DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 26 - 10:53 AM

I had a pair of Teva at one time, very comfortable, lots of straps for adjustments. No idea what happened to them. I have a Bearclaw brand that is quite comfortable. This most recent pair of Sketchers is "vegan" and is machine washable.

Experimenting with King Arthur measure-for-measure gluten free flour and made an ok half batch of banana muffins. The surface texture looks a bit dry, but they taste good. Into the freezer for an occasional treat, I'm working on reducing the carbs for a while to lose the steroid weight a little faster.

Salon day, so I'll make my rounds at a few favorite shopping spots in the university town were I still go for haircuts (started when I worked there for decades - when you have a hairdresser you like you follow them from one shop to the next as long as they're in the region). This trip includes shopping for items for a care package for my son; I haven't sent any of those for a while. This will include some special tea he's interested in, but I always manage to tuck some of his childhood items into the box so they're at his house to keep or discard. As his parent I find it very difficult to thin out the items that serve as markers of his various mileposts. I'd clear out a lot of space in his closet if I pull out and ship the 30-gallon tub of Legos.

I must start looking at the craft stuff I accumulated for activities I haven't done for years. That would clear up space in my sewing studio.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Jul 26 - 06:00 PM

I'm very flat footed & have been using orthotics since the early 80s.

Earlier this year I bought a cute pair of bathroom scuffs with cartoon bunnies on them, perfect size to catch under a mat & down I went! Bunnies were cut out & given to a friend to use in craft & soles went into the rubbish, so did the mat.

I cut the heel strap off an old pair of sandals & I am now about an inch taller (yah! I must be an Olde Pharte as I have shrunk about 2" over the years) & my bedsocks fit nicely, so my feet are warm these cool days & nights.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Mary G
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 12:37 AM

I decluttered some money today. Been looking for a cheapish ticket to
Barcelona and got one in $500 range when most were about $1,000. Cheap hostel to stay in ..I am mainly going to Lourdes (it's a Catholic thing but it is really a great place) train goes right to Lourdes but I'll prob take a cheap bus back. LateSep early Oct. Should be great.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 09:54 AM

Mary, it looks like you've figured out the nearest large city to fly into, to keep the cost down. Good job! Have you been there before? I'm sure Rick Steves has a guidebook to fill in any further information gaps.

Next week is the donation appointment to hand over art and storage supplies to the teachers group, and during that appointment I've also agreed to participate in the sorting and putting it in the right department. That'll give me a look at what else I might be able to declutter from here into their warehouse.

The friend I cat sit for bought a case of pint canning jars so she could use four of them and gave the rest to me. I suggested that in the future if she needs a canning jar of just about any size or shape to ask me first, because I've accumulated quite a few. They go out with pickles and pickled okra, and most of them come back eventually, not all of them, but I always have plenty of jars to spare. People pick up boxes of jars at estate sales or someone is giving away and they make it to my house. I recycle the mayo jars and use the canning jars. Right now I have at least a half-dozen quart jars in my new kitchen cabinet for making tea for iced. The drawers hold lots of lids. There are also two two-liter jars for my larger batches (usually green tea with lemon balm). Those come from a fancy Italian company and have one-piece lids. I don't have a pot large enough to process those, they were always intended for tea or juice.

On the kitchen peninsula there are two cardboard flats (from cans of sparkling water) full of the San Marzano variety of Roma tomatoes. Once enough are fully ripened I'll get out the asparagus steamer and can pints one jar at a time. It makes for a lot less heat in the house than using the huge steamer. I can use them as they're ready, not have to wait and end up filling the fridge before I have enough for a full batch. I watch the tomatoes ripen in the garden and once there is a rosy hue to the base it is fully ripe enough to pick. Letting the whole thing turn red in the house means it's less likely to be assaulted by birds or squirrels.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 12:27 PM

Yes, canning jars seem to multiply, it's the lids that are the choke point! If the end times come, the ones with a stash of good sealing lids will be in the catbird seat.

