De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 11:10 AM

I tried looking that up, but it's pretty confusing. Good luck to those who want to try for such a blessing.

This is the most grim thing I think I've ever read in my entire life. This is Journal of the Plague Year and The Painted Veil.

Staying home, and now that I've watched this video on how to bring home groceries I have cleared the peninsula counter in my kitchen and will work my way through the house removing things that are in the way that would be touched unnecessarily. And wondering how in hell we are going to survive this crisis with a self-dealing self-absorbed sociopath and his grubbing friends in the White House. Hillary warned about this during her campaign. Hillary=Cassandra.

Home, in the dumps, but safe. Stay well, everyone. (I read about your brother mg - flu is bad enough, but I'm glad he didn't have coronavirus.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: mg
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 12:49 AM

for catholics, if you watch the pope tomorrow at 1 pm eastern time you can get a plenary indulgence, which is really great. but i can't say where it will be broadcast.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 26 Mar 20 - 10:45 AM

Charmion wrote, "It's still Lent, so getting drunk is not an option."

Charmion's brother: "I would say, 'hold my beer,' but that'd be counter-productive.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 20 - 01:55 PM

Weather changes so quickly here - it went from cold and wet to warm, so warm that it's difficult to work out there; after surgery I am finding it still is a bit difficult to deal with temperature changes. But I'm doing my exercises and that helps things work better when I do venture outside. I've loaded a plant from the greenhouse into my kids' old Radio Flyer wagon, and once I've cleared a space for it, it will move into the potted garden area beside the house. They all need to be sprayed with dish soap in water to knock off some red mites that got started.

Last week I subscribed to Sling TV in order to see some of the cable news networks. I didn't want to have to turn it on every time I wanted to see what was playing, so I have programmed my TV Guide account and starred just the channels that I get locally. They have a page of Sling offerings and I was blown away by the world of channels they carry. They advertise to narrow markets, so I get channels in English that carry American networks and cable, but they have the world covered. I can't view those other channels (and I wouldn't understand them) but it's interesting to see that they're there. It took me about 30 minutes of slowly scrolling through the list to "star" the channels I actually get, before then setting it to just show my favorites. The other online channel guide I use, set to over-the-air in this market, is Zap2it. This is the Mother of all broadcast listings, feeding out to the rest of them. And it's set for the channels I have set as favorites on my HD TV at home. The other not-quite-online tool I use is a homemade home page. Years ago I created my own home page that lives as a file on my computer desktop, and every so often I add new links to it (so when I got Sling I added a link). Google used to have customizable home pages and I was so sorry to see it go that I created my own. Simpler, but effective.

The news right now is saying that Mardi Gras in Louisiana is probably when many of their Coronavirus cases spread. They look like the next hot spot, but are barely a blip in the news. But next door to Texas, there is bound to be some germ synergy between the two. I will continue to stay at home. And curse those people who suggest that all of this is "overblown" or a hoax and ignore stay-at-home recommendations. This said, I am having to meter my time watching and listening to the news. It can make your heart race after a while.

Stay healthy, everyone.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Mar 20 - 03:40 PM

Beaver:


Larry just finished clearing the studio door! No excuses; he wants to see some pots freshly made! Maybe tomorrow am I can do that. I turned the cube heater on although it was 48F in there with the sun - sporadic today. It will be warm in the am and if the sun does not shine, there are lights. Still waiting for full sun and lots of rain to clear the snow. Yesterdays 3 or so inches is starting to melt...

I feel like - "is it still Tuesday?" I went for groceries at 7:15 for the special Seniors time. The place was near empty but there was adequate food. and TP!; I went to the pricier store as there were so many cars at No Frills, and people waiting outside. Since I don't usually get up until at least 8, this makes a longer day but it was a nice change. Larry made a nice break also; we kept our distance. Later today he will be doing maple syrup; he already gave me a nice bottle!

I washed hair this am with melted snow (WARMED!). Found another bucket in the studio and now I can go fill two with snow to melt for next chore. Maybe wash some dishes, etc. And I keep a container of water in the bathroom for washing hands. Life is becoming routine but I need to fill the long empty times. If only something would inspire me to write something! instead of just looking at FB, which, BTW, seems to have become boring. Very little meat, a lot of covid, complaints about that man, and cutsey pics. Without unlimited internet, it is expensive to look at youtubes, programs, or anything of that sort.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Mar 20 - 11:52 AM

Yesterday was still overcast but the blueberry muffins brightened things in the late afternoon. Today is a vast improvement, sunny and clear. Now to tend to the seasonal allergies as pollen arises. Here is a CDC/Merck/U of Michigan chart to help you sort out symptoms of cold, flu, norovirus (the one that USUALLY takes out passengers on cruise ships), and COVID19.

We are in a county in which the mayors and county court at law judge have done what the state's governor SHOULD have done, and imposed a lock down and closing businesses, and people should stay at home except for the essentials of picking up groceries, food (restaurants are trying to stay busy with take-out only, handed over at curbside), medical appointments, etc. So a meeting of my small groups of ex-library friends can't get together at my house (even if we sat separately in my driveway and all brought our own food). I think we'll be trying a group meeting on Facebook or download Zoom and see how that works. I worry about a couple of them and without eye contact it's hard to gauge how they're doing.

