Beaver:

Michelle: that pain in head - I am sure you will tell your physician. Though I have had similar, in the past, which seemed to stem from twisting my head/neck/shoulders. A couple times it brought me to my knees.

Acme: My "hoosier" is a Knechtel, made in Ontario. Pie safe to me means a ventilated door? Mine does not have one but the centre top might have had one before it was changed. Could again as the insert comes out easily but the chances of me making pies... As for the slide out counter - totally messed up. It was probably like yours once upon a time. I will be glad to get an attractive, usable formica surface instead of ugly, broken and loose, 4 inch tiles! I am quite excited that I got this idea. It is going to be a lot of work to get the tiles and glue off. I am waiting for R to get here even to pull it out to work on it.

I seemed to get little done today except foraging - foods, new filters for respirator (ordered last week), a couple flowerpots for the cilantro and parsley plants - they probably won't live but I will try - organic potting soil AND a cast iron griddle that was on sale - $50! Never spent that much for a cooking anything in my life but it covers two burners on my beautiful gas stove and will be great for buckwheat cakes and the little potato cakes I am designing for tomorrow's potluck (hopefully).

Lots of conversations - de-cluttering and sharing thoughts and concerns does help. Many times a day I think about how happy I am to be back in this community - where people know me AND speak English!!

Wrote a longish email to a group about my concern that there is inadequate communication. The catalyst - going to the 7-11 Cafe and the place was closed. Came home to see if there was anything on their FB page. NO! It is on their google calendar...

Today I wore my, new from the "Outreach", winter jacket - nice and cosy. Cold, windy but only just at freezing point, with scattered blue. A sprinkle of snow this morning is still in shady places - like the deck where I walked very carefully to put some things in the kiln/store room.

Did not bring in wood; fortunately brought in plenty yesterday. Will not be optional tomorrow. I do have the supply route planned: there is enough right on the deck for a few days as well as the woodpile coming right up to the end of the deck - right outside the door. Right now I go to the farthest part of the pile but if snow builds up, I will start on that nearest the door. There will be minimal shoveling needed.   

Love the stones on the drive and short walkway - so much less dirt coming in!

Chatting with a woman in line at grocery, she told me she had just done a major clear-out of her home and she was SO happy!