FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 04 May 22 - 05:36 PM

Dorothy, I'm sad to say the cancer deaths near the TMI plant are ubiquitous and horrific. There are some cancer survivors but we know that is for the short term. The wounds of being lied to are deep, especially from self inflicted evils of Nuke disasters and bio-war.

You get Spring a month late compared to us but we pay a price in August. Air Travel is pretty good as long as you pick a good carrier that hasn't had mass cancellations.

Your posts chronical everyday life in a way historians love. I don't think distant archeologists will be able to uncover our digital remarks.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 May 22 - 04:56 PM

Dupont:

Getting a bit smarter: listening to one of Mike's wonderful music programmes while I work. Need to remember more often.

Donuel: My two sons were in the vicinity of three mile at the time - with their idiot father. They did not get close enough to get sick but the wonderful youngest son of my friend Tina - whose memorial I will attend next week- died of cancer and suspected the cause - apparently "lots of young people" got the cancer after. Kip was in his mid 20s when he died - a self-supporting musician. Just a year older than my #2 son and one of his first playmates. Taun is planning to attend Tina's Memorial. (He lives in Philly.)

Found airbnb close enough; most in the area are taken that weekend! Waiting for a response from R before finalizing reservation - on a horse farm! Beautiful area!Only about 30 minutes from most of people/places. (Train is too public.)

Managed to mend two pairs of black jeans - one for R and one for other; started to hem another pair but back ached too much to do anything more! Pulled a few weeds this morning - that is the max! Yesterday: got that plant starting shelf unit out to back porch and photoed it for Rita, also put card tables out. The rest of clearing the hallway is up to R. This am, before leaving, he pulled the portable A/C out of a closet to the BR, ready for heat! I will put winter things in bins, and boots in its place. Clear the space for pottery; hope it uses different parts of back! It has never been this bad before.

Tulips started a couple days ago only one clump but it is growing!; daffies a week ago and still lovely, coltsfoot covered a chunk of "lawn" but now finished blooming; it was lovely. purple violets sprinkled around - to be encouraged! And some freckled ones in back yard! I will try to spread them around after they bloom. Yarrow coming up and tansy.The three little cherry trees are leafing out healthily. I had them wrapped in hardware cloth and chicken wire all winter. It was supposed to rain today but only sprinkled; I threw some wild flower seeds across the front yard - hopeful! Oh dear! no rain in sight for a week. They plant themselves so well when not wanted. There is a big clump of brown eyed Susan in a raised bed at Beaver that I can bring back next trip.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 04 May 22 - 03:12 PM

I am reminded of the 3 mile island nuclear radiation release. People were vomiting with diarrhea and had a metalic taste. The fish in the Susquahanna river were all dead but authorities still insisted there was no danger to the public. I only had a strange intense nausea in my spinal column. Come to find out we came within 30 minutes of a chernobyl event. By day 3 I was 3000 miles away.

Treating Covid like the common cold going forward may hinder the awareness and necessicity of vaccine repeatition. Pretending we are finally back to normal may too optimistic but the trade off is with a potential mass social insanity.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 May 22 - 11:48 AM

Knee surgery is on the calendar next month and now the ducks begin their involved lining-up process. And I need to be rather obsessive about keeping up the exercise to make sure the legs are strong for the recovery period. It helped a lot last time. I'll also focus on losing a few pounds.

The weather has been iffy here this week - two more days of possible showers restricts some activities (hanging out that next load of laundry, for one.) I can mow even if the lawn is damp. I'll be sure it is set on mulch so I won't kill myself like last week with the full mower bag.

Tiller parts will trickle in for the next couple of weeks and the new light bulb for the dryer has a two-week travel itinerary. The last dryer bulb lasted for 20 years, that's a pretty good run (even though it isn't on for more than a few minutes a week so it doesn't add up to a bunch of hours.)

Once the tiller is back in service I'm going to work on a few spots in the front yard to enlarge the flower beds. Turf is a waste of space, and there is half of the front that I can more or less isolate from the rest of the lawn so in theory, keep out encroaching grass and let it just be xeriscape plantings. This is a long-range plan, and with the understanding that in the future if I sell the house someone else might plow it all up and plant grass again. My aim is to make the landscaping both attractive and durable. (Too nice to get rid of.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 May 22 - 01:11 AM

Can you take a train, Dorothy? Would that feel any safer? I'm still not ready to get in airplanes either.

I spent time sewing today, I haven't done that for a while and it was nice. At the same time I watched and cleared out a few things in the SLING virtual DVR. (TVs and Fire Sticks around the house make this possible just about anywhere.) My next mask pattern is a brown/black background with various brightly colored chili peppers, non-directional so I can get more masks from the swatch. As usual, I'll take one with me to the museum this week and present the prototype to my daughter to try on. They're all 3D these days, with t-shirt yarn holding them on.

