De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 08:11 AM

Eye-watering prices, Stilly. Thanks for the info, and the advice.

If I buy a scanner like one of those, everything in the study will have to move. Bugger.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 09:23 AM

Those scanners are out of my league!

I don’t often use my Cannon 9000F Mk2 but there are a load of photographs that I feel I should scan one day…

I usually use my own scanner software (which uses a version of jfreesane I modified sightly to do duplex [both sides of a page at once] to do the hard work that would be beyond me) as I generally prefer it to the common free Linux options I’ve found.

One thing I put into it was the ability to run scripts. There may be better ways on more advanced software but I used something like this when I scanned our 4 boxes of 127 film slides, taken with a Brownie 44A.

int slides = scanner.getInt("Slides to scan (1-4)", 1, 4);
      scanner.setResolution(1200);
      scanner.setSource("Transparency Unit");
      for (int i=0; i          int top = i * 56 + 31;
          int btm = top + 38;
          scanner.setRect(89, top, 127, btm);
          scanner.scan();
      }

That scans each portion in the slide holder and gives a separate file for each. It also allows saving settings to make a “preset” and setting programs to use with “scan to”.

The reason for the duplex was for another scanner I have that I must have had some idea of use for but I’ve forgotten what and have never used other than for testing. That’s a Canon imageFORMULA P-208ii

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 10:14 AM

Yesterday was a lovely day here. Mum decided she would like to sit outside round the back. She’s had more problems with her already painful legs and we both had doubts about whether she would manage getting across the chippings and over the uneven grass but we decided to give it a go. I got the wheeled walker from the shed and adjusted it for her height (I’d been the last user of it) and off she went. The walking went well and although I stayed with her this time, she’s said she feels confident enough to walk her on own from now on.

I didn’t spend a lot of time outside but in between doing other things, I had a look at the rhubarb and found one of the plants is starting to grow leaves. I got two varieties, one a later version than the other so I assume the other plant will start soon.

I noticed the pennyroyal that was planted last year had died off and looks a mess. Apparently, it should come back from there though. I hope so. There always was a problem corner, just as you go in through the gate to the field. Various things have been planted there over the years but the only things happy there were nettles and other weeds. Pennyroyal at least seemed to offer a solution.

I got the petrol mower out and cut the bit of grass between the gate and the barn (our “lawn” part). The grass is growing a bit but the job didn’t really need doing. It was more a matter of seeing how I got on with it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 10:37 AM

Beaver:

10 am and I'm ready to go back to bed. Snowing lightly - not in forecast! Spent some time on internet, had BF and sitting reading, contemplating another shoveling stint - the west roof dumped another load on the path to the woodshed. The heating cable is hanging down; I hope enough that I can disconnect... but no! It is all connected to the one on the east roof and it may still be working???

But the ice and snow on the east has already pulled out three sets of screws holding up the eaves trough; when it comes down, it will bring that 10 foot section down completely. It WAS feeding a rain barrel - emptied for the winter. This will not be redone! The barrel can go elsewhere.

I will wait for a burst of energy to clear that path to bring in more wood. Still at 33F right now but going down to minus 15F tonight so more wood is a good idea. And shovelling before the temp goes down. At least it is still clear to the studio so I will check on yesterday's pots and MAYBE get the energy to trim them.

Intelligent decision made last eve: stop trying to wedge used clay and focus, put energy into, the new in the bag clay which is so much easier. Some potters actually throw away or give away used clay. Friends en route have a pug mill but I cannot guarantee the purity of my used clay. Jeff does not like specks! I have mixed the plain white and the speckled white.I don't mind specks!

BUT nothing here has the slightest comparison to what SRS and the folks in Texas went through. I have warmth and lights and books to read. Right now reading a life story by an almost local man born in 1904. What a different way of life! I know the places, lived near some, and many of the family names.

BUT that was the way life was back then - nine flat tires to go 30 mile or so and get home broke after numerous repairs to the car and not being able to use it again until the family had enough money for new tires! That was acceptable.

I'll bet there were country folks in Texas who managed just fine. Not many but a few who had not lost the old ways. I was appalled to find that people near here, when the electric came in 1956, gave up their wood stoves and their good wells with hand pumps... Living in the bush
I did not worry if there was electric, I had what I needed.

What I need now is to rest up! So I shall.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 11:39 AM

I added a link to the SilverFast in that post. The description I posted is regarding the highest end scanning for archival work. You can look at different scanners in the consumer range and find a variety of them come with specialized software. And I didn't mention that I did all of the corrections in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Another hit on the pocketbook. But the software with the scanners usually includes some variety of software that will let you crop and adjust scans.

I am still considering rearranging the office for the slide scanner I bought, and it's much smaller than those flatbed scanners.

My personal document scanner is a small Canon A4-size that cost less than 100, and it has a small slide holder and can scan slides, but at very low resolution; the quality is so low it isn't really worth the effort.

