FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 11:23 AM

Thank for fixing the link, SRS.

I did speak to one brother at the peak of my frustrations who said he would come over if needed but he lives in N Wales. The other UK brother is a fair distance away too. In any case, I think we are through this one now and life should return to our "normal".

It's funny really. We can have happy conversations a lot of the time, dad,eg. can have a good conversation with a friend, mum has regular phone chats with other family, etc. without it being apparent there is anything wrong. Things only get more complicated when things get more involved and I eg. need to get some facts straight. As I commented to the Oz brother the other day, in some circumstances, I can feel as if I'm living in the Twilight Zone or something.... This run has just been rather longer than usual.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jun 22 - 06:58 PM

Physical therapy today was brutal. Several new exercises were added and they stressed my already sore leg muscles. I'm going to have to apply the ice packs in several places. I did lots of exercising prior to the surgery, but since then I've barely walked or moved except for PT, so I expect I'm going to have to start over on some things to get back to my former level of fitness.

If I feel up to it later I'll do some sewing. I have a backlog of projects and it's a quiet pursuit. I downloaded a new mystery to listen to while I work.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Jun 22 - 09:11 AM

A bit OT but I’ve been playing with film cameras. The last time I had a go, my old Pentax MZ-30 broke down and I bought used a slightly older model (yes, it is this way round) MZ-50 to use. To my surprise, when I took these cameras out yesterday, I found the MZ-30 started working and I went to bed happy thinking maybe I could try a different type of film in each body and see what happens. Things changed today. The MZ-50 developed the same fault the MZ-30 had shown and after loading a new film in the MZ-30 and taking a couple of pictures, the fault returned. From two apparently working cameras, I went to nil.

I found online that the problem is well known, affects all or many in the MZ (ZX in the US) range and is due to cheap plastic gears Pentax used for the mirror return motor. I also found (or confirmed what I suspected) that even with a few pictures as a guide, I’m not up to fiddly camera repairs. I’ve wrecked the MZ-50 trying to take it apart. Not that I’m worried about that. You can find them in the £20-30 range on Ebay and aren’t worth paying anyone to repair.

I’m not sure what I do now but if I do want another film SLR, it won’t be one of these MZ ones at it will probably go the same way at some point. They may be cheap and quite user friendly but it’s no good if your sort of waiting for the breakdown.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 22 - 11:52 AM

You know a lot of those SLR cameras have a single lithium battery, right? Did you simply try changing the batteries first? Meanwhile, you can sell the cameras as-is for parts or repair on eBay.

I have my old Canon AE here, and I had a Contaflex (Zeiss Icon) that I sold on eBay years ago. And some really old collectible bellows Kodaks.

Bandage comes off this afternoon and I suspect I will need an antibiotic for a few days after that. There is a routine of elevating the leg and icing that will continue for a while also. Not quite ready for prime time yet. :-)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Jun 22 - 12:15 PM

Thanks SRS but both had new batteries in (2 x CR2 lithium in these). I'm sure this the mirror motor gears problem.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 22 - 07:36 PM

There was something about the bandage that was irritating the skin underneath, causing discomfort and itching. It's off now, leaving a red ring around the area without surgical glue where the bandage was touching, and I'm using hydrocortisone to treat it. The pressure cuffs are finished and though it will be a while till the pain clears up this is a marked improvement. I'll continue to use the ice pack for now. It takes a while for this to heal completely.

I told myself I'd give myself time to get past the surgery then make a concerted effort to start listing stuff on eBay, so starting next week I will photograph several items to be listed. Sometimes I just do one a day and after a couple of weeks it ads up to a nice set of listings.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 08:51 AM

Ah ha I have 7 ebay auctions of vintage toys in their original box to finalize. They have been collated, bagged and sitting in the living room for 2 months. The pleasure of procrastination must end.

In the US, Pfizer will have 105 million doses of Omicron vaccine by summer's end.

The cool mornings will soon be over so I better hedge now and work off my rear end.

I regret seeing June end.

The end

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 09:50 AM

That's the last thing you need, Stilly, an irritating bandage over a surgical incision -- ugh.

All I have to complain about is that a toenail cracked, and broke the skin.
No problem walking on it or anything.
It was a problem last night getting into bed between the sheets,
and the sheet went over the toe and YAAGH?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 11:44 AM

Ouch, Keb! It seems to take forever for cracked toenails to heal. And when you have anything done on your foot (bunion surgery here) it takes longer to heal before they remove stitches, etc.

Overnight the Benadryl and hydrocortisone ointment helped my knee. It's still an complex-looking wound, pink around the outer edges and scaly from the glue and such, but it is better. The itch was so intense at times when the bandage was on that I was sure it must be infected, but that appears not to be the case. PT arrives in about 30 minutes so I've taken my pain pill to help me get through the session.

