DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 11:18 AM

Ever since bunion surgery ~20 years ago I have been very careful when buying new shoes, and every so often I find a winner that I then look for duplicates of. Since I mostly shop the clearance rack at DSW I often have to scrounge to find more of the exact models because I already bought them at the end of their design season.

More about the company (you in Canada may get a great clearance section also):

Our primary concept, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, offers brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear and accessories. The first store opened in 1991 in Dublin, Ohio. Today, DSW operates more than 600 stores in 44 states.

Designer Brands also operates The Shoe Company in Canada, which provides a convenient footwear solution for the whole family, as well as DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse – nearly 150 locations in all.

A few years ago I bought some extremely comfortable orthopedic shoes by Propét (they are sold at Walmart and are very reasonably priced and I probably recommended them here). Then a year ago I bought a pair of Puma running shoes that were slip on or pull on - with no laces, just a big loop at the top of the back of the shoe. I was in need of a cheap pair for gardening (since I had just thrown out the previous garden shoes - even yard shoes reach a point of no return). As has happened in the past, the cheap shoes I got for the yard were so comfortable I immediately regretted getting them so grassy and stained that I couldn't wear them for other uses. I found a lace-up pair with the pull-on loop, but they are harder to get into even if I leave the laces tied all of the time. So today I got the codes out of the favorite shoe and searched the Interwebs. Ebay has the shoe or very close - PUMA Women's Prowl Slip On Training Shoes. They're from previous seasons so are probably clearance priced. In case anyone here is looking for really comfortable shoes.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 12:31 PM

Years ago, I resigned myself to full-price shoes, and expensive ones at that. My feet think I’m rich — and European.

The Shoe Company has outlets in Ottawa, Kitchener and London, and I have even visited them a few times. Never have I ever found shoes there to fit my feet, never mind my orthotics or my life-style. They don’t sell the brands I like best: Mephisto and Beautifeel.

It’s been years since I wore shoes that weren’t basically sneakers except for the occasional funeral or concert performance. For those unavoidable occasions, I have a pair of carefully kept black leather Beautifeel pumps with low, broad heels. I can tolerate them for about two hours, maybe three. I bought them about 15 years ago, and they’ll do me for a while yet.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 02:41 PM

Sisyphus is alive and well and living in Perth County, Ontario.

For the second time today, and most certainly not the last time today, Neighbour Neil is hard at work clearing his driveway and the sidewalk in front of his house, while snow continues to pour from the sky without letting up even a little bit.

He makes me think there’s nothing good on TV.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 06:18 PM

beautifully said, Charmion.

shoes! My fist physio described me as 'Badly put together, an accident waiting to happen' when I saw her in 1983. I was pigeon toed, flat footed & knock kneed (cute in a toddler, but not so cute at 31.) I heard a Podiatry teacher from our local Technical College talking on the radio & was wearing my first orthotics, & have numerous sets since. I still see the same Physios, tho not the same one as she bought the practice when the founder retired some years back & handed me on to one of her colleagues!

My latest orthotics don't fit in my purple floral sandals so I wore my new leather nurses shoes at a wet festival last weekend - dry feet, but ouch! My right shin bone is waaaay out of place (it's trying to escape over my inner foot!) & as my phyiso said the pain comes from my displaced shin bone (which of course I knew, but it still hurt & I needed to whinge & moan.) A shoe repairer cut the orthotic down a bit so they fit into the sandals, but the right one needs a bit more work as it slides up after a short walk.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: JennieG
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 08:14 PM

Those are pretty sandals, Sandra. I like me a pretty sandal, and it will be sandal weather for many months yet.

A year ago I bought a pair of if-they-had-been-lightly-worn-once-that-was-all sandals at an op shop for only $8.50. My podiatrist said it was a great bargain and that they are excellent for my feet, including the twice-fractured right foot. I can't find a pic online as the style is a few years old but they are a metallic finish and are adjustable, a must because summer's heat makes my feet swell.

Oh, the joys of getting older.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Nov 23 - 10:02 PM

We are Offical Olde Phartes as we have passed our (cough, cough) birthdays

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Nov 23 - 08:11 AM

How old is an Official Olde Pharte in Australia?

Canadians still cross the line at 65, but there’s considerable pressure to push that threshold by a few years.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 23 - 11:42 AM

It goes from too hot to chilly very quickly here in my part of Texas, generally without a drawn-out autumn, though this year the heat of summer dissipated slowly enough that we kind of got fall. But now we're into the colder weather it's time to pull out the various lap quilts (several family antique Irish and Scottish wool comforters that are going strong.) When I have these things hanging over the back of chairs and the sofa ready to wrap around shoulders I'm less likely to turn up the heat.

We get snow here every couple of years, enough to bring traffic to a stop (a half-inch will do that). There were two occasions in the last 25 years when we had upwards of 12-18" and I put on the full head-to-toe mountaineering gear (climbing boots with double wool socks, insulated pants, layers under the heavy parka, neck-warmer and wool hat along with warm gloves). I still have all of that here, and a pair of snowshoes from days gone by. In Texas they're a novelty that I should hang on the wall along with my ice axe and crampons. :)

I started using the new sewing machine last night. There is a lot to learn about how to operate the computer settings and which settings I will adjust and save to my preferences. My sewing table has a recessed working area of about 18" x 10" that is 1 3/4" deep, where the sewing machine sits. I find that depression makes it difficult to remove part of the machine working surface that has the accessories tucked inside. In the garage I found a piece of lumber exactly the right length that needs 3/4" sawed off the side and will use the jigsaw to do the trimming. I need two pieces to bring that work area level with the surrounding table but what goes under this piece doesn't need to be perfect or quite as large. For now I used a kitchen cutting board to elevate the machine partway. The sewing table also has a lever that allows the machine, were it to be bolted TO the table, to be lowered into the knee hole and the table wings folded closed over the top. Since deploying that without the machine attached would be a catastrophic drop, I'm also going to bring in a piece of wood shaped to wedge into the lever to prevent shifting it by accident. There are some clever sewing tables out there and new ones cost hundreds of dollars. This lovely thing was $40 at Goodwill and after adjustments it will be perfect.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Nov 23 - 01:16 PM

Snow continues today. I don't see anything particularly menacing on the Environment Canada radar map, but it's snowing anyway.

