DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Sep 23 - 10:40 PM

The day started out kind of glum, probably the approaching autumn. It has that effect sometimes, but I managed to get enough things finished today to generate some endorphins. The biggest accomplishment was the transfer of my ex's house landline to Google Voice. A couple of weeks ago we went to T-Mobile to port his AT&T phone and last week the house dial tone stopped. Google Voice won't port landlines, only cell phone lines, so T-Mobile was our chosen go-between.

Logging onto T-Mobile the first time is via their authentication activity in a cell phone, so today we used my retired cell phone with the new SIM card and were able to logon to generate the port-out-code to move the phone number over to Google Voice.

He paid $20 to Google, a one-time charge for the transfer, and in a couple of days all calls going to the house phone number will hit the Google spam filter that's pretty good. And because he shared his current phone's contact list with Google Voice (when he installed the app on the Samsung phone), Voice will only forward calls from people on his list. Whew.

A huge bouffant pile of dog hair went into the trash tonight. Tomorrow I turn my attention from the house to the yard and start trimming around the ragged edges of lawn and gardens. The pile of branches at the curb is still waiting pickup (bulky waste) so I'll add to the pile until it goes away.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Sep 23 - 11:38 AM

It is cool enough here to start walking the dogs again but Zeke will be staying home unless I decide to try to drag him in the wagon. I suspect he wouldn't stay down in the wagon and too high a center of gravity would make even a trip around the longish block near me precarious. We are weeks away from switching from cool to heat, but I'm almost to turning off the ceiling fan in the bedroom overnight. Or I need to get another light covering; it will be a negotiation for a few days before the fan is turned off.

Last night I did a COVID test since I'd been in a group of unmasked people on Wednesday. There are no symptoms, this was for an early warning since I'm giving a tour at the museum today. Negative, as expected.

My seedlings are looking good so it's time to start clearing the spots where they'll be planted for the fall, and I may put one or two each in large pots (I put in seeds for six cucumber and six calabash zucchini). It's also time to take the mower and the weedwacker out to trim around the scruffy front yard and bring in the wading pool with the little floating solar-powered fountain. The birdbaths are always out there, but the pool takes a little more maintenance.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 23 - 06:16 PM

Vaccination research shows that the COVID shot will be available here at the end of the month and I need to look into RSV - the shot is $350 out of pocket if my insurance doesn't pay. So I got the flu shot today.

This afternoon I opened a shoebox full of small cross-stitch kits and partially stitched projects and I found a stitching diagram of a larger project in my ex's handwriting, so I'll see if it is something he remembers or wants. He used to sew and do carpentry and and leatherwork when we first met. The rest is donatable, or since there are some uncompleted ones, maybe to Freecycle.

There continues to be a chance of rain this evening and tomorrow, and this afternoon my informal rain gauge, the trash can beside the driveway, had at least 1.5" of water in the bottom.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Sep 23 - 12:26 PM

Thompson, I contributed some local photos to Panoramio ages ago, then it was purchased by Google and incorporated as a layer, but that layer disappeared (2017). I am part of the local guides but haven't put photos up again. I visited bridges that cross Sycamore Creek in Fort Worth to post upstream and downstream photos from each bridge, down to the Trinity River. A couple of people using the maps emailed offering suggestions of more access points. I use G. Maps to navigate past traffic congestion and find new places, but so many times I drive past a wooded area or a large berm or wall and think "I'll have to look that up on Google Maps when I get home." I mostly forget until I sit down for some binge snooping. Now much of the Earth and Maps content is merged so either one works for the curious folks of the world. What do you have in YOUR backyard? ;-)

Rain again this morning; such a relief from a week ago today when we hit the last cringe-worthy high temperature of the season. I'm back from cat feeding and a productive trip along the boulevard I travel from my house to hers. Dollar Store shampoo without the SLS (a coconut allergen), a different Dollar Store clearance gardening gloves with a latex sticky hand surface (recommended for quilting when you're doing the machine quilting and pushing a lot of fabric through the domestic machine - better traction), and a fresh batch of Louisiana Fish Fry in a 12 ounce bag; the current 2-3 pound plastic jug expired a year ago Wednesday and while it tastes ok, there is more than half left. The new bag goes into a jar and the jug contents sprinkled into the garden. The recipe has 99.5% corn meal which is an excellent fertilizer. The garden will smell a little more Cajun than usual.

