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

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 07:44 AM

Jon I'm just 2D xmas
snow
snow path
background painting"
go to Amazon for shower curtains /snow or / anything for about 16 dollars. This how matt painters must make a living when movie sets aren't hiring fantasy

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 06:31 AM

I look in for the first time in a while and see my name mentioned.

I had quite substantial surgery on the tumour on my back near the end of September and spent 7 weeks in hospital, having a further op for skin grafts towards the end of my stay. My mobility is not great and I think it will still be a long haul before I’m up for things like mowing the grass.

I had a fair bit of catching up and sorting out to do when I came home. Both parents had computer problems during my absence and some other things needed doing but I soon caught up with that.

Re the computers, dad’s laptop trouble was just his mouse switched off! Mum’s situation was more complicated and she called a repair guy in and (in agreement with me in hospital as I didn’t know when I’d get her back running) had a second hand Windows 10 machine installed. He left her without email set up and without the programs she is used to, eg. Firefox and Thunderbird. Annoyingly, there was no fault with the Linux box (probably something as stupid as dad’s moust though I can’t suggest wrong and a guy who didn’t know what he was doing with Linux and wroly suggesting her system was very old) and I’d like to switch her back to that one. I can’t get down to do the cables yet though.

Staying with computers, I have also repaired and upgraded the software on my laptop which had been languishing for the past couple of years. The fault was that the screen would either flash or go blank when running on battery. I took the £70 with postage gamble (well I did read up but wasn’t certain) that a replacement screen would cure the problem (the laptop is a few years old but an Intel I7 with a SSD I fitted and worth a bit of spending on) and it paid off.

I wanted it in action because, with the help of dad, I got a 3d printer a few days ago. I need a PC for the slicing software but am not yet allowed to sit down (I alternate between being on my feet and lying in bed) so I prefer using the laptop from my bed to standing to use my desktop.

I’m having mixed results with the printer and only have 8 objects (but printing does take time) I’ve kept so far and the green bowl is damaged but I gather that is fairly common when starting out with 3d printing and one just has to persevere and try to learn from the mishaps. I’m not really sure why I got the printer though – I think it was a bit of a whim but I’ll see how and where it goes.

At the moment I’m just downloading from thingiverse and printing and perhaps I’ll be able to use that for a couple of Chrstmas presents but maybe one day I’ll try to get my head round a CAD program (I’d start with FreeCad) which would open up the possibilities of making my own bits and pieces.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 06:23 AM

Naturally I painted only for half an hour to knit 2 polyester panels together for outdoor use. They are cheap and impressive. There are hundreds of scenes to choose from. Indoor versions are pricey.
I'm tired of silly holiday lights. (and lazy)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 04:52 AM

With acrylics they take 3 days. Take 2 white shower curtains and paint a very faint back ground of blurry trees with very watered down paint on wet curtains from middle to top. The leaves are pinkish and trunks barely visible to invisible.
Let dry and paint bold trees from bottom to top in fading color at top with lots of thin branchs and leaves in grey and dark grey. Dry and paint red leaves on the grey leaves and new ones as well from the middle red to red pink at the top then in strong burgandy to bright red (sunny spots) do the forest floor. The only brush technique involved is to create a quick tiny leaf in one stroke. Leave some shadowed branchs and leaves in grey. This could take hours.

Heh heh drying takes 2 hours tops with acrylics. Like Bob Ross anyone can do it.

Or you can just buy a printed
shower curtain :^/

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 10:36 PM

Beaver:

Michelle! good to hear from you!

Donuel: Your Christmas decor sounds amazing!

As for myself: I have finally gotten energy back. More shoveling today and the neighbour de-cluttered the driveway wonderfully while I went out and replenished (edible) nut supply, and purchased a better thermostat for Dupont. I have done some organizing and figured out part of why things were not progressing, made a list of things to throw (pottery) tomorrow. Warmer day (7 degrees above freezing!) so it will feel easier to move around outside and my hope is to glaze and load kiln, then throw, then... As energy permits! Life seems brighter.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 08:57 PM

Decorating for Christmas outside this year I have put up a 10 foot wide   7 ft tall mural 0f a Japanese red maple forest with fog and a carpet of red leaves on the forest floor dappled with sunlight. The beauty part is a real Japanese red maple 25 feet in front of the mural. The mural can be drawn back like curtains.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 05:21 PM

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to check in to say hello. COVID is rocking Tioga and Chemung Counties....one is where I live and the other is where I work. I swing between, I'm ok....I'm following masking, social distancing and handwashing guidelines, I use hand sanitizer and have been known to double mask up when I see clients at work. Thankfully, the majority of my work can be done remotely.....but then I swing the other way. I think it's probably pretty normal....but I hate that feeling.

I am well. Jeremiah is well and doing school 100% remotely. It has proved to be a parenting challenge in regards the day to day care but again, thankfully my employer is very flexible. He can come to work with me sometimes and other days I can work at home while he does his schooling.

Pete begins a new job soon as his job, which was a grant funded position that was renewed annually, came to an end. We are most thankful that he found a position that sounds very promising. This will change our schedule yet again but we are flexible and doing things the best we can.

I haven't done much decluttering......just bits here and there. I have changed the way we eat as Pete and I are doing KETO and have been doing so since July. He is down 25 pounds and I'm down 18....it's slow going for me but it's better than going the other way. I recently had blood work completed and while the weight loss isn't going nearly as fast as I would like, my blood chemistry...including my A1C is all in range! My triglycerides, LDL and HDL are all in range for the first time in just about FOREVER. Even my thyroid is happy! So....the weight loss will come but the other is just stellar news!

I hope you are all well and would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Love to All,

Michelle

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Nov 20 - 11:02 AM

Beaver:

The snow shoveling is getting to be too much. I can shovel snow or I can work in the pottery. I do not seem to be able to do both. A discouraging conundrum. If I stay here, not getting the "work done" - just the shoveling? Or stay at Dupont while the snow builds up here, and ice, until I cannot get in the house or from house to studio...??

