DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Feb 26 - 10:42 PM

Finished the cat gig and have a few days before the next thing that might take me out of the house. I think an early start on spring cleaning is in order, so tomorrow should be spent dusting and vacuuming. Let's see if I can make myself act on my good intentions.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 26 - 11:57 AM

The most recent video sent to post for the gardening guru was somewhat out of focus and I've run copies of it through a couple of unsharp masks to try to fix it. He's not going to be happy with this one. I need to make a preset in the Handbrake program to process these in one step. I went looking for the handbook for robust Adobe Premiere Pro - it's 500 pages, so not something I'm going to get to right away. I need to look into the Lynda training software, if I still have access through the university.

The washer has finally quit draining altogether. It was on the spin cycle so items are being wrung out to hang dry and I'll call the repair guy this afternoon. It begins - the decision to repair or replace? I have a home warranty that will cover part of it whichever way the tech names.

This Friday the 13th I'm feeling out of sorts. No triskaidekaphobia, just the feeling like things are more rapidly spinning out of control here in the US and this date might be a good excuse for something awful to happen.

On a positive note, I made another batch of yogurt overnight and the daffodils are starting to bloom. I moved a planter of thriving green onions from the garage back to the potting bench to snip for my salads. Progress on the spring cleaning with the bedroom finished and now moving into the halls and bathrooms. And I mailed my ballot at the post office.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Feb 26 - 09:45 PM

You’re having yet another election? How do you keep track?

Here in my corner of suburban Ottawa, I’m still sitting out the winter. It’s a bit warmer, but walking around is still a challenge due to the frozen slush on the streets and sidewalks. Today I actually finished putting up pictures so I could put away the tool box, but other changes are due to start soon — Marc the contractor found a cabinetmaker who likes wood as much as I do. He’s a Syrian named Waseem who seems deeply curious about whatever he sees — kinda like me.

Lent begins next week, which means Spring ain’t far behind. i can hardly wait.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Feb 26 - 10:54 PM

The elections in March are party primaries to winnow down the number of candidates for each race the November general election. Who knows, there could be May runoffs if no one gets 50% in the primaries. Ranked choice voting sounds like a rational approach to save time and money so it will never happen here in Texas.

Congratulations on finding someone who wants to work with wood for your cabinets!

Getting an appointment for the Sears-affiliated repair guy to came out was quick this time but my whole afternoon tomorrow is dedicated to waiting for him to arrive in the 1-5pm window. That will be just the beginning, because chances are the part won't be in the service van (or a new washer will have to be ordered if the repair is too high and he totals my machine).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Feb 26 - 03:00 PM

Noisy morning here with an early phone call followed by a thunderstorm. I'm now in the repairman arrival window, so lots of churn in the house. The dogs might stay in the garage if I put them out in the back yard, but Pepper hates the thunder and it would be much louder out there.   

Surprising how much stuff is stored around the washer. Washing products and battery tools, a short ladder and mops and brooms. I used a small transfer pump for about 20 gallons of the water and what remains will allow for testing and is little enough so we can move the machine.

Ongoing over the weekend the new gardening website is under repair. The gardening guru's daughter set up this GoDaddy site for him and they were both confused about the continual site down codes, but every time we put out a podcast that brings more traffic, it made the problem worse. I spelled it out in a Simple English email with easy descriptions and bold quotes from the guy who set up the site (he discussed a couple of higher-traffic plans they could convert to). After that she called to change the plan and migrate to a more robust system (will take a couple of days). I'm taking that time off.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Feb 26 - 05:08 PM

A beautiful mild and sunny day today, so I went out for a long walk. It’s been a while.