Another dive into the sewing studio; I'm finding this rediscovery of old projects fascinating—some I wanted to finish but forgot, many I'm completely over, etc. Lots of gifts that were never used - scarves, etc., that might see new life now. And gobs of batting and polyfill. When I finally put it all together it should add up to enough for several projects ahead. Must sort the iron-on sticky pieces from the regular old interfacing and all of the variations in between. I will also be moving furniture, I'm not sure how much or where yet. What I really need is to have my daughter clear the contents of the closet; it is packed with her long-forgotten stuff. I have a plan for that.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 23 - 08:55 PM

Jon, that's terrible news. Tim is a sibling? And why would your credit card be involved with Google maps? It's free AFAIK. Or have you found some special goodies they offer for a fee?

Patty, check in if you feel like it, or send an email and let us know how you're doing. Hopefully your weather is cooler and nice now, as it is here, not contributing to your discomfort.

Lifting a box of glass bottles (Topo Chico) today I pulled some stomach muscles, something I seem to do every year or two if I'm not careful. Goes back to a gymnastics injury in junior high school. I microwaved the sock-like bag of rice to apply heat and that has helped, but it means being careful for a little while to let things heal.

A bin today in the sewing studio revealed a BeDazzler (as seen on TV) for fastening beads with teeth onto garments. Kind of like using a tool to fasten grommets. Now most things are glued, but there might still be an application for this (pardon the pun!) I still have pearls and gemstone beads and materials for jewelry making that I plan to return to. I also still use beads in the context of sewing. I put a lot of bling on a red felt xmas stocking for my daughter-in-law that matches the one I had from childhood. My mom made them from a kit and I knew I had the felt and the sparkly stuff and it had to be made in a hurry. My daughter did the cutting out and sewing and I added the decor. I have another stocking to make for my son's partner who one of these days will be here for the holiday.

Cat sitting for the next few days, but nothing else on my calendar, so I plan to dig into the studio shelves more and see what else I can evict. I might also do some sewing machine rearrangement. The room used to be a bedroom and still has a double bed and a matching dresser pushed back into corners. I'd love to move those out, but we occasionally use the bed. I'll have to think about this.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 23 - 11:24 AM

Thompson (is that what you prefer we call you?), I watched a video of the process recently - so many steps! Good luck with that project!

Yesterday I attended a retirement reception that was held in a normally good-sized room but with so many people the ventilation wasn't up to the event and no one was wearing a mask. I consider this the bonafide first super-spreader event I've been to. The retiree usually wears masks in groups and if meeting someone else in a mask he pops one on, but he wasn't wearing a mask, so I stood back but I didn't put on my mask. The room contained a fair percentage of rich conservative white folks who may not have been vaccinated.

I've looked up the rug and crochet-like materials - that hobby is called latch hook, and it appears kits are still sold and people still do it, so I won't toss it as obsolete. I have bins full of tiny beads and glitter and I wonder if glitter is even allowed at schools now, it gets into everything. Something to ask about. The kids and I produced a lot of decorative egg holiday ornaments for the tree, made with glitter and beads and ribbon, but that ship has sailed as far as my interest in it. Those items are in another bin or two.

It's a lovely rainy morning and I can wear my new rain slicker (last used in May?) Soon I'll be able to turn over soil and weed parts of the garden where I want to put in cucumber and zucchini for fall crops. You can water with a bucket or a sprinkler all summer, but until it rains, the soil just isn't as easy to work.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 23 - 10:31 PM

So many things coming and going between Dupont and Beaver - and the communities where each of those houses are!

I hope all of Charmion's boxes were moved satisfactorily - no strains in the lifting or cramming into the car.