My 2021 VW Golf GTI has many lovable bells and whistles, but there's one I don't love: the "parking assist", a short-range radar system that detects things one may not wish to bump into or scrape. Yes, it's handy while backing into a spot in a crowded parking lot to get a beep that tells me that I'm cutting too close to a very expensive SUV that the back-up camera can't see. At low speeds, however, the radar can't tell the difference between an SUV and thickly falling snow! So, as I pick my way around snow-choked downtown Stratford, the car beeps and whistles at me incessantly.

There's an old joke about a student pilot who pancaked his aircraft on the runway because his cockpit warning systems and the flares fired by the tower crew were so distracting that he forgot to lower his landing gear. In the right wrong conditions, I could be that guy!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 12:58 AM

I cut down the piece of scrap wood (from the stash in the garage) to fit in the recess in the sewing table and found some little furniture sliders to act as feet that were just the right height so when placed into the space the board is level with the rest of the table. I crawled around on the floor working on the underside of the table and screwed on a couple of braces under that movable plank so it now is immovable. And finished one of the masks that has been waiting for attention for ages.

Rain forecast for tomorrow, then warming to a lovely weekend. Mountain cedar pollen instead of snow in the air. The winter allergy season is almost here.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 04:17 AM

Charmion - pension age in the land of Oz was 65 for decades & is now gradually increasing to 66 & 67 as we live longer & stay in better health.

When I started in the public service in 1970 I was working with men who had joined during WW2 - they had lived thru the Depression & the War & often didn't live far past 70, now we are statistically likely to pop off the twig in our later 80s ...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 06:39 AM

My 2020 Ford Focus Titanium has all those bleeps too. My old one had just a polite reverse sensor which was very useful for parking, but this damn thing bleeps at me all the time, front and rear, even if I'm stuck in traffic next to roadside bushes. It even turns the radio down while it's bleeping. It also has a collision-assist warning sound with a dashboard red flashing light that occasionally goes off when there's nothing going on in front of me. After 15 months and a lot of bleeps and flashes it's yet to give me a genuine warning that I'm about to crash. And my "intelligent wipers" are anything but. Progress, eh! End of mini-rant...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 09:42 AM

Steve Shaw — so it’s not just me and my wheels.

The first time the bleeping beep problem arose, I was in a white-out on Highway 401, the trunk road of southern Ontario. Now, a white-out is quite unnerving enough for any motorist, but it’s a true sphincter test in three lanes of near bumper-to-bumper traffic on an autoroute with a speed limit of 100 kph. And then the warning beeps started. If I had not understood how that proximity alarm works, I would have been utterly terrified.

Germany has snow — I’ve seen it and driven the autobahn in it. How could VW’s designers make such a stupid mistake?

Likewise Ford.

Maybe they’re following the fashion industry example and designing only for an ideal client — and she lives in California.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 11:47 AM

Vehicles have exceptions - I know I've had a button to push when I'm towing to set the transmission in the proper frame of mind. It seems there should be a "snow button" to touch when you're in those conditions. If someone invents it maybe you'll make some money (once you fight with the automakers to prove it was your invention in the first place - I used to go mountain climbing with the guy who invented the intermittent windshield setting - who fought automakers for years before he got some cash.) Meanwhile, consult the owners' manual and see if there is a way to change the settings or disable it easily.

The house was spic n' span for Saturday's dinner and now the dogs have the den close to forest floor status again. [sigh] They got the last of the mashed potatoes as the vege part of the breakfast this morning, topped with a lovely asparagus accent.

Work in the garage was easy, saw and drill put away again, but reminded me that I need to finish organizing all of the boxes of screws and nails - they're now in order on the workbench and need transfer back to the shelves. I forget what I was working on when I pulled them out (maybe the attic work last spring?) They're blocking the workspace at the moment.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 12:31 PM

Stilly, after the 401 incident, I spent literal hours trying to figure out how to lose the beeping proximity alarm without also turning off the other driver-assist features, including cruise control and the back-up camera. The short answer is “Invent a snow button”.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 23 - 01:13 PM

There you go - a project for your retirement years!

While waiting for my cuppa tea to brew I thought "how long can it take to clear the workbench?" The answer is, not long, and the tea was good. I arranged the screws by their indoor or outdoor use and then by size, along with the nails. They were already set up by diameter (6, 8, 10) and the shifting was easy. The workbench looks so good now and the stuff for the lawnmower tune up are in place for one of these days (they were buried by the screw boxes).

It's a rainy day and I'm going to treat myself as a fair-weather driver. Since we haven't had rain for a couple of weeks the grime on the road is slick, so if I go out I won't go far. Recycle bin and Goodwill seem reasonable, and nothing more than a mile away.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 23 - 01:31 AM

December 1. This year flew past quickly (especially in comparison to 2020, which crawled at a glacial pace).