Yesterday I wrote a long email to my friend whose dad died. It helped me feel less sad, but brought to the surface other issues.

My main declutters these days are snow and my mind - while more snow falls, and more thoughts arise.

I do have a few more things to take to the Shop. I also have the wood ash problem - how to dispose of without polluting the stream.

Go to town and get more nuts and a thermostat for Dupont, and wait for the muddy waters to clear.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 12:37 PM

Monitoring your intake is important and is good that it's visible to you, Charmion. And for frozen meals check out the Lean Cuisine Marketplace gourmet type offerings (I just looked - that particular variety doesn't show up any more, but they do have some "Favorites" that are a bit more adventurous). I didn't buy them for diet reasons early this year, I bought them because they looked good and I wasn't going to be up on my feet a lot cooking while my new knee healed. There are also some really nice bags of frozen ravioli that might appeal to you.

I did a marathon sewing session last night to get a dozen masks off of my sewing table. I'm trying to reduce the number of sewing fabrics I have sitting around - this wrapped up two of the early patterns I was using.

The whole furniture moving thing really has become something I'm working out in my head right now - the question being how drastic do I want the changes to be? And if I move the whole entertainment set of stuff it means running a lot of new wires. I have both sides of the room set up for wired Internet so the devices will still stream at the fastest rate. It's just configuring things (and deciding what needs to be retired.) And what about moving the new freezer? It really would be helpful if I didn't have this 1970s step-down den thing going on.

Any lurkers out there want to emerge and share their fall activities? How are the sheds and the garden, Jon? Has Patty Clink settled down for the winter? What is Donuel working on this autumn? Anyone else?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Nov 20 - 07:11 AM

Over the last six weeks, I have moved every book and bookcase in the house, some of them twice. I can’t honestly say it had to be done, except of course the part where the books and their shelves got dusted and cleaned, but the work burned off a fuckton of stress that manifested itself in an inability to sit still. And now the house is substantially reoriented, and more logically configured for life on my own.

I am now deep into the last appendix to the Afghanistan book, and one more day with no interruptions will see it done.

I’m still not cooking, however. At best, I heat stuff up and slice fruit and veg into pieces that I can eat with my fingers while reading. So yesterday I hit the frozen food section at Sobey’s for a pile of microwaveable “civvy MREs”, and last night I supped on a nuked lasagne-for-one with a glass of actual red wine.

One glass was quite enough, for which much thanks The possibility that I might dive headfirst into the bottle has been drifting about my mind a lot lately, but so far I’m finding that a beer, or one small snort, and now one glass of vino, is all I want. But I can feel my on-board, built-in, personal watchdog paying very close attention.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 06:36 PM

On Instagram Martha Stewart posted photos of rearranging the furniture in whatever house (Katonah?) she's residing in right now. It's a nice big room and she's putting down a sisal carpet. Not a good option here with all of the muddy dog feet. That kind of reorganization is energizing (as we've all experienced vicariously via Charmion's efforts for the last several weeks). It's kind of inspiring. Maybe in time for the holiday? Just using existing stuff, nothing added. Dorothy is doing a lot of moving stuff also. Hmmmm.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 20 - 12:01 PM

I think our beautiful odd warm fall has ended, this week is cooler with rain forecast throughout. It's a holiday week so everything ends up a needing more attention since there are liable to be more people out. I went to Costco for Senior Shopping (from 9-10am Monday through Friday). As I left just before 10 I was a gauntlet of people with their carts lined up around the store ready to load up for the holidays. My treat to myself is several cases of sparkling water. I should have gotten sugar and butter but forgot, so maybe tomorrow morning at the 24-hour Winco near me, they're usually quiet around 6am and they have beautiful produce. Everything is super-sized at Costco - part of the haul was a 3.5 pound bag of squash (yellow and zucchini) so I'll plan to make some zucchini bread for the holidays. The small citrus clementines come in a 5 pound bag so I'm going to give half to my ex; I have trouble working my way through a 3 pound bag because they don't keep very long. I really need to load up on frozen vegetables or blanch and freeze what I bring home and just not go out for several weeks. This COVID-19 is racing through the county.

A friend texted to ask about getting family photos somewhere outside, but I think the overcast days won't help, so maybe some interesting backdrop (the exterior of a museum, a library, etc.). It's been a rough year for documenting special events - last year she said she hoped that this spring I could take photos of her daughter before her senior year prom, and that never happened. If I can help them with the family photo I'm happy to do it.

My next door neighbor is smart, I see his holiday lights are up already while it was warm. I'll put up some strings of the little LED lights in the juniper this afternoon.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Nov 20 - 09:50 PM

Beaver:

Planned power outage 7 am to noon today. Woke to CO monitor beeping. Unplugged it and went back to bed for a while. Made toast on wood stove and warmed water to add to left over Green tea. Looked at forecasts and wondered WHEN the snow would start. Finally decided I really need to go see friends but by the low route. Had a good visit with the mother , then the son came down from the cottage and the 3 of us had a visit with - gasp! hugs as I was leaving. Five minutes after I left the snow started gently wafting down.

Lunch and reading and trying to get myself to DO something - to no avail but I did think about it! Neighbour Larry stopped for a visit, informs we are getting 4-6 inches. Yep. I cleared an inch or two from back deck and now there is another 3-4 inches. Maybe I'll clear that before bed. Easier to do in smaller quantities.

That was a smart move! Lotta snow! Beautiful light fluffy stuff but heavy anyway.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 20 - 10:29 AM

Odd morning. I had the alarm set to wake me in time for a program I listen to, but I fell back asleep without intending to and dreamed I was up and around the house getting ready for the radio show. Twenty minutes passed and I finally got up. :-)

Two mornings ago I called the dogs for their breakfast and Cookie didn't come right away. I looked out in the backyard and the scamp was wiggling her way through the layers of my carefully constructed chicken wire compost enclosure, like a Hootchie Kootchie contortionist. A quick search shows that my local big box hardware stores carry 4' tall wire in modest length rolls. And then this morning I read a Freecycle offer - someone giving away various widths of chicken wire, some of it in rolls. It's not expensive, but if they have some to be got rid of, I'll help them out first if I don't have to drive into the next county to pick it up.