The jigsaw puzzle in the sunroom was neglected for a while - it is a tough one - but I've got a few of the more charismatic portions of it underway now so expect to spend a few minutes a day in there.

Yard work will be when I can get to it - weather-wise, mostly. Good thing we have a long growing season, I'm getting a late start.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 02 May 22 - 10:50 PM

Dupont:

Big grocery shopping today - almost alone in the store! All put away! Black beans cooked and a pot of rice. This reminds me to boil some potatoes - tomorrow.

We spent a chunk of Sunday switching chests of drawers so I have one large enough- decluttered BR. Found a spot for the noxious love seat so it is less in the way. R found a better spot for TV aerial and put an apparatus from box onto counter in TV - it is supposed to play all manner of recording things and a radio as well. And change records to cds!? If we can figure out how to work it! It now has a spot so we can study on it. And he moved the A/C from in front of the closet door so I can try to organize the closet better.

Slowly sorting my way through the piles of paper. Managing to divest myself of some and finding really interesting stuff - letters from my very young sons and lots more.

Those still unfinished pants are black jeans for R; no need as he picks up pairs at thrift shops from time to time. But they are still use-able - maybe tomorrow. They will be followed by another pair to mend and give away, at least one pair to hem and then a variety of other sewing projects. Some may be completed in this life time. Just want to tidy the TV room.

Next the downstairs hall: boxes of clay, 3 card tables and a shelf unit with grow lights attached for starting plants... I offered it to a friend today; she wants a pic; if not raining tomorrow, I shall getting outside so I can take pic. Then leave it and the card tables on back deck covered with plastic. Plan to use the tables in August for one last craft show - a BIG community event with live music all day for two days and lots of neat people - for which I shall strive to make a modest amount of pottery so it is less work packing and unpacking.

Big thing is deciding whether or not to risk life by going to suburban Philly for memorial of my close friend who died in January. An 8 hour drive (not risking flying) and R may or may not go with me. Thinking two 4 hour days and a night in hotel. No 2 son is going; could be my emissary. Could see bro and SIL also. And a few other folks. Maybe even go folk dancing on Friday night; they insist on vax and masks. And the Playhouse (nursery school) clothing sale will be on!!!! ...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 May 22 - 12:36 PM

The local place doesn't have the tiller parts I need, so they're on order via Amazon, but the filter supposedly won't arrive for a couple of weeks. Darn. I want to use the tiller now. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will arrive ahead of time (I suspect this simply isn't in Amazon's warehouse so they can't predict when someone will poke it in the mail.)

A storm blew through and the power flickered last night, enough so I had to reset the clock on the stove and microwave. I wonder how much "zombie" power I'm losing to all of these devices with ready lights and clocks?

The week looks likely to be a bit stormy. If I'd managed to plant my garden things would be tousled in the wind. I'll concentrate of stabilizing things that might blow away instead. And there is indoor work to do.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 22 - 05:45 PM

Throttle cable is okay, was just loosened and out of the housing, but I need a new air filter and have to get a bottle of foam filter oil. Do I wait till Friday from Amazon or try the lawn and garden place tomorrow? I'll try the local folks first.

The turtles are at the bottom of my back yard in the creek, along with numerous fish, snakes, mollusks, and various birds. Ducks, herons, etc. It really is nice living surrounded by so many interesting animals, it means the environment is healthy enough to support them (and me).

I've raked out the area I tilled so far, now to run an errand before I finish (and while I'm out, mail my ballot for May 7.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 01 May 22 - 04:43 PM

The woods across the street here is where I release live animals like turtles. The most unusual animal was a brilliantly colored scarab beetle. One morning there were about seven turtles each half piggy backed on the turtle ahead atop a log that pointed at the rising sun by the water's edge. Each with their heads turned upward as in a religious ceremony.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 22 - 04:17 PM

There are woods across the road for pet burying if he doesn't have a yard. If he's into more Nature he can leave it on the surface in the opening and let the vultures find it. (I usually take squirrels over there that have been hit in the street. It saves the vultures from being disturbed by traffic while they're dining.)

I may need to repair the throttle cable on my tiller, it's hanging up, and I will definitely remove the bar on the back. It has it's use but I think I'd prefer to go over the top of the soil more easily or even (as several suggest) pull it backwards to get the most bang for that dust-churning buck.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 01 May 22 - 02:48 PM

Strangers:
There have always been mad dogs and fools
but recently they seem lonely and desperate.
Shovels are quiet weapons and grave tools.
Honest to god I hope you won't attempt it.
For all we know he's looking for a pretty spot
to bury the ashes of his pet cat Montserrat.