A new dog bed was ordered today, a large and expensive one with a cover that Tractor Supply suggests might not be ripped up by the dog who rips up dog beds. This will complement the ones here already and possibly outlast several of those. There are a couple that need to go away once a new one arrives.

Laundry, dishes, and sweeping are finished and I hope to maintain the current tidy level for a while. Can I keep the dust and clutter at a minimum during the holidays? It's a personal challenge.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 01 Dec 23 - 06:51 PM

Charmion, the idea of a "snow" mode for the driver assist systems is good and you should communicate it to VW Canada.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 23 - 01:13 AM

I love the idea that a conversation here on Mudcat to do with the racket of a misfiring safety system should lead to actual improvements in the functioning of that system (if you go ahead and contact the manufacturers).

After a pleasant hour visiting with friends from the university English Department (and the gift of a pricey museum exhibit guide to a retired friend who specialized in the topic of the book - it was taking up space at my house) I returned home and called a couple of friends. One conversation convinced me that time travel is possible - because we were comparing notes on a lakeside community that we knew 60+ years ago that no longer exists, but I know we both had fully-formed images of that landscape in our minds eye as we talked and laughed. And the startling realization that she, who is 11 years older than me, knew my grandfather (who died before I was born). The idea that there is anyone on the planet still who knew him, who can share any information about him had simply never occurred to me. And she has an older sister who will remember even more. A door to the past opens. . .

The funniest part of the conversation - and I fear my friend thought I was choking - but was the memory of living with her mother for a couple of years while I was in college. Her mother spent most of the time with her 90 miles away, caring for the grandchildren while she was in graduate school. And upon return to the house (where I fed the pets and kept things it working order), we were both working at the dining table on our writing. On her side of the table was her typewriter surrounded by the research for her history of that area around the lake, and as she finished typing a page it was dropped into a cake pan. She called it her "half-baked book." And on my side of the table were my school papers and my typewriter. My laughter erupted when I described dinnertime; all of our stuff stacked on the table but we each kept our typewriters on placemats, so at mealtime we could scoop up the typewriters and move them over on top of the papers, making a space large enough for a plate and silverware.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 23 - 06:17 PM

Today I mailed a letter to myself, with my ex's address as the return. I told him to let me know if it ends up over there, but mostly I'm interested to see what happens these days when a letter is forwarded. In the last five weeks there hasn't been a single mailpiece with an indication that it was forwarded. "Electronic notification requested" on any piece of commercial mail means the USPS lets the sender know the new address, and it may also mean they toss the mail piece and a new one is generated by the sender. But that is just a theory. For everything else, like holiday cards from individuals, does it get the old yellow forwarding sticker or has it changed?

Quiet day in general. The wreath is on the front door and a box of lights are out for consideration for stringing on the front porch in a stylized tree-shape (triangle) after blown out bulbs are replaced and if I can find the light-sensor timer plug (I set at dusk to dawn). The nursery at the end of my street becomes a holiday store this time of year and has spare bulbs by the case or small box, mix or match, etc.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 23 - 10:33 AM

Heading out to run errands, including the sleeping bag to the laundromat. Taking along reading material and a gob of quarters. Assuming those are still the payment of choice and the businesses aren't using bill machines on the washers and dryers now.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 23 - 11:15 AM

Chores and relocation of tools and devices today. The 1941 sewing machine is coming home and I'll see if I can measure and do a little work with a coping saw to fit it into the table of an older White. This will allow me to step down the machine from that table and also another newer one (for a friend or eBay). But as far as tools go, there is still the huge tree root to remove.

I suppose everyone here has had some task that needs a specialized tool, then either inventing that tool or figuring out what tool has already been invented to tackle the job. Prior to yesterday's power nap I was considering this 12" to 14" root removal and thought perhaps a sharp chisel that could be hammered down across the face of it (after digging to expose it). What to call that chisel and how wide should it be? I have several hammers already (and a chisel for breaking concrete but it is too dull for this.)

Not only did I find chisels that will work, there are many fine woodworking tools and it would be an offense to the woodworking community to misuse their beautiful tools. And as an aside, this site with more specialized hammers than I ever imagined.

The Big Box stores have several chisels that will work and have a solid rod through the handle to withstand hammering. But then I strayed into what looks like it would work except for the skinny rod (handle) and realized these are "scaling" chisels and go into electric rotary hammers and are for removing old thinset. Oy. A huge job I have contemplated for years - how to remove the old tile and the adhesive under it. The is an answer before I had asked that question. There are tiles I put down that have cracked over time from the shifting foundation. After I get the foundation repaired, that may be a job I'll tackle, twenty-plus years after first putting down the floors. But back to the root. I think Harbor Freight has a chisel and punch set that will work and they're meant to be hammered (with a protective handle).

Follow-up: what a busy afternoon, but the sewing machine was picked up. They lost my sturdy box and found a case to replace it; I think I can use that case (it's actually a piece of luggage!) to transport one of the machines I plan to sell or ship. The dog bed was shipped to the store free because I expected a big-honker box, but it turns out they do a vacuum pack system that compressed it down to about the size of a lopsided basketball. I opened the package at the store to be sure it was what I ordered.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 23 - 06:00 PM

Five days and still no sign of the letter I mailed to myself at my old post office box address. I'll give it until next week on Monday then ask them to go look in the old PO box and see if stuff is in there, nothing appears to be forwarding properly.

