FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 11:40 AM

Have taken advantage this very afternoon, Dave. You never know when you might get snowed in. And it's been Collapso in our house ever since you christened it thus! :-)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 11:34 AM

Wow. Look away for a few days and people get sick. Steve and Jon's Mom, I hope everything heals up quickly this week. There isn't an easy fix for what ails Charmion, just keeping on doing what you're doing. FWIW, you haven't posted often about that loneliness after losing a spouse—it feels like you're going about this in the best way (no impulse to hoard his belongings, for example), but we're here when you do need to share.

I've enviously watched the progress in a friend's yard this summer; despite the heat and lately the mosquitoes he has it up to it's best postage stamp of glory look. Back when we were still working at the university he almost gave up the garden entirely; retirement and a renewed attention to health (he has a slow-moving prostate cancer diagnosed this year) have impelled him to work in the yard. He has a small house with a tiny front yard (a nice sized back) that is spectacular with xeriscape plants (well-adapted and native) and a lot of native flowers. I didn't have the ability this summer, but this fall I need to get out and work on the front. I wish there was a permanent and painless way to get rid of Bermuda grass. It's the number one weed in my gardens (and always will be as long as it is the turf grass that grows on the existing patches of lawn).

In the sewing studio I've spent time mending things, such as the a few inches of zipper that separated from the purse in a favorite leather handbag, and this morning I'll patch over a hole in the pocket of a nice weathered (but not holey) pair of jeans. I'm still discarding from the closet and finding other things to put back into service. When shopping I tried on a long sweater coat last week that was very soft but while it hung nicely on the rack, didn't hang so well on me (they didn't take into account that if it wraps, it should overlap at more than just the waist - and a larger size didn't remedy the poor hang of the garment). Instead, I have a wool coat that I bought probably 45 years ago at a now long-gone favorite high end department store (go in for the annual clearance sale right before inventory and you could afford a few of their things) - it may be back in style by now.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 11:21 AM

Bugger :-( Sorry to hear that, Steve. Hope that you get well soon. The 25% off 3 Mossers best wines won't last forever! :-D

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 10:50 AM

That’s awful, Steve. Thanks for letting us know how you’re doing. Of course you caught a stinking cold; Mother Nature rarely overlooks a chance to kick us when we’re down.

I had another birthday recently, too, and felt little impulse to celebrate. My elder brother and his wife came all the way from Ottawa bearing a handsome gift, but their visit was dampened by SIL’s difficulty adjusting to new diabetes medications and what I suspect is an unhappy effect of colon surgery a few years ago. Long walks were prevented by rain, mugginess, and forgetting to pack suitable shoes. They went home a day earlier than planned.

Since Edmund died, life has been dull at best — “turned down to about four”, I say when asked (and only when asked). Reverberations from the pandemic are still causing enough trouble to make travel chaotic and hassle-prone, so I stay close to home, and I’m only just beginning to attend concerts and the theatre on my own. I pay ridiculously close attention to the neighbours’ walks with their dogs and the progress of their gardens. Without choir singing and the occasional tune session, I would have literally no fun at all.

Edmund’s sister is coming to visit next weekend. She’s an easier guest because she’s very good at conversation (not a monologuist, thank God), and she wants to go to church and the theatre. So I’ll change the bed and wash the towels, make a batch of cockaleekie stew and scrub the kitchen floor. Gotta keep on keeping on.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 09:59 AM

Apart from the cellulitis, my diagnosis was acute kidney injury. It could have been the infection, or the diclofenac, or the severe dehydration I suffered for 24 hours after the initial bout of fever (gallons of water consumed and, er, literally nothing to show for it for a whole day). I suspect the latter. The icing on the cake is that I've now got a stinking cold! Before you ask, I did test negative yesterday...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 08:18 AM

We had mum in hospital on IV antibiotics too. She had a fall in the bathroom Sun 4th and was found to have a urine tract infection. She was very confused with it. She came home Friday night. The event has thrown her a bit and the weekend wasn't easy but I think we are on track to returning to our "normal" now.

As for birthdays, mine was on the 7th and both parents forgot about it. I haven't wanted to remind them of this.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Senoufou
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 07:08 AM

Oh Steve, you poor thing! You've really been through the wars. I'm wishing you an excellent recovery very soon, and, as they say here in Norfolk, "Dew yew keep a-throshing bor!"

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Sep 22 - 05:02 AM

During the Mudcat closure I've been ill in a crisis-ridden way. The infection markers in my blood went alarmingly high in spite of oral antibiotics and my kidney function collapsed to a fifth of normal. But for my very vigilant GP I wouldn't have known what was going on and likely wouldn't have been here to tell the tale! I spent three days on intravenous antibiotics and struggled to persuade the hospital consultant that I was better off coming in every day than taking up a precious hospital bed. By Friday my levels were well on the way to recovery. One more visit tomorrow should give me a cautious all-clear, though I'm still on strong antibiotics, and I've been banned for life from taking NSAIDS for my bad back. One of my legs is still swollen and has blistered like mad. So never take your eye off the ball!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 22 - 11:40 PM

Where were we?

The most memorable event in the last few days was when I was leaving to run errands and the garage door wouldn't close. I checked and found the top roller had broken off on one side. I had a spare and had to release the door from the motor and move it around and gradually get the replacement into position. (There was a YouTube thing I saw later when looking for more spare rollers that said to bend the track edge. Gaaaa! No way, not necessary.)

I got my COVID vaccine for the Omicron variant. That slowed me down the next day but not as much as the last couple of boosters. I've been working around the yard and I think the exercise of cutting and hauling brush probably worked some stiffness out of the arm where I got the shot.

Today I decluttered some leftovers and vegetables needing to be used and made a batch of chicken pot pie filling (photographed and posted on Facebook, so some will have seen it.) It came out good.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 22 - 11:48 AM

That sounds like a rather heroic trip to campus, Charmion. I rarely drove near the epicenter of my university during the fall move-in days. Especially after being rear-ended by a student on the edge of the campus (years ago now).