The good news, decluttering on a different scale than this list usually covers, is that it has finally come to the state's attention that the corrupt man who served as university president since 2013 is in fact corrupt. He was going to step down on Aug. 31 of this year and was in the running to be president at a university in Florida. Insiders must have finally caught the attention of the local newspapers because they ran satisfyingly thorough accounts of his misdeeds and finally the faculty members got their say in public about him. He withdrew from the Florida application (I'm sure people sent all of this dirt to Florida) and last week he was forced to step down abruptly. Now his yes-man milquetoast Provost is acting president, but I suspect he won't last long. In the end, I hope this trickles down to the awful dean in the library (who was somehow ignored by the president, money-wise, yet allowed to retain her position despite all of the investigations and complaints lodged against her). A lot of us got out when we could, a lot of people are still suffering because of her targeting older and disabled employees to give inappropriate jobs to or outright fire. Heads are rolling and I hope my university is able to weather this storm and resume the good work it has done for over a century. Those people are why my little group is together now, and I'm sure everyone there knows how to spell Schadenfreude backwards and forwards by now.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 20 - 01:30 PM

No alcohol while I have the heavy-duty Rx for the knee on hand, and I've lost a few pounds so I'm not likely to add it back into my diet soon.

Yes, Michelle. It's a perverse version of Groundhog Day, a double dose for those of us who still haven't gotten over the 2016 election. The press conferences are an exercise for real health professionals in suppressing the nonsense once it comes out of his mouth.

My neighbors called from the store asking if I needed any thing, and when the bag arrived I put it in the sink and washed everything and the bag in the holding area to let possible germs die and then washed my hands.

I put a hand washing station on my front porch, assembled with household stuff. A small tub for washing in, a gallon of water, a bar of soap, a roll of paper towels hanging from the mailbox and a small trash can. A note on the wall with a QR code to Alton Brown's video on the science behind soap and water for killing the virus, et al. It's there if someone who delivers stuff needs it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Mar 20 - 01:06 PM

Yes, Michelle, I do.

Every morning now, when I wake up, I remind myself that it's really happening and it won't be over any time soon. I'm afraid that I or my husband will catch the disease, and that other people, including our governments, will do dumb things out of ignorance, fear and/or venality.

My work does not reassure me because it's a book about the war in Afghanistan. Himself's work is about crime, so that's no help either.

It's still Lent, so getting drunk is not an option.

Today, I have to change the bed linen and the towels in the bathroom. The kitchen floor needs sweeping; as usual, it's a disgrace. We will make a really good supper. I will not look at any news source for the rest of the day.

That's the best I can do for now.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Mar 20 - 12:34 PM

I took today off. I'm feeling anxious at the current world situation. I know I'm not alone but at times I feel overwhelmed. Anyone else here feeling this way?

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 20 - 11:30 AM

I went through the garden center (an outdoor business) and picked up a flat of bedding plants. I was going to pick out some seeds but there was someone over coughing in that part of the store.

Now if it would stop raining every day I could do something with these.

I installed a Wireless Access Point in the other end of the house to accommodate all of the wireless devices that are springing up lately, and to let the neighbor log on if she needs; her service is slow and sometimes unusable for her work from home. It took a few tries but I hope it's set correctly now.

This week's baked goods to share with neighbors is blueberry muffins. The rolls were a hit last week. I bake them and then remove with tongs, bag carefully in bags from a box of bags (untouched by human hands) and wear gloves to carry them next door and across the street.

I am still working from home, only a few hours a week. So far so good.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Mar 20 - 12:35 PM

No, Donuel, things have no changed all that radically for us, but then we are seniors who work at home anyway. But our town is very different.

This morning we went shopping with the wrinklies at the crack of dawn, when the carts were still relatively clean and the cabbages had not be handled by half the county. Only the pop and candy aisles were fully stocked; stuff we (and le tout Stratford) need was in limited supply or not there at all. Fruit and veg prices are through the roof ($2.49 a pound is the new 99 cents), while fuel prices have dropped to levels not seen in 25 years.

The theatre festival (a very big deal) has cancelled all rehearsals and performances until June, and laid off the actors and musicians. That is unprecedented. Unlike similar festivals in Europe (such as Glyndbourne and Bayreuth), which are almost entirely government-funded, the Stratford Festival gets about 60 percent of its revenue from the box office, and of course ticket sales have tanked. God alone knows how we'll fix that.

Stilly, you asked about my fancy gloves. I should have bought the ones that cover the fingertips; the open-tip style help, but not nearly enough -- my right index finger is gun-metal grey right now this minute. Book productivity is better but not as good as it could and should be. I'm generally too twitchy to concentrate for long, and I spend too much time on the Internet checking for news updates.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 05:43 PM

Thanks for asking, Don. The knee is at 125^o when bent (pretty close to the other non-surgical knee now) and at 2^o (almost flat when I flex it). I'm almost completely off of the heavy duty Rx, just at night to give myself a shot at getting a good night's sleep, and sometimes after PT, because it hurts.

I concur with your declutter plan - I am starting on the kitchen this afternoon, not just sweeping floors and cleaning counters, but trying to put many of the things that typically sit out away where they actually should go.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 03:59 PM

I made my last trip to physical therapy for at least two weeks; I told her it just seems too dicey, so she gave me a list of exercises I can do on my own, and my next appointment, if things are normal enough to make it happen, is right before my next post-op visit and will assess my progress.

My stops on the way home were at Aldi where they had almost everything I needed (but they're down to spinach, fresh and frozen) - good thing I really like spinach. I also stopped at the restaurant supply and picked up more gloves (I gave boxes to family members this week) and I found frozen broccoli florets and carrot sticks. Those will do me as a form of vegetable for the time being.

Now if it will clear up so I can work in the yard I can start some lettuce and other small greens. The week has been one of overnight rain storms and flood warnings. Trouble is, once the rain is gone, the pollen will be up all of our noses.

Charmion, how are those special gloves working for you for typing? Have you been able to pick up the pace?

Michelle, how is Jeremiah holding up - is he at home all day now? I imagine that as bright as he is he has lots of things to keep him busy. And there is an interesting array of kid-centric stuff turning up online.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 03:54 PM

In DC the TV stations are discouraging people from seeing the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Tidal Basin. I'm not complaining but its 79 degrees outside today under complete cloud cover.
I'm down to 3 1/2 rooms to declutter.
No expectations for the NIH to reopen until May. There is no expectation for Federal assistance for months. Lightning speed for Congress was 2 weeks with 5 days off. But the supplies are good and people are empathetically insular *will not speak or make eye contact* Only the deniers are outspoken in public. This week the infections are predicted to rise by 1000%.