My running is very limited this week, and I think some of it I can do as curbside pickup instead of entering the businesses involved. Dog heartworm Rx at the vet need to be refilled and they will probably take pertinent info over the phone and hand parcel out the door. I may drive to drop off prepared food, not go in anywhere. They really do need to do a lockdown again in this area but this is a GOP state, pay no mind to the face that my city's mayor just tested positive for COVID-19.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Nov 20 - 08:10 AM

COVID-19 infections are rising in Huron and Perth counties as well, despite our thin rural population and general obedience to public health guidelines. The epicentre in Stratford is a privately operated long-term care home where 43 residents and 19 staff have caught the disease and nine residents have died. Two recent outbreaks in rural townships suggest that community spread might be starting here.

The public health people are very diplomatic about the source of the spread, but I would bet serious money on long-term care staff, especially personal support workers. They are not supposed to work in more than one institution, but they are paid crap wages for unpredictable shifts, and can't really make a living without grabbing all the hours they can get. All the long-term care homes are chronically understaffed but it's even worse now, so the temptation to break the exposure protocols must be irresistible for at least some of these folks.

The small percentage of the community who are given to griping are getting loudly vocal about mask rules, which rather surprises me; for most of us, checking for a mask in our pocket is now almost as firm a habit as ensuring that we have our keys and spectacles when leaving the house. At the bank the other day, I saw a man swan in with no mask, past the big sign with the rules in big letters, past the hand-wash station and the barrier rope, and none of the snugly masked bank staff said boo. But that's still an exception; yesterday I went to the supermarket but never bothered to get out of the car because people were lined up outside in the cutting wind. I don't need anything that can't wait till senior citizens' shopping hour on Monday.

Except maybe lemons. Late November is prime toddy season.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 20 - 10:25 PM

This is always a difficult time of the year, but 2020 brings a unique set of complications, doesn't it? I was at an outdoor "event" today, sparsely attended, but when I briefly walked indoors was astounded to see about eight adults standing around talking at close proximity and none wearing masks. I was out of there again in a couple of minutes.

This NPR story gives a grim account of daily infections, deaths, and risks, and I sent it to the friend I was speaking with at this event who doesn't seem to quite understand how serious it all is. 1878 people died. On FRIDAY. 1878 of COVID-19. That's like four or five jumbo jet disasters in one day. I handed masks to the two friends who were running the event, and I sincerely hope they use them.

When you're living alone it's necessary to dig deep into the activities that bring satisfaction, to pull out the favorite music recordings, videos, or books that bring joy, and to absolutely make the phone calls or in-person distant and outdoor visits one can to stay sane. In 2020, paying attention to your surroundings is vital.

Today's event brought a boost for me that will help through the next week, and I'll be talking to my kids and probably sharing food with my ex. (There was an interesting story on the Moth Radio Hour this week - a couple who realized they weren't destined to be married to each other, they were destined to be best friends. That's us.)

Now to brew my cuppa decaff spice tea and head back to my sewing.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Nov 20 - 06:03 PM

Beaver:

"I initially got one to put next to the dog stall in the garage and I wanted something that didn't have any exposed elements, that would turn off if it was tipped over, and was warm, not hot enough to burn oneself on. I later put one in the greenhouse. I use that one with a plug that detects the temperature outside and when it gets to a certain low it powers on until it reaches a particular high temperature. The range is on at 35o and off at 45o. Anyway, look up "heat cube" or "thermo cube" for those. (I think I remember Dorothy getting some of those years ago, we talked about this before.)"

This also comes in a higher range (45-55 I think). But must have that special outlet, as in bathrooms. I could only find it on Amazon. It is terrific for the need here.

Thank you for the mask offer, Maggie. I found mine - designed for environmental sensitivity - the same day C found the will! In the SAFE place - the plastic envelope containing important papers (like passport) with which I travel back and forth. Maybe I need to make a list, keep a log book of where things are... I have made a comprehensive PW list and made two copies to put in safe places where
I hopefully will find at least one. And made more business cards for the Shop while the printer was working. The one at Dupont is having a problem.

So got home to Beaver yesterday and, after pit stop, went up to the Shop and chatted with Pat, the ring leader, remembered to leave half dozen spider plants! and came home to start recuperation. At least I had brought supper with me! This am, started out with a couple errands - thrift shop for books, "Pop Shoppe" to order large chunk of 2 year old WHITE cheese, Home Hardware - nope we never carried that (terrific velcro strips that really stick and hold) and then to Shop with the box of new stuff, bought somewhere, sometime in the past for some long forgotten reason.

There were too many people there! I felt as though I'd walked into a hornet nest! Left the box and asked Pat to please price things for me. She is far better at it than I, and happy to do so.

Then sat in car and phoned my long time - over 85 year old - friend whose husband died on 12th. This is one of those where he never told her anything! Fortunately, her, almost 60, son and 3 grandkids, and ex DIL are being incredible. Hard phone call. I had been going to visit, but the road to her place is long, winding and steep for about 30 min; I consider it life threatening in July; with rain threatening and freezing weather... I will try to make the burial on Monday. Tomorrow is a snow day. Monday might not be good either, but son will be there 'til Friday. It might stop precipitating!

When safely home, call from son, very close friend whom I pulled through a rough stretch about 35 years ago. He admitted to alcohol problem, as I had heard from Mother and ex wife; I suspect he was already under influence and I admonished him sharply -gently sharply as he is far more rocked by dad's death than he expected. The fact that Mom NEEDS him, can make it better or worse. His daughter is a nurse and very solid and has offered, a gratefully accepted, grannie flat in her home until mom can get into a retirement apt. Mom will be well cared for.

