasant. I did walk to the mailbox but didn't zip my jacket (huh?) so it was cool. I've had a good fire going all day but I got the living room too hot so now I'm in bare feet, sitting on the couch panting with the dogs.
I was doing pretty well about stacking the wood but slowed way down, so slow that I didn't stack any today. I did fill a wheelbarrow and bring the wood into the house, at least. It just wouldn't be a day if I didn't handle wood.
I ran an errand for a friend this morning, going to Jay for something, then I went to the other side of Keeseville to pick up a friend's wheelbarrow. Boy what a nice wheelbarrow, too. Bigger than mine and not rusty or broken. I'll get back to my stacking tomorrow.
I went to Plattsburgh twice this week. On Weds. I ran a bunch of errands, including buying a turkey to take to RI on Tuesday. My mother couldn't find one at her local market so I said there MUST be turkeys here, and there certainly are. Lots of them. So I got a 12-pounder for the 3 of us to gnaw on. I'm taking some hubbard squash that Linda gave me before she left, the supplies to make a pumpkin pie, whipped cream and the bird. My mother and Mark are doing the rest. We have this Thanksgiving thing down for sure.
Friday I had lunch with Julie in Plattsburgh and did a few more errands (there are ALWAYS errands to run in Plattsburgh). We had a good time. Such a good time that we're doing it again on Monday. Julie still works so I give her lots of encouragement and sympathy. I feel so lucky to have my life.
I finished the book group book this week--we're reading The nightingale, which is a dreary WWII novel. It was upsetting to read about concentration camps, I really hate hearing about inhumanity. I started reading the new John Irving book but it didn't grab me so I picked up something else (which I can't remember). I have bought several books in print, mostly paperbacks, because I like to switch back & forth from the Kindle to print. I think my attitude about a book is influenced by the format, not sure just how but I think I have different reactions to Kindle books.
The dogs are great. Tess is doing very well and is walking without a limp nearly all the time. They got away from me this morning but I just picked them up in the car and they were happy. They'll like going to Rhode Island, but they don't get as much exercise there. My mother has a small pen so they can go outside off the leash at her house, but they can't run much. Mark and I take them on walks in the park or at the beach but the last time I was there Treasure ran into the road at the park and was nearly hit by a car so SHE'S on a leash now. Treasure is better behaved at the beach than Tess is--Tess feels obligated to greet and visit with anyone else who happens to be there. Treasure is less interested in people, more interested in eating seaweed and horseshoe crab shells. Last month I didn't take Tess on our walks because she has her mobility issues. Not sure what we'll do this time around. I'll take Liza to the beach (she doesn't need a leash but does have mobility issues)--she likes to look at the ocean.
I like Thanksgiving, it's a very straightforward and easy holiday and it's all about food and feeling good. We have a nice time together.
I was doing pretty well about stacking the wood but slowed way down, so slow that I didn't stack any today. I did fill a wheelbarrow and bring the wood into the house, at least. It just wouldn't be a day if I didn't handle wood.
I ran an errand for a friend this morning, going to Jay for something, then I went to the other side of Keeseville to pick up a friend's wheelbarrow. Boy what a nice wheelbarrow, too. Bigger than mine and not rusty or broken. I'll get back to my stacking tomorrow.
I went to Plattsburgh twice this week. On Weds. I ran a bunch of errands, including buying a turkey to take to RI on Tuesday. My mother couldn't find one at her local market so I said there MUST be turkeys here, and there certainly are. Lots of them. So I got a 12-pounder for the 3 of us to gnaw on. I'm taking some hubbard squash that Linda gave me before she left, the supplies to make a pumpkin pie, whipped cream and the bird. My mother and Mark are doing the rest. We have this Thanksgiving thing down for sure.
Friday I had lunch with Julie in Plattsburgh and did a few more errands (there are ALWAYS errands to run in Plattsburgh). We had a good time. Such a good time that we're doing it again on Monday. Julie still works so I give her lots of encouragement and sympathy. I feel so lucky to have my life.