Its the teenagers and atheletes who ignore self isolation and social distance between themselves. There is more talk about managing stress. But I feel great until I wake up in the morning :^/

SRS are you half healed up? Have things radically changed for you Charmion?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 03:03 PM

We are adjusting to the go-nowhere rules, made easier by the blustery weather. This morning, we saw our first Lake Effect storm of the season, with line squalls blowing through town and monsoon-like rain.

Our neighbours who went to Mexico last week are supposed to come home today but might not make it. According to their dog-sitter, one member of the family party of 10 is running a fever. Oh, shit.

The Stratford Festival has now cancelled performances to the end of May and promised refunds, probably a result of the big federal relief program announced yesterday. I'm glad the festival will almost certainly survive, but this crisis will certainly winnow Stratford's many hospitality businesses.

Meanwhile, we are planning a supermarket dash at 0700 tomorrow morning. Here's hoping they have broccoli and cauliflower at Zeyr's.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 01:33 PM

Beaver:
YAY! Spring thaw, phase one! 55F today and we had some rain. Now the sun is appearing. Larry came down to make sure I have things in order - as well as possible. He broke up some ice and threw it down hill and I poured hot water in a spot that was impeding flow. And put extra snow in a low spot, hoping it will freeze tonight to block water coming down drive from road. Temp dropping again tonight and several cold nights ahead. I could safely go back to Dupont for a few days - to my unlimited internet --- and R! And running water!

Got a bucket of water from rain barrel! Ice/snow slid off 2/3 of east roof this am, waiting impatiently for the other end to leave; then I can turn off heat cables. The ice is overhanging about 18 inches and dripping like mad!

Larry considered clearing the studio door so I could pot but it still badly blocked and he has enough of his own to do. I can live without potting a while longer.

Not using much wood but there is room for a bit more so I can do that while it is not raining.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 07:42 PM

I skipped my ophthalmologist appointment today; it's an annual check and it's just too close for comfort right now. My physical therapy appointment in the morning is still on - we wipe things as we go and there are very few people in there now. The students (interns) were recalled and the oldest higher-risk clients have decided to stay home. Tomorrow I'm going to ask for a set of exercises to do on my own at home and skip the next few sessions; there is an assessment on April 3 that, depending on circumstances, might be useful. The last post-op appointment is in the following week.

This whole surgical experience, timing-wise, was a case of defacto self-isolation. I only got out a few times during the entire month, and none of them to crowded venues. Texas is way behind other places in enacting measures to keep people home; rules governing public events and public businesses has fallen to the city and county governments. I was planning to pick up my usual outside activities, but have had to back out (and those museums and parks in turn announced today that they are closed to the public until further notice). My attention will turn pretty exclusively to the yard and garden (baby steps out there) and it's time to turn over the contents of the craft room and decide on something to work on.

Stay healthy, everyone. Stay sane. And be kind to yourselves and your neighbors. (Most of you know that this week I gave out hot homemade rolls to a few neighbors; next week, by request, blueberry muffins.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Mar 20 - 06:27 PM

Beaver:

House is drying - on the surface anyway. Food stores open. Nice to have a couple minutes of conversation. Bringing in wood - not a lot as the weather is "mild", hovering below freezing at night, a little above during the day. Hoping for close to 60F tomorrow and rain. That would greatly help the melt. Then going down again so I can go back to Chateauguay for a few days - until it warms again.

R is ready for me to do some cooking! I left him much but... He is tired of watering the plants - all 70 of them! Darest I tell him I need to start a few more veggie seeds, to be ready in May.

GREY day! and getting very humid. Pau d'Arco tea has been making me feel much better. Prob go back on Sat.It has been nice to see a couple people, talk to a few on phone, check family for their status. I have been profligate with the use of internet here; it is not unlimited and already up to almost $50 so I am saving lots of things to read and listen to when I get back to the unlimited! But the company of FB friends has been helpful. Doing OK with the water - very stingy!

Looking forward to tomorrow's melt, then trip back to R. I slept for hours and hours after the trip here. Two days to recover. Hope it does not take that long again. Weather is a factor. WOW! a bunch of birds in nearby tree. They must feel spring also. It does give me a sense of something good is happening! The raised beds still have almost a foot of snow on them.

Stay well!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 09:40 AM

For the first time in history, Canada's sea and air ports are closed to foreign travellers; you can come here only if you live here. Travel from the States is still allowed, but barely; my guess is, if you're not a homeward-bound snowbird, you'd better be driving a truck loaded with fruit and veg.

Closer to home, the Ministry of Health has ordered restaurants, bars and coffee shops to close except for take-out orders. No one is allowed to sit down in Tim's or Starbuck's even to gulp their coffee, let alone hang around for hours on their laptop. The YMCA is closed for the duration, so exercise will be trotting up and downstairs, and walking around the neighbourhood. No hugging the neighbours, though patting their dogs is probably okay.

So today, we are doing what we did yesterday: writing and editing, with a little light housework in the mix. Himself is not going to court. I am not popping out for a few things at Sobey's.

The weather is chilly and wet, so this is what we would do anyway.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 11:56 PM

I have added a way to stream a few of the cable channels without the local cable company running an extra set of equipment to the house. Sling TV (Blue) for $30 a month gives me several I will watch, once I figure out how to get it set up on each device. The smart TVs will be easy enough, I thought it would go through my Sony BluRay player, but apparently not. It goes through many other devices, though. And with so much time being spent at home, now is the time to add it.

