DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 06:04 PM

I am decluttering myself of a case of COVID-19.
I asked for it, you might say, by singing with a chorus.

The chorus had three Christmas concerts. I sang in two of them.
Two days later, the chorister standing next to me e-mailed me to tell me
that she had just tested positive for COVID-19.
By then I had a cough that was keeping me awake at night.

By the time the vomiting kicked in,
I had tested positive already.

I am fortunate to be in a medical institution where
for a considerable extra amount of money,
I have been put in a room near the nurses' station.
The medication Paxlovid was immediately forthcoming.
Meals came from the dining room.
IN other words, my care could not be better.

In the meantime, my chorister friend who stood next to me sings in
Boston's Tanglewood Festival Chorus, where she says her fellow singers are
"dropping like flies" -- surely she means dropping out, not dropping dead -- with COVID-19.
That's probably where she contracted the virus in the first place.

Choral singins and performing had long been known as a
super-spreader event, and how true it is.

I'm feeling a lot better now, and will be tested again tomorrow.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 06:12 PM

So sorry, keb. Last year, I caught COVID during Handel’s “Messiah”, and ailed all through December. This year, I have sung in two large concerts (plus, of course, all the rehearsals) and so far dodged the bullet.

For my next trick, I’ll take the train to Ottawa for Christmas and back again. Let’s see if the virus takes VIA Rail.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 23 - 08:59 PM

Awww. But good thing you got Paxlovid. My daughter caught COVID last year at a big museum event and the Paxlovid Rx came quick enough that she felt much better quickly. And Charmion, at least you can wear a mask on the train, not something very practical for choral singing.

Keb, what did you sing this year, and are there videos?

I headed over to the gym this afternoon and stayed for my usual full hour workout. Sometimes I've gone in for shorter sessions, telling myself that I'll work up to the long one, but I needed to jump in and keep going. It feels good after, and that's the important part.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Dec 23 - 09:49 AM

Of late, I have developed another irrevocable sign of encroaching geezerdom: this winter, I wear socks in bed.

Full geezerdom is still a ways off, however. If I'm still wearing socks in bed by summer, call me a gone goose.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Dec 23 - 01:25 PM

Charmion, have you discovered the joys of flannel or fleece sleep pants? Year-round I wear various long t-shirts to sleep in, and in winter add the flannel.

My Eddie Bauer heavy terry cloth robe finally wore out and I should have grabbed one of the heavy hotel ones at Tuesday Morning before they went out of business. Terry cloth is hard to sew on with any kind of machine, but I find a couple of colors in stock at Joanns. Searching for a pattern online should be easy at Joanns, they've carried them for years, but it isn't. A random Google search is better, and I see a Butterick one that would work. That I would still buy at Joanns. For now I found a robe on Amazon that seems to be cotton terry cloth and added that to my wish list shared with the family. Making a heavy bathrobe is kind of like making your own shoes or heavy wool coat - best left to someone who does it all of the time with the right equipment. (Fleece and various lighter polyester robes abound out there, but I like the heavy cotton for this, like for bath towels.)

I pulled a couple of pairs of shoes that I rarely wear from the closet this morning. Sneakers I thought I'd use at the gym, but rarely do. Loafers with no cushioned sole, etc. They will go on the Freecycle site. I should try on some of the others that I save for cool weather, to see if they are still comfortable. The hall closet also needs to be visited; any of these things could go to Goodwill also, but I might as well offer them free first.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Dec 23 - 01:31 PM

I, too, wear socks in bed, but not in the summer.

The Christmas program was a long one, I get tired just thinking about everything we sang.
Several works by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, for instance:
A Spotless Rose
Serenity
The Holly and the Ivy
Ecce Novum (with string quartet)

Then there was
Morten Lauridson's O Magnum Mysterium
Hans Leo Hassler's Verbum Caro Factum Est

and arrangements of
Silent Night ("Still, Still Night")
I'll be Home for Christmas
There's No Place like Home for the HOlidays
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Peanuts)

That's all I can retrieve out of the post-COVID memory recall.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Dec 23 - 11:20 AM

Executive decisions help this time of year - figure out how to get something done efficiently and go with that plan. I was perilously close to being swamped with cooking on the day we do our family holiday get together, so I'm going to make one part of it (the holiday gift I make every year for my ex) ahead of time and deliver it so it is out of the way. And the meal for that day won't be takeout (we order it then the ex runs to the places to pick up and it takes a while), but it also won't be the big messy Puerto Rican rice dish we often make. I found a small boneless leg of lamb that I will cube and marinade overnight and put on skewers and grill the day of our family lunch. And with it will be some rice with orzo and spanakopita (I found some frozen at Costco and am hoping they're decent). There will be vegetable sides. If I get to the Halal grocery between now and then I'll pick up some baklava. Now I just have to get a handle on everything else to do with that event. Cleaning and decorating.

