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

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 07:42 AM

What color to paint rooms? Here is an interesting pallet for natural colors. Colors of the moon.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 12:29 AM

There are so many occasions around the house when I curse the low light or my changing vision and go get a flashlight to shine on what it is I'm trying to see or read in some out-of-the-way place. I took an idea from a friend who lives way out in the desert west of Texas - in case the power goes out they have small LED flashlights in each room. I did that and now usually don't have to go far to get the light source. (I used coupons at Harbor Freight over the years and got the free flashlight any time I needed to pick up something else there.)

Oatmeal cookies made tonight, and they came out particularly good. I like them crunchy, and I added roasted pecans and raisins. I'll be taking some next door and across the street tomorrow.

I tried ordering groceries to deliver this evening but they won't arrive till morning. I could have gone during the senior half-hour of shopping in the morning and saved $20. Live and learn. It really is best to not go out now, the US hospitals are all filling up with new COVID cases and Texas is color coded on the Pandemic map as a state with a high number of infections. I still need a couple of things that I get at my discount grocery but I put off going there so it's maybe only once a month.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day in the US. My Dad died on Veteran's Day in the late 1990s; I hadn't heard from him for a few days and was wondering what was up when I got the call from a close family friend that his next door neighbor hadn't seen him and finally went looking. We had to back-track to when he last logged on his computer, made phone calls, missed a doctor's appointment. The holiday morphed from a day to think about military service to thinking about a dear departed father.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Nov 20 - 07:46 PM

Thanks to Neighbour Neil, My Hero, the queen-sized bed has migrated to the guest bedroom, and the library has only library stuff and music stuff in it, including a very large scarlet Persian rug that *really* pops.

Moving the bed was a beast of a job. Neil’s knees are not what they were, and neither of us could see the bolt-holes in the metal bed-frame clearly in artificial light, but we achieved the mission with only about three times as much sweat and aggravation as I had initially estimated. Boy, do I ever owe that guy. He’s a prince.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Nov 20 - 07:18 PM

Dupont:

I IRONED today!! It has been years, honest! But the collection of antique, and not antique pretties demanded to be ironed. The new wash stand is beautiful! with a nice white embroidered thingy(?) in the middle. I did not want to cover all the lovely wood surface but wanted some protection. Actually that one did not need ironing, but having dragged the wood ironing board and the iron up to the TV/sewing room - a very good spot! - I perused the pile that had been in waiting and did a number of other things, even sprayed a few with the spray bottle that is on hand for the one orchid - that never blooms but looks healthy anyway. Found a set of 4 - white with nice lace - valances that will be lovely in the LR/DR someday when R has time to go up the ladder and change from the old, tacky and not very clean ones. A valance is all we will use. No need for more; less dust and we like lots of light, and those four windows are full of plants, of course.

This am R put the new washstand in place and took the other piece to the LR where it is far more suitable. It has a nice runner and decorative items on it and the very large schefflera is on the floor at one end, needing a much nicer pot now that the pot can be seen. It, and another in another corner, have been doing very well a distance from a window; plenty of light from large windows seems to suit them. This guy is getting a new shoot. Messy guys! I have to sweep up fallen leaves - when I get to it.

Did some dusting with a damp cloth. Tore up dead flannel sheet for "non-paper towels"; I keep a stack for jobs of that paper towel sort and if they get too dirty I can throw them - in the laundry or the trash, depending. I rarely use a paper towel.

The shed would be for pottery studio and display. I want it to look nice, not to detract from the Victorian brick house. The rough lumber ones are in the very small barn concept. The usual Quebec garden sheds are tolerable and available locally in many colours and configurations. It will be a project finding out prices and comparing possibilities. I have the studio at Beaver (10x12) but am frustrated here not to being able to do anything. Had a great time last week glazing and thinking about new ideas.

Put two more lawn chairs in the garage. Thought about leaving the big wicker chair on deck??? Would need to cover it before snow but it might be nice when the sun hits there to sit outside a bit. We got two lovely BIG cushions for it at a thrift shop recently. They do not even need to be re-covered!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 20 - 01:43 PM

Last night I loaded all of the recently frozen strawberries (seven quarts) into the steam juicer and turned the burner on high and over the next 45 minutes I got about 3/4 of a gallon of strawberry juice for making jelly and syrup. The house smells amazing! I have a Rubbermaid container full of the leftover solids and will figure out what to make with that (maybe strawberry bars or something?) since there isn't enough for a batch of jam. I'll make jelly later this week. I'll put a case of jelly jars in the dishwasher in preparation.

The counters are relatively clear as I prepare to start some baking. Back in the earliest COVID-19 days when I had the whole peninsula cleared so I could disinfect all groceries entering the house (set on one side of the counter top, and once cleaned moved to the other) I had a lot of space. Now we know that isn't necessary the clutter had crept up over time.

We have learned so much about so many things during this global pandemic. Our habits have changed. Our visits with friends and family are so carefully staged and are so precious. I think another Declutter thread title (not quite two months from now - this thread ran for two years) will need to reflect these COVID times.

