Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 05:21 AM

We have sun, but the wind is ferocious today - I think it is a day to potter around doing the housework, picking and putting.
I looked out of the kitchen window and the apple trees are suddenly half naked and a heap of leaves has appeared in the corner of the fence.

Autumn has now arrived.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 10:46 AM

"Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Oct 14 - 09:26 PM

60 Minutes of yoga....hip openers. WHOA.

Michelle"


I'm starting doing this DVD routine, though any 'weight loss' experienced isn't likely to come from exertion, it is a good way to centre and release tension and quieten nervous energy - which can sometimes lead me to mindless munching, or eating too quickly and therefore too much: Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss

Otherwise I've been packing out the freezer with Squash and Lentil Patties, sixteen of them as I like to cook in larger quantities - it works out cheaper and easier in the end. I used our first little home-grown pumpkin from the garden too, which was pleasing. They were easy to make but a bit messy! Low in fat (especially as they are baked), high in fibre and tasty too. According to one site I visited, pumpkin is often recommended by US dieticians for weight-loss as it's low in calories but otherwise very nutritious, full of vits A, C and B.

My mum taught me to get into the habit of always having a bowl of hot washing up water to hand while cooking, so cleaning up is quicker because you wash-up as you go. It certainly makes sense though unless you have a double sink, you have to run outside to strain boiling water! I think I may have to get a plastic bowl to go into the sink, to alleviate that problem.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 11:31 AM

It isn't really cool here yet, but I've been thinking about making some lentil soup one of these days. I have a couple of recipes. I make split pea soup often but I've never made lentil, though I get it seasonally at a Lebanese restaurant near where I work.

Rum - what is that cloak for? To wear, as part of a costume, or for someone else for one of those uses?

CS, I usually have a plastic dishpan of soapy water in one side of my double kitchen sink. It does help if you can quickly wash, rinse, and drain stuff while you're working so the cleanup isn't huge. My porcelain sink has a hairline crack in it - I think the contractor's assistant stood in the sink when he was wiring a fixture overhead and it has been there for years, gradually getting longer. It doesn't leak. I don't really like this sink and I need a new faucet, so one of these days I'll replace the entire thing, sink and faucet. I'll go with a steel sink next time.

Susan, what you described is exactly what I would expect for insulation on load-bearing walls. The exposed brick means there isn't sheet rock and insulation, and one doubts then that there is any other place to put that insulation, unless there is a double layer of brick with an air cavity between, which would in its own way act as insulation.

Spent yesterday hunched over a computer and scanner finishing my end of a local history project for Special Collections. Now I'm going to be editing and designing a book. I'll come up for air and check in when I can.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 12:09 PM

The special-order kitchen cabinet knobs came in YAAAAAY! I'll take the cordless with me go pick them up, so I can get a bigger drill-bit. I had not yet cleaned the kitchen, which is handy since there shall be sawdust. So today's rainy-day task is set. The whole kitchen needs decluttering-- unpacked boxes to go to garage and misc hardware all over the island to clear up, then clean.

I not only got both arrows up yesterday, I got their pinned-up contents sorted and mostly put onto them. The kitchen cabinets have a huge running-footage of overhead display space, now looking bare and wasted; so except for a few really precious cards left on the arrows, there is now a pile of cards awaiting my next tall visitor-- and lots of open arrow space for new items in the coming year. Never enough tack-space!

Finally sleeping well as the new thyroid dosage saturates my cells-- several nights of 8-10 hours' sleep, Mmmmmm! The length of time it took to get the effect confirms that I upped it just enough and not too much. Hardi has shipped the supply left in PA that had been based on the first plan to leave today.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 05:23 PM

I did some bigger grocery shopping this week, finding great sales on pork loin, ground turkey, bottom round roasts and lean hamburger. :) Feels good to get stocked up a little bit. Soups too. I love tomato soup...that's always a hit with me but Pete likes a variety so the sales today were perfect.

I won't lie...yesterday's hip openers were difficult for me. Afterwards we did some sun salutations....both A and B varieties. I go through the A Suns ok but the B version has some rapid floor to standing back bends and back down again, plank, downward facing dogs and then more floor to standing backbends/warrior I and I found myself getting dizzy so I stood and bent into a forward fold, dangling my arms to let the blood flow into my head. After class my instructor came over and said, "You did a good job taking care of yourself today." I said thanks and also thanked her for not making a big deal out of it...that's the last thing I want. And this is why I have always loved yoga...it's about finding my own edge...not about keeping up with the guy next to me or the long and lean chickie in front of me who could bend herself enough to fit in a tampon box....it's about doing what I can do. It's been a good 4 1/2 years since I had a solid yoga practice...which by the way, was not easy at first and there are poses that I had hated and then came to embrace and love. And so I am starting again and while it's not easy, I still love it and will continue to find my own edge. :)

Weigh in today: Down 1.8 PLUS I had a wardrobe change....too cold for my shorts...so I weighed in with pants and figured I would break even with the extra weight of the pants.....nope....down 1.8 even with the wardrobe change! I also introduced myself to someone in the group who has about the same amount of weight to lose as myself...difference being she has already lost 163 pounds!   We had quite a bit in common to talk about and she was glad I pulled a seat up next to her. I love making new friends. :)

Jeremiah doesn't have school tomorrow or Monday and if the weather permits, I'll go for a walk while he rides his bike on a nearby trail tomorrow.