So Don has his own stack of stuff to list on eBay, like I do. I have to look at the existing listings (there are a few that have been up for a while with no activity) and get ready to generate new ones. Shall we each try to list four new ones in the next week? (Weekends off for good behavior and there's a holiday).

I'm looking back at earlier thread posts - Charmion, did you get yourself that folding work table, or has someone helped you move the one from the basement upstairs? I cleared off my dining table to do the eBay work, no extra tables coming in for this job. Senoufou, you were lurking, I think, when you mentioned your husband's boxes of stuff that might possibly return. Are you working on any of your own projects in the meantime? And Dorothy, tough to keep up, but I think she's at Beaver now working on various projects and weeding the garden and harvesting a few things. What's up?

Any other lurkers want to drop their cloaking devices and report in? What do we all have planned for July?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 02:59 PM

This residential patient at a clinic reports
a de-clutter to the on-campus residence bedroom.

My bedroom is a small room with very little floor space.
It was fitted with a double/full-size bed.
The bed ate up most of the floor space.

The previous tenant despised, loathed, and abominated the room.
I remarked that one could better utilize the room
if it were fitted with a twin bed instead of the full-size bed,
to which the previous patient said, "That would suck."
(tell you anything about the previous patient?)

Today, as I requested of maintenance/housekeeping,
the full-size bed was dismantled and trucked away,
and replaced with a plain, sturdy twin bed.

And voilá,
a room that is cozy and tidy and you can exhale in it as well.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 04:20 PM

We had some tree branches cut down yesterday. Things started a few months back when mum thought a tree looked as if was dying. I disagreed and said there were buds forming and sure enough it wasn’t long after that the leaves started to appear. Mum was still worried about the tree, quite a tall one and near to the house and we agreed that it would be a good idea to have an expert take a look at it just in case. The chap felt this tree was quite safe but he pointed out some branches on 3 other trees that he said would be best removed so we got a quote and agreed to have the work done.

I’d guessed the job would take all day but a team of 4 came round, equipped with a boom lift as well as chainsaws and the machine that chops the small stuff up and they were done in a little over two hours. They did a very tidy job too. A bonus of the job seems to be a bit more light towards the end on the daylight hours.

We’ve no house or garden projects planned at the moment and I think we’ll just settle for keeping things ticking over this year.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Jun 22 - 08:52 PM

Beaver:

Not spending much time on internet due to cost of using the "stick"; still no better way out here.

Dietician was helpful with gut problem and it has improved. No sign of an ultrasound yet.

Was thinking of going to a pancake BF/musical event on Canada Day but it is a little far, lots of people (covid) and seems best to just stay home. Nothing happening at my former home community and it might rain anyway. Missed the 7-11 Cafe last Friday due to lack of PR. Next one is on the 29th July...

Finally filled the kiln and did bisque and now have a glaze firing in. This one is almost all white/blue sponge ware. Will do another tomorrow and try to get more pots made. Told R I might come home next week; I like it better here... He and Dan stopped in on Saturday - actually Sunday 12:30 am! He fixed the screen doors and they put the lawn swing on the truck to take to QC; it will be better there as I have not been using it. Here I use the screen house. Not as many bugs at Dupont. De-cluttered the back yard! They left about 10:30 am on Sunday to deliver another machine and pick up a couple small ones. Got back to QC about 11 pm!

The weather has been moderate to cool! And some rain. Very nice. We have 6 tiny oak trees from the acorns R planted in a raised bed in April. He may get around to planting them at the Mill; there is lots of room and they would be an asset. He seems to be keeping the plants alive at Dupont. The mock orange here is just starting to bloom - right outside the window!

Someone has started a new Farm market in Bancroft and it is very nice. Get to visit with folks! Pat brings an assortment of goods down from the Carriage House as a PR initiative. While I was chatting with her last Sat, a woman came along and bought a butter dish! I need to make more!

I have weeds under control here.

Loved the comment:"Thank dog for ice packs!" When we were kids, we had a dog pen and dog house - 19 puppies! Found homes for all! But my bro painted on the wee house "god house"; we should have realized a learning problem? Dyslexia? Today we would. He managed school but it was not easy.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 22 - 11:01 AM

First of the month and clearly I need to treat it as a No-Spend-July. Last month with the air conditioner crash it was very expensive. I'll let the sticker shock sink in as I find ways to use things I already have here. And list eBay stuff. It has been a no-alcohol month since about February so I'm already realizing a savings from not buying wine or Scotch or beer.

