Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 11:47 AM

SRS, yes, and a total werdrobe change if needed because also:

. Generic-gray, longsleeved cotton tee and warm but lightweight stretch pants (trouser or PJ wear)

The camera bag is nice tough, black nylon which I sometimes dress up with a colorful scarf hung on it by a ring or carabiner. One of the things we love about these (DH has his original one, and got me mine when I asked him to give me his, LOL), is that one bag can serve for both of us and he doesn't look (or feel) silly carrying my "purse."

Mine is set up with bags inside to lend stiffness to make this also work as an armrest. (No armrest = massive shoulder pain.) Depending on the situation I either bring the bag into events or leave it in the car and just take the most essential small bag from it to carry (or slip into DH's bag).

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 01:17 PM

Good idea, dressing up the bag with a scarf. I'll have to look in the closet and see what I have. Or even a costume jewelry pin on the front would work.

Eliza, when they're underway they're usually interesting, but setting up a garage sale on your own is a lot of work - that "whole village" garage sale is wonderful, but no one here has done that (though I live in a small village surrounded by a much larger city). I get socializing in when I visit neighbors holding their own garage sales, and sometimes if a neighbor has one they will let me know and I'll take a few things up and set up my own table. I also would have a cooler with cold drinks for a nominal price.

Dorothy, your "houseplants" have been in buildings that are probably cold beyond belief for most houseplants, haven't they? They still may have been shocked by the overnight or weekend lows while you were between locations, don't you think?

I have added more and more houseplants since the last of the cats died. They were very hard on plants and I always had to be careful not to have anything toxic they might chomp. My sunroom is botanically opulent now with the bay window filled with blooming xmas cactus (still!), blooming African violets, the red top on a poinsettia (brought home from a meeting in 2012 and not expected to live more than a few months). Orchids - I bought a blooming orchid on impulse at the grocery store and after the blooms dropped transplanted it on the instructions of a friend who used to grow some. Another one was rescued from a retiring co-worker's office and is now putting out a new leaf, and the one I bought has sent out new blossom buds on the old stems. The idea that house plants would stay where I put them and I could put them where they need to be for light is something that was not part of a cat-owning household.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 03:25 PM

A local nearby town will be having their bi-annual town wide yard sale at the end of next month and I have permission to use a carport and set up shop! Perfect timing to get rid of so many baby toys, out grown clothes etc that seem to be multiplying and taking over our home!

Bathroom floor was recently scrubbed on my hands and knees....it's been a long, painful winter for our bathroom with all this cold...things froze for long periods of time...but that all seems to have passed so I did some major cleaning in there. :) My sewing room is organized once again (which I'm sure will need lots up tweaking from time to time) and I spent all day the day before yesterday and then had someone over for lunch and a tour yesterday. There is much interest in my sewing room for whatever reason. At the moment I am working on a Disappearing Nine Patch...photos on FB for anyone who wants to see. The kitchen is clean although the floor could use a good mopping. The living room is orderly (which is a giant step up...if you could have only seen it before..talk about your TOYS R US explosions!) and the rug vacuumed courtesy of my lovely husband who had words with our cranky vacuum cleaner and got her to work!

There was about an inch, maybe more, of snow on our hilltop this morning and local roads, both back and paved, were a bit dicey but now all is clear.

I had a trip to the endocrinologist this morning and we are checking into a few things regarding my thyroid and diabetes...I think some positive things are going to be happening very soon. YAY.

Let's hope this is the last of the winter ick....c'mon Spring...we miss you!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 05:14 PM

Well it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride since I last posted here -- mostly didn't have the energy to post both at Facebook and here.

Last Friday was a truly lovely day. Not only did I get a lot accomplished (as reported here), but it was a really good session as well. I was interviewed before the session by a reporter from one of the local free papers for an article on traditional (or "Celtic" as he referred to it) music in the Seacoast area. He stayed for the entire session, recording both audio and visual and taking stills. He was very obviously enjoying himself.

It was a very good session, a good mix of musicians and singers and the energy kept up right up until the close despite a couple of the stronger performers having left an hour or so early. The biggie for me was that someone who has been sitting on the periphery for the past year or so, and who has been occasionally been lured into singing a song, actually brought his guitar AND sang three or four songs. I ended up saying to myself on my way home, "I'm doing it right. I'm carrying on the session the way Tom would want me to. I'm doing it right..." and feeling pretty good about it. I also emailed more information later about a question asked about a song I sang and was it related to another song. I'd partially answered the question at the session about the song I sang, but I had been unsure of the origins of the other song, so I checked. This, too, is in the tradition of Tom being the "authority" on history and how the songs relate to historical matters.

No good day goes unpunished. On Saturday I was basically non-functional. It was all I could do to get out of bed and be alert enough not to drown while taking a shower and washing my hair. I just couldn't go to the house concert at Sinsull's that night despite having looked forward to it for some time. The next two days were somewhat iffy as well, but I could (and did) spend a lot of time on the phone with friends. Fortunately, I'd been warned at grief group that I could very well have days like this, so, other than being annoying, I wasn't worried about it.

Tuesday was another good day. I had an appointment with a counselor at the hospice where Tom died and we had a really good two hour talk. And a bunch of people made a point of thanking me for the thank you note I had delivered last week when I'd originally had the appointment but she had gone home with a migraine. Then I drove to Dover to drop off a couple bags at Goodwill, but I stopped at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital first and walked the labyrinth that I'd been wanting to walk since I found out about it last November. And THAT was good... But I didn't just drop the bags at Goodwill. I bought a pair of shoes and a light/mid-weight jacket which I needed (and some books which I need like cats need wings...).

Today I got my passport application finally filled out, and a bunch of other paperwork accomplished and made a really nice boiled dinner. In about an hour I'll head to Portsmouth for a talk on the life of 18th century sailors at the Portsmouth Athenaeum.

Moving right along...again.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 06:13 PM

Sounds like progress to me! And reminds me, my passport expired ages ago, I need to get a new one.

Turned in another job application, this one has the "vibration" about it that I think I'll at least get a call. I made sure to apply before the fifth day ended because in theory they can close after five business days. One really good one did, darn it!