Don, I will share that link with my brother. The site that I use most consistently these days is Freecycle. Earlier this year I snagged a couple of trashbags full of very nice yarn for my daughter who crochets, and a nice piece of leftover wall-to-wall carpeting to use in my bedroom exercise area. For large pieces of furniture in good condition and clean mattresses, the Salvation Army will send its truck and beefy men to pick up the items. I should tell him about that also.

At bedtime last night I found myself reflecting on the day; this birthday felt a lot different than many in the past decade or two, an unusual sensation. I speculate that it might be because of a lull in the COVID activity, but we still wore masks into the restaurant, spaced ourselves away from others, and only removed masks when food arrived. I gave myself permission to spend a little money this year (fitness tracker and the denim jacket). I think mostly it's because I feel more like I'm back to my old self size-wise. More energy, a little bit less invisible than when being a stout older woman. Now I'm just a gray-haired slim older woman. Perhaps it is time to add a lot of puce clothing to my wardrobe.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Sep 22 - 08:25 AM

Yesterday, I delivered the Indian rug and a laundry basket full of bed linen to the niblings in London and braved the opening day frenzy at Fanshawe College to pay the last installment of Logan’s residence fees.

Their mother, Niece No. 1, pinged me in despair at 0800 hr asking for an e-transfer of twice as much as one is allowed to send by e-transfer so she could pay the outstanding balance. She had previously told me that this lump wasn’t due until October, but what the hell — it’s hard to get details from a panicked person who communicates by Facebook Messenger. I was going to London anyhow for a choir meeting and the linen delivery to Logan’s sister Faith at Western, so I added Fanshawe to the itinerary and prepared for a trying day.

The Fanshawe campus was just nuts, crowded with wandering packs of students and half the streets blocked for an outdoor rally that had its epicentre less than 100 metres from the bursar’s office. Finding a legal parking spot required a bolt of sheer luck, but I paid for that by having to deal with the B team at the bursar’s office, a sweet young woman with a whispering voice who did not know how to persuade her computer to churn out a receipt. I flatly refused to walk away without a receipt after forking over several thousand dollars, so she had to sit there and damned well figure it out in all the noisy turmoil while I stood at the wicket and glared.

I was 15 minutes late to the meeting after getting stuck in a tailback on Fanshawe Park Road. It was so bad that drivers desperate to turn right resorted to the bike lane, where no cyclist with the brains God gave a goose would be. After looking around for cops, I followed suit. Yet another reason to drive a sub-compact car.

Young Faith met me bang on time at the rendez-vous and we hauled the rug and basket of linen up to her room. The residence was strongly reminiscent of a barrack I lived in forty-five years ago. There was an elevator and each room had its own bathroom and closet, but the way our voices bounced off the blank institutional walls and the whiff of hospital-strength floor cleaner were just the same.

Home again to the cats and a supper of cold chicken and an enormous field tomato, then a couple of hours with Stephen King’s new book before hitting the sack.

Pool class today, and an afternoon of hauling music out of the choir’s storage area in the basement of an architect’s office. Lots of stairs — good for the legs.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Sep 22 - 07:25 AM

https://deliverend.com/pros-cons-and-fees-of-facebook-marketplace/

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Sep 22 - 07:16 AM

I have no experience except ebay but the top 8 are
Facebook Marketplace.
Craigslist.
Nextdoor.
VarageSale.
OfferUp (formerly Letgo)
Poshmark.
Vinted.
Decluttr.
and of course freecycle

For artists there are Pintrest, Etsy and of course Sotheby's which is potentially as corrupt as its competetors.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 22 - 12:44 PM

My daughter stepped backward into a gap between a step and a closed train door and slipped in, so her foot was really jammed heel first and it tore the tendon. She describes moments later sitting on the sidewalk in agony - I can imagine. And limped the rest of the trip through Italy (her friends have some mobility issues so there was a cane and a pair of walking sticks with the group already. She commandeered the cane for much of the rest of the trip.)

Thought for the day. My smart scale (connected to my Withings Steel HR fitness tracker watch and to MyFitnessPal food tracking app) wished me Happy Birthday. This time I knew better than to snap a photo - last time I tried that I realized that from above my distorted naked self showed up on the shiny surface of the scale around the LCD screen. It also tells me the weather forecast and how many steps yesterday. Over the past six months I've made a concerted effort to lose just over 40 pounds. I'm nearing my goal, but as I do I'm reminded of one of the last conversations I had with my mother before she was in the hospital with metastatic breast cancer. At 75, she had lost weight and was where she had been hoping to be for decades. But I realized soon after that she lost it not through hard work but because of the cancer that was killing her. I will be sure to make my annual physical appointment this year and get whatever battery of tests they recommend just to be sure that I'm still healthy. I'm sure I am, but this idea is occupying some real estate in my brain, so I'll follow through.

My brother is preparing to move away from the Pacific NW and is selling not just his house but many of the contents. We've been talking about methods for sale - I won't use Craig's List any more down here, it's full of crackpots, but he's having pretty good luck with it. He asked about using Facebook Marketplace. I've looked at it on occasion but never participated in any of the sales. Do any of you use that? Does FB take a cut? I suggested he could also join NextDoor, but he'd be a very new person to the list and there just for sales so I don't know if he would be easily able to list because of that.

Finally, it has cooled enough that I'm going to start decluttering some of the pots of plants I managed to keep alive all summer into their target destinations around the yard. It means getting out the tiller in a few areas and working over the soil, pulling the grass rhizomes out, planting and mulching. I'm looking forward to changing the appearance of the front (at least one side of it for now). This is a thing I can do that will be fun for me and make the yard look interesting, and doesn't cost anything since the plants were given to me by friends. I also need to get the limb saw and its long wooden handle and start trimming branches that go into the bulky waste pickup next week. I didn't do that 3 months ago because I was swamped with getting ready for the knee surgery.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 06 Sep 22 - 07:11 AM

On my fingering hand I cut nerves and nearly cut a tendon in two after I plunged down a whirlpool from a canoe and was cut by something sharp on the bottom of a lake in Maine. The repair involved a microscope for the nerve and overlapping of the tendon and sewing. It took 2 years to stretch the tendon back out. Partial sensitivity to two fingers did return. I recall the silent sound I heard in my head when the nerve was first cut. It went Boeiing

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 11:23 PM

Don, I had an injury like that, running in a strappy pair of high-heeled sandals. It took months to heal. Hers was completely severed. After surgery to overlap and reattach the tendon it took four months of PT to be able to walk comfortably.