Went on goathead (caltrop) patrol again after recent rains. Only about 100 quite small plants, zapped with the 30% vinegar. The sprayer jar is strapped to a folding handtruck, and that works well, I can just roam the acre in a rough grid pattern, handle in one hand, sprayer in the other. Of course, much less work than digging up plants.   

So far so good, I was expecting much more of a 'bloom' by now. Last year's diary for late July was full of 'weeded 2 (or 4) hours' notes. Perhaps digging up 2000 plants last year helped a lot, and perhaps the harvester ants harvested a lot of the seeds.

Some ant mounds are gone, some persist. Another round of DE in order, but this time using my new swim goggles because that stuff irritates the eyes.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Mary G
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 12:55 PM

I have spent about two days in Barcelona, mostly with jet lag. It is an awesome city. The architecture was outstanding. I did not see most of the famous sights. I can't remember any of the food and I stayed in a female only hostel that had women quite a bit younger than I. I think I went to Rennes Le Chateau via Carcassonne and then ended up in Lourdes. Somehow I flew to Lourdes from Dublin. Maybe I am mixing up my trips. I want to do this trip even more frugally than usual so I am leaving off most side trips. If I had it to do over I would get the cheapest Eurail pass and take several short train trips.    Anyway Lourdes is an awesome place, and is very close to some famous caves. I could not get into a tour before but hopefully this time I will. I love the whole Pyrenees area, Basque Country, Catalon...fascinating places. I can only go a week because I do not want to miss too much tutoring time...

Come to think of it, I can hardly remember any food in Europe except for one ham sandwich in Netherlands that was outstanding. Italy was so high carb...I am not a foody..Hungary was probably the best place for food for me. and you can't beat an Irish breakfast of bacon and eggs and brown bread and butter.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 12:58 PM

Are there more ants this year than last? I wonder if the balance has shifted as the caltrop is reduced. It sounds like you did a great job last year - a gift to yourself this year. Do the ants harvest those seeds? Your yard sounds like an interesting place to poke around for the plants and wildlife.

This morning I greeted one of many juvenile spiny lizards in the tomato patch (yesterday I released a juvenile anole caught in the house). They love the garden, climbing around okra and tomatoes on the hunt for bugs that I don't want there. I suppose when they come inside they eat house bugs. Win/win.

I culled a couple of handbags from the upper shelves in the master closet as I get ready to empty the racks and clean in there. The big computer tote can go to the teachers if one of the kids can't use it. (I usually give them first dibs and usually they decline, but it's an opportunity to say "hi" and catch up.) The pants rack is getting a bit snug and there will be garments in there that are never worn and don't fit and can go to Goodwill.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 04:41 PM

Yes, the 'harvester' group of ants are supposed to feed on seeds specifically, so I have to assume they went after the goatheads in and under the ground. There were several new colonies this year.

It is an interesting little ecosystem, and I have been struck by the variety of plants in an arid place with poor soil, and the sea-changes from year to year. Last year pigweed ran wild, this year I don't see it, but rocket and tumbleweed went nuts. Who knows what August will bring?

I specifically left alone most of the other natives/weeds, and I enjoy seeing them. So to some extent the goatheads are also being competed against, although there is still plenty of bare ground they could attack.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 26 - 09:58 PM

Every summer my daughter and I have a celebratory BLT once the tomatoes are in. This year I got a late start, but now I have some beauties to choose from and we'll try to do it next week. Since she's at work I prepare all of the parts and take it as a picnic where we assemble them, do the ceremonial "smash the sandwich" just enough so the mayo sticks to everything and keeps it together.

This evening the dogs had their usual dinner of dry food topped with veggies (cooked carrot slices and the trimmed ends off my steamed asparagus spears). I also had a piece of sockeye salmon so they each got half of the skin and then licked the melted butter and salmon flavor off of the plate. But Mango still has some of the rough hungry-dog habits from before the shelter; I walked into the yard a little later and she was separating a dead cicada from the stick it had been hanging onto. She ate it while I watched, as she has also eaten katydids and some pretty large grasshoppers. She doesn't need the insect protein to support herself, but it is a habit.