I'm not hoarding toilet paper, but I bought ahead on the dog food today, since I was in that part of town after PT. Wednesday is the 1 month anniversary after surgery; I have PT for two more weeks. The time has crept in six-hour increments (it was 4-hour increments when I was on the oxycodone). Now I'm mostly on extra-strength Tylenol and I can do a lot of "normal" stuff, albeit carefully. I guess I've had an extra quarantine period because of the surgery.

I've checked on neighbors, and will run errands for the couple across the street since it's hard for them to get out (three adults and one car).

Bizarre times. Desperate times. So many of the actions being taken are by established businesses and people with jobs or places to live. As all of this shuts down it will reveal all of the people who bin-dive for food or other needs; it will lock them out of the public spaces where they sought shelter and were able to wash and change clothes. So many marginal jobs will vanish and there is no recourse for those students and working poor.

I keep some $5 bills in a stash in the SUV; every so often I've passed by panhandlers at traffic intersections or in store parking lots, and I've tried to take a more kind-hearted view of their lives. I hand out bottles of water in hot weather, and lately have handed over a $5. Usually it seems that is enough to do something with; invariably I'll see them turn and head over to the store they're outside of to get the gas they need or the sandwich they wanted. It's satisfying that they don't have to keep waiting to collect change and small bills to add up to enough to eat.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 08:35 AM

Spring is springing in Stratford, which is great because going to the gym or the Y is a bad idea at present. For the next three weeks, most of southern Ontario has retreated into their hole and pulled it in after them.

I went out for a nice long walk yesterday (sun was shining, temperature above freezing) and le tout Stratford was also out to celebrate the return of strolling weather. We politely waved and smiled at each other, keeping our distance as the Medical Officer of Health has directed. Churches throughout the province are closed until Palm Sunday, so — no church. Some restaurants are still open, but business is lousy at our normal Sunday breakfast spot. The farmers’ market held its last session “for a while” on Saturday, and the butchers’ counters were absolutely rammed; a visitor from outer space could be forgiven for thinking that meat was going out of style.

We bought a lot more than we usually do, and I spent half the afternoon cutting up a blade roast into stew chunks and vacuum-sealing a pork roast, four enormous kaessler (a kind of smoked pork loin chop), two pounds of bacon and the stew meat. The freezer is now full to the top. The Instant Pot has been in production since Saturday, and we now have five litres of duck stock and five litres of chicken stock.

The supermarkets have been stripped of the things people can’t bear the thought of doing without, most notably toilet paper, but also bleach, bread, potatoes and canned tomatoes. Himself was inclined at first to throw himself into the frenzy, but I slammed on his brakes; we don’t have space to store any more than we have already, and we’re not hoarders.

The Stratford Festival has cancelled all performances in April, so that’s our Hamlet tickets up in smoke. My choir has cancelled its next concert, scheduled for 30 March, and all rehearsals until 6 April, and the executive (which includes me) will meet on 7 April to re-assess.

Himself and I are not going to France; we were supposed to leave on 30 April. The government has told us not to fly anywhere if we can possibly avoid it, and people who are out of the country must come home RIGHT NOW while they still can.

So far, “community transmission” of the disease has not begun in Stratford, and we have only one confirmed case — a man who tested positive after flying home from a holiday in Mexico. Our neighbours went to Mexico with their grandchildren on Friday, much to our dismay, and I imagine they will face a quarantine order when they get back.

We are practising “social distancing”.

Himself just went to court for a meeting in which the criminal lawyers (Crown and defence) will hash out what to do with their most urgent cases. (God alone knows what they will do in big centres with beaucoup crime, like Toronto.) Jury trials are cancelled, and all other kinds of appearances have been postponed for 10 weeks. Himself says A LOT of people will have to be let out of jail to relieve crowding.

As for us, we have plenty to do and the wide world to stretch our legs in — as long as we avoid other people. Cross the street, smile and wave.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 08:43 PM

Beaver!!!

At BF on Thurs, I announced leaving for Beaver. and left. Boom. Forgot a few things but shall survive. Everything in Quebec and most of Ontario is closed down. The Farmers MArket up here cancelled on Fri and the one in Quebec also. Nothing to do and nowhere to go! Long walks on the dirt road would be good - I might. Could make pots if I could get into the studio but a couple feet of frozen snow is beyond me! MAybe in a few more days. It is just about freezing - a little above in the days, a little below at night. Good for the maple syrup production but not melting enough snow.

Water: Melting frozen snow for washing. HAve distilled for drinking and cooking. I can strain the melted ice and distill it. And the 3 rain barrels will provide fairly clean water for washing and, filtered, for distilling.

NEighbour Larry stopped by and we plugged in the pump briefly to find source. Frozen pipe split. Water flew everywhere! We cleaned up and considered the situation. The plumbers left the Bath door ajar rather than shutting it as I requested. That caused the heat to be insufficient. Sent them an email. YEsterday a very knowledgeable friend - "oh no! You didn't use them!" etc. House may dry out by August. I looked out the BR window yesterday and there was a small pond out there. The water had gone down through the cracks in the
floor and created the pond.I have no idea how long the pump was spewing befor4e I got home last Friday! A LOT of water!! (no basement. House is very close to the ground.)

Spring will come eventually. In the meantime: I lived without running water for almost 15 years so...

Gave R instructions on watering plants, AND taking supplements, and eating the food I left in frig.

Son phoned from Whidbey today. They are near Seattle and being VERY careful. We agreed I am safer here than in Quebec - where R continues to go into the city daily. The Province has asked those over 70 to stay home. No TV here and the internet connection is expensive (per each piece I look at)... I have several books. Hundreds actually but not many I really want to read! I may reread a few good ones.