Working a bit late tonight because the day after my official "late night" it's difficult to get out of the house early. On paper I barely have time to get 8 hours sleep before I turn around and come back to work, so I tend to work my late night, followed by a non-so-late night. :) I'm making time in the evening to read, and I'm going to keep this up because it is something I have missed. Too much time wasted on facebook lately. I always have something around to read, and read in small spurts, but this is intentional time, not just a few minutes before going to sleep.

Michelle, your sewing room sounds wonderful, I'd love a tour one of these days! Just have to get to PA first. :) If we did tours, I suppose I'd offer a tour of the yard before the house, that's where I really enjoy myself. But there are places in the house (that is a work in progress) that are interesting. The sewing room is also my daughter's bedroom and we have both piled a lot of stuff in there.

Speaking of daughters, mine is inducted into an academic honor society tomorrow, Phi Kappa Phi, and I'm planning to drive up to watch. Good girl, Moonglow!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Mar 14 - 07:23 PM

CITY:
SRS: Conversing with local friends this aft, we are blaming the plant problem on ill treatment prior to purchase. No more from HD. No more until we have a tight abode lacking in furry, plant eating critters! Upstairs plants are fine - plumbago and bougainvillea getting ready for spring - which is coming in a couple days - supposed to go up to 46 F on the weekend!!!!! The plants in the sunroom at the country are fine; none came from HD. Now that I look at the big picture, none of the plants I have bought there have survived except these two tropical foliage plants.

Eliza: What a great way to have local yard sales. There is an event like that in the country twice a year and we love it. Unfortunately no where near us. We shall have to do our own, she says, hopefully!! The mill is on the highway and lots of parking.

BIG news! the fourth load is in the washer and the third in the dryer. Two more to go!! R managed to get the water connected this morning. YAY!

I also went up town and visited with my friends - the mom with Parkinson's is much worse. It is a matter of hanging in to the end point and may take a long time. So hard on the family. But she was glad to see me. I talked with them for a couple hours, then came back to my laundry. Faithful purchasers of pots, the dad immediately showed me a small bowl - four more like this! I thought I might throw them this aft but not today. Energy not there and need to trim yesterday's yet today or early in the morning.

OK, been through the emails and mucho FB that I wanted to peruse. Ready to quit this thing and watch some TV with laundry in the interstices(commercials)!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 04:13 PM

Feeling very fragile today and I don't have a clue as to why. Too many people last night? Ach! I have plans to do things (such as the Archie Fisher and Garnet Rogers concert next week) that I don't want this crazy roller coaster to mess up!

Been doing some research on a couple climbers Tom and I used to know in North Conway, NH in the early '80s and have a couple queries out. Got the rest of the stuff out of the closet and into a bag for pickup tomorrow morning by Epilepsy NH. Did my "homework" for grief group which I have to leave for in about an hour. And started getting the clutter in the corner of the kitchen sorted into bankers boxes. Better organized (and safely packed) for selling some of it, and definitely looking less cluttered.

Did some serious cat cuddling earlier. At least I wasn't yelling at them. (Rufus's name should be "Leave It Alone"...)

Had a parade of about 30 wild turkeys traipse past the window an hour or so ago. Rufus was enthralled... He's not allowed outside. Besides, the turkeys are two or three times bigger than his chunky self.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 04:37 PM

I've gone through episodes of depression - most people have. Something I learned during a particularly difficult time was that if I had a plan, not just what I was going to do tomorrow or next week, but a long-range plan for weeks or months, a goal, that really helped. It had to be manageable over that space of time, and I could see progress. It really helped. Can you think of something you have wanted to do, whether there at the house or in the community, or perhaps a new job, a creative project, or writing an article or a book that would serve for this purpose? I know you have things you have been working on and are goals, but something modified or new might be the ticket.

I need to follow my own advice and get out of the slump I've been in at work. The combination of being reassigned to odd job and glorified data entry clerk, working in a basement with no windows and no phone or radio reception all really close me off from the normal world.

Another online garage sale item sold this afternoon. That lovely little "ca-ching!" noise came across on the phone via the eBay app.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Mar 14 - 09:20 PM

Country!

Ah, Linn, I have those fragile days as well and for less reason than you have currently, but we each respond to our own reasons. I decided - for me - many years ago that these sorts of days/"depression", perhaps? are ways of giving our inner selves space to heal. That freed me from being worried about my "depression" and, for me, that helped a great deal. I don't know this Archie but I would consider Garnet something to look forward to. A light to guide me into the next piece of future.

Did one more load of laundry today after feeding R and getting him off to work. Also spent 2.5 hours on the phone with my friend/health consultant in PA; a wonderful catching up and sharing of ideas on many subjects. Finally got on the road just in time to get to the country, stop by the Cafe Racine for the grand opening, and get to the writers group - where I understood so little of the spoken language that when I made a comment I was informed, "That's what they were just saying."

It is very hard to determine how much is failure on the part of the brain to process and how much could be a hearing deficit. Up until recently, it seemed clearly a brain dysfunction but tonight seemed different Once I get my health card, I shall see about a hearing assessment. I was close to tears tonight, so frustrating not to understand and to feel left out.

Going to have an early night. Supposed to be above freezing for next few days!!! May see some bare ground up here soon.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 12:17 AM

Caught up on my recorded programs for The Good Wife. They did drop a bombshell last week. This after a long drive to watch the tag end of the induction into an honor society that my daughter was invited to join. We went out for dinner, then a fast drive back home. It took two hours to drive up, normally (without heavy traffic or construction) it would take about 1 hour. I need a personal helicopter for those trips.

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 09:15 AM

Got slammed with a piece of bad news at the beginning of the grief group meeting -- Hyder Family Hospice House, owned by Amedisys is closing.

Hyder House

I cannot explain how incredibly caring, respectful, and sensitive they were to Tom...and to me and our friends. They are amazing and special people. I'm devastated. They helped to make a complicated time into a life affirming and sacred experience.