I hope Charmion's fruitcakes are well received! I've started delivering baked goods to the usual recipients. This afternoon or tomorrow I'll tackle the julekaka (stollen). I have the fruit I prefer, but I may need a few more sliced almonds, so they're on today's shopping list.

Stay healthy, everyone! COVID is rearing its head and there's a nasty cold still making the rounds. I wasn't the only one wearing a mask in Costco yesterday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 20 Dec 23 - 07:40 PM

Dupont:

R spent the weekend at home! He cleared the current boxes of books from the hallway to the "library". And helped me de-clutter - moral support is good!!! getting rid of boxes and jars!!! I feel lighter! And the hallway is easier to navigate. And no boxes of bottles under the DR chairs! I also did some organizing of the hall closet and took some things out to the garage.

Geri will not be getting the car repaired until after the NY so that is off my mind. R has not yet made a decision about whether we can go to beaver for a few days over Christmas to NY... I shall just go along as though nothing will happen.

Today I went to a "cookie exchange" - totally foreign to me. I put on one of my Christmas sweaters and dangly earrings - stars - found a nice star shaped plate (I hoped someone would love it and could get rid of it!) and bought cookies at an Italian deli.

I was overdressed! But it was a nice couple hours of social interaction, getting to know a bit about the 7 attenders. A very unique experience for me. For them too, no doubt, as I tried to answer their questions concisely! As in "where do you live?"...

Otherwise, mostly on the computer, reading and doing small tasks around the house as I think of them - and feel like doing whatever...

We are celebrating the solstice at the open mike at Mariposa Cafe tomorrow night.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Dec 23 - 11:09 AM

Counting down to departure, I'm mentally listing Things To Not Forget. My Ottawa bus pass is already in my handbag because it's easily left behind. A load of laundry done today will ensure that clean underpants are available when I come home. I must -- repeat must -- buy cat food. The cat visitor has been paid.

The big variable is weather. Ottawa is considerably colder than Stratford at this time of year, but how much colder will it be during the specific week when I will be there? Will I need boots suitable for getting about in deep snow? How 'bout the serious mittens and the windproof hat? When I make the trip by car, I can put all that stuff in a just-in-case box that stays in the car if not needed, but going by train I must guess and roll the dice. I'm taking the down-filled coat that has room inside for an extra warmth layer, but should I pack the thick wool socks and the silk long-johns?

Decisions, decisions. Note that fashion and elegance are not on the list of criteria. This is an important part of age privilege.

A major crisis in the family of another member of the church choir leaves me as the only cantor for all the Christmas Eve services. That means packing on Sunday afternoon and an early supper, and getting to bed sometime around two in the morning. VIA Rail's schedule gives me only 39 minutes to change trains in Toronto, so I must also pack a lunch for the trip -- train food is both nasty and expensive, especially in steerage, where I prefer to travel. Another thing not to forget: my Kobo reader (electric book). Also earphones.

Speaking of gadgets, I have given up on my wireless earphones, the Apple kind branded as "AirPods". They never held more than about three hours' worth of juice, and then one decided that it didn't want to recharge any more. They were hideously expensive, and I'm fairly sure that I didn't get even a year's worth of use out of them. Back to the wired kind, despite the cat's delight in capturing and gnawing on the earpieces. He probably thinks he's decapitating a snake.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 23 - 12:04 PM

The mantle is decorated, not with the sparkling red and gold garland twined with faux-evergreen that I've done for several years. This time I put up smaller pieces that have a history and would be lost behind garland. I think there is a string of lights I can add to make it show up better. I've moved a panel of leaded glass (found years ago at a garage sale) that usually hangs near the back door. It is now propped on the sill of a double window and looks really good so I may leave it there. The hook it was previously suspended from is where my basket on a macrame support hangs every year. Small gifts fill it and it is essentially a faux tree (shape-wise). Must find a place to park the Nissetroll to guard it (she is hidden but with a view of whatever serves as the tree).