I get to bring in wood and feed the fire. And, with any luck, I will be inspired to get rid of, or at least sort out and organize. Beautiful sunny days are terrific. No tinge of green on the poplars yet. Down near the LAke, there was a tinge on the willows. There was also bare ground!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: LilyFestre
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 07:50 PM

Hi All,

    To answer Maggie's question, my agency is still up and running in New York State. At this time, our requirements of required face to face contact with our clients still stands. Our agency complies with the New York State Department of Health. As of Friday morning, there was talk of a waiver of the face to face contact with clients who are children. No word for adults. However...that was on Friday. Since that time, all Pennsylvania schools are closed for a minimum of two weeks (this came out late Friday afternoon) and as of today, all schools in the city where I work are officially closed for 3 weeks. So far, no reported cases in the county in which I live or work however, there are reported outbreaks in the county in which Pete works.

    I'm not sure what to make of all of this. I went shopping on Thursday and picked up enough items to get through a couple of weeks if need be. We went to Walmart late this afternoon to pick up a few non-food items (and no, not TP). I had Jeremiah with me and he was able to see first hand how there is no bread, pasta is just about all gone, the meat case was looking empty, no paper products in sight. I took him on purpose as he was teasing me about the groceries I had already purchased and then wanting to go to the store today. Now he knows and I hope he feels secure. The store itself was crazy and has always been a 24 hour store until today...they are now closed from midnight to 6am. I presume this is to allow time to safely stock the shelves although I could be wrong.

Pete's lab is still up and running although the university has now closed for students and no more classes will be happening in a live situation, it will all be online. Given the Pete's lab is mostly Iranians and Chinese students, I'm not sure how much longer they will stay open. He may be able to work from home more often than not...time will tell. That may be true for me too....who knows. Our agency requires a Face to Face appointment at least once a month but the state requires a F2F only once every 3 months. I suppose a lot of work could be conducted by phone from home if need be.

I don't mean to ramble, everything is so up in the air at this point.

I hope the rest of you are well and that you are coming along with your healing Maggie.

Please share if you hear anything about Susan. I have been thinking about her too and am hoping she is ok and maybe even at home.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 07:29 PM

We have a week of stormy weather ahead, probably exacerbating the cabin fever here in North Texas, but I agree, fresh air out of doors away from people is good for us. Send me a message and let me know your Twitter handle. I seem mostly to post photos of dogs and flowers myself (via Instagram). Twitter is my most political outlet.

I wish I felt better - the knee takes a while to heal and the aggravation of the secondary things one has to deal with when on pain pills and antibiotics haven't helped. I have some stock thawing and will make a batch of chicken soup this evening, that should help a lot. I did too much on Thursday, and it takes a while to get the energy back. #LiveAndLearn

I haven't heard much from Canada about this (other than Trudeau's wife testing positive). I haven't looked into it but I think yesterday Mexico closed the borders to Americans to keep the coronavirus out. Isn't that ironic.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: mg
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 05:06 PM

here is my free and clutterless hobby.. i .live by the ocean..just on my little cell phone and post pictures on twitter. usually flowers, clouds etc. nothing special but some have turned out quite nicely. unless you are living in a crowded city, i see no reason not to go outdoors and not get close to people. fresh air, sunshine, vitamin d. and we can have social contacts from ten feet away..i'm irish..it's normal. any closer would be some sort of sin.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 11:29 AM

So, two days later that particular library is still open, but many others (city library, museums, etc.) have closed for at least two weeks. I'm not sure if they're more stubborn or stupid.

I have many things I want to do here, with this period of isolation, but I think I should prioritize and set some goals. I'm still doing PT exercises and elevating the leg, but between those activities I can do most things, at least in moderation.

The house is on it's own routine during this time, and yesterday the rubber flapper in the master bathroom loo broke loose on one side so I do need to make a trip out to find a new one. I had spares here at one time but I think I donated them to Goodwill. Silly me.

Most of us are older, some are limited in our activities. Not all are reporting in on this Mudcat thread to share their stories, but it's sufficient to say that we all need to take good care of ourselves and if finding a creative or decluttering activity will help give a pleasant activity during the next couple of weeks, please report in on your progress.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 20 - 12:41 PM

I am about 25 days out from the knee replacement and last night was my first better night's sleep in all of that time. My fitness tracker shows I have been waking an average of 11 times each night (typically I wake 1 to 3 times) because I struggle with a way to get comfortable. Last night it was only 6 times, and I can feel the difference. When my timer went off to take my nighttime dose of pain meds I went back to sleep and didn't wake up for the next nearly six hours. I think the knee is finally to the point where I can position it so the bursitis doesn't flare up. #BabySteps

For the last 3+ weeks I've been stuck at home in recovery mode, and since I have a recent surgical injury still mending it's all the more important to spend the next 2-4 weeks at home in dodge-the-coronavirus mode. I need to give myself a big task to do (that I can put down when I get tired) so I feel like I'm not in limbo for two months this year. Are any of the rest of you making a similar decision, and are you working on a goal at home to make the time productive for you? Michelle, I worry about you the most with a job in a public-facing agency that absolutely needs to be there to help clients. Are you able to help some of your clientele over the phone or do they have to appear in person?

I started a bit of a contretemps with a former co-worker when I suggested that the library not let students congregate in the library if they can't go to classes. The whole point of not having classes is to keep them socially separated for their health but they also have to have a care for the state employees (who may want to stay home as well). My coworker thought I would kick out the student employees without paying them, making it harder for them to eat. I'm hoping the emergency legislation that is underway now will allow students to be paid their regular hours - they shouldn't have to risk their lives to have food to eat. Same with so many minimum and low wage jobs (and those without paid sick leave). This is something unlike we've ever seen before, the paradigm has to shift radically and let people and businesses alike come out alive at the end of it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 20 - 07:03 PM

Oh, Dorothy! It sounds like Beaver is going to be a challenge when the weather finally warms. From previous reports I'm guessing you have to get past the freezing and then mud parts of the year before you can do much there.