Have a great night everybody!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 08:23 PM

Knobs picked up and kitchen center toured to SEE options in knob placement-- template marked with better hole to use. Got drill bit.

Got other supplies. Stopped at new Wifiland spot for dinner and Dropbox updating. Awful seating... very sore back but very accessible spot. Came home and unloaded half of purchases to work on knobs in a little while. Got boxes out to garage despite back. Time for nsaids and break.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 09:01 PM

Mill:
R reports it is still not safe for me to go to the city house. Roof still not done; rain still coming down in sporadic torrents! Finished the four teapots today. They look good. hopefully they will be dry enough to fire when I get back on Tuesday - from Ontario again. Gradually moving summer clothes to storage and winter clothes out. also bringing in outdoor things for winter. The "rugged cross" is iffy but I will continue to nurture it as an interesting project. Top element of toaster oven is caput. Will watch thrift shops for another. Wondering why yesterday was such a NO energy day - just the weather? else? Same bf both days. May have slacked off the homeopathic; will be sure to do 2/day henceforth.

Hoping R will be able to go to Ontario tomorrow. A Dragonfly meeting on Sunday and I signed up for Market on Sat. Car is loaded except for clothes. If R can go I shall have to drive the hour to Montreal to pick him up.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 09:43 PM

Still running the air conditioner and ceiling fans here. A bit under the weather this afternoon, so I did just a little puttering around the kitchen when I got home (though I did go out to pick okra - if it isn't picked every day it gets too big to eat). Dishwashing running, ready to watch a little TV then an early night. I did eat dinner - this is a test. Lunch kind of roared through the lower GI this afternoon - if dinner has the same effect, I may just stay home tomorrow.

Today is day five of the listings on the job I applied for. They are required to leave it up for at least five business days, so I'm interested to see how much longer it stays up. The first time they didn't manage to take it down until long after they'd hired someone (who apparently didn't work out) and I wonder if this time it will be smoother. And hopefully faster to learn who gets it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 14 - 11:01 PM

Six knobs later, I am really fed up with the nice but brainless Lowe's salesman who sold me a second not-big-enough drill bit. I had to ream out all six holes, stripped many screws, and blew 2 battery pack charges doing it, but I do like how they look so far.... 15 to go.

I could finish at least the lower cabinets tonite if I'd had the right damn bit. Maybe the uppers too. Oh well. Another day, another trip to Lowe's. Fuckit. I'm taking my own damn scooter this time. Theirs are about half the speed of your average grocery store scooter and it's time mine got out for a spin! Lowe's is just around the corner.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 11:19 AM

Around the corner they are but curb cuts on the way yo Lowe's are few, and fsr between. I finally found a route with only one stretch of road where I can't ride facibg incoming traffic. Def need to remake scooter flag tmrw.

Warm enuf? Not with wind chill but I did miss the cold rain.

So to be sure of success I bought 2 drill bits in larger szs. And a case to hold them and the driver bit. New szs should help with a number of little fixes planned.

All the lower cabinet doors now done. Uppers should go well after a break.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 11:34 AM

Mill:
Turned on the computer about 10 to see if there were any lost dogs in the area; there was a beautiful golden and a pug out side the sun room. They are still there and I am no closer to finding out why. Why here! There is no one nearby. Guess I need to get dressed and made an effort.

Doing to be cold in Ontario tomorrow - Market? maybe not. Down to 32 tonight and 23 tomorrow night.

Email from R that he is exhausted (5 am). Still do not know if he is able to go with me.

Have no idea how to go about finding who owns these dogs. No vet nearby. No rescue that I know of...

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,#
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 12:31 PM

Do either of the dogs have tags?

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 12:44 PM

Nice easy drinking bottle of Merlot for tonight. I think I have finally discovered that it's possible to drink moderately, rather than all or nothing! It's quite an important bit of 'decluttering' for me, behaviourally anyway. I'm glad to have found some middle ground with the booze, middle ground is inevitably the best kind with most things I think, certainly better than swinging between extremes. We have a drink together once a week on Friday evenings, as well as a few snacks to go with. I'm more than happy with this routine.

Just waiting for the (half fat for what it's worth - but this is 'treat night') garlic bread to bake and then the gnocchi will go in. Then I'll crack the Merlot open. I discovered at the last minute that the pasta sauce I ordered wasn't in stock (we get our groceries delivered so it's not always possible to predict what might happen last minute) so I've knocked up a home-made garlic pasta sauce, bubbling like crazy now instead of the slow reduction I prefer, but I'm sure it'll be good enough! It's quite unusual for me to order in bought pasta sauce anyway, I only really wanted it for the little plastic tubs which are just the right size to freeze 14oz can-sized (drained weight) quantities of cooked pulses in!

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 12:59 PM

All cabinet doors now knobbed. One looks off center. May move it.

I forgot abt a smart thing I did... bought one extra for an odd cookie-sheet-sized cavity between one cabinet and stove. In case we want to add a dummy front there someday to match a narrow cabinet on the other side of the stove. Won't know for sure till we pipe in the gas stove and check the final fit-- on another trip.