This afternoon I pulled from my craft storage a bin my sister sent me from my Mom's house and craft stuff from when the kids were younger. Mom had rug backing kits and crochet hook tools (for knotted yarn rugs). I met my daughter today and had her shop through the stuff. She took the more ornate large beads (they were originally hers) and some lovely crystals we bought in Arkansas many years ago, plus a few other items. And she gave me a tip - there is a local organization that accepts all sorts of donations that can be used by teachers for art projects and for building sets for theater programs. I can let them look at what my daughter doesn't need and what they don't want goes to Facebook or Freecycle.

I kept the bin with Mom's braided rug stuff - I watched her make those when I was a kid and always wanted to try, and it is another place where scrap fabric can go. There's a partial rug in there I can practice on.

This evening I went back to the craft storage shelves and pulled out old crayons, colored pencils, watercolor paints, and some ancient art pastel chalk that still works. Some of the chalk I had when I was a child! More for the Welman folks to consider. I'll take it over at one time, not piecemeal—I'll work on these shelves for the rest of the week. With this stuff the "keeping it for grandchildren" argument doesn't win when considering how old and how messy some of it is.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 23 - 09:45 PM

The quilting tutorials I'm watching have come around to the organization of the sewing room - having the three most important stations in good proximity (sewing machine, cutting table, ironing board) and for everything else - it can involve a major declutter before deciding how to organize it. Will this be my project that finally evicts all of the storage containers that hold my mother's unfinished projects? There are a couple I thought about trying, but some I have no interest in. I think Freecycle will be the avenue out of the house for those (and I should have done this anyway.)

Meanwhile, I chipped away more of the huge tree root that blocks construction of my last fence panel, stopping when the reciprocating saw battery ran out. And the last of the pickets have been painted with wood preservative. I have a whole gallon and only needed to paint four pickets, but it is clear so can be used for other wood projects in the future and it keeps well.

With the weather shift coolers are put away (one was on the porch with water for the mail carrier, another next to the side door to take shopping for bringing home cold groceries). We're more closely duplicating the conditions people on the east coast have complained about - our temperatures are lower finally but the humidity shot up. I don't need the coolers but I still need the ceiling fan and the air conditioner to pull the moisture out of the house.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 23 - 11:57 AM

More rain overnight and normal September temperatures this week. The yard is muddy because of the rain that is still soaking into the super dry soil, so lots of dog footprints through the den. I will be able to make the last push on removing the large root and finishing the fence. I might even be able to go into the attic in the mornings (I'll have to go take a look and see if I've found all of the holes at the edge of the soffit to fill with mortar to keep out mice and squirrels.)

I meant to do something productive last night but ended up watching YouTube videos by a guy who goes to sit with dogs in shelters and help get them adopted. They're always nice stories, though some of the dogs come in pretty rough.

There are more okra in the garden now and we could have six to eight weeks before a frost, or longer, so I hope to get some crops. The stuff that survived the heat is ready to produce now, if I give them a little space (pull out some of the weeds crowding them) and some organic fertilizer as a boost.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 23 - 10:54 PM

Dorothy, I have an email that looks like it is legitimately from the US Post Office, telling me that the payment method saved for autopay (for my post office box) is about to expire and I should logon and change it. Except it has more than a year before it expires. I logged on directly to USPS (never follow an email link) and looked. There was an already expired debit card in there and the current credit card. This has me scratching my head - has the USPS been hacked? It's probably an error, but I'm not following their link.

It was lovely today, a high of 93. So much better than 103 or 110. There is rain in the forecast this week, with the suggestion that while the storms may not move over everyone at the same time, by the time they all pass through, everyone should get at least an inch of rain. Bring it on!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 23 - 01:19 PM

The old lab is in great shape for a dog that is 15 years eight months. He lost 10 pounds since last year (intentionally, I knew it would help his hips a bit; he's now down to his old "normal" weight) so loading him into the SUV wasn't as hard this time as last. There are a couple of ironic elements to the visit (of course!) - last week I tossed the contents of a 2-pound jar of brewer's yeast into the compost because it was about four years old and I hadn't used it much (to keep flies off - if they get it in their diets it helps repel pests). But it turns out he's a little anemic and the B vitamins would be beneficial, so I've ordered a new tub of it. And with all of this is the classic hit to the wallet - the refund check from the Home Warranty folks for fixing the dryer arrived today and it was $4 more than the vet bill.

