De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 11:10 AM

A friend here shared a house with her grandchildren for several years - she is about 80 now, though, still ambulatory and drives some. It isn't an easy choice. Most recently she moved back in with her daughter. She tried a retirement apartment but during the 2020 portion of COVID she was so lonely she couldn't stand it.

The lovely thing about the preparations for having guests here is that for the next few days the house tidier than usual. I wash the dishes as I work leading up to the meal, so the stand mixer and cake pan were washed and put away before I got out the food processor to make the falafel, and that was put away before the small deep fryer came out. The sink wasn't heaped with cooking stuff and everything that was in the sink went into the dishwasher last night.

We had a good visit, the friend who is most susceptible to being knocked over by the dogs wasn't able to attend so at the point when they started fussing in the back yard because it started raining, three wet dogs came in and enjoyed visiting. (They were just damp and I toweled them dry.) One of these friends is so in love with the dogs I think he'd come over to see them even if I wasn't home. :)

And speaking of guests and going out, I'm back to my personal contact-tracing notes for each occasion I'm indoors with people, and we talked about the types of COVID-19 tests out there. One of the guests here still teaches in person so the couple have decided to set up a voluntary twice-monthly rapid COVID test. It's done by a company that sends nurses out to do the tests at your home and is funded by the federal government. I think that might be a wise move for me if I'm going to be volunteering at the museum twice a week.

This morning I've had to turn off the public radio station in favor of classical music. I need a news-free day today, and I need a no-spend month this month. As Dorothy mentioned, it's part of a self-care strategy.

I'm going to make more granola this afternoon, somewhat modifying the recipe I used (adding more seeds and nuts). More self-care - my future self will say "thank you for the breakfast!"

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 01:46 PM

The news is particularly grim and depressing today.
Fox weather channel should cheer people up with fair weather stories 24/7

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 02:31 PM

Dupont:

Well, not much progress on my depressive reaction to the situation. But I did walk down to the one neighbour I know, and found the wife at home. Asking for someone to move wood, she phoned someone but his back... Alan came home with Aussie - such a treat! and suggested someone down the street near the church. I went home and exchanged slippers for sandals and walked down - about a half block - did not see a place as described but heard a thunderclap and went home. I'll try again with better info and less rain.

Lots of rain - finally!!! Over an inch last night. And the cooler weather is wonderful. Plans: trip to the mill tomorrow to pick up pottery stuff to take to Beaver, and, in the area, deliver mugs, and visit with a friend - in reverse order!!

Not going to think about making mugs here - keeping things simple. Try to prepare some food for R - after doing some shopping. Also not going to think about the garage; it won't happen! I will simply spend time at Beaver to make and fire pots. So: consolidate stuff at Beaver (from Mill) and organize studio better. Also bring a bunch of clothes back to Dupont from mill and consider their fate; room in the closet for them if I want to keep them all. Also want to bring back some DR and K stuffs if I have the energy. Too much of that ilk. Considering getting rid of set of "good" china I bought since moving here. It takes up a great deal of room in the beautiful china cabinet which could contain other, more important, treasures.

Reality check: R is never going to order glass shelves for curio cabinet; I shall have to figure out how to do it myself so I can clear the DR table. Need to focus him on "The eaves need to be repaired in September!!!"

I sometimes wonder how I can sit in the TV room facing the huge stack of sewing to be done; I just don't care. It is not essential. My sudden fits of desire to "do something" last a few nano-seconds! A friend has offered to put a nice patch on a blouse; it is pinned in place but my brain/eyes are resisting. I am too big for this once fav blouse and wonder if anyone would want it; I shall let Leslie decide. Now to find it - NOW.

Oh! and Happy B-day, SRS!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 03:25 PM

Thanks, Dorothy!

My son just closed on a house, and now would be a great time to send some of the antique furniture his way, if he wants any of it. The question is - the most economical and efficient way to do it, and even if it is moved, is it worth moving? A small U-haul would still manage a fair number of these pieces, but I'd have to board the dogs or take them with me. Hard work and/or expensive. Have the ex stay at the house with them? Or would the son fly down and drive a U-Haul truck back with what he wants? All things to consider - if he wants any pieces from here. For now, the thing to do is enjoy living with them and if any of it can be moved along locally, do so. What we have is three siblings with three children among them who are going to end up dealing with this stuff if we don't.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 04:30 PM

Dupont:

SRS: I would ask son to visit and see if he wants anything and let him cope! But, I am tired of coping, and need to care for my energy. I keep meaning to ask Taun if there are any small things he might want: if so, come and get them! Troy and Julie are so minimalist ...!!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 21 - 05:44 PM

Dorothy, we just spoke. I'm going to take photos and put them in a Google album and send him the link. His partner was also on the call, as is their friend and roommate, so the topic got a good airing. I told him it's remarkably easy to cram a house too full of stuff, so choose what they want that they can use. He lived here long enough to know most of this stuff, but the photo reminders will help.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 11:09 AM

I am back at home and relieved to be so. The drive was longer than usual, and more tiresome, because somebody made a bad mistake on the 401 about half-way between Napanee and Belleville and probably paid with his or her life. The traffic was backed up for miles and miles, and everyone in the westbound lanes was stuck in first and second gear for more than an hour. Ya gotta hand it to Canadians, though; nobody honked, hopped lanes or ran the shoulder of the road to skirt the blockage.

Delighted with my return, the cats greeted me with song and upright, quivering tails. The state of the house indicated that young Georgia did a good job minding them for a week.