Keb, it was private, even we weren't there (her request - only the two of them.) They're doing a party in a couple of months as a sort of reception. I did hope the earlier remarks were the whole story, but you do have a way of opening topics again.

Today in a pre-birthday run I headed over to the department store outlet (they used to have incredible savings, extra discounts in various departments each day) where now the discounts are excellent, but the supply chain is such that they don't need to discount the discounts to clear out the merchandise. I found two medium size cotton tops with 3/4 sleeves, just what I wanted, and I used some birthday money from a friend to get a jeans jacket - a well-made sturdy denim one and I've wanted one forever but they're always so expensive or not in my size. The rack was full of size small and a couple of mediums with a goofy fake patch in a contrasting light cotton print; I found one medium of just denim no patch affectations in sight. It cost 1/3 of the original retail price. :)

Some weird stories now.

Last night, around 11pm at least, I was working in my office that is at the front of the house and I heard what sounded like a recording, but it was a male voice over a loud speaker out in the street somewhere telling someone (not me, I hoped!) to come to the front door and stand on the front porch. It seemed to repeat several times by the time I realized it wasn't the radio or a TV on in the other room. 11pm. No identification of who is speaking, and it creeped me out. I turned off my overhead light and went to the side door to look out through the security gate. No one there. I threatened Pepper with dismemberment if she made a peep at the front door (she usually goes into a paroxysm of barking if I look like I'm going out) and peered through the security gate into the dark up the street and around the trees in neighbors' yards. Nothing. Next window on the front of my house, nothing. I usually take my trash down to the curb last thing before bed but no way I was walking down there with the bag from the kitchen. The can was at the curb, but not with everything. They can get the rest of it on Thursday.

Story two. Friends came to lunch, and one of them brought in a large grocery bag filled to the top with dried pasta packages, parcels of rice, and a lot of ramen. "I'm clearing out carbs so I thought I'd share here." One of the lunch guests is often sent home with extra food due to straightened circumstances. After lunch, and after the kind of odd departure of that couple (arguing about whether to drive home in the storm) three of us were left. One said "I want to see what's in the bag" so I brought it over to the kitchen table. As we poked through, I noticed a couple of worms on bags, and then we realized there were weevils in most of the pasta and rice. "I think we should throw this away right now and no one say a word about it." Everyone laughed and I bundled it into a large plastic bag and carried it out to the trash can and I then toted it down to the curb. So that's why there was already some trash in the can last night.

Story three. I was in the bathroom 2 days ago and the strangest thing happened, and when I told a friend about it yesterday he put it together with the weird weather. Two of the dogs came into the room and I saw a black insect drop off of one of them onto the floor beside the tub. When I bent over to look at it, I thought it looked like a mosquito, but it was bigger and very black. I reached my foot over to smash it and the damned thing took off and raced across the floor! Engorged mosquitoes can't do that, but this one took a couple of tries before I caught and smashed it, with quite a lot of blood. I picked it up in a piece of tissue, I should have taken a photo, but I flushed it. I told the friend and he said "that's a floodwater mosquito" and they are like freeze dried pests in the environment, after floods they lay eggs in the soil that don't hatch till there is flooding or so much water that the eggs get wet enough to hatch. Sometimes years later. We had 14 inches of rain on August 29, and a few days later the mosquitoes were everywhere, they're considered a "nuisance" more than a disease carrier, but they're aggressive and huge.

Sorry it's so long, but I wanted to share those odd events.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 06:01 PM

Dupont:

Missing the "Ts" who left at 9:30 am for the 8 hour trip to Philly. Was a good visit. A bit longer would have been nice; there is still talking that could be done as my son seeks more understanding of the family, as in "what was your mother like?". We cove4red a great deal and some touchy areas - gently.

Tenley is a sweetie; I thanked her for making my son happy. Relaxed and open as he has not been in years; a major de-clutter has occurred, allowing him to return to his same old used to be - vibrant, relaxed.

We ate in the K and did minimal food prep, by design. Together, no one got in anyone's way. And sat in the comfy LR for conversation. We only had the 3 evenings as they were in the city during the days - giving Tenley the opportunity of enploring Old Montreal; Taun lived here about 5 school years and 9 summers so it was him showing her around.

They arrived with bagels, having had the priority of stopping at the Bagel Factory, special to Taun for 50 years! He orders them on line and, rather than spend an extra hour going for some this morning, he will order them. And an order to his #1 son in VA for his upcoming B.D. So the veggie burgers were cooked and the Ts had theirs on bagels and R and I on buns. Tenley took it upon herself to find mustard in the frig - good searching! I detest it and thought there was some but did not deign to search! I made it clear we are in this together! We were so comfortable with each other; we are a family already!

Sunday, I made a double batch of buckwheat cakes, enjoyed by all, with this year's QC maple syrup. I had asked my son Sat night if he liked buckwheat cakes: "You're my mother! Of course I do!" It has been a long time since we were family together. Even when we lived in the same house, he soon-to-be-ex was a fly in the ointment; the stress was palpable.

Sunday, a veggie lasagna from the bakery in southern QC served, with salad and, again, choc cake from said bakery. They are also Dark Choc fans. We sat on the spiffy back deck for a short time as the weather was chilly. I am pleased with what I managed to do to shape the house up. The house could still use a serious lot of work - the windows and radiators... I cannot face trying to clean them. Maybe in the spring, a window washing company.

Baking was done in new toaster oven - quite adequately. I love it. Definitely saves heating the house. The "new"/borrowed stove is getting minimal use but is quite nice. Just lacking that wonderful downdraft the Jennair had. No way to put a hood over the stove.