Good luck with the steps, Charmion. I have an exercise app that I've set up to remind (nag) me every day that I should use it. I should probably set it to a different time, the one I've set so far hasn't been very effective because I'm usually in the middle of something when it goes off.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 23 - 10:48 AM

Funny you should mention magnification glasses - here they are OTC readers. My everyday glasses have no Rx on the top thanks to the cataract surgery, they have a bifocal bottom for everyday looking at things close. I didn't pay the really big bucks for cataract replacement lenses that are for near and distance.

With bifocals at the computer I'd be tipping my head back and getting a stiff neck. Years ago I learned that was what was happening at work and I got "office glasses" that gave me mid-range and close only, for the computer screen and the desktop. Now I can just use readers and I bought a couple of packs of them at Costco. I don't carry a pair everywhere, I trade glasses in places were I work around the house. I have a pair of readers in my handbag. The entire lens is a magnifier, you don't have to keep moving your head to see out of the bottom of the lens.

It rained this morning and is now 71 degrees. I'll still use ceiling fans for a while, but the heat pumps will finally get a break. I moved a couple of pots of seedlings outside—that were started indoors they but haven't thrived in window light. On the outside potting bench I have a dozen pots with cucumber and squash cotyledons on view and the shade cloth pulled back so they'll get full sun.

The plastic step stool is on the ground next to the SUV and I'm wearing gardening clothes for the prospect of picking up and rolling the Lab into through the liftback. We'd get too tangled up if I put him on a back passenger seat. I'll take the step stool with us, and lots of treats, just because. Every morning as I head into the den I wonder if he chose to follow Poppy's example, passing away in his favorite place to sleep, but he's hanging in there. He's eating and he seems to be a happy guy, so I need to keep him comfortable. (He's quite frisky this morning with the cooler temperatures.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 23 - 07:07 PM

As the heat dissipates from our unwelcome intense heat dome I think energy will return. It's not that I felt unenergetic during the heat, it's that now that things are cooler I realize how much more I feel like can accomplish when it's possible to go outside and do things, not just duck back in as quickly as possible.

I've started making lists of things to round up or put on a wish list if I seriously take up quilting. I remember when Michelle (LilyFestre) started, maybe 10 years ago, by buying precut strips, then fat quarters, and going from there. I have tons of fabric in my stash and lots of scraps to approach from the use-up-what-I-already-have angle for crazy quilts, just to get the hang of it. But even when starting with scraps decisions must be made about the size of blocks, the batting to use, etc. So I'm watching videos and occasionally heading into the sewing studio to see if I already have the items under discussion and realizing I'll need to rearrange materials for a new use. This is a creative form of decluttering, putting extra fabric to a new use, and it's interesting to plan for.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 23 - 10:40 AM

I accomplished very little yesterday and was feeling blah about it so did a few standard chores before bed (ran the dishwasher, set up the clothes washer to run this morning). And the maiden voyage of the dryer this morning - so far it didn't heat when I set it on medium with "timed dry." And it wobbles. So must test different settings and figure out which corner has the leveling foot. I probably have 30 to 90 days to report any problems - must print out the warranty (for the warranty). Today is still hot, up to the high 90s, but starting Monday our week forecast shows all mid to high 80s. The plan with the dryer this morning is to run it long enough to be sure it works then pull the t-shirts out to put on hangers and finish drying outside. The towels and pants can stay in the dryer. With it set to use the drying sensors it is heating as it should; all settings may not be connected properly in the repair.