Dorothy, what will that new shed be used for? And which "here" will it be sent to? I was driving south of my home on the Interstate a few weeks ago and noticed a business on the frontage road that is advertised on my favorite radio gardening program. There's something about the design that has it staying a lot cooler in summer, and they're cute as can be. But I can't think of where I would use one (or how to afford it) right now. :)

We have heard nothing from or about Susan (WYSIWYG) for a long time now. I hope she's getting better and staying healthy in her rehab facility.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 08:15 PM

Just finished Zoom choir practice. Weird, but I'm getting used to it.

According to my Fitbit, I climbed the stairs thirty-two times today, in aid of moving three bookcases' worth of history books up from the basement and hauling down Edmund's entire collection of Notable British Trials, popular and scholarly works about murder, mayhem and organized crime in North America and Europe, and thick tomes on legal theory, military justice, and the practice of criminal law in Canada. Edmund's sister-in-law Jan joined me for this extravaganza of effort, and we did in three hours what would otherwise have taken me anywhere up to a week, if I could have whipped myself into action at all.

I also moved five more two-metre-tall IKEA bookcases out of the old study, now guest bedroom, and into the ... Hmmm. What am I to call that space? The library? I guess that works. The hard part of that job was ducking each bookcase under the lintel of the door in the original east wall of the house that opens into the library, which is an extension on top of the garage. I'm rather proud of myself for figuring out how to do that.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 05:03 PM

Along the ground level windows I put down red mulch and soaked it in cedar oil. The catalevered roof will keep it fairly dry and allow for scented fresh air on the days that allow open windows..

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 01:01 PM

Dupont:

DUST!!! The mere thought... I dust sporadically as I perceive a need in space. Just did down the sides of the stairs with a damp wash cloth, shook it out side and deposited in laundry. This house does not seem to gather too much, very fast. Even the pottery that was sitting out for a few months did not show any. I do have a heavy duty air cleaner going 24/7. And I damp mop the wood floors one I feel inclined.


On this glorious day, I cut the dead peony leaves and some darned stuff that looks similar to a hydrangea but is ugly as sin (IMO).

Stopped at a shed making place on the way here on Saturday. Beautiful solid wood. Have sort of found a spot for one and showed R today, for his consideration. This will be dicier than C's car! Deciding about the costs and logistics and what size I might be able to afford - including getting it here! In no case scenario can I have one before Spring.

The river is largely decluttered of floating docks and boats. Lovely! Now the geese, ducks and seagulls are taking over - much nicer. Even if it does mean winter is not far. In fact, about 5 days away.

R ate most of the food I left, thawed as he needed and eating it for BF and supper! So, I am preparing to cook a bunch more in prep for next absence - which will be subject to weather report. Shopped at both stores this am - mostly empty! Frig is full. Prob will not need to shop again for a couple weeks.

Will do a load of laundry later, including sheets, then remake bed. And make cauliflower soup. Maybe I will be inspired to reduce the sewing...

Our beautiful new wash stand made it from my car - I managed to get in in by myself - to the hallway this am. Maybe tonight it will get to the upstairs bath and the thing there will make it down to the LR.

As for books: I suggested to R this am that it was time for 3-4 boxes to be removed to the "library" in the semi-finished basement. The hallway is getting CLUTTERED!!






)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 10:35 AM

Are you taking a daily Allegra or Zyrtec or perhaps keeping Sudafed on hand? I almost sneezed just reading about those books, even knowing they've only been in place in that new house for a couple of years. I suspect there are mouse pathways behind my books in the front room on that entire wall of bookshelves. It is probably this process you're going through now that unconsciously started me looking at my own dusty books and considering streamlining the house. Take motivation from wherever when it comes along.

It also reminds me of a couple of projects I've planned but put off regarding estate paperwork inherited from both parents.

The kitchen counters are almost clear as I prepare to start some baking of holiday breads. The gardens are at the perfect time for planting. I have plenty of things available to keep me busy at home and away from the exponential growth of the novel coronavirus. It's a shame we have to wait seven more weeks before someone starts doing something effective about this pandemic.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 09:42 AM

Moving books again. I'm racking up thousands of steps just trotting from one end of the house to other with armloads of history, music and military theory. When I start shifting the law and crime books to the basement (to await re-homing), and the novels and British and European history upstairs, the fitness benefits should flow like the mighty St. Lawrence.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Nov 20 - 06:48 AM

Thanks for the tip, Thompson; that looks just the thing for whisking spiderwebs off light fixtures and curtain rods.

Donuel makes an interesting point about respect for objects and records handed down to us from previous generations. Throughout my adult life, I have lived with tension over my ancestors’ stuff, to the extent that I have wondered sometimes whether I am housing humans (and cats) or furniture — especially bookcases.

At my age, and confronted with massive cultural change in my own family and in the nation at large, I know that I should disembarrass myself of most of the hundreds of books in this house. Two large rooms are occupied primarily by books, a situation that is not sustainable in the long term. Books — by which I mean the physical article, dust-catching bricks of paper, glue and cloth — just don’t have the value they did when I was young, and my heirs and assigns will not want to deal with them when I am gone.