On the other hand, Revenue Canada sent me a form letter that says I never paid Edmund's Harmonized Sales Tax (GST plus provincial for a total of 13% of fees) for 2020. I did so, but now I have to prove it. Sigh.

And of course I now must read the stampede of email about the last week in the life of the choir. That will be an hour of my life I never get back.

My next big task is preparing a presentation to the Annual General Meeting about the outcomes of our strategic planning session. For the first time since I left government (in 2013!), I would like to use PowerPoint, but I'm fairly sure the locus in quo (hotel dining room) won't run to a 21st-century slide projector. Also, I don't possess a laptop computer any more, either ... I guess I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way, depending on the power of my personality and the magic of a flip chart.

The next decluttering task is the linen closet. I bought three sets of brand-new sheets for my aged "double/full"-sized bed in Ottawa, where the selection is much more generous than it is here. The so-called Queen bed is now the most popular size in Ontario, but queen-sized sheets trail on the floor when I put them on my Victorian bed. The new stuff should last the rest of my independent life, so I intend to render unto Goodwill all the sheets, pillowcases and towels that are now excess to requirements, which should free up about two closet shelves.

It will be hot and steamy today, but Perth County Particular thunderstorms are in the forecast for tonight and the rest of the week is supposed to be cool and damp. Just right for dusting and vacuuming. Whee.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 11:49 AM

After a particularly awful night's sleep I missed our first morning temperature under 70^o in weeks. Months, even. The cool time is fleeting, by 8am the temperature climbs steeply. Too much caffeine in the afternoon and evening was the culprit (via chocolate birthday cake.) As I tossed and turned I resolved that I should go ahead and call this a no-spend month; I have been shopping early for xmas for family, but so far its research and I can add the selected items to my private Amazon wish list and pick them up later. The fridge and freezer and pantry are crammed full, the wardrobe is in pretty good shape with the move similar to Charmion and her sheets; old underwear discarded and replaced with new sale-priced items. Last month I bought two t-shirts from my undergraduate alma mater so when they arrived it's time to discard a couple of my more worn shirts (or put them into the "yardwork only" part of the clothes rod.)

This also needs to be the time to up the exercise level—this first cool morning is one of many and I'll take advantage of them. I recently ordered an ankle band with a Velcro close to use with my fitness tracker (when I walk the dogs holding leashes my arms don't swing so not so many steps register). I need to add a small sleeve over it because it was made for the narrower Fitbit and I use the Withings Steel HR watch, and once that is ready I don't need to worry about tucking the tracker into a sock. (It was all of $5 on Amazon, any more of these I'll make myself now I see how this was put together.)

The house is lovely and clear with exposed countertops and table in the kitchen, the sink clean and empty, all benefits of having guests over occasionally.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 01:44 PM

I won't be recommending that t-shirt company to anyone else; they are licensed to print the school logos and messages, but they do it on demand, and they did a sloppy job of centering and making the print level. Just because my chest is lopsided doesn't mean they need to print the shirt that way also.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 02:18 PM

I have started volunteering at a thrift shop. I try to take them donations every shift... But then, I shop. Bought a couch, but I like it, *and* they took my old one. New one is smaller. Living room is now larger. I count it a win.

Today I am taking a lot of things I have ingrown (my term for They are too big for me now). I hope to return with less than I take in!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Sep 21 - 08:32 PM

Dupont:

Still grieving for the situation of my friend and I sent en email to son expressing my sadness.

But today was a time to get out and do things on this gorgeous day; a planned route:

Drove down to the mill and removed the remaining clothes to sort and keep or not.

Stopped at pottery customer; she, her two Dghtrs and a friend chose mugs with delight! And she took me into her new home - beautiful, comfy, totally tidy! to see her pottery collection on its own open shelf in the K!

Went to an orchard and purchased apples, pears, raspberries and local maple syrup.

Had a great visit with Rita; she introduced me to a marvellous little country cafe/shop: La Boutique Fermière/The Farmhouse Boutique (on FB!). Had a scrumptious strawberry/choc tart and brought one home for R. We sat at a table outside under the trees, in view of horses, sheep and chickens! Very in the country!

I am exhausted but cheered by the folks with whom I visited. A good day- de-cluttered the pottery, added to the wallet and added a great deal of good feelings to de-clutter some of the pain!

Tomorrow I de-clutter Dupont of a number of plants - taking them to ON for the plant sale or the shop. AND!!! WE have had rain!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 10:56 AM

This morning we had a very noisy thunderstorm move through the region that was over in about 30 minutes—the power flickered and Pepper (the dog) has been a quivering mass of canine slobber. I slept late and didn't put the thunder shirt on her ahead of this event, and I can see the difference from when she's dressed for heavy weather ahead of time. I'll make a note not to make that omission again. She wouldn't even eat her food when I fed them, so she'll finish hers later.

High humidity and rain today, but tomorrow's forecast looks like the beginning of a nice long streak of morning walking weather.

I have a couple of online classes to take and I have a stack of papers on my computer desk, so my decluttering work today will be both virtual and literal. Time to act on the papers or file the papers and move forward. I didn't make that granola yet, but today looks like a good day to do it because it has to be stirred every 20 minutes or so and when I sit for too long my joints stiffen up. There's nothing like a computer course to keep you in your chair for a long period of time.