I have a lamp that needs a new shade and the weighted base has crumbled. It's a pole lamp that otherwise works fine. I'm torn between offering it up as something that can be fixed (technically it works, it is just wobbly and ugly). Maybe the split the difference answer is to stand it beside the garbage can tonight and see if anyone picks it up before trash pickup in the morning.

Charmion, are you making fruitcakes this time of year? What else are people cooking for the holidays? I'll be baking breads and cookies soon to put on plates and share around the neighborhood and a few regular volunteer places I go.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Dec 23 - 06:39 PM

Yes, Stilly, I have undertaken to make at least one batch of fruitcake (three loaves). But every time I think I’ll hit the Bulk Barn for the ingredients, I realize I have to do something else first and somehow never go shopping. Each batch takes two pounds of currants and two pounds of other dried fruits, so it’s not the kind of thing to be whipped up from pantry staples.

After the Messiah concert. I’ll get to it then.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Dec 23 - 10:59 AM

Beaver:

Monday, I woke up feeling "good" - rather than get out and push - who cares - for the first time in weeks. I did a bit of sorting in the studio - where I have not ventured in weeks. And again on Tuesday. Both were short stints due to 1. A friend of R's phoned to talk about hearing devices and the brain/ear connection - the frequencies we can lose for various reasons, which could have caused that dreadful event. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Then neighbour Larry visited for a while. Always nice.

Tuesday, I phoned #2 Son to wish him a happy 64th! He spent considerable time giving me a pep talk re Iphone - You just need to know which button to push!!!! It was helpful, tho not much progress was made - except in my head. A little progress in studio.

Today it has been colder and trips to the studio were brief in spite of turning up the heat. I only managed to "melt" a few small lids while trying to moisten them enough to trim - back into the scrap bucket they went! I spent time at the library on the computer and a long visit with friends - at Timmy's. I gave them boxes and bubble wrap I had saved for them.

I have thrown two pairs of pants and a t-shirt in the wood stove - HAH! And sorted my collection of t-shirts and other clothes - making things easier to find.

The Laprinol (lymph tonic) I started taking a couple weeks ago has helped greatly. I am hoping the Spirulina, which I had quite forgotten for a few years will energize me - I think it already is. Must take both very first thing in am. I remember that the spirulina was capable of keeping me awake if taken late in day. Hoping for a better new year - if I can figure out which button to push!

Going up to freezing tomorrow - maybe I can get some work done.

My best everyday shoes came from a thrift shop several years ago; they need help. Maybe the shoe repair man - en route between here and QC... But I may need to acquire a new pair; they seemed to be stock at the expensive online store in New England (#2 son will know!). They are by far the most comfortable of winter shoes - at par with my Birkies for summer.

There is a foot or so of snow in the yard and drive - car just plows through! It may rain on Sat/Sun which will diminish the snow but make everything messier! Then it will freeze... Tuesday is predicted to be an OK drving day.

I have offered rides on this trip east - part way or all the way. A passenger would be a nice change... (maybe?) I will also stop to pick up a supply of raisin/carrot muffins at the Gold Mine, cheese at the factory and peanut butter cookies at a dif cheese factory. R said they were the best he ever had.

R was having a problem with the furnace at Dupont but says it is fine now "and all the plants are watered"!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 07 Dec 23 - 11:02 AM

SRS: hope you put that out last night! Get tough with clutter!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 23 - 01:35 PM

Dorothy, the trash went out last night sans the lamp, but I put a long piece of painters tape on it with information that it works but needs a new base and shade. I may put it out at the curb on Sunday and if it isn't taken by Monday morning I'll unscrew the post and drop it into the bin.

I volunteered to work with the Freecycle folks because they are so slow to approve posts I've given up trying over there. I'm hoping I won't regret this; I've read through their dos and don'ts and am going to learn soon if the reason there is so little posted here is because the group is fairly inactive, or if they post lots of nonsense that never sees light of day.

The combination house warming and holiday gift for my daughter is a new good-sized steel locking mailbox. It will be mounted on a 4x4 post that gets a steel sheath dropped over the top of that before the box is attached (and the post sheath is screwed onto the wood post to keep it all in place.) A determined thief with a lot of time could unscrew things and carry off the very heavy box, but the goal is to have a sturdy box where the several roommates at the new place can all receive their mail. The current standard sized box is a bit small and is vulnerable on a quiet county road. After reading lots of reviews the parts were ordered and are wending their way to her new property. I asked Amazon pretty please to drive the parcels all the way up to the house (they have a very long driveway on some acreage). It's the USPS that won't drive up the driveway. She agreed that they can buy the wood post and get the concrete for the footer, and they will do the installation.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 23 - 08:33 PM

Another sleeping bag out of the house; this is an almost unused extra tall LLBean bag. I got smart and took it out of the bag and folded it into a large box and tucked in other stuff (great padding!) The money I spent on postage is a lot less than buying a new bag so it's a good way to handle it.

Recycling dropped off at the village bins and the stuff brought over by my daughter was (ironically) in a box that the sleeping bag in its case would have fit in, but it was kind of light-weight corrugated. It went into the bin (flattened).

I was reading a FB post about a past member of this group having trouble getting out of the house, and it dawned on me that my putting off various things and staying home may be also a low-grade anxiety. Not wanting to deal with the issues that are out there, or dress appropriately for the places (dress for the occasion instead of my usual jeans and t-shirt), etc. Something to consider. I do feel good once I return home and have accomplished something; it's looking forward to that success that may be needed to get one out of the house some days.