Next is drawers pulls. Not today. Have to see Lowe's template when back in stock. Prob have to make one from scrap plywood but prefer not.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 14 - 07:04 PM

In the course of decluttering the kitchen I came across hardware and tools to knock out a couple of nagging fixes-- adding hooks to a nightstand to corral pesky charging cords... putting a bigger screw eye into the door frame to anchor a tighter bungee storm door closer.... collect up the twenty 3" square ziplocs the cabinet knobs came in, to present yo Hardi for PA hardware sorting... put away a nonfunctional paper towel holder now that I figured out how to fix.... a third mounting bracket surfaced for a front door bell (mini ship's bell) to mount tomorrow with Richard... in time to add washers to tmrw's Ace or Lowe's list... an Ace cabinet pull to exchange... a set of screw anchors to hold the damn mirrir tiles behind the sink if Richard can reach back there (faux window for windowless corner sink)....

In short the kitchen island here collects the same kind of crap the one in PA harbors: work interrupted by rethinking the plan.

But there is a surprising degree of structure here after only a few work-camps--- I know instinctively where to put stuff away.

One project tmrw is re-using found shelves to establish power tool storage un the garage. Things are getting untidy out there and I already can't find my damn jigsaw. Hopefully by the time we return the rental model, we'll find mine!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 12:11 PM

I spent yesterday cooking....a pork tenderloin, fresh squash (made lots of extra because I love it....had some for breakfast this morning), two BIG pans of apple crisp...YUM.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 01:20 PM

I had my nose to a grindstone at work yesterday, didn't post much - the method to get through these tasks in the department where I was placed is to put on headphones, pull up a NetFlix video, and let it play in the background while I perform a repetitive task to save files for someone else to use. In this case I was going through Word documents identifying all of the locations of some exotic fonts. Once I know how many and what types I need, I'll import them into my computer and get to work on layout of this book of conference papers.

Evening meeting on campus, followed by a drive home to beat a thunderstorm passing through the area. I was within a mile of the house when the heavens started to open.

Today the itchy eye runny nose of autumn allergies are in attendance. It is a cool day after the storm so I'm in the house puttering. I have to get some t-8 bulbs for my hall bathroom, I thought it was getting dim, and was apparently down to the last of the four until yesterday when it went. One of these days I'll replace that fixture but since it works for now it stays and I'll simply replace the bulbs.

My son's room needs to be converted back into the guest room. Right now it is loaded with stuff that returned with him from the university last summer. He didn't need this in his new apartment, or didn't have room to take it, so it can be put away or repurposed.

So, laundry, cleaning, and work on that room today. It is a fasting day and I'll make a late lunch of some sort. I didn't buy any new pants this summer, I was able to use pants I had, but I hadn't been wearing some of the smaller size 12s for the last few months. I've been back on the alternate day fast and am now in some slightly snug jeans again.

CS, I find that all-or-nothing consumption pattern with chocolate, some ice cream, some sweets, etc. That's why I don't have them in the house much - I suspect we all have things that don't seem to hit a brain "off switch." It's good if you can set up a routine that does that for you. I took alcohol out of my diet altogether for now in order to have the discipline for the alternate day fasting. It's too easy to defer the fasting day till tomorrow if a couple of glasses of wine have muted the desire to maintain a dietary routine or reach a goal. With as difficult as things are at work, if I can't be successful in reaching some of my personal goals outside the workplace, I feel pretty miserable. So for now, the wine is not there to soothe away the workplace stress at the end of the day (which I do miss) but I hope to counteract that by finishing projects important to me.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 06:05 PM

The fabric I have used for the cloak surfaced when getting all the fabric together - I tend to make things which would be out of fashion in any century.

I think it needs a couple of pleats on the shoulders.

Other things which have surfaced recently were two sets of hooks for kitchen utensils, so I have fixed them onto the wall and the edge of a set of shelves, so I now have 18 hooks rather than only 6 - they were immediately filled up. I drilled a hole in the handle of a spatula, so as to be able to hang it. We have a set of drill bits ranging in size from tiny to oh wow, so there are few jobs we don't have a drill to fit. Also several drills from dainty to this will fix it, and a set of disc cutters. My husband has rebuilt the conservatory, the front porch, boarded and lined the roof space, fitted a TV antenna large enough to give us a good signal and done numerous jobs around the house over the years. We tend to do things ourselves. I got my very own electric drill as a 21st birthday present and could not see anything at all strange in that.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 06:41 PM

I was upset that girls could only take Home Economics in junior high and high school when I was growing up. I wanted to take shop also, and today I have a drill and a few saws and a bunch of types of hand tools. It's good to know how to build and fix things.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 14 - 09:41 PM

Great workday with Richard. Mirror tiles anchored, table swapped and one stowed, doggue escape prevention installed, shelves up and my damn jigsaw found-- as I knew it would be once I rented one.... a real coup was reclaiming a garage corner. It held seller's TV stand. I decided I wanted the space more than the furniture and directed its removal. "OK," sez Richard, "But where do you want it though?" I replied, "Wellllll..... that's the oroblem....." "Can I have it"? he asks. "Van's open! " I shoot back. It is a great piece and he is a young man just getting out on his own and setting up his first away-from-home nestcwith girlfriend. I'm thrilled they can use it. And the seller's presence here vanished, just like that.