With the rest of the stuff now in my sole possession, my policy is to keep only what I can actually use and maintain everything so it is handsome to look at and pleasant to sit on, eat off, etc. I must eventually give up this house, which is far too big for one woman and two cats, and I don’t want to be still dealing with other people’s clag when that day comes.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 09:26 PM

Mudcatter InOBU (Lorcan Otway) does a lot of fine work on instruments; he has several harps he has restored, and he builds model sailing ships with minute detail. I just posted information about him on the "Fall of Trump songs" thread. Are you on Facebook?

https://www.facebook.com/lorcan.otway/posts/10158766350231678

I walked around looking at the rooms and deciding this dusting business is going to have to be one wall at a time all the way around several of these rooms. Huge job. I just don't dust most things, just tabletops, the TV screen, sweep the floors, surfaces in my bedroom, but not everything around the house. It is time.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 08:44 PM

I am impressed at the respect, dedication and dignity you give the legacy of your predecessors and mudcat archives. It is a daunting respondsibility. I know the feeling of trepidation of preserving the past. That old cello I spoke of was made anywhere from 1590 to 1690 and requires a repair that will involve taking off the top. It is my respondsibility to pass on this work of performance art that was 'alive' throughout Bach's lifetime and survived all the wars up till now. In the wild west days of ebay I bought and received this instrument in all its component pieces. A farmer had rescued it from his barn in Maine. I assembled this forgotten relic and was amazed at what I found. This was more unlikly than finding a real Strad in an old refridgerator.
I'm not saying it is an original Amati since it could have been built in Germany but it is identical to late Amati dimensions with a scroll strangely and beautifully unlike any I have ever seen in my life and research. I have to complete my work and get it into respectful hands before it finds another dead end somehere for posterity's sake.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 04:13 PM

A great gadget for dusting, and one that makes the job actually pleasurable, is a painter's dusting brush. Also beautiful.
Some of the modern ones have plastic bits. Just… don't.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 20 - 03:41 PM

The change wasn't in view, the ashtray was closed, but there were lots of tolls to deal with back in the late 70s. I lost a bag of maps also, within the last couple of years, so again that would be a disappointed thief, but I was also disappointed because I've had to find and replace those maps. I still like to have paper versions handy even with all of the advancements in the Google maps on my phone.

The microfiber dusters arrived today. If I do a room a day it'll be just under two weeks to clear out the house (counting small rooms like bathrooms and laundry). By then it'll probably be time to start again, but if I actually get the dust out of the house and not just rearrange it perhaps the problem won't be as bad. It's things like rock collections and the open shelves in the den that will provide the biggest challenge. I wonder if I'll have the discipline to put things away as I work? That would be smart, but it might also slow me down in my dusting and cleaning. Decisions, decisions.

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

I never keep money in the car, even change— too many years living in crack-ridden downtown Ottawa. In fact, I try hard not to leave any possession visible to a passerby, even a coat or hat. Over some 45 years of driving, I have experienced only two car burglaries: the first in a parking arcade, in which I lost a shopping bag full of maps (think of the thieves’ disappointment!), and the second in our own driveway, where I had parked the car overnight because I was too damned lazy to haul open the garage door. That time, they took the Blaupunkt radio that came standard on Volkswagens back in the ‘80s. Boy, was I mad at myself.

This house is also full of dust, and each emptied shelf of books sets me sneezing. The grey pall on the sitting room carpet is downright embarrassing.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 04:33 PM

My first car was a VW Beetle. You would have loved my little Ford Courier 4-cylinder pickup (made by Mazda). Great standard transmission (it meant it wasn't stolen when parked in NY City when I lived there because few thieves knew how to drive it; some kids who did push in the vent to steal change out of the ashtray were caught in the act a second time. Turns out they thought that was an anti-theft device and I didn't correct them. And I told them if they ever broke in again I'd know who they were, the guy sitting out on his porch watching all of this would know who they were, so they could come to my building and ask for the park ranger and tell me if someone else was bothering it in the future. Over the next couple of years every so often one of those kids would greet me on the street with a happy Hello! My NPS co-workers were astounded: "You lectured them?" But I digress . . .)

That's great news about the books. Sending them to a new home where they will be appreciated is the best outcome, especially if you didn't have to carry them around. If you could see my dusty books, you'd know that I have quite a few, even though I have thinned them considerably over the years.

The dust here is getting to me, and along with recently ordering the extra vacuum attachment for getting dust around small objects I've ordered some more microfibre dusters (and will keep them out of the dog's reach). I need to sweep, mop, dust, and vacuum so when it comes time for the holidays, if there is ANY chance that anyone could come in the house (or at least look in the windows) that it will be ready for guests.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 02:03 PM

Stilly, if I could find a winter-proof roller-skate with a reliable motor on it, I would drive that. Maybe it's because I started civilian-type driving in Germany, paying European fuel prices, but I like to keep my automotive footprint as small as possible while maintaining a sensible standard of safety and comfort.