On an environmental note, after clearing out the weeds in the front bed next to the porch last spring the resident lizards moved away. They loved to hang out in all of that brush and would come up on the porch and bricks there to hang out in the sun, but with the beds clear and mulched I didn't see many on the porch all summer. I've let some of the undergrowth return and this morning there were two lizards out there, one a Texas Spiny and the other an anole. Welcome back!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Dec 23 - 09:38 AM

Freecycle here is voluminous with many posts.
fyi
For muscular skeletal problems I use what I call hydrotherapy.
A hot, on the verge of feeling cold, throbbing handheld shower spray is directed at the area of concern. After a week of treating a shoulder with an 8 or 9 nauseating pain, a small click was heard and now the shoulder only feels slightly sore without pain. Three minutes is a short treatment and 15 minutes is a long treatment once or twice a day.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 08 Dec 23 - 10:19 AM

We need a national/international declutter day where friends and neighbours mobilise to help people whose clutter is getting on top of them.

Any ideas of how to mobilise people, get donations of cleaning and storage supply from the corporates and, probably requiring the most tact, convince people that they need one off help to improve their living environment?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 23 - 11:46 AM

The process of decluttering a home that is in good repair and is simply a bit too full is one thing; houses of hoarders that are health and safety hazards are something else entirely. And both are so subjective that I suspect a neighborhood effort might go awry. That said, I completely understand the impulse. In my town I can drive through pretty little streets with charming small homes that are in need of repairs that are probably unaffordable by the owners. Even to repair and paint the outsides of homes would be a boost to the residents, but how to go about such a program?

There is a home of a friend that I entered a year or two ago and realized they have a real problem. But they are two grown adults with grown children so I'm not going to offer to help. This is me who realized this week that if I go dust now, after dusting just a couple of weeks ago, that the microfilament duster thing will be very effective and get most of this. I wait until things are so dusty that it means frequent trips outside the shake out the contents.

Don, a friend of mine swears by a small portable sauna for aches and pains though it sounds like you're using more pressure on that spot. I'm not a fan of chiropractic but that also sounds like something people go to them for. (Osteopaths used to get the "manipulation" training along with their medical training - and I had a dislocation fixed by a DO once).

Things suddenly got busy here, and that can help elevate the mood during short overcast days, but I'm reminded to not beat up on myself if I don't get everything done at once. Pacing myself this holiday season.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 23 - 06:22 PM

Sewing machine sizes and tables and hinges were not standardized, even when made by one company (White). This is my conclusion after comparing three of their machines and two of their tables. I have realized that if I want an interesting carpentry project I could take the top off of the table I want to keep and make a new hole and reuse the existing hinges and supports for the machine I want to keep. It does mean I would finally have to learn to use the router I bought years ago on sale at Sears when I first moved in here.

There are also many different ways to store that model machine (I did a quick survey of the machines and cases on eBay), and one version involves a simple box base that the lid snapped onto. Heaviest carrying case around, but whatever. My goal is to have a machine that doesn't require a lot of setup to use it and set in such a way that I don't need to put it on a table that I'd then worry about scratching.

In the meantime, I have removed the oldest machine from the table I want to keep and will take it in to be cleaned and fitted with a foot pedal instead of a knee lever. I'm not going to test it until then (and the shop will test it for me. There is a receipt in the drawer that shows this 1927 machine was serviced in 2002 so it isn't a total goner.) This will probably go on eBay at some point.

Winter weather is approaching this weekend. I need to do any of my outdoor stuff right now or tomorrow ahead of it. Maybe I can finally put the mower away for a couple of months (until I need to mulch the neighbors' leaves that land in my yard.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 23 - 12:44 PM

Yesterday when walking the dogs I forgot to put my fitness tracker in the holder (hollow band) I made for it (that I tie around my ankle). I tucked it in my sock, but was afraid I'd drop it out and not hear, so we didn't walk as much as planned. I've now tucked a band into the pack I always wear for our walks (with treats and bags for any cleanup). Why tie the tracker to my ankle? Because when I walk the dogs my hands are relatively still holding each leash, they don't swing back and forth in the normal way when walking, and that movement is what the tracker detects.

I have one in my gym bag and one on the kitchen counter to use when mowing, walking dogs, etc. I make them out of t-shirt jersey remnants from making t-shirt yarn on the COVID 3D masks. There is still a lot of that in my scrap basket and it seems to be a good time to make several. This is my own invention and I don't know if anyone else bothers with this kind of thing, so not exactly an ideal holiday gift.

Pint containers of mashed banana, frozen pumpkin, and cranberry pulp (after steaming juicing) are all thawing so I can start making holiday gift bread later today. I'm loaded up with the ingredients and there is room in the freezer so I can store them till I need them. Of course I'm doing this when what I really should be doing is finishing and addressing my holiday letters. My mailing list has shrunk so much I need to keep mailing a few to hear back from the friends who are still alive and can be located.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Dec 23 - 06:32 PM

Beaver:

Two things no longer on my mind: Trying to remember the name LLBean so I can look for something specific there! And the tracker thingy: I have looked for one for my foot as I cannot tolerate anything around my wrist. Now I know it can be done! TY, SRS.

Other than that, had another pep talk today about the business of hearing ad frequencies! Very helpful.

Took a bunch of pottery up to our shop today. Hoping for some sales by Christmas. Went to a church rummage sale and bought a better toaster oven - not sure if it is too large; tomorrow I will bring in the house and try it out. Also bought 4 small bowls; will take them to Dupont and replace some I don't like as well - take to a thrift shop. Also left a very nice redundant coat at the sale.

