More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 07:25 PM

OH:

Huge strides in dog relations today = one tired Mommeh with enough activity to sleep tonight AND use up my back.

The rock-moving project is done insofar as I did what I could on my own and then worked with 3 enterprising neighborhood kids looking for a bit of pocket money. Snagged addresses and fone numbers for thank you notes to parents (and CC flyers). Great kids. Today's Work Habits 101 was about saving energy for Site Cleanup, whether the work has been hands-on or all brains. They also showed me Newbie's great love for kids; while I sat nearby with suggestions for easier ways to work, the two tethered dogs got closer... and closer... and we're trusted while I'd step inside for water, etc. Very nice being in a suburbsn-type neighborhood. They have hills hm here too. It's kinda nice being around the busy-Ness of an age-diverse neighborhood like this. Original owners still dot the streets. Some rental houses here as well so lots of turnover. Lively. Nice people.

So now that the cleft full of landscape rocks is empty (the rocks on plastic kilt the grass there for me), I get to buy soil and amendment matter and plant the easiest drift of mixed daffodils. The kids who helped will use their fones to send me pix, cuz it may be years before I'm back at exactly the right time to see them come up. The cleft is where a bush and its roots were ripped out by sellers-- the roots had clogged the drains. The line left is beautifully shaped au nature, and I'm leaving one end unplanned because that's where the wishing well will go. My houseguest the last few days here just may help me remake the one I brought down from PA-- it's too tall and the base was not done in presdure-treated, so I will lop off the rotten bottom 1/4 and refrain it in p.t. wood, make it a new roof on the existing base, trim all this out in board and batten, paint..... and I have all the materials but the new p.t. 2×4's.

3000 sore steps today.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 15 - 07:26 PM

Damn autocorrect... refrain = REFRAME

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 11:14 AM

OH:

For me, vacay time has always seen a boost in activity level. So has time in the Ohio house. COMBINING those with the 6 week-long current trip here may really do what I've been needing....

Because this new dog requires about 3000 steps from me, daily. The same routines in the larger PA house may double that. And by the time I leave here I should be just about muscled for it. I'm looking forward to it!

The challenge will be giving her enough exercise in the winter, without my scooter. Playtime!!! That's what Dog World is for; I'll just need Hardi to plow by the gate so it opens.

Or teach her to treadmill, like I did with two other dogs.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 08:52 PM

Safely arrived in NYC for a visit with mudcat member GVTom. Traveling with casual clothes and more computer technology than went to the moon. No cluttering or decluttering this week.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 08:57 PM

For those of you who remember my sweet Veronica, I'd like to ask you to keep her in your prayers as her 5 year old son died from cardiac arrest triggered by a severe asthma attack.

My heart hurts for her.

A lot.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 Oct 15 - 09:13 PM

+++(((Michelle n Pete)))+++

+++(((Veronica)))+++

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 15 - 02:21 PM

OH:

Finally was able to post a few garden pix this AM to the gardening forum. Lovely to stage a few areas to remind myself this cold winter in PA what this house is capable of.

Then this aftn, I ran out for dog bones and bananas I'd forgotten to nab-- these two tense dogs are like having newborn twins just home from an ICU! Getting the bones, I ran into marked down mums to stage the rest of the garden areas. More pix to take tmrw, love it.

Yard kids have a project Saturday. Then I'll have all my pix-- and post the lot to my FB album.

Both dogs have colds, so I prob do too. Lots to straighten up for a visitor coming tmrw!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 12:35 AM

I think there must be nothing in the world as painful as losing a child. My condolences to your family and hers - and my best wishes.

Taking Manhattan by storm. And a little bit of Brooklyn, also.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 11:32 AM

You are closer to Veronica right now than I am. I so wish I could be there with her.

I have been cleaning out cupboards and throwing stuff for the last 2 days.....trying to do anything to get my mind off of what is.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 12:07 PM

Beaver:

Loss of a child is a parent's worst nightmare! My warmest caring thoughts to the mom!

MY other reaction is the preventability of asthma - SO environmentally induced; research is clear. Food/air/water must all be cleaned up.

No signal for a couple days.

Robin and I lost one of our dearest long time friends on Saturday night. Phone call on Sunday from the son was a total shock. (I thought he was telling me his mom had died; my darn auditory discrimination problem!) Cause unknown- after three weeks in hospital! Yes, he was in early 80s but he was still very active, working on health projects/religious ethicist for the Montreal Breast cancer clinic/ Anglican priest at the Cathedral and involved in so much. Leaving wife of about 60 years - my friend with Parkinson's. I have been close to whole family for almost 50 years and grasping for how to be supportive. Will go back to Montreal in a couple days and stand by - visit wife, listen to daughter (I made her confirmation dress!) I detected tears in R's eyes Sunday while we were dining at our fav resto. Contacted a couple close people to let them know.

On the home front, R has almost finished installing the cook stove - converting it from Natural gas to propane was more of a chore than expected - mostly figuring out the "instructions" in very poor English. He arrived on Saturday at 5, just in time to go to supper at our friends - a fun eve.