Two large guys in military tee shirts came this afternoon with lots of boxes, and left an hour later with almost all of our accumulation of books about the American Civil War. They paid me a handsome price for them, for which I am duly grateful. I kept three, which I think is quite enough for a non-buff such as myself who has the Internet at her fingertips.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 01:23 PM

I suddenly have a burst of energy - and hopefully will sleep better - though we still have a couple of rough months ahead until inauguration. That said, we still live in the middle of a pandemic that is experiencing "exponential growth" as far as infection numbers. Our economy is in a state of crisis and I'm continuing to make masks and I will get the web site with photos and sizes up soon.

Charmion, that Sportwagon looks about the size of the SUV (Nissan Pathfinder) I drive now. This one is 2017 and gets better mileage than the 2012 that was all steel, built on a truck chassis, and though I liked the design, it didn't have many safety features as you can get standard now. The newer vehicle is a lot more plastic so it is lighter and gets better mileage, and it has a backup camera and sonar back there (though I really miss the compass reading on the mirror from the 2012 model). This is the size calculated to let me move a lot of stuff without actually buying a truck. Trucks are expensive and here in Texas hold their value so even getting a used one is difficult to.

I have puttered in my bathrobe this morning, doing things like thinning out the copious plastic and paper shopping bags, keeping a few and the rest go to recycling. I always use kraft paper bags to put cookies on to soak up a little grease, and we're into that baking season. The rest - various sizes - and when did everyone start putting handles on their bags? - are going to the recycling bin. Those bags with handles are harder to make myself discard, but there were too many. Laundry in, dishes loaded in the dishwasher, garden watered and ready for work. Plenty to keep me busy and at home, as tempting as the Saturday market is at my discount gourmet grocery warehouse.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Nov 20 - 09:45 AM

Emptied and moved a bookcase. Go me!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Nov 20 - 08:13 PM

Trading in two cars, Stilly: Edmund's 2018 Kia Soul and the 2017 VW Golf Sportwagen we got in exchange (plus money, of course) for our last VW diesel in the class-action settlement. The Soul has an automatic transmission that I don't like, and the Sportwagen is more car than I need and gets lousy fuel economy.

Sharp practice on that palm sander, Dorothy. I bet they noticed!

Watson the cat is nesting in the pile of padded envelopes I stashed in the bottom shelf of the printer stand. Somehow, I don't think he's doing them any good.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Nov 20 - 07:47 PM

Beaver:
Pottery is all stickered and I have done my shifts at the shop. Off to QC tomorrow morning.

Bit the bullet and bought a new palm sander - for smoothing pot bottoms - on Weds. On Thurs, the flyer had them on sale for $10 less so today, having not gotten around to using it, I went in and said I wanted to return it so I could buy it for $10 off! No problem! Love that store.

I actually managed to load the "new" antique washstand, for the house in QC, into the car all by myself! We left it here last trip as R had bought so much at the auction, most of which went into the city. Some is still in the front storage cabinet - until he gets back; I do not touch nasty old metal stuff.

Have maintained 12 pound weight loss; Dr. told me it is good for older women to have meat on their frame! Leaving house in good shape, even washed down the K cabinets today.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 20 - 07:08 PM

Are you trading in a vehicle in the process? Sometimes it makes the most sense, other times you get a better price selling it yourself (but the process - not always fun).

Staying even closer to home than before, and going out only during the slow time of the day (I needed dog food). I have figured out how I'm going to fence the gap between the garage and the property line, it will involve getting two four-foot wide gates and the hardware to turn them into a double gate (like for driving through). A friend will pick them up in his truck, I don't think they will quite fit in the SUV (four feet wide, six feet tall, on an angle - maybe - but maybe also hard on the upholstery or the head liner.) Once a gate is in place I can continue working on replacing the fence panels.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Nov 20 - 05:04 PM

Edmund’s desk has gone to a family with a new home business, and that’s the end of Phase 1 of reorganizing the house. Phase 2, moving books and bookcases, begins when I have finished the Afghanistan manuscript.

Having reached an agreement with the Volkswagen dealer in Kitchener, next week I will take possession of a blue 2021 Golf. Negotiating the extended warranty package nearly finished me, but the nice lady behind the big desk talked herself into giving me a $250 discount, which allowed me to accept without regret. Lord, how car sales people like to talk! If I were a donkey, my hind leg would be loose.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 20 - 01:05 PM

Drawing down contents of the freezer that have been there for a while. This week I'm starting on a package of haddock, and I've had really good luck with these packed "planks" before. I make my own tartar sauce and bread and fry these to be like the fish of fish and chips. If I make potatoes they won't be deep fried, they'll be sautéed in a skillet, but they go well with the tartar sauce also. And now that it has cooled, I'll start baking more. Maybe cinnamon rolls to start off with a bang (and to share with the neighbors).

I need to clean the garage and put stuff away, there is too much stacked on the work bench and room on the shelves where things need to be returned, and things standing around the sides of the space. I can still park inside, but I want the luxury of more space in there. I did leave the fence-construction stuff all in one spot and would like to return to that before winter sets in.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 20 - 12:02 AM

The next panel is in place, and was finished before the neighbors got home from a week out of town. I called to tell her that I'd moved a few things out of harm's way next to the fence construction area, and she was glad that they'd been moved. I'd hate to have dropped a plank and broken a pot or bird bath.