After running errands this afternoon I took the scenic route through the village on my way home and passed an Estate Sale sign. 4:30, were they even open? Yes, and they were half price, cash only. I was in luck and found two Corning Wear glass casseroles with lids I've looked for. They're usually pricey but it was $10 for both. As I thin out the metal baking pans I've switched to more glass, and these are the last pieces on my wish list - vintage baking dishes, safe in oven or microwave. I still have a few metal baking pans around but they're used to hold other stuff, not for cooking.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Jul 26 - 01:59 PM

I’ve been a little under the weather this week with a bad spasm in the upper trapezius muscle on the left side of my neck. Sounds complicated but it’s not — literally a pain in the neck that won’t go away. So physio, ice packs, Advil, and weird little isometric exercises. At its worst, the spasm makes me dizzy, especially on the stairs. So also watching my step and hanging onto things — bannister, wall, chest of drawers.

Awkwardness on the stairs is now evidently a thing, and that makes house work — especially anything involving the vacuum cleaner — unnecessarily difficult. The vac in question is the canister kind with a hose, a wand, and a power head and half a dozen attachments, so it takes two trips to get the entire machine up or down the stairs. Feeling woozy even on the sofa, I thought, surely there’s a better way.

On Thursday, I went to Canadian Tire and bought myself one of those over-grown hand vacs that come with a detachable wand and a modest power head. I can carry the whole thing in one hand so the other is available for the bannister when going downstairs. It’s cordless, too, and much better designed for chasing balls of cat hair under the bed.

The canister vac is in the basement for cleaning the big Persian carpet in the bunker. Should I hear that anyone in my circle of acquaintance needs a vacuum cleaner, I’ll happily part with it.

This week, I expect to re-home a large Kitchen-Aid food processor we bought about 10 years ago which never really earned its storage space. An old friend of SIL No 1 is taking it for her three-generation household of five or six people.They lost everything in a house fire some years ago and are still recovering. My Kitchen-Aid stand mixer ended up with them and they use it all the time, which pleases me immensely.

It’s hot and steamy again after last week’s rain, with delicious balmy evenings perfect for walking in the Long Park. I love to watch the neighbourhood kids running around after soccer balls (at that age, they don’t quite play the game yet) and clambering over a big jungle-gym structure. Greenboro has far more young families than my neighbourhood in Stratford.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 26 - 10:41 AM

Charmion, I thought of you as I read chapter 6 in Body Electric—"Unkinking our Bodies" Posture and Breath
It has to do with posture and with deep breathing. Here is a small section:

But the effects of posture go deeper than our muscles. As we collapse inward, the rib cage compresses, giving the diaphragm—a dome-shaped muscle below the lungs—less room to move. The result is shallow, chest-based breathing that forces neck and shoulder muscles to work harder to keep us upright. Over time, this can turn into an endless loop of tension, fatigue, and brain fog.

It took Linda Stone—a veteran of Apple's and Microsoft's research labs—years to realize she was caught in this loop. In 2007, she was struggling with chronic respiratory infections. Her doctor suggested she try Buteyko breathing, a technique developed in Russia, known for helping asthma patients improve lung function. Each morning, she practiced breathing deeply through her nostrils, with a closed mouth. It made her feel calmer and more energized. But something strange kept happening afterward. As soon as she sat down to work—her breath changed. "I was either shallow breathing or holding my breath," she recalled. Day after day, it was the same. When she stood up to walk around, her breathing returned to normal. But back at the desk, she'd find herself barely exhaling.

The next three paragraphs described getting friends and colleagues to participate on breathing research. Turns out they were breathing shallowly and holding their breaths when seated.