Yesterday I made a quick trip to Kroger—I haven't been in a Kroger since last March when I was filling a prescription following the knee replacement. There are still considerable bare patches on the shelves as they build up the supply a week out from the freeze. They don't have any Mason jar canning lids, unless you buy a box with the rings and lids. The ice cream selection was small but I got vanilla to go with an apple pie, and I picked up a pint of my favorite chocolate "Moose tracks extreme." Just one of the things I've done without over the COVID quarantine, though truth be told, that one sometimes upsets the GI system on the way through so I shouldn't eat it often anyway.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 11:59 AM

"I am entirely okay with that. I can hardly believe it, after a lifetime of blindly accepting every opportunity that came my way, but I don't need the money and, consequently, I can spare myself the drudgery and the aggravation." That, Dear Sister, is the ringing of "the bell of freedom."

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Mar 21 - 07:35 PM

Beaver:

Using internet too much! When using the "stick" it costs per page, or something like that. Anyway, just tried to find out about getting vaccine in Ontario. No one seems to be willing to give out that info!

Got my energy back about 3 and went to tackle the new snow pile. The SUN came out and I cleared a safe path and brought in an armload and decided that I have enough. THEN the sky opened and a whirlwind of snow blew around for about 15 minutes. In some areas these "flurries" have caused whiteouts and serious accidents today. Was beautiful to watch from inside a warm house!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 10:11 AM

Moose Tracks is bonzer stuff, even if you're not a chocolate addict. Its fat content is extreme, however, so my digestion doesn't love it either.

Blue sky today and a bit colder, so the streets are dry and the sidewalk puddles are frozen. A good day to suit up for a trot around the neighbourhood.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 12:59 PM

The bills impacted by the Big Freeze will be coming in soon: the water bill usually by the 5th, and the new power company should be reading the meter within the next week. The phone bill (using data because the WiFi was out for 4 days) wasn't too bad, usually it's about $33 and it was $39. The electric bill should reflect no usage for those days but there may be something the delivery company (ONCOR) tacks on that is out of control of my electric company. The water bill is a simple meter reading and I expect it won't be quite as bad as the month when I discovered a broken water line out in the front yard.

I've worked with the newly-purchased technical manual for repairing sewing machines and addressed the settings of the tension on my White Rotary series 77. After adjusting the tension it isn't fixed, the gobs of thread (from the top spool) wadding underneath apparently mean that the timing is off. This machine is old but was so commonplace in its time, and the White company made the same kinds of machines for Dressmaker and Kenmore and Domestic (and a couple of others) that there is a lot of machine repair and maintenance information out there. Including YouTube videos.

There is a hook on the shuttle that needs to be within a paper's width of the needle at the lowest point of the stitch process, and when these are too far apart, this extra thread looping problem happens. I've found notes on a couple of different ways to adjust this, so I'll be propping the machine on end or upside down and trying both. I'm getting behind in my sewing and I really enjoy it so need to get past this repair. (I do have a shirt to make that will be sewn on my other machine, and I should do that this week.) Yes, I spent more on the books than I would on the repair in a shop at this point, but I'm just stubborn enough that I'm pleased with myself that I'm figuring out how to do the repair myself. And I should manage the repair well before the time a shop would be ready to return the machine to me.

I wonder if I should bring in the little Black and Decker workbench for this? It might save me having to prop up boxes and pillows to steady the machine.

I'm going out today, to lunch and then the eye doctor for an exam that was skipped last year at this time because of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. I was also still not doing much driving and would have needed a ride after the knee surgery. In the last year I have had only one passenger in my SUV, and that was an emergency pickup of a friend whose car was totalled. The kind of request one doesn't refuse, but figures out the best way to accommodate. There is a tight-knit group of friends (former university) who are now trying to get him to go in for the vaccine. Yes, he's 60, not 65, but we all know that COVID would kill him. His injuries range from repaired birth defect (cleft palate) to deaf in one ear, a glass eye, and half a brain after a traumatic injury in a car accident. He tells people that his dental checkups are so important because his head is held together with a bit of soft tissue. Face this with intubation and I fear he wouldn't survive the procedure. Okay, I'm way off track here . . . but there are so many people out there for whom the COVID experience would be deadly.

Stay safe, everyone. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that tunnel is strewn with obstacles that the light doesn't reveal.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 02:22 PM

Beaver:
Beautiful sunny day - but cold! Today's crisis: could not open door to studio. Three buckets of hot water - no effect. Kicking the bottom ... Now that the day is warmer (2pm) and the sun is pouring in the big window, concerned for pots needing trimming not getting TOO dry... I tried prying the bottom... Finally, saw in the tool shed a rubber mallet!!!! YAY! So after a break, and change to work clothes, I can get those trimmed and then... Probably a break til tomorrow. It just occurred to me that AOK could mean "All is OK"?

Yesterday's fury re lack of info re vaccines was passed on to Pat whom, I thought was on top of everything. She actually phoned the #$%^& health unit and was told toward the end of this month and the info would be "broadcast"???? Why in the name of... they cannot put info at the top of their pitiful website... OR even answer a question on their FB page intelligently... I told Pat: I depend on her for info as "broadcast" is meaningless. radio? have none. Local paper? Their website is a nightmare. Pat - I can trust.

Montreal is a hot spot and is giving vaccine en masse to over 70. By appointment.