I mean, what do we *think* was going on in a garage man-cave with all windows blocked, a lock on the door, a bathrobe, a VCR, DVD player, and TV? Ewww. I got 1/4 of "my" side of our garage back!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 06:58 AM

TBTG for my wonderbrain on thyroid meds. It works while I sleep.

Bacground-- here at Camp Ridgebury we happily forego live TV. No fear-mongering permitted here. But a nice end to a work-camp day (which must end by 3 if at all possible) is a satisfying DVD, after a group cooking session and supper. With little or no talking except when someone calls for a discussion break. After the movie is a good time to clewr up tools and dishes, and have a nice, long shower before a bedtime sit out in the patio.

So we got into that pattern during the first work camp here when we got the keys in Dec. 2013, using a laptop. But a nice Freecycle TV came our way and the sellers left a DVD player and VCR that probably still work that have just been waiting for a trial hookup. And wonderbrain has finally chosen the perfect spot-- the doorless music/office/guestroom closet! I even have a stand here for the heavy TV, that will fit below the existing shelves, and my storage cubes already in that closet will slide under the tall stand. It all adjoins an outlet, LOL.

Richard.... come back, Shortcut Man, and put it all together! I have an Anti-Racism library to catch up on!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 12:07 PM

Just remembered that I need to take my thyroxine - the reduced dose, after what must have been a slight overdosing for a very long time is causing a few problems. I know I took it yesterday, but forgot to record the fact.

I can't write stories any more - no more overstimulated brain cells, and my dreams are quite mundane too.

I had to do cookery and sewing at school, and neither has been much use to me in later life, as the techniques were both basic and over complicated. Working it out as I went along was a far better option.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 12:51 PM

This morning I tested a peach coffee cake recipe. I baked it in the roaster oven because the stove oven has been acting up at times. The roaster took a lot longer, but it is out and cooling and smells wonderful. If this test project works well I'll make another and take it to work this week.

I've decided that part of the reason I've been reluctant to take the mower out front to mow parts of the lawn that have grown (it goes mostly dormant in the summer heat) is because some of the shrubs are in the way. So I'll trim some shrubs before I attempt the mow. I'm thinking that next weekend would be good to invite over a few gardening co-workers to dig up some of the things I otherwise need to transplant or pull out. Earlier this year transplanting would be difficult because of the dry heat. I need to get the rear in gear to clear up the house some (at least the public rooms and the hall bathroom).

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 12:59 PM

My younger daughter likes to cook. The school course she took was no good, as the instructor was poor. Rumncoke's complaints applied at her school.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 05:57 PM

That cake was good, but very rich.

Working on a plan, making a list of things I need to do in the next couple of years that I might be able to do in stages. New flooring in the bathrooms, new lo-flo toilets, paint, some more tile in the sun room. However, the list (and the research) can wait till this evening- I need to do a little trimming before the sun sets so I can put the branches at the curb or haul them to the back for chipping.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Rumncoke
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 06:17 PM

A lot of recipes are low fat high sugar these days - I much prefer ones with a bit of age on them, as the results are usually more palatable.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 08:13 PM

I made a peach coffee cake recipe from Williams Sonoma but I changed the strudel recipe, didn't make as much. I used a 1-pint jar of canned peaches, it was just enough for making rows of sliced fruit across the top of the cake.

The reason for making a plan for the next stage in the house is to give me something to look forward to, but also to recognize that if I reach a point when I want to retire and if I want to sell the house and move, I'd like to have all of this finished, not waiting to be done. Making a plan that is reasonable and doable is the best way I know to get out of a deep funk.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 09:18 PM

A peach cake? That sounds YUMMY! Pete packed up a picnic lunch for us and off we went to one of my favorite state parks for a BBQ and some playground time. I also found an oak tree where Jeremiah and I had fun collecting acorns. :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Oct 14 - 09:57 PM

Ontario: Someone finally picked up the dogs on Sat and I got on the road. About two hours into my trip, a neighbour phoned to find out where his dogs were. I hope the rescue woman gave him an education on letting his dogs run loose. I will be paying him a call when I get back to Quebec.

I had hoped to get to the Art Gallery before 4 but a 30 minute wait in line at the border - having taken the "short cut into the US for a few miles and then back into Canada - and there was no longer any hope. HAving realized the car needed an oil change I stopped at a quick place in Cornwall, ON. While they changed the oil, I weeded their bed of small evergreens. I got some exercise on a lovely day and the manager thanked me profusely.

Having apparently run out of clean underwear and no way to launder at the mill, I stopped to purchase some new ones in Belleville, ON. After arriving at destination, I found several clean pairs in the bottom! OH well! I have plenty now! But 3 pair that I saw as "M" were actually "girls age 8-10" so I will give them to Les to give to her friend with a small girl.

Arrived in time for YUMMY supper at fav eatery before heading for my second home! My hosts had to work 'til late. Spent 90 min on phone with health consultant who believes I have Lyme and sent my a protocol which may be difficult to obtain. Tomorrow. Right now I am plumb wore out from the Dragon Fly meeting which lasted ALL afternoon. interminable and moderately successful.