Feeling better and wondering what was wrong with me, in addition to the trauma of failing to understand 3 hours. Another visit to the church; the pastor said the first 3 rows were iffy! WHY would they do that! He was not interested in being helpful.

The snow is melting and expected rain will reduce the pile. Cleared the back deck in hopes it will get cleaned by the rain. Going back to QC on Weds by way of a few errands.

Managed to find sources for Arnica - coming by purolater and Lymph Tonic which has been a huge help can be picked up in Montreal on Thursday. Apparently, the govt is trying to pass rules about supplements so people are forced to go to non-existent doctors for prescriptions for toxic and expensive pharmaceuticals. Suppliers are holding off on producing in case the govt prevails. Petition is being signed!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Dec 23 - 07:39 PM

Dorothy, I would be happy to put a few of these ankle things in the mail for you, if you'll tell me how large your fitness tracker is. (Size of a quarter, size of a half-dollar, size of a modern dollar coin, US coins of course.) Or I could just make some that are a little large but will still tie and stay put on your ankle. I'll share a photo of them over on FB or via Messenger (FB is out of whack right now, but I'll post when it stops being glitchy). Meanwhile, I'm so glad to read that you've been waking up feeling good!

I've figured out a solution to the sewing machine table problem, and solving the difference between two machine sizes will start with a template made to match the machine and it's attachment points (two hinges set into the machine itself). I won't need to take the top apart, I'll fit new pieces of wood in (glue and screw into place) with a couple of supports along the side when putting in a piece to fill the existing hole that is too large. It won't happen right now, but soon.

Frozen fruit and vege have thawed but I need to start this baking project earlier in the day so the loaves can cool and be put away soon after baking instead of staying out on the counter overnight. I'll do this tomorrow starting around midday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Dec 23 - 01:44 PM

The Stratford Concert Choir’s 2023 performance of Handel’s “Messiah” went down-range last night. We tried something new this year: a sing-along, with the audience joining the choir in the choruses. The hall was packed, and the concert was boffo.

I’m utterly beat, and not alone in that. Half the church choir also sings in the concert choir, and of those who do both only three of us managed both gigs. The concert choir conductor is also the church organist, so we had a sub this morning at St James’s.

Properly done, “Messiah” knocks the stuffing out of a singer.

My house is full of cat hair, and I just don’t care.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Dec 23 - 03:00 PM

Beaver:

Shoes are at the cash desk at LLBean in Kingston to be picked up on Weds! Of course, if I had looked carefully, there is still a legible label in the old shoes telling size and origin! YAY!!

I have never even looked at fitness thingies due to belief it had to be on arm. I had to stop wearing a watch about 1982 due to pain in wrist - it is still there but only painful if I touch it with minimal pressure. Now I shall look for a fitness thing.

Today!!!! I threw pots for first time since September!!! Soup cups to be will be trimmed tomorrow and handles added. So great!

A pot of soup is on the stove cooking as I am at library (outdoors), computering. No solar gain but just 32F. Cloudy predicted ALL week and flurries on Weds. I hope the flurries keep to just that!

Found some nice yarn in the cabinet for hat or two? Maybe, if I can find crochet hooks!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Dec 23 - 05:10 PM

Well done, Charmion!

On Saturday evening our ukulele group played for a Christmas carols concert at a small village 15 minutes from town, a mix of fun Christmas songs (although we did throw in one of the https://abcalumni.net/2022/12/10/the-abc-of-australian-christmas-carols/, as did the choir also). It went well, the audience had a good time and so did the performers, but it was a struggle given that we are currently in the throes of a heatwave which started over a week ago and looks like continuing for at least another week. Our ukes didn't like the 38 deg C heat, and I can't say that we were thrilled about it either.

But....it was a fun night!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Dec 23 - 11:11 AM

Jennie and Charmion remind me that I need to sign up for a few shifts at the big light display going on at the local botanic garden. We are essentially human road signs and I offer regularly to take photos of the whole group when there is one photographer clearly going to be missing from their family photos.

A stop at the nearby garden center yesterday bagged two boxes of mixed-color replacement holiday lights for the strings for my front porch (a few burn out every year). And rolls of garden cloth (also called floating row cover) for my daughter the gardener with a new place to put in crops. It helps when you realize the temperature will dip below freezing for a few hours and your tender plants won't survive. This stuff does a good job and is reusable (I'll be relying on it in the spring since the trick these days seems to be to plant the garden as early as possible so you get a crop before the killing summer heat sets in.)

Did I mention that I'm thinking of buying my daughter a clothing rack that I will load with stuff from her closet here and she has to take it all to take the rack home? (That page has some pricey pieces; I'm looking at the affordable commercial folding rack that has a pretty good capacity.)

I hope the shoes are the perfect fit, Dorothy! I've never known of any brick and mortar store or cash desk for LLBean; having lived most of my life in the West it has always been mail order only for us.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 23 - 10:52 AM

I pulled up the URL for a message texted to me by the Nissan dealer last month during the oil change and have noted all of the easy fixes I can do from the recommended list - change filters and top fluid levels. For the rest, I'll find a local mechanic who will do things as I wait and work through them one at a time. I had several places recommended after I complained about the dealer scare tactics. (It was easier when I took vehicles to the Chevy dealer six blocks from here, I walked home to wait and back when the work was finished. But I don't need to start taking my Nissan to Chevy, though in theory I can because they sell lots of models on their used lot. The price at both is a killer.)