Another virtual declutter I'm considering is changing my default browser. It's a pain to do it, but sometimes it's worthwhile, and I think Chrome is getting very big and very slow these days. What are the rest of you using?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 11:09 AM

Poor Pepper.
Our Mickey, years ago, would tremble like a leaf.
And she was UNDER your feet, did not want to practice
anything resembling social distancing.
As one confidante expressed it,
it's as though the poor dog wants to
get inside of your skin along with you.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 11:11 AM

Last night's Perth County Particular left broken maple branches all over the property but at least no lightning struck close to Stratford (I was counting flash to bang) and the hydro power did not fail.

Yesterday was laundry -- four loads of it. The quilt that was on the bed all summer yielded enough cat hair in the dryer filter to make a skein of yarn, and the Hudson's Bay blanket on the guest room bed should get an hour on "air fluff" to remove a similar load of feline evidence.

The Y has changed the time of pool class and I missed the memo, so I was half an hour late. A woman in the locker room remarked that at least I took it like a trouper, unlike the dame who did the same yesterday and turned around and walked out.

There's nothing to eat in the house, so grocery shopping is on the agenda, and I must follow up with Jeff the Baltic accountant on the latest bétise from Revenue Canada. Apart from that ... I guess I could get started on the presentation I have to do at the choir's Annual General Meeting. I /so/ don't wanna, but somebody must and I would do it better than ...

Oh, look! I could clean the bathroom instead!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 11:32 AM

Firefox (on Linux) usually but I also have Chromium (that's the one before it get#s "Googled" into Chrome) installed and have had a couple of occasions where a site does not work properly on Firefox. I think the last time that happened was about a month ago when Asda Mobile changed their mobile supplier from EE to Vodaphone. I needed (x3) to complete a form to get the new sim cards to keep the old accounts and phone numbers and I couldn't get that through with FF. I think I also have Opera installed but can't remember when I last used that.

I think I have Edge, IE, /Firefox and Chrome installed on the Win 10 part of my laptop but I rarely use any of them. I do have a rare need for IE there though. I don't understand the Hikvision/Annke logic but IE seems to be the only browser that will give a live view in the camera config pages. That's needed for example to mask an area or to set up the built in motion detection.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 01:12 PM

There were some things from work that simply had to be accessed for security reasons using Internet Explorer (now long gone - today it would be Edge.) And I have the new Edge set up with about 8 tabs that open for some work that I do. I use the Edge Beta for various personal things since opening that doesn't bring up all of the other Edge stuff. I downloaded a bunch of smaller browsers to try (recommended by Bill D). They sit mostly unopened.

I'm still waiting on my full tax refund after filing last February. The refund was reduced to a few dollars, an "explanation" letter later arrived and showed an error on their part. I sent them my reason for why they should return the rest of my refund (they were supposed to simply do it if I had a good reason) but I wait. They asked for more papers so I sent them. And wait. I tried calling last week but after punching number choices according to instructions the last one said "we have way too many responses to this topic. Try your call again later" and it hung up.

My phone uploads photos to three different online backup places, and I need to get that under control. I'm going to remove the backup from Google for now and leave it with One Drive and Dropbox. I pay a couple of dollars a month for One Drive, I thin out the Drop Box photos when it starts clamoring at me to upgrade to a paid account.

Lots of virtual clutter to sort out!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 08 Sep 21 - 01:43 PM

On photo's or sort and in a very round about way...

I decided to revise the way I handled emails a couple of weeks back. I had been combining in coming email accounts (via a fetchmail/postfix/amavisd/dovecot) onto a local (dovecot) IMAP server (accessible from outside via VPN) so there was just one local email account for each of us. In most ways (downsides were relying on a 10 minute polling and needing the VPN - or exposing the home server to the outside world which I didn't want to risk), it worked quite well but all our email accounts have IMAP now and I didn't want the pressure of a rebuild if we had a break down.

To do this, I changed web hosts and instead of having one with a couple 100MB web space, I now have one with 10GB. While trying to work out what I might do with the space, I decided to play with a couple of the gallery apps they had as sort of free click and install packages. I currently have ZenPhoto installed.

I've mostly put my rough and ready smallish jpg file attempt at scanning the 400 slides up there in a private gallery but I did put 3 pics and an mp4 on view at here. Maybe I'll use it to say keep together the odd photo I post here, or maybe I'll delete the whole thing. I really don't know yet.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 08:29 AM

A bit more furniture moving yesterday, in the interest of squaring away my wardrobe for the winter; I shoved, hauled and cajoled two chests of drawers from one end of the upstairs to the other, reducing myself to a sweaty wreck in the process but damaging nothing, especially not myself.

I have a set of plastic skids that ease the passage of a large piece of furniture across the floor and prevent scratches in the hardwood. The tricky bit is sliding the skids under the feet — you have to take the drawers out to make the chest light enough to lift each foot an inch or so, and then put them back to make the chest heavy enough to stay on the skids during the shoving stage.

And today I realized that I have pretty well recreated my granny’s 1960 bedroom. Same furniture, arranged much the same way, plus a blanket box.

I marvel at my luck that, over 60 years, no one had a house fire or an attack of “everything new”.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 08:38 AM

On another photo drift. I got a colorimeter for my birthday (I'm 7th Sept, SRS). I've still got a bit (or maybe even a lot if I really wanted to go to town with this)to learn but I think I've improved my monitor already - probably mostly by setting the monitor to "neutral" settings and changing my desktop settings - as the default icc profile I found for my monitor and my last attempt at having this thing create a profile aren't miles apart (by my standards) - but I think it and some attempts at reading have pointed me in a better direction.