I mowed this morning and beat the rain.
What's this commercial about testing your dog's DNA?
It reminds me of ancestry.com

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 May 22 - 12:28 PM

Dorothy, returning a repaired pair of pants to your wardrobe is a gift to yourself. Periodically I'll sit down at the sewing machine and repair various items left in the sewing studio for attention. If it's worth repairing that means it was a favorite pair of pants. (I should look to see if I have any accumulated mending candidates, come to think of it.)

What is it about strange people coming by the house this spring? Last evening a large older burly man walked down the street on the other side, then a few minutes later back up and past, except a couple of minutes later I looked up from my garden area to see this very large man kind of lumbering up the driveway. I looked around - I had a short shovel with a good grip handle within reach as a weapon - and asked him if I could help him? He asked if I needed help. "No, I'm fine," and after he headed back down the driveway, "Thank you for asking." Because even though he creeped me out he probably meant well.

The garden beds are ready for the tiller today. And planting. And I must figure out the pattern for my sprinkler setup. And mow the back yard. And transplant a number of small trees and shrubs given me by friends.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 01 May 22 - 10:37 AM

People are colder
a little bit older
There's places off limits
that make you grimmace
Like Antarctica
or your town in lockdown

Just being there requires
permission and rules.
You'll see people act
like mad dogs and fools.
So we pretend and dream
Its not how its seems.

If we're someplace else
we can ignore what we abhor.
Like what we wear or
where we can't go.
Can we abbandon that crap?
Whats wrong with that?
well...

We could freeze or catch our death of cold

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 01 May 22 - 08:29 AM

It’s raining and grey in Stratford today, but yesterday was glorious — perfect for yard work, so I did some and then burned a heap of winter deadfall from the damnable silver maple trees.

Tree sex is an issue for me this year, as I have become allergic to their pollen. Consequently, I am living better through biochemistry while fighting back the inevitable sinus headache. I swear it takes at least twenty percent off the top of my personality.

The house is tidy, if a bit dusty, and all the laundry is done and stowed. The basement is clearer, thanks to a Mennonite friend who relieved me of some four dozen large Mason jars of three different sizes. The TV and its peripherals are finally established in the parlour in a purpose-built cabinet that keeps all the copious wiring under control, out of sight, and away from the cats.

The next challenge is spring-cleaning the garage. That’ll end in a trip to the dump! What larks.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 30 Apr 22 - 11:17 AM

Dupont:

cleared some small branches in front yard and gathered them in drive for R to cut up. Whacked longish - already! - grass closest to side neighbour. Will do more today; realized I can cut without harming the dandelions and yarrow, if done NOW! I can only manage a few minutes at a time - then rest.

Have a goal of mending this pair of pants that have been in the sewing machine for ...months! Then some more sewing ... BUT ...

Need to arrange some serious window coverings to keep sun/heat out. Thinking one inch styrofoam, the sort used for packed and trashed - maybe find some... I lived in a drafty old farm house years ago and made a styrofoam insert for each window to keep cold at bay; it also worked to keep heat out in summer. They were easily removed and re-placed.

Sounds like more thoughts than action but I have managed some small organizing things as I have recovered from trip.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 22 - 11:04 AM

Yes, I should have explained, when I'm working in the yard I wear an old nail apron around my waist (one from Home Depot meant for roofers) that I tuck in my phone case in one pocket and in the other I have a small pruner, a putty knife (to scrape wet grass out of the mower underside) and a pair of gloves, and into one side or the other goes a spare roll of trimmer line ready to exchange where ever the first roll runs out. No going back to the greenhouse to fill the same one. I probably have a half-dozen spools like that around here so I fill them when I get a chance then use them as needed.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 30 Apr 22 - 10:53 AM

A spare wound spool (or, in my case with the petrol trimmer, the whole head unit I can screw on) is a good idea. Winding the line, as SRS says, shouldn't be that difficult but I'd rather the quicker change if the it runs out while cutting.

My petrol trimmer came with a metal blade but I've never used it.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 22 - 10:52 AM

Damn! A pan of steamed spinach last night got left on the stove cooling overnight so had to be tossed this morning. I must return to not cooling, but simply packing the extra veggies in the batch right when they're finished. This has happened lately—if I forget and turn off the light over the stove I often don't notice the light to go through the kitchen before bedtime to notice something that should be put away. That was a couple of servings into the compost.