I have friends who will run errands for me, but yesterday I though I'd save them a trip and get groceries using Instacart. The shopper leaves the bags on my front porch and I usually give them a couple of minutes to leave before I open the door so the dogs don't startle anyone. My phone chimed a text telling me it had been delivered, but there was nothing on the porch! I wondered where they were, if I was going to have to walk over to the neighbors and see if the order was there, or maybe in the next block at the house that sometimes gets my mail. As I walked over to look at the front of the next door house I glanced up my driveway and saw something by the side door step.

I went back into the house and over to the side door, to find all of my groceries on the ground, nothing bagged or in a box. And on a 100^o day, the butter and cheese and cottage cheese were on the pavement at the bottom of other stuff. I retrieved a laundry basket bring it all in, and I am afraid I laid into that delivery person in my rating on the app. I have a photo. I didn't ask for a refund, but I did halve the tip, and supposedly a supervisor will contact me. I'll ask that they please train that person how to properly handle groceries. He had them for a couple of hours before they were delivered and the app assured me they were in a "temperature controlled environment" until delivery. I doubt it - one of the cottage cheese containers was so puffed up it was ready to burst.

I don't want anyone to lose their job in this environment, but he needs some guidance if he's going to continue doing this work. Other than that, his produce selections were fine. Some of the past deliveries weren't so great (one woman brought a bag of yellow onions that I realized the next day were all but spoiled and I had to throw almost all of them away.)

Ms Cookie turned up with a shallow gash in her side this morning, missing some hair and some bleeding but not deep. I pulled out my veterinary first aid kit and washed with chlorhexidine and finished with a dab of antibiotic ointment. I rolled her around and didn't find any other injuries. The guy I do contract work for described his dog tangling with a young bobcat last week - she was a lot worse off. We have them here, but hopefully they know to stay outside the yard fence.

Clearly there is plenty of drama here this summer. My ex will be retired after today so I expect to have more frequent visits as he learns how to be retired.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Jul 22 - 02:14 PM

Sympathy for sacrificed groceries.

ooo an ebay challenge. I am competitive averse. Even in tennis I hit it back so that the opponent can easily hit it back. But they never do the same. I like the volley, they like the kill shot.

I'll start the lesser value auctions first, get a following and end with the impossible to find.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Jul 22 - 02:49 PM

I did some tidying in the garden and put the hardier houseplants out on the patio in the hope they’ll get rained on. It’s Dominion — *oops* — Canada Day, so of course there’s rain in the forecast.

Stratford's hard water is not good for potted plants because the dissolved minerals eventually clog their root systems. Experts recommend periodic flushing with distilled water, but I’m cheap so I let Mother Nature do the job.

I’m down another size in trousers, and only about fifteen pounds from the point where continuing to lose weight would be unwise. If life continues on its current track, I should reach that point sometime around Christmas.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jul 22 - 04:56 PM

Don, I agree, I don't care for challenges and tend to push back. That said, I have a lot of stuff in boxes already that need to be described and photographed for listing. With the shipping container already chosen it goes pretty quickly.

Ex is retired as of about four minutes ago, and coming over for dinner, and our daughter is coming over after work to join us. It'll be simple, fish, potatoes, salad, veggies.

I've figured out that the surgical glue is what my skin is all red about, and as it gradually peels off the skin will recover. I may try a little rubbing alcohol on one spot to see if that helps remove it (a spot beside the incision, nothing that would be painful for that test).

It's still damned hot out there and getting hotter. And with Independence Day nearly upon us, the blue heeler will be beside herself with all of the racket. She'll be pretty warm if I put the Thunder Shirt on her, but I'll see how it goes. Maybe just let her hide in my bedroom closet for a few days. That's where we slept during the freeze back in February 2021 and all of the dogs are really fond of it now.

What kind of suggestions are you getting from your dietician, Dorothy?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 Jul 22 - 10:32 AM

Beaver:

Dreadful about your groceries, SRS! Here, I can go to the grocery when it is virtually empty. When at Dupont, I can also. Sometimes I have ordered on line and it comes at a specified time to the door, in good shape. I can also order on line for pick up at the store - park in designated area and phone to let them know I am there and they bring it out. It used to be in plastic bags but recently, they switched to returnable boxes! Plastic bags are no longer acceptable in Quebec. The produce store - I prefer to pick my own - is usually empty at 6:45, closes at 7! So I dash in a whip though my shopping and get out. Staff is usually putting things away so I may miss an item. They are very kind and helpful but I don't want to keep them when they are surely anxious to get away! Of course I wear a mask in any case.

Canada Day:
Firing came out beautifully so I am sorting - some for a friend, some for the Carriage House(CH), some for the event in QC at end of August. I am back to "get out and push" today. Drank a cup of green tea, hoping it would help... I was going to try to get another load in today but I still need to glaze the rest, hopefully today. Tomorrow will do for the firing as this one was still hot; I could have done it more quickly but did not feel like hurrying. I once unloaded, and wrapped in newspaper, pottery that was HOT - until the paper started smoking! OOPS! Back to it; the tea may have helped!

