Recently, we've done a few things around here. Roger planted the little apricot tree that my ex gave us this summer. And most of the junk that was around in the driveway and the backyard was cleaned up, tossed, or put away for the winter.

I decided today I was tired of having a bachelor's kitchen and decided to reclaim some of it to encourage myself to do more of the cooking. It finally dawned on me, all of these years Roger's been doing most of the cooking mostly because I was unable to, but in the process he's really reverted to his bachelor type ways around the kitchen. It's not his fault he does try, it's just old habits I think.

This morning, Morgan came over and started on illustrations for a story I made up for him when he was little, which we are turning into a book. He had found my artist's sketchbook from a metalsmithing class I took and asked to sketch in it a few days ago. He did a few imitative pieces, a few of his own designs and also used tracing paper over some of mine. He was really tickled to find we bought him his own sketchbook and was eager to use it this morning.

While he was doing that, I cleaned out both of the food cupboards with a little bit of help from him and, later, Rog. I found too much stuff that was past the use-by date and had to be tossed, but I moved everything down, to the first two shelves, that I might need to get hold of…that's one thing that's really been bugging me: feeling inspired than going out to the kitchen and either not being able to find what I need, or not being able to reach what I need, safely. In the process I was also able to de-clutter the counterspace a bit.

I have also decided I have to find some way to hold myself accountable for doing qi gong at least 4 to 5 times per week. The old "accountability" part of these threads going back what, to three years now? :-)

Accordingly, I've asked Roger to help me keep track, encourage, and check on me, but I am also putting myself on public notice here with you my friends. I don't want or need any one castigating me or anything like that. I think just the thought that I have put myself on notice here will encourage me in doing what I have set for a goal. I will promise to post each time I have done so. Kind of a getting back to the basics for me.

SRS, now you've had your first big adventure at a child's Thanksgiving dinner! I know what you mean about leftovers though. It doesn't matter daughter's or not, Roger always fixes the turkey and potatoes and I fix whole cranberries. They were gone this year so we had a nice time with my brother who came over. He actually was very pleasant this time didn't get into negativity and really enjoyed the movie that we watched on Netflix that I knew he would like. It's called The Curiosity of Chance and is really quite charming in my opinion.

Andrea, I can't wait to see the transformation once you have cracked your whip and the fellows all hop to it and get your house done! I know it's really the builder who needs to crack the whip, but I like the vision of you doing it. It's going to be so lovely, I am sure.

Dorothy, I would absolutely love to see photos of your pottery and your mugs if you ever get a chance to post any online. And I love reading about your visits out the country. Sounds so healing an almost magical, even in the winter time.

The voice-recognition program seems to be getting better, or I am getting more used to its peculiarities. :-) I have not proofread all of this, but I don't think there are any glaring errors. If there are it's the program's fault, ha-ha!

kat