I'm really not that fussy and my eyes are not that good at seeing colour differences but, even with that said, I have found noticeable differences between colours on items scanned, viewed on screen and printed and never know or see what to adjust and where. At least the monitor part of the equation should be more accurate now.

I suppose next up will be to get a calibration target from http://www.targets.coloraid.de/ and see what sense I can make with that on Vuescan and (via scanning and printing) the printer.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 11:15 AM

Those German calibration targets are a better price than what I see here in the US. Note to any user: don't leave it sitting on a sunny desk. :-0

Good move with the furniture, Charmion! I have a variety of plastic slider things, some stay under the furniture, others are for temporary use. And when I'm moving things like heavy trunks I find a large piece of cardboard to use, either to load on and drag or push, or to open flat along a hallway and push the item over it. Also, for some of the antique trunks I use around the house, I've followed the example set by my great uncle Edward probably 80 years ago when he put an extra support and castors under a historic family large wooden chest (it has wrought iron hinges and hasp, I think it came with them from Ireland in 1850). I've used scrap 2x4s and castors from Home Depot to build dollies that the trunks are set upon and then are easily moved. And can be lifted off of the dollies should it be necessary.

This brings to mind the issues I've had with moving companies and their hiring of casual labor to unload trucks: years ago when we moved to the house my ex still lives in, the truck parked at the street and it was about 100 feet up a concrete drive to the front door. The first time I caught one of them rolling a cedar chest on its castors up the drive I made them stop and lift and carry it - not by the side handles, but by the corners of the whole chest - they aren't supposed to roll stuff, they're not supposed to break off relatively decorative handles, they're supposed to carry or put on a dolly and push. I had to leave (my daughter was 9 months old and needed a nap at the apartment where we were staying) and her dad didn't watch those guys. They proceeded to break lots of items and then hide the damage so we didn't find it till much later. Pissed me off and it took the moving company's repair people quite a while to fix most of it when they came to the house. That was covered by the company. (My son is getting ready to move into his new house and I told him to never mark any boxes with contents, just name the room they will go to, and keep an eye on the movers that they don't break stuff.) /rant off

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 01:41 PM

I have moved more times than enough, and I never trust any of their employees out of my sight. One unexpected advantage of old furniture is that it’s more fixable than new stuff — but there are horror stories, like the sideboard than came out of storage warped, and the repair guy with the government contract ( it was an army family) PLANED it level again.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 02:14 PM

There's not been many moves with us and I don't remember any major problems but the moves (from Kent and to Norfok) from the second house we had in N Wales were a bit tricky.

I think in both cases, the removal companies decided (quite believably) a full size furniture van would not make that last bend so the moves involved loading/unloading with a smaller van for the last few 100yds.

One thing I believe more than one removal person cursed was mum's old round trough. It's not that big (say 18" diameter) and looks as if it may be made of sandstone but, whatever it is made of, it's very heavy for its size.

Just adding a PS and a slight correction having checked with mum. I don't remember this and wasn't around on the day of the move - another brother was with her - but I gather a wardrobe was left behind with the last move. Mum say's the removal people said they couldn't get it down the stairs. Apparently, they couldn't answer how they supposed it got up there but still refused to carry it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 08:28 AM

Well the N Wales visit is over. It's been nice meeting them again and good to hear a little on a few of the people I knew in the area although 3 have sadly passed on. A bit of a sigh of relief now though.

One conversation I had with Mark may be of interest to others who do a bit of mowing, etc. He is a self employed gardener and tells me that he has switched almost entirely to a Stihl range (I think the AP system of cordless power tools). One thing I remember him saying he still needs is a petrol mower with a rear roller as he has customers with large lawns who want a stripe effect and there is nothing in the cordless range to suit but, overall, he's happy.

He also commented that while batteries are £200 a shot, with his usage (and at least with UK fuel prices), his savings in fuel costs are significant.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 08:40 AM

Charmion, there is an interesting house museum in Canberra (Our National Capital) called Calthorpes' House, which dates from 1927 and still has its original furnishings. Everything, furniture, draperies, carpets, etc. was bought new so lasted for several years. By the time it may have been getting time to replace some things WWII had started, so it was easier to keep the familiar things. Time went on, the daughters married, Mr Calthorpe died, and Mrs Calthorpe was quite happy with her house and its contents; she never had an attack of "everything new", so it stayed that way until she, too, died and the daughters decided to sell it to the government who wanted to preserve it. It really is a wonderful time warp - even has an air raid shelter in the back garden.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 08:48 AM

Jennie, as long as nobody does anything stupid, there’s nothing with the sheer staying power of a George V chest of drawers or dining table, especially if it gets to sit in the same place for generation after generation.

If I ever get to Canberra, I’ll be sure to drop in on the Calthorpes. I’m sure I’ll feel right at home.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 09:10 AM

On that sort of thing I think, mum tells me of the old shop in the very rural and a bit behind the times shop in the village she (b 1935) grew up in. Later down the line and after having been closed for years, it was found to be in perfect condition. Stuff was transferred and the shop got "re-created" as part of a village museum. I can't be certain of this but perhaps it went to Ironbridge

I've never visited a place like that but would imagine they would be very interesting. There was an old family friend who I met just few times who did work in that sort of area for a while though. Emlyn had been the village blacksmith in mum's village and before he retired, he took a job demonstrating traditional blacksmith skills.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 12:00 PM

For a different sort of slice-of-life preseved housing, New York City's garment district (Orchard Street, of How the Other Half Lives by muckraker journalist Jacob Riis) had buildings put up mid-1800s that became the tenement apartments of many immigrant families who did piecework at home. As city rules changed after the turn of the last century about building safety and such, a couple of those buildings were simply closed up (they're usually six floors and a basement) and the ground floor alone used for retail rental space. They literally walked out and shut the doors on all of the contents. Read about the tenement time capsule and tours offered (I've been a couple of times).