Having performed what the family considers a "miracle intervention" 35 years ago, it weighs heavily on me that they really are hoping for another one. I only found out about his alcohol problem in the last year. Parents never told me during any of my faithful visits with them. I gave him "what for" and "your mom needs you", and your children - what about Neil (the youngest who is clearly on the path). Well, I can only do what I can do. Oh dear!!!!! I am going to go read about octopuses. Apparently "octopi" is incorrect!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 20 - 03:09 PM

The bursitis is subsiding, and Ibuprofen is what I usually use. I have an ointment that is supposed to be a good topical treatment, but it's like Tylenol, apparently, in that there can be kidney damage if you drink. The package places a higher drink limit per day than I ever drink, but still, the idea that alcohol and this don't mix well is something to consider. I think after January 20 the drink in the evening will be less necessary. :-/

I have a list of things to do in the yard - a gardener friend stopped by after an event in town and give a cursory glance at the various projects I have going on here. The patio cover is falling apart and I hadn't thought about how sloppy that looks until company arrived - seeing through someone else's eyes is always revealing!

The eBay stuff seems to have stalled, but I have more things to list for this season, as much to clear out the front room as the boost sales. Some of the prepared boxes (ready to ship) are on the dining table and need to be moved back to the front room. I have a couple of projects in mind that take up the entire table (layout of sewing patterns on the cutting board, and possibly moving a sewing machine in there for the duration of a large project).

This week is the US Thanksgiving. Such a weird year in so many ways, but I think having to skip the family Thanksgiving really brings it home to a lot of people. I was at an event this morning where I was the only mask wearer (it was outside, but people did walk indoors near the end). I wonder how many of these people will survive to xmas if they are determined to crowd maskless indoors this month.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Nov 20 - 11:11 AM

The last pieces of furniture that can be moved by amateurs are now in their new spots, and Kathleen the housecleaning cat-minder is attacking the kitchen. Edmund was a frying fool, and the stovetop has looked like the wrath of God since about twenty minutes after it was installed three years ago. Kathleen is more committed to the art and craft of scrubbing than I, and I hope she can reduce the evidence of too many bacon-and-egg breakfasts to a negligible level.

How's your bursitis, Stilly? The only effective home remedy I know of for that ailment is Advil, which folks our age should probably consider a food supplement. I have heard of people who are allergic to the stuff, and I wonder how they manage.

The inflamed ligament in my right foot is still inflamed, in fact not much improved at all, after six weeks of laser therapy. It still feels like a rock in my shoe, and I can't walk even a mile without resorting to a heavy limp. At yesterday's visit to the chiropodist, I learned that the next level of intervention is cortisone shots, and I'm close to convinced that the sooner we start doing that, the better.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 20 Nov 20 - 11:54 AM

So glad your persistence has paid off, Charmion.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Nov 20 - 03:04 PM

Today, I found the original of Edmund's will. What a relief.

It was in one of a series of higgledy-piggledy files containing some fifty years' worth of family letters, a mother lode of old playbills, and far too many Certificates Suitable for Framing, in a tape-sealed brown envelope that had been stuffed into a folder of faxes and Xeroxes from the Canadian Forces Release Centre. I'm surprised/not surprised that it took me so long to find it, but of course it was beautifully camouflaged, in the filing cabinet along with all its buddies.

The lawyer was very happy -- nay! thrilled to bits -- to see it. Suddenly, the task of getting Edmund's estate through probate is a whole lot easier.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 20 - 01:08 PM

A hip bursitis flare up today is a souvenir of standing and bending to hold onto that machine as it worked yesterday, but I'm still so pleased to have NOT had to call a plumber that I can live with the Ibuprofen.

Over on that "bacon gizmo" thread Leeneia asked a question about Texas kolaches that I answered with enough detail that it has me thinking I'd like to take a road trip. Short, but out, and around. I don't know if I'd want to take the dogs along, and there are no other passengers who could go. But maybe. Patty Clink and I have talked about places she traveled and she has stayed at Cleburne State Park, an hour's drive from here. It's lovely weather, maybe a trip there with the camera to get fall colors is in order.

I am being cautious as far as human contact for the next couple of weeks. On Tuesday that I got an SOS call from a friend who totalled his car in the town south of me and needed a ride home to the town west of me. I set up the passenger-side seat in the third row of seats in my fairly-large SUV so there was more than six feet between us and we wore masks and didn't talk much. The windows were partly open. (I also gave him extra masks and told him to discard the one he'd been wearing when I saw him last week because it wobbles up and down too much with his beard.) I've been reading that passengers on airplanes are generally doing okay as far as staying healthy as long as the air is exchanged and the masks are worn and hopefully we weren't much different (neither of us has an indication that we might be ill, but our bubbles did overlap in a big way). I realized that his knowing he could call here for help was incredibly important to him, and I wonder if he realizes that we were literally risking our lives to make that drive?

Anyway, I'm staying busy around here. Everyone stay safe and I'll be interested to read how you plan to navigate the upcoming US holiday.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Nov 20 - 03:48 PM

Colour me impressed. That’s a project I would never have attempted on my own, or even with help.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 20 - 02:39 PM

I downloaded the PDF manual for the machine and read through it once I had the "Electric Eel" set in the yard (a friend came over to help me unload it). I sussed out the most important parts of the operation, positioned it properly, and was finished within 30 to 45 minutes. I wasn't timing myself, but it wasn't long. I cleaned up a bit (hosed off the snake in the cage it rolls up in) and rolled the machine to the side of my driveway. After Antonio finished the next job he was working on he came by again with his truck and trailer and rolled it easily up onto the trailer bed. I met him at Home Depot and had it turned in with more than an hour to spare. I gave the man at the rental desk two of my homemade cloth 3D face masks. He is big and has a beard and the disposable masks just don't fit well. Mine are kind of bright, that may take a little getting used to!

Now I need to soak and scrub the bathtubs. The plumber is $250 to $300 for the most bare bones running the snake job. This cost me $85 (I paid $10 for the "just in case you break something" insurance).