The big old chocolate Labrador has an appointment tomorrow at the vet. He is staggering around more than ever but he still loves his food and his life. He will get a much-needed nail trim and we'll see if it is time for pain meds to help with the arthritis. I'll need to stack boxes as steps to get him into the SUV and they say they'll help me with getting him out and putting him back in down at the office.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 23 - 06:37 PM

Earth is much like Windy, and I use both of them occasionally. The Norwegian one is in C not F, and the graphic is pretty simple - I think more trouble that it is worth. Perhaps for users north of the border who won't have to convert the predictions! But thanks for the suggestion! It's always interesting to poke around on those sites.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 23 - 04:55 PM

Thompson, sorry to read about the recent COVID infection. It hasn't gone away. I made a lot of masks for friends and family during 2020 and 2021, and as a general thing I wear a mask in public places like the grocery store, the post office, etc. I try to dine in areas with few people and manage that by going in for a later lunch (haven't had dinner out since I can remember.) I also wear masks when I work in the yard if I'm kicking up dust (mowing, etc.). Might as well spare myself the sneezing that comes with the work.

Yesterday's high was very high for September (108^o), it broke records, but the day ended with a powerful thunderstorm passing through and between 1/4 and 1/2 inch falling. What a finale to the heat wave!

We had an impromptu bulky waste deposit happen this morning after that wind storm took out limbs in the box elder tree next door and they fell in my yard. The neighbors and I dragged them out to the curb, then we dragged a limb that fell on the very back of my yard last month, that probably accountable to "sudden limb drop" from the prolonged heat stressing trees so much. I'll take a saw out front later and cut shorter lengths and neaten the stack. The village will pick up bulky materials in our part of the village next week. Excellent timing for a storm.

My ex came by yesterday so I pulled the hard drives from those old towers and everything went into his trunk and off to the city recycle center. The disks will be disposed of next time someone collects that more sensitive data for destruction, probably Earth Day on my old campus (I take stuff to them every year.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 23 - 12:31 PM

We're at the last of the "heat dome" this week, the forecast from the weekend on includes a chance of precipitation and much cooler temperatures. But yesterday and today ERCOT asks us to not use as much power in the afternoon and early evening, so helping a friend set up a new computer in the second floor of his townhouse was a sweaty job.

Before setup we decluttered a couple of towers and some small devices that were in the kneehole of his desk (in my SUV now, headed to the city recycle center soon). The most recent computer and monitor are set aside for "just in case," the rest can go. We bailed out paper and a gazillion old plugs and extension cords (a couple of cords I should have cut in two right there - they are fire hazards). I made a list and back home last night rounded up a new mouse pad, a couple of newer power strips, and a headphone and mic thing I bought for my laptop but never used. And since during yesterday's setup we misplaced the cable and power cord for his external hard drive, I have the same model here so found a spare power supply (12V - 1.5Amp) and a USB cable - mini-B plug Type-A receptacle - from the stash in my closet. He came over this morning to pick them up since I have the dryer repair this morning. I think you could say we have both decluttered. The power strips would have gone on Freecycle or Facebook. (I've updated 2 of my power strips to have USB charging ports, retiring the others.)

There are clunks and tinny bumps coming from the laundry room as the service tech reassembles the dryer, rounding out a busy week of appointments. The dogs are in the yard and it's in the mid-90s, so they're ok. It's this afternoon's 108 that no one needs to be outside for. This afternoon we'll stay home and putter. I want to do some sewing.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 23 - 10:04 PM

Do you use any of DaveRo's Mudcat tools? There are threads about them.

I made batch of birthday cinnamon rolls this morning and took some for dessert at lunch with my daughter and ex; sent some home with the ex and took some to neighbors. Giving most of them away means I won't eat them all by myself, but most of my calories today did come from rolls.