I finished the book group book this week--we're reading The nightingale, which is a dreary WWII novel. It was upsetting to read about concentration camps, I really hate hearing about inhumanity. I started reading the new John Irving book but it didn't grab me so I picked up something else (which I can't remember). I have bought several books in print, mostly paperbacks, because I like to switch back & forth from the Kindle to print. I think my attitude about a book is influenced by the format, not sure just how but I think I have different reactions to Kindle books.
The dogs are great. Tess is doing very well and is walking without a limp nearly all the time. They got away from me this morning but I just picked them up in the car and they were happy. They'll like going to Rhode Island, but they don't get as much exercise there. My mother has a small pen so they can go outside off the leash at her house, but they can't run much. Mark and I take them on walks in the park or at the beach but the last time I was there Treasure ran into the road at the park and was nearly hit by a car so SHE'S on a leash now. Treasure is better behaved at the beach than Tess is--Tess feels obligated to greet and visit with anyone else who happens to be there. Treasure is less interested in people, more interested in eating seaweed and horseshoe crab shells. Last month I didn't take Tess on our walks because she has her mobility issues. Not sure what we'll do this time around. I'll take Liza to the beach (she doesn't need a leash but does have mobility issues)--she likes to look at the ocean.
I like Thanksgiving, it's a very straightforward and easy holiday and it's all about food and feeling good. We have a nice time together.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Riding in my car
I've been good about doing my 3 things every day. Sometimes the "things" are less strenuous and eventful, but I do three of them. This week I'm stacking firewood,stacking 3 wheelbarrow loads of firewood in the morning and 3 in the afternoon. I don't usually stack my own firewood but the people who do it have more complicated schedules this year so it's not getting done. I have 6 cords to stack and doubt that I'll get it all done before snow flies but I'm doing my best. I can't do much more than that each day because my back hurts. whine whine.
I'm also counting calories now. Boy is that a drag. When I lost 28 pounds a few (or many) years ago it was with WeightWatchers, but this time I'm trying calorie counting as a method. My friend Linda is doing WW, we did it at the same time before. That is a good program, very effective but I feel like trying the calorie thing and saving the money.
The weather has been grand. We didn't get much snow, just a dusting, and now it's warm and sunny with no wind. A real treat.
The book sale went well. I worked 2 1/2 hours, then had an asthma attack and went home. They could have used my help at the end of the sale, packing unsold books in boxes. Next time I'll do it differently and hopefully will help in the afternoon too.
I'm feeling good these days--better because I'm actually being productive. I like my 3-thing days and sometimes, amazingly, I do MORE than 3 things. Yikes, I'm out of control. Life is good. Retirement is extremely good.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Not snowing...yet
Supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow morning, maybe a few inches for us at the "higher elevations." That's all right, I just got new snow tires in Plattsburgh yesterday, for a mere $856. Well, that included installation, let's not exaggerate. I hit a curb the other day and put a big digger in my tire so was going to have to do something about tires. I hadn't decided whether to get snows or not and this helped me make the decision. So let's pretend we have enough money for this sort of thing.
I've been doing all right at being productive. Not great, but maybe better. I have my new policy of doing 3 things every day and that makes me feel accountable and more structured. Dishes don't count, making the bed doesn't count, laundry doesn't count. Bringing in extra firewood DOES count, as does walking to the mailbox or to camp. Going to town counts, but only as one thing, no matter how many stops I make. So far today I've been to AuSable, to the post office and grocery store--that counts as 1 thing. Brought in extra firewood and will walk to the mailbox this afternoon. There! Like magic! Three things.
Tomorrow I'll be in Plattsburgh by 8 to help Bill unpack and sort books for the Historical Association's book sale. We only have 2 hours to set up because the sale starts at 10, so it will be a hustle, which will be fine. We used to have a book sale every year at CEF and it was a huge deal, a lot of work and staff time. We never made much more than $1000 so we decided it wasn't worth it. Man that was a lot of work.