Sinking back into low gear, I had another cup of tea and got pottery labeled and packed for CH, finished glazing and loaded kiln for tomorrow, threw five butter dish bottoms, hoping I did the math correctly to fit the existing lids, and one lid to fit an existing bottom (hope), then my back said, "Enough!"

Seriously concerned that the floor in the kiln room is bouncier than it was. Think I need someone to repair it before the kiln falls through, or maybe I am wrong. This is not a Dan job - it's beneath him! Also beneath the floor! Will ask around at the Farm Market tomorrow.

The Green Tea idea originated, for me, in the '90s when I went to the local library with a "splitting headache" and declared, "If the rain doesn't come soon, my head is going to break!" And was informed, snarkily: "Some people drink green tea for their weather headaches." It works! but I had forgotten about it as my reason for drinking green tea. So--- back to it! Long time since I got a headache from the weather- just feel immobilized.

The mock orange is slowly coming into flower; lovely just outside the window.

2 July: Took box of pots to Market; chatted with folks. Our local folk musician is playing today. I went home to turn kiln to hi and will go back in a bit to listen to John and chat with whomsoever is around. Spectacular day- breezy, warm, low humidity!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Jul 22 - 10:46 AM

Stilly, don’t use rubbing alcohol on your healing surgery site; it’s too harsh, and it will damage the skin. I did it years ago and paid a high price — five days in hospital with a suppurating incision after surgery on my right ankle. Soap and water would have done a better job, and no harm.

What you need is a solvent, which alcohol isn’t. I would try a small amount of Goo Gone on a cotton swab, followed immediately by thorough (but gentle!) washing with plain soap and water.

In the olden days of huge post-surgery pressure dressings held down with Elastoplast, we used to clean off the excess adhesive with an acetone solvent that was, not coincidentally, pretty well identical to nail polish remover.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Jul 22 - 11:15 AM

I’m not trying to advise SRS on what to use but rubbing alcohol may be made from isopropanol or ethanol. Both of these are solvents. I keep a bottle of isopropanol at home and find it handy for removing sticky labels from jam jars, etc. as well as a general degreaser.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Jul 22 - 11:19 AM

Okay, Jon, I’m no chemist, but I’m not kidding about the effect of rubbing alcohol on broken skin.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jul 22 - 11:52 AM

Thank you Jon and Charmion! I wasn't going to try it over the wound but to the side of it. I think perhaps a Q-tip and nail polish remover to test one of the outer edges of the adhesive would be a reasonable test.

Dorothy, I hope that kiln doesn't drop through the floor while it's heating! Get it looked at soon! And the weird thing about that whole Instacart experience this week is that he picked good produce, he just had a horrible technique at the handoff part of the transaction.

Yesterday was a special occasion to celebrate retirement so my ex and our daughter came over for dinner. I kept it simple, I'm not standing long in the kitchen, so I baked the last of the frozen affordable wild-caught halibut from Costco - I think the price has doubled since the last time I bought it. I boiled some small red potatoes till tender, then after they cool you press down slightly on each to split the skin for a slightly smashed appearance—those are fried lightly on both sides in some butter, salt and pepper, and are what my son calls "smashed potatoes." Crushing them a little gives all of the edges of skin and potato to brown in the butter that makes them so nice. (This recipe came out of Martha Stewart Living.) Salad, and fruit for dessert.

The forest floor is returning and the Labrador retriever is in great need of brushing, so I think decluttering the house of dust puppies and the dog of extra hair would be a good start to this holiday weekend. I had my bedroom door open last night allowing the blue heeler to come in, where she slept on the floor at the foot of my bed (at one point trying out the narrow space between the bed and the wall). Someone in the vicinity must have set off some fireworks last night.

This year is very dry so fireworks are liable to start fires. That's more excitement than anyone needs for July fourth festivities.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jul 22 - 04:51 PM

I tested a spot of surgical glue with the nail polish remover, but decided against trying it more, since it kind of spreads and I don't want it on the barely-healed incision itself. Washing it gently with a rough washcloth does dislodge more of the adhesive, and I have fresh hydrocortisone cream to put on it now. The swelling is almost all gone except right over the knee itself, and I weighed myself this weekend and am at the same weight that I went in for the surgery. I'm still working on getting more protein so no alternate-day fasting yet, just maintaining this weight.

There are a couple of pairs of shorts that are comfortable; so far no long pants and no Capri pants because they rub on the scar. I have to put a draw string back into one pair (inexpensive shorts I picked up at Costco last year that have suddenly become my favorites because they're a little longer than the rest and they have pockets.) Good thing I have a bodkin for pulling the cord back into place (from all of the masks I've been making and putting in ties for around the head or ears).

