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FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.) |
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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?) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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!) |
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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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.) |
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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. |
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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!!!! ... |
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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. |
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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.) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 May 22 - 06:07 PM Don, My brother and I are "downwinders" from living near the Hanford plant when we were young. The family moved away fairly soon after my brother was born, but Mom put us on a list of people to be notified of events or studies - after a dozen years or so that listing went away. I suppose if some insurance company went digging in those records they could hold that against us. I've been achy for a couple of days, no other symptoms. I'll go ahead and do a COVID test, just to be super safe. Lawn mowing and trimming in back this evening. Today a small box arrived, an air filter kit for the lawn mower includes a spongy filter I don't usually use in the mower, so I might cut it into shape for the tiller. I could get started on that work now rather than waiting a couple of weeks. I can add a little oil to it later. This would be much better than the crumbly filter that was in the machine when I took it apart. Alternate day fasting has resumed for now. I need to get some more fruit and veggies this evening, after I finish mowing. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Donuel Date: 04 May 22 - 08:47 PM The US has passed the 1 million covid death count. Doesn't seem real somehow. A much smaller number feels more believable. I now know how 700 million sudden deaths might feel like. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 May 22 - 01:20 PM A proposed new gadget for Jon to think about. A new navigation system enables a swarm of 10 lightweight drones to fly together without crashing into one another or obstacles, even in challenging places such as forests. I've always thought having a drone would be interesting, but fear I'd lose it in the trees around here. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 08 May 22 - 04:53 PM Dupont: Nerve wracking wondering about the trip to PA and then about planning it, is over. The die is cast. Diagram of who I will meet when and things to do in white spaces. Leave on Thursday, Albany overnight, PA Fri eve to a friend and we will all go to the folk dancing. Me: hoping I can dance a few easy ones! SIL being very conciliatory: whenever you can, just call and come over. Trimmed taller grass in front today, careful to miss dandelions. Two loads of laundry, still to be sorted and bed re-made. Wonderful weather no humidity and nice breeze. R in Den with wood stove perking! I turned the heat WAY down! Collected some more items from the Mill yesterday; no sign of the rest of my vinyl albums or Marie Corelli books. The storage area looks like a cyclone hit - totally stirred up. Still pecking away at sorting and burning and sorting some more; there is a lot more paper still there. I consider just getting rid of it but have found some treasures in the first lot. Box packed to take to #2 son - negatives for last 80 years, possibly?. Another folder for bro, and another bag for folk dance group. Making distilled water for the trip. Found decent clothes in closet - that fit! Been wearing the same few things for two years. This trip into my distant past community could be its own kind of cyclone. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Donuel Date: 08 May 22 - 07:53 PM Saw you guys on mudcat facebook for my mudcat fix. The best thing I found there was Paxton |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 May 22 - 02:11 PM The forecast is quite hot here for this week, so it's a matter of pacing myself for the outdoor work, and as much as I'm not a morning person, getting up earlier for some of it. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 May 22 - 05:04 PM Flickr sent another nasty-gram; since I'm not a pro member at this time I can't have more than X number of private photos. I've removed hundreds of photos anyway, but hadn't finished the job. There are few if any people photos - Flickr is leaving customers open to trolling by forcing free accounts to be mostly public. (That's where the old Mudcat Troll did most of his damage, harvesting from FB and Flickr). I've wasted time this hot afternoon sitting here editing groups of photos. Over the years I've gone back and forth, joining Flickr or not. For now, not. I've walked through the house focussing on horizontal surfaces to clear clutter. So many things have someplace they can be stored if I get around to putting them away. In general if there are objects on surfaces then there is dust also because I don't move things often to dust around and under. As a result a number of things are in the trash now. Must be ruthless sometimes about not keeping everything because it might someday have a use. It will cool some around 5, so I'll go out and mow the front then. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Charmion Date: 09 May 22 - 05:37 PM Today, I pruned and weeded at home, and had my fangs probed by the dentist. The rest of the week will be rather busier than I like. I put on my summer jeans this morning and found them too big. Last summer, I could barely button them. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Charmion's brother Andrew Date: 09 May 22 - 06:20 PM Three cheers and a tiger for you, Sis! |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 09 May 22 - 09:12 PM Dupont: Went off to do errands and have the car serviced. The list blew out the car window when I was driving back home for a book to keep me company. 3 hours in the dreadful chair in the showroom @ $350 an hour! The car is well serviced; I am too exhausted to use the clay I prepped last night. I have, however, made some progress in sorting the stuff we brought from the Mill this trip. Food tonight is, however, from M&M. This awkward time of year; the house is too cool or too warm. I turned the heat WAY down and have a fire in the stove. Trying to keep it warm enough for him and cool enough for me! BR window open some and close drape to keep out afternoon sun... And door to keep the cool in the BR. Etc... Managed a stop at Koodo/Telus re the loss of my phone history a couple. Spent an hour on line yesterday trying to get help to NO avail but the nice young woman fixed it in one second. I might know what she did. Not at all sure what I did to cause it. Went into a pharmacy to buy "222's" for Broome. They never figured out that I was having trouble understanding their words - muffled. But ascertained that these could not be bought without prescription; felt fortunate they did not call police; they seemed upset. Life seems to become more complex every time I go out there... Got two large brownies at the bakery without any trouble! Put them in the "brownie container and cut them into much smaller pieces - about one mouthful size. We are being conservative! The range malfunctioned and overcooked the food - not too badly but the window said something about calling for service. Down to one functional burner and now the oven... It's a Jenn-Air $$$$$$$$! I can live without the oven - anyway we are going away for a week! Right now I need to focus on what to take; what not to forget! Manana! |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 May 22 - 03:55 PM Exercise and fasting today. Hopefully today will budge more than a few ounces at a time. I'm about to mow - a noisy activity that will hopefully disturb Cookie from her vigil at the base of the baldcypress where a young squirrel has been waiting her out. I distracted the dogs but the squirrel didn't catch on that that was an escape opportunity. Those rodents that fail to figure out the easy stuff are destined to be caught by Cookie. Meanwhile, I set a have-a-heart trap in the front after seeing a mouse or young rat fly past when I was mowing. It's right against the wall; the only thing I've caught so far are fire ants. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Donuel Date: 10 May 22 - 07:39 PM A lung infection responded well to Amoxcilain, whew. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Dorothy Parshall Date: 10 May 22 - 09:55 PM Dupont: Never got enough energy to throw pots; put clay in a plastic bin, well covered and with water in the bottom. If I cannot throw tomorrow, hope it stays damp until next week. Car is mostly loaded. Plans made for my part of trip. R's: I thought we were staying with Broome on Thurs but he/Penny arranged a hotel room - with her points! He added a couple smoked meat sandwiches to his bagel order, and the elusive Zero bars, to requests. R will pick up said foods tomorrow night. Donna is looking for zero bars - in her non-existent spare time! (SRS: might be interested in "The Word" bookstore in Montreal - owned by donna's husband - 50 years in a hole in the wall near McGill campus. On my FB "friend" list.) Managed to trim a part of the back yard with my wonderful battery powered weed wacker - as the evening cooled a bit. It "only" went up to 25C today - too hot for me. When we get back, I will install the A/C in BR. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Donuel Date: 11 May 22 - 04:40 PM I cut a dozen vines and many more bamboo sprouts (6ft tall). Now I have to change the weed whacker head and put a new chain on the. I weighed this opal thing and its over 5 lbs.in saw. My deep red smoke tree looks good with the vining deep purple flowers. Im on the hunt for a dynamic colored Azelea bush. I need to call the county to remove a dying Linden tree on the curb thats dropping large limbs. I'm still doing detail work on the Opal Seascape. The next step requires gloves and mask. I have 3 small pictures painted with crushed colored gemstones. I weighed this opal work and its over 5 lbs. I found a new way to create indestrucible but flexible foliage on the Opal islands. I ordered a table from Etsy and after the sale an email said the table does not include legs. I said an advertised table but now without legs is called the floor. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Donuel Date: 11 May 22 - 04:46 PM The confusion is not me but my computer deciding where to put my typing on its own. I'm listening to podcasts of Lex Fridman interviewing scientists. I don't think I can do all 250 hours. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 May 22 - 06:49 PM One of two boxes for friends and family finally was mailed today. It's large, and I ran into a delay when it came to finding a shipping method - UPS didn't like my account information and locked me out and the other carriers were all pretty high. I got lucky when I went into my PayPal account with this bookmarked link and it let me do discounted shipping. If you use PayPal, it's worth bookmarking that page. The second box will hopefully go later this week. This is another few cubic yards of stuff out of the house. It's unusual for me to make more than one trip out in a day, but on my first time out I forgot to take my completed ballot for a May 24 election. I have plenty of time, but now that it's ready, I don't want to misplace it. I have a couple of other things I can do on that same trip. I bought a pound of asparagus today that was more expensive than usual - another customer and I were laughing about the decision to buy gas or buy asparagus. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 May 22 - 10:36 PM Busy day - and I finally got to the gym to start using the recumbent bike and treadmill. Before the first surgery there was no COVID and the gym was much closer to the house. Now I'll try to get there a couple of days a week. I even managed to get in more than 100% of the steps with my fitness tracker. Counting Coups: I've considered getting an electronic keyboard because my lovely old upright grand needs to be restored. It is so old that it's tuned a whole note low and is missing the hammer on high C. Today I found a keyboard at Goodwill for $20. There wasn't a power supply or sustain pedal (both plug in) but I tested batteries, replaced on dead one, then hunted through all of my old power supplies for 1A (it used to power a Linksys router.) Plugged in - and it works! I don't need all of the voices or reverb, I just want it to sound like a piano. You have two weeks to try electronics and return them if they don't work. You have two weeks to try electronics and return them if they don't work so I wouldn't have been out anything if it was a dud. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 22 - 11:01 AM Sticker shock - putting gas in the SUV at $4.57 a gallon. Must. Stay. Home. Finally all of the tiller parts are here. Watering for my side of the street is Wednesday and Saturday so I'll set up the sprinkler early tomorrow and after it has time to soak in I'll use the tiller to finish the garden preparation. In the meantime, I have figured out how to extend the fence another few inches for my privacy area where the potting bench sits now. I guess this is a "just because I can" kind of operation. The fence did originally end right at the driveway edge, now it's a couple of feet shy of it. And maybe it will keep any itinerant shower-takers from noticing the space. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Charmion Date: 13 May 22 - 03:40 PM In southwestern Ontario, regular gasoline now costs Cdn$1.95 per litre, and Diesel fuel is up to Cdn$2.50 per litre. A litre is a hair larger than an American quart, so that's Cdn$7.80, or about US$6.00 per US gallon of gas. Food prices have risen to levels I have never seen before: $2.49 per pound is the new $1.49 per pound for apples GROWN RIGHT HERE IN CANADA, and oranges are unobtainable for less than $1.99 per pound. On Tuesday, I paid $12.59 for a modest bunch of asparagus. My heating bill went from steep to ridiculous between January and April. Meanwhile, my investment accounts have taken a massive kick in the arse ... Thanks to Edmund's Army pension, I'm fine for money. I worry about my car-dependent friends, however, especially those who did not have the luck and/or foresight to marry a soldier back in the day. Stinking hot today, first heat wave of the year. I weeded and pruned again this morning, and rearranged the clag stashed in the garden shed to make room for the garbage can, which moves out of the garage in summer to increase the distance between the kitchen and the stink of cat-litter gleanings. A set of choir risers was stashed in there about two years ago, and to my surprise I easily moved them single-handed. Now they're stacked in the garage shelving that used to be jammed with Edmund's now-departed camping gear. |
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Subject: RE: FITNESS & Declutter 2022 - Pandemic redux From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 May 22 - 04:12 PM My modest Vanguard mutual funds have tanked - if I did the math correctly the loss this spring is about 20% of the total from the high. But since they're shares it's better when it turns around again. While taking a mediation/power nap it dawned on me that the fence extension I'm proposing by adding to the post at the end of the fence would have been better achieved by simply letting the cross-members extend beyond the post position, not cut them off there. Now I'm adding scraps on to the empty half of the post supports and putting up one more picket. I had other kinds of plans when I put it up, and thought the gate would be positioned differently, is why. #LiveAndLearn Down five pounds. |
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