While pulling out ornaments I decided to deaccession two larger pieces I rarely use; a large glitter globe from the 1990s (I'm always afraid I'll drop it and have glass and water and the broken resin figures everywhere). Also a large but fairly recent and inexpensive nutcracker. I think I used it once. Someone has spoken up on Freecycle and will retrieve them at midday from the porch. Next, list some of the shoes and the light-weight trench coat I never wear (too big).

Meanwhile, I've had an idea for some re-usable gift bags. I'll pick up some holiday fabric today and make a few bags in various sizes. The fabric will have to have enough white or light color so I can use one of the erasable markers to write the recipient's name. They can be ironed after the holiday to remove the names. This occurred to me yesterday when I was over at the sewing machine store for the two-hour tutorial to follow up after the machine purchase last month. It was very helpful! I can use a fancy stitch in a contrasting thread to attach a ribbon tie to each bag, etc.

Safe travels, everyone!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 23 - 01:03 PM

Cleaning the kitchen and I got a new little restaurant checkered tablecloth and rearranging some of the antiques that sit up on to top of cupboards in the kitchen. I'll work out from here; gifts to be wrapped have been moved to the bedroom so they won't be stumbled upon by any recipients here before the holiday. And I've taken bread and cookies to the neighbors on each side of me.

Shoes on the FB page were claimed and one left to be retrieved any minute now. Clearing out a little at a time. I won't list any more till after the holiday, but I have a stash of things growing that will go that route.

Cooking this afternoon. Gift for the ex (a dish his mother used to make), and preparing for the family dinner on Tuesday. More cookies, mostly.

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

Finished the meat part of the empanadillas for the ex, only to realize I'd forgotten to purchase the Spanish olives (pitted, stuffed with pimento). Those were picked up this evening on my way home from cat-sitting, and the dough for the crust part of the Puerto Rican meat hand pies will be made tomorrow. Assembling them involves rolling out golf ball size pieces of dough, spooning some of the meat on half, adding a couple of the olives and some extra pimento, then wetting the edge, sealing with a fork, and placing in shallow oil to fry. I was tired enough after all of the work to produce about a quart of the meat filling today that we're ok with leaving the rest till tomorrow. He'll come back for them or I'll drive them over to his house.

I'm still picking up around here, and more of the same tomorrow.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Dec 23 - 09:27 AM

Adulting today; showered early, headed out to feed cats (after posting the last of the social media for a couple of days on a job site) and going to the gym between morning feeding and separate medication stops at the cat house. Once I get home, it's nose to the grindstone to finish clearing up for the family event on Tuesday so on Monday I can work on preparing parts of the meal ahead. The mantle is looking good and there is a pretty library table to hold lots of gifts under a long holiday windsock that I put up on a high hook (it would probably blow away if I tried to use it outside).

It is pouring rain and is in the 60s today with the forecast for the rest of the week is high-50s. It is officially a strange winter. The end of the El Niño.

Safe travels to Charmion and Dorothy and the lurkers who drop in. We haven't heard from Jon it a while - how are things at the house with your parents? I hope the siblings have come by to visit and help out. (Now to drop in the Mudcat Tavern and see what ducks and cats and ghosts and squids and all are up to.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 24 Dec 23 - 11:57 AM

Dupont:

Went to "Saturday BF" yesterday. Sat across from two Leons; the one with a fancy hearing aid showed me how it works and encouraged me to get a hearing device. The other kept saying, "You don't need a ..." I could hear him perfectly but not the other one very well - same distance, same background noise... Some people I hear perfectly, others... I will check it out in the New Year. Frequencies!!!

We are having Christmas supper with Cousin Doug and family. I asked R to ask Anne if we could bring dessert - so I would have something I like to eat! I doubt he has done so.

But this am he informs me he has a turkey! I guess I will cook it on Tuesday? "It's in the car - frozen" With the outdoor temp on the cusp of freezing ... Oh, yeah, the car is in the city... I did not yet ask where he got this turkey... He is having a quiet Sunday in bed. He needs it.

When he came home last night, his clothes looked as though he had been rolling in a dump. "Sawdust" "Sawdust is toxic too! ...Take them off and put them in the washing machine.... NOW!" "I want to eat." I blew a stack - "You do not go in the kitchen with those clothes"... and he took off the outer layer, agreeing to take a bath after he ate. I got up about 6 am and turned on the machine, and back to bed and put them in dryer about 8, took them up and dumped them on bed about 10. He said TY for each effort!