We had a slight rain last night, just enough to make it muggy as hell. Fire danger is still very high so I have my fingers crossed no one sets the neighborhood on fire with Independence day fireworks.

Cookie hurt herself a little bit this weekend and the cut on her side is where she can lick it. I've started treating it then putting a t-shirt on her to leave the medicine in place for a little while. She looks cute in green. Her head through the neck, her front legs through the shirt arm holes, and then the hem twisted and knotted at her waist is rather elegant. She seems to like the shirt.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Jul 22 - 05:14 PM

Two days after the holiday, Stratford’s firecracker fans are still indulging their jones for cordite, and one of the neighbours bought some that make a whistling noise before the ear-splitting CRAAACK! I’ve never been shot at in anger, but I dislike fireworks in general, and firecrackers in particular, because they make a noise like small arms fire where no small arms should be. Except that whistling thing; that sounds like a mortar bomb in flight.

Beautiful weather. Hot, but not too hot, not a cloud in the sky.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 12:08 AM

I had a PM from our deep-lurker maeve who suggested olive oil on the surgical adhesive. Good idea! I think the bath tonight got most of the rest of it, though. I am not supposed to immerse the knee, but I did go over it several times with the rough wash cloth and the adhesive got soft enough to be rubbed off. Whew! And I think I'm turning a corner with the medications and weaning off of some of them.

It's a war zone outside right now, and I expect Pepper will be curled up in my closet for the night and the next couple of nights. The forecast is brutal for the next 10 days, every single one of them over 100^o. A good rainstorm would help lots of things, including dampening enthusiasm for fireworks, but nope, the folks will be out shooting off fireworks and hopefully not burning down the prairie.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Senoufou
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 02:17 AM

I've recently lost quite a lot of weight - no more crumpets (boohoo!) and more salads, no fatty foods etc. I'm now a size 12 whereas I was a size 20 (gulp!). I feel so much more energetic and fit.
So, I've been having a turnout of all my large clothes (those I can't alter with a few stitches - I'm quite good at needlework, but some things you can't alter.) Large pile of loose tops and roomy trousers, ready for the charity shop or the clothing container in our village.
My husband (who came to visit me yesterday) looked at my enormous cotton knickers in the drawer and said (French accent) "You 'ave to buy some leetle kneekers, zeeze are mush too beeg!"

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 08:12 AM

My sister never spent much time in artillery observation posts, so what she reported as "that whistling thing; that sounds like a mortar bomb in flight" is actually the sound of an artillery simulator or "arty sim."

Mortar bombs (from mortars in Canadian service) are fin-stabilized, and produce little if any noise until "the earth-shattering KABOOM." The whistle is intended to represent the sound of the driving band and to cue those in the area where it lands to take cover. Driving bands, the bronze rings around artillery projectiles that engage the rifling, actually produce a fizzing sound from their spinning in the airstream as they pass overhead. If the round lands in your immediate area, i.e. within its lethal radius, you will not likely have heard anything before "the earth-shattering KABOOM."

Arty sims are dangerous pyrotechnics that can produce serious injuries, far more serious than most commercially available fireworks.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 01:50 PM

Beaver:

Senoufou! Major congrats on your loss!!

SRS: And you are back to life almost at normal!!!

Kiln is on leave until I figure out a new spot or the floor is fixed. Folks I met at the Farm Market came by to dig up some of my surfeit of Sorrel and a Good King Henry. After a quick tour and 'getting to know you' chit chat, we did a major grooming on the remaining Sorrel and I have a handle on its care, which must start in early spring (I was not here!) and continue to fall. Quite a nice veg mixed in with other stuff! VJ has a number of tasks in process, including their farm but has offered to rip the floor up - "Yes there is a broken joist."; he is a carpenter as well and has an aura of knowing what he is doing! In the meantime, I am a long way - a couple weeks of working in studio - from needing the kiln. I cleared about half the room in prep, still more to do.

Last glaze firing came out well and is sorted for different venues. I need to make room in front storage cabinet for stuff to go to QC; the house is getting too cluttered. Means a run to the dump - today? or not til Friday?

Did two loads of laundry which dried quickly on breezy Sunday, one after another hung outside.

R makes noises about visiting but I am not holding my breath. He is keeping the QC plants alive, was delighted to pick a fresh tomato.

Our weather continues to be mild; no forecast of temps over 26C and some rain, sufficient so far. The mock orange continues is slow unfolding of blooms! Something ate the few blueberries and strawberries; I need to feed them well so they can do better next year.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 22 - 05:27 PM

Senoufou, I've made several passes through the closet and dresser drawers in the past month taking out pants and shirts that were way too large now. I also weeded out work-style clothes that I don't need ("office casual"). I love that French accented remark from the Mister! I'm just about to size 12, it depends on manufacturer of some or if they're Women's or Misses. And right now I'm looking for pants that won't rub on the fresh scar on my knee, so it's mostly shorts.