End of rant. End of break. Beautiful day! SRS reminds me of need to ensure I have paid ALL the bills. Next stint on web.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Mar 21 - 09:26 PM

One eye exam down, the Rx for glasses comes tomorrow. Apparently my eyes are so different that she doesn't write enough glasses prescriptions to be confident she can write the best one for me. Hence the optician tomorrow. On the other hand, she said the cataracts have advanced enough that any time I decide I'm tired enough of getting a flashlight and magnifying glass to read small print, etc., I can let them know and we'll start that process.

Have any of the rest of you done the cataract surgery? Tips?

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 03:16 AM

I haven't had cataract surgery (although it will be in my future, according to my most recent check-up) but Himself has had both eyes done. It made quite a difference to him, for the better.

In August last year I had a different type of eye surgery. For some time my vision range had been narrowing, so a brow lift and blepharoplasty was called for. I now have a much wider range of vision both vertically and horizontally; when my arms are extended to the sides I can see my hands in my peripheral vision without turning my head, which is amazing. It also means I need to wear a hat outdoors most of the time as so much light enters my eyes without overhanging heavy brows to provide shade.

I haven't trumpeted this to the tooftops because some people assume it was done for reasons of vanity. It was not. I now have two arc-shaped scars over my eyes which are slowly fading (if I was younger they would fade quicker, but then again if I was younger I wouldn't have needed surgery......) so there's nothing vain in that, believe me.

Go for it, Maggie.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 09:25 AM

JennieG, I understand that surgery of yours - and a couple of friends have suggested to me that one day I'll need it. My eyelids don't have the space to be exposed because of the shape of the brow (people criticized Renee Zellweger for having eye surgery, but I've always assumed she had a similar condition treated.) That's on the radar but further down the list. :-/

A friend had a special type of lens inserted that has both close and distance focal abilities; she said her main problem is she must wear sunglasses. She ponied up several thousand extra dollars for those lenses; I need to catch up with her and find out if she still recommends them. If I have to choose close or distance, I'd choose distance and wear glasses to read and at the computer.

It's looking like spring outside, and the weeds are suddenly springing into the void where the lawn is still dormant. Must start mowing before they get so tall they lug the motor on the mower.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: mg
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 11:19 AM

i just had cataract surgery and it was a piece of cake. doctor pretty much told me to. no problems at all but my eyes were pretty standard. for those on medicare, the distance option is paid for but i believe the other one not. i see brilliantly outside and almost never wore the sunglasses...i have a variety of reading glasses for computer, books, etc. fine print and print on my cell phone is very hard to read. i will probably get a prescription for that.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 11:22 AM

I had cataract surgery when I was 59. Only my right eye is fully functional, so the surgeon's favourite fix -- a long-distance lens in one eye and an up-close lens in the other -- was not an option. I chose to be a long-sighted person after nearly six decades of myopia.

It works for me despite a couple of drawbacks. The big one is the now-constant requirement for sunglasses whenever I'm outdoors, even on cloudy days in midwinter. I need driving shades that clip onto my bifocals because the dashboard instruments are a blur without a reading lens. I can now drive without specs in a pinch, as road signs are big enough for me to read and I'm good at maintaining the same speed as everybody else, but I don't want the cops to catch me in the act.

This morning, I entertained a dealer in used recorded music who will make me an offer on our 1,000 or so CDs by the end of the day. Edmund would be furious, but they have sat in their storage bins since we moved here. I copied all the tracks to the computer long ago, and now I play the music by Bluetooth through a Bose speaker that is considerably smaller than a breadbox and sounds as good as my aging ears need it to sound.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 11:24 AM

Mary, they did one eye at a time? How was the recuperation - were there limitations on your activity? For how long?

I'm thinking I need to at least wait until my regular ride has gotten his COVID vaccine shots so we can ride together in the car without his worrying. He's waiting for the Johnson and Johnson one to be available locally.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 11:48 AM

Stilly, one eye at a time is the way it's usually done. The main reason is to reduce the risk that something awful might happen and leave the patient blind, but the delay also helps the vision centre in the brain adjust to the changes in perception. A month is the usual gap.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 06:58 PM

I expected they would be staggered - I hadn't thought about the one near, one far process. And when I had prescription sunglasses made I had to change glasses to see the phone, map, etc. so the second pair had bi-focals. I'll have to think about this. And of course once I do have the surgery I'll need different glasses. I think it means the next pair of glasses won't have all of the bells and whistles because they'll be replaced in a few months. I suppose it's possible to get glasses with no prescription on top but the bifocals below. Those would work for driving.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Mar 21 - 07:47 PM

Beaver:

I had both eyes done a couple years ago, a few months apart. The after was not to lift more than 20 # for a couple weeks, or less. A year later, a return visit to the clinic and she declared me 20/20 and just fine. I think there was also a return visit after a month or so???? For us, the glitch was the hour and a half drive to the hospital. We booked into an airbnb because we had to go back to the doctor the morning after. Same bnb both times and the sweet woman brought me soup when I was sick after the second from the anesthesia. Why bother asking if I am allergic if not going to pay any heed. I asked the dr to find out what I was given; she told me to ask the hospital! %^&* After the first one I had been fine.