R made some progress on his library. He had to move the thermostat so that was yesterday's chore, then waiting for the plaster to dry. Today, he claims to have started getting the book cases in place. Then went to fetch a de-humidifier from a friend who had one in a closet - never used!

AND measure the windows in the house that he "is selling" - some year. (That dreadful house we lived in.) He thinks new windows will improve the desirability. Probably will! He has a cohort who will supervise the window manufacturer at the Mill, with an eye to making the process more efficient, and finding someone to take over the business. Then, maybe the rent will be paid.

Sheets washed, laundry done. And next Monday back to Ontario for a couple weeks.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: keberoxu
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 05:58 PM

Stilly, did your daughter have a satisfactory wedding?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 02:44 PM

A ruptured an Achilles tendon and it took me a year to heal with special shoes.
It was your typical shopping cart accident. Tendons are slow to heal but surgury speeds things up.

Get well soon Steve what ever its called.

I have the same pain that an amputee would call phantom limb pain from a severed deep sensory nerve.
It is exaccerbated by neuropathy. Perhaps it constantly triggers my own endorphins so it comes and goes. It is minor compared to migrain which I outlasted 10 years ago. Lidocaine works in a pinch but...

'Endorphins are forever.
They are all I need to please me
They can stimulate and tease me
They won't leave in the night
I've no fear that they might desert me'

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 01:52 PM

It's not an underlying infection. It's a reinfection, made far more likely by a previous infection, probably because of the lymphoedema around my ankles I retained from the first infection. The blood supply which maintains the immune system is reduced in the swollen areas. The infection is caused by normal skin bacteria which get into the lower layers of the skin through little scratches or insect bites (of which I've endured many this summer). And cellulitis that isn't promptly treated can be life-threatening as it can, and sometimes does, lead to sepsis. Not to be played down.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 01:01 PM

Don, I saw that piece on NPR's Instagram feed. Those are just part of the stretches that are built into the Essentrics program I've subscribed to, and need to do more often now that the knee has healed. I'm working out remaining stiffness and hope to improve the range of motion the last couple of degrees.

My daughter decided it was time for a new doctor last year when she didn't get an appropriate response to the foot injury that turned out to be the ruptured Achilles tendon. "It'll heal on it's own, but do you want to see a specialist?" she was asked. Yes please! The specialist was astounded the GP didn't get the nature of the injury, and as he left the room he paused and said "I believe you." And that, along with a quick turnaround time for surgery, was enough confirmation that it's time for a new GP.

My brother and I discussed cholesterol this morning. He managed to get off of his medication, but his diet did change a lot, and I am pretty well focused on calcium intake now, meaning dairy has been part of it. I'll explore the higher levels in vegetable sources and read the cartons of milk and yogurt. Cheese - that is always a downfall - something to consider (both of us agree - the fridge is naked without a block of Rugged Coastal Cheddar, the really sharp type they make near Steve's house.) No faux cheese, it's either eat it or don't. Interestingly, we both have taken almost all alcohol out of our diets to help us achieve these dietary goals (I crossed the threshold today into the 150 range - just 10 pounds to go.)

We're into a nicer weather time of year - still hot in the afternoon - but mornings are tolerable and there is more inclination to go outside (meaning less interest in decluttering indoors.) I'll have to make a list and try to accomplish one of my indoor things each day before I head into the yard. This morning I have been virtually decluttering my free Dropbox account - when it fills up they keep messaging me to upgrade. Some things are nice to keep free.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 07:48 AM

A new doc sounds like a smart move. Obviously an underlying infection never really went away. Non life threatening conditions are like dented fenders that aren't pretty but the car still drives. Bone surgury is like pounding out the dents and takes longer.

npr mentioned how paying keen attention to posture can be restorative like bringing the lower back forward. Its not Yoga but can go a long way to take away muscular skelaton stress. Putting hands on knees when you stand up is multiplying stress on the joint.

A trick to determing ones age can be done by timing how long a person can stand on one leg.
The time goes down rapidly with age.
Happy Autumn and may your dents be few.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Sep 22 - 05:36 AM

I rarely trouble doctors, though the repeated cellulitis bouts have forced that on me over the last couple of years. I changed to a new medical centre a few weeks ago (because my previous doctor is a complete clown). The infection has spread a bit, to be expected as the antibiotics take several days to kick in, so, as advised by the hospital doctor, I rang the new doc this morning and she's seeing me this afternoon. Excellent service!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 09:52 PM

I had guests over for lunch today, and as this was a regular eating day I had a bit of everything. And a small chocolate bar from Aldi (sea salt and dark chocolate - mmmm!) as an early birthday present. I don't exactly do a "birthday month" like some folks I know, but I'll let it bleed into a couple of weeks either side for special occasions that come my way. Along those lines I updated my fitness tracker because the old one wasn't tracking everything; the old one has been demoted to just tracking steps in an ankle band at the gym and the new one is for everyday wear.

Another special purchase may be a couple of 3/4 sleeve cotton tops in my new smaller size if I can find any. Lots of too-large clothes are going into the recycle bin, or onto the closet shelf (because unused or thrift store clothing gets used for material when making sewing projects when they're good colors and fabrics.) Anyway, my birthday isn't a fasting day. Good thing because I'm thinking a nice pasta dish for lunch.

I hope your cellulitis clears up quickly. As far as health concerns here, after the knee surgery I'm feeling good and am sleeping without pain through the night now, which is the last hurdle after bone surgery. However, I have an ex who isn't taking his health as seriously as he should - he has never accepted that he has developed seasonal allergies and suffers through horrible stuffy sinuses because he won't take any 24-hour allergy medication. He's needlessly making himself uncomfortable. It's time to convince him to have a heart-to-heart with his physician about this, if he won't listen to me. (I learned 20 years ago that my sinus infections were the result of untreated allergies and once I started treating them I haven't had the huge snot-producing headaches with nose-blowing, drainage, and coughing.) You live in a place long enough, you become allergic to parts of it, or so it seems.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 06:46 PM

The only lamb I ever cook in the oven is whole shoulder. Supermarkets cut the fillet out to sell it more expensively. That's the best bit, so I get my lamb from my butcher and I cook it very slowly. A six or seven pound lump goes in the oven at about 10.30 at 120°C and comes out at about 5.30. It gets a blast of heat for the last 25 minutes to crisp up the skin, then rests for at least half an hour. Never fails!