I have so many household tasks to do, I should be busy all winter with that. I never did get to the master bedroom, which was to be a priority as soon as I retired. It's a storage unit right now and I have to dive in and throw out a ton of stuff. I got the guest bedroom in good shape, and have actually had guests use it. My bedroom is in fair shape, I've been cleaning it bit by bit. Mostly cleaning it means getting rid of dog hair, but the other day I put away my summer clothes and got out my winter ones. I have too many clothes--4 pairs of books, many coats, and many, many pairs of pants. I need no more clothes. I wanted to buy a new pair of Sorel boots for this winter, but my old ones are in fine shape so I can't justify the expense. Rats.
I'm trying to find a used treadmill. I think this will be my best bet for weight loss and fitness. I clearly don't feel motivated to do much walking. When I worked I used the treadmill at CEF, reading while I walked, and that was very successful. So my goal is to repeat that at home. All I need is a treadmill.
I've gone for walks with friends in Keene Valley twice this week. Once was with Julie, we walked our dogs and had a good time. Monday I walked with another friend but our walk ended up being a 3-mile trek. Yikes. My feel hurt after that. Treasure went along, on a leash the whole time, and was well behaved but bored, I think. The dogs ran off the other day when I was walking back from camp and I found them way down the road at a friend's empty camp. BAD DOGS. I've been very conscientious when getting them out of the car, one is always on a leash, but I didn't think quickly enough to do that coming home the other day. ratpigs.
There's not much going on in the neighborhood. Friends are having some work done on their camp and asked me to check on progress there. I haven't been down there yet, feel a bit awkward "checking" on things, as the contractors are friends of mine. It's quiet and there's no traffic, although there is someone in the bog several times each week.
The dogs think it's time to eat. They think that a lot. I used to feed them twice a day but since retiring I feed them a small lunch every day. I got up at 2 this morning, fed them a tiny bit then, gave them breakfast when it got light, and now they think they should get lunch. That will make 4 meals in one day, a bit extreme, no?
I've been doing all right at being productive. Not great, but maybe better. I have my new policy of doing 3 things every day and that makes me feel accountable and more structured. Dishes don't count, making the bed doesn't count, laundry doesn't count. Bringing in extra firewood DOES count, as does walking to the mailbox or to camp. Going to town counts, but only as one thing, no matter how many stops I make. So far today I've been to AuSable, to the post office and grocery store--that counts as 1 thing. Brought in extra firewood and will walk to the mailbox this afternoon. There! Like magic! Three things.
Tomorrow I'll be in Plattsburgh by 8 to help Bill unpack and sort books for the Historical Association's book sale. We only have 2 hours to set up because the sale starts at 10, so it will be a hustle, which will be fine. We used to have a book sale every year at CEF and it was a huge deal, a lot of work and staff time. We never made much more than $1000 so we decided it wasn't worth it. Man that was a lot of work.
I have so many household tasks to do, I should be busy all winter with that. I never did get to the master bedroom, which was to be a priority as soon as I retired. It's a storage unit right now and I have to dive in and throw out a ton of stuff. I got the guest bedroom in good shape, and have actually had guests use it. My bedroom is in fair shape, I've been cleaning it bit by bit. Mostly cleaning it means getting rid of dog hair, but the other day I put away my summer clothes and got out my winter ones. I have too many clothes--4 pairs of books, many coats, and many, many pairs of pants. I need no more clothes. I wanted to buy a new pair of Sorel boots for this winter, but my old ones are in fine shape so I can't justify the expense. Rats.
I'm trying to find a used treadmill. I think this will be my best bet for weight loss and fitness. I clearly don't feel motivated to do much walking. When I worked I used the treadmill at CEF, reading while I walked, and that was very successful. So my goal is to repeat that at home. All I need is a treadmill.