One last garden bed to weed whack then the tilling begins. I also have to pull up a bunch of sunflowers that have established themselves at the east end of the garden. I usually let a few grow during the season outside of the beds, but these are all dropped seeds from last year and the area is paved with sprouting sunflowers. Must thin!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 22 - 12:10 AM

I had a trimmer with the solid brush blade attachment, but I've never used it - I fear I'd take out way too much of the landscape. Or hurt myself. It isn't difficult refilling the cartridge for the trimmer, I keep a reel of extra line in my greenhouse with a few spare spools that get reused. The manufacturers would like you to think they're one use and done, but that simply isn't the case.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 29 Apr 22 - 07:39 PM

I can't replace weed whacker line so screw it, I am replacing it with a universal robust nylon blade head. Boy the lawnmower blades sure do sharpen up quick with a corobundum drill attachment.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 22 - 07:26 PM

I stopped work for a little while this afternoon when a friend came over, giving me a chance to take some allergy meds. Sneeze central here still, even though I'm wearing a mask for yard work. I'm using the weed whacker to take the weeds down to the soil (and then some) then I'll run the tiller through the raised beds. There is also a wheelbarrow of compost with soil amendments to mix in (earlier I tilled up one of the ancient compost mounds in the back - it comes out a nice rich crumbly finished compost to mix into the garden.) Tomorrow is the last day of April, so I need to push myself to meet my end-of-the-month deadline. I probably need a couple of planks to prop up the sides of these beds because last year's planks have crumbled. I found the cheap decking at Lowe's works pretty well.

I've pulled more stuff for donation out of my closet, this time shoes that are more snug than I like. In the last 20 years I find a half-size larger is more comfortable, but I've bought some of the old size (probably on days when my feet were feeling skinny). Clothes and shoe sizes have also shifted over time (the industries are not consistent).

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 22 - 06:30 PM

My arms and legs were achy today after yesterday's mowing the front yard. I forgot to switch the mower from bag to mulch and it was quite heavy - I struggled and wondered why I was so tired, then about 3/4 through the job realized I had about 30 pounds of wet grass in the bag weighing everything down. I dumped that in the garden and finished, just mulching. Good exercise, but it takes longer! The irises are blooming and when the yard is mowed and trimmed (I did both yesterday) it looks very park-like out there.

Clothesline is back in operation, and I split the difference - the new post is straight and strong, the other post is leaning but solid. So for now it's in use and when I don't have so many other yard chores to do I'll put in a new post and take out the old one. Both crossmembers were replaced with leftover treated lumber 2x4 chunks from the fence work. A little shorter than before, but not a problem (the lines are a little closer together.) I dried a batch of sheets out there in the late afternoon. (I sometimes tumble things on air - and am reminded, I need a new lightbulb for the dryer. It burned out last week - I've had this dryer for 20+ years, so that's a pretty good run for one bulb!)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Apr 22 - 12:37 PM

Dupont:

Water was fine; pump was fine! R fixed a couple minor leaks and read a lot of books - having bought more at local thrift shops... Took lots of stuff to thrift shops and to the shop, including pottery which I managed to fire, glaze and fire - beautiful! Small box of soap dishes for Rita await pick up from my car.

Brought summer tires back and have appointment on 9 May for service and tire changeover! That will de-clutter the pocketbook! But no rent owed at shop so I have sold enough pottery to pay that. I did not ask if there was any $ left over for me as Pat was busy. R insisted on sharing his BD cheesecake with her! I waited until supper. (75th!) Pat is a pretty special person.

Got my 2nd booster on Tuesday- crawled into bed fully clothed with terrible chills for an hour or so, then was OK- battened down the hatches to head back to Quebec. Stopped at Goldmine to pick up two dozen carrot/raisin muffins (favs!) and a scrumptious, healthy lunch.   

Home before dark and unloaded, food in frig and went to bed. The lunch and half a "choc/expresso" muffin were adequate. Still tired on Weds, managed to get through about 300 emails, deleted a few with the thought of deleting a lot more when more awake! (Did so this am.)

Last night, instead of going to bed - much needed - I watched a hockey movie!! Caught by a Sikh presence on screen before I could turn it off, I succumbed to what could be termed "counter-racist"? I watched it because of the Sikhs; I would not have watched just two "white" teams. Not implausible, the neophyte hockey players won the tournament out of sheer determination(they had to,to make it a good movie!), and with a whole Sikh wedding party cheering them. It had redeeming qualities, and was kind of fun. Went to bed after R got home (10), without feeding him.

We have come to a point of: he comes home late; I am tired; he can forage in the frig. At worst there are sandwich makings. Today I will replenish the frig with forageables. After I do the tax thing... R said he would do it but it became harder then doing it myself - and just when we needed to be leaving Beaver!

I have a pile of Quaker pamphlets and a few books which I have been trying to re-home. Did not open the computer until I got back and...! There was an email from a Montreal Quake offering to give it a try - BUT they are at Beaver so it will have to wait until next trip. DARN! But good to know anyway - hope! They have been cluttering the LR, from wherever they were previously stashed, for a couple months! Too good to just throw out, too specific to go to a thrift shop.