Dorothy, a broken joist is a good thing to know about and respond to before the floor falls in! Good call on that one.

The social worker who oversees the physical therapy home program came by today to wrap up the home part of the PT; he's impressed with the scar because apparently some of the folks he has seen with the same surgery on the same date are still having drainage and such. And walking with walkers. I use the cane at night if I get up to go to the bathroom or kitchen, because my knee is particularly stiff then. (Or to shoo dogs out of my path.) I prepared for this with exercise way in advance for this very reason, to make the recovery easier. It's what the doctor recommended and it works. All of that progress aside, it is just as much a struggle for me to get past the pain as it is for the others. I use the ice pack several times a day and usually have to apply it at bedtime so I can fall asleep.

I've been looking over my eBay stash of stuff to list, in case Don is keeping track. I'll set something out this evening to work on tomorrow. Now to limp into the back yard and put fresh rubber washers on the faucet attachment with the garden watering timer thing. It has been dripping. I think I can handle this small chore.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Jul 22 - 11:46 AM

Stratford enjoyed a fine soaking rain this morning and my lawn is green again already.

After the big clear-out of the closets and chests of drawers a few weeks ago, I have already accumulated another laundry basket full of clothes to go. These are mostly gym gear and casual clothes that are either too big or designed for stuff I don't do any more.

Surgeons and the nursing staff who work with orthopaedic patients love people like you, Stilly, who actually follow their advice and get as fit as they can before an elective operation. They're (usually) too professional to show their disappointment and irritation with those who blow them off, but they lavish praise on those whose condition shows they did their best to prepare.

The nurse who gives me my monthly needle at the allergist's office always praises me so fulsomely for not whining that I have to wonder about the conduct of some of her other customers.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Jul 22 - 12:07 PM

Beaver:

Dump run done. cabinet cleared for storage. Raining today- no outdoor activity. Tried to go to a dentist office to see if it is environmentally safe; Had to phone and leave a message; call back: they are booked until April! The dentist I tried yesterday gave me an appt. for 3 pm and then I found the place stinky; Clueless! I told today's that I understand why they are booked and the other one is not. I may have to drive 30 miles or more to find a dentist!

Re kiln room: it is so easy to feel one is misjudging something but the floor was rocking too much!

So: library and research dentists. Then lunch and back to the studio; I sent pic of pots I made for friend and he wants deeper bowls and straight sided mugs - I have not ever made! But I can. Back to it.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Jul 22 - 01:22 PM

Dorothy, I think it’s safe to say that a floor should not rock at all, ever. Even a little bit.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 22 - 02:21 PM

Charmion, good thing I'd swallowed that mouthful of tea when I read your last remark, or I would be mopping up on my desktop! Dorothy, I second her remark!

I started looking at the dripping faucet and realized part of the problem is the faucet itself, so have asked my ex to stop by to help with a "few things I can't do by myself yet." I can change that washer, but what I can't do right now is get down on my hands and knees in the front yard to turn off the water to the house in the small vault next to the water meter. I have a couple of heavy pots that need moving also (with the help of a wagon, but I don't want to lift them into the wagon).

I picked out three very easy to ship items to list on eBay; a leather handbag and two good brands of shoes that I have never gotten around to wearing. Since I decided I need to just stick with size 9 shoes, the 8.5s have been pulled out of the closet. Some were donated to Goodwill, but the big name ones that are barely worn can go on eBay.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jul 22 - 11:19 AM

They say no good deed goes unpunished. My ex came over to turn off the water at the curb and after a good soaking we figured out which direction to turn the gate valve (and I need to prune back the shrub that is growing over the top of the vault). And then the outer screw on the faucet is rusted in place and the whole faucet needs replacing so he headed over to Home Depot to get another faucet handle.

It turns out this is just part of the unit, screwed off of the part soldered onto the copper pipe, and the whole thing needs replacing, so a plumber will have to sweat a new fitting onto the pipe. The guy at Home Depot recommended a silicon filler that will replace the leaking washer on the existing faucet for now. Ok. Only one phone call and one trip so far. Next time I call a plumber about the tree-root-sewer problem I'll also have them (probably "him") replace the faucet as well. Note to self - pick up the faucet I want to use so I have it here ready to install. I like the way the gate valves work but they usually use the screw valves.

Any day you have a home project and can do it with only one trip to the hardware store is a win. My average on some projects is three trips in a day or weekend. I also take photos to show them what I'm working on. We got the washer unit reassembled (less is more when it comes to this silicone stuff) and back together on the pipe.