I likened what they do to what a good instrumental accompanist does…the audience is barely aware of it, but everything, every note, is to enhance the performer. The accompanist is almost invisible…but without the accompanist, everything falls apart.

Everyone showed so much CARING and respect and sensitivity. What strong people they are to do this every day for so many patients transitioning to the next stage of the cycle of life – which we call death. And for their family and friends.

I couldn't have done any of that alone and at home. I am just gobsmacked that the parent company is closing this less than seven-year-old facility that does so very much good.

Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 10:34 AM

Linn, it looks like it's time to speak out to the parent company and offer some pushback to the decision. It can't hurt and it might help. How much profit do they need to make in a business such as this?

I conclude this morning as I pull on a snug pair of jeans for casual Friday that my weight has been at a plateau for most of the winter. We're now to warm weather and I need to spend a vigorous weekend in the garden, so I hope to shift back to losing the rest of this weight. Twenty pounds or so to go.

There is a container of asparagus in my fridge for dinner tonight. It came out of the garden. Mmmmm!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Claire M
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 02:08 PM

Hiya,

Flatshare:

Good day despite x-ray on bad hips, for new seating. No word yet but the man who did them was great; he was about 40-50, offered to throw me on bench rather than hoist (afraid of manual ones anyway) reassured me that I wouldn't fall off said bench & said "if yeh do yeh can come across the room & get 'old of my body" (read in DI Bacchus' accent -- OOH Matron)

I've a real thing for Northern men -- love their accent. I'm the author of a blues song for a well-known detective (sadly fictional). Said thing is well known in said share, & the lady w/ me was in fits. He reminded me of a carer I dearly miss.

Mum loved her card w/ angel cards I gave her in. 1 said FREE. Cos she is. She's been looking after me for 30 yrs & doesn't have to do it anymore.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:34 PM

My dishes are all washed, a few pans remain soaking in the sink...the table is picked up, my calendar is up to date with various sewing dates and doctors appointments, the counter is clean and the table is fairly clear with the exception of a few papers. Today I went through Jeremiah's mountain of artwork and did some weeding, if you will. I kept about half and put the rest in a box which I will label later tonight. It was a beautiful day so I took Jeremiah to the park after school where he had lots of fun running and going down the big slides.

I had an appointment with my endocrinologist earlier this week. My thyroid medication has been upped considerably as has my Vitamin D. An insulin change is also in the works....I'm hoping that these things will give my energy levels a boost...I've been dragging for a bit...should be feeling better in 2 weeks or so. :)

Tomorrow I am taking a class at a quilting studio to learn how to use a particular ruler...I'm excited about it!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 06:52 PM

Linn: Could rallying support for the hospice be a good project for you? or not? You seem to have plenty on your plate but sometimes a new direction, unrelated to any others can feel good.
Country:
Meanwhile, I have been awke since 5:30 am; bf, reading, computering and actively doing. Started kiln at 7:25 with open windows - venting system not in place yet. BUT needs to be soon! Sitting in LR, 50 feet and two walls from kiln, my brain syuddenly announced, "Something is wrong!" Realized I had a mild headache and slightly blurred vision even though the odour was only perceptible if I focussed. This was nearing 10:30 am so I put on respirator and went to studio, realized the prevailing wind, coming in the window must be forcing some of the odour into the rest of the building. I opened the front door, put a large fan in the door to pull the air out, cooperating with the wind - in the window and out the door. Then I left for a few hours. Above freezing today!

Went to get my hair cut by a marvellous student , part of writers' group. It took her a very long time - this was practice for her! She did a marvellous job, the first haircut I have ever had that followed the natural bend of my hair, using it to make the style. We had time for lots of good conversation; she will need to be able to do it in a quarter the time! But her teacher and I were delighted. (We both like raccoons!)

Then I wended my way back to the mill, seriously de-cluttering my wallet at the IGA - only essentials, checking out the thrift shop and spending $6 on four dinner plates and four B&B plates - hand made with a lovely cheery glaze (I cannot name the colour! Not orange which I dislike and not brown or even tan but in there somewhere, with speckles and a bit of texture is a sunny feeling; I found a spot in the cupboard with glass door for them easily accessible because they are not light! Also 2 cookie sheets and a grating thingy which seems a very useful object. Also a stop at the organic butcher for a pork loin roast and small packet of bacon. Expensive treats.

The air was almost clear on my return. The kiln off. I left the fan on and will turn it off and close the door shortly, before leaving for music. Hopefully I shall be able to unload in the morning to see how the tests came out. Glaze firings are always iffy - like Christmas morning - what will I get this time??!!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 14 - 08:53 PM

I've been feeling the urge to undergo some retail therapy - on this Friday morning the garage sales were beginning in earnest here in North Texas. I passed signs for an estate sale and my car nearly steered itself there, and I drove past a favorite consignment store and almost pulled into their parking lot. Maybe after the first of the month I can visit a few garage sales and that will take care of it. Has anyone done a study of the flip side of the spring cleaning impulse? The yin and yang of clutter and purge.

Lots to do around here, projects all over the house staring me in the face. Time to get started, after feeding the dogs and myself.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 03:20 PM

I feel like grilling this evening - it's a pretty day out - so I have a couple of things thawing for later and I'm going to clean up the back patio, make it look more inviting. I've also been trying different week-killing approaches back there, I poured boiling water with vinegar on some weeds in the cracks of bricks and seem to have killed them. I'll give it another test this afternoon in a couple of other spots as well. The garden is stirring from the winter torpor - more weeds, and my raised beds need attention. I ate a serving of asparagus from my garden for dinner last night. :)

The usual chores await, and the shopping list is growing long. I conducted some online comparisons of chipper/shredders for the yard this morning, looking for positive reports of the more affordable models. That would save me time and effort in a number of ways in the yard.

A couple of more eBay items about to end, one will go in the recycle bin if it doesn't sell, the other, I'll probably relist, possibly lower the price. I have more to list here in my ongoing online garage sale.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 04:45 PM

Talked to a friend on the staff at Hyder House. Amedisys, the parent company, is not who to contact -- besides, they have no contact info on their website.