Then dashed to the Grove to visit briefly with a friend I had not seen in years before she goes back to Toronto area. The whole extended family was involved in getting Thanksgiving dinner on the table! Well, the grandparents (91 and 87) were sitting in a corner out of the way! Wonderful to see them also. Did not stay long just met her two little boys(2&4) and drove back to Tim Horton's for a sandwich and back up "home" to re-collapse. That was about a 50 mile round trip! I will go back over tomorrow to visit with the mom at her antique shop - closing for the season.

Listening to the soft, gentle music of Jay Linden. "Something Better to Believe" brought me to tears the first time I heard it.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 14 - 11:14 AM

I bit the bullet and stepped on the scale this morning. I'm back to where I was last year when I was doing the alternate day fasting. It came to a halt when the really cold winter hit my metabolism, and I didn't follow up very effectively earlier this year, though I didn't gain back a lot. I now have 20 pounds left to lose to reach my preferred weight, with five pounds of wiggle room (so I'd probably be content to lose only 15).

I brought the rest of the coffee cake to work this morning and cut it into small pieces with the warning for others that it is rich.

Heavy rain overnight so no need to worry about watering for the next few days, the cooler temperatures (highs in the 70s and 80s) will not dry the potted plants and the garden so much.

Waiting anxiously for a phone call or email requesting participation in this job interview process. I was interviewed when this job opened a few months ago, I hope they do the same again this time. The listing has been open long enough that they can close it if they wish, and move forward with hiring. Sometimes it takes a while to get enough applications, so there is no predicting when anything might happen.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 14 - 08:43 PM

I cleared out a lot of old email at work today, and bailed out some of the extra stuff in one of my gmail accounts. That is overdue!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Oct 14 - 09:56 PM

Ontario: Morning rehash of yesterday's contretemps at yesterday's meeting with two folks. Good to get a bit more clearness. Then helped friend with how-to re supplements for what ails her. Then off to visit friend in the Grove, good visit with artist friend in Town, then out into the country to see a couple not seen in years at their beautiful self-built home and organic farm. Wife is in 9th year of remission from a cancer that was supposed to kill her. All accomplished with alternatives, diet, supplements. She is so healthy! Working as a visiting nurse and doing incredible painting on silk. Simple supper and not at all simple conversation. Terrifically enjoyable. I celebrate her life and their beautiful relationship. Back to the house and more good conversation. Now, time to relax and consider tomorrow's agenda and the trip back to the Mill. House in city is still not habitable.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Oct 14 - 10:09 PM

TV hoisted yesterday and vcr hooked up by Richard. Multiple trips to RadioShack for conversion/adaptor crap to make dvd connect to co-ax tv by Susan. Hookup of dvd player, RF Modulator, little cables, and co-ax by Susan. 'Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" watched by Susan for review and cataloguing, by Susan. Damn nice letterbox picture on Freecycled dinosaur of a TV, with free players left by sellers. Very inexpensive to make it all work and it all sits inside the closet where it will soon hide behind a theater curtain. Plenty of room for 2-5 people of various sizes if music gear stowed in other half of closet.

Another easy fix this week in middle bedroom-- the shallower sewing table let me push the bed over a foot, making the dbl bed a true walkaround. To complete that I get to spluge on just one pretty register cover cuz el cheapo as left by sellers got caved in long ago. None of the other registers are in traffic paths so I just need the one.... and maybe, depending on price, a second matching one for the small, only bathroom-- where a change-out would make a big eyecatcher.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 11:38 AM

Last night I pulled all of the beads and findings out of a desk where I had them stored and loaded them into one of the plastic lidded boxes my son used for going to and from school during his university years. Several were left behind here, so it is time to repurpose things. Right now the box with the slightly organized contents is on my dining room table. That seems to be the largest flat surface where I could set up for periods of time, though we are approaching the holiday season so I'm considering if there is someplace better to set up the beading accouterments for now.

Beautiful sunny fall day, too bad I work in a windowless basement.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 02:44 PM

Checked off of the "to do" list - I went by the GP's office this morning and got both the shingles and my annual flu shot. One in each arm, so I may be a bit achy by the end of the day, but glad to have both out of the way. Right now a friend is battling a bout of the shingles - something I'd like to avoid. I had a robust case of chicken pox as a child, so I'm sure it is a possibility (and even with the shot it isn't 100% gone, but one has a better chance of not coming down with it). And since I work on a campus, every year we have an infusion of new germs as the freshman class arrives.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 07:18 PM

I don't think I've seen "The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith" since I saw it in a theater in the '80s. If I recall correctly, it wasn't available on video when Tom and I had Cinematheque and specialized in foreign films, classic films, and totally off the wall films.

I've been trying to get back here to read and maybe post, but the past few weeks have been really jam packed.

The Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival was a resounding success this year (our 15th annual) and the weather could not have been better. I got through Tom's song at the tribute to Tom and to Bob Webb, but choked when Hutch sang "The Parting Glass" -- all I could hear was Tom leading it at Jay Smith's memorial.