I took my daughter to New York for the first time when she was 14, and we stayed with a friend in an apartment near Greenwich Village. I wanted to give her a little feel of not always being in my shadow, so I would send her down to the corner bakery for breakfast doughnuts or across the street for something at the grocery, but when we got to the tenement museum was the real test of my ability to parent - there were two tours and each had only one place left, so we split up for an hour and took our separate tours instead of waiting or not going at all. It's funny years later to realize just how much she took in - she has since returned with her fiance and they have visited a lot of the same favorite places where I took her more than 15 years ago. Anyway, when you look at the space they had (very little) and the essential household goods (few and very worn) it's an eye-opener to how much extra we all have these days.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 12:54 PM

Blimey, SRS, I don't remember reading that before. I'd also have got "muckraker" wrong. I'd thought it (perhaps UK slang?) as a synonym for "shit-stirrer" (someone who thrives on causing trouble for others) but the meaning in the article is quite different.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 02:43 PM

Muckrakers were the journalists who disturbed the peace of the politically comfortable and the rich who benefitted from the status quo. Lincoln Steffens was the biggest in his day. Nellie Bly the same.

The certificate for defensive driving was successfully uploaded to the insurance company documents folder. Three years ago I had to mail it in, but they're more comfortable with PDFs now (and I've gone paperless, so I suppose this gives me the right to file forms online and not by mail.) That was a lot of time this week spent stuck in my office chair, with a stiff back at the end of it.

The weather is cooler and the dogs and I took a quick walk before I had a meeting call (Google Duo). I have one more online course to complete, then will move on to seasonal stuff around here. With the cooler weather comes yard work, starting with lugging a bunch of limbs to the front curb for bulky waste pickup next week. I have my small tarp with corner rope loops for lugging bulky but not heavy branches. I'll run some of the straight narrow branches through the electric chipper to use for mulch. I need to mow front and back then till and mulch the garden right beside the kitchen door. Weed the gardens. Transplant stuff. Finish work on the patio cover. . .

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 06:31 PM

Charmion, when we took out tour of Calthorpe's House several years ago we were told that young Mrs Calthorpe went to Sydney to shop for house furnishings because Canberra, being in its infancy in 1927, had no grand stores. She went to Beard Watson's, a store with a reputation for quality, and bought everything needed there in one fell swoop.

I've never been to Engand but it has quite an English cottage feel to it, judging by pictures I've seen of English cottages.

Maggie, that tour sounds very interesting!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 09:01 PM

Calthorpe house intrigued me so I did some searching. video tour A visit to Calthorpes’ House will take you back to the time when the Calthorpe Family lived in the house.…

Sound Heritage Research and interpretation of music in historic homes Calthorpe & another Australian home as well as historic British properties

Returning to topic, I've not downsized anything or done much with the breathing exercises my physio gave me ...

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 09:23 PM

Beaver:

From peak heat of summer to Fall in two days! The house in QC was cool early in this week but driving from there to here yesterday resulted in walking into a house that felt... maybe a fire in the stove? I put on a sweater and it is ok. But did not warm much with the sun this afternoon - from 62 this am to 69 about 6 pm - and as soon as the sun went behind the hill - about 6:30 - it started dropping by tenths of a degree. It will be touch and go to decide if I "need" a fire in the early am.

Today has been a day of recuperation after yesterday's drive. Unusual traffic in various parts, taking an extra 20 minutes - to the usual 5 hours. Need to get out by 9 am to take plants - quite a few! - to plant sale. May be able to vote - there was a line today when I went out!

Neighbour Sue dropped by yesterday late aft to deliver the seat to the pottery wheel that Friend Michael re-welded for me. Maybe tomorrow I will have the energy to try it out. And work on the re-organization of the studio. Today, Steve stopped by to pick up his well earned stipend for stacking the firewood ---OH JOY! - and mowing the yard. We talked about doing the back yard where alders are making me feel encroached upon. I really need this de-cluttered!! He will when he has time. He has a speech impediment and I only understand very little of the much that he says. His wife was with him and I was tempted to tell her my problem - but did not. I think I understood enough.

I did go to town looking for a "bookshelf" to use in the studio at the Thrift Warehouse - none. And stopped another thrift shop to look around; I was too tired - But a large glass water jar with faucet and lid was irresistible even though I have an identical one at Dupont and a nice ceramic one here. I have a fear of breaking the lid at Dupont so, for $10 I have a back up - that now needs a place of storage!

Another goal this trip is to sort out some of the stuff in storage in the back sheds.

The elegant crescent moon is in the west window! I caught the evening star just before it went behind the hill. In this LR, I have more windows and less walls; And no trees around the house. I rarely see the moon at Dupont unless I think to go outside to look.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Sep 21 - 10:32 AM

It's getting crisp at night in Stratford, but still a bit steamy at mid-day. Next week is supposed to be wall-to-wall rain.