Physical Therapist here today worked with me to figure out a combination of pillows so I should be able to sleep comfortably on my side, at least for a longer period of time than I have been.

I sent a query out into the ether on Facebook to see if anyone has a report on WYSIWYG. Hoping for the best, but after such a long time, fearing the worst.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Mar 20 - 06:32 PM

Dupont:

Let's see, now: Last Friday I drove to Beaver, and back - ten hour trip. The front door was iced shut due to my negligence in not removing screen door in the fall, I had to clamber around to the back door through 2 feet or more of snow and the back deck had over 2 feet. I turned on the electric blanket, and started a fire in the stove, having discovered water spraying out of the plumbing. Pulled the plug on the pump and ... Went to neighbour to pick up mail she had gotten for me - She was so sick, she threw it to me out of the second floor window (in a briefcase! Went back to the house, battened down the hatches, turned off the blanket and got back in the car and drove back.

Today, I finally got the mental energy to connect my new printer to the wifi. Had to phone Epson for help and the third person sent me an email with good instructions - too bad they were not in the box. The push was so I could vote on line - When I went to do that..... The emailed ones needed to be in by 2nd. If it were not such a waste of energy, I might have wept.

I have finally kind of figured out the apple add on to the TV that my son gave me for Christmas and watched two wonderful programs yesterday.

And reading through the current posts, I was reminded to wash the sheets today! Other, than that, I am recovering from trip and almost ready to try again. House is in its usual moderately clean condition. OH, but the heat has gone off today so I need to keep a fire in the stove!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 20 - 11:17 PM

The pillow thing works sometimes, but the trouble was that after a couple of days a hip abduction exercise brought on an excruciating case of bursitis in that hip, and the painkillers for the surgery did squat for it. I stopped that exercise and asked about it and do a mix of ice on the hip and heat on the thigh muscle or behind my hip in back and under the thigh, so when those muscles relax the bursa settles down. But if I lie on my side it pushes the muscle down onto the bursa and it starts hurting again. It's too close to the surgery to get a steroid shot in it. Ice, heat, and a couple of specific exercises have helped and I can sleep with the pillow a little bit now. Motrin isn't allowed now, and it is those anti-inflammatory meds that make a big difference.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Mar 20 - 10:19 AM

Garbage is out and the sun is shining. Off to a good start.

We had the neighbours in to dinner last night, which forced me to vacuum the sitting room and wash the dining room floor, and Himself to clean the ground floor loo. Sure enough, when i went in there to pee before bed, the sink was lovely and shining, a fine contrast with the squeeze bottle of Vim standing proudly beside the soapdish.

Sigh.

Housework is truly the macho bullshit of women.

Stilly, if you're thrashing around that much, are you sure you're taking enough dope at night? I remember that phase of recovery, and it was a bitch -- do too much and you writhe in pain today, do too little and you writhe in pain the day after tomorrow. I learned to sleep on my side with the affected leg resting on a pillow between my knees, without rolling over, but that was 30 years ago; I doubt I could do that now.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 20 - 10:02 AM

I've just cleaned out some of the male posts on that oddball "buzz flies" thread - I'm not interested in joining it, but unhappy that some of the guys feel the need to pile on, not understanding at all why that is inappropriate. #DoneAndDusted - for now.

So yesterday I tried half a day with just Tylenol and it was a fairly miserable 12 hours. The tramodol (I just took at night yesterday) is making things more comfortable, so I'll try 6 hours without it today and extend the periods between taking them. The knee is much better, the flexibility is increasing, but every morning after thrashing around in bed all night the swelling is back and I have to work to decrease it. And today I have to go to court to tell them about the accident I witnessed a few months ago - the woman who was at fault is contesting the ticket. I have some loose black trousers that will give the knee room to move and should be businesslike enough for that environment. No pajama pants or gray sweatpants for court.

With all of my deliberate steps around here, walking heel-toe to use the knee properly and train myself not to limp, the laundry is getting done and the dishes are washed. I took my trash to the curb. My neighbor mowed the front lawn the other day and that kept me from thinking I might try it, or calling a friend who has a fancy mower (and charges a hefty fee). The back yard will be a jungle when I next get to it, making a grassy pesto under the deck of the mower that I have to regularly tip so I can scrape off the green paste.

This is getting old; I'm to three weeks and it's much better than it was, but I have a lot of ground to cover before I'm up to my old energy level. International Women's Day was celebrated yesterday, I enjoyed listening to reports about it on the news this morning. By next January I'll be back to my old self and be able to put on my pink knit cap and march in celebration (or protest, whichever it happens to be).

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Mar 20 - 11:28 AM

Field trip to the grocery store, via a ride from a friend. I'm down to half a day without the heavy-duty painkiller. Trouble is, when I sleep I thrash around and my knee is sore in the morning. They forbid sleeping in a recliner, so it's a tussle with moving a pillow around the knee. My fitness tracker shows I wake up between 8 and 11 times a night over the last couple of weeks.

Back to the stretches, exercises, and elevation. . .

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 20 - 12:26 PM

Next week outpatient therapy begins, and I picked a place that is easy to drive to, though I may not be driving the first time I go there. Google maps was helpful (some of these places are tucked into hard-to-reach neighborhoods); the place I chose I've heard good things about and I can reach via surface roads instead of the freeway. When I'm not in therapy, just on my own, I need to walk upright, shift weight from one leg to the other without a sway or limp, etc. I've started moving furniture back to it's original places.

The kitchen is clean, the dining table is in good shape, I've kept up with laundry and bed linens, etc, and I should start doing the eBay stuff again soon. I've finally figured out when the mail carrier tends to come by and can hand things over to her instead of driving to the post office. My old routine can pretty much pick up where it left off not quite three weeks ago. I'm not sure when the activity of dog walking will be added back; I'll probably have to walk them each one at a time for a little while.