Then two days afterwards was Tom's birthday and, not wanting to be at home that day, I had a two day getaway to coastal Maine. Took the Casco Bay Lines mail run cruise delivering mail and cargo to a lot of the islands in Casco Bay. Then, since I had just finished the day before reading Linda Greenlaw's book "All Fishermen Are Liars" and it took place in the Dry Dock pub, I HAD to stop there (second pub down from the ferry terminal on my way back to the parking lot) for lunch. Then poked around north through Freeport (stopping at a couple antique shops and noting the location of Tami's road for the next day) and on to Brunswick. Ate supper at Bombay Mahal, where Tom and I had eaten 16 years ago. Found a moderately priced (cheap doesn't exist) motel at Cook's Corners and the next morning poked down Harpswell Neck, Orr's and Bailey's Islands, and Cundy's Harbor. Got into a couple cemeteries I did rubbings in 16 years ago and took a lot of photos (after finding a place to buy batteries; sigh). The poet Robert P. Tristram Coffin, his wife, and his daughter are in Cundy's Harbor (or East Harpswell as it's sometimes called). Finally extricated myself from Brunswick (after going around in circles for awhile) and made it down to Freeport to see Tami who had just gotten back from the Getaway. Got home in time to heat up the leftover chicken saag for supper, tie up some loose ends on the phone and in email, and head over to what turned out to be the last song circle in Dover run by my friend Mark Ryer. The cats figured my leaving again was some kind of a sick joke... Glad I didn't know that night that the session was going to be the last. He just announced yesterday (I hate it when Friday the 13th falls on a Monday...) that he and his wife are moving to Rockland, Maine.

That was just one more thing this weekend. My right hand woman on the PMFF board told me at Friday's session that she was resigning. She's burned out, but will still help me with scheduling and will continue to do the website, newsletters, etc. Glad she made the decision before she lost the joy and accomplishment -- and, actually, rethinking the board and duties and a few other organizational things will make it a more healthy board and probably an even better festival.

In between I've started doing some serious work on selling things, including researching asking prices and identifications. Anybody interested in a pair of 19th century French duelling epees? Very nicely balanced... While consulting with the antique dealer/friend that Tom worked with for many years, I got back in to the old burying yard in York Village and took some more photos. Haven't had time to post them at Facebook yet. And went up to the Nubble and took some photos of the lighthouse and the wild ocean that day. Windy... Also took a major load to Goodwill, then drove to a friend's in Tilton past some gorgeous autumn scenery to unload a bunch of stuff with her, including a bunch of cassette tapes for her "new" car.

Got laundry done including the shower curtain, got the litter boxes changed (when did it start getting dark so early?!?), and got the flowering thyme stuffed into a jar and covered with vodka for flowering thyme liqueur (should be ready by Christmas). Didn't get the Splendid Table's Heirloom Tomato Soup made today, but I can do that tomorrow before the electrician gets here.

Also been hacking away just about every day at collecting piles of last winter's leaves and dumping them down the hill, raking the current crop of leaves off parts of the driveway, and trying to move a mess o' stuff from behind the deck to the front of the house to the lower level where the cellar door is. Very uneven ground and can't do it all at once. Also cut a small tree down on that level that has been annoying me for years. It had reached the bathroom window on the second floor of the house. Got it GONE!

Other thing I didn't get done today was change the bed, but I think I'll go up there now and at least change the pillowcases before I settle in and maybe finish the book I'm reading. Or call a friend in Seattle. Or do both.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Oct 14 - 08:18 PM

Mill:
Got back just before dark - about 6. Got moving bfore 9 this morning and visited mechanic about repairing the van, stopped at the Art Gallery to check the volunteer schedule and phone the coordinator to put my name down for 18 Nov. The 16th is a craft show up there, 17th the volunteers meeting. That may be my last trip before snow flies - HOPE it is before!

Hoping to go back on Saturday with R so he can see Arne's art show. Sunday is a memorial for a Gallery volunteer and Monday - the volunteer meeting! Then no more until November. These trips are tiring and expensive, I also have feelings about using so much gasoline.

However, it was exciting to go into the Gallery this morning and see my pottery beautifully displayed in both the glass cases and a couple other spots! I have no idea what Su did with the other pottery that had been there. Hope some sells to help pay for all the expense of these trips. One long term volunteer/friend came in with her co-mother-in-law and they noted the pottery and "I have one in that colour!" said the "co". My friend had given it to her years ago. They also liked my new glazes.

Then had conversation with the new very young (23) volunteer who was on duty. A wonderful addition. Diana was celebrating her 81st!

Drove by the possible property on the way south and looked at it harder. It is interesting and the location has a nice feel even though it is dreadfully far from friends. Spent most of the trip thinking about what needs to be done and asked. If it really was a gas station, is there an tank in the ground which has to be removed in an environmentally safe manner? Could be a BIG problem.

Got off the 401 when traffic looked to be halting and took the side road along the St. Lawrence, through nice little towns and then crossed into the US sooner, at a smaller crossing, hoping for less traffic. It worked and I did not seem to lose any time. Both border crossings were painless.

Now I am plumb wore out and ready for bed. After a good bowl of broccoli and carrots. And a small raspberry yogurt.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 11:07 AM

Mill:
feeling desperate need for hot bath but none available SO alternatively - Hot rice neck warmer on sore leg and now on neck. Also 2 MSM. Better than before. Now, gut indicates need to declutter. Next step: echinacea/ginger tea. I no longer feel desperate; just not so great, not like jumping up and DOING things. So relaxing and contemplating healing. Cloudy and a downpour a while ago; may be more. A nice day to stay inside and see what - little things - can be done. An online program about cancer and why/how it is being badly treated; might be good when it gets to the root causes - environmental mainly. Emails re useful things. Tea feels good going down! Going to be an OK day....