He brought the Knechtel cupboard, now a perfect fit in the K, repaired by himself, with a nice stained glass panel in the middle door! The sofa is in place but the legs are still at the mill; I shall have to look fir them next trip. Two extra K wall cabinets can be used to good advantage in the BR above the desk. Once the stove is in place, the K will be wonderful. We are considering a larger frig- not a big one - but the space is adequate. We are happy!

We washed the K windows yesterday! Worked well with one of us outside and one inside! But I can see we ned to try harder. They are sliders so we had to keep sliding them back and forth - still not perfect but better by far.

We went out to the hardware store this am and my credit card was declined??? Scary! I had a voice mail on phone from earlier today that it had a hold on but I rarely hear the phone ring. I phoned and it was a recording and inconclusive. So I phoned the usual number and waited -"patiently"?? Apparently someone had tried to use it several times yesterday - to no avail but the man thought it best to change my number so they are sending me a new one. It took a while to determine where to send it as I need to go back to Montreal but this is now my address so we finally agreed to send it to a not too inconvenient branch in Montreal. Sensible but a nuisance.

An ancient cupboard now in the BR has allowed me to stash almost everything current. A bit more time and the BR will be civilized! More shelves in the kitchen cabinets will be helpful. The Knechtel cupboard is still mostly empty - lots of room for storage! Planning a tea station - an outlet handy for kettle - and herbs - it has lots of specific herb niches. We are thrilled with it.

Only one TV table still in use; the rest are nicely stashed. accessible if needed. The studio needs some closing up work before he snow flies. Hope our friends have time!

Next trip will be desk and whatever else fits in car. This house WILL be nicely uncluttered, she says with determination.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 01:02 PM

(((DP)))

OH:

I ended the day ydy with 4000 steps and a 40 min sustained activity stint.

This AM I awoke with a cold, got up for a bite, zinc, and C.... let the dogs out and in.... and went back to sleep for 2 hours. Felt better, so staged mums and yard dolls, took pix, posted pix.

The Liberation Library reorganization is going well; I cut boxes this AM to catch large categories.

I mounted a dog gate that's been helping with dog separation, and reallocated an outdoor dog bed they can now take turns sharing.

Anticipating a fevery afternoon, I made soup from freezer leftovers-- mystery stock, cooked pork cubes, frozen green beans, cooked sweet potato, brown minute rice. Had some.... plenty for later. Pushing liquids. It's cold here today... heat may pop on.

Newbie loved her re-located, open crate. She has demonstrated her brilliance again by following my pointy finger, like she sees Faulkner doing. Having him help train her is worth all their scuffles and my work.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 01:34 PM

Lots of cooking going on here: Butternut squash peeled, cleaned, chopped and cooked and ready for dinner and some to freeze. Spaghetti squash cleaned and baked. Seeds for roasting are ready too.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 02:41 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Dorothy. :(

Goodbyes just SUCK.

((((((Hugs& Love)))))))))))))

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 15 - 11:52 PM

I'm not keeping up a lot with the world, I didn't watch the debate, haven't heard much news. I have been busy helping a friend and doing a lot of travel by "shanks mare." New York City is a very walkable city. Only came close to being run down by a bicycle once. My fault, I was at the crosswalk but in that bike zone they've started painting on some of the main streets and avenues.

I have a box so I can mail some stuff to myself. It's easier to do that than to fool with checked bags. This is the overflow, the things I've picked up in my travels. Modest, but just enough to strain my luggage.

Dorothy, I'm sorry to read about your friend. Michelle, distracting work can be good therapy. Susan, good luck with the dogs.

I met Mudcatter Lorcan Otway this evening! We sat at his bar on St. Mark's Place and had a great conversation. One more mudcatter I've finally met in person.

Subject: long road to the purge
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 09:21 AM

Neat, Acme!

OH:

I topped out last night at about 3000 steps; not bad for how sick I started the day. Thanks to zinc and a great co-counseling session, by bedtime I felt almost well. And then slept well.

Part of that was due to decluttering an evening teleconference I'd signed up for; the online registration hadn't gone thru. A day spent trying to get the call-in PIN was nuts! By the time I got it (ten minutes before the conference started), I was deep into catching up the laundry folding. I can hear the whole thing later!

Yesterday I also put the brakes on some neat things that just weren't fitting comfortably into this visit. Boundary issues with other folks. They'll have to await the February visit, which led to determining dates.

That led to setting the next CC date in early February. That led to typing up and posting docs for that, as well as making and printing a half-page flyer-- for distribution with Halloween candy.

I refuse to buy one more dog gate.... I've been using the skinny box Newbie's crate came in, as a barrier. Faulkner finally figured out how to push it aside-- so it's now weighted with spare, heavy boxes of dry wall screws and a couple of full water bottles. "Oh! Mommeh not fooling!" ;-) Another makeshift gate is the folding bed rail; it has struts to go under the mattress that are srsly in the way for quick gate deployment! So I zip-tied them to stay put, swiveled onto the rail. Boom! (When duct tape isn't appropriate, zip ties!)