His Mom and Dad were both environmentally sensitive; He knows but refuses to behave accordingly -for me. Gotta get tough! ...tougher!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Dec 23 - 10:24 PM

Two afternoon's worth of cooking are finished and two dozen Puerto Rican pork empanadillas were handed over to the ex this evening. Filling made yesterday, dough and made into meat pies today. They are good (we each ate a couple in the process). That was the biggest cooking project for the holidays, and doing it now means our family event on Tuesday will be easier, just the meals for that day and nothing else.

Thunderstorms overnight and lightning in the distance tonight - this is more fall than winter weather. Driving around this morning was in pouring rain; the sun came out this afternoon. It was clear this evening when I went out to feed cats dinner. On the way there most stores were closed but a Family Dollar was open and I was able to get five pounds of flour. Good save - I ran out this afternoon and need it for our pancakes (or maybe cinnamon rolls) for our holiday breakfast.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 23 - 12:17 PM

This morning I unboxed an indoor/outdoor laser decorative light thing I bought years ago on sale and never used. Turns out I can set it up on a table and it will do nice things light-wise on the ceiling. It's set up for our get together tomorrow.

Scrubbing kitchen counters after yesterday's dough-rolling, preparing to make one more batch of cookies, and to do a lot of wrapping (including sewing gift bags). Meanwhile, dog beds in the wash have brought up the "uL" light (unbalanced load) and several attempts still haven't got it spinning right. These beds will have had a lot of rinses by the time they're out. I'll mop the den before putting them back. (We're about to the point where the Lab gets to wear diapers - because he's deaf he sleeps so soundly he sometimes doesn't wake up to head out when he should.)

Bright as can be today, and cold. That's as close to xmas weather as we usually get.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 23 - 09:51 PM

Taking the holiday meal in a new direction was a success - everyone enjoyed the grilled lamb souvlaki along with related Mediterranean items - rice with orzo, spanakopita, yogurt sauce, etc. The most work for this meal was last night when I cut up the lamb and made the marinade. In the past we've made one of several Puerto Rican dishes or ordered takeout.

Not all gifts have arrived yet so will be delivered later in the week. Tis the case these days - but it means that when I meet my daughter for lunch with the book for her partner she will return the pie pan that she took with her this evening. Our history of pie pans is storied, and quite a few have disappeared into the abyss of her house. I keep several extra pyrex pie pans just for these swaps, though today she transported the leftover pie home in her father's pie pan.

Houseguest arrives on Thursday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 23 - 09:31 AM

Yesterday during our holiday dinner a friend picked up a cookbook of "knockoff" recipes and read out one that is kind of depressing: you can make your own "decaff tea" by using any caffeinated tea in the following manner: when the water is on the boil, pour it over the tea and let it steep for 30 seconds. Pour away that water and then use more boiling water to brew a cup. What remains is the decaff part, and it is what I always feared - it is where the flavor went as well.

Lovely bright day today and is my gap between festivities; yesterday's family event means the house is tidy for the next arrival tomorrow, but I have to distribute a few extra xmas cookies so we don't eat them all ourselves. Last day of cat sitting so I'll leave a bag at her house, for starters.

This month I've been back at the gym more consistently (and my knees are happy about that!) but the library book I was listening to ran out before I could finish it and there was a hold so I couldn't renew it. I think the best thing now is to check out the digital text and simply read the last few chapters since that one is available right now. I started another one in the meantime but I can already tell it is going to be a long slog, and possibly a bit depressing. #FirstWorldProblems

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Dec 23 - 11:31 AM

OMG you're gonna be like Dick Van Dyke one day. You will dance the night away.
"If you stop moving you are done for" said the octogenarian.
Longevity is not the goal but quality of life energy. After all even a thoroughly melted lump of Henry Kissinger still hit 100.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 23 - 12:32 AM

Yesterday and today were the calm days between storms; the family gift giving and meals were Tuesday and this evening a guest arrived for several days. I haven't had a chance to do some of the more recreational things that would have been part of the holiday (making cloth gift bags) and I still have to finish my holiday letters—now New Year's letters.

The spectre of the accumulation of thrift-store items in the front room is looming - the boxes and envelopes and packing materials that should be managed are bulging into the front hall. It will be my big chore in 2024 to restart listing those items in an efficient and frequent manner. (eBay is reporting sales as income over about $400, so I need to keep track of what I paid for things before I sell them. Paperwork.)

