Went down cellar yesterday (three times, actually) for the first time in a long time. I avoid the cellar stairs because they're especially hard on my knees — only something to hold on to about half way down — no place to put a handrail on either side without causing other complications). Had to open the door down back for the furnace cleaning guy. (Yes, that's one more thing checked off the annual list.)

Took some empty storage boxes down while I was at it — and brought up a couple boxes to cut up and dispose of. Also found some other miscellaneous items to put in the "to sell" pile. (Sigh. One of these days I'll get around to actually selling some more of it!) But I need to go down again (soon) and cull some more boxes, etc.

But the treks down and back (along with spotting where a couple things are stored) have inspired a re-do of both the pantry shelving in the cellarway (I no longer feel steady enough or safe to store canned goods there, but larger containers of staples should work) and, when I bring up a wire basket dealie and clean out the left hand lower shelves in the built-in hutch in the kitchen to store canned goods, etc. there. Sometimes half of the solution to a nagging problem (or conglomeration of inconveniences) is just figuring out how, exactly, to fix it.

I've been at a gallop for the past month or longer, and today I didn't have to go anywhere or do much of anything besides shower and hairwash and some usual daily tasks. I woke up with no energy or ambition to speak of but something happened. After the shower I scrubbed the tub — something I SHOULD do every time but never do until it becomes desperate. That must have set me on a roll because when I came downstairs to brew coffee, I decided to do something about the electric stove burner coil that is visibly deteriorating. Initially tried to swap it with the back burner of the same size that I never use, but that one proved recalcitrant. So I pulled the front used most heavily burner out anyway and discovered the pan underneath was almost entirely rusted out. (I'm one of the world's lousiest housekeepers.) Fortunately I keep a supply of those, so replaced it. And discovered I've got at least 2 that are too small for any of the burners so put them in the donation box. Then I went and ordered a new set of four burner coils. Only the one is visibly deteriorating, but they're all old, so it's as good a time as any to replace them.

In between doing all this, I made notes for a couple sections of my memoir of the Press Room sessions (which I've been really focusing on writing lately) and found time to read the thick booklet (almost too big to be called a booklet — I'm counting it as a book on my annual books read list) that came with the Smithsonian Folkways double CD set of "The Village Out West: The Lost Tapes of Alan Oakes".

Oh, and I planned a venison stew (which I need to get a start on) using a bunch of stuff that needs to be used RIGHT NOW as well as the roasted venison from the freezer and a few other things that should be "churned". Now I need to research a recipe for savory bread pudding so I can use leftovers from a couples loaves of rye.

Have yet to start reading this morning's papers (digital all-access subscription), but I've checked off a couple emails/messages as accomplished.

Onward!
Linn