My weight is back up to 170 so thinking hard about what I eat. Back to a stricter diet. Ah! Cook chick peas for humous! The only time I managed to loss significant weight (20 years ago): one or two slice toast/tahini; lettuce and humous; chicken/veggies. Time to try again.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 22 - 12:59 PM

Jon, I posted an article about security problems identified on Linux on an old Linux thread (refreshed just now, so it will slowly drift down the page). Something Microsoft has identified and reported on.

I'm plugging along here and it's mostly yard work today. Along with the garden I have to get my sprinkling system set up soon because things dry out quickly here on hot days. Deep infrequent watering without wasting a lot on the concrete is the goal. And if I get the trimming and mowing done today the yard will be at it's peak for the season because the irises are all blooming.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 22 - 05:01 PM

Gardening week here, after a rain and with a few sunny days ahead.

One dog to the vet, checked out fine, but she's one to snap so he didn't check out her teeth. (We slip on a small muzzle when I'm over there.) :) I also picked up the bag of concrete on the way home, though the woman doing the lot loader work probably suffers lifting that stuff as much as I do. I assisted in getting the bag into the SUV. The dog, in the middle row of seats (her leash tied to the driver's headrest just in case) had no issues with the lot loader. And as usual, when let out of the car in the garage she was very happy to scamper around and into the house, to be met by inquiring noses who figured out she'd been over to That Place.

So, gardening, mowing, and replacing the second clothes line post. That'll keep me busy.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 22 - 10:02 PM

Lunch went well, everyone came during nice weather but left when the radar showed storms looming; it hasn't rained enough yet to make the garden digging this coming week any easier. I need a good downpour so I can run the tiller through it easily. The soil around here is hard clay when it's really dry. If it doesn't rain I'm going to have to water it heavily.

Normally I scan slides at the museum later in the week but I have to be there for a meeting tomorrow, so will see if I can scan after that. It'll save me an extra trip and give me more time to work on the garden. I have sworn to myself that it will be put in this month, and I have only six days left. While I'm out I'll stop by the store for that bag of concrete. The clothesline restoration is a close second to finishing the garden this month.

I'm hoping to get back to some sewing in the evenings. There are requests for Pride masks (and a friend today asked shyly if I have any purple fabric for a mask for him for a targeted project of his?)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 22 - 12:53 AM

As annoying as taxes are, it's good to finish them. And I also have identified some files in adjacent folders that I need to thin and shred or burn soon.

The cross-member for the first clothesline pole is assembled and in place. It attaches via fence support to the very top of the post and has four heavy duty hooks screwed into it. The next post will be installed after I clean up from lunch tomorrow. This evening I got smart about the next bag of concrete - I ordered it curbside pickup so they have to bring that bag out and lift it into the SUV for me. Those bags of concrete are killers to move around. When I get back home I can tumble it out into the wheelbarrow. No lifting. (To mix it, rip open the bag and stir in a gallon of water in the wheelbarrow.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Apr 22 - 01:28 PM

I paid my taxes yesterday, and by close of play today I will have decluttered the study of a seven-year-old Tax and Expenses file. The shredder will get a workout.

But right now the sun is shining and I need to stop frowsting and get out of the house.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 22 - 10:36 PM

Digging a new hole for the clothesline post was tough so after making a few inches progress I poured in a gallon of water. 30 minutes later digging the rest was much easier. Compared to the last post, this hole is narrower and deeper by about 10 more inches. Tomorrow I'll work on the second post and can probably put the cross-members with the hooks in place later in the day. I need to pick up another bag of concrete first.

There is a list of things family members have asked me to look for on my Goodwill trips, and today I was able to hand over a $7 like-new Food Saver vacuum sealer to my ex. We've ordered a 2-pack of the rolls of 8" plastic that gets made into bags (I'm almost out so we'll share). There are several online sites with operating manuals for just about anything you can think of, and this one was easy to find. Another satisfied customer!

I've made progress picking up around here, but there is more to do.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Apr 22 - 11:24 AM

This morning I cleared space in the freezer for two 10# bags of organic flour from Costco. Two years ago at this time I was running out of white flour and the regular stores were empty (along with baking yeast, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, kleenex, and many other staples). My next door neighbor scored this same package for me when she was at Costco back then (when we weren't wearing masks yet and I was staying home after knee surgery). What a difference two years make. I was baking every week to share with the neighbors (to offer a pleasant surprise each week.)

Today I'm beginning the practice of "put things away every time you move through any room" to clear up for guests. Looking at the house through other's eyes is easier when people are scheduled to be here soon.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Apr 22 - 06:39 AM

Something I might get round to this weekend is putting the tap timers back outside and reconnecting the pump in the field and then checking things are working. There shouldn't be much to do but there is usually the odd joint and tap to fix on the plastic pipework. I also ought to do some mowing but haven't got the energy so will leave that a few more days.