Strafford County owns the building and property. So the contact person to convince of Hyder House's importance to the community is the County Administrator, who is also in charge of the nursing home across the road.

Hyder House is the only free-standing hospice with 24 hour care in the area. The only options left after Hyder House closes are home hospice (with visiting RNs) or the hospital. No matter how good the hospital, that's NOT the atmosphere one would want for a dying loved one. Hyder House closing would really would be a huge loss to our area.

I didn't get the email to the county administrator written today, but will certainly tomorrow. And I've posted the information on Facebook and alerted a number of my friends who are nurses or working in the medical field. AND, of course, the friends and musicians who helped see Tom out of this life.

Yesterday was a pretty full day, so I've mostly been reading today, though I just put together a few more bankers boxes and sorted more stuff out of the jumble just outside the door of this room. And I also mixed up a batch of ant bait and put it out. (I consulted with my fiddle-playing, singing entomologist last night at the session.)

The car went into the shop yesterday morning to check out whether there was something else causing the misfires and hiccups other than having let the gas level get VERY low. (Crud from bottom of tank or moisture.) It was -- ignition coil, so that got replaced. And when I got in the car, I found my magnetic key holder in the front seat instead of in the hidden spot on the car's exterior. I got that after locking both my keys (car and house) AND my purse containing a spare set in the car a couple years ago. Matt said it had been falling off, so he put it inside the car. So I was a good kid and replaced the magnetic box on the way home and replaced it properly outside the car. Good thing. Later in the afternoon on my way to The Press Room, I stopped at the head of the driveway to get the mail. I had electronically opened ALL the doors while still sitting next to the house as I needed to put something in the back seat. When I went to the mailbox, I left the driver's door open...but it swung shut...AND locked all the doors! (As I've had happen at least once before.) This time, though, the keys were in the ignition, the car was running, and my purse was on the front seat. So...I retrieved the key from its hiding place and the day continued without crisis.

Had another good session...and then on my way home, just up around the corner (about a mile and a half up the road), I got pulled over by a Nottingham cop for what he said was a rolling stop at a 4-way stop at the Liberty Baptist Church intersection. I may very well have slowly rolled through...you have to go a bit forward of the invisible stop line in order to see if anyone is coming from the right...but it was late at night and there were no headlights coming in any direction. I should have been more careful -- I'd seen him lurking there in the shadow of the church another time within the past few weeks when I was coming home from the Press Room. He gave me a warning, and cautioned me against drunk drivers with their headlights off. I thanked him. I'll make sure from now on I come to a full stop.

Linn



Linn

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 04:58 PM

Country:
I am thinking that looking forward to something and having it cancelled is worse than nothing to look forward to. All those groceries bought on Friday, thinking R was arriving Friday eve. He is stuck in the city AGAIN!

Then getting up early yesterday and doing all sorts of things right until 11 pm. Today has been a nothing day. The kiln load was not a happy occasion. I have been processing consciously and sub-consciously what to do next. Kiln shelves need cleaning - my least fav chore. Most of burgundy and white needs to be carefully re-fired; a very iffy project. Three tests are borderline to NG. Two pieces are really neat - a blue over yellow. I thought I would remember what I had done. So I am giving things times to perc and I think I remember now. Actually writing it has helped clarify.

But I have not had the energy to go at it today. R is not answering phone so I do not know whether he is coming down tonight or I can go to city. OK, finally got through. So I am going to the city very shortly and hope to come back with renewed energy on Tuesday, or sooner. Pack up groceries and go!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 11:17 PM

Sounds like yesterday went pretty well, snatching victory from the mouth of defeat several times, Linn!

I didn't do a lot, motivation has been hard to come by lately, but I did do some. I researched and then bought a chipper (it isn't a mulcher, no way to shove leaves into it, but I mow over those with my my mulching mower, and I'll have to continue to do that). It is a chipper that was on sale with a 25% off coupon at Harbor Freight. I'll have 90 days warranty period to see if the work I need to do will kill it or not.

Some laundry finished, another load going in soon. Right now I'm updating the computer in my son's room that hasn't been on since who knows when. I have a couple of things to do that are best in Windows XP with an old version of Nero that are on that machine - before they started dialing back to the mother ship to check the status of a disk being made into a personal copy (to share with my ex). Anyway, I've also been going through the sea of wires and cables around here and had to dig out a firewire only to find that the old computer doesn't have firewire (at least not on the front, I'll take a flashlight in to check out the back).

I'm going to check the contents of an old external hard drive and then see if it will work with my new BluRay player. I could load it with some of my movies that are on the computer and then watch them in the living room on the big TV instead of in my office in my computer chair. Win 7 doesn't play nice with that old Western Digital drive and I haven't tried it on the Win8 computer because I have a 1T drive to use there. But maybe I can adapt it to another use.

It's a pretty evening and I grilled a piece of salmon for dinner and a couple of chicken breasts to use this week. I resisted picking any more asparagus today, I'll give the bed a few days and pick another handful. My strawberries are blooming now and the chard is growing. All but one of the potato mounds has leaves pushing through. I need to make an effort to dig more beds tomorrow (and it is a fasting day so I may see some weight loss with the low calories and the gardening exertion).

Lurkers, thanks for the advice on equipment safety! Now to adjourn to my chair and pick up my book. Frodo and friends are in the mines of Moria. . .

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 12:38 PM

My kitchen counters are looking great after completely clearing them. I've been discarding or finding new homes for much of what has been sitting out. My hot water/tea station is still in place next to the toaster and kettle. Various related items sit on a silver tray. It's such an inviting surface maybe I'll roll out a batch of cinnamon rolls tonight to take to work tomorrow.

Laundry finished. The rest of the day is out in the yard.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 02:09 PM

I spent two days last week helping my brother move house -- quite an evolution. He surprised us all by finally finding Ms Right at the age of 60, and now they are in the process of blending their households in the hope that the chaos will have more or less died down by their wedding day, scheduled for mid-August. It's going to take that long for them to dig out from under the avalanche of books, kitchen traps and heavy old-fashioned furniture.