This evening I pulled a couple of painted tin bread boxes from the top of cabinets to dust and clean (the one over the top stove needed more work, it has been there for years.) I'll send photos to the kids to see if they're interested in one or both. I have to keep doing this to involve the kids in the decluttering of family antiques.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 23 - 09:24 PM

Yesterday I identified a spot on the soffit where mice or squirrels or anything else can get in through a gap on top of the brick wall (due to settling of the house as the foundation shifts). I'll mix some mortar and drag the stepladder over and fill those crevices to keep them out, but far enough up and back so that when we've had some rain the mortar won't mess up the soffit as the house shifts again. I've also started using a battery-operated transfer pump to empty water out of a rain barrel that I've never completely set up the way it needs to be—it sits in front of a bay window where the splash off of it has rotted a bottom piece of wood. That needs replacing and a repair under the window casing. These are two of a lot of small repairs to perform this fall, but I will wait until the daytime temperatures are better. It looks like next week we'll be closer to "normal."

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 23 - 06:29 PM

The Sears tech texted at 3:30 to say he was overbooked, and would come tomorrow. I. Don't. Think. So. He already killed one day. Put me down for Friday.

No pear trees, but I have some little oaks and a redbud tree in pots here that I've struggled to keep alive this summer. I lost a couple, and all are crisp around the edges. Two are destined to go to other yards but they didn't want to try to keep them alive until a good time to plant.

More progress in the kitchen but the six things I put on my little list today went totally undone because of the cancellation (and subsequent trip out - that I cancelled). I've changed the date to tomorrow to try again. Saves a postit note.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Sep 23 - 02:45 PM

Thanks, Dorothy!

I am held hostage by the Sears scheduling system. The tech told me last week that he is not able to see his full day's appointments in the morning so it isn't until midday (coming up soon) that he can notify customers when he will be there. So I have waited here this morning when I could have been out at my volunteer gig.

The kitchen is looking better and I've been clearing around the little dining table. In the corner beside the table is a bin for paper recycling, but I've stopped putting mail in it, I'll stick with paperboard and corrugated cardboard. Those seem to be what interest the recyclers the most. I have some jars to fill with things that have been in the freezer (to kill any eggs that might have come along from the store) - beans, flour, pasta, dog biscuits, it all goes in there for a while. All of this happens because there is storage in the Hoosier Kitchen next to the small dining table, as well as my upright freezer. If I ever redesigned this kitchen I'd move the peninsula and extend the cabinets and counters, etc. For now, I use a piece of antique furniture for a lot of useful storage.

I'm waiting till later in the month to get the flu and COVID boosters. And don't confuse this thread for MOAB. :)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 23 - 04:14 PM

Small password books can too easily go missing. I helped a friend replace hers in the past - tedious! I have printouts from new sites that are usually screenshots of the account with the information to logon in place (from the screen shot or handwritten) and those are kept in two 3-ring binders. I can go back and easily update passwords and add notes without running out of space on the alphabet page in a little book. Big, but hard to lose. Not taking them anywhere either.

Today has been one for puttering and researching. I've identified the replacement LED light for my upright freezer (it simply shows that it is on and plugged in) and downloaded the manual and schematic. I also browsed through some sewing videos on YouTube, things I'm thinking about trying. And the kitchen is on its way to being much cleaner, with a goal to clear the counters, the peninsula, and the breakfast table.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Sep 23 - 11:16 AM

Welcome to the week of overheated birthdays. The triple-digits are dug-in here and despite a tease of "rain" that was actually a visual representation of humidity for today, there are good reasons world-wide for not actually lighting that many candles.

As hot as the afternoons still are, the quality of light changes noticeably this time of year and the mornings are cooler and after dusk becomes tolerable. I've started a several-day job of trimming the tall mostly-dead grass around the front yard and piling bulky waste, with a head start in today's trash by stuffing the can with a couple of clunky metal items (trash pickup is only deferred for Thanksgiving and xmas holidays.)

I hope in a couple of weeks to have small plants to transplant into beds and then in October harvest a few squash and cucumbers. I waited too long, but I may still get something. I've enjoyed fresh pickles all summer made from early summer cucumbers.