Meanwhile, or adjacent to that work, I had an interesting conversation at a holiday party this week with a woman who works at an estate sale business. There is so much that goes into pricing - and whether the items are in prime condition or need work - selling them at wholesale or retail prices accordingly. It's the same on eBay, where scarcity is a factor. Too bad bread machines are passe (I read that in Martha Stewart Living this week) - I have several to list, but eBay is stuffed full of them. But other things I have that they aren't overstocked with. (I played with the sentence and couldn't get past ending with a preposition. It isn't really a problem, but the English major rules die hard . . . )

My guest is snugged in the front bedroom (she loves that firm mattress and all of the pillows) and I'm wrapping up my day. And year. I seem to have at least one resolution (but in the continuity of activity here it is just another day, not another year.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 23 - 02:39 PM

When you have a few hours to yourself in a busy week the computer isn't the best place to spend that time, but I had a couple of things to look up this afternoon. Mudcat in general is pretty quiet this week, so that people being busy doing other things seems to be the norm.

My friend who is staying has been looking for some real cloth handkerchiefs to keep in her pocket to dab her nose. I have some linen that is the right weight so if I can find it I will get out the old White Rotary 1941 machine with all of its wonderful hemming feet and other fancy attachments and do a rolled edge hem on at least a couple of hankies, then I can do some fancy stitching for initials with the new machine. It may have a rolled hem foot, I'll look, but I have used the old one so often over the years it's the best technology for this job.

It's a super bright cold day again, that seems as close to winter as we will get this year.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 23 - 04:15 PM

Turns out in my sewing room I had several cotton men's handkerchiefs (I had a dozen or more at one time but used them to line some of the earliest COVID masks I was making - they went to a good cause!) The three I'm giving her will suit better than the lightweight linen I was thinking of using, but I wanted to use the new machine to embroider on her initials and there is a learning curve. I also needed to stabilize the fabric (after looking up homemade starch I found a folder of Solvy water-soluble stabilizer) but then still had to practice setting the machine up for embroidery and do some test stitches on scraps.

Doing this as a surprise is not easy when you have a curious house guest, so I sent her out with my ex to visit the museums (they do this every visit) and I have just finished the hankies and put them in the wash to remove the stabilizer and any of the disappearing ink I used to mark the position to sew.

The sewing machine tutorial from a couple of weeks ago was helpful, though I still have one part of it to figure out. I have the old White Rotary that I bought at Goodwill to take in for a new foot pedal and to be tuned up, so I'll ask her at the same time.

It's about time for a new declutter thread. It's going to be a tough year politically, getting on all of our nerves, so turning inward and working on self-improvement and creative projects will be a good distraction and contribute to better mental health.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 23 - 10:04 PM

Handkerchiefs happily received!

Making dinner I had my usual things on the counter (I've kept a cutting board and ceramic knife handy for cutting up fruit and vege to encourage me to eat it more) but my friend kept looking for a knife to do things that were liable to break the ceramic so I finally took that and another one away from her and gave her a very sharp steel knife. Oy. She must think I'm paranoid - but I am - when you read the reviews those knives have their proper use and they don't get used on plates or to pry things or cut frozen stuff, etc.

I hope everyone is having a great last weekend of 2023!

Dorothy, how is Montreal? Charmion, how is Ottawa? Everyone else, especially our lurkers, how are your homes and environs?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Dec 23 - 02:06 AM

It's 6pm on New Year's eve & I'm battened down. I popped into the supermarket earlier as I'd run out of eggs & a few other things - $51 later I leave. Lotsa' folk were buying ice & other stuff to bring in the New Year - I'm sure the sellers of alcohol were also busy!

My neighbour works in suburbia (we live near the harbour) & reported trains into the city were packed, everyone is heading to a good spot in our little piece of paradise to watch the 9pm & midnight fireworks, & rain is expected!

But we are in our apartments, I'll be working on the archives of Australia's oldest folk club which turns 70 in October & will of course hear both sets of fireworks & the roar of the crowd(s) & will be sipping on my favourite drink, vanilla malted milk & might even have a buttered crumpet!

Happy New Year!

referring to the topic of this thread - as I've pulled out lotsa' archives & piled them around the scanner, I have to step carefully!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Dec 23 - 08:02 AM

the 2024 New Year fireworks are booming! so too are the crowds ...

Happy New Year

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 23 - 03:54 PM

Thanks, Sandra! Here in time for the New Year in the US:

DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024