Prior to the ops, I did not realize how bad it was and near got us killed on the road into Montreal, a detour with which I was unfamiliar and could not tell which of the three lanes I was supposed to be in. Highly un-recommended! We were both basket cases after we survived. Not as bad as if we had not...!

All my complaining on the MOH and health Unit FB pages may have nudged them but the woman posting finally got around to telling me where to register for a shot. I had not been polite. My tolerance for ... is nil. They post about the importance of mental health! I told them this is a MH issue! I may have mentioned that their site was pitiful. maybe even contemptibly stupid. Not sure but that was my thinking.

Today I was impelled to write a "letter to editor" re health care and the treatment of a friend who is probably terminal but maybe not. He and his wife - after being given medically incorrect treatment that threw him back something awful, were told he should go in hospice, with neither meds nor food. "He may not last more than a few hours, maybe a few minutes" said a "Dr." He is now moderately comfortable at home. My letter was fairly tame. I suggested that they treat people this way to save on health care dollars. Oh, I am in the middle of Norman Cousins book on the importance of giving patients HOPE! I'll give it to the SIL tomorrow when I see her.

I did manage to throw three pots with clay that was not very cooperative. I am about ready to stop until I get fresh clay. It occurred to me how much easier it goes when the clay is just right and I do not have the energy to be fighting with the clay.

My new "haircut" is great! But also the water here does a nicer job of washing - the hair feels better, more body or something. No chemicals? Just out of the dug well...

I gave up and threw the wood ashes on the driveway, almost far enough from the stream, and hope it will sink into the ground before spring runoff. The composter is buried still. It was 4 above freezing today but not much help.

That eaves trough that is destructing: Even if I had noticed it earlier, I could have done nothing except beg help from...? NO way I am clambering through 3 feet of hard snow to try to fix something way over my head! That something being a huge chunk of ice. So I live on! The eaves trough will not be missed.

The heavy grey day did not energize me. The news of my friend did but only long enough to pour out my fury. An early night, with Norman Cousins for a bit.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: mg
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 01:30 AM

no recuperation period. i was too careful not washing the surgeried eye and got a little bacterial infection..easily treated with wipes. i got a ride in a van to a place two hours away..a little nervous about the covid but didn't get it. i was a month apart because of transportation but i think they do two weeks now. also my place was one of the leading lights on the surgery..and they have a eyedrop mixture that saves you putting three different kinds of drops in.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 10:28 AM

I had forgotten the three different kinds of eye drops. I loathe eye drops.

I have sold two tall IKEA bookcases, and they will leave the building on Saturday.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 10:45 AM

I seem to end up with more drops on my face than in my eyes. Good to know also! Yes, COVID is influencing timing for so many things today.

Last night I figured out the point in the sewing machine mechanism that needs adjustment. The space between the shuttle hook and the needle is fine, but the height of the needle is out of kilter, so I needed to take off an endplate to expose the rod and a set screw in the needle operation. I'll make that adjustment today.

Today is the first declutter of the year of the lawn. The mower needs to come out and attack weeds before they get too tall to mow easily. And it begins the time of year when I divide my time between indoor and outdoor activities. Yes, the clock will change soon, but that really doesn't affect when I go to bed or get up. I try to get up early, but seldom manage it. I've generated several long-running indoor tasks to work on, so I may have to schedule myself in order to accomplish all of these things.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Mar 21 - 03:11 PM

The front is mowed and I scooped about 2/3 of the leaves in the gutter onto the lawn so they could be mulched in. I left the last batch to do later, I was getting tired. I always find a few oddball things during the first mow. This time there was an iris sprouting in the middle of the lawn, and in the turf near a garden. The iris will have been loitering in that spot for over 2 years after the front was dug up. Not sure about the garlic. I'll transplant both.

I've got the hang of using the Google Fit; when I start a project (and have to be carrying the phone with me, usually in a pouch) I pull up fit and tell it time for a new activity. It's always the same one, walking. It's nice to see that during the mowing I actually walked 2.28 miles in an hour and three-quarters.

I have so much brush to prune out this year, shrubs that were burned in the cold but may come back from the roots. The branchy stuff needs to come out or it will look awful when it starts to sprout again.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Mar 21 - 10:52 AM

I try to have a safe place to set things around here, but every so often something upsets the plans. Like the printer pushing out paper and the lightweight bluetooth keyboard sitting on the printed knocked off by the paper.

The slim cover popped off and I found it later but wasn't sure what it was from. This morning I found two chewed AAA batteries in different places, both carried there by dogs. Damned lucky the fools didn't eat the things. So I traced back to where I remembered seeing the slim black cover and realized what had happened. I'm out of AAA batteries, so am going to 1) reorganize my office shelves so there is a place for every electronic item and the remote controls for things and 2) try the eneloop rechargeable batteries my daughter told me about. They're a lot more expensive but apparently hold a better charge much longer. I have chargers here so will avoid that expense. And though Amazon sells them, for some reason Home Depot is always cheaper for batteries. I've ordered some to be delivered free to the store where I'll pick them up curbside once they're here.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 08:17 AM

More cortisone in the wonky foot yesterday, and a boffo dinner of lamb shanks from the freezer for my bubble-mates, Edmund’s brother and sister-in-law and their lodger. Braised lamb shanks is definitely not a dish for one, so I’m glad the Bubble likes lamb and was eager to join me.