I've gone for walks with friends in Keene Valley twice this week. Once was with Julie, we walked our dogs and had a good time. Monday I walked with another friend but our walk ended up being a 3-mile trek. Yikes. My feel hurt after that. Treasure went along, on a leash the whole time, and was well behaved but bored, I think. The dogs ran off the other day when I was walking back from camp and I found them way down the road at a friend's empty camp. BAD DOGS. I've been very conscientious when getting them out of the car, one is always on a leash, but I didn't think quickly enough to do that coming home the other day. ratpigs.
There's not much going on in the neighborhood. Friends are having some work done on their camp and asked me to check on progress there. I haven't been down there yet, feel a bit awkward "checking" on things, as the contractors are friends of mine. It's quiet and there's no traffic, although there is someone in the bog several times each week.
The dogs think it's time to eat. They think that a lot. I used to feed them twice a day but since retiring I feed them a small lunch every day. I got up at 2 this morning, fed them a tiny bit then, gave them breakfast when it got light, and now they think they should get lunch. That will make 4 meals in one day, a bit extreme, no?
Friday, November 06, 2015
Beautiful weather now going away
It's been a wonderful week for weather, lots of 60-degree days. I've been walking to the mailbox most days, taking both dogs along. Tess likes to run in the beginning but walks so slooooowly coming home. I always have to have one on a leash--on Sunday they ran off and were sighted more than a mile away on the hardtop. BAD DOGS. Neighbors let me know they were out and about but I couldn't find them for a while. I never did find Treasure, she found me at Pat & Jim's. I was really upset, I can't stand the thought of having them on the hardtop. So every day when we get the paper, or go to town, or go anywhere, one of the has to wear a leash when we get out of the car. BAD DOGS.
I'm trying not to do so much traveling but there always seems to be something going on elsewhere. Monday I went to AuSable and opened a checking account at the bank there. That took forever because the bank manager has 3 Labs and wanted to tell me alllll about her breeding program for them. Well, I started the conversation.
Tuesday I went to Burlington for my annual mammogram. It was an uneventful trip but I had a grand time at Barnes & Noble, buying used books for me and Christmas presents for other people. Oh I love to spend money. I've never had anything show in mammograms so I'm assuming all will be fine.
Wednesday I went to Plattsburgh and had lunch with Julie. We ate at a new Japanese restaurant downtown, a radical departure from our usual Thai lunch uptown. It was good. We always have good visits, and I'm always happy to be reminded that retired life is wonderful.
I have planted some of the daffodil bulbs Linda left with me but still have more to plant. There were 200 of them, most of which have been doled out to others, but I was left at least 50 to plant myself. So I plant a few here and there every now & then. Still have some to plant but not too many. I'd like to have them line the driveway but the digging will be harder there so I may give up on that.
Yesterday I went to my favorite farmstand in Peru, had a grand time picking out apples from the dozen or so bins of different kinds there, for 75 cents a pound. I got some other produce and took the scenic way home, through the neighborhood we lived in when I first moved here. It was a nice drive through pretty countryside.
Tomorrow I'll go to the dump (it IS Saturday) then on to Julie's to help her plant some of the daffodil bulbs she ended up with. I think we'll go for a walk after that but we're both having asthma problems so it will be a slow walk on level ground. The wet and moldy leaves exacerbate my asthma but I'm trying to be conscientious about using my inhalers to keep it under control. I don't like to use the steroid inhaler but that's good for prevention. cough cough wheeze wheeze.
The weather is changing back to November-like days. It's supposed to be in the 40's tomorrow with nice warm sun. Should be pleasant. I went to camp the other day to take some things down and pick up the photo album I keep there. I'd like to lock the gate but have to communicate with the new neighbor before doing so, telling him the combination and notifying him.
I'll be doing 3 things every day, but walking to the mailbox and knitting don't count toward that. I need to get myself better organized and more productive. I bought supplies to paint the bathroom floor so that's one project I need to get going on. I like painted floors, and the floor there right now looks awful, the finish is worn off.