Now I'll work in the yard a bit before all of my clothes go into the laundry. It was generally pretty clean but as the snake retracted there was some slight splashing.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Nov 20 - 01:48 PM

"I hope this is as easily done as the guy in the tool rental department said it is." Famous last words. This is yet another time Stilly demonstrates her tendency to be braver than may be entirely wise.

For any task that requires equipment that I (a) don't own and (b) can't lift by myself, I'm gonna hire somebody.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 20 - 11:23 AM

It's in the yard, I have it for four hours, and a friend came and helped me offload it from the SUV. I think we put a little hole in the headliner, I'll mend that later. When we put it back it will go on it's side or my friend will put it on his trailer and return it.

Electric cord, leather gloves, safety goggles, and I've watched a video about how to install the various tools. I downloaded a PDF of the instruction manual specific to this machine and that helps even more. And this is what I was looking for:

Continue to automatically feed cable until obstruction is met. When cable begins to drag or rotation becomes difficult, move the lever to the neutral position and allow tool to cut away at the obstruction. I hope this is as easily done as the guy in the tool rental department said it is.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 20 - 09:09 AM

Another day, another home-owner adventure. The new sewer line stops at the old sewer line down near the curb (the friend who did the work couldn't find the gas line so they tied the two before the city sewer line itself - the job was finished just short of getting rid of the worst of the old line). The tree roots have once again encroached on the sewer and the washer has backed up into the bathtubs today. So I will rent a snake and do what I can to cut out the roots. Trouble is, the machine is 225 pounds. I need to figure out a way to set stuff behind the SUV so I can move it from one level to the next without dropping it, and then when I am ready to return it, to get it back up my homemade ramp of stuff. With a regular ramp I couldn't push and pull it by myself. I've contacted a friend who is working in the neighborhood to help. It's that or rent a trailer, but I don't have a hitch on this and that's a whole 'nother expense. I might as well hire the plumber for $250 if I have to do the automotive AND plumbing thing. (The Home Depot rental is $69).

I will report back later.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 20 - 04:45 PM

I initially got one to put next to the dog stall in the garage and I wanted something that didn't have any exposed elements, that would turn off if it was tipped over, and was warm, not hot enough to burn oneself on. I later put one in the greenhouse. I use that one with a plug that detects the temperature outside and when it gets to a certain low it powers on until it reaches a particular high temperature. The range is on at 35^o and off at 45^o. Anyway, look up "heat cube" or "thermo cube" for those. (I think I remember Dorothy getting some of those years ago, we talked about this before.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Nov 20 - 02:39 PM

Those oil-filled heaters look like a much better buy, Stilly. Thanks for pointing me at them.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Nov 20 - 02:02 PM

Dorothy, PM me your address and I'll mail you some of my 3-layer masks. They do the trick.

Charmion, I have some of the oil filled radiant heaters in the greenhouse and garage because I wanted a warm spot with no exposed elements. I have the little ceramic heaters with fans in each bathroom and have been known to move one of them into the office on occasion. The link (in case it doesn't work) is the Home Depot and it looks like they have the radiant oil filled fans that just heat, and some with thermostats and timers.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Nov 20 - 01:05 PM

Dupont:

C: electric fireplace looks nice. Does not give any more heat than a $25 electric heater which can be used as needed and stuck out of the way when not in use. But, an electric heater adds ambience. You might end up watching the fire instead of reading!

Finally finished unloading a box that was too heavy to bring in loaded. Now I have some pretties to re-home and a banana box full of foamy and bubble wrap to... under the DR table for now. There is almost NO first floor storage. The beds in spare rooms are too low to store a banana box but will do for the under bed plastic bin. I am loathe to carry anything down the steep cellar stairs AND, worst of all, no sign of the mask I need to brave the cellar. The website for replacements - nothing available until mid December! I have worn it in late summer, early fall! Neither pockets nor tote bags have one hiding... Maybe at Beaver when I get back there.

Wood stove is doing a good job. Cosy in Den. Makes me want to sit here, on computer, but I get up and do a few things elsewhere and come back to warmth. Oops! Those ARE snowflakes I see!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Nov 20 - 09:48 AM

First snowy day in Stratford, and the house is chilly, especially the library. I'm thinking of acquiring an electric fireplace ... Any pros, cons or comments, O Hive Mind?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Nov 20 - 09:56 PM

I teetered the folded table out of the library and propped it on end against a wall in the hall. It’s way too heavy to move downstairs by myself — it would skid on the wooden nosing of the steps and take me down with it.

Time for bed.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Nov 20 - 07:51 PM

Dupont:

The folding table story a la SRS - ho ho ho! I could see that happening! And me going down with it.

R brought a large book shelf for my mini pottery work space-to-be. (from Montreal house.) A corner of his library-to-be will do for a while. I will bring the bare essentials when returning from Beaver: portable wheel and its stools, tools and a plaster basin and bucket for trimmings. Oh yeah, and a folding table!! Only four steps down from outdoors to get in here and it is in a cabinet at front of house, near car. I am seeing on FB reports of nasty snow there today, and it will not be melting soon. So I am fore warned. Take boots.

Ransacked house and car looking for my protective mask (for dust/toxins) to no avail.I have two; how could I have misplaced TWO! But sorted, ditched and filed papers, dry mopped upstairs, caught some cobwebs, caught up dishes, watered plants as necessary. And fed the fire.

Windy all day and power was off part of time in the vicinity of Beaver. Nothing I can do about it so hoping nothing freezes is only option. There is a generator here - in the garage NOT connected! And no gas can to feed it. We do have adequate electric cords to use but it is still in the box... R is too busy with business (well-named!) to attend to our home. I had the fantasy that this house would inspire him... The electric was off here in the night but I doubt for long. The stove clock was flashing - 4:55.

Still not cooking much as the planned-overs have lasted too long. The order from the grocery did not arrive! And no response to my email. Fine!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 20 - 02:59 PM

I have been thinking about getting a generator to run in the garage during the longer power outages. When you live by a heavily-wooded creek, trees fall down over lines. And I have a tree that needs removing but it pulls a stunt like that. I have a pump I bought years ago that has never been out of the box (for running hose to the creek). I should sell that and use the space for the more useful generator.