In anticipation of their visit, I vacuumed the parlour rug. And dusted.

Disposal of the beer fridge is scheduled for 14 March, so I must reorganize the contents of the chest freezer to make room for the stash of frozen soup stock. I have eaten my way down to the half-full point, so there’s room, but I have to ensure that what’s in there is accessible without a deep dive with the big mittens on.

With winter on the wane, the down quilt on the bed is abruptly too warm. Today’s fun and games will, therefore, include taking it out of the cover, airing it, and putting it away against next winter (early December will be about right). Then I have to wrestle the lighter silk-filled quilt into the cover, a task that always provides a healthy upper-body workout.

Then I should be ready for a beer and another stretch in the comfy chair under the cat.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 09:47 AM

There is a public radio program called The World and I noted a story yesterday I wanted to share:

Canada’s problematic vaccination campaign

Canada typically gets a lot of praise for its health care system. But when it comes to distributing COVID-19 vaccines, the praise has been short in coming for two very different reasons. Host Carol Hills speaks with Jillian Kohler, a University of Toronto professor focused on global access to medicines and an adviser with the World Health Organization.

The whole story isn't transcribed, so I hope it can be heard north of the border. Considering the name, it should be heard anywhere!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 05:15 PM

I listened.

She’s right, in every particular. Mr Trudeau and his parliamentary friends are not handling this mission well. I think it’s lack of experience; the Canadian federal government does not do procurements quickly, and hasn’t bought large quantities of vaccines in living memory. In combination with the loss of the Connaught Laboratory back in the 90s, those issues have led to a massive failure.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 21 - 06:37 PM

Since reading Dorothy's recent remarks I've had my eyes (and ears) open for news that might describe this. It is surprising - but as you say, procurement is separate from other health care activities.

I made a trip to Town Talk and bought a flat of strawberries to replace the fruit that thawed during the freeze (and how ironic is that?). The fruit was cold but thawed so I made a big batch of pancake syrup and froze most of it. Now I'll wash and de-stem these berries (a case is 8 pints) and put them back in the freezer. It's what I use to make smoothies.

Community Fridge: I took 2 dozen packets of shelf-stable meals—mac & cheese and basmati rice packets that get microwaved for a minute and are ready to eat. These are particularly helpful for homeless because they don't require a can-opener, etc. I'm pacing myself on my contributions; as more people learn about this project I can go up every week or two and be one of many adding to the project.

I have to mow the back yard. Spring is here.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Mar 21 - 10:59 AM

It’s dad’s birthday on tomorrow and I’ve made a present for him. It’s a novelty Norwich City football. It’s got a miniature MP3 player and a tilt switch inside it. If you turn the ball over, it will play the next song in a set of 3 Norwich Football songs (“On The Ball City” which is possibly the worlds oldest football song that’s still in regular use and “The Canaries” and “The Norwich City Calypso” from a single produced in 1972 when the club first got to play in the top flight).

The ball as shown isn’t quite round. I added a middle bit as to help with some I hadn’t thought of... That is that the volume level drops when the two half spheres are joined together. I could try a redesign instead but at around 9 hrs to print one of the 100mm dia halves (yes, 3d printing can be very slow…), I’m not keen on that idea. He’s sure to like it as it is anyway.

Other things… We had a power cut last week. It only lasted about 2 hours but it left me with a bit of a poser when it happened. Wiltshire Farms arrived with a large order of frozen meals about 5 minutes into the cut and before I had any information on it. I wasn’t sure whether to accept the order and open the porch freezer to put in in or what and the delivery driver didn’t know either. I took the gamble that power would be restored soon (cuts are usually short here) and it worked out OK.

I’ve just had an email that my (mostly) greenhouse seeds have been dispatched. I’d ordered them a while back but the company said they were struggling (staff shortage with Covid and the busy time of year for them) and there would be a delay. I should have them in the next couple of days and will start planting the seeds in the propagator in the porch.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 01:41 AM

On a private group Facebook page a friend sought advice about how to get to the location where he was advised to go (via email from the County) for a COVID vaccine shot on Wednesday. We suggested he take a dry-run drive there today, and he did, though the crowd from today was there so it wasn't like he arrived at an empty spot to look around. But he figured it out. It feels like we are throwing ourselves in front of whatever vaccination needle will come our way these days, thousands a day in communities across the US. "Which one?" is asked. "Doesn't matter," is answered - "Just get it."

My ex came by today to pick up some groceries and we're still wearing masks outside during the exchange. It just seems prudent. While out in the yard today I did some pruning back of dead shrubs; they should regrow from the roots.

I got the sewing machine mostly back to it's old working self, with an occasional glitch that means it's best to simply rethread it periodically because I haven't found every single thing that was making it act up before and that helps. I have one more sewing machine repair book coming via Interlibrary Loan to hopefully sort out the last of this. I did raise the feed dogs a little higher and that is making a big difference on getting it to start at the edge of a piece of fabric; it used to be slow to start and now that's catching better. I still have a screw driver and the can of 3-in-1 Oil in the sewing room.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 10:04 AM

Seeing you mentioning (and working hard on) sewing machines a few times, SRS, I've just had another go at identifying ours. This time. I think it could be a Singer VS3, some shown on this page

I think that the last time I looked at it, it had lost the rubber on the bobbin winder (I'd guess finding a suitable bit of rubber would be easy) but was probably functional other wise. The tensioner on the left was a "do not touch" as far as I remember it now as was the knob above the bobbin winder although I think I did and find the latter altered the spacing between stitches?