Today I plan to get the stuff for planting my daffodils, and get them into the ground. A cold snap is due here, and I have music to arrange then.


I've come to the conclusion that this house has just about the right amount of stuff in it now. A few storage helpers will come down on the next trip, but not much else. It's furnished just enough that rooms can still be quickly rearranged for temporary needs.... with room to swing a cat. That means keeping it all tidy which, because the house is much smaller than the PA house, is pretty easily maintained.

I find myself reflecting often, here, on the fast beginning of our household's formation. Hardi and I had both been single parents with fully furnished homes (esp kitchenware). We blended all that with hardly any purging. We used it all, too, since the only rental available when we took up the PA ministry call was the 3-family house converted back to a single residence.

So the ability to fully furnish this small house with minimal purchasing makes complete sense. Most of what is now furnishing the Ohio house will either furnish an insulated 2-car garage we don't really need, or be yard-saled... some PA furniture will be left for the patish's annual yard sale.

22+ years after we first met, that's when we'll actually have TIME to purge!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 10:35 AM

My box is packed and headed to the post office this morning. Stuff I don't have to struggle with in my luggage (so, it seems I am decluttering luggage today).

Part of yesterday's friend help was to shop for a DSLR camera within his budget. The new ones (i.e., Canon Rebel) could meet that, except that the lens in the box wouldn't do what he needs (photographing clocks on historic buildings). We selected used separate pieces - a camera body a long macro lens, that will work for near objects (narrow field) and great for far objects. He'll end up getting another lens, I'm sure, for the closer day-to-day work. Camera stores abound in NYC and we went to one of the best of them. I'm tempted to go back - but I also have a budget for this trip. :)

More walking around today. Over to Union Square to start, I think.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 11:13 AM

Beaver:

About to leave. Car packed except for computer. Double sadness - to be leaving this little home for two weeks AND facing the trip to Montreal which means really dealing with the loss of my "go-to" person of 45 years. Hope I can weep a bundle when I get safely to Montreal. It might help.

Smart move to mail stuff to oneself. I have done that a couple times and it is a great way to de-clutter the stress of a journey.

Leave now. Get there before dark, with time to unload and sort out the house before exhaustion sets in, she says, hopefully. OK, OK...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Oct 15 - 04:33 PM

DP, the most healing tears are the love teas. Dwell on the love and let it out through your wet eyes.

OH:

This AM, Newbie and I had a delightfully productive trip to the local garden center, where Master Gardener Judy scoped out my overall garden plan and helped me buy a whole bunch of mixed daffodils and grape hyacinth for the trench in front, where the neighborhood kids had scooped out 2 trash bins' worth of white rock for me. Tomorrow they go IN THE GROUND!

I rebuilt the bed rail gate and put it in a much better spot.

I played thru several dozen hymns finding the right keys for the song circle here, to reproduce when I get back to PA. It's so neat to have the printer/copier working!!!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 12:03 PM

City:
Yes, Susan, I just managed to shed a bunch without drowning the computer!

The trip to Montreal was also down memory lane. Realizing that Roger was important to the 70s folk scene in a back stage sort of way, I was moved to write a brief piece about that involvement, the Yellow Door Coffee House, hereon. Tears flowed profusely. This afternoon, I visit his daughter and widow. Perhaps we can shed tears together. Hannah has been too involved in the "getting things done" aspect.

While driving and thinking, each of my moments of sorrow was accompanied by thoughts of M's friend - how much bigger the hole in her life is. My grief is mini compared to hers - or Linn's.

I stopped near the city and bought lots of on sale groceries and got here to find a full fridge. R had not eaten the food I left him. So he had some last night and we had bread pudding for bf. I ate so much along the way, I realized I was eating and eating to fill the hole in my life. Or so it seems.

I have done laundry and am in middle of changing bed - letting it air! Lunch and go...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 01:39 PM

Grief is grief. Grieving is what keeps us human. There is really no scale; our efforts to compare it are part of just trying to make sense out of what can't make sense, and hurts.

OH:

I'm getting nice compliments in the garden forum, on the antique woodstove repurposed as a patio planter. It holds just a few pansies and mums now... Just imagine when all the doors and burner openings are stuffed with spreading annuals this spring! I am! My laptop in the kitchen gives a great view already, off to my right thru the open kitchen door! Sunshine, flars, doggehs. If only hubby would retire so we could live here year 'round-- it would be herbs!

The bulbs are in, just in time to look like a fresh grave for Halloween. I have several more inches of topsoil and mulch to add, and bricks all around to prevent dirt creep-- the adjoining grass gets lasagna layering in the spring so this daffy bed is mounded accordingly. Haha-- lasagna in the cottage garden. Makes sense since the odd veg here and there goes in too. Green peppers. Leeks. Carrots for kids-- this IS after all on the children's side of the front walk.

The 65 big bulbs up the middle are mixed Daffs, loosely clumped (with a few 'escapes') by variety. The 45 little ones at the edges and lower end are grape hyacinth. In the cleft left when sellers tore out a bush or small tree and its long, reaching root, all that remains of the hole is held open by a big black bin-- that will be filled in Saturday with white rock for the wishing well to go on, in the spring. I'll add some garden art after I add the rest of the topsoil-- my back hurts. Enough for today-- they're outta the bags and IN THE GROUND!