Once again, I was taught a lesson in the unimportance of Stuff. It accumulates so easily, filling the corners of our living space, catching dust, and inviting mice, spiders and moths to move in and nest. My bachelor brother lived in that flat for 15 years and never once washed the curtains or cleaned the top of the kitchen cabinets -- yikes! During that time, he acquired hundreds of books, CDs, records and games of all kinds, and seems never to have parted with a thing until this winter.

After the movers had packed the material he's taking into the next phase of his life (about half of what was there, excluding furniture), it suddenly became a really good idea to shove everything salvageable of the remainder into bags and boxes for the Sally Army and consign the rest to construction-grade garbage bags. We did it without a backward glance.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 05:10 PM

I've seen estate sales held to empty the contents of a house after someone moves out, not just dies. A neighbor up the street moved into an assisted living center and her household contents were sold for what probably added up to a nice nest egg for her.

The new shredder is assembled, I trimmed around the back yard and re-filled the trimmer for next time, and came in to get a drink of water and take a quick look at the 'cat. I'm going to mow and then drag a bunch of shrub trimmings from the front into the back and go over them with the mower and rake them onto the compost pile. It's a beautiful afternoon and I'm sure the vitamin D production has gone up tremendously.

This is a fasting day, so a small dinner is my main meal. I grilled some chicken yesterday and I'll make a Kung Pao chicken stir fry. The exercise and alternate fasting days are what contribute to the weight loss (I have about 20 pounds left). I'd like to be at my target by my birthday so I can do a Gloria Steinem routine and say "this is what 60 looks like" and feel really good about it!

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Mar 14 - 07:17 PM

Charmion! what a great clean out for your bro! Wish I could do that with R but more books just keep arriving.

CITY: Talked to R and affirmed no hope of hi getting to the country last night so I came to the city. After arriving, I found myself so tired I felt drugged. In hindsight, it may have been the heaviness of the impending storm - another 4 or so inches of wet snow this morning!

I went to bed early after giving him a nice salad. Barely slept, coughed in the early am, said good bye when he rushed off about 7 and got up about 8:30 feeling fine. Realized the Quaker meeting was having a pot luck and discussion of something. Decided I could deal with it and made a pot of rice and a pan of ratatouille and dumped them into the slow cooker and went off.

Turned out to be a rewarding, useful time. R phoned and came late for some food and comments. An amazing young woman participated for over an hour before I realized she had never attended a Quaker meeting before. I am so often in the country, I am never sure who is new, or not. As someone began by wondering why our group is "in a slump"... I asked, "what is the most important thing about being a Quaker?" Everyone agreed that it is spiritual renewal and we went on from there. It was a lively discussion and brought out some points on what we need to do to help others who might want to be a part of it. I feel the need to have/write a better handout for first timers to help them recognize the diversity of both our group and the Quakers generally.

Came home about 3 and read a while. 80 min phone call with a friend in PA who needed to vent, share, feel supported, and cared for, etc. I will try to reach her more often. Now I am here, then going on to FB. R is back at work after returning for a sandwich about 6.

The snow is melting but very messy and may freeze tonight - 32F right now. I am glad to be in a warm place and no where to go!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 12:14 AM

Dorothy, what a complex and fulfilling life you lead! It takes my breath away.

My back yard looks wonderful. I put the dogs in the kennel while I tested the chipper (it can throw stuff and my dogs won't wear goggles, so they needed to be parked in a safe place). I spent a few minutes testing different types of vegetative matter going through it. The output is small (compact) compared to the piles of twigs and branches that are waiting to be mulched, but I think this will work.

The kitchen is spotless. I used bleach in water to soak the sink liners that keep pans from scratching or nicking the porcelain, and then scrubbed the sinks themselves. The counter is clear, the dishes all washed, and a crock pot of oatmeal is on for the morning.

Starting on decluttering the wallet for April bills. Thank you, gas royalty, for appearing on the last Friday as you do! There's cash left for dog food and veggies for humans tomorrow on the way home from work.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 10:16 AM

CITY:
Second load of laundry in washer - which is working just fine! Poor R noted yesterday there have been "some improvements"! Reminds me that while sitting on the commode this morning I decided to make a list of things to pay attention to during the upcoming - hopefully! - reno. The toilet needs to be turned a quarter turn so my knees do not hit the wall. The previous was a Victorian toilet which was further back.

Went and found paper and started list!

SRS: My back yard looks beautiful also! Pristine white! And my life takes my breath away at times also!

So this morning R rushed off to bf meeting and I had my toast and apple. The day stretches forth to dancing at 7:30. NO de-tox bath today! Hopefully I will throw and trim pots and get the cookie cutter animals ready - smooth the edges and put a hole in each for a ribbon. Some will be part of the Easter egg hunt at the Market on 13 April.

It feels really good to know that nothing else needs to be done, though I think it is time to give serious consideration to the possibility of living upstairs during the reno. I need to take a hard look at the where/how of setting up a mini but functional "kitchen". Is it tightly enough separated from down stairs to keep dust from filtering up???? That must be the deciding factor, now that I think of it. Corollary: Will the apt in VSP be tight enough to protect me from the renos in other parts of that building????

Amazing, is it not, how writing things out helps to bring clarity and new ideas.

Want to check FB and be upstairs working by 10! 30F with some sun; supposed to rise to 45 today!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 12:11 PM

I woke stiff and sore this morning after the yard activity yesterday - I should have taken aspirin at bedtime, it might have helped.

Executive decision time on the magazines. They all need to go somewhere. I can donate some to work (we have a lunchroom area) and I'll try offering a couple more consecutive months of the New Yorker magazines on eBay (I've seen them sell this way), but if no interest, I'll pull the covers off and sell them as a large lot of magazine covers only. And recycle the magazine contents. I can read it online, any back issue, I don't need to be held back by all of this paper.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 03:21 PM

I think the most recent job I applied for must have been a pro forma advertisement for a job that they already had someone selected for. It was open briefly, on campus only, and took only a day to get a note back saying I wasn't selected. Darn.