No one here ever got more advanced than that.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 12:01 PM

Dupont:

Good chuckle this morning from SRS - mowing!!!And us still covered with 18 inches of white stuff! I showed R this am the huge chunk of roof ice that landed where we do not have a glass house! On the wood pile, actually, and me looking for a tempo to use for next year. I guess & R concurs, that something solid is needed. A glass house would be of no use on that north side of the house. With any luck we may see the deck about May.

My friends health was weighing heavily on me after Thursday. I kept checking emails for news "knowing" it would be bad. Sunday, I left R sleeping, had my BF and had just gotten to the email of "sad news" when he came in,needing a haircut and on about another House his cuz is looking at - having lost the last one. I lost it and went up to bed to grieve in peace.

Took an hour or so, caring for Doug, for his wife and for the whole extended family - very dear friends of over 30 years. When I ventured back down, the new bathroom sink was in place! Not connected but out with the old and in with a smooth shiny new one! Lacking a necessary part, we could do a pool on how long it will remain as is. I have been using the tub faucet for washing up for so long, I hardly remember the sink is there and the hot was not working anyway.

He is totally competent in these things and I could see how contented he was to be doing the job. The one at Beaver is so much better since he took it apart to replace the old cabinet with the newer, almost identical yard sale one. The refurbished faucets work better; the hot water flows, and, hence, arrives more quickly! When he gets to it, he does a stellar job. and loves doing it.

I actually took a few minutes first thing this am to sort the patterns I had all across the sewing/TV room. I still have not been inspired to do anything but am grateful that my ancient little machine is ready to roll with no problems. Maybe this beautiful sunny day will inspire me.

As per usual, I have gone through a two day recuperation after driving here on Friday. Ah! Friday! Arose at a good time prepare for leaving and, as I ate BF, looking west, I observed strange light flashing on the studio wall! Out on the deck, I observed a very wonky chimney - had come loose from its pinnings and had disconnected in two places with a gap large enough for water to run in...

Text to Dan - who can help? and phone to Larry! Dan could find no one. L was on the road and would look at it. Re-assuring. Late evening: L removed the snow around it but beyond his agility ability. (Both the professional places no longer in business!) Texted a special guy who helped out before and a dear friend now. I knew he would refuse payment but offered a donation to Community Trust - he volunteers; So does Larry! Saturday: Mike would go look. texted L and he replied - would call Mike! Last eve: pic of repaired chimney - Mike on ladder! The message from L: "You can return". Plan to go back on 16th! YAY! And maybe I will get to have a shot.

I was planning to donate to Com.Trust; I will up it. I know it will help people in the community who really need it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 01:19 PM

I rearranged the furniture in the music room-cum-library again to make room for more players as COVID restrictions ease. How did I end up with both a sofa and a settee? Dunno, and don't care. Both are good places to sit if you need space for your bowing arm or the butt end of your guitar. I think we could get half a dozen people in there now.

Strong sun today in Stratford, although Environment Canada keeps threatening snow, sleet and rain. It was the same yesterday, utterly beautiful despite prognostications of doom. Tomorrow we are supposed to see a high of 9C, and then rain on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an abrupt drop in temperature to barely above freezing at the end of the week.

If this keeps up, the maple syrup producers should have a great season.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 01:43 PM

Progress: the storage drawers under my bed! One had all my heavy winter clothes that I used to switch out with summer clothes. Found a *ton* of cat hair in the sweater drawer, Sebastian must have been *living* in there, pared the sweaters down to the ones I like, donated the rest.

Other drawer had bags of bags, found a few carry-on luggage pieces I thought I had lost, now in three manageable piles (give away, luggage/backpacks, and reusable grocery/tote bags I want to keep).

Gonna take the drawers out and wash them, vacuum where they were, and put'm back half-empty, amazing.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Mar 21 - 08:35 PM

That's a lovely vintage sewing machine, Jon, and yes, there are lots of parts produced for those older machines. Measure it and then look at someplace like eBay or an online sewing supply store.

A couple of friends have responded to remarks on Facebook about Salvia greggii that have now been cut back but that will grow from the roots again. The one in the corner of the yard has gradually spread and a few places branches on the ground sprouted new plants. I'll dig out a half-dozen or so and leave a couple in the best position. It was getting pretty big. Tomorrow two friends (retirees from the library) are stopping here to pick up a couple. I have others I can dig as well, but I'll wait till she tells me which she wants.