Sears has sent me a reminder every day that tomorrow they will arrive to fix my dryer. Clearly they're as excited about the prospect as I am! And a reminder myself to pay the home warranty bill. This year I will have recouped about half the cost of it with the dryer repair, better than the usual no-participation from other insurance policies (no claims means another year of pure profit for those companies. Legalized gambling in all of its complexity.)

Jon, if you've finished with your svg charts, what is your next project? Do you have a record of where all of your files and accounts are? Passwords? I keep meaning to tidy my records and discard the documents from old accounts that no longer exist. My daughter knows where all of this is kept, but knowing where and sorting are two huge different things.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 23 - 10:33 PM

The dogs are washed and there is a pleasant scent of fresh damp dog in the house this evening. I washed Cookie first because though small and the easiest coat to clean, I knew she'd be hard to catch later. Pepper loves the continual banter about how pretty she is and how shiny she'll be and what a good girl she is - and offers kisses any time I get my cheek close. Zeke is now deaf, so he can't hear the talk, so I had to keep getting his attention and offering pats and kisses next to his ear. Maybe he can hear me a little bit if I tell him he's a good dog right into his ear canal.

I offered treats every time I finished washing someone (so I could grab the next collar for another bath) and they love to be bribed. I used to wash the dogs more often until the vet said they really don't need it. My pitbull would hop into the tub when I asked her to.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Sep 23 - 06:33 PM

When I was a teen I had several large moles that the dermatologist removed just on general principles. Over the years I've had a couple more removed, but I haven't had that type of mole so much as the usual age spots that still probably need a check. Mississippi is probably as miserable as Texas is this time of year. We're not much closer than Maryland, but if you feel the urge to get out of town and want to drive over for a few days, let me know, you'd be welcome (I have three dogs who are friendly but hairy, so there is an allergy warning to issue.)

I did get to the corner to trim the grass and worked my way down the driveway as far as the extension cord would let me move. The swept up trimmings and some old tomato limbs that had been stacked out front have been tipped into the compost. When I finish my glass of iced tea the dogs are next on my list of things-to-do.

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

Patty, we missed hearing about the skin cancer. Reminds me I've been meaning to see a dermatologist "just because," and at my age, hopefully head off anything they might see that I don't detect yet. I hope the one excision gets the whole thing! Are you in Utah now?

Dog baths postponed until today, I'll begin soon. Materials accumulated for the activity (towels, leash, squirt bottle with dilute shampoo) haven't caused alarm so far. Not that they are alarmed, but none of them are fond of that first squirt with the hose. I have to get everyone into the yard and cover the dog door or they'll dash into the house soaking wet and shake off in there. I'll take a bag of treats out with me, to lessen their unhappiness.

This morning I awoke thinking I needed to start trimming in the corner of the yard where my outdoor potting bench sits; as a result, I've worked on cleaning the kitchen. Oh, well. I may still get to that corner, the day is young.

Oh, and Patty, my pool shoes arrived today, they fit, and are in my gym bag. Thanks for that tip!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 23 - 12:44 PM

The phone is connected by cable to the computer and I'm copying phone images into a file where many years of phone photos reside. A jumble together (filed by phone, and most of them by now broken into yearly folders for each phone). If I put folders of photos onto OneDrive from the computer it is of no interest to Samsung, it isn't part of their filing architecture, though it will open those files if I navigate there in the app.

The time has come to clean the kitchen. Too much stuff spread around so the horizontal surfaces are again almost unusable.

No luck at Academy Sports as far as aqua socks (at the end of the season they're out of most sizes), and I looked online to see if several other places might have them locally. Nope. I don't usually buy shoes online unless they are exactly the same make and model as something I already own, but this time I had to go to Amazon. Even sizes only and no widths, but it should work. I bought a brand I recognize the name brand of; many of their offerings come from startup or off-brand places. These are by Body Glove, a company I've bought from before for other products.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Sep 23 - 10:47 AM

My across-the-street neighbor is in his 80s; he's out puttering in the yard this morning. We've waited out this heat and finally the mornings are tolerable these days though the afternoons are still over 100^o. September is so welcome.