The next panel ends at a T; a fence panel put up by the contractors who built my garage and put in place so on one could walk around the garage and into the back yard. I'm not sure how they tied it into the side fence (I put up some reinforcement when I got the dogs.) Now I need to find a way to enclose the yard closer to the driveway and take out the bit the contractor put in. $$$

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Nov 20 - 07:54 PM

Beaver:

Nice Chuckle, Charmion! I am so impressed by your progress - not the dead body!

Trying to find stickers that will stick, I saw a couple pots still wore stickers from the Art Gallery gift shop. Starting my errands yesterday, I encountered a couple Gallery folks and asked about the labels. They suggested a specific shop and I went and got a sheet of 80. When I got home Carol phoned and said she had some to give me, so off to their house. They were Avery so I thought I could pre-print initials and number them - and I managed that this morning! 1000! I had to run and get more while the printer waited to finish the job. But I was happy and went to the shop this aft and stickered until I was plumb stickered out. Tomorrow is our first day open and I am on duty so I can finish stickering.

Yesterday's glaze firing came out nicely and was added to the array. I bought a sander and sand paper, realizing the nice one I had may never re-surface and I need it now - to grind bottoms and clean a kiln shelf. The two pieces I played with - underglazes and clear glaze came out cute. I do not generally do cute... But I will see what kind of reaction they get. Would not doing more and trying different colours and "designs".

However, I worked hard yesterday and today my energy was low. I still have not thrown any pots this trip but lots else done.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Nov 20 - 11:37 AM

Andrew, I wouldn’t piss on Mikey Flag if he was on fire, let alone hand over anything that ever belonged to Edmund.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 20 - 10:57 AM

Good luck with the books. There are various government entities and agencies that might take them - it depends on how long you want to hunt for a new home before posting a notice somewhere.

Today I've drunk my tea and eaten my oatmeal and the day has warmed comfortably so I'm out to work in the yard. The fence first, then using the new trimmer to get rid of the tussocks of grass growing out of cracks in the concrete driveway.

After several tries I've finally received a box of sewing pins that are what I was hoping for. Plastic pin heads melt when the iron goes over them, so I've looked for glass. These have 4mm glass heads on 1 1/2" sharp fine but not flimsy pins. I have a couple of boxes of pins that were false starts, some too thick, others too thin, that will go to my daughter to distribute to sewing friends. She might find the very fine sharp ones useful when she works on flimsy fabric of costumes, but I don't do that kind of sewing.

Out to the yard.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 04 Nov 20 - 08:54 AM

"Now I know how to move a dead body, should I ever have the requirement," she said as a consequence of her exposure over six decades to naval and military senses of humour.

If Western's library declines Edmund's law books, you might try the University of Ottawa's Brian Dickson Law Library. I cannot think of a library more likely to attract legal officers. If they want them, between you and me, we can come up with a way to get them there.

I would suggest that you flog them to Michel Drapeau, but I think you might end up being haunted. ;)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Nov 20 - 08:30 AM

At the risk of boring you all with yet another detail of my creeping progress toward what I hope will become the New Normal -- today I moved the Household Filing Cabinet (there can be only one!) out of the old study (soon to be the guest bedroom) and into the new study, previously Edmund's office. With it came my guitar, which has settled in beside the desk. So my workspace is pretty well settled, although the bookcase is still full of Notable British Trials and volumes on legal theory and military justice.

Book-shuffling is a job for another day, after I have finished the Afghanistan manuscript and mailed off the files to the publisher at Army Headquarters.

Yesterday afternoon was given over to the task of driving to Guelph to buy a large Persian rug.

Guelph looks close to Stratford on the map, but it's still more than an hour away by road and the outbound leg of the trip included an unpleasantly crowded stretch of Highway 401. The weather was okay and nothing bad happened, but I was rather too aware that I have not driven on the 401 at all since last winter and, apart from the monthly visit to the allergy doc's office in Kitchener, I have made only one longish car journey to an unfamiliar destination -- to London to return Edmund's library books.

The woman selling the rug completely forgot she had agreed to meet me at three o'clock, and wasn't at home when I arrived. I sent her a text saying that I was ringing and knocking to no avail, and then another ten minutes later saying, "I give up. Call me if you still want to sell your rug." "Oooooh noooo," she replied, and popped out the door of the house across the street. The rug is very large, and made of acrylic rather than wool, so I almost refused to take it, but I had made a commitment to her and it was the right size and colour. So instead of an incredible steal it was an okay deal.

It's also punishingly heavy. It took all my strength and hers to get it up the stairs and out to the car, and all my ingenuity to shove it entirely into the car and close the hatch on it. "Now I know how to move a dead body, should I ever have the requirement," I said ruefully, looking at the end of the rolled-up carpet protruding between the front seats and butted up against the dashboard -- fortunately just to the right of the gearshift. "Oooooh nooooo," she said, looking alarmed. I don't think they make jokes like that in Iran, where both she and the rug originated.