Holding the breath, they told her, activates the body's fight-or-flight response, spiking stress hormones like cortisol and restricting oxygen delivery to the brain. Fewer breaths mean less oxygen and higher levels of CO₂ in theblood, which can tip the body into a state called respiratory acidosis. This shift in blood chemistry creates inflammation and strains the immune system—explaining exactly some of the kinds of problems Stone had been experiencing.^{92, 92}

She experimented with breathing apps and exercise and finally settled on "regular movement and mindful breathing breaks throughout the day. These days she also keeps a kazoo on her desk. Blowing into it requires a full exhale, activating the diaphragm and calming the nervous system."

I could have cut to the chase and said to get up and walk around for five minutes every 30 minutes and get yourself a kazoo, but showing her activity before and after might be helpful for illustrating why the problem was there to begin with. We all sit too much.

Meanwhile, here at the eBay clearance center the lowered price on those old technology quart crock pots moves them out so I'll get the rest listed and hopefully out of the house this week. I also have to vacuum and continue cleaning in case we end up with people here next Saturday. Spoiler alert: today's Connections game tells me that my plasma TV is "outmoded technology." It still works well so no ewaste (and 42" is still plenty large enough for a TV in the house.)

Today, hopefully, I get to the faucet.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Jul 26 - 09:51 PM

Today I successfully passed the Cirque du Soleil senior dexterity entrance exam (cleverly disguised as "changing the kitchen sink faucet"). I swapped my ponytail for a braid to keep from leaning back on the hair band lump as I reached up through the plumbing to the back underside of the sink. One has to be a contortionist both to get up and down into that cabinet and to thread everything in place. It's finished and looks good, took about two hours, and used remarkably few tools. As I assembled it I could see plastic parts in the system but for the most part it is a good faucet for a good price. I used the instructions from the old faucet to figure out how to take it out, and I'll keep these instructions for the same reason.

The mouse hole in the cabinet wall is filled with the anti-pest foam then the cleaning supplies were put back under the sink, so the counter to the right of the stove is cleared off. The old faucet is in the trash, and the only task left is to replace the caulk line around the sink. I have a small tube for that; I bought a larger tube for the bathroom work along with a dripless gun, but it turns out the gun I already have is dripless; I use it so rarely I didn't remember.

I used a rolled up towel and a large flattened cardboard box to make the edge of the cabinet comfortable to work on, and after the job the towel and everything I was wearing went into the washer and I headed for the shower. Dinner will be Caprese salad with tomatoes and basil from the yard with fresh Mozzarella.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Jul 26 - 11:24 PM

"Cirque du Soleil senior dexterity entrance exam" - not something I could pass as I have too many sore bits, mainly back & legs.

Tho I recently did manage to get most of the dust & hair (all mine, I don't have a pet to blame) from under my bathroom sink. I can't take weight on my right knee so I leant down & brushed & pulled some up, then sat on the edge of the bath & carefully leant a bit further over (well done, me!) The rim of a 26-year old bath is not meant for sitting on.

Next time I do a bit of vacuuming I'll push the hose behind the washing machine. My vacuum is too heavy to do much so I considered a stick vacuum but a friend said it's also heavy & unwieldy for arthritic arms. Good excuse, eh?

Anyway, as Quentin Crisp said "After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse" & here was me thinking it was 2 years ...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 26 Jul 26 - 11:56 PM

Well done on the sink and the dexterity test!

Had a plumbing triumph here. Mentioned the problem with the stuck-fast water filter housing, and a musician friend offered to bring a few wrenches and try, and by golly, he got it loose! And yes, the filter was the problem with the water pressure. I let it go too long, and there was crud in the filter. Under the scope it seems to be pipe scale, iron oxide, and some lovely interwoven crystals of calcium minerals. Not unnerved about the pipe scale, it could date all the way back to when they reworked the top of the well last year. And with the crystals, I may get a nice micromount out of this!

And yes, it did solve the water pressure issue! Off to buy a replacement filter tomorrow.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 10:39 AM

Excellent quote, Sandra! (The Wikipedia article seems to convey modern sensibilities; I don't recall Crisp ever defining himself as "she." He was ok as a queer/effeminate man.)

patty, Calcium carbonate renders as calcite below 87^o and aragonite if it forms above 87^o. (I made a note of this fact after a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum manmade cave exhibit). And I'm assuming these aren't your well house's version of helictites? ;-) Enjoy that restored water pressure! The new faucet here also has higher pressure because the supply lines are the right size. The last faucet was some kind of apartment unit that had narrower lines and lower capacity.