TBTG for the huge plastic nursery pots I got from a Free Cycle several years ago who became a friend. I used them for the last 6 bags of topsoil, setting one at a time on a child's chair at the hatch to pull a bag into it, slit and empty the bag, then 'deliver' the heavy, full pot to the ground (less lifting). I sat to sprinkle the topsoil onto the placed bulbs. Much easier than digging a new bed!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 01:41 PM

Safe travels and hugs Dorothy.

Today my Veronica will bury her son. I can't get her off my mind.

Lots of big, not so good things happening around here and I'm ready for the shit to STOP.

UNCLE already!

In the meantime, I found myself 2 tubs of old paper clutter that I am sorting out. Lots of trash.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 07:02 PM

City:
Michelle - you are sharing her grief, as am I.

Visit with friends was short. Mom tires quickly feels "whipped". 62 years of marriage... We grieved together, and visited. This family has kept itself to itself; very few close friends and some have already died. we younger ones are the remnant of their long and productive lives. I suspect there are others on the fringe about whom the family knows little - people who were helped along the way by my friend. Then, we often do not know how we have touched the lives of others.

On the way home, picked up new credit card at the bank and some groceries at the Market. Have deleted over 100 emails - the elections ... TOO MANY!

Now to stuff and roast that organic chicken I obtained yesterday.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 15 - 09:47 PM

Sometimes the difficult stuff piles up. Take deep breaths, and cherish the small moments when people (or events) offer succor, and love. Friends can make a world of difference. I am thinking of my parents, losing them six months apart. Friends helped me through that, they offered small gestures that I could focus on. Each of you, Dorothy and Michelle, take from this thread what you can. For two people I've never met, I have such profound respect, so please know that we are following your stories with true interest. Share what you feel is appropriate. Venting helps.

I'm home again. Luggage unpacked, lots of stuff in the laundry. The dogs were ecstatic to see me, and when my ex stopped by (he has been feeding them) they were sure they were going to get lucky - SOMEONE was going to feed them soon. ;) Their lives are simple and their love is constant. I had a great trip that felt like a lot longer than just seven days. Travel is therapeutic, and I got a lot from this excursion.

Subject: Mag Wisdom
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 07:43 AM

Acme, that had to be your wisest post yet.

OH:

That gardening forum feels very Mud-like. A huge asset there is ppl can post up to five foto's PER POST. Can you imagine if we could post 5 mps's per post here! We can edit/proof our own posts, too.

Today, almost all activity to be purchasing. Bricks, landscape cloth, and topsoil. Groceries. More chewies for Newbie. A stop at the garden center to show Judy the bulb placements, if I go past there.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 10:31 AM

My gift to myself last week was to make sure that everything in the kitchen was put away, the dishes washed, the stovetop cleaned of cooking splatter. The house was vacuumed, so walking in after a week away meant there wasn't an inordinate amount of dog hair and there was no kitchen clutter to work through before fixing myself dinner.

The thing I love about NYC is all of the walking. I did ride in a cab once, but the rest of the time it was subway or walking. My jeans were positively sagging when I got home yesterday, and I should have gone into my luggage for my belt but I didn't want to dig through that tightly-arranged pack. I was always very fit when I lived in the city because of the amount of walking, literally several miles a day.

I have plans here for the next few days - when I come home from a trip like this I'm able to see my house through someone else's eyes and target things that I'd like to put in order to make the house even better. My friend's apartment is 1 bedroom with several closets, a foyer, etc and is about 900 square feet - large by NYC standards. I feel positively rich here when it comes to space; my kitchen (without the dining area) is the same size as the bedroom in that apartment, and my hall from the living room past the bathroom is about the width of the kitchen there. Another friend, who just moved into a new high rise, has far less space, no storage (but she does have a washer/dryer closet), and we laughed about where she could mount IKEA cabinets on the walls. I showed her photos of the Greenwich Village apartment (occupied for 40 yeas by the friend I stay with) and we speculated at the apoplexy the peg boards and bright yellow paint would cause in this new building. :)

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 10:40 AM

City:
Taking lots of deep breaths!

Wonderful you had that great trip, M. I am thinking it is time for us to have a new adventure. Beaver is in good shape for leaving; A winter visit to San Diego? Nope, might snow on our flight! Maybe early April. My 2nd ggd is already two!

Meanwhile: I was going to go to the mill today - to pot. But will wait until R can go tonight for the music event. Tomorrow I can pot while he moves stuff - still trying to get at that monster machine for which he has a probable buyer. Maybe I shall find my winter jacket now that he has moved stuff to an accessible place.

I am stuck here until after the memorial on 29th so am trying to find ways to fill my days - usefully. And find the energy to do it rather than sit and breathe! But I shall do that also!