I'm seriously off my food just now, eating only sparrows' portions. The icing on the cake is that I've just had a migraine aura. I haven't had one of those for several years. I don't get the headache but I feel completely washed out. So that's washed out on top of washed out. The only way is up!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 04:43 PM

Steve, I feel for you. What a bummer.

The lamb is in the oven as I type and it should turn out okay, especially if I pay more attention to the temperature gauge — I mindlessly used the fan setting.

Very wet and muggy in southwestern Ontario today.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 12:34 PM

Antibiotics, keep the legs raised and moisturise like mad. The idea is to prevent blistering. I have some leftover weak steroid cream that the doc gave me last time. It isn't curative but it seems to cut down the sensitivity and itchiness somewhat.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 10:38 AM

Ugg. Steve, in addition to the antibiotics what do you have to do to help this go away? Lotions or ointment, a special diet? Wash with some or other type of cleanser? I'm guessing since you've had it before you knew what it was - waiting that long to be seen is a pain when you know what the problem is. My physician's office has a two-part operation; if we're going in for a physical or a surgery approval we see the physician, but if it is something like needing the steroid shot for wasp stings, sinus infections, poison ivy - those repeating problems that patients know what it is, then we see the nurse practitioners. They concur with our opinions then prescribe the proper medications. They practice medicine also, but a lot of it is working with repeat customers for the usual stuff.

Last night I made the caponata and any time I woke during the night I could smell it even though the food was in the fridge and the pan soaking in the sink. It is amazing - and I will confess here that I've never been tempted by this before, never tasted it, never cooked it. So making it the first time for guests may seem to be living dangerously, but I am pretty good at following recipes and I did taste it before turning off the stove. It also has all familiar ingredients. The recipe calls it a type of relish and is best served cold or room temperature, and I can see that. I picked the eggplant yesterday, and was pleased to find a large (1.5 pound) eggplant hidden under the okra (the eggplant and okra have merged into a small hedge). I love the way the garden saves these treats as a perfect surprise. (Joe Offer came through town several years ago and was blown away by the garden beside the driveway - I picked an eggplant that I used in Eggplant Parmesan for dinner.)

All this year I've made a big point of eating a lot more fruit and vegetables and I think the reason this appeals to me is because of the shift in my diet; I still eat meat but not as much, and I haven't been eating nearly as much bread. When I'm monitoring calories a large bagel will add so many calories it takes a big chunk out of my 1200 daily calorie count. Yesterday was a fasting day and I went to the grocery to get some limes (marinade for the fish today) and managed to just buy fruit and vegetables. Those are what tempted me.

Jennie et al, this morning is the classic time for "scurryfunge." I did general clearing and picking up this week but now I'll sweep, do some targeted mopping, and in general freshen the house and try to reduce the amount of dog hair. Guests arrive at noon.

Dorothy, your house sounds perfect for guests. They probably spent a lot more time in the kitchen hanging out with you (do you all cook together?) than in the guest room, but it's there for an inviting good night's sleep. Charmion, how did the lamb turn out?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 04 Sep 22 - 09:37 AM

I came down suddenly with my fourth bout of cellulitis yesterday morning in just over two years. I feel proper poorly today, but at least I've got the antibiotics - after sitting on a hard chair in A&E for six hours yesterday (which hardly helped). Both legs this time, which I think could be slightly unusual.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 03 Sep 22 - 05:16 PM

Dupont:

The "Ts" loved Quebec City and are now due here about 6 pm. I am hoping to get to Ile St. Bernard for sunset (7:25) over the rivers. Not knowing what to do about supper, I am doing nothing! R spent some time working on his basement library and a lot of time reading. He has done everything I asked of him re clean up. The back deck, with carpet and chairs looks "spiffy". Gorgeous day, a bit on the warm side for me but with a breeze.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 08:36 PM

Finally the conditions were perfect in the yard, after rain overnight and this morning, to set up the burning barrel and dispatch a bunch of old graduate school records, years-old bank statements, medical bills, etc. 30 minutes of prodding burning papers is faster than sending a six inch stack of paper through the shredder 3 pages at a time.

Since I'm smelling smoky now I'll go ahead and set up the charcoal grill on the driveway side of the house and grill the Hatch chiles I picked up this week. Those will go into the freezer. I'll be doing a load of laundry later or the laundry hamper will smell like a barbecue overnight.

Tomorrow is more prep for the Sunday lunch.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 01:51 PM

The pants I'm wearing now were held onto in a bin on my closet shelf over the last nine years or so. I can mark the time when weight started creeping on, with the aid of the stress hormone cortisol. That's when the new dean was hired at my university library and she immediately started doing everything she could to make people unhappy. Those who could left for other jobs after everyone was reorganized into inappropriate positions. Many of us who were older had a lot of disappointments when trying for other jobs, and I was finally able to retire. Getting over that awful situation doesn't happen in a day or even a year. And by then the knees started giving me trouble, and the thyroid. Now over the last three years I've managed to unspool all of those various setbacks; the knees are titanium, I'm taking Synthroid, and retirement four years ago has finally caught up with my brain.

That said, I will go put a few more of the larger slacks into the laundry room donation bin. I'm also realizing that a lot of my "office casual" knit tops are too large. I'll try them on this weekend and set aside those too large to wear. It'll be a trip to the thrift store soon to replace a few. I'd much rather buy there or at a deeply discounted outlet than try shopping online and I never shop in full-price department stores.