On a separate note, it sounds like there is some important decluttering happening at my old employer. The state chancellor has forced out the university president (who was recently sued for bullying women employees) - he announced that he leaves end of August. And at that time there will be no more protection for the wretched human being who has been the library dean since 2012. If they get rid of those two I can see people considering returning to work there.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 20 - 09:32 PM

A friend is having her kitchen remodeled, and spent a couple of days opening all cupboards and drawers, astonished at the redundant items and the things she never uses. Much of it will be donated, and I suspect most of us could do something like that.

Bandage came off, stepping down on the painkillers, still in PT and exercising, no driving yet. A field trip to the grocery store after the doctor was nice, I picked up my first chocolate in over 2 weeks. I already had some nice mixed nuts, no peanuts, just the good stuff, brought in last week by a friend as an item on my shopping list. I always buy dark chocolate chips to mix in with them but didn't want to make him look for too many things; I thought I'd be fine with the nuts, but they just weren't quite right. At the store today in the point-of-purchase area I grabbed a bag of peanut M&Ms to mix with them. It'll work - and it's the little things that make all the difference sometimes!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Senoufou
Date: 04 Mar 20 - 06:42 PM

We only noticed yesterday that a new poster had been attached to a telegraph pole near our house, declaring that our village is having another huge Yard Sale on March 29th. We hurried down to the village shop and registered our address, so when they print the maps, our house will be marked as 'selling'.
Now I'm having a lovely time scurrying round opening cupboards and drawers to find things to sell.
The last one, during the autumn, had to be deferred twice due to bad weather. Hope this one will go ahead as planned.
I thought I'd more or less got rid of any stuff we no longer needed, but I'm finding still more to put out for the customers to grab!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Mar 20 - 12:01 PM

Himself has a Barbour jacket that has finally met its end with the ignominious parting of one side of the zipper from the front panel of the garment. Barbour jackets are sinfully expensive, but this one owes us nothing; it was purchased in 2003 and has been resealed and repaired several times, but it is now so worn that the canvas shell looks as if Himself might have gone turkey-hunting with Dick Cheney.

So the mail-order crap shoot begins. The best hope is something called the Upland Shooting Coat from LL Bean, and Himself spent the morning in correspondence with a Freeport minion over the precise measurements across the back at shoulder level and from the back collar seam to the hem. The great virtue of the Barbour was that it went on comfortably over a Harris tweed jacket dating from the long-skirted 1970s (no bum-freezers for us), so the replacement must do the same.

The Barbour will end its life in the Stratford landfill, though I think it deserves a Viking funeral.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 01:47 PM

This month is my quarterly bulky waste curbside pickup and I'm not dragging anything to the curb. I haven't dismantled any fences, furniture, or trees to need to discard. But come June, I may have something to contribute!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 12:36 PM

Let April arrive unmolested by impatience.

Our kitchen has never been so clean and organized.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 20 - 12:24 PM

I still have to do elevation and exercises but thankfully those annoying (but necessary) compression cuffs are off of my legs as of today. Shuffling around the house with that weird hum and buzz of them working, walking up tethered to the charging cord - ack.

I'm sorely tempted to mow the back yard - in small stages. I know, I know, give it time. But still, it's going to be a real bitch to mow after the rain coming tomorrow.

I am managing to maintain a relatively clean kitchen, running the dishwasher every day or two and emptying doesn't take long. Doing laundry. And I vacuumed a whole bunch of dog hair the other day. Then I rested. The PT says no pool for at least another month.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Mar 20 - 10:53 AM

Both Himself and I are writing these days. He's on his first paper for his doctoral program, and I, of course, am editing the dreaded Afghanistan book. (Think of the lovely money, Charmion.) So it was a minor miracle that the laundry got done yesterday and some much-needed cooking, but the house remains a mess. But it's March, so the world's a mess; after a week of snow, high winds and intense cold (for Stratford), today we have rain and it's disgusting.

I laid off pool class last week while it was so cold, and the red rash on my face cleared up. So that's definite; it's eczema from the pool chemicals. Phooey. I guess that means I have a choice: smear my face with Vaseline on pool days, or go around looking like a teeenager with acne.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 20 - 03:36 PM

I have a few photos of my leg from the last almost-two weeks, and have had conclude that Stan Boreson's Song I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore is timely. Maybe if I finally lose the 30 pounds from the polymyalgia and then the grinding of the arthritic knee I can revise this status.

Around the house I am managing to keep the dishes washed and the laundry done. I've swept up dog hair a couple of times and yesterday tackled the carpet in the front room with the vacuum. I'm walking well enough that I can take the trash bags to the curb tomorrow morning.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Feb 20 - 08:41 PM

Hey Maggie,

   So glad to see you are home and it sounds like you are doing well!!!!   My mom had her knee done a few years ago and ended up having to do rehab at a local nursing home for a few weeks as an inpatient. Give yourself some time....that surgery takes a bit of time to really heal up. I'm super glad your pre-surgery exercises have paid off! I'm also glad to hear that the glasses from Zenni worked out well for you! I order glasses from there for clients who have Medicaid and are only allowed one new script every year or two and haven't had a complaint yet!

Things here are ok. It was a work week from you know where....the weather isn't helping.

I can't wait for full on spring days with longer amounts of daylight and no worries about icy roads.

Love to all,

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Feb 20 - 12:56 PM

Dupont:

I continue to muddle along with a moderately clean house, dishes washed when necessary and an energy level that goes up and down like a roller coaster. Each morning I wonder what it will be today. R has been getting up earlier and dashing away, sometimes before BF. He seems to have hit a high energy spell. Good for him. When he leaves early, I can go out and do things - if there is no snow/ice and it's not bitterly cold.