Potatoes (a few Aran Pilot I put in tubs a week or two back and Nicola Alan planted for us on Tuesday) are in and I've got tomatoes and aubergines growing on the windowsills to be planted early May. So we are at least off to a start with some of our bits of garden produce.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 08:21 PM

Dupont:

Car is mostly loaded for tomorrow's exit! I am very happy to be going home. And hopeful that R can fix the water situation. With any luck, the water will have thawed and the pump will be functional. Worst case: new pump. Hope they have one in town!

I tried to get an appointment to get tires changed but they are a week and a half behind! A couple service places have closed. They need to hire another staff... Bit slow on that! Maybe the son and gal are still getting their bearings after death of main man last summer. I shall have to bring the tires back here and find someplace.

Also need appointment for regular maintenance - CALL Tomorrow, Dorothy!!

Turned heat down. Away five days. Watered plants.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 06:55 PM

I go to a couple of Goodwill stores a week, mostly with a list from family of items they're looking for. I was sidetracked today when I spotted a Russel Wright Iroquois parsley green bowl. And then some starburst saucers. I just realized I never looked for the main thing I was there for! Bowl and four saucers, .89 each. It's a win!

Heightened pressure now for clearing up stuff around the house because guests are coming for lunch on Sunday. It would also be nice to have the yard looking tidy. A day for each?

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 03:54 AM

Well after another period of no use, I found another little job for the 3d printer today. Dad had an accident with one of his coin boxes the other day and the drawers and the coins all spilled out onto the floor. I think he dropped it but the box should have a bar to at least stop the draws falling out. He's lost that and with his handling, even if he only tilted it, it would only be a matter of time before a shelf or two slid out...

I've made him a a new bar.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 02:18 AM

My trusty gardener finally mowed both lawns back and front yesterday. I summoned some energy and trimmed all round the edges with my long-handled shears.
There's going to be a rent-a-table-for-a-fiver jumble sale soon at our village hall. I'm considering turning out my wardrobes and drawers and getting together a collection to sell. I seem to wear just the same half-dozen sets of clothes nowadays, and never use the posh ones, so someone might like to buy them.
My neighbour is having central heating installed next week. She's a real hoarder, and has had to declutter big-time to leave enough space around the house for radiators and pipes. To get a 1000 litre oil tank into her garden, she's also having to move about twenty (!) large tubs of flowers. She's very worried, it will be like drawing teeth I expect.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 12:09 AM

I concur - I've managed to put off mowing that way for weeks at a time. :)

For the first time in 20 years I've lived here the boundaries and utility easements are correct. Two years ago the buyer next door scheduled a new fence to be put up on the west side of the yard and I asked them to use the survey to determine the placement because I knew the existing one was about 3 feet too close to my house (fault of the previous owner of my house, long story, goofy guy). I got back the rest of my yard.

The utility easement cuts across the long pie-shaped back yard about 2/3 of the way back, though a previous phone line installation ended up being laid all around the outside of the fence and coming back into the yard next door (where the wire was intended). Those neighbors are putting in Uverse fiber optic and the tech who spoke to them yesterday was going to go out and around the fence again, on top of the now-useless copper phone line. (There is another ancient line that SW Bell put down that jogs from the back of my house, around the garage, and into the next yard. I should find it and pull it out.)

I had a copy of my survey in hand and caught the service crew today and saved them a lot of digging - the line went straight across where the easement is and followed that line through the neighbor's yard. (Yes, Keberoxu, the dogs stayed in the house.) It may seem an odd placement, but we live near a year-round creek and the village won't place easements in the way of floodwater. This means that were I to sell my house tomorrow I wouldn't have to put up a new fence or pay someone to come in and put the utilities where they belong. (The previous owners rented out the house for 10 years so didn't have to disclose this kind of stuff. I would have to.)

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Apr 22 - 09:41 PM

The best time to mow the yard is usually tommorrow.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Apr 22 - 06:57 PM

Dupont:

SRS! that sounds great. There is room in the freezer! And we are going to Beaver on Friday - til Tues. I have a plan!!! TY!

R did watch the youtube on using ozone AND declared is reasonable science. We do have an ozonator for a reason neither of us can remember!

Laundered bedding yesterday and asked R to help with fitted sheet - Darn thick mattress is unwieldy and too much of a struggle.

In the meantime, I have put a metal baskets of papers where ever I can find space on rads in areas I don't frequent. There are still two boxes of mixed china in the car - R needs to bring them in for me.

Lots of stuff put aside to leave permanently - going to Bancroft. And other stuff to take - never can remember what clothes I have there.

Pain in side/back has become worse; a call to the Dr. office elicits - vacation 'til Tuesday. I will go there for booster on Tuesday; the chances of talking to someone??? The nice receptionist could not even tell me they were on vacation! She put me through to voice mail which said not to leave a message. I am running out of ideas for self-care.