Many years ago when I was sending (by mail) applications for federal park service jobs for myself and my spouse, I happened to send one in for a ranger job at Mammoth Cave NP that had only a three-day opening. The job fit everything my husband could do, plus he spoke Spanish and had veteran's preference, and got the job. We learned later that the application period was so time restricted because it was actually written for someone in the park. Only in Kentucky? It was written for the husband of a woman who was having an affair with the park's assistant supervisor, so they wouldn't move away from the park. My husband encountered some hostility and really odd reactions from people until someone finally spilled the beans. It was his veteran's preference that they couldn't set aside and had to choose him over the other guy.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Donuel
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 08:19 PM

Is it too early to plant morning glories?

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Mar 14 - 10:34 PM

Yes it's too early! I would never plant morning glories. Your mileage may vary. They were a huge perennial weed problem in my Seattle neighborhood when I was growing up, and though not as bad as kudzu, they had the same goal, to climb and cover everything. The flowers are interesting and pretty, but not worth the trouble. :)

I made the rounds shopping this evening. Got just about everything on my list. It's all put away, and I didn't have any dinner dishes because I got a Chipotle burrito while I was out. One of those is a meal in itself.

Time to turn off the computer and read. I feel an early night coming on, and the allergies are trying to overpower me. A benedryl at bedtimes helps.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Apr 14 - 01:12 PM

City:
What to plant, when is terrifically dependent on where! Plants I struggled with in Ontario, grew beautifully in southern Pennsylvania and were weeds in the NW (Seattle area). Morning Glories were terrific in P. I actually paid $10 for one in a large pot in Montreal but it did not do great. Maybe I will start some seeds in small pots; they do not seem to transplant well.

Darn, a post from late yesterday may have gone missing.
Did not get energy to pot yesterday aft but did clean up the little cookie cutter critters for the Easter market, ready to fire. Did a couple more loads of laundry, went dancing and left after two dances. The mask does not protect me from men wearing gross fragrances; more than one this time and the organizer did not talk to either and certainly did not put it in email. So I came home and we had the freshly made cauliflower cheddar soup and shared a strawberry tart from the Cafe Racine. I made mediocre brownies but they were unneeded.

I was feeling quite nauseous and headachy from the fragrances and depressed by the lack of cooperation and the idea of not being able to dance any more. Maybe I can find a better mask, or put in two filters... Cannot dance with respirator. Went to lie down for a while. Got up for news, then R fell asleep. Bed time!

Porridge with cranberries and apples and split a chocolatine for bf. I deleted emails while R dealt with business and then went off to do things. I finished up with computer stuff then realized I had not voted in the Canada spring vote for fav musicians - Not the famous ones but ones who are less known, like those who play at the cafe. So I work my way through a list of 8 each day. How many days? ??? I will do it until it closes.

Have a pile of stuff ready to go to storage at the mill. Todays hope is to trim a few pots and leave to do a glaze firing and go to writers' group. Then come back. I can leave the window in studio open as the temp is going up - to 45F!!! next few days.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 14 - 03:10 PM

This morning I mowed the front lawn and cleared the dry leaves from the neighborhood out of the curb gutter. They were unceremoniously dumped in a couple of piles and I ran over them with the mower. In a day or two I'll rake them into the nearby flower gardens after I weed.

Disappointing news yesterday, the job I felt I had a great shot at closed quickly and they sent out notices the next day to anyone who applied to say they weren't selected. I suspect this wasn't a real job opening, they had an applicant in mind apparently. I was hoping to get out of this dark basement in time to enjoy the spring in an office with a window.

The dogs and I took a walk before I fed them, and we all enjoyed getting out of the yard. They're digging holes again in the back so I know they're bored, and the walks usually take care of that. (If I could convince them to dig in my garden to clear out weeds then I'd let them go for it!)

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 14 - 11:27 PM

Interesting drive home tonight - I could see the merest sliver of moon on the western horizon and nearby I was seeing flashes of lightning inside a thunderhead way to the west and slightly north of the moon. I couldn't see the sky or the clouds, just the moon and the lightning bursts.

It is easier to get into the alternate fasting now that the weather is nice. To make it work I have to take my lunch with me, and this year I'm going to gradually shift to smaller meals on my regular days, but keep them as complex (with good fats, like guacamole and butter and salmon, etc.) I have a week and five months until my birthday in which to lose the weight. Very do-able. And again, if someone lurking isn't familiar with this plan, visit http://vimeo.com/54089463 and see the program from the UK series "Horizons," in which Dr. Michael Mosley talks to different people about fasting. About 38 minutes into the program you'll find the approach that I have been using for a year exactly. I started in April last year and over the course of the year until winter I lost 35 pounds. I probably gained back at least five pounds over the winter because it is almost impossible to do the modified fast when your body is trying to stay warm. Now I'll resume the program and reach my target weight.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Apr 14 - 02:11 PM

City:
That was a quick trip to the country. With a stop at a grocery store en route, I got to the mill in time to check out the situation re glazing, consider what I might do - but eat first. While eating - wonderful hazelnut bread and tahini - I looked at clock! Finished eating and dashed to group. Came back to city, fed us and went to bed.

( a couple hours later)
We have a bright cloudy day, about 38F! R was off to work and I needed to get ingredients for chili and go to library. So I hung out on computer until noonish as library does not open 'til 1 today. Then my #2 son remembered he has a mother - I posted on his wall yesterday for his birthday - and we talked quite a while!

Now, having ascertained R will not be looking for lunch, I shall be off to the errands.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Apr 14 - 03:26 PM

Thinking seriously now about how to use several 55+ gallon barrels to create a cistern. And getting a transfer pump in order to move shower or bath water (gray water only) into the tanks (situated outside the bathroom window). It looks like another drought year underway, but the water that goes down the drain would be sufficient to keep my vegetables going. It would put unused spare tanks to use. This project would also benefit from gutters on the back of the house to collect the rainwater in those tanks, so it isn't just shower water. I could put those up myself.

Dog sitting for a friend tonight and tomorrow morning, and on Friday planning to go to an art glass sale, taking a half-day off to do it.