At home, I managed to extract the rug from the car and drag it into the house, but I just didn't have the strength to haul it upstairs to its destination in the huge "bonus" room over the garage, previously our bedroom. So I pocketed my pride and crossed the street to Neil and Jane's house, where they were just finishing supper, and begged Neil to give me a hand -- again. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a little extra testosterone and the muscle it confers! Neil made me promise not to try to carry anything heavier than myself, and I swore a mighty oath.

No, I didn't carry the filing cabinet. It has silicone glides on the bottom, and I pushed it.

The weather's nice today, so I'll walk downtown for lunch and a tangle with the insurance people, who seem not to have noticed that they're charging me more to insure two cars than they charged Edmund and me, although with only one driver you'd think the risk was halved.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 20 - 08:28 PM

My second fence panel is waiting till tomorrow morning. I had lunch with my daughter mid-day today but the changing humidity and ragweed have knocked my sinuses for a loop. I took a nap, which helped, but it was then too late to work on that panel. Tomorrow morning will be fine.

In my craft room I've cleared out a bag of scrap material and moved it to a lower drawer and now have another bag to collect all of the corners and edges and odd pieces from mask making. When I have larger trimmings of flannel I make them into pieces I sew in for the wire sheaths. As for the rest, when I made the ham for ironing masks I stuffed it full of old t-shirts and such but now I would use this stuff. And I need another box of sandwich bags to put new masks in.

I'm not sure how late I'll be up tonight, and how many election returns I'll watch. I'm thinking of streaming something and waiting till later. The coronavirus is here regardless of the election and we'll be wearing masks for a long time to come. These can be put to good use.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Nov 20 - 11:42 AM

Edmund’s 2-drawer filing cabinets are gone, and this afternoon I’m going to look at and, probably, buy a large crimson Iranian rug.

And there’s a firm nibble for Edmund’s computer desk.

When that’s gone, I shall turn my attention to consolidating the changes I have made so far, and moving books.

I will also finish the two and a half appendices still outstanding on the Afghanistan book.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Nov 20 - 10:40 AM

Beaver:

Way to go, Charmion!

Today, I woke with energy. The inch of snow is cleared from deck and my wonderful new runner makes safe movement between house and studio. I carried, safely, trays of pots from LR to Studio! Glazing is done, BF eaten and I shall soon go out to load the kiln - in 0C but no precipitation. No sun either but tomorrow a warmer sunny day is predicted! After the kiln loading, I will go seeking better stickers for pricing pots. Post it notes do not stick well to the bottoms.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 08:10 PM

The computer table is gone. Hooray!

I never liked it, and I would have been rid of it long ago if Edmund had not clung to it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 01:51 PM

A two-metre IKEA bookcase and a small pine lingerie chest have left the building, gone to live with a family from Chile whose possessions are mostly still in boxes.

I have firm nibbles for two 2-drawer filing cabinets and a computer table. I may be shot of them by close of play today.

The rest of the household reorganization will be all about books and bookcases.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 20 - 12:31 AM

There are groups on Facebook, but some of them I've noted are rather hair brained and I "un-liked" or "un-joined" them. The "Non-Consumer Advocate group is actually pretty sound. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenonconsumeradvocate/ She'd do best to read along, lurk a bit, and see what they've already talked about. It's a starting point as far as no longer accumulating stuff, and suggestions for offloading what she doesn't need. Also joining a Freecycle group (https://www.freecycle.org/ would give her an audience often happy to lug off stuff.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 09:40 PM

My Prius is also hatchback but automatic. After a lifetime of manual, I realized the need for automatic. It is so much easier on my right shoulder. I have found it easier all round. R was stunned as I always dissed automatic. I actually considered it in '05 when I bought the Scion; it would have been a good move then. Now I am delighted!

Long phone call with friend tonight who is in desperate need of de-cluttering. Does anyone know of a forum she might join?

Snow on the ground this evening; just half an inch so far. Going to minus 7C tonight and up to 1C tomorrow! Snow tires are on. House is cosy.

The new shop is shaping up nicely. Fun too. Nice to be with 3 dear friends. I wore mask in shop today. Cannot be too careful. Decorated a few pots tonight; may wash off a couple - or use a dark glaze. Experimental...

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 08:49 PM

A friend has a hatchback Prius, but I don't know about the manual transmission.

The first fence panel in this line of fence is finished. It's a way of working backward, and this was the most complicated because it tied into a corner and there was old fence support hardware pieces in place that are cast aluminum that completely surrounded the fence post. I had to disconnect hardware I put up last spring and slide them up the post and ended up with two slid up one position and one removed off the top (I used the two). Now the next door neighbor doesn't have to work around the wonky one that used to stick out from the bottom corner of the fence. Tomorrow I pick up the next set of pickets and cross members, put the more preservative on the pickets, and put them up. The pickets today were still wet from the preservative I painted on last night, but that isn't a problem, it isn't like wet paint. It'll be the same tomorrow. Today's panel was a foot shorter than the rest, the next two should be a straight shot down the line.