I weighed myself yesterday and got a shock. Too much beer and pizza for sure, and not enough trotting about. The approach of autumn is good for the latter as my normal summer heat rash is fading, but an abrupt pulling in of dietary horns is most definitely in order.

I walked downtown yesterday to hit the library and the drug store, but I wore the wrong shoes and my feet and shins hurt today. Too bad, so sad, I need to rack up some mileage anyway -- but I'll wear my cushiest shoes and avoid Stratford's lumpier areas.

It's time for another visit to Goodwill, as I have filled two large laundry baskets with clothing and household linens that should leave the building. Likewise, two small wheelie suitcases and one huge one in the basement should go in the next clearance. I do not need more than one small and perhaps one middle-sized suitcase as I tend to travel light even on road trips, and God alone knows how long it will be before I ever again board an aircraft.

Before the snow flies, I intend to have acquired a stationary bicycle so I can keep up the exercise without risking my bones on the ice.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 21 - 11:27 AM

Today is a day of remembrance here in the US but I am not going to sit in front of the television watching speeches or documentaries, I am going to exert myself on my own and the neighborhood's behalf today. To begin with, haul branches from the back to the front curb for pickup, and then go cut down some more privet and drag it to the pile. And if I still have energy, I'm going to rake a path and drop mulch on top of it to give myself a route around the yard for steps even if I'm not out walking the dogs. The benefit of having a very large yard is that a few trips around it show up on the tracker.

I really do need to finish the side gate and fence replacement project, because that will make coming and going in the back yard a lot easier. That's a fall project when the weather is cooler for working outdoors for hours at a time. We're just about there. Today will be a hot one with frequent cool-down breaks.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 21 - 05:34 PM

Several trips with the tarp have resulted in a growing pile of sticks at the curb and a couple of small punctures and scratches in my leg where the tarp bounced against me and sticks poked through. I'll wear long pants next time I do this. It is looking better already, and I've just finished taking down some dead branches in a pine next to the dog kennel - that tree needs to come down but it's next to the power lines way up, so I only work on the branches below.

I'm in for a cool-down for a few minutes; it's 91^o right now, ten degrees cooler than last week at this time, but still it requires pacing oneself. I have a long limb saw (with a wooden dowel handle as extension so it reaches about 12'), loppers, and the Ryobi reciprocating saw (I already had Ryobi batteries and found this saw at the Goodwill for $8 and it has become one of my indispensable gardening tools.)

I'll finish hauling the pine branches, then I'm going to run some baldcypress branches I set aside for chipping through the chipper, and will finish the day by taking the power saw to cut down more privet beyond the back fence. I have tomorrow also for this work, but the more I get done today, the better. It's supposed to be at the curb by Monday morning so they can survey what everyone has put out to determine what kind of truck to have the waste management folks pick it up with later in the week. Maybe by the next quarter I'll have the fence work done and those panels ready to put at the curb.

There are piles of bricks near the back fence, leftover from something the original builders of the house worked on. I lined up a few to consider what a path would look like back there.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Sep 21 - 06:52 PM

Beaver:

Took about 15 plants to the Horticultural Society plant sale! Trip to Farmer's Market for veggies. Then dropped of a box of mugs for shop at Pat's doorstep as Shop was not open yet. Other groceries at Foodland, stopped by Thrift Warehouse - no bookcase, Stopped at another thrift shop, no quilt, no bookcase. Groceries home. Went to vote; took five minutes! A friendly event. Home for lunch.

Read for awhile, then went to back shed and looked into each of 8 or 10 large bins; Pulled out some stuff for me and a pile to take to Pat - for her to choose what to sell, what to use, what to heave. Not sure Pat ever heaves anything! Two bins seem to have outgrown clothes; will check them out another day - maybe tomorrow as they are for this season. Did not find the zip-out liner for a good winter jacket; no idea where it could be - sadly; the jacket is right here; this bugs me! Several bins of fabrics may yet end up with Pat. Three bins are now empty!

Sat on back deck for a while after starting a small fire in stove - mainly to see if chimney is OK. Still not sure. But it was lovely outside, watching the clouds fly over and listening to the wind in the woods. The west hill is turning very slightly yellow. Removed back screen door and put in shed for winter. Will do front one when I find the correct screw driver!

Considering possibility of constructing rough shelving for studio.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 21 - 10:21 PM

I have a good start on the brush pile at the curb, but altered plans because a lot of the privet I've been trimming is slim enough to go into the chipper so I'll run the chipper in the morning with the branches that fit then everything else goes out to the curb.

Last night and tonight I used 1/4 of a large tandoori bread from the freezer for a small personal pizza; topping with various things out of the fridge and using Alfredo sauce because I'm out of jar tomato sauce. I'll be making some of that soon. This works out to three slim slices per pizza, just enough, and part of what I'm using are some mozzarella balls in olive oil that were purchased for Caprese salad but the tomato season is finished.

During my no-spend September it means I didn't add pasta sauce to the shopping list, I'll make it from scratch with some of the tons of tomatoes I've canned and frozen here over the summer (and I still have canned from last summer to use first). I'll probably start the sauce in a saucepan and let it reduce in a crock pot. Instead of buying snacks I made a small batch of cardamom cookies, I've been making popcorn, etc. I should do this all of the time.

A fire sounds nice, Dorothy, but it's too soon here. And I fear I'd burn down the neighborhood. I stick to the burning barrel only after a good rain.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 02:10 AM

Yesterday one of the quilts in progress (referred to as 'PhDs' or 'projects half done' so I can truly say that I'm working on my PhD) was exhumed from under the table in my sewing room, and stitches were actually sewn! Yay!