OK - take load out of dryer, water upstairs plants, mend quilt.... Up at at 'em!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Oct 15 - 07:40 PM

My overflow box arrived today and I unpacked tidbits that I didn't want to fool with in my luggage. Some gifts, some bling to go with my dance class (mostly for the twice-yearly hafla), and some more beads. Shoes, wedding clothes, etc. It really is amazing how much you can stuff into one of those 12" x 12" x 7" sized boxes.

Laundry is finished, garden is picked, gift T-shirt delivered to my dog minder. You can get incredibly inexpensive good T's in Chinatown, and if I'd found more than two I liked, I'd have bought them, but as it is, I found one for each of us.

This evening I'm planning to catch up on a couple of programs I recorded and to work on finishing a comforter that needs to go in the mail soon. That time of year is approaching when a lap robe is appropriate.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 10:29 AM

Been sick for the past 2 days, still not 100% but I think I'm better than yesterday.

Down 2.8 pounds this week.

It was snowing this morning!!!!

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 03:39 PM

Nooooooooooooooo!

OH:

Finished getting the bulb garden done today. Over the two days aI worked on it, mostly on my own, I emptied 14 40-lb bags of dirt and I placed about 35 bricks around it today. Neighbor/friend Portia helped me supervise the neighborhood Kid Crew to finish outlining the giant mulch ring around the grand old maple, in white rock.

The kids enjoyed emptying the last two bags of topsoil onto the buried bulbs; the lightest of them was invited to walk gently on the whole, to compact it a bit. I'll add more topsoil in Feb. once it settles. They're still trying to figure out why I would plant bulbs, when I know won't be here in April to see them come up. No matter; when I'm here in May, I can set out annuals above them. If I did it right, they'll greet us some April after we retire to here. Portia promises pix. I hope the kids will enjoy seeing "their" garden come up.

We also covered the scar where a bush was torn out in the side yard, using an old rip-stop tarp to prevent any more new growth in the spring; it's weighted down with buckets full of more rock to use elsewhere next year. There's just enough rock to cover a wide ring outside the front door for song circle chairs to sit upon, making the old (straight) concrete walk up to the door appear to blow out into curves. I'll add a little pea gravel on top, to variegate the color and blend the ring with the concrete color. inside the ring, some ground cover-- vinca?

A path will branch off from it into the children's garden, for which this new bulb bed furnishes a rounded corner.

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 08:52 PM

Since Newbie almost learned how to chew through a door last night to escape her sleeping spot, tonight I reconfigured her space-- and its louvered door is now clad in galvanized. I was too tired to do a really great job.... but it's up there now and tonight we can ALL sleep!

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 10:46 AM

This weekend I am finishing a sewing project and when finished if there is time I'll list some eBay items. It's that time of year to look for good gift items to list, collectible things that are stilling around my sun room.

We are to open window weather finally, and it is cool enough to consider using the greenhouse for some fall and winter plants. I need to level it out with some flat pavers (use a pry bar and shims to shift the PVC structure up, then slide the pavers under the low spots around the edge. I have a heater for that space also, and put in a barrel of water help keep an average temperature (and use for watering).

Yesterday I found three 5+ lb packages of chicken thighs in the last-chance meat bin (for $3 ea). I usually don't buy chicken that has the "15% broth" injected, but it was a great price and I've planned to make some chicken and rice to take for lunches. I'm sauteing now with pepper and some other seasoning, no salt, hoping it wasn't too salty to start with. I'll drain most of the oil then add basmati rice and vermicelli to make the rice part, and I have some chicken stock from the freezer to use. The cool morning seems to have convinced my brain that cooking season is here.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 12:58 PM

Mill:
Oops, we had a signal for a bit but it may leave me in limbo. I can write but will need to copy in case it does not go through.

Poor Newbie is lonely!

And Michelle has snow! No signal since Friday but I did hear a rumour there would be snow north of Bancroft on Friday night. Will check: 32F right now! Colder than I was counting on all week. I left a small heater in the bathroom - HOPE!

Fri we made it to the Steven Barry Blues Band concert - excellent and a chance to see friends down here. I think talking with C&A helped; I woke up Sat am without that dreadful gasp of pain that had been hitting every "30 min" more or less, all week. A welcome change. The reality still exists.

Not much got done yesterday: I made meals and triaged some stuff to go to Beaver, tried sorting a bit but it is COLD in the storage area. R slept most of day; we suspect the am hours spent with a VERY OLD, musty book affected him, in addition to the usual overwork and over-stressed. He thought it gave him a headache and I sat next to it while he slept and ended up moving it AWAY! as I was getting a headache.

I put a bit of heat on in studio (Saturday am) but did not get to work. Today is up in the air; I cannot work in short bits; need to know I have a chunk. R "feels human" and went to move stuff - still working towards that monster machine; someone wants to see it!

I cleaned up the plants, floor, bench, table in the sunroom. Heat on a bit in there and lots of solar gain. Watered profusely. Also put a bunch of summer clothes away. And found a pile of fabric stuff for thrift shop. No idea where it came from but know where it is going!

