Okay, I can sit down.

Got the trash together (including the two bags of stuff I've pulled out of the cellar) and up to the road.

Glad I did the outside stuff yesterday including getting tarps over the firewood, because it's very very wet today. Around 6 a.m. the deluge made the view out the window look like very heavy fog.

Brought some more stuff up (and consolidated some more) to take to Harding Metals when it stops raining...maybe tomorrow.

The first thing I did this morning, though (after finishing a book), was start sorting a box of letters, cards, etc. and found some very interesting stuff for my scrapbooks (clippings my Dad sent me -- from the late '90s) as well as some pertinent dates for my records. Of course, found another accumulation of unclassifiable stuff that needs to be organized in some way (prolly slipped into page protectors in a 3-ring binder) so I can find the stuff when I want or need it.

Also did the laundry which was on the docket for yesterday. Glad I finally figured out how to get soap scum out of washcloths; they now come out soft and fluffy.

Took Tom to the pharmacy and picked up a few things at the store -- such as enough brown sugar to make the peanut butter cookies I'd started. As long as I'm baking, I'll make Tom happy and make a chocolate cake.

Hope, though, I'll be able to escape upstairs and just sit in bed and read, preferably with a cup of tea next to me and a cat on my lap.

I'll take the map lamp down tomorrow...reinstall it next to the bed...whenever. I'm expecting a looooong telephone chat tomorrow with a friend I've lost touch with about 15 or so years ago. We found each other again on Facebook. She called while she was on break Sunday night to say her day off is Wednesday and we can finally get caught up then. I'm really looking forward to it. Her then toddler son is now in the military and got married this summer. LOTS to get caught up on!

Linn