I like sewing and making Stuff from fabric. When it comes to painting and drawing I have absolutely no skill whatsoever; I'm not putting myself down, I'm just being honest here, folks......but I have been told I'm good with colour, and this is how I get my artistic fix. The newly exhumed PhD has a background of different - lots of different - black on white prints, with rainbow diamonds dripping from the top. The first vertical full-length row on the left is red diamonds, the slightly shorter next row is orange, then slightly shorter again yellow and so on......you get the idea.

It has a name. 'Imprismed'. One day it will be finished.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 09:51 AM

Your quilt sounds lovely, Jennie.

Mennonite quilts are a thing around here, but I have to confess that I find them uninteresting -- the most banale 20th-century designs with a strong tendency to the childish and twee. I admire quilts with imaginative designs, especially in strong colours, but I'll settle for a nice patchwork.

I'm utterly fagged today and wondering whether I'll bother even getting dressed before noon or if I should just go back to bed. Definitely not going to church; I would have to get washed and dressed right now, and that would require far too much effort.

Environment Canada is promising a thunderstorm today and I can smell the rain coming, so I shall lay low. If I feel perkier this afternoon, there's always a bathroom to clean.

Tomorrow is another day. Pool class at 0930 hr!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 11:26 AM

Jennie, years ago as a newspaper reporter in a Central Texas county seat I had to write an article about a county-wide quilt show, and I got some great photos. They had a setup that you sometimes see in stores where area rugs hang on rods radiating from a central support. All of these quilts were hanging so you could see them full length and flip through for an amazing sea of color and creativity. I've never pieced anything except small lap quilt type projects, but I have lots of scraps from mask-making and looked up ways to use the "crumbs," as they're called. I'll have to decide if I want to start assembling blocks for a crazy quilt or hand them over to someone who does this as a regular thing. A tailor friend of mine says she gives her scraps to a quilter friend who loves the variety of colors and prints she uses.

I sent a note to my local organic gardening radio program and got an answer for what kind of well-adapted understory shrubs to put in to replace all of the privet I'm removing. He listed a couple of things I should have thought of for myself, and a couple I'm not familiar with. There's also one on his list that I planted in my front yard last fall. My next door neighbor has one of the small trees listed and I might be able to get start one from a cutting.

I've let some yard work slide over the last couple of years because of the knee pain, but surgery in early 2020 set that to rights. Now that the thyroid level is restored I'll be able to enjoy getting out and doing the yard work in this fall's nice temperatures.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 04:50 PM

Shift in plans - the fridge has needed organizing and clearing out, so I've spent some time cutting up garden vegetables for spaghetti sauce. I added some jars of tomatoes from last year to the pot. Right now it's simmering and next I'll run it through the food mill to puree it and remove the seeds, and process jars this evening (possibly in a larger pot, not one at a time, depending on the volume I have when it's all reduced). For this early stage it can simmer while I work in the yard. This is the bottled pasta sauce I was needing yesterday, though I don't have a pressure canner so I'm not adding meat now, I'll have to add cheeses or sausage when I'm ready to use each jar.

Now back out to the yard.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 10:50 PM

The privet on the south half beyond the fence has been trimmed, with the exception of a few shrubs at the edge of the creek, where they hold the bank in place for now. All of the privet inside the fence has been cut, and a fair amount was chipped. The rest is on the pile at the curb. I can drag more out tomorrow, the folks from the city who will drive around looking at the stuff people want carted away will get the idea from what's there. I'll work on the north side and keep adding to the pile until they pick it up.

I am exhausted and sticky and sweaty, but not quite ready to head to the bath because the sauce is simmering still (the food mill didn't work, it was sending the tomato pulp along with the seeds and out producing only liquid). I used the stick immersion blender to puree and I might try the food mill again later, but I don't think it will be necessary. I've set the timer at 15 minutes and each time I make sure the sauce isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan when I give it a good stir. Any processing will happen tomorrow at the soonest.

I think I have pine needles and pine pitch in my hair, so getting ready for bed may involve work with a fine-toothed comb and I'll have an appointment with a couple of Motrin.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Sep 21 - 11:36 PM

Charmion, do you have Len's Mills near you? They have an amazing collection of quilts, some of which were on display at the Creativ Festival in Toronto last time we were there, late in 2018. They buy quilts from a big Mennonite sale each year and while some were fairly traditional I was greatly admiring of others which were less so, including an African-themed quilt 'Threads of Africa'.

Len's Mills collection

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Sep 21 - 01:19 PM

Hi, Jennie -- The nearest Len's Mill Store is in Waterloo, about 50 km from Stratford. I have seen a lot of Mennonite quilts by now, but nothing like "Threads of Africa". But that's not the sort of thing I'd put on a bed, where the cats could (and would!) get at it.

It's cool enough today that my fingertips are numb. That was fast.

I'm not losing weight consistently enough to please me, so I have decided to go back to keeping a food diary. I do this on line, using an app called MyNetDiary that calculates the caloric heft and nutritional value of your entries. I used it to lose more than 50 pounds between New Year's Day 2013 and summer 2014, and the software has considerably improved since then. My primary reason for getting serious is my right foot, which is so consistently sore that I obviously have to start doing something different. More drugs is an option, but not the one likeliest to do me good in the long run. Taking off the 25 to 30 pounds that I regained since 2014 -- that's the first thing to do, since it doesn't cost me anything and it will also help all the other joints from the hips on down.