Today I went out to clear the car of ice and gave up. I park facing the sun but it had not had time and I ran the engine to warm the windshield and found it cost as much gas as driving to the store. Turned it off, not yet cleared, and came back inside. With the Prius, I have become more hypersensitive to fuel consumption - it tells me. I would have gone to the Ile but maybe I will walk down to the river; it is up to minus 9C whatever that is -COLD.

All morning on the computer: FB, finances, emails. Keeping the fire going in the den last couple days. Nice little stove; good wood. Heater went off, again, a couple days ago. Started the fire, R did what he does - "I have no idea"! It did not get too cold as there is supplementary heat in the basement, and the wood! He tried again in the am and the house was warming by bedtime. Hot water heat: it takes a while for the water to get warm! Professional - HAH! maybe a visitor will have an idea - but not so far. Anyway, it will be spring in a few weeks!

Sun gone; lunchtime.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 01:45 PM

There are good days and bad days with the knee. At least the PT explains what the thing is that is feeling bad when I point out some painful exercise or massage move. Counting down the days to when I can stop wearing these compression things on my calves. The two months of workouts ahead of surgery are making a big difference.

This afternoon I checked the mail then spent 20 minutes in the sun on the new glider out there, reading the latest David Sedaris essay in The New Yorker. There could be worst stuff going on right now. Later on I'll have a friend help me by changing the florescent bulbs in my bathroom fixture; all four went out at once (probably the circuit will be restored if only two bulbs are replaced.) Simple stuff for now.

Moose tracks is too good to sequester north of the border. Thankfully things like recipes can be safely reproduced by other companies. Good luck assuaging that author. With the repetitions you describe it isn't simply an example of "kill your darlings" to make it read better. It has to read better before you can kill any of it off. :-/

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Feb 20 - 10:01 AM

And here I was thinking that Moose Tracks ice cream was peculiar to Canada! The creamery that produces it around here is called Kawartha Lakes in Peterborough, Ontario, where moose are most definitely a thing.

I hope the post-op pain is beginning to ebb, Stilly. I hated having to dope myself up to get through the day with busted bones because the drugs made me too weak to get around, especially in and out of the bathroom. That was genuinely grim, and rather frightening.

Work on the book is going better. The client -- not the author -- likes the first chapter, and I'm deep into the second (of five). Author isn't under contract yet for this phase of the project, so I'm not allowed to talk to him about it. He's not going to cheer when he sees how much military jargon I have tossed. It's the kind of book in which soldiers don't fight, they "engage". Not on my watch, they don't.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, so we are now in Lent, the season of fasting and repentence. I'm not very good at the repentence part, but it's my favourite time of the year for getting my shit together: cooking healthy meals, squaring away the taxes, turning out closets and washing grubby corners. I also go on the wagon in Lent; six weeks without booze is a favour I like to do for my liver. Let's see if I make it all the way to Easter this year.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Feb 20 - 01:03 PM

The endorsement entry today. :)

My new glasses from Zenni arrived this morning - I think it was Michelle who gave them a ringing endorsement when I was considering going to mail order. They look good, and this time I did let them add a couple of the coatings I usually refuse because online they don't add hundreds to the bill.

Good Rx is continuing to be my new best friend. With all of the running that has to happen after surgery I've decided to change pharmacies to the one that does save us a lot, and adding on Good Rx makes it much more affordable.

I called the grocery store pharmacy to talk about how to pay for the Rx without having someone make an extra trip for my payment card and I'll update the app I already had to take care of that. While on the phone I shared with the pharmacist the name of the product that has me back at the store regularly: Private Selection Denali Extreme Moose Tracks ice cream. This is the mid-range of three Moose Tracks ice cream they carry - the most hard core one is too much for me (Denali Extreme Maximum Fudge Moose Tracks is so over the top it's overkill for me).

Those are my endorsements and I'm sticking to them. (I'm not buying the ice cream now because I'm avoiding sugar since I don't think it would be helpful with this healing process.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Feb 20 - 10:55 AM

I have realized over the last week that the hip abduction exercise, moving your leg from straight over to the side and back ("windshield wiper" my PT calls it) has given me a raging case of bursitis in that hip, and it doesn't respond to the narcotic pain relievers. Ibuprofen is perfect for it, but I can't take it now. So I'll stop doing that exercise several times a day and see if this clears up. Today the rest of the leg is incredibly tender after the massage workover it got; she texted to see how I'm feeling and said we can skip that next time. Yes, please!

Declutter isn't high on my list right now, though I did manage to take that silicone broom/squeegee thing and round up the worst of the dog hair accumulated over a week. (Charmion, have you received one to try yet? What do you think?)

There is a rather demented sounding songbird that seems to come in around 90 decibels right at dawn outside my bedroom window. I notice it because it's usually about time to get up to take medications and the first time I heard it I was astonished at the noise. It perches in a tree about 10' from the house and blasts out this greeting to the world. I suppose the really odd thing is that it is only this one bird. It seems that dawn thunder used to mean lots and lots of birds that time of day.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Feb 20 - 01:31 PM

March comes in like a wounded giant auroch and April comes in like a kitten.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Feb 20 - 01:20 PM

I'll spare the blow-by-blow account of this knee, except to say that the bruising on the back of my leg is spectacular and the ice pack comes in handy on various parts of the leg during the day. I'm using the walker to rattle at the dogs to get them to back off, I don't really need it to walk, haven't since the weekend. I'm working on walking upright, heel-toe, heel-toe, and we'll see what the physical therapist says.

Voting is coming up and I have plans to attempt early voting this week at a near by location; my request for absentee was rejected by the county and though they sent a new application it had to be received the next day. If they couldn't receive the last paper in four days, one day would be impossible. This is my only thing on the "to do" list for now.

Susan, if you can vote, I hope you do. Every vote counts this year!