Standing in the yard for a little while wasn't bad, but I need to pace myself. I'm weaning off of the pain meds today. Wish me luck!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Jul 22 - 02:06 PM

My Cadillac started showering the passenger's feet with water which is a wierd unwelcome option. I took it to the dealership and got it fixed/turned off.

The last declutter downstairs room project is started before I tackle the the unfathomable basement. I'm going to enjoy the wrap around desk demolition with a sledge hammer.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 06 Jul 22 - 03:36 PM

Beaver: hit the wrong button and lost post. I will try again at home where it is more comfie.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Jul 22 - 03:58 PM

Talking of things moving under your feet (Dorothy):

I just drove to the next town over, where I am data-entering this from a public computer (rental).
To get to this spot, I had to drive over a bridge crossing a river.
There is a crossroads, of which the bridge itself is one-quarter,
and the crossroads has got a traffic signal with lights and all.

THis means that when the light is red in that one direction,
traffic is stopped right ON the bridge over the Housatonic River.
I was driving one of the vehicles that was halted on the bridge,
waiting for the light to change.

At that crossroads, drivers from another direction made a right turn,
and following the green-arrow-light signal,
they turned ONTO the bridge itself where my lane was stopped.
So these other cars drove past us going the other way over the bridge,
and yes,
that bridge rocked, rocked, rocked.

And I thought of Dorothy's kiln and the floor with the broken joist.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 01:23 AM

It’s always ordering on line for me and DIY things, SRS.

I had a plumbing job last month. The bath thermostatic mixer tap (this sort of thing) had started leaking. Because of a previous mix up, I was quite lucky with this one. I had a suitable spare tap in my shed. The plumbing bit was a very easy task too.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 02:13 AM

Oh John, don't mention 'plumbing' to me! For several weeks I've had a 'haunted loo' - it kept flushing all by itself, even in the middle of the night, and there's only me in the house - scary!. As I'm on a water meter, this was costing me money. But my favourite plumbers (Dempsey) would need to be paid of course.
Then, a few days ago, the Haunted Loo flushed continually without stopping, late one evening! I tried and tried to turn off the stop-cock under the kitchen sink, but it was too stiff for me. So I ran next door to my kind neighbours, and the husband brought a spanner and got my water turned off. I rang Dempsey's emergency number and a lovely chap arrived immediately. He told me I'd have to wait until the morning as he didn't have the requisite part on his van. So I spent the night with all water turned off, unable to flush my loo at all. He came back early next day, fixed the loo and now I'm singing in my head that song 'The Honey Cart' by the Singing Postman ("Whenever he's bin, yew kin goo agin, as regular as can be!" hee hee!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 02:44 AM

I think the best thing I did with our toilet was to change the lever operated flush to a push one the last time we had a breakdown. I could never persuade people here not to turn the handle as forcefully as they could and not to keep turning the handle impatiently as the water refilled with the lever ones.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Senoufou
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 03:34 AM

That's exactly what my loo flusher is Jon, a 'push' one. And the photo shows the part my plumber changed for me. It was weird having no water whatsoever all evening and all night. Made me appreciate all the more having clean water on tap.
When I was a little girl, everyone had a cistern up on the wall and a chain to pull. (remember those?) I got a smack for yanking it far too hard and nearly pulling the whole thing down.
Makes my husband's 'toilet arrangements' in Africa look a bit more sensible (Hole in the ground and a pot of water to wash one's bum - no toilet flushing and no toilet paper!)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 05:00 AM

I'm not sure whether I've seen chain flushes in houses, Sen.

I don't know when her Shropshire village got mains water but mum (b. 1935) remembers a time when they got water from the village pump.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 11:04 AM

During the weekend my daughter spent with me after the knee surgery we at one point got to talking about commodes (toilets) and the use of under the seat bidets. I think that is what I'll be getting for xmas this year from her. :) A lot of the toilets in use around here now have the dual flow (for liquid versus solids flushing). I got a new toilet that is just all low flow, it's designed so it flushes anything with the smaller amount of water.

I tend to save up projects for when I have to call out someone from one of the professions like electrician or plumber. If it's an emergency call, all the better if you can get something extra fixed at the same time and avoid an extra service call charge later.

The 10-day forecast is dreadful - up to 107^o predicted on Saturday, all days over 100 through Thursday when it's a balmy 99 predicted. Carlos Santana collapsed on stage last night in Michigan (way north of Texas and with the outdoor temperature at 86^o, but the stage lights making it much hotter where he was.) Stay cool, everyone!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 12:44 PM

My latest bout of sinusitis comes with a whole new effect: a swollen, red rash on my face that looks like the revenge of fifty years of whisky shots. The lymph nodes under the edge of my jaw are so sore that at first I thought I had matching bilateral toothaches. So now I’m parked in the number two comfy chair (the cats secured the best comfy chair while I was at the Y) to await a call back from the doc’s office.