This year I have been slow to put up holiday decorations; I usually focus on the mantle, garland resting on the top around the edge then objects set behind it. The TV was moved to the hearth during the latest reorganization of furniture so I may shift my garland to a doorway. Since we never do our gifts and meal on the xmas date itself this stuff would possibly be out into the new year before we meet. (Nothing to do with 12 days, we're all atheists, it's just working around kid schedules. We enjoy the gift giving and the meal together without the religious pomp.)

Got trash out to the curb with five minutes to spare this morning, and included a really ratty pair of yard shoes that I can't imagine sticking my feet into any more. "Yard shoes" is the designation for any pair that is so worn and dirty that their only reasonable use is to slip them on to go out into the garden or yard or sometimes walk dogs. I have a routine now so I don't forget and wear them someplace like work or even to the store, they are placed by a bench by the door where I sit to change into them and out again.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Dec 23 - 05:52 PM

Because it's still under warranty, I have to get my car serviced at the VW dealer in Kitchener, 40 km away. That means about spending anywhere from an hour to half the day in the waiting area of their service department. The dealership is on a pedestrian-hostile street with nowhere to go and nothing to do. I always take a book and settle in for the duration.

No holiday decorations for me this year; I just can't be arsed. I'm doing my bit by singing seasonal repertoire wherever and whenever I'm asked, which keeps me quite busy enough. The neighbours have overdone themselves to such an extent that the dark spot on the street that is my house comes as something of a relief.

I have been suffering with sinus headaches again. As a last resort, I bought myself a Neti-Pot at the pharmacy, and I've been using it since Monday. I hate to say so for fear of tempting fate, but I think it's working.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 23 - 10:37 PM

The neti pot trick for me was getting the right amount of salt and baking soda; I mix 2 parts salt to 1 part soda and of that put about 3/4 of a teaspoon into a cup of warm water that is poured into the pot half at a time. It was a lifesaver during that last head cold, soothing and washing out the usual cold kind of gunk.

Walking the dogs this afternoon was a nice stroll around the neighborhood and a loop of the park; the only person we saw was the jerk who came through a gate in the fence at the side of the park and he proceeded to let his dog take a dump, that he didn't scoop. There's another small wild spot on our walk that has similar evidence of similar disregard of the polite thing to do when walking one's dogs. In a state with no rules about who can carry a gun, it just doesn't pay to shout over to the guy to scoop the poop. Get your brains blown out.

This evening I tackled a job I've put off for ages. Months. Possibly years. The little fridge that came from a friend's house (he lost the house to the bank, we moved out a lot of stuff to empty it when the bank offered to pay him to do that) and has sat as the overflow fridge in my kitchen since then. I shift shelves every year and use it for brining the Thanksgiving turkey in a large stock pot. It's an old fashioned type with the little freezer compartment on top and the fridge below, and ice was built up in the freezer and at the top of the fridge area. About 30 minutes of pointing the hair dryer at the small glaciers finally dislodged three very large chunks (and a half-gallon of melt water). I had a large mid-century upright freezer I used to defrost once a year, it was a huge project (it has been replaced with a new frost-free unit). This job wasn't so bad, I only use the fridge part and all of those contents fit into the regular kitchen fridge for the duration. When I look at this little fridge I remember the life that my friend had with his (late) partner and how much fun it was to visit them over there (I took my kids over one Christmas to see the huge decorated Victorian dollhouse on the dining room table - it was magical!) Before his partner became ill and then died, they had a really had a wonderful life, and this little fridge that sat in the interesting bar in their living room is a reminder of those charming days. Who knew; a fridge as memento.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 15 Dec 23 - 09:34 AM

Stilly, if you have the sort of vacuum cleaner with a hose that can be plugged into its exhaust and a crevice tool, you can use the warm air blown out of the crevice tool to cut through the built-up ice and then remove large chunks of it before they melt.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 23 - 11:23 AM

Blowing dusty air from the vacuum (I know the type you mean, though it isn't the type I have) sounds iffy for a food storage unit. The hair dryer does much the same thing with cleaner and warmer air. Directing the hot air to the crevices between the freezer compartment and the larger box is enough that the large pieces of ice eventually fall off. The goal wasn't to melt it all in place, it was to dislodge the chunks. And to be patient. If you try prying ice chunks loose with anything too sturdy (screw driver, etc.) you can pierce the aluminum and kill the fridge. We're talking a vintage handheld Vidal Sassoon Quiet Styler, not a bouffant cap or something less directed. :)

Continuing with baking fancy breads this morning, baking in small pans so I have several small loaves instead of cutting slices from a large loaf.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Dec 23 - 02:45 PM

The weather for the US east coast and north into Montreal sounds like it will be very sloppy over about a 12-hour period sometime this weekend. Dorothy, please don't find yourself on one of your long or convoluted drives during that period! And have R stay home and safe as well!

Two types of bread are finished (soda breads); the next one is the more involved yeast bread called Julekaka. Last year I had trouble getting it to rise properly after running it through the bread machine cycles (on manual then removing dough to shape), so I'll be more hands-on and use the Kitchenaid stand mixer instead. It's a sweet fruit bread (versus a fruitcake) that is more bread than fruit. When I was a kid my mother didn't make this one, but a number of Norwegian relatives did. Mom got a taste of a central European bread called Poteca (pronounced po-teez-ah) that involved clearing a large table in the kitchen and rolling out a humongous flat dough that is then smeared with a crushed walnut mix and carefully rolled from one side to the other (think huge cinnamon roll) then that roll is twisted around itself to create a large crusty bread that when sliced through has beautiful layers of bread and nuts. I like it and will eat it if it is around, but I'm not interested in THAT much work. Julekaka is plenty involved on its own (getting it to rise in the right shape on a flat baking sheet, not in a pan, then ending up with a glossy surface that is drizzled with icing).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Dec 23 - 09:39 AM

Fruitcake finally got made yesterday.