Not much but every little bit helps. I will come down during the week to, hopefully, energy allowing, get pots made. Christmas shows are coming.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 01:11 PM

Oh:

Yes, Newbie is being transitioned from shelter habits to pet habits. I'm declining a lot of invitations this trip so I can keep her on short cycles for everything, and prompt her to the next activity instead of playing keep-up-with-anxiety stuff. And I'm doing things in such a way that her bond with Faulkner strengthens. For example they have negotiated how to both be in the kitchen now, and use their faces and voices instead of teeth, to fine tune proximity.

I'm using the same separation zones to keep her in view, no matter what I'm doing, as we have in PA. Great for interrupting and redirecting all sorts of mischief.

Today that all means, for me, what athletic trainers call an 'active rest day'--- where you reckver from something past your limit by moving, not crashing So the dogs hang with me on while I do a short task, and then we all go sit. Newbie's 'go sit' spot is the recliner across the living room, viewed easily over my book while I read a short chapter or two. I'm so sore from ydy's garden work that I need a recovery day or two.

So I'm only up to 800 steps so far today.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 01:38 PM

Mill:
Cleaned the LR floor - swept. Now suffering dust allergy reaction. Such a slow learner. I just think, If I am careful... Go outside for some air! COLD out there. But snowing north of Bancroft. I would rather be there, in any case!

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 03:00 PM

I haven't done a thing in almost 3 days now except sleep and be sick. I did go to Jeremiah' s last soccer game in the snow! Just flurries but still pretty cold. Despite several naps yesterday, I slept for 12 hours last night (unheard of for me). So far, the one and a half pancakes and 2 eggs that I had this morning have stayed down. I'm hoping this is a sign of good things to come.

Michelle

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 09:16 PM

It's so difficult to be ill when you have small children. Like the commercial says, there is no "taking a sick day" with little ones.

I'm making progress on the lap quilt; I'm working on the last 25% of the length now. I knotted around the edges first and across the middle from both directions to anchor it, and now I'm filling in. Knots in yarn to stabilize the comforter. I didn't get to eBay stuff, but it will feel good to finish this and I think tonight it is a possibility. When it is finished I'll put it in the wash with a couple of towels on gentle and be sure it comes out okay, then put it in the mail.

The kitchen is clean, trash goes out for morning pickup, and I'll have a lot of shredded papers to go. I cleared off some horizontal surfaces yesterday and filed receipts from the trip. Tomorrow, back to the grindstone.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 07:24 AM

OH:

I hope the cold I awoke with runs away from zinc like the last 2. At least I got chicken broth and applesauce last grocery trip. First time getting sick, gluten free. That's different!

Tasks today include stowing a bunch of stuff in the garage for spring gardening projects, and prepping space for a Saturday project in there with the NKC. Moving stuff towards the front to take back to PA like scooter, tarps....

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 09:11 AM

Zinc does work, if you suck on a lozenge or two as soon as you feel the cold symptom that always hits you first. Me, it's a scratchy throat. I never use the expensive version (Zicam) - the grocery store has inexpensive zinc lozenges and a bottle lasts for years.

This morning is almost cool enough for a sweater though it will be several weeks before it cools enough to switch from AC to heat on the heat pumps.

I came into contact with something coconut last week and the slow outbreak of a contact dermatitis or eczema has spread to several fingers. Possibly the contents of some of the hand soap along the way. There is a lot of hand-washing when one travels.

A new week awaits, let's see how it goes.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 09:13 AM

Yes I know. I got right on it.

I finally figured out how to transfer a satellite view of our property to tracing paper, to sketch gardening plans. It occurs to me though that when the subdivision was planned, some gummint office must have had the original, pre-development equivalent. Which city or county office do I start with? (Hearing issues complicate just phoning thru the bureaucracies to know where to walk in to request a copy.)

~Susan

Subject: Household tips
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 11:01 AM

Household tips going around Facebook:

1. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

2. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

3. Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

4. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

5. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

6. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

7. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

8. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

9. Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

10. Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

11. Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

12. Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

13. Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go. Cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

14. Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

15. No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

16. Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

17. Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

18. Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... guess what! ... static is gone.

19. Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (Or spray the measuring cup or spoon with Pam before using)

20. Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

21. Re-opening envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

22. Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

23. Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

24. Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

25. Dryer Filter
Even if you are very diligent about cleaning the lint filter in your dryer it still may be causing you a problem. If you use dryer sheets a waxy build up could be accumulating on the filter causing your dryer to over heat. The solution to this is to clean your filter with with a toothbrush and hot soapy water every 6 months.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 04:33 PM

City:

Those household tips are fascinating to me. Some I will save - getting rid of this or that bugs! Dryer sheets are toxic - to me! Amazed that people still fry hamburger; I understood frying anything is on the do not do list. I admit to still doing bacon on rare occasions but usually broil, usually in toaster oven. Ah, well!

We finished the bread pudding and it was so yummy, I am wondering which bread to sacrifice for a new, not so large, batch.

I managed to get R to bring me a bucket of hot water, at the mill last night, so I could do the pile of dishes. YAY! He worked until 10:30 last night and the machine is clear enough to be moved when he has a helper. The whole huge area - maybe 50 by 100 feet or more - is organized, with a huge clear area, all swept! I insisted he go wash while I made him a late snack. (we had chicken dinner for lunch) He has "Pig Pen" beat all to hollow!