I finished a half-dozen masks today, and I've modified how I do some of it on that machine. Instead of going back and forward over parts of it I'm simply making a double pass, doing the stitching in forward both ways. There is something that still isn't quite right and it seems to be with that reverse switch part of the mechanism. It works, but I'm not over-doing it.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 21 - 12:36 AM

Mrrzy, interesting about the cat hair. My dogs produce so much hair that every week I sweep a huge pile of it, and when I run the broom under the sofa, a particularly large drift is moved out from beneath. The odd thing is that twice now when I've cleared out the under-sofa I've also moved out small Mediterranean house geckos that were hiding under there. Two of them, about a week apart. In the time of year when they should be hiding in the attic staying warm. I quick grab and release them before any dogs notice and eat them or whatever might happen. (The dogs leave the Gulf toads alone because they taste particularly bad, but I don't know about lizards.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Mar 21 - 05:03 PM

The garden got some weeding and a few pots were cleaned out and I'll see if anything grows back in them (or not) after that freeze. A couple of vaccinated friends stopped by and we dug up a few plants for them to transplant and were actually able to tour the house, though what a mess. I guess if a few people can come in now I should do a better job of picking up and organizing. It gets a little lax after a year of just me and the dogs!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: mg
Date: 10 Mar 21 - 01:02 AM

i cleared out a drawer for condiments etc. at my computer/dining table. took an old dishpan and put it under my hanging files where it is not visible and put all my computer paper and envelopes etc. in it. so much better. i can see my desk top. I also got two dollar store wastebaskets that serve as temporary holders for papers and miscellaneous junk.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Mar 21 - 11:43 PM

I did one curbside pickup and two quick trips indoors (the post office after hours to get the mail, and the nearby Goodwill). The Goodwill had several people boldly walking around without masks despite a message over the loud speaker and signs on the doors saying customers still need to continue to wear masks. It becomes a case of who will enforce the rules when stubborn selfish people refuse to comply? I'd kick them out if they don't wear the mask properly, but that's just me. As Neil deGrasse Tyson quipped about the early opening of states: "We’re just sayin’. To abolish mask-wearing laws in some States while the rest of the Nation keeps theirs is like designating a peeing section of the swimming pool."

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Mar 21 - 06:33 PM

Dupont:

Very little has been accomplished this week. A dearth of energy. Oh darn! Just thought to check produce store for how busy it is; busier than usual! So much for that thought. I do need to do a shopping. But there has been a huge bunch of covid cases amongst staff and patients at the local hospital - so bad R phoned a few mornings ago to warn me. What to do? I know the stores here and can navigate quickly when they are "not very busy". Maybe tomorrow; if it rains people may stay home.

In any case, a couple days of above freezing and there are bits of grass showing along edges. The large bag of planting soil on back deck is still surrounded by two feet of frozen snow; even though it is standing almost alone, it is still frozen to the deck, AND difficult to get over the snow to get to it. Maybe tomorrow! I would like to start some seeds before I leave. I will have to take them with me to care for them; I have a plan!

I ordered a packet of 5 pairs of socks for R. Carefully checking for mostly cotton. They arrived today with not a speck of cotton. Sent the company a furious email "I was lied to" . I certainly am not going to the trouble of returning them. R doesn't care. He'll wear any socks I put in his drawer.

Did laundry today, including bedding and remade bed. Took car for servicing. Big day! I did much fine at Beaver but have no energy all week. I make BF, suppers and spend most of each day on computer or watching the news.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 01:39 AM

Dorothy, I think the times of inactivity (or the inability to motivate oneself to get up and do much of anything) is an effect of the times we are living in right now. I have a bullet journal that I've kept for years and for the last 13 months I've noted "COVID-19" at the top of each month's calendar so when I look back I'll have a reference point to what I was doing (or not doing).

This week I got back to making masks; the sewing machine needs further fine tuning, but if I'm careful about not using the reverse lever too much (knock wood!) I don't have to stop to re-thread or untangle it too often. I have a couple of boxes almost ready to go to the post office and need to prepare several more parcels of masks for people. Yesterday at Goodwill I picked up three plastic baskets that I washed and let dry overnight and that are now in the sewing room to help organize some of the parts of this work. Multiple colors of t-shirt yarn need a couple of baskets (I need to see what I have when I make these things) and baskets for finished masks (there are six sizes and I've been lumping some of them together). Some of the extra fabric that is usable for small masks but I'll have to do those one at a time on the scraps are in their own basket. This is to remove a stack of fabric growing on the pointy end of the ironing board.

I mentioned earlier that I had friends in the house this week for the first time in a year. I hope to use that as a motivation to pick up and rearrange things. I did some major moving of room contents a while back but the COVID kept going and going and I let things go. A bit. Well, a lot, but nothing that won't improve after a weekend of sweeping, mopping, and dusting before moving furniture.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 09:44 AM

Tune session yesterday; again excellent, and everyone was more comfortable in the reorganized library. We're learning a jig set. It's painful, doing it by ear, but Serena the Fiddle -- a teacher and classically trained musician -- is fascinated by different ways of learning. She is now teaching traditional tunes to her pupils, and encouraging them to get off the dots. I'm enjoying the process of helping another muso escape the bonds of the conservatory method.

Today I'm running the self-clean cycle on the oven, so the ventilator fan is roaring and the whole house smells a bit singed. The cats are unhappy, but it must be done.

