Beaver:

For starters: The dust! Oh yeah! If I have to declutter dust, esp that sort, I must wear a mask or I will get the symptoms of a serious cold/flu, whatever. Now, I am beginning to get a message that my chronic cough is related not only to dust and toxins such as plastics, petroleum products, cleaning materials and fragrances of most sorts, it also seems to be connected to what I eat. A few eves ago, I had such a coughing fit while talking on phone that I had to hang up, twice. I was choking and gagging. The worst in recent memory.

Remembering a time 60 years ago when I kept a vial of honey in my pocket for alleviating coughing, I tried a tiny bit of honey. I have not been coughing much since then; 1/8 teaspoon or even a bit in my water/ACV drink seems to soothe the throat which I was finally suspecting as the cause - that "tickle". Wary of using too much as sugar is not in my diet at all, except what occurs naturally in foods or the 10 gm 85% choc that I allow myself - 1/d!

I went up to the "hotel" Friday eve for the Christmas Carol sing along and, after a few minutes, I had to put on my mask - then I stopped coughing.

I resisted buying two more plants at the grocery friday! Convinced myself that the two red Kalanchoe will soon bloom. I am having such success with dividing (AF) and rooting cuttings (geranium and spider) that there is no room here for more. They are for the "new" house which is seeming almost a mirage but hope is not gone.

Yesterday I managed to clear the bulk of the ice from the walkway - about 2 hours, in two sessions with long rest time in between. Then I put safe melter on the half inch remaining. Will check it this am and add more if necessary. Sanded the rest so I can now safely - if careful - negotiate that route.

Decluttered myself of 3 panels of 40's vintage drapes; took off the metal thingys and opened the pleats to make it possible to hang on a inch dowel to hide open shelving at Community Trust. Ready to deliver on Tuesday; will also purchase the dowel and some sort of way to affix it. Maybe another volunteer can install it. Having 3 separate panels will assist in accessing the materials on the shelves.

This means that the "thaw" (just above freezing for two days!) enabled me to feel like going to the back shed through a foot of snow - still! But I failed to take the shovel and could only get the door open enough for me and the fabrics to sidle out. Found 3 more pieces of fabric to bring to house: a summer dress length for when I finally find a suitable pattern. A search through half a dozen, or more, large bins did not turn up the box of patterns. They may be in the morass at the mill. That requires a warm, dry day in the future. I am becoming quite determined, with the help of pep talk from a friend and the hours wasted looking for suitable ready made. At least I have NO inclination to even Look at new fabrics!