Left mill this am after a nice BF and the dishes washed. Came back to 48F house. Went to the library to get warm but was falling asleep so took out 3 books and came back to 52F house. Went to bed for a while.

Got up and noted that I need to DO Something about the situation. Went upstairs to look for a fabric for the laundry room doorway - no point in heating that area. Took down an elegant tablecloth that I was using for an elegant drape and brought it down to wash. Watered plants and I think I turned on the heat up there. Too bad there is no decent heat down here. And not enough outlets capable of carrying a cube heater without tripping a breaker. SO wishing I were at Beaver with the wood stove!!!

Finally mended that quilt and put it on bed. NEED it! Have dealt with emails. Go put that drape in dryer...

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 07:10 PM

Stay warm, DP!!!

OH:

Found out where to get property/line info.

Found out son is coming the last 2 days of this trip. OMG that solves a couple of huge problems. I'll leave the day after he leaves.

Today I used the scooter to put away two heavy chairs from the front yard, leaving only the few lightweight ones in the patio which I'll use when he comes. Then we can put them away too.

I also took a scooterful of things out there that didn't really need to be in the house. I like how I have that garage so well organized. A heavy piece to make it even better can move Sat with the NKC.

I scored $50 worth of garden chatchkes yesterday at Goodwill, concluding that I must be planning a lot of garden. My plan is to unpack them all Sat with the NKC (onto the heavy shelf they can move), and ask each kid (and my houseguest, son, and DIL) to choose one, each, to place in the garden.

Friend Portia and I will place the beautiful 12" stone angel, at the foot of the daffodil garden to balance the wishing well at the head. I have a nice stand she can perch on/in-- it unfolds into a black, iron, oval cage with a center plate to hold a plant or whatever.

~Susan

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 10:05 PM

Darn. I zapped my own message.

I think the 3 vs 4 lobes on the bell peppers is a myth. I never use dryer sheets for anything, and I fry a lot of meats. Beef, pork, chicken, plus things like sausage (with mixed contents). Julia Child made tender omelets by adding about 1 teaspoon of water per omelet (I think she usually used 2 eggs per).

Dorothy, I thought the new Beaver house was because you were leaving the mill location? Is that still the case? And how much time do you spend in town at the big old house (Montreal?).

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 10:21 AM

I need to uninstall and reinstall a new program (on a 30-day trial - it tried to take over file types I don't want to give it). I didn't let it take over so WinPatrol is zapping it.

Time to see about leveling the greenhouse structure (a PVC pre-fab construction) before the rains come. And see about using it AS a greenhouse again this year. If I do get this in shape I foresee some decluttering in the house as a few plants make the move outside. Which will work as long as I remember to go water everything regularly! I have a special thermostatic electric plug cube that turns on when the temperature reaches a low of about 39 and turns off again when it reaches nearly 50. An oil heater is plugged into it for the season. Once leveled I'll also clean out the greenhouse and probably recycle some of the extra stuff I'll never get around to using (old plastic pop bottle cases that also hold four-inch pots, a lot of those extra four-inch pots, etc.)

There are a couple of parcels here waiting to be mailed, perhaps by the end of the week.

Subject: Carpentering
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:28 PM

My late Mom must be cackling in delight at my little Carpenter project (her maiden name) just completed. I jerry-rigged a couple of chunks of pine already the right size... to pass as a tiny nightstand where I only have 4" of space beside the guest bed. It's now on its way to the garage, to be painted with the Neighborhood Kid Crew Saturday-- for my HS bestie's Sunday arrival.

At Carpenter Camp, cabin-guests were expected to pick up a saw and a chunk of wood if something needed a fix....and half the cost of this eventual-retirement house was paid via Mom's legacy. So I like to think she's somewhere watching her middle daughter get more like her, the grayer my hair gets!

Mom was very creative with her own little projects, and would always be as tickled with herself as I am right now... (Example: the large funnel attached to a chunk of garden hose, by the fridge, with the hose going to another funnel in the basement, where she insisted on doing ALL the laundry? "Hey, MOM?")

We kids came to call this kind of Mom's projects a 'make-do.' Our judgmental opinions would weigh whether a particular fix counted as either a 'good effort' (aka Fail), a 'fabrication' (useful, unique, clever), or an entry in the 'Make Do Hall of Shame.' I think we'd agree this one is in the middle category. (It is at least NOT a clear winner for 2015.)

A wide board at the base slips into a narrow, open section of the bed frame to prevent racking. The top is actually right at the custom bed's unique bedside height.

I have no idea which essential(s) Leslie HAS to have there, but that's her call, and I can show her to the tool dept., if she wants to improve it with a hook under the top!

~S~

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:25 PM

City:

"I have a special thermostatic electric plug cube that turns on when the temperature reaches a low of about 39 and turns off again when it reaches nearly 50." I NEED something like this! Please! What is it??