Bread is rising, I haven't made it in ages. A little self-care, making the house smell good and making bread when I don't feel like hunting down a better multi-grain bread at the store. Trying to stay out of stores for now.

Stairs and gravity usually mean the folded table will travel downstairs, it's just a matter of how fast and if you're in control. Mine isn't the difficult to fold and move around solo, including stairs. Good luck navigating with it!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Nov 20 - 10:11 AM

Last night's windstorm, which Dorothy noted in Chateauguay, knocked out the hydro in my part of Stratford for more than an hour in the shank of the evening. Edmund's collection of camping gadgets includes a rechargeable lantern with a solar panel on one side, a USB cable and even a crank; fortunately, it retained enough energy to light my way to light the stove (yay gas!), make a bit of supper, clean out the litterbox, and go to bed. Across the street, I could see Neighbour Neil's flashlight bobbing about on what looked like similar missions. About five minutes after I hit the sack, the lights came on again and I had to get up and turn everything off.

The books are stowed, and the library lacks only the big green Bokhara rug, currently out for cleaning, and the teak-framed sofa from the sitting room. I also have to fold up the six-foot work table and get it downstairs again, most likely with help from wonderful, long-suffering Neil. I can carry that table on the flat, but I'm fairly sure I would have trouble controlling it on the stairs.

Edmund's rechargeable lantern now lives in the front of the bottom right kitchen drawer, where I can find it in the darkest dark. I should get another one for upstairs; power failures are not unusual in these parts.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 20 - 12:47 AM

Washington state is going through another severe shutdown period; I spoke with my sister this evening to compare notes on our respective community approaches. Down here in Texas it is the Wild West. I'm being very careful, not going out much at all. The growth is exponential now, just in time for a major U.S. indoor holiday.

I was motivated to update my long-neglected blog in order to share facemask information. I started by briefly summarizing the reason for eight years of neglect and created a separate page that I can update as needed that describes the styles of masks I make and how to care for them. I'll do another page to share current fabric offerings. Most of them now are 3D, it simply fits more people better than the other masks. My pleated masks cover everything but they can really take over your face. After a long time away from blogging (and various updates) I had to relearn a lot about the Wordpress blogs, including pulling up the now LinkedIn-owned Lynda.com training tutorials to get some tips (I love those tutorials, I've learned a lot of interesting stuff using them).

I've also edited the slip that is inserted with masks into each zip lock sandwich bag. It now includes a QR code to the blog entry describing mask fit and care and allows people to contact me if they want more.

Dorothy, it took time this morning to get over the dust assault from yesterday. I'm going to resume the work but with a mask in place. And I agree with you about the amount of work Charmion has done - and ending up with a music room and practice already is an excellent result. There are stages in the grieving process that are quite energized, by necessity. (Hugs, Charmion)

Stay safe, everyone. It's going to get worse before it gets better.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 04:58 PM

Dupont:

SRS! Did I neglect to remind you to wear a mask when dusting! Why I use a damp cloth where possible. And rarely dust! My fear of inhaling it greatly exceeds my need to have a clean looking house! And vacuuming just blow it around! If I feel the need to vacuum, I plan to leave home to let the dust settle.

C: What an incredible amount you have accomplished! Awesome! I used to manage that much energy...

Talked with R this am about using a corner of his "gonna be library" temporarily. Just for a wheel, shelves for ware in progress and table for wedging, etc. No progress is being made re shelves for books - just STUFF accumulating! The cellar was too claustrophobic. Lighting has to suit my peculiar brain. He seemed to be OK with it.

Very windy here; Will soon be getting C's rain! Hoping to get back to Beaver on Thursday, if R recovers from Dentist. Watching weather closely!

Maintaining 12 pound loss. Wood moving is good exercise. Brought in a bunch today to dry near stove. Dark, damp and forbidding out there! Keeping furnace about 68F. (I could turn it down a bit but R needs it.) A cube heater in bathroom (broken wall heater in there) and one on hand for TV room if R needs it; I wrap up. But colder weather will be here. There is a surfeit of prepared food in frig which must be eaten so R can choose his own when he gets home --- esp at 10PM! I put another container of soup into the freezer to save its life.

Did a store run about 7:30 last night; the place was fairly deserted, as in 1 person per aisle! Bought lots, including 2 boxes of Clif bars for R to take with him so he does not pull any more no-food-for-12-hours stunts. I may get a delivery of same stuff tomorrow! I spent time preparing an order for "free delivery" and, at the end was told "not valid". Sent a nasty email - for all the good it would do. But I see I ended it with "cancel email" rather than "cancel order"!! Received a itemized bill - with no charge on it for delivery - so I guess I will have lots of clif bars, etc. Nothing that does not keep. I usually use two bars per 5 hour drive and do not leave home with out a couple, just in case.

Will soon have an empty plastic, under the bed, bin for which to choose a new use. Almost everything it contained will be going to the shop. And WOW! brought knife holder from Mill in the last lot and when I took the knives out - That's where the good ones were! How wonderful to have knives that cut properly! I was at the point of try to buy a couple - big one, little one.

5 pm and dark as night! More wood on fire... This brick house prevents me from hearing that wind; I am so much more connected to the world at Beaver.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 11:06 AM

This rug guy is an Iranian immigrant who my ex visits with every so often, I think they became friends during the first couple of rug cleanings (my ex has a tiny house and not many rugs). I learned about this guy because he's taken rugs over there and I keep intending to try it out. I don't think these rugs have ever been cleaned in their 100 years of existence. They came from my great aunt's house in Connecticut.

As I work on the household dust project I realize I need to wear a dust mask or one of my many COVID-19 masks. I woke this morning to seriously upset sinuses.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 08:55 AM

Apparently, hand-knotted Asian rugs -- especially those made with traditional vegetable dyes -- should be washed every two to three years to keep them in top fettle. Vacuum-cleaning is okay on the nap, BUT NOT IF YOU USE A POWER HEAD WITH A BEATER BAR! (Yes, I'm shouting.) One of my rugs, an aging Indian my father bought at auction in 1982, shows clear signs of vacuum abuse: about an inch from one end, where the cat hair accumulates most thickly, there's a little bald patch where the wool of the nap has been wrenched out.