Dogs are just fine in spite of the limits placed on them. As long as there's food in their bowls and biscuits in the pantry they don't seem to care about much else. Tess is strong and moves well, taking her anti-inflammatory med every day. Treasure is needy, always wants attention, but is a sweet, sweet dog.
I voted this week--there were a lot of local candidates to vote for so that was good. I always get nervous when I vote, convinced I'll do it wrong, or vote for the wrong candidates. This time I got it right (whew!) but not all of my candidates won. Most did, though.
Life is good. I wish I were more productive. I've been knitting every day, which keeps me from doing chores. Well, some think knitting is being productive, but that's not the kind of production I NEED to be working on.
I'm trying not to do so much traveling but there always seems to be something going on elsewhere. Monday I went to AuSable and opened a checking account at the bank there. That took forever because the bank manager has 3 Labs and wanted to tell me alllll about her breeding program for them. Well, I started the conversation.
Tuesday I went to Burlington for my annual mammogram. It was an uneventful trip but I had a grand time at Barnes & Noble, buying used books for me and Christmas presents for other people. Oh I love to spend money. I've never had anything show in mammograms so I'm assuming all will be fine.
Wednesday I went to Plattsburgh and had lunch with Julie. We ate at a new Japanese restaurant downtown, a radical departure from our usual Thai lunch uptown. It was good. We always have good visits, and I'm always happy to be reminded that retired life is wonderful.
I have planted some of the daffodil bulbs Linda left with me but still have more to plant. There were 200 of them, most of which have been doled out to others, but I was left at least 50 to plant myself. So I plant a few here and there every now & then. Still have some to plant but not too many. I'd like to have them line the driveway but the digging will be harder there so I may give up on that.
Yesterday I went to my favorite farmstand in Peru, had a grand time picking out apples from the dozen or so bins of different kinds there, for 75 cents a pound. I got some other produce and took the scenic way home, through the neighborhood we lived in when I first moved here. It was a nice drive through pretty countryside.
Tomorrow I'll go to the dump (it IS Saturday) then on to Julie's to help her plant some of the daffodil bulbs she ended up with. I think we'll go for a walk after that but we're both having asthma problems so it will be a slow walk on level ground. The wet and moldy leaves exacerbate my asthma but I'm trying to be conscientious about using my inhalers to keep it under control. I don't like to use the steroid inhaler but that's good for prevention. cough cough wheeze wheeze.
The weather is changing back to November-like days. It's supposed to be in the 40's tomorrow with nice warm sun. Should be pleasant. I went to camp the other day to take some things down and pick up the photo album I keep there. I'd like to lock the gate but have to communicate with the new neighbor before doing so, telling him the combination and notifying him.
I'll be doing 3 things every day, but walking to the mailbox and knitting don't count toward that. I need to get myself better organized and more productive. I bought supplies to paint the bathroom floor so that's one project I need to get going on. I like painted floors, and the floor there right now looks awful, the finish is worn off.
Dogs are just fine in spite of the limits placed on them. As long as there's food in their bowls and biscuits in the pantry they don't seem to care about much else. Tess is strong and moves well, taking her anti-inflammatory med every day. Treasure is needy, always wants attention, but is a sweet, sweet dog.
I voted this week--there were a lot of local candidates to vote for so that was good. I always get nervous when I vote, convinced I'll do it wrong, or vote for the wrong candidates. This time I got it right (whew!) but not all of my candidates won. Most did, though.
Life is good. I wish I were more productive. I've been knitting every day, which keeps me from doing chores. Well, some think knitting is being productive, but that's not the kind of production I NEED to be working on.
Sunday, November 01, 2015
Dark night
Wow, welcome Standard Time--it's pitch black at 6 p.m. We've had very bright moonlight for the past several nights so it seems strange to have it so dark. I prefer light in the early morning so this time of year is good for me. The weather is great and it's predicted that the week will be warm (60's) and sunny, so YAY. I'll maybe, just maybe, plant those damn daffodil bulbs.