SO, must remember to phone for appointment to get tires changed on Mon or Tues; it was on today's "list"...! (The tires are at Beaver.) Other things did get done. I had moments of thinking to make pots but when I stood up to go do it, the energy was gone.

Snow gone! Hoping some of the seeds I threw on the ground a few days ago will have sprouted when I return. Parsley is starting to appear from last year's seeds.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Apr 22 - 12:28 PM

All human-detectable evidence of cat pee has faded, thank God, and both cats have approved the litter box that I moved to the ground floor.

It blocks the original back door to the house, but that entry is literally the only available niche big enough for a litter box. Fortunately, that door is not the only alternative to the front door; there’s also a door to the garage immediately opposite and a retro-fit patio door at the other end of the galley kitchen. If somebody chucks a Molotov cocktail in at the window, I can still escape safely.

It’s snowing in Stratford. Bleah.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 22 - 12:14 PM

Dorothy, put the pages in an air-tight ziplock bag and freeze them for a while (at least 3 days). Be sure to keep it sealed once it comes out (so condensation doesn't enter). That's what archivists do when working to restore library or archives materials that have water damage. Baking would make them incredibly brittle and dark.

Archiving Documents with Mold

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 19 Apr 22 - 11:53 AM

Dupont:

Declutter for today: 4-5 inches of "sno-rain" wet and heavy! It's ok. Careful driving is in order at just above freezing.

SRS: I have been stalled by the mold! I dare not go through any more. I consider copying a couple special pieces that have surfaced. The printer needs attention. I wonder about putting piles of papers in the oven - it exhausts to outside. A googled site suggests placing papers in an open container to fit in a large closed container of charcoal/unscented kitty litter/baking soda ... Another, very well done, showed how to prepare a large bin for record album covers and using a small ozone generator, with a tube running into the bin. Ozone is unhealthy to all living things!

I will try baking soda for small amounts and take a good look at the whole picture. Not all the papers are smelly.

Meanwhile, there are other matters needing attention!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Apr 22 - 11:16 AM

Charmion, did the enzyme cat pee treatment work?

Confession time: I had two cats in the apartment before moving here. They decided to repeatedly hit the carpet in one corner of the living room. Before moving out I pulled back the carpet, cut out the foam pad across the diagonal, then treated the concrete and the rug before putting down a new fitted piece of carpet mat (I'd picked up a remnant). I placed a large box over it to keep the cats away until we moved out. That at least solved the problem for human noses until the rent deposit was returned.

More clothes (pants and shirts) out of the closet today and I returned my stacked folded t-shirts to stacks by color. The rest of the clothes need attention - it'll soon be time to do a load of laundry - so I'll work on re-setting the clothesline posts today. Digging them out and adding more concrete to the existing footers should do the job. And new cross members to attach the lines (I have pieces left from the last fence project.) This is officially a declutter project in that it will use all existing materials.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 12:50 PM

Dorothy, I took a look in my attic recently and see areas where I can tidy it for future work I do or for whenever I prepare to sell and move. It isn't damp like the mill, it is dry and dusty, but it is still hard on things stored there for a long time. For starters I dragged down a huge plastic xmas tree stand that hasn't been used in a dozen years. I think it is bound for Goodwill, unless I figure a way to plant something in it in the garden. ;-)

Regarding papers that are moldy and sentimental, I would suggest doing a scan (using a flatbed scanner or one of the overhead Bookeye scanners if your library has one) then saving the PDFs someplace secure and go ahead and burn those papers. Who is going to want them after you? If they're moldy, a library probably can't add them to the collection. AND - the bonus - if you scan any print documents as searchable PDFs you can find things quickly in that file.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 11:56 AM

Dupont:

Re life during pandemic (still ongoing): I fell into months of muttering "nothing matters anymore". Lower than a snake's belly. When I finally found the energy to throw a few pots, that ended and I am managing bits and pieces. The onset of something akin to spring has helped. Unfortunately, my energy level quickly dips so I spend a lot of time resting.

I no longer have any idea how much I weigh; will find out when we get to Beaver - hopefully Friday or Saturday. R cannot back out as my 2nd booster is on Tuesday - in Bancroft. And, if he wants some time alone here, he needs to ensure I have running water there.

Yesterday I managed to clear two bookshelf units so I could change their positions, hoping for more effective use of TV room - getting room for the file cabinet to fit in the corner so I can replace all the darn paper - all I cannot bear to part with, that is. Dust and a bit of mildew are involved in most of stuff from the mill. I come close to just putting handfuls in the fire bin but then I find a few notes from friends or a really interesting article. SIGHHH!