I have several; come to think of it, every rug in the house is Asian. When he was in Afghanistan, Edmund went to the Kabul rug bazaar with his translator, an ex-refugee who had made carpets himself as a child. That day Edmund bought four hall runners and two area rugs, including a big, red Turkman and a multicoloured silk-and-wool Persian that just gleams. Mike and Vanya, the carpet cleaners, went quite gaga over the Turkman, and stroked the Persian as if it were a cat. There's also a mid-sized, ruby-red Pakistani Bokhara I bought from a dealer in Ottawa, and a large, green Afghan Bokhara I bought from a couple who just couldn't find room for it in their flossy new house in Stratford. They put it up on Kijiji for the risible price of $250, and I threw the money at them, grabbed it, and ran.

Thanks to a 40-year flow of immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, Canada has lots and lots of businesses, small and large, that import hand-knotted rugs from all the countries and cultures that make them. Too many Canadians don't understand their worth, which means they can often be bought privately for peanuts.

It's pouring rain in Stratford today, so the outside world has little appeal for me. I shall go to church, have lunch at the diner, and then shelve the rest of the books. If I can clear the six-foot folding table, I will consider it a good day's work.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 09:27 PM

After moving stuff off of the mantle, moving the huge mirror leaning against the fireplace that sits on the hearth, I used the brush nozzle on the vacuum and over about 30 minutes cleaned off years, or decades, of dust on those ugly stones. It doesn't really look any different, but it's nice to know that the I've made a good start. It'll be interesting opening the Shark dust tank this time, to see what comes out. Lots of crumbling stuff from the mortar on the fireplace, for one.

I've also had good luck with that silicone broom - here it works well getting the dog hair off of the tile floors, especially going up and down the halls and scraping it from around the edges next to the wall. It's good you had help with that work. I know a place that is supposed to be good with rugs and I keep meaning to take my antique Persian rugs over - I suspect they will come back looking incredibly bright.

The recycling was dropped off, and I had a couple of food items that ordinarily I might have returned to the store that this time I donated to the community fridge in a neighborhood north of me that is a "food desert." There was a woman finishing loading a bag as I pulled up and she waited to see what I was dropping off - so the 10 pounds of rice and quart of olive-oil blend never made it into the fridge. May she have many filling meals out of those two ingredients!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 05:03 PM

Wow, what a day.

The cat-savaged La-Z-Boy settee has gone to live with a pair of likely lads who arrived with a truck. In return for the “free” couch, they easily hauled three full-height IKEA bookcases up two flights of stairs from the basement to the library. Then the carpet cleaners arrived to deliver five clean rugs and pick up four dirty ones. Then, just as I was getting my teeth into cleaning the hardwood floors before putting down the clean rugs, Kathleen my cat-sitter friend with the house-cleaning side hustle arrived to add me to her client list.

So for the next three hours, she scrubbed and I hauled furniture about and swept — by the way, Stilly, that silicone broom from Amazon is Da Bomb for hardwood floors. Then she helped me lug a wing-back armchair downstairs and a leather-covered comfy chair and the TV and its stand upstairs. So, now all I have to do (HAH!) is load the last three bookcases with the rest of the books, which are currently stacked on a six-foot folding table in the middle of the library floor.

I’ll do that tomorrow. Today, I think it’s time for a beer and a sit.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 03:13 PM

Now that I've started looking - there is all sorts of stuff under the sinks that can go. And a leak of some sort in the hall bathroom sink. Probably just through a corroded spot at the base of the tap that is used all of the time. If I buy two new fixtures for the hall bathroom I can move the little used one into the master bath because that tap is looking pretty corroded also. The rubber bathmat went through the washer with a bunch of towels and is looking better than before. I'm trying to not add PVC to the house (the off-gas isn't good for anyone) and using rubber mats, but they do require a bit more care.

The car is loaded with recycling stuff. It'll take a couple of stops to drop off everything, then back home. I would like to pick up one thing at the grocery store, but Saturday afternoons are so crowded that in this COVID-19 time I need to pace myself and go next week during senior hours.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 08:56 AM

I decided to see how many of those restaurant plastic silverware containers were in the kitchen cupboard where I stash that stuff. I have those racks that have bases screwed onto the shelf and the basket pulls out for easy access, and along with the space beside and behind the rack, the rack itself was overflowing. (These are those cellophane enclosed napkin, knife, fork, spoon, and salt and pepper sachets.) I ended up half-filling a little restaurant meal-sized tote bag. Most of these are unopened and I'll see if they can go to the same fridge I'm going to donate rice and olive oil to soon. It's a community project where food is donated and anyone who needs it can pick from what is there.

The room I started my dust-the-entire-house program in is the back bathroom. I've tossed some stuff, and while I was at it I looked under the sink. Yuck. More for the trash, and while there isn't a water leak but it's musty so I think I need to put in racks or something to keep things up off of the floor surface of the cabinet for better ventilation. The tub got a good scrub, the rubber mat is going into the washer with a bunch of towels to help clean it's surface (and keep the suction cups from clinging to the inside of the washer).

Good luck with that basement, Dorothy. Light is probably the easiest of your needs to work on. Look for some of those new LED fixture at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Those diodes put out a lot of light and are energy efficient. They're also relatively inexpensive. My laundry room was transformed when I put one in.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 07:02 PM

Dupont:

Bit by bit, things find new homes, get laundered, tossed in fire or trash and set somewhere off the beaten track while I figure out where they can go. The huge set of Porcelain -plates, etc, do not look so appealing when I am faced with space and the choices of what to keep, or not. At the shop where my pottery now resides I can sell decent second hand stuff. Things are starting to go into the bag/box for that re-homing.