After yesterday's ups and downs my knees feel great, I needed the bending exercises. Now I'm forcing myself to do the exercise of picking up plastic pump bottles I saved from bottles of hand soap and dropping them into the recycle bin. I don't need all of them (they were out of sight/out of mind under the sink).

Heat advisory today. I was out early to water and after I put a couple of parcels on the porch (more eBay sales) I'll take the hori hori knife out and dig out a few of the weed tree seedlings I noticed in the flower beds (that job will take days, but I'll give it a start now.) If I finish before about 11am it'll be comfortable. (Next door mowed her lawn at 7:30am).

It sounds like Charmion's unused KitchenAid appliances are going to a good home. My stand mixer is used maybe once a month but it does jobs that nothing else can come close to, so it will leave the building after I do. (Today it will grind beef to make more of my nacho mix.) I suppose you could call the chopper/blenders food processors but they also have specialized tasks they do—I chose them for those tasks and they work as expected. That said, there are duplicate appliances around here that I could donate (crock pots) and pans (lidded, roasting, baking, stovetop, oven, etc.) Some are used annually (the Nesco roaster oven) and if I gave it some thought, could be used during the year as well.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 08:00 PM

Peach season has opened in Ontario. That is all.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 09:19 PM

the word "she" is very woke!! Nobody was woke in his days. He was wonderful

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 11:31 PM

Local peaches are always the best. Do you eat them as is or do you have favorite recipes? Texas has a respectable peach season, but I don't have a farmer's market nearby (you'd think local stores would sell local fruit, but not so. The one most likely to have them is HEB and the nearest one is in the next county over).

Progress in the yard today, adding organic fertilizer in the veggie garden and I also sprayed with a mix of compost tea and Spinosad to knock out some of the bugs that pierce the skins on the tomatoes. Trimmed a tree, started removing the grass in cracks in the driveway, did more moving of pots, but all of this was in small intervals before I got too hot and moved back indoors.

I'm rounding up ingredients and recipes for garden stuff. Zesty salsa that I can process and a simmered eggplant, tomato and basil sauce to probably freeze, to start with.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 26 - 10:53 AM

Staging the exit of a lot of stuff today. First is a trip to the recycle bins to offload household stuff plus excess packing materials that are recyclable. Then the Welman stuff into the SUV for tomorrow. I had tall bins and short bins in the front room and decided to decant materials from the tall into the short and the three tall are going to the teachers. (I suspect these will be used at the warehouse itself to store or display offerings.) Several square feet more of carpet are in view in that front room.

From the "kept it out of guilt" department, Mom gave me a couple of pewter serving things that I never use. One is a Wilton Armetale platter for cutting meat, with channels for the juices, but I don't like cutting on metal. I prefer to use a tall sided porcelain serving dish so the bird doesn't accidentally slide off. The other is small rectangle cast with lots of indentations and not easy to clean, the classic "bring us this day our daily bread." They are going to leave, along with Dad's tall crockpot that cooks so hot it's kind of scary. (That should go to the ewaste, someone will use the wire and metal for scrap). As usual, I send photos of some to the kids in case they want any of it, they rarely do. Selling on eBay may be more respectful but they don't bring much for the work involved. Goodwill it is.

We're almost to August. How is everyone doing this summer? Down here "summer" weather lasts easily through September, but as with most other places, the school year dictates much of what happens when August rolls around. Traffic changes, shopping changes, and if you live near a school, your coming and going changes according to when the crazy parents will be clogging traffic waiting to pick up a child or making U-turns at the end of your street.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Jul 26 - 09:29 PM

I eat peaches from my hand, hanging over the sink. A paper towel is essential because peach juice leaves a permanent stain that no laundry treatment can shift. A good peach dribbles all over my face and fingers.

Recipe? Who needs a steenkin’ recipe?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 26 - 10:24 PM

Over the sink is best, but a homemade peach cobbler is pretty darned wonderful! (And I like canned peaches over cottage cheese.)

The SUV is loaded with the art/craft/storage stuff from here and that my daughter brought down. I see she is advancing through the family gift guilt stage with some stuff—her childhood sewing basket is in the mix. It took me until last year to finally discard my first sewing basket. We give these things the power they hold over us, it's just recognizing it and acting. All of this is delivered tomorrow and I get a look at the warehouse and hope for ideas about what else I can send over.

There are two dogs lying dress-right-dress on my office floor doing synchronous sleep-panting. They've been out in the yard playing and now are on the tile dissipating heat.

I continue to remove grass from the driveway cracks (a few yards at a time) and cleared the spots where the sprinklers sit (the weeds grow best around the sprinklers). The pots have been shifted around and I got out the round galvanized tub, filled it with water and set the floating fountain in it. In the morning I should have a lovely little water feature among the flower pots.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 10:46 AM

Murphy must have a Law that says if you fix one thing, another one breaks. The Invisible Fence line seems to have a break (a radio wire that runs around the perimeter of the property and signals to the dogs' collars if they get too close). Must call and have a tech take a look, I don't find an obvious problem myself (checking the usual spots and unplugging/plugging it.)

The solar fountain has expired, but no surprise after ~10 years. They make some spiffy ones now with storage batteries for LED lights after dark but I'll stick with low-tech water daytime only; a new equally inexpensive one arrives tomorrow morning.

Found more things to add to the SUV Welman donation stuff.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 11:23 AM

Exactly. I solve one problem that has so many "gotcha"s it feels like I crossed the Rockies. Then, surprise, there's the Sierra, and after that a coast range.

This morning was probably hour 40 of solving the water pressure problem, another 40 on the washer problem, and perhaps it is finally over, but I suspect there will be some new problem popping up before the day is over.

So, turns out these filters are not really standard, and the stores have spotty stock so it's hard to find the right one. Fellow at the PLUMBING SUPPLY HOUSE I got referred to buys his home filter at Wal-mart, because he has suppliers demanding he buy enormous quantities of anything he wants to buy wholesale. So, after visits to 5 stores, get something 'close enough' to work, by a 'trusted brand' that used to advertise "Hey ____ Man". Bring it home, and it will not stand straight enough in the barrel to allow me to screw the housing back in, it just flops to the side of the housing. They cheaped out and made the receptacles at both ends smooth plastic, too short to make the filter stand up. Crapification of products strikes again.

Research online, fellow suggests making a stabilizer zigzag ring out of old wire lying around the house, and pouring in hydrogen peroxide (I guess to make sure the mystery metals in the wire leach into your drinking water). A friend suggested that bread is commonly used by plumbers to hold things in place. Yes, because I need to introduce a mold source into my filter system. A third suggested pure copper ground wire. So I got some, and also re-checked the lumber yard's filter supply. Tucked in the back was ONE set of carbon wrap filters, and picking it up I noticed the ends were sturdier and rubberized. Grabbed those and decided to try to see if that would work.

This morning I actually got it to seat, and have a load of laundry running. Kudos and thanks to the Pentair company. It will probably be bought out by some global slime outfit next week.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 12:24 PM

Yes! A product I loved and recommended was Skunk Odor Remover by Nature's Miracle (I've lost track of how many times the dogs have been skunked), but the company was purchased and soon they were making shampoos and dilute versions and took the original off the market. I got a few from someone's stash via eBay and they are parked in the Fort Knox part of the pantry. (Around here the challenge is to get up and down the Llano Estacado before heading toward the Rockies.)

That filter was a lot of work - and kudos on clean water in the repaired washer! Is the filter cleanable or will you have to replace it in a year?

Small scales I don't use, camera gear I don't use, free New Yorker bags I don't use have all been added to the donation goodies. In 2025 I bought a case of poster board for marches but it would take a march a week to go through all of that any time soon, so I kept a handful and am donating the rest. Fingers crossed Drumpf is out of office for good sooner rather than 2029.

The Invisible Fence tech is scheduled for next Tuesday. I should mow the lawn before then so it's easy to find his way around that perimeter. I'll also trim down the tree seedlings all along the fence (something I have to do several times a year).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 03:38 PM

Sorting in the warehouse receiving area was an eye opener! There are things I've given to Goodwill that they can use just as well and there is quite a range of soft and hard goods. Not just art and craft but construction, storage, office, record management, and I can offload stuff brought home ages ago from the library (when they cull they give staff first dibs) that didn't sell on eBay. They'll take the leftover tile from when I put in my kitchen backsplash, and the extra bags of thinset, even old, are still good. Old Rubbermaid containers, picture frames, kitchen goods (for Home Ec and cooking classes), and lots of things that go into the recycle bin (sturdy plastic containers with good lids, glass jars with good lids). I'm not going to start sending them my recycling, but when I have a container that I find myself thinking "I wonder if I could use this for. . . " that might be the one to send them.

There are volunteers several days a week to do things like cut yardage into workable sizes, sort and prep knitting and sewing kits, assemble school supplies, teach evening and weekend classes, etc. I kind of felt in the way on this trip, I did help sort everything I brought but was asking lots of questions as they oriented to where things are distributed, but also about how the larger operation works. These things in the donation room are the cogs in a much larger picture. In this new location they run a makerspace.

I've made an appointment for a month out (they're all booked until then) to take more, now that I have a broader idea of what can be used. I'll pace myself and keep it to an SUV load per donation, but I will try to donate monthly.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 04:14 PM

Well done on your warehouse reconnaissance! Some outfits are terribly picky about what they will accept, but others realize that poor and budgeting folk are constantly on the lookout for a deal on small lots of building supplies, office supplies, all the things we need to live and keep up a house. So many things found around the house that aren't the standard clothes/furniture/kitchenware/toys found at a thrift.   When I held a moving sale, the hottest sellers were cans of paints and solvents, even if tiny or partly used, because the prices on this stuff new are just ludicrous.

I have written down in the calendar when the filter has to be changed twice a year, not going to let a problem develop again.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 06:16 PM

wow, Stilly, your teachers are amazing

I googled "fort worth art teachers warehouse" & found The Welman project - more WOWs. I'm assuming I found the right site!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Mary G
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 08:20 PM

I have just had a couple of phone calls asking if I am alright. I said I was excellent. Apparently someone with my exact same name was seriously injured in a car crash near Cannon Beach Oregon recently. Hope she recovers.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jul 26 - 12:02 AM

Yes, Sandra, that's the one. They just moved into the much larger space and I think I've read about possibly setting up another location. Mary, I'm glad people are looking out for you, and yes, sorry that another MG was injured.

patty, I realized when I looked around and with your remarks about paint being in demand that my last appointment must have been a goldmine for those folks, because I had eight or nine gallons fairly full from the painter, who said that they hadn't sold at his wife's garage sale.

Headed for bed soon, just came in to shut down the computer that has been unused this afternoon and evening. I started by making my "nacho mix" from a sirloin steak I ground for hamburger then ingredients from the freezer and the garden. Some for dinner, the rest in jars in the freezer for other meals. And then the small batch (that was still three quarts) of Zesty Salsa. Not going to can it so I could play with the recipe a bit (I added a healthy shake of ground chipotle pepper to give it a smoky flavor. I picked peppers today because I thought I was low then I found a couple of bags of them hidden in the fridge. There will be more occasions to use those. I'll share the salsa, maybe freeze some, though it is best enjoyed in the next few of weeks. It's made with enough vinegar that it almost pickles itself.

Company coming tomorrow and there will be plenty to eat. After all of tonight's cooking I made sure to clean the kitchen, so it's ready.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Jul 26 - 06:40 AM

putting useful info in one place, America & my part of Australia. I'm guessing other countries have similar projects


The Welman project - "Fort Worth's Creative Reuse Headquarters! The Welman Project is a local nonprofit on a mission to fill a classroom, not a landfill! Through creative repurposing of surplus business waste, we give teachers the tools and support they need to provide vital hands-on learning opportunities to every student. Our programs include: - A teacher warehouse full of unlimited free materials and curriculum-enhancing creative reuse ideas - A creative reuse shop for makers and families to get affordable arts and craft supplies and support local reuse artists - A makerspace with tools and workshops that empower everyone to explore their creativity"

Sydney has 2 creative reuse headquarters.

The oldest is Reverse Garbage which is is a creative reuse centre making a difference in the world by reducing waste and creating change in the way we look at resources. We inspire and support kids, adults, artists and teachers to consume less, make more, save money – and feel good doing it!   Discover the story of Reverse Garbage – from a small teacher-led project in the 1970s to Australia’s largest creative reuse centre today. Our history spans five decades of rescuing materials, running workshops, and inspiring communities to rethink waste. Explore milestones, photos and memories from our journey, and see how creative reuse has shaped education, art and sustainability in Sydney and beyond. Proudly funded by the Inner West Council.

and The Bower Reuse and repair centres Since 1998 The Bower’s Mission -
      Environment: Be a leader in driving a circular economy by aiming for zero waste through the reclamation of household items and building materials for reuse and resale through reducing landfill, decreasing the need for new raw materials, and reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
    Education: Promote and initiate reuse and repair workshops, cafes and online programs, and build cooperation with partner organisations, businesses and government.
    Community: Provide affordable goods and services, and redistribution to those in need such as low-income housing and domestic violence survivors; build community and generate local employment.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jul 26 - 10:33 AM

The Welman folks look at Teacher with a small t - anyone in education, even higher education - is considered a target audience for this material. The woman who did my orientation (who is a student at my university) said that library folks would be considered educators and could get materials there. I'll pass the word on to friends over there. Budgets cuts make this a valuable resource.

This morning's cheese omelette had a generous topping of salsa and was perfect. There's heat but not enough to linger or make your eyes water. It's in the mild to medium range and I think most of my planned recipients prefer this Scoville range.

In what may seem an odd trajectory, I'll be clearing the table and kitchen counters for company today so I'm starting by filing papers (mostly mail) in the office closet. Paper is often the culprit on the table and standing table, so first I need a place to move them to, but there's a stack on the file case that needs attention, not just more paper piled on top.

We're going one day at a time with these 100^o (37.7) plus days. Each morning I empty the water from the porch cooler, add another bottle or two and top it with ice. Today I scrubbed the cooler so it doesn't grow algae. That's for the postal carrier and the Amazon, UPS, and FedEx delivery folks. More often than not at least one bottle is gone, sometimes all of them. August isn't the end of summer here, it's when the dry air scorches the garden and sunburn on even the native plants and trees really sets in.

We have a gathering of the local family members on Saturday and before then I will carefully move furniture in my sewing studio to unblock the closet door. These days my daughter is ruthlessly discarding stuff that doesn't bring her joy and I'd like her to take stuff out of the closet in what was once her bedroom. I'll have large boxes on hand to load things into and I will dispose of them if she doesn't have to time or energy. Goodwill and Welman will be the main recipients. That's a big closet that I can put to good use. And when the clearing is finished, BLTs all around.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: pattyClink
Date: 30 Jul 26 - 01:17 PM

Ooh, BLTS with home-grown tomatoes! Add a perfect peach and it could get no better!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Health *Progress - 2026**
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Jul 26 - 05:49 PM

The breakfast radio announcer is talking about cleaning out generations of clutter. Caller said Dad was claiming the ceiling was sagging due to clutter in the attic & gave everyone a month to take their childhood stuff! She claimed a poster of her teenage idol - husband didn't like it in their bedroom so out it went! Another caller scanned all university essays & notes from 35 years ago (10 kilos/22 pounds went into recycling) & he now has a memory stick to lose!