This morning I steamed a bunch of small ugly tomatoes from the garden and ran them through the food mill for a slurry of juicy tomato sauce. I went to bed before pickling okra last night so I'll do that this afternoon. It's a lovely rainy day, though the humidity is becoming a bit much.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 01:27 PM

I've hung on to four or five pairs of jeans for over ten years in the hope that one day I'll shrink back into them. Same thing but in reverse, Maggie...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 10:37 AM

Jon, nice that the dryer was easy and straightforward to fix. No pronouncing it dead and having to buy a new one.

We need the rain and it looks like we're going to have it on and off all day today. There's a bit of thunder also. I want to grill some peppers so am prepared to set up the charcoal grill when it looks like there will be a gap in the weather. Meanwhile, one county to the north, for now the brides-to-be have a dry path to the courthouse for their little ceremony, the rain is staying along this lower track. When they're grown up you have to let the kids do it the way they want to do it, even if it would be nice to be there. (There will be a party to celebrate this winter after people have time to get the new COVID vaccine, etc.) When my kids were growing up I always told them I thought the marriage-industrial-complex was a total waste of money and they should save the cash to buy a house or go to graduate school, and it seems they're taking me at my word.

I'm nearing the next tier in the diet, and I expect to stay in the 150 range once I get there, in the mid-to-low end. Speaking to my sister last night she asked if I got rid of all of the next size up pants that are now too large. I left a few in the bin and the rest are either going to the sewing room (as a source of denim for projects) or to Goodwill. She thinks I should toss them; I'm practical - I hope to never wear them again but will keep a couple of pair around for now for just in case.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Sep 22 - 08:13 AM

The repair man came today. He used a big pair of pliers and got the stuck part of the filter out in a couple of mangled pieces. He went to his van, came back with a replacement filter, fitted that, a couple of tests and machine was fixed very quickly.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 09:09 PM

Dorothy, great minds do think alike. I'm clearing out the fridge of things I lost track of that are so old that while they might be useable I won't risk it. This is things like home-canned salsa opened a long time ago, fresh pickles made ages ago, and steamed vegetables I lost track of. Other stuff headed back to the compost bin and I'm filling the dishwasher with the containers. I need to make a list of some of these projects adjacent to having company over.

I made a rare trip to the big high-end grocery store and found a couple of time-savers, like toasted little sliced French baguettes (for the caponata) and stuff I need for the fish tacos (salsa toppings). Four days out is too early to buy avocados and newly made corn tortillas; those will mean a Saturday trip to the nearby Mexican grocery. There will be hash brown potatoes for the tacos for the vegetarians in the group. Dessert will be yogurt with blackberries (or I have frozen blueberries).

We have turned a corner on the summer. Days will be warm, but the next week is looking pretty rainy. Before bed tonight I'll get out a thin blanket to top the sheet I've used all summer.

I have active eBay listings but while they're gaining views nothing has moved this week. I should have time to list a couple of new items tomorrow. My goal this autumn is to work my way into and sell the higher-end stuff in the front room.

There is enough okra in the fridge to make a couple of more jars of pickles. That's a quick and satisfying job I can do tonight before I go to bed.

I hope all of the guest visits this weekend go well. Down here in the US anyone foolish enough to travel has a difficult time through airports and being sure their flights are still going. Staying home and having people over is a much better way to enjoy the long weekend. My high school reunion will be virtual on Saturday, much easier than struggling to travel there.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 02:06 PM

Dupont:

Getting the house sorted for this long weekend is ubiquitous! I have reached the end of my rope; ready to settle for "good enough". The DESK ended up in the spare room in the wing; actually looks good there. Maybe it will encourage R to actually make that room into his office... and de-clutter the upstairs room. That would be great!

I see on FB that the two "T"s are enjoying Quebec City greatly. Tenley would like to move there!(With her high school French!) I gave them materials on Montreal to take with, to give her ideas about more than the Bagel Factory when they get here.

Have cleared a bit of space in freezer for "their" food but also sent pic of the veggie burgers I had bought and mentioned the choc cake -- "Yum and Yum" -- so they do not have to duplicate. Son queried about "that bread" and YES there is still a great deal of bread in the freezers, as well as the raspberries! WE may use 4 slices of bread a week so the bread will be with us for a LONG time. Working on clearing frig space... Taun is veggie...

Started going through a huge pile of old letters yesterday (1977...) and find I really have to do an organized sort and save - some cannot be heaved... yet. MOST cannot! Maybe an inch went to fire starter; about 6 inches still unread.

Why we save things? R was interested in the one he sent me in the 70s and one from our mutual friend... "That's what Tom would do..." And a fair amount included positive comments about what I was doing in my life from folks who were important to me. Some still alive. Recognizing I have lost a whole bunch of dear people and need to remind myself again that people do not know we are thinking of them if we do not communicate ... So, this is not "clutter"; it is reminders of how I have spent this life. Some will be passed on to my son. I may send a few to surviving kin. Perhaps even try to recover a few of those lost friends.

Chilly today. Pulled some weeds for a bit. Still hoping for some warmth for the veggies to produce - but that boat may have sailed.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 11:21 AM

I'm also preparing for guests, though "scurryfunge" just touches the surface - I should to do more of that Scandinavian death cleaning. Charmion, your weekend sounds wonderful, the kind of puttering around visiting that refreshes the spirit.

The horizontal surfaces in the kitchen are getting attention today as I clear for Sunday's lunch setup. We always eat in the kitchen, never bother with the den where the big table still has the photo tent set up. Table cleared, surfaces cleaned, and start setting out some of the plates and silverware in advance. Double check the shopping list and finish that today. I'll be scrubbing the bathroom, sweeping the den, mopping the kitchen floor, who knows, if I'm motivated I'll wash windows (though they're all so full of condensation between the layers it will barely show.) In the meantime I also need to plan the old file pages conflagration in the burning barrel out back. It has been raining today, the conditions are perfect. There is no fire danger at the moment, especially if the lid stays on so few if any embers will float away.

I have medium Hatch chiles to roast this afternoon (not over the paper fire), and while most are bound for the freezer I'll hold a few back for Sunday's lunch. I hear the guest whose dietary requirements are dictating this meal (newly diagnosed diabetes) loves them. The rest of the caponata ingredients are here and picking up a good black bean salsa and fresh tortillas will be the last ingredients needed for the fish tacos.