The Kitchenaid stand mixer came out for the occasion, but was not actually as helpful as I thought it should be. This recipe produces the stiffest, heaviest batter in my entire culinary repertoire, and I find it more challenging every year since Edmund died — he used to do the grunt work. For people who genuinely like fruitcake, however, the results are worth the effort.

I do not give fruitcake to anyone who has not said that fruitcake is eagerly anticipated. That would be stupid.

I’ll wrap it for travel this morning.

At noon, I have to be on deck for the Stratford Festival’s community Christmas concert. The soloists are all members of the acting company, backed by the amateur rabble of the Stratford Concert Choir. When it’s done, I’m off the musical hook until Christmas Eve.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 23 - 12:19 PM

I love fruitcake - too much. I can go through a small one pretty quickly, so I rarely ever buy it for myself. There's no "off" switch.

I'm using the last eggplant from this year's garden to make fried breaded slices to take to across the street to the neighbor who loves it. I picked four of them at right before the last frost and have a fresh batch of babaghanouj in the fridge that I made with the other three.

Parcels have been arriving at destinations ahead of whenever our family decides to get together to eat and open gifts. A trick my son taught me - when I use Amazon he's in my address book there and is listed as His Name/My Name on the label, and that means they send me a photo of the delivery. When I had the mailbox delivered to my daughter I did that and was glad to see they honored my request to drive all the way up to the house and leave it on the porch. Their driveway is the equivalent of a couple of city blocks long, and I wanted to be sure it wasn't left at the road where it could be grabbed by a passerby.

Last week I put the new big orthopedic dog bed in the heavy-duty almost waterproof cover on the floor. It turns out the dogs seem to be surfing the tile floor with it. I come into the den in the morning and it has slid up against some or other piece of furniture. I may have to get one of the rubber mats that goes under a carpet runner to keep it a bit more stable.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 16 Dec 23 - 10:07 PM

Dupont:

Still feeling good! Left my happy home on Weds morning; stopped at bakery for wonderful muffins, scones and a quart of their wonderful quinoa salad for R; then to the cheese factory, a few miles away, for two 5kg loaves of extra old, white; Then to the shop, a few miles off the highway, that has the "best peanut butter cookies ever" and bought 4 packages for R; then into Kingston to find the LLBean store - with minimal difficulty, to purchase my new shoes after a try-on to be sure the new ones are, indeed, as wonderful as the old ones - They are!! -I wore them all day today and they are as comfy as my slippers! Like walking on air!

After the shoes, it was a straight run for 3 hours to walk into Dupont at 4:02! And unload car, and eat and a short lie down, then start organizing.

Thurs, a trip into an obscure part of the city to pick up lymph tonic - with the help of my phone which had readable directions but refused to speak to me - haven't figured that out yet though today we used it to go about an hour south to look at an interesting property and go to the Farmer's Market - close to each other. The Market venue is an incredible old church in Byzantine style! - so I just spent some time googling it! BUT, the market is tomorrow! I may go back... It is an hour each way...

Trip to the Bakery for desserts and visit with Geri. Will be offering to help her get car repaired - it is far for her and she will need to get home and then back to repair shop - when it can be arranged. No public transport down there.

Laundry is done, kitchen is under control. I managed to get all the goodies into the freezer. Tomorrow is yet to come! We are getting a couple above freezing days and then it drops again, but not a great deal.

At a small craft sale this am, a woman had hats, mittens and more out of recycled wool. Amazingly delightful designs. She gets wool garments at thrift shops and processes it. Her work is beyond "craft" towards art with her use of colours and designs. I got her card and be on the lookout for anything I can give her to recycle.

And I re-connected with an anglophone support group which may offer some interesting socializing.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 23 - 09:01 PM

In the doldrums of this season I'm figuring out how to improve my mood. Part of that is that my brain needs new stimulus when it comes to listening and viewing habits. I've switched around radio stations because of an NPR pledge drive this week (and too much xmas music on another favorite station) and I need to do the same thing with the TV.

I have resolved to stop with repeats of favorite programs - for all that they're well-written and acted, they're known to me. I watched a couple of the Jurassic Park movies last night that I hadn't seen before and as gruesome as they are, I find myself thinking back about what I saw and realize part of the funk this winter is that I need new material to think about. So this week I'll pointedly tune in programs I haven't watched before, and catch up on episodes I've missed on others. I also have a few DVD movies to watch that I've set aside for someday and this may be that time. I can also do some of this concurrent with sewing projects.

This week I need to finish any local shopping in preparation for a holiday event with family. And a houseguest who will arrive sometime after the 26th.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 02:08 PM

It's beginning to look like a lot of people will be here on the day when family can come for the holidays, with the overlap of the annual visit by an elderly house guest (who is like family and knows everyone). Enough that I may have to dismantle a major portion of the working setup in my sewing studio to make access to that bed for the smaller old person who will be here for several days. (It has a wooden frame with wood slats holding up the springs and mattress. She gave me the mattress when she moved out of town years ago.) This would leave the steel-frame queen-sized bed in the regular guest room for two larger adults to stay one night in there. Maybe if I pile things on a table and cover it with something there will be less discussion of all of the projects going on in there (and the large amount of stuff that really does need to be donated someplace else one of these days.)

It also means I have to get busy and put out a few decorations for the holidays so they don't think they're visiting the Grinch (before his conversion).