The dogs raised hell with me today. This morning they ran off after I went for the paper, and they were gone for hours. I got a call from the woman whose camp is next to Linda's, way far down the road, telling me that she had seen the dogs at her camp, then her granddaughter saw them on the hardtop after that, not near my road. I drove all over looking for them and was frantic. I finally found Tess walking down the hardtop to my road, then Treasure showed up at Pat & Jim's while I was there. Honestly! I just can't have this. It's leash time, that's for sure. Right now they're passed out cold and snoring.
I've been knitting a lot, something constructive to do while I watch endless hours of television. I guess some people will get knitted treasures for Christmas. Maybe. I can't knit sweaters, they just never turn out well. Maybe I'll give sweaters one more try, though, and knit myself a vest. I can't do armpits at all, have tried several times but the armpit holes are always too small and tight. But as I say, maybe I'll try one more time.
I'm reading a good book by Gail Tsukiyama, something about a thousand blossoms. It's about two Japanese brothers during and after WWII and is a good read but very long. I'm plugging along and need to finish it so I can start the book group book: The nightingale, by Kristen Hannah. Another WWII book.
Yesterday I went to the movies with Lin & Ralph. We saw Bridge of Spies, which was good but long. Tom Hanks is really wonderful and so talented. We went out for dinner after the film, a very festive evening. Every year Lin & I swear we're going to go to the movies regularly but somehow it never happens. Maybe now.
Tuesday I have to go to Burlington for a mammogram, no big deal but oh boy! Burlington! Trader Joe's! Barnes & Noble! Spend money! Hopefully I'll think about Christmas presents while I'm over there. I've started getting presents for Mark and Liza, but just the standard gifts we exchange, nothing exciting or interesting. Mark likes white sweatshirts and white t-shirts so I always give him those. Both Liza and Mark are hard to find gifts for--we all have pretty much everything we need. Which I suppose is a good thing, isn't it.
The dogs raised hell with me today. This morning they ran off after I went for the paper, and they were gone for hours. I got a call from the woman whose camp is next to Linda's, way far down the road, telling me that she had seen the dogs at her camp, then her granddaughter saw them on the hardtop after that, not near my road. I drove all over looking for them and was frantic. I finally found Tess walking down the hardtop to my road, then Treasure showed up at Pat & Jim's while I was there. Honestly! I just can't have this. It's leash time, that's for sure. Right now they're passed out cold and snoring.
I've been knitting a lot, something constructive to do while I watch endless hours of television. I guess some people will get knitted treasures for Christmas. Maybe. I can't knit sweaters, they just never turn out well. Maybe I'll give sweaters one more try, though, and knit myself a vest. I can't do armpits at all, have tried several times but the armpit holes are always too small and tight. But as I say, maybe I'll try one more time.
I'm reading a good book by Gail Tsukiyama, something about a thousand blossoms. It's about two Japanese brothers during and after WWII and is a good read but very long. I'm plugging along and need to finish it so I can start the book group book: The nightingale, by Kristen Hannah. Another WWII book.
Yesterday I went to the movies with Lin & Ralph. We saw Bridge of Spies, which was good but long. Tom Hanks is really wonderful and so talented. We went out for dinner after the film, a very festive evening. Every year Lin & I swear we're going to go to the movies regularly but somehow it never happens. Maybe now.
Tuesday I have to go to Burlington for a mammogram, no big deal but oh boy! Burlington! Trader Joe's! Barnes & Noble! Spend money! Hopefully I'll think about Christmas presents while I'm over there. I've started getting presents for Mark and Liza, but just the standard gifts we exchange, nothing exciting or interesting. Mark likes white sweatshirts and white t-shirts so I always give him those. Both Liza and Mark are hard to find gifts for--we all have pretty much everything we need. Which I suppose is a good thing, isn't it.
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