I pulled my sweatshirt over my mouth and nose and went in the back entrance of the basement to the cellar. Possible to enclose a large enough area. Require some financial output and then carrying tons of stuff 30 or 40 feet. There is heat, and light - need lots more. Then carry pots outside to fire and back in to glaze and back out to fire...Talking myself out of this idea? Versus several thousand dollars for a shed?? I have been away from studio too long already!

I wish I had a Dan here, to do the carpentry. New stairs at other end of deck, closer to where I think of putting the fantasy shed.
Have not heard back from Joe. Suffering serious withdraw.

Laundering stuff that was at the mill - a big garbage bag full smelling a bit moldy. Was not moved to iron today, or sew. Meals are ready; house is clean enough, plants watered enough, potted 3 more spider plants, and hope I can take a few to the shop next trip.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 12:15 PM

My daughter and ex and I had a lovely lunch on the otherwise deserted grounds of the museum yesterday, with lunch coming as takeout from a local French cafe and bakery. We do what we can to get together, and discussed possibly doing some kind of small thing in the garage a week ahead of Thanksgiving so it might still be warmer out. I could cook in the house and hand out plated meals in the garage so it doesn't all get set up to get cold fast out there. But we're still in discussion. It is a risky business and we wouldn't have many of us in one place and we would be all spread out and outside.

Whatever we plan, we'll have to do our family visit via Zoom or Teams or Duo or Messenger during an off-time to avoid getting a poor connection or getting knocked off of the session.

I promised myself that this week I would research and order the gate for the space beside the garage, so with the week running out I need to do it today.

A slightly-related aside to my decluttering and work around the yard: a couple of weeks ago I jammed my thumbnail, at the side, onto a piece of silverware when I was emptying the dishwasher. It cracked the nail at the corner and instead of being patient and trimming with clippers (ok) or putting a bandaid on and letting it grow out (best) I pulled off the nail piece, and exposed a tender part of the nail bed. It took two weeks before it stopped hurting enough that I can do some of the more rigorous things like pulling weeds without pain in that thumb. I've had nail bed injuries before, when I accidentally stabbed myself with a spring key ring trying to put a dog rabies tag on a collar. I finally had to go to the doctor and he used liquid nitrogen to kill the bulge that wouldn't heal between the skin and the nail so it would retreat and the nail grow over. I just got lucky this time it healed by itself. Now to resume some of my more rigorous outdoor activities!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Nov 20 - 06:00 PM

Today, the String Sisters (we’re a band!) came over to play tunes in my new music space, and it was great. In dining chairs spaced six-ish feet apart around the edges of the big, red rug, we fiddled and picked and strummed for an hour and a half. The acoustic is good for tunes, with just a little reverb. The rug and the stuffed bookcases absorb the excess. Serena the fiddle wants to make a video, so now we’re getting serious.

The rest of the day was spent hauling books around, and going to the allergy doc in Kitchener. I distinctly remember a time in my life when I had a job — how did I ever fit it in?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 20 - 05:00 PM

I have a whole bunch of masks to start packaging and putting in the mail, and some new ones to cut out and start assembling. Three of the four in my immediate family (who live here - my son is in Seattle) had a really-late birthday lunch for my daughter and me and her dad joined us. On the museum grounds with enough breeze to clear the germs from the area. And I handed over more masks - every time I see them, it seems, but I want them to be safe. And on the way home I stopped to buy a couple of packages of nuts and the clerk's mask was ill-fitting so I trotted out to the car and got one of the packaged spares I keep there for handing out. This was a holiday print 3D mask that will work well for her, I think, and I showed her how to wear it. She apparently has only two cloth masks (time to get some disposable, then but whatever).

I have sometime before dark so will go do some digging in the garden. I need to get the broccoli planted, but it'll go in around where the garlic is coming up and I've wanted to be careful not to step on those sprouts.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Nov 20 - 12:47 PM

Dupont:

Drove down to the "mill" yesterday, the last warm day until ??? Picked up 2 glazes, dried out in their buckets so no mess! Just add water when I get them to Beaver. Also a bunch of sundry items that I am hoping to re-home here or at Beaver. Did not, however, find my box of Marie Corelli books and rue the day I left them "right there" and have not seen them since. Also thought there was a ghetto blaster there but no luck.

From the Mill, I went to visit a friend, sitting in her garage, out of the wind. Then to a fruit farm but it has little left but apples and I have enough of those; the lovely Anglophone owner, gave me a card so I can phone if I want more apples, which I shall. Then to the bakery in St. Antoine for a new Dark Choc Cake and two baklava. (1/2 is adequate!) Then stopped to visit Rita and Dan who were entertaining a neighbour's 4 chickens - with the fallout from their bird feeder! The back to Chateauguay - tired and happy.

Thinking about shed: Maybe Joe (teaches construction) knows someone who could build one on site? or MAYBE I could enclose a piece of the cellar and install dehumidifier and air cleaner. Later today, I shall don a respirator and visit the cellar - very carefully. Check to see if phone gets a signal (safety factor). Would certainly be less expensive --- but no place to show finished wares.

Put fire in stove when I got home; as nice as it was outside, the house was cool. Still coals this am so it is nicely perking away. I am challenged to see how long I can keep from turning the heat up - and save on electric!

Wonderful neighbour, Charmion! My Friend Larry has admitted to diminishing power in the five years. I was happy to do the washstand myself and not call for help!

I have a couple Pear tree seedlings (3 inches!) from the pears bought at Petits Cailloux in the early fall. The owner was delighted at this info.

Now to unload the car.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness: House, job, life 2019 - 2020
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 20 - 10:48 PM

A new personal challenge has arisen this evening. My part-time job is all work from home, but my employer and his office manager are going to be in town for an appearance in two weeks. The location is just a couple of miles from here, and I will attend part of the time. I will also offer them an invitation to come by here to see the yard and meet the dogs (they love dogs). That means I have a lot of yard work to do, to have some of these beds looking the way I envision they can. There's nothing like a chance to show off the work to inspire one to get out and finish the job.