This am, I have started putting stuff back on the shelves - after getting R to remove the huge fern we wintered for the neighbours to the first floor and cleaning up the major debris from it. One clean alcove! With the stuffed raccoon back on its pedestal to greet folks coming up the stairs. Hopefully the plant will go home in a week or so!

I have taken to opening the BR window and keeping the door closed so I have a safe place from dust.

R is also de-cluttering and it is making him happy - taking huge machines to the scrap yard and clearing properties of stuff so they are salable! A major declutter!! I have been begging for it all the 12 years we have been co-habiting. He is finally realizing... He will be 75 on Monday...

Back to it!

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 11:23 AM

Following Charmion's example, I bagged several sweaters that I bought on sale but never wear, that are too fussy or not my style any more, and as a closet bonus pulled a handful of t-shirts that are too small and, were I to lose that much weight, I still wouldn't wear. There are quite a few others in play that should probably also go, but it's a start. I need to aim at the "less is more" aspect of the closet, when everything I see is something I wear and I can mix and match it. It is a lot better than it used to be (I'd guess 10 years ago now I did a huge purge, and have struggled to avoid letting it get that bad again.)

I looked in the hall closet to see if there was anything in there needing thinning, but I'm less likely to remove an odd-fitting garment because on several occasions visitors to the house (who come in many sizes) have needed to borrow a jacket or windbreaker. A bonus for myself—I noticed my NPS uniform green windbreaker stashed behind a hanging shoe caddy that I keep filled with wool hats and mittens. In the past I removed the official patch from the shoulder so I can wear it as civilian gear now. I've been needing one this spring.

It is a kitchen luxury to have the new back yard compost pile in place and the two buckets from outside the kitchen door emptied into it. I can again easily empty the 2-quart stainless steel scrap bowl that sits in the corner of my kitchen counter. When the outside buckets were nearing capacity I tended to let that bowl heap before emptying it. It can attract fruit flies that way.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 06:10 AM

"...but now much too big for me..."

Alas, a problem I have never endured...

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 22 - 11:54 PM

Three strips of thick sliced bacon, a few slices of Swiss cheese, a dab of mozzarella, two cups of milk in the carton, and I decided to use that with a few more ingredients in a no-crust quiche. I submerged broccoli in it for some extra color, and made it in a bundt pan. Helpful decluttering and a number of items into the trash for tomorrow's pickup. Leftovers for this week.

Gardening amendments are on the short shopping list for this week. I can't put off digging the garden beds any longer. I was hoping for rain today, but that chance diminished as the day progressed so tomorrow I'll water the area then till it after it soaks in a bit.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 22 - 11:18 AM

It looks like our three-way is your two-way. I've mulled over this - I'm not going to worry that there is anything wrong with how this switch works - when I thought about the light bulbs. You know the ones that you turn on the lamp and it's dim, then not so dim, then bright, then off - those are called three-way switches. If you put in a standard bulb it means you have to click through a couple of settings on the lamp before the light turns on, but it works just fine. I think that's the same thing here - it doesn't matter if something else is not wired in, it's just on and off.

I sent you a note via PM asking about html code.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Apr 22 - 10:39 AM

SRS, I’m not sure what you mean by a three way switch. In UK domestic lighting, we have one way and two way switches, the latter allowing the light to be switched from 2 points. Adding switching points in between is possible and the switch used to do that is, as far as I know, usually referred to as an intermediate switch. This page explains things UK wise and says an intermediate switch could be used as a one way switch.

An annoyance with UK lighting wiring btw is that (unless they have changed with more modern houses) is that they don’t usually run a neutral wire to the switch. This limits the choices when looking to use home automation switches like z-wave ones.

Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 22 - 09:57 AM

Charmion, you remind me that I have a number of sweaters that I never wear that should be re-homed. If I bag them now they'll be ready to donate in the fall. I was efficient a couple of years ago when I thinned out a lot of too-small pants (alas, I have gone the other direction on the scale over the last few years). I have a few nice pairs that are in a size I think I might reach, but none of the single digit sizes are in the house now.

Jon, just now I was looking at the receipt for my two switches, and I admit to turning them over with puzzlement because of extra screws on the side (four total on each). I picked them up in the simple switch area (the last two) but it turns out they belonged in the bin of three-way switches. Since they operate in one place and no other switches feed into the same fixture it doesn't matter that they're three-way switches, right? Like using a regular lightbulb in a three-way lamp? They'll just turn on and off like they need to. Overkill, perhaps, but no harm done? (The light switch for the main bedroom fan/light fixture actually had a third wire, I assumed it was a ground, and I don't remember if the electrician ran an extra wire when he installed it.) I know the UK and the US probably wire things a bit differently (for one, we can't use our house wiring for radio or TV reception). I compared the switches carefully and just switched out the wires from the old ones to the same spot on the new ones, making sure not to put in the switch upside down.