Once these are in place I can look into switching out how this part of the yard works. I'm thinking about putting up some cyclone fencing and a gate on this side of the garage. It won't happen until the boundary fence is finished. My neighbor offered cash to help cover the cost of lumber, thinking all of the fires this year would make lumber more expensive, but actually, the Forest Service and other agencies will be scrambling to harvest this burned timber (the bark might be singed and the leaves burned, but the wood will be good, it isn't like burned up match sticks). I think this will continue to be an affordable operation. Good nieghbors, though!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 07:49 PM

I would seriously consider a Prius, Dorothy, if only they came in hatchback form with a manual transmission!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 12:02 PM

Beaver:

Met with group at “Carriage House”, a very nice venue! We open this Thursday; I will do my first two days of staffing on thurs and fri, with friend Leslie. What a relief to have a nice place to sell (hopefully) some pots, cooperatively with, mostly, friends of many years. Long talk with Pat, the ring leader, this am. She is looking at this as long term and has bought a property nearby to build a shop on “Back Street”, visible from highway.

Now, I am looking for energy/inclination to get out to the warm enough studio on this drizzly day. I loaded 4 very nice director’s chairs into the car - from the screen house - to take to the shop later. It is a half hour drive so I will not do it unnecessarily. But others will be moving stuff in and we need to be in tune with what is available/happening.

There is lots of pottery work to be done here: decorating, mixing new glazes and remixing the old ones that have been sitting, as well as throwing, trimming… And a novel to read… On a rainy day!

One ongoing de-clutter I am working on: For years I seemed to always be in a hurry. Forty years ago a fellow student told me she perceived me as always looking harassed. I took it to heart and tried to slow down when I caught myself running - but I am still doing it! The years when I was trying to make a living as a potter were frantic; I always needed more pots for the next show. And I was doing shows 2 or 3 weekends a month in the season - May to Dec. En route I would hesitate at each intersection to remind my self “Where am I going this week?”

Then I worked for the newspaper for 6 years- running from place to place to catch the important events. Even covering a School concert in Coe Hill at 7 pm, then driving like mad to catch another an hour north, while it was still happening.

Something inside me is still pushing me and I have to get my head around the concept of not needing to do that anymore! It is OK if I sit here and read and drink tea until I feel like …

I found a whole bunch more pots in the screen house this am! I will bring them out before it snows! The ones already at the shop will take a lot of time to label, hopefully at a time when there are not a bunch of other people in there; I need to focus. MY 94 year old friend often says, “The best thing you can give someone is hope.” This shop has picked me up greatly!

Yesterday I was faced with heavy frost. The frost is OK; the house is warm. But the walkway to the studio was a hazard so I spent some time going to each possible store (within a mile or so!) for a rubber runner to save my neck! The fourth place, they tried hard but suggested the carpet store, so out of the way that I forget it exists! I now have a 12 foot runner that I can roll up and put in the tool shed when not needed; as it won’t be most of the winter. Then I took stuff to the studio and brought things in as needed. A wonderful new “tool”!

I am organized. I will get doing when I darned well feel like it. And Pat will be able to pick up the new (commercial) glazes I am considering and save me the 6 hour round trip to Toronto!

Rain is heavy now. 11:30 Sunday am.

I LOVE my Prius! Swear by Toyota products. Just would have liked a total electric but not feasible in the wilderness.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 20 - 11:49 AM

I sent Consumer Reports information (via Messenger) about the cars under consideration, and in the past I've sent others research on fridges, stoves, etc.. Keep this in mind when you're shopping, CR lists their recommended and best buys for smart shopping - having ended up with a couple of lemons over the years, I always try to do the research first.

Fence materials are assembled and the panel work will commence soon. And this afternoon I am going to get ready to make strawberry jelly by putting all of the frozen berries into the steam juicer. I could have done it with them fresh, but you get more liquid when the berries were previously frozen and all of the little plant cells ruptured.

The dogs have tracked in an incredible amount of grit and twigs and such - and I need to wash the covers on their dog beds. I need to see if there is some kind of outdoor mat or carpet to put down on the patio to catch some of this stuff before they bring it through the dog door.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 31 Oct 20 - 08:18 PM

Today, I bought a small three-drawer dresser to hold mitts and scarves and things by the front door. It’s teak veneer over mahogany, inoffensive in appearance, and precisely the right size for the spot where I put it. I’ve been looking for such an item ever since we moved here.

Then the carpet cleaners came to pick up most of the rugs (all pretty filthy), leaving only three that they will take when the bring the first batch back.

Then I went to Kitchener to test-drive a car.

I have had enough excitement, and spent enough money, for one day.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Oct 20 - 04:00 PM

Lovely day, sinuses still a bit wonky, but I'm muscling past it. I have about half of my cedar pickets treated with the wood preservative; I stopped for a little while after emptying the old can and bringing the brush in to wash out. I'll stir up the next can (different brand, but also clear preservative) and finish after a late afternoon lunch.