The tracking task also ensures that I eat the right things. I have become terribly lazy about meal-planning and cooking since Edmund died, and MyNetDiary informs me in very blunt terms when I'm not keeping up with protein-carb balance or calcium intake. It also nags me to eat more green veg and drink more water.

But why can't I do all that without an electronic nagger and a borderline-obsessive diary habit? I dunno, but I don't, so whether I can or not is moot.

Maybe I should stop beating myself up about it and just do what works. Ya think?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 21 - 01:25 PM

The pile of branches that took me two days to assemble was shoved into the Monday trash in five minutes. Apparently since I piled it under the pine tree by the curb the bulky waste truck couldn't maneuver the arm to get it (like the arm in the glass case that picks up toys to try to drop into the chute for gullible children). After they moved on I swept up the twigs dropped on the street, and if I drag more out there later today I'll pile it a few feet to the left. After cleaning up last night I kind of hate to get that messy and sweaty again, but a couple of more hours should take care of it, so I'll head out after lunch.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 21 - 02:30 PM

Interesting about that calorie counter. I've used MyFitnessPal for years, but it doesn't do much in the "you shouldn't do this" area (unless I do a fasting day and close out the day and it says I wasn't eating enough. . .) On the cool weather front, that sounds wonderful! We have another sloppy hurricane (Nicholas) coming through the area this week. High humidity, chance of rain (but we're not directly in the path, so it's hit or miss.)

The stock pot is heating for the tomato sauce; jars process for 35 minutes and at that rate the little pot boils away too fast (it's perfect for small batches that process for 10 minutes). I'm hoping for at least 2 quarts, in half-pint and pint jars. No one ever said gardening and canning are cheaper or faster, but it is satisfying.

The last of the privet/ligustrum to be cut are tall straight limbs, so when I finish the sauce I'm going to take the reciprocating saw back and lop them off, then simply drag a few bundles of them to the curb. All of the various sized and shaped branches are easier in the tarp, but dragging this last bit will be faster.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Sep 21 - 07:14 PM

Beaver:

Hmmm - reciprocating saw: I had one of those on Whidbey. Lost a bunch of stuff there, and in QC the move from the cabin in the woods to the @#$%^Mill resulted in stuff being so disrupted/disorganized/... that I am still remembering - oh yeah, I wonder where... Having gotten so sick there, I resist going there at all. But... Maybe... A few minutes, as I did to collect a few things last week. Warm sunny days in October might be OK. Actually - (new thought!) I could take a couple bins back to QC to collect and store things.

I have a quantity of stuff sorted out for Pat. Went to shed today and emptied an almost empty bin. Maybe another tomorrow. I may end up giving her a bin or two as well - full!

No luck re bookcases at the thrift shops so I texted Dan re building them in for me - very simple ones for glazes and materials... Did obtain a high quality Duvet (no cover but there is one in QC) for $15. THAT will keep me warm this winter!

Pulled the netting off one strawberry bed today and cut off numerous runners which are currently soaking in water until I have the energy to plant them. I think I can wrap them in something moist. May try to take them to QC on 25th. My energy level continues to be get out and push mode; I am usually better on the 3rd day. Hope for tomorrow - to make pottery. But at least I have done a few useful things.

Last year when I told the doctor I had lost 15 pounds (almost down to 160), he told me that older women need to have weight on them. I have gained back - last few weeks and NOT on purpose! - about 8 but still think I would like to keep it down. But not going to keep a log or any of that stuff; I know I won't! Having seen my 90 year old friend at 110, I think I see why we need to keep some weight! I will focus on losing some -carefully.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Sep 21 - 08:28 PM

If I get too thin I can’t get warm; any less than 140 and I’m quite gaunt and I shiver all the time. Even if I off-load enough weight to make my wonky foot tolerate five miles of trotting per day, I should still be able to stay well north of that threshold.

In Ottawa, when I noticed that my brother had switched from partially-skimmed (2%) milk to whole milk, I asked him whether that was a deliberate choice and, if so, why. He said the higher-fat milk had not messed with his diabetes at all, but seemed to knock out his sugar cravings.

I was out of milk when I got home, so I’m giving it a whirl. So far, so good.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 12:08 AM

That is a helpful piece of information about whole milk. Even for those of us without diabetic problems, the sugar intake and craving is an issue.

On a personal note: Thank dog that Gavin Newsom was able to defeat the recall in California. Common sense prevails and Trump loses. Again. Trump needs to suffer a severe aneurysm and be taken completely out of the political picture. I wouldn't mind if he died of something awful. In case any of the Mudcatters worldwide who follow this thread were wondering, I'm glad we decluttered ourselves of Trump (who one demented Scotsman kept calling "Donal John" and trying to support, and that move helped get his ass kicked out of Mudcat.)

You might want to look at the reviews of the new Woodward/Costa book called Peril.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 21 - 12:28 PM

Decluttering of the virtual sort lately as I struggle with one of those phone apps that I never would have chosen to use but which someone else used to send me some cash and used the wrong email. And that wrong email got stuck as the default. It is the only email I read everything in because there is NO BUSINESS, just friends and family. A phone call with only one transfer to tech support finally got it.

Last week a call to the IRS revealed that there was a red herring in the "explanation" letter they sent, their error but not the one that affected my return. No more refund coming my way.

Now to solve a virtual puzzle - my phone just made a noise telling me a zoom meeting is imminent but I can't find the information to join.