We had several days of crazy warm weather that ended yesterday afternoon in the first thunderstorm of 2021. As usual, Environment Canada issued doom alerts -- THUNDERSTORM WARNING! in a red banner -- but Stratford's share of the action was only a couple of thunderclaps, exactly one flash of lightning, and ten minutes of hard rain. Today is colder, but the sun is shining with all its might. The ruckus in the kitchen will soon force me out for a walk downtown for lunch and a visit to the bank, my first extended trot since the cortisone shot.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 11:31 AM

Charmion, how is the foot feeling? Is this cortisone shot a method for pain control until you reach the inevitable surgical repair? The knee was a hot mess for quite a while before the surgery, and the surgery was the roughest one I've experienced, but the outcome is excellent. If you're debating about going that route (and a different body part, so YMMV.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 12:59 PM

I don’t know, Stilly; complicated as knees are, feet are much more so, and I have only just begun my limping journey on this road.

I asked the foot guy that précise question, and he said it’s too early to tell. The cortisone might resolve the problem — or not. But this was only my second injection, so we don’t know yet if the ligament attachment in question is actually improving.

So we wait to see how long it takes to start hurting again.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 02:47 PM

A friend had her ankle reconstructed two years ago and that was a real big deal because there are so many parts involved.

Yesterday I scrolled through 50+ slides posted by Dave-the-Gnome on his Facebook page, with remarks about the route. It was a wonderful trip up a small (compared to say, North America) mountain and as they approached the top the boulders and slick areas and steepness made for some work. And as I looked at the photos of going back down I thought "That's going to make the knees hurt." And of course, that is because of my experience on the downhill portion of long backpacking and climbing trips. And is probably why my knee was a mess, and my friend with the ankle surgery has even more of those downhill treks to her backpacking record.

However you got to this point, good luck achieving a level of comfort for the future!

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 06:06 PM

As you may remember from my previous comments about feet, I busted both my ankles back in the 90s, and my current problem is a consequence of a less than perfectly successful repair that encouraged my right foot to pronate in a way it would not have done had I not busted it. Alas, any surgery could well cause worse problems than I have now.

And that sucks.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 21 - 06:31 PM

I had forgotten. Bummer, indeed.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 11:22 AM

I woke this morning with a realization - the whole nation (minus the really rich ones) have been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Many people are going to be logging on to their bank accounts or watching the mail for the stimulus checks. But that's the tip of the iceberg. Also wide-reaching are the unemployment payments that will extend through to early September, and the HUGE change is the child tax credit change where about half of childhood poverty will be addressed with $300 to $350 per child monthly payments to low-income households. This was necessary with or without a pandemic; it has been a goal of the progressive wing of the Democratic party for years. We don't talk politics in this thread, but I bring this up because it feels like we've waited all year (pandemic) and all four years (Trump administration) for the ability to take a deep cleansing breath, and now it's near. And with this huge change, people who have been hunkered down for a long time will have some agency, the ability to have some control over their choices, not simply waiting for services that they qualify for.

On the hyper-local level it's a matter of debt management; deciding to pay off one bill to free-up monthly cash during the next few months for other uses.

On a more normal topic, it's spring and I've begun the mowing and digging routine that will contribute to my fitness, and I need to walk the dogs every nice day.

(I shared a version of this on Facebook.)

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Mar 21 - 07:35 PM

The beer fridge is at the curb (kerb) awaiting removal tomorrow morning by the town bin men. The BIL helped me shove it out of the garage and down the driveway, and for a wonder it did not fall over. It’s departure should take at least a nip out if the hydro bill.

Edmund’s scholarly and technical law books have found a new home with an old colleague who proposes to drive all the way from Ottawa on the Easter weekend to get them. « Road trip! » he cheered on the phone. Sounds like a bad case of cabin fever to me — that’s a minimum two-day journey involving an awful lot of autoroute. Better him than me.

Subject: RE: De-clutter & Fitness in a Pandemic: 2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 21 - 07:55 PM

It's quite the usual thing here that when something that works but is simply unneeded is rolled to the curb with enough advance time for people to see it before trash day that things often are picked up. Sometimes by people who can use them, other times by the metal collectors who sell stuff by the pound at the recycle center.

News today that the ex has scheduled COVID vaccines for next week and early April, so by the end of April we'll be good to go in the same car as far as surgery. I've put off ordering new glasses because even if I got the inexpensive pair, they wouldn't be worn for long and that seems a waste. I'm okay with the current RX, and that will change drastically after surgery. Who knows how vision will work in the interim, between surgery and when the vision "settles down" so I can get a new Rx for whatever else needs to be corrected.

I'm back to more reading, shifting away from consuming so much news (the last four years had that effect). I just finished a mystery yesterday, then started reading (listening to, actually) Mark Manson's manifesto The Subtle Art of Giving a F*uck. It's a quick read and interesting enough anyway, but particularly interesting during the period of COVID when we hear of so many people letting their standards slide and simply settling for being more comfortable. That's just one aspect of it, but it's conspicuous how it occurs to a lot of people right now, who might be thinking about what other things they've spent too much time worrying about or paying attention to. As we figure out what new-related things we do need to give a fuck about. Just look at The New Yorker cartoons to get an idea of so many shifts in our behavior.