Across the street a friend is taking down an old decrepit mulberry tree for that neighbor; he had the limbs down and the top half of the tall trunk off. He had sawed several vertical lines through the stump (the center is hollow) and was preparing to take it off at ground level when a guy drove by with a stump grinder on a trailer and offered to finish the job. They conferred and negotiated and now the stump is ground down and Antonio is finishing cutting up the rest of the trunk. It was an extra bit of cash for the guy who had rented the grinder to finish off several of his own tree jobs in the area, and it saved my friend a lot of work - he still made a reasonable profit on the job, but had a lot less work. We all stood around and talked for a few minutes - it was a nice visit. Then I headed back to my fence work in the garage. I may be able to put up the new fence panel tomorrow.

Don't forget to set the clock back an hour tonight, if your community participates in that Robbing-Peter-to-Pay-Paul program. Back to Daylight Savings Time.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 05:26 PM

Lovely weather out, achy sinuses inside my head. Such timing, when I really want to be outside, but feel like I need a long nap. I'm going to clear out the freezer of some of the little bags of things that have been in there a long time. The remainder of cilantro, basil, etc (when there are more recent frozen containers of it), etc. I made a bread pudding today from the ends of three different loaves of bread that were in there. I did stuff a whole bunch of strawberries into the freezer after buying 8 quarts for $7 at my discount gourmet grocery. I trimmed then, took out the tops, and am going to put the frozen fruit into the steam juicer later on and make the juice for jelly. In the past I've bought bags of frozen strawberries at $2 to $3 a pound; these were under a dollar a pound. I've saved one box of berries for my ex who is coming over later to pick up several items I got for him on yesterday's run to the Halal market.

I have a knit tube that is usually used doubled over and worn like a turtleneck to keep cold air out when wearing a parka, but it also works as a headband, and I'll put that on to help sooth the forehead/sinus stuff and go out to the garage to finish putting the preservative on the pickets. That fence panel is going up this weekend.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Oct 20 - 12:20 AM

We finally have nice weather after a week of drizzle and rain, just in time for some work on the fence and yard. I visited a friend's yard today and he has the kind of shrub I'm putting in this week - and seeing how large his has grown, I am revising where I will put it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Oct 20 - 10:57 AM

Dupont:

I guess I have been working through some stuff. Watching lots of pottery youtubes and even asked a potter friend, "HOW do you...?" and gathering ideas, and materials/tools that can help me try some new ideas. Also, the 1780 house IS sold; I drove by a week or so ago and saw "VENDU" on the sign and had a moment of desolation, then, realizing R was in no state to have bought it, I moved on to relief that I no longer need to think about it - that is a major de-clutter!

But next concern comes back: the need for a place to pot here. Looked for a second hand garden shed and realized: not going to settle for something unsuitable and, anyway, R does not have time to help; he is up to his eyeballs de-cluttering his business life, taking truckloads of stuff to the scrapyard and organizing the rest - 10 hour days. A deadline looms. I will bring the small wheel back from Beaver and set up in a spare room here.

So, having done lots of pottery when I was at Beaver, I am stuck here and really needed to take in hand my need to DO something. And, if I make them, how do I get rid of them in the midst of covid safety?

Friends near Beaver are renting a space for Nov and Dec for a cooperative selling venue and I am in. Last eve I started packing up pots and will load the car today, added to the stuff I picked up at the mill yesterday. Maybe I will even get the DR back to normal before I leave. Leaving for Beaver tomorrow for as long as it takes to feel I am ready to come back for a visit!

Decided to pot the pepper plants today and bring them in. There is room in the TV room, an east window. It is going below freezing most nights now. OK: pot peppers, make applesauce for R, finish packing pots and load car...

No word from Dr re tests so I am assuming health. No more problems either. Promise I am being very careful.

Turned the heat on yesterday to about 60F. This is a big house and expensive to heat. I have been keeping a fire in the wood stove and the den has been toasty but not the rest. There is a cube heater in the Bathroom. And a throw in the TV room!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Oct 20 - 08:58 AM

I believe (though I have no proof) that crosswords are good for the aging mind. They force me to think laterally and to pay attention to word forms and nuances that don't occur naturally in conversation. The NYT crossword increases in difficulty through the week, from easy on Monday to thorny on Thursday (always a gimmick) to really quite a challenge on Saturday. Before Thanksgiving, I could usually power through the Saturday puzzle in 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how many clues depend on knowledge of American university sport.

I do them on my iPad, which I admit is close to cheating. I allow myself to look up certain factoids on Wikipedia: e.g., the names of rappers and hip-hop artists, and American sport arcana, such as the abbreviations of NCAA conferences.

Today I have already moved Edmund's computer and office furniture -- except a Billy bookcase that I have yet to unload -- out of his study and moved mine in. I am now pattering away on my Mac keyboard in what was originally a child's bedroom at the top of the stairs. At little more than eight feet by ten, it's just the right size for a home office, and -- unlike the study (originally the master bedroom) -- it is not cold in winter, so my hands don't turn gunmetal grey and seize up.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 10:17 PM

You're ahead of me, I haven't done crosswords in years, though I used to. I wonder why I stopped? My mother did the crossword puzzles in ink, I always used pencil.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Oct 20 - 05:14 PM

Things are looking up. I had no trouble whipping through the New York Times crossword puzzle today. Okay, it’s only Wednesday; let’s see how I do on Saturday.