The city: I am here when not at the mill or Beaver. It is R's primary abode. I am here now, waiting for the memorial service on 29th, then I will go back to Beaver. I also drive to the mill when I hope to have the energy to pot as that is where the studio is. From Montreal, it is 5 hours to Beaver/Bancroft and a bit over an hour to the Mill. At Beaver, I am at home and have friends; at the mill I have a couple friends; in the city, only this special family as everyone else from the YD community has moved elsewhere.

I came down from Beaver to be supportive of family of my friend. Phoned dghtr this am and she is in midst of writing obit; will email it to me for my input. Told her of phone call from friend this am. Jonathan just got home from England. It was he who connected me with the Yellow Door in 1968. I met him at Quaker mtng when I first arrived in Quebec; he found me a temp place to stay and a job - at the Door!   A nice Jewish boy, about 18, in the seeking mode had stumbled onto the Door/SCM in McGill and Roger. "I would not be the rabbi I am today if it were not for Roger." Roger, an Anglican priest, has been his role model as a rabbi. I passed this on to Hannah; Jon will be calling her. He is one of my very top fav people.

I just emailed her to ask if they might have a book at the service for people to write in, or bring pre-written thoughts to place into a book.

Talking with Jonathan threw me back into heavy sorrow. I was about to leave for the mill when he phoned. Now, I shall go get my tires changed (summer to winter) about 1 pm and have arranged to pick up pigeons from the SPCA to take down to a rehabber near the mill tomorrow. Right now, I am wrecked.

The drape got hung. The temp went up outside and inside, thankfully. I spent most of eve computering until after 9 when the polls closed out west and we watched the election until it was clear who won. Then we could go to bed in a more hopeful, to us, Canada. A great relief.

Need to look for more documentation for citizenship application. I have lived here since 1967 except for the 20 years I was back in the USA. Only the period from Aug 2008 to Aug 2012 has any validity to the bureaucracy. I am sure I already sent them this lot once.... Very stressful.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 10:29 PM

I have a couple of those. One seems to be discontinued but it looks like Amazon still has a few for sale.

I also had one of these, but it seemed to have gotten a little hot and had a brown melted spot, so I tossed it. I'll probably get another because it did work well. Cold Weather Thermo Cube.

(Interesting - I just found an opposite one - that turns on in hot weather and turns off when the AC cools to a certain point - Warm Weather Thermo Cube.)

I remember your talking about sending in citizenship papers a while ago. I hope you have a file so you don't need to reproduce the work to send it again?

It sounds like a time for memories and stories. Autumn seems like a time for that anyway, so perhaps you're feeling this loss all the more because of the season. I wish you well, and hope your stories are able to help others.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 06:38 PM

Thermocube may solve a big one for us in PA, thanks!

OH:

Lots of puttering today. The only achievement worth noting was putting a 10' (yes really) USB charging cord in the one area of this house that lacked full fone function. The outlet is nowhere near the chair but a 3-tap WAS. Rather than daisy-chain off that, I used a cord I'd bought 'just because' and once again confirmed that Bob IS my uncle!

Prep for houseguest (Arr Sunday) continues amid AR administration stuff.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 09:49 PM

City:

"I remember your talking about sending in citizenship papers a while ago. I hope you have a file so you don't need to reproduce the work to send it again?" WHO, ME!???? If I do, I have no idea where I put it. It is over a year since the last time.

Outlets are just what I am looking for!! Thank you. Now to find in Canada.

Delivered 5 pigeons, bought two frozen choc mousse cakes, went to mill, had lunch. Trying to convince myself that I could get some pottery done, I said to self, "Just one hour..." So, having warmed up studio, I prepared some clay and kept myself going until I had used the 19 small balls - about 1.5 hours. YAY! Sorted out some soup plates and little plates to take to Beaver; this does not diminish the overall number but will help me not feel like buying more! It is so easy with all those thrift shops. Also found some fabric for Christmas show display - just white as red or green would clash with my glazes. Then back to city.

Baked a filet of salmon after consulting google for a recipe - simple and yummy. Watched Big Bang. R came home hungry. I grated some little potatoes and (oops!) stir fried them with some snap peas. Nice meal but he still had ice cream. Watched Dragon's Den. Now I am here and he is reading about mining and geology. Still no sign of a trip to Montana.

Dishes were done but, of course, now there are a few more. In the am.

Subject: RE: More 'Clutter's Last Stand' & fitness Oct/Dec 2015
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Oct 15 - 11:09 PM

Dorothy, you should be able to order those from the US Amazon if you don't seem them on the Canadian Amazon, and if it doesn't work, let me know and I'll order them and send them to you.

Baking filet of salmon: Oven at 325^o, a few pats of butter on the flesh, a light sprinkle of garlic powder, a grind of pepper, and put it in for about 30 minutes. One of nature's perfect foods.

Rain finally in the forecast for the next three days. I've turned off my sprinkler system (it only waters the veggie garden, not the rest of the very large yard). I'm picking okra every day now and eggplant every couple of days, as with cucumbers. There will be some produce activity for a while, even if it hasn't been a spectacular year. Once it cools off and does start to rain more I turn to the indoor activities.