I'm *that* close to adding the pool to my gym routine. Weight loss is one thing, toning muscles is another part of the process I need to start.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 08:26 AM

Elder Brother & SIL will arrive around supper-time, and I have a full day of shopping and cleaning to get through first.

I suggested that they might prefer to stay home and not bother with a long hassle-prone drive, but they wanna get outta Dodge (i.e., Ottawa). So yesterday I made up the guest-room bed and ordered a leg of lamb at the butcher’s for Sunday dinner. Today I’ll scrub the toilets and the bath-tub, vacuum the parlour rug, and sweep up the tufts of cat hair from the various corners where they accumulate. Thanks to another of our correspondents on this thread, I now have a word for this procedure — “scurryfunge”.

Apparently, my visitors are looking forward to long walks, access to books they don’t have at home, and sparkling conversation. I can provide all that, plus a thrilling Saturday-morning jaunt to the farmers’ market for fruit ‘n’ veg. The theatre doesn’t appeal; they’ve had enough high culture. Maybe we’ll meet the neighbours’ dog. It’ll be a thrill a minute.

But first — pool class!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 11:54 PM

So the plumbing story is that they dug the ditch for the new line and the only critical points were the start at the meter (dug down to it) and the point on the house where it goes in. Doesn't matter about the line under the driveway, no concrete bored under, just bypassed the old line. Still messy and expensive, but not what we feared.

I'm wondering if I have to guard my water meter tomorrow; the city has been really late mailing bills lately (usually it goes out in the first 4 days of the month) but the deadline never changes, and they charge a $20 penalty if it arrives after the 17th. I didn't get it till the 12th, I used my bank bill pay, but they mail a check (went out on the 15th, had to travel 4 miles.) IT got there on the 18th so they sent a notice to turn off water Sept. 1 if not paid in full. Since they had the principle payment I didn't do anything, but it occurred to me with all of the water bill stuff we've been discussing lately that they might just be petty enough to turn it off over the $20 late fee. With these folks it's always something. I wrote a letter with a check and dropped it in their deposit box (checked only at noon and 4:30, so there is still peril) and this is the opening paragraph:

For the sake of argument I will note that it is very likely that the $20 fine on late water bills is a steady source of revenue for the City of XXXXXX XXXXXX and one that you're not likely to give up because of citizen complaints. But that stated, this letter is written to ask that you at least give us a sporting chance when using our preferred methods of payment and acknowledge the post mark on envelopes sent with payments enclosed.

I wasn't rude but I was annoyed. If they can't mail them on time we shouldn't have to scramble and run down there with a check at the last minute to be paid up. I hate writing checks. I don't like going down there, and I shouldn't have to. If they piss me off enough, I'll look into making it a ballot measure.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 06:02 PM

Jon, I had lunch with my daughter and my ex today while the plumber was using some kind of small earth-moving digger to get down to the lines near the meter box at ex's house. He learned at this month's meter reading that there was a water leak, it turned out to be between the house and the meter and most of the line is under concrete. They had to dig a hole deep enough to then bore under the driveway somehow . . . not sure how the whole operation went, but he got a call as we were leaving a shopping stop that the plumber had finished. There will be dirt piled and a big bill at the end of that. We all live in hopes to avoid that kind of repair. Good luck with the washer!

Daughter is getting married at the courthouse on Friday, just the two of them. She likes the story that her dad and I got married just us at the courthouse where we were living back then, and then went out to lunch at Wendy's. They're going out to lunch at Dairy Queen. :) She's going to invite everyone to a reception this winter. (When Roe V Wade was overturned they decided to do it soon - the underpinnings are the same between that and the marriage equality decision. Get married before it's too late.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 12:25 PM

Fun and games here…

Mum put her 3 pairs of pyjama bottoms and some other stuff in the washer/dryer yesterday but didn’t tell me (setting the machine going is always my job) until late evening. That left her with none of her usual night clothes for last night so I turned the machine on hoping to get the clothes washed and dried before bed. The machine broke down with an OE (outlet) error and we were left with a pile of soggy clothes.

Anyway, we searched around and eventually found something for her to wear and I said I’d look at the washer today. I found the cause of the problem. (I think for the second time now,) mum had put a Tena incontinence pad in the machine and the pad had broken down into loads of bits of fluff. Next step was to clean the drain pump filter which would have been clogged. I unscrewed the filter but it wouldn’t come out. I only used hand force but the filter’s in 3 pieces now: The threaded handle part, a spring and the actual filter bit which is stuck.

I considered trying to use pliers to pull the stuck part out but decided against that in case I broke something and opted for a repair call out. It looks like that might be a couple of days before anyone comes which is not ideal with dad creating some washing every day. Anyway, I decided (hoping that we don’t have a disaster with dad’s bed) that I could hand wash the most essential items.

I did that with today’s items, put them on a couple of c/h radiators for drying (too late in the day to dry outside) and turned those radiators on. About ½ hr later I found the radiators were still cold so I spent the next hr bleeding radiators and trying to figure out why the hot water was not circulating to them. I’m still not sure what the problem was but it is resolved now which is a relief. I thought the way things were going, next up would be a heating repair call out.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 22 - 12:09 PM

Dorothy, naps are incredibly helpful during the day. I find that after I leave my 2 hours of volunteer scanning and eat my small lunch, that I need a power nap before heading into the gym; I was taking a nap at the gym parking lot but have decided that leaning the seat back and napping in the museum parking garage is easier. Naps aren't just because you're tired and need rest, they help the brain unwind or reset.

Lunch with friends twice this week, today at a restaurant, and here at the house on Sunday. I'll need to shop for the Sunday meal and I need to pick up around here. I'm taking the risk of serving one dish I've never cooked or eaten before, but it sounds delicious.