And I realized that for the math on the dryer I left out a charge - if I hadn't had the dryer fixed, had opted for cash to buy a new dryer, I'd have been out the $100+tax service charge to come to the house for the diagnosis. The home warranty participation would have been shrunk by that much. #HigherMath

Shirts are on hangers on the line on the porch and the sheets and towels and small stuff are on the clothesline behind the garage. For any other appliance failure I'd have someone out right away; for the dryer this time of year, it wasn't urgent.

A big declutter planned for today - I've set up to give the dogs baths. I use a hose in the back yard with a leash fastened to the patio cover post to keep them in place. Loop one end around the neck and they know not to pull. They don't love the bath but they're so frisky when it's finished.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 23 - 10:45 PM

Dorothy, that truck must have had a lot of moving violations to be stopped the way it was. The tank of gas may be a short-term annoyance, but it sounds like it might have been a good move. Down here in Texas older vehicles get a special protected status and license plate to go with it. My daughter-in-law has a vehicle she imported from Japan that doesn't meet modern emission and safety standards, but it is registered as an antique. She takes it to shows where people with similar cars meet. Trucks in Texas are king - too bad R didn't send it down here.

I'm following the practice that BatGoddess started ages ago and celebrating the birth week and month - I'm a couple of days younger than Charmion (I was born on Labor Day in 1954; her birthday lands on Labor Day this year). I had a small windfall after a job went a day longer than expected so I bought some last-chance ribeye steaks and will pick up a bottle of my favorite single malt Scotch to extend the celebration over several days or a couple of weeks. During my life I never imagined what it would be like to be this old, but this age in my lifetime isn't the same as this age in my parents' lifetime. I'm not sure that I can describe the difference, but I can feel it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 23 - 12:51 PM

Health issues dictate so many trips. It used to be 2 trips. The littlest guy was in pretty bad shape for a while, but now gets a midday medication that can't be given with the other meds in the morning and evening meals (has to be an hour before or after those meds). Sometimes when I have errands I stop by for that medication then swing back an hour later for the dinner meal without having made an extra trip to and from my house. Every third day there is an injection of a steroid that seems to have made a big difference for him. They are her children.

I'm still struggling to get the phone to upload any photos now. Damn Samsung, I never should have let the tablet upload screenshots, it messed up the phone settings also. Now there are stray files in my OneDrive account and it's backing up old stuff that is already in the system. I don't want to delete photos from my phone to get the phone to stop uploading, but that seems about the only way to do it. If you delete things from the "synced" Samsung folders it will by default delete them from the source folder, so you have to manage to tell it not to do that.

Dryer repair person has been and gone, my wallet is decluttered by $500 and change, and the home warranty will cover $350 of that. Sears will lower the price if I buy their year warranty for various appliances, but that would be a warranty on a warranty and the Sears one would be used before the Home Warranty (I asked). It is too much to have duplicates, and the Home one covers more things. Nothing completely covered, but takes a chunk out of the bill. It doesn't matter what type of appliance you have, though, it depends on if a new one can be bought cheap, so their replacement cost would cover the cheapest dryer at Lowe's, not the Consumer Reports best buy at Lowes. I'm having this dryer fixed and costing myself about $200 instead of taking their $350 and spending $400 more to get the better dryer at Lowe's. It's all a matter of logic and math. There is no new feature in a new dryer that is an improvement on how the old one works. It's a box of hot air, it has a moisture sensor that works, end of story.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Aug 23 - 12:19 AM

My and everyone having a similar version and device was a nod to that problem - working affordable devices with comparable software and charged batteries. No batteries with paper. :)

My cat-sitting assignment was to end this evening, but after feeding the cats dinner I texted her saying they were taken care of and please let me know when she gets home. The answer was that she's returning late tomorrow. Not what her document calendar shows and not what she paid, but I can't let the cats starve for a day so I'll juggle my dryer repair appointment and cat feeding (means I have to get up really early, because the A&E—used to be Sears—folks make you block the entire day and they'll arrive at