Yesterday I spoke with a faculty member who worked with my department to set up an online scholarly journal. This was the only time we were doing the close reading and editing as part of the process, but she is going to need help again. I told her that I've done freelance work for people around campus (usually photography, but I do editing also). She has funds that aren't from campus so I wouldn't have to jump through all of the university hoops involving forms signed by many people (and that have dollar limitations as well).

It's another Wednesday afternoon, looking ahead to the weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Apr 14 - 06:07 PM

SRS, home schoolers would love to get mags via Freecycle, even minus covers. Probably classroom or art teachers ditto.

~S~

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Apr 14 - 11:58 AM

Susan, I've thought about that. There aren't many photos in The New Yorker as there are in other publications. I have some Smithsonian I'm thinking about dropping off at a thrift store so they can use them for their groups.

Tiny amount of rain today, and a lot of wind. Fire danger is a real problem right now in the region. Not like I'd be burning brush or anything, but the smell of fires from many hundreds of miles away will be in the air.

Reworking my eBay listings in the next few days, listing more of my movable garage sale items. I'm about ready to chuck magazines and cardboard out the door. It's too easy to keep Amazon shipping boxes because they might work for things I want to ship in the future.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Apr 14 - 07:58 PM

City:
SRS: water reclamation is excellent project and sorely needed down there, I suspect. I consider gutters with rain barrels essential anywhere; a shame to waste plus hate the water running off the roof making grooves. A series of barrels can be fairly easily connected. The water from the bathroom may take some re-plumbing of the sort a handy person could manage. We are planning to have two grey water spots at the mill- each a raised flower bed of concrete blocks, hopefully faced with something more attractive. One for the K sink, one for BR. Years of living w/out running water has me being very frugal with it.

Low energy last two days. Feeling very stressed. Did only computer and reading in latter part of yesterday. This morning we dashed away to get me to an appointment for 8:15. R drove me so I would not have the stress of parking and then fetched me when I was ready to go home. I walked a few blocks toward where he would be coming.

The appointment was the stressor- re my request for Canadian citizenship. I thought it was a step further on than it was. It was confusing and I was totally stressed before and after. But we were back home before 10 and I made bf and R dashed away. I went to library to sort out why I could not renew on line, then to Market for apples and cheese/eggs. The apple man was not there so will do without until in the country.

Came home, had lunch and a hot bath, went back to bed in a stupor and got up at 7, foggily functional. Not sure if it was the bath, the stress or the lunch! OR all 3.

While on line, I saw the SPCA needs a transport to Napanee, Ontario - about 4 hours - so I agreed to do this tomorrow. It means pick up two pigeons and a Jack Russell. The birds are going to a wildlife rehab centre which I shall enjoy seeing again and the dog to a foster home. I will then go to the mill - about 3 hours, in time for Friday music.

Meanwhile, the snow has melted off tiny front garden as of today. Back yard is still white all over.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 14 - 12:08 AM

Dorothy, I would use a small submersible water transfer pump (like people use for aquariums) and move it straight out to the system outside the window. I would probably look a little odd with a hose across the room, but I could live with it in the summer months.

Taking the day off to run chores tomorrow and meet a couple of friends. A mental health day for decluttering the stress of the office.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 14 - 02:08 PM

Lovely day today! I've already been over to the annual glass sale on campus and back home again. Now some time in the garden before heading out to dinner with a friend.

At the glass sale they have lots of newspapers and boxes for packing up what people buy. I need to remember next year that I should donate a bunch of my extra boxes to the cause.

I just emailed an answer in to my local NPR radio call in program "Anything You Ever Wanted to Know" that plays on Fridays at noon. People call in with questions and other people call in with the answers. Mine was kind of a late entry, but it just got read over the air as the last answer. I'm a regular caller but figured the phone lines would all be full, so sent an email with a drawing instead. I concluded with an affirmation that I liked his answer about mothballs - I've written in a couple of times a year for several years to remind them that there is no pest problem that is best solved by mothballs. He now regularly says that himself - and he noted that it's nice to have a good note to start the weekend. :)

Puttering and then out to dinner. I hope everyone has a pleasant day. This is a day to spend for me, it's my mom's birthday, she'd be in her 90s now. My great aunt was 94 when she died, and her mother died at 104. Those two were in my father's family, but they offer a goal to aim for - a healthy and mentally clear old age. If my mother hadn't been a heavy smoker most of her life she might still be with us and I know she would have enjoyed watching my kids grow and become interesting young adults, and seeing me work on all of my interests.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 12:56 AM

Good evening out with an old friend. We came by the house and did a tour of the garden and some of the projects in the house. A work in progress where nothing productive accomplished at all.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 11:55 AM

Country:
Yesterday was a day. Today is a day of aching!

Left the house about 10 and drive 20 min to the SPCA to pick up my transportees: 2 pigeons and on Jack Russell. Waited around for them to be ready and left about 10:45. (I HATE waiting around!) Big thank you hug from "rescue coordinator"

Arrived at Rehab centre about 2:30 in a light rain. Passed off very upset Jack Russell to foster parents in carrier as he was thoroughly angry. Put the pigeons in the office. Someone appeared a fetched head lady Sue. I was able to ask about the raccoon we sent there in the fall and we are all delighted to hear he is fine and will be released later in the spring with a group of peers. Gave her small bowl for a fund raiser - she has lots of wonderful ones - and $20 donation. I am so grateful she is there and has this wonderful facility. Rehabbers are scarce; hard to get a license and expensive- dependent on donations.

Heading toward the mill, back on the highway, stopped for soup at Tim Horton's and a box of Timbits - sour cream without glaze. Then over a bridge into the USA, l think I took the bridge too soon. The trip was interminable but interesting as I could often see the St. Lawrence river and Canada on the other side. Very poor area, sparsely populated. In the rain, it went on forever. Stopped for gas and asked how to find the way back to Quebec.

Good directions and it is a good thing; there was no sign. I arrived at the cafe just at 7:30! A friend informed me the lack of sign is due to tobacco smugglers. Typical stupidity of bureaucrats. The smugglers know the area well; only people like me will miss the turn!

Did lots of thinking. Memories rose up driving the highway I have not driven in 10 years. Made a couple notes on things to do or write. Think it would be a good idea to have a log book in the car. I used to but lost the thread somewhere. A trip like this, there are times, mileage, sights that could be noted helpfully for future.

The drive was long; would have been nice to have company. Winter boots not good for a 9 hour drive; feet hurt. Could have planned better eats, too! Brownies, sunflower seeds, ginger/green tea in thermos was very helpful. And Timbits! Well, I did not eat all 40! Some left for today.

Fell into bed after getting home from cafe. So this am has been BF of porridge and fruit and share a wonderful pastry from Cafe Racine. Then sit and delete emails, respond to one from Sue, check out various things - wonderful article in a paper our friend gave R about a rescued border collie that has become a national agility champion and is heading for the Netherlands next month to try for international. Posted it on FB as we really try to encourage rescues over buying pets from pet stores, puppy mills or, even, breeders. TOO many dogs being bred irresponsibly; too many being killed. (cats too)

Darn, now its lunchtime... Salad might be good!

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 01:05 PM

Slept in late this morning - felt good, but that rarely happens. The dogs finally reminded me I had a duty to feed them.

Yesterday's visit here with a friend was not bad - maybe because her house is almost empty and has a huge foundation problem and the smell of mildew from where a skylight leaked - we both have houses in transition. She moved out last fall and locked the door, and has been living in Florida. She's back to see about fixing the house up to sell. I think it will be worth the investment, she's in a very ritzy neighborhood.

Onward into the weekend.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 14 - 08:03 PM

It started raining and is chilly, so I've worked on eBay stuff. I have items to list that I'll work on this evening. The next few days aren't any better, but I see nice days at the end of the week. By then the garden will be warm enough soil-wise to do some planting, so this week after work I'll be spending time in the yard.

Laundry is underway. I'm not planning to do much more - making plans one doesn't follow through on can be self-defeating. eBay and laundry are enough for now.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 01:46 PM

This weekend there was a chance of rain, I think the last forecast said about 40%. What actually is happening is a running series of thunderstorms going over the top of us. Another deluge has just started pounding on the roof.

Baking today since it is kind of cool and clammy. Bread in the machine (on manual - I'll take it out after it kneads and put it in a regular pan) and a chicken breast in the oven. Maybe something else later.

Also, listing more eBay stuff, and I'm almost to the end of the Fellowship of the Ring so I'll make time to launch Frodo on the second leg of this long journey. It also seems like a good day for a hot bath.

I had some shopping to do but I'll save it for tomorrow on the way home from work. The car is in the garage in case of hail and there really isn't a good reason to head anywhere today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 05:29 PM

eCountry:
Yesterday turned into a veg-out day for both of us. I napped and R read and we had a liht super after which I computered and he read - When Elephants Weep: the emotional lives of animals (1995). I shall put it in my pile to read.

Today BF was french toast and fruit. I muddled about organizing and finding and not finding but feeling that nothing shows much but I feel good about what has been done. Large plants that were in the sun room for warmth are now back in LR, freeing space in SR. Flats of pepper plants - sprouted ! - are on shelf rather than table so it is washed and useable for meals. Dishes are washed... and washed... and washed!

The solar gain enabled me to turn off heaters in both spaces for the day!

Most exciting of all - as I was out in the parking lot to get a good signal to phone friend in NYS, hundreds of snow geese flew over us, literally hundreds! R was out there also, clearing snow and ice. What an incredible sight - V after V of white birds against the pure blue sky!!

We conferred about two new properties for sale. R phoned about one but the owner has given the tenants until the end of April to come up with funding. We drove by the other and determined it was not for us. Stopped at a farm near the mill to see about a fork lift to do a big job in a week or so. No problem. Big farm; big equipment!

Beautiful thawing day.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 11:41 PM

I spent this rainy day listing items on eBay and doing another load of laundry. I've been digging out packing materials and boxes and trying to leave everything in plain sight so I don't have to hunt for it if something sells.

I'll let the dogs in tonight, so I'll have to get out a towel to dry off the feet of the one that hops up on and sleeps curled at the foot of my bed. I don't want mud on the quilt.

I've just written another sharp rebuttal to a string of responses to a review I wrote at Amazon. There is a hyped up grass seed blend that sells for an exorbitant price and appears to be full of fertilizer and herbicide. There are lots of challenges "did you use this product" and such - I pointed out that if they discover that something is toxic would they still consume it before writing a review? I'm done with them, but it is interesting to see how these folks are probably getting approached by the grass company to write reviews counter to my own. How else would they even find my review? They don't say they used the product either.

Enough for now. Off to travel a little closer to Mordor with Frodo.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 11:18 AM

It occurred to me (in the shower, of course, I'm surprised I remember it now to mention it!) that getting the eBay listings up is kind of a juggling act. Once they're in play it's easier to keep the unpurchased ones up, maybe tweak them price-wise. And it's easier to add one or two to the listings and keep it looking active than having to get started listing to a blank slate.

Lovely outside today, so of course I have to work in the dark basement again.

SRS

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 11:41 AM

Country:
Sorely tempted to list something on Ebay. Found I have account when I looked for a book which, probably inadvertently, came with the kiln. I put a "watch" on it to see how it goes. Then, depending, I may have the guts to give it a try myself.

Kudos to SRS re the lawn poisons! "Ah, this is arsenic. Well, let's try it an make sure!" Phooey. My friend Connie lives in a development in PA and says she no longer dares garden - after studying organic methods and developing a wonderful veg garden. Her neighbours have poisoned her too much.

My potting friend has arrived so off I go.

Subject: RE: Spring Cleaning, Declutter & Fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 10:28 PM

Some Mondays are just worse than others, and this one was a doozy.

On the up side, I realized (though too late to do anything today) that some friends came to town for the NCAA game tonight. I might be able to meet them for breakfast if they don't fly out too early. Kentucky is down right now, but making a push to come back. I'm sure I can hear Jan shrieking for her team from here, even with the sound down. :)

The evening has been rainy, the dogs are in, and I'm not doing anything more than turning off the computer and reading.

SRS