This morning I bit the bullet and tried on pants. Size 12 is not just one uniform size, and some I can't squeeze into while others are roomy. They're arranged on the rack according to whether I can get into them or not. The jeans I'm wearing right now are ok but sitting in them is a little snug so I'll change before I go out. I fully expect to remain in this size when I reach my weight goal, but to have a little more room. And - a couple of years ago I ordered a t-shirt with the message "My favorite librarian calls me mom." It was size large and was way-too-snug for what they advertised, so I asked to return it. They sent the next size and said keep it. I just dug out the too-snug shirt from a stash in my sewing room and it's still a bit more fitted than I usually wear but it fits better than the XL. Being a packrat pays sometimes.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 04:28 PM

Dupont:

Short nap helped. They came, gave hugs, brief conversation, used the washroom, filled their water bottles, Tenley toured the house and said nice things, and they left. Next text: Tenley left her phone! So I collected it from the washroom and sat in my car until they returned (in six minutes!). Nice quick visit! Times two!!

The house is clean but desk is still in Den... Lots I could do to make it perfect - That ain't gonna happen! Cooler breeze seems to be happening. Squall alert. Would love it!

Threw a few pots this am; R did not get home last night so I had an hour in sort of cool am to work in "studio".

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 01:46 PM

Dupont:

Not staying; just a quick visit on the way to Quebec City! The room is ready but the rest of the house could use a lot of right angle principle! This is how it is. Chimney Sweep came; gave advice on what not to burn. Apparently, he was much needed. Maybe he says that to everyone? Anyway, DONE! and no mess! Need short nap!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 10:06 AM

Have fun, Dorothy! Good thing you were ready with everything but the vacuuming! (Good thing he texted you!)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Aug 22 - 09:44 AM

Dupont:

OOPS! Text from son: we might be driving by this afternoon. Out comes the vacuum!!!!!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 08:40 PM

Dupont:

Weekend was terrific: sold a few pots, had visits with a number of dear people who wandered by and stayed a while. Sold a few pots, gave a few away. Great conversations with Rita and Dan, becoming closer friends, giving R guidance on hand building and sold her a loaf of clay (that was in car), bought some of her soap, gave her a drape panel that somehow was in the car! Listened to country music for two days and enjoyed the ambiance - Best weekend of the year!

Got rid of a Bathroom sink that had been clutter - sold it to Rita and Dan for a cut rate as they helped me pack up and took two of my card tables home because R did not show up with truck. Also gave Rita a drape - only one panel - could I find the other? I don't believe I ever had two.

As soon as I got home, Pat at the store in Ontario was texting - how did I do?; almost out of the $10 stuff; pictures to show what she has. Promised her I would get busy making more when it cools a bit AND my son leaves!

Guest room is ready. Desk replaced with antique love seat, comfortable for sitting or a place to put stuff. Desk is still in Den; R needs help to get it out the front door and onto the truck and around to the back and into his library... Would not fit through other doorways! Before all that, he had to go down and clear all the stuff dragged in recently!

Chimney Sweep due to tomorrow and the area is just clear enough, I hope!

Too hot to function today, 32C. LR and DR are tidy. Putting off final cleaning until Thursday so it lasts! Cooler, too.

New stove works fine but still using small appliances - heat/power-saving. Raspberries are almost all frozen; still a few to eat. Freezer is full of bags of raspberries!! Prob enough 'til spring!

I was tempted by a smaller frying pan at the sale - $20 - but somehow I wondered if R had any. (Only have 10 inch ones here.) So, this am I asked? He went downstairs and came back with about 10 in various sizes!! I chose one and the rest went back down. I do not go down cellar; the stairway is life threatening and I fear the air quality as well.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 12:26 PM

You showed great restraint, there, Stilly. I would have gone off like a spring-loaded bottle rocket and probably made several enemies for life.

Last week’s visit of the appliance technician led to the discovery of a mother lode of crud behind the dryer. There’s a folded shower curtain that never belonged to us (therefore dating back more than five years), a crumpled sock, a cigarette packet (also not ours), some stray bits of hardware and (of course) two cat toys, all glommed together with spider webs and enough dryer lint to choke a Shop-Vac. So that’s what preceded the first load of wash today.

My friend Alden gave me the name of an excellent handy-man who I hope will be willing to take on the job of making my laundry room a bit less nasty. In particular, there’s a butt-ugly shelving unit made of 1980s-vintage pressboard painted piss yellow; I want it gone in the worst way, but it’s fastened to the concrete wall somehow. I want to be able to see that wall to check for damp where no damp should be, plus did I mention just how very ugly it is? I will pay good money to achieve this objective, and I hope Mr DeVriess is up for the challenge.

Elder Brother and SiL have been in contact with a COVID-positive grandchild, making their visit next weekend very iffy. I am planning a trip to Ottawa in October, so I shall call and suggest that they forget about travelling and just kick back in quarantine.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 22 - 08:09 PM

Went through Costco to pick up a rotisserie chicken for this week, then in the aisle nearby was watching when a bigger boy who was supposed to be pushing a baby carriage leaned all of his weight on the handle and ended up popping a wheelie resulting in the carriage resting on that handle, wheels in the air, and the baby smacking the floor with her head and face. Geez. I froze in place, waiting to see if I needed to be of any help, but adults in the group picked up the baby, and someone asked the big boy if he scared himself, but he in the next minute continued to lean on the bar like that as he moved off. I'd have at the very least given him a quick lesson in physics at that point and told him to walk correctly. Anyway - the baby had a pacifier in her mouth and they never removed it to see if she'd make more noise or how her nose and mouth were doing. She could break her neck in that fall. Particularly incurious adults in the face of an almost disaster. Children die hitting those concrete floors when they fall out of carts.

This chicken will be used for several dishes this week. I'm still doing alternate day fasting but I'm trying to give myself some interesting variety each day to look forward to the modest meals, and I'm zeroing in on 160 (am 162 right now). It has probably been six years since I was that light. The stress at work really packed on the pounds.

The senior-level (double dose) flu shots are in and I'll get mine tomorrow. A sure sign of approaching fall - four weather systems to watch in the mid-Atlantic and flu shots are in.