Just to add to the general joy, my phone is showing signs that it is approaching the end of its service life. I intend to buy my next one outright to avoid the financing costs — a classic rich people’s economy. But even my rudimentary arithmetic skills can cope with calculating the true cost of the “no money down” deal offered by Bell Canada, so I have to make a 40-km pilgrimage to the nearest Apple store. I think that can wait until I feel rather less sick.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 07:12 PM

Well. It seems that my swollen, painful face is suffering from cellulitis, probably arising from the minor, but painful, fissure in the tip of my nose, itself the result of the constant itch caused by my many allergies and my constant rubbing thereof.

So I’m stuffing myself with a heavy-duty antibiotic for the next seven days.

I sure hope the swelling goes down quickly. At present, I have jowls to rival J. Edgar Hoover.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 07:23 PM

Beaver:

Chuckles re comments about my rocking floor! A rocking bridge, I would not like! Not at all! The kiln is in the wood shed for now. BJ assures me he will come when he has time. This leads to my chuckles re plumbing problems; lived almost 15 years without running water, got so used to it that 20 years later I still conserve water in every possible ways. However, if a storm is coming or if the water needs to be turned off- FILL the bathtub!

R has Covid but better today than yesterday. Yes, all four shots! Glad he is there and I am here!

Trekked down to Madoc (an hour) today for dentist. The clinic was odour free but had to ask the receptionist to please turn off the dreadful noise of TV - no one there but me. I waited over an hour and the noise put my brain into bad state. It took the receptionist "translating" for me to understand the dentist who was nice but had no comprehension of my difficulty. Two more appointments on Monday.

Then ---Brainstorm! Stopped to see potter friend and asked if he could spare a box of the clay we both use. YAY! He could. I am out of the fresh clay and pre-used is a nuisance, time consuming and hard on shoulders. This box will get me through the larger stuff that Needs to be made. Then I can use the "re-cycled" for lots of small pieces which sell very well at the Carriage House (CH).

Then I got gas and a Subway to eat on the way north, to the CH where I exchanged two boxes of new product for about the same amount of stuff that has not been so popular. A bit of social and then back down the hill and a stop to see a friend briefly - busy making a cage for the strawberries - so they will get some!

Home and a cup of tea and some food. Chick peas cooking. A few minutes in studio. Another beautiful day in the swamp!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 08:26 PM

Facial cellulitis?? what a NIGHTMARE.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jul 22 - 10:18 PM

I second Keb's observation. Get over that soon, that must be a misery.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Jul 22 - 09:40 AM

The most noticeable effect of the swelling from my point of view -- that is, behind it -- is a general tightness and surface discomfort rather like that caused by sunburn. But it's in a bad place; the doctor was particularly concerned that it not spread into my eye-sockets, and the swelling has already half-circled both eyes.

After three 500-mg doses of Cephalexin, the matching bilateral toothaches have subsided, but the sunburn feeling and the red mask are still firmly in place.

Today I shall take a little stroll downtown for a lecture and lunch with a buddy.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jul 22 - 10:51 AM

It sounds like you're putting a "good face" on it, Charmion. I expect we've all Googled it by now - take care of yourself!

I pulled on an old pair of Capri pants and used a large trash bag "apron" I made ages ago over those (I cut the bottom seam out so I can pull the tube of the bag up over my legs and fasten at the waist) and took the weed whacker to the tall grass around the garden. That was about 30 minutes of moving slowly but realizing I haven't been moving that much at all in the last 3 weeks. Everything is put away again and that's it for now. Our high today will be about 104^o so I went out when it was early and in the 80s. This is going to be a record-breaking summer.

I've talked to a friend about the home warranty company she used for 14 years at her last house, and it sounds like it will be a reasonable one to work with. They let you work with your preferred contractors, where as big companies like American Home Shield are the 800 pound gorilla, they choose the contractors and what is used to replace whatever has malfunctioned. I've spoken to a friend who uses that now, and she's ok with them making the decisions, but I'm not. Twenty years ago everything was new, now it isn't. When I bought this house there was an American Home Shield warranty and I used when the hot water tank burst. Still a rather expensive experience because while they replaced the tank, I had to pay the cost of bringing things up to code and that was the only way they would install the new tank.

I have more eBay things to photograph today, and select shipping packages, then get them listed. Have you started any, Don?

Dorothy, how is R? Feeling better?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Jul 22 - 07:19 PM

Charmion, you have my sympathy. Himself was diagnosed with cellulitis in the left ankle/foot last year; it has settled down for now (we think because it's winter, our exremities swell more in summer) but it may flare again when the weather heats up.

Dorothy - this Aussie knows where Madoc is! We've been through there, we stopped for fuel and for a coffee at Tim Horton's.