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 01:57 PM

Dorothy, I thought of you last night when friend in Washington state reported the frightfully cruel act of a new neighbor who put up traps to catch two raccoons on property behind his yard - they animals were trapped by feet and crying out. He was unable to help them, and bemoaned the lack of courage to take his shotgun back to put them out of their misery. He has reported the neighbor to every agency he can think of. He recognized one of the animals, one who came by regularly. The fool next door left dog food out in the yard and complained that the dog was "attacked" by the coons.

I've figured out a look for the hall bathroom floor, as the first part of my list of things to work on in the house. Tile on the diagonal, and getting enough extra that when I finally get around to taking out the ugly cabinet in there (with two sink tops) that I can tile under that area. Planning and saving to do this project is going to help shift the overall mood.

Linn, selling stuff on eBay (or other web sites) is a good winter activity. Staging it now so you can simply get started is a good idea.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,LilyFestre
Date: 15 Oct 14 - 07:03 PM

Tumor marker checkup, goodbye to my oncologist who is retiring, some shopping, late lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant...stick a fork in me, I am DONE

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 14 - 11:59 AM

Busy day, Michelle!

Yesterday I mailed one more small eBay parcel that sold this week. I have more to list over the weekend, but the weather is so lovely that I won't feel bad if I delay it until cold rainy days and simply follow my own advice to Linn.

It's a celebrate your boss day today (another informal Internet holiday, I suspect) but as I was looking through a drawer this morning at home I came across a small pair of pierced dangling earrings with a small black fossil in each. I have never gotten around to wearing them myself despite having purchased them over 10 years ago, and my supervisor loves rocks and fossils (I've brought her several in the past). So these are now wrapped in a small box on her chair for whenever she comes back from the meeting she is in. A very nice way to declutter!

Susan, it sounds like you found all of the working parts for your little home theater there in the garage - is that the case? The items were left behind by the previous owner? I always like to reuse things found in situ to build something new. For example, there was a falling-apart redwood picnic table and benches in my back yard. The previous renter's dogs had chewed it a lot, but I took the planks and built a work bench in the garage, attached to the back wall. As battered as it is (but still strong and durable) it looks like the garage has been in place for a lot longer with this weathered work bench. I used part of a heavy-duty plywood plank for the top, left over when my contractor used part of it for a window seat in the house) and held the whole thing together with carriage bolts and little angle supports. This is the time of year when I get charged up about working in the garage, when the temperatures are nice, so I should go clear that off this weekend so I can work on it. With the tile project coming up, I'll be getting out the wet saw and tile cutter, and I can use them in there. (First I have to scrape up the old vinyl linoleum and adhesive. Maybe next month I can start the new tile? Or buy paint? This is a bit run on . . .

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Oct 14 - 12:29 PM

Mill:
SRS: That is a dreadful tale! Animal cruelty is against the law. The law is not working in this case. Your friend might find Michael Fitzpatrick on FB - on - oh one of those islands near Seattle- and a very strong animal advocate who might be able to give your friend support in finding help with this neighbour.

Raccoons have a zillion nerve endings in their hands and feet. To even think of them trapped by those parts is exceedingly painful!

Stayed up late reading - almost 3 am! So, delighted to wake up feeling normal about 8 am. Loaded a bisque kiln and warming it very slowly so those teapots do not explode. Big fan in door to pull air out of room. Almost 70 out but raining rather steadily. May yet get sun.

I put the washing machine through a cycle empty; Hoping to do some laundry but the last time I used it after a long time, the orange water did a number on some whites. May have been rust from the long sit or just a build up of whatever turns the water orange. My plan is to put some throw rugs through next, then a load of clothes. There is light along the horizon!

Did some reading on the Paleo diet last night and going to make a stab at it (not strictly) so off shopping today. Also to library and thrift shop - look for another toaster oven as this one is half kaput.

No word on roof or state of city house. R is too busy with other things to even notice. I sent him an ad for a house for sale nearby - "A livable house! Buy it quick!" It is a lovely fantasy - a decent detached house with nice yard. Taxes are probably astronomical. Oh well.

Off I go, foraging.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 14 - 06:48 PM

A friend from work was following that Paleo diet (his fiancé is on it, so by default, he is also). It didn't seem to cause him any harm, and was probably very healthy.

Looking forward to the weekend, I have a few projects on my list, some of them with exercise (mowing, etc.) Today is a regular eating day, tomorrow a fasting day. I'll make a lunch with lots of veggies to bring tomorrow, and will get out for a walk or stair climbing. I am so close that I am motivated to be under 160 by early November when my annual physical is scheduled.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 14 - 07:38 PM

SRS, we gor the TV via PA Freecycle and brought it down here in August, after saving it (WITH remote, yay) in our PA laundry room for ...... well, it felt like forever. It's an example of using empty PA storage space as a hope chest for the eventual retirement house. I just didn't want ANY TV here for a long time. Also we were pretty sure the components in the garage had not survived the winter....so the fact that all 3 items work fine is a SCORE!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Oct 14 - 02:22 PM

Seem to have lost the post from earlier this morning. The gremlins have been hungry lately.

Signed up for a Defensive Driving course a week from tomorrow. My insurance has gone up because I am driving a much newer vehicle now, but I can push it back down by a couple hundred a year if I take this six-hour course. It costs $25, not bad. In the past some of these classes were as expensive as the actual savings you were going to get on your insurance.

Had an interesting meeting on campus this morning. I'm working on a book of conference papers for a linguistics professor and vice-provost. We managed in about 45 minutes to sort out a lot of stuff to do with this book, making it much easier to work on now. It's also interesting to discuss the kind of editing - leaving most word choices in place, but fixing grammar. These are writers whose first language is not English, so the grammar goofs are understandable. The word choices (or the use of more than one when one is sufficient) is showing more of the thought process and he decided that can stay. I'd love this to be my last big project for this department.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Oct 14 - 06:06 PM

Mill:
Sporadic rain continues so no laundry. Bisque firing fine but not unloaded. Lots of little things done but no biggies. Agreed to do local Christmas Market in Dec. Made a attractive flyer for the Nov Ontario Market but may have to mail them as I guess I am not going there until then! That did take a while! Visited Geri briefly and spent time in library picking out books. The last trip netted two I decided not to read - out of 3. Now I have two decent ones in waiting.

Waited for Fed ex so did not go to city. The tracking said Monday but the last time it said that, it came on Fri and caused a real nuisance. This aft, I just happened to come out of the building in time to see the fed-ex truck and waved it down. The driver said our number faced the wrong direction. "It faces the direction MOST people come from!" He said he would have turned around and also would have left package on door step!!! YAY! From now on, I use this address - and find a container to put by doorstep in case of rain or snow.

Tomorrow I can start regime to rid myself on Lyme, she says hopefully.

Now, do I sit here on computer all eve or do I gather the energy to mix a new glaze, unload kiln, maybe even do some glazing.......

The sky is glowering. The forecast: more rain. Sun on Sunday! No report today on roof - supposedly completed but it has to rain hard before we are sure it does not leak? or state of toxicity in house from particulate or odours. R was going to open the second floor doors last night and turn on the air cleaner downstairs. Maybe tomorrow I can go there but I am not willing to compromise my health...

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Oct 14 - 08:09 PM

that is scary thinking that one person should follow another's diet. people all have different metabolisms and what is right for one is wrong for another. Husbands and wives need to realize this and make accomodations for each other's needs.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Oct 14 - 09:23 PM

"Diet" is perhaps too strict a definition. It is a way of choosing the foods and they both choose foods that they like and that work for them.

Today I subscribed to Malwarebytes for their annual anti-malware scanning program that includes real-time protection. It's for three computers so I'll use it on the big office computer, on my laptop, and in the kitchen. Any other computers in the house are fine with the free coverage, they're not used much. It works out to $8 per computer per year.

I've decided this weekend that I need to get a couple of inexpensive fixtures and replace two, one is old and the other never worked right. One on the patio, one over the kitchen sink. I'll use existing wiring, turn them off at the breaker box, and replace them. Projects like this aren't expensive but make such a difference every time I have to turn on the light or enter the dark space and have the motion detector notice and light up. I also have to buy and replace a couple of small halogen bulbs.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 18 Oct 14 - 12:29 PM

Tidied up the cupboard under the stairs, now we have somewhere to store our pumpkins for the winter! When we stored them in the shed, they got nipped and went to mush, which was a disaster for the shed!

Just popped a veggie lasagne in the oven, I defrosted some - formerly bulk-batch cooked - chunky mushroom and tomato sauce last night, and just now made a five minute bechamel sauce to go with it. Packet lasagne verdi sheets and a handful of frozen ready grated cheese on the top. I like ways of having fresh meals, without too much fuss. It makes it so much easier to make lasagne if the 'meaty' layer is already prepped and ready to go, otherwise it tends to be a bit of a slow - and mess generating - dish to make from scratch. I'm going to have to make a pumpkin and spinach lasagne sauce for the freezer next time, to make use of the last of our chard before it finally dies back and one of this year's pumpkins.

I must grow more veg next year, it's so nice to be able to harvest your own stuff.

Subject: RE: Autumnal clearing out and fitness 2014
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 14 - 09:44 PM

My tomatoes are finally producing again, and I'm planning more green tomato products, particularly the green tomato relish. Okra is coming along, peppers, and eggplant. Cukes are about kaput.

I worked on home improvement today, picking up a new fixture for the back patio, a new fixture for over the sink, and a replacement bulb for uplights over the mantle. I replaced halogen lights in the porch light beside the driveway - they had both burned out, now only one is working. I'll give it a try again tomorrow - there are two lights on this one fixture. I took down the patio light and caulked the junction box so it will be stable - it was pulling out of the cavity in the brick wall. I'll give it 24 hours to harden then put up the lamp tomorrow. I'll wait till morning to put up the light over the kitchen sink, when there is light on that side of the house so I can see what I'm doing.

If I was still having a couple of glasses of wine or scotch in the evening, I'd have probably spent this much money during the month. For the time being the alcohol is out of my routine, I'm losing weight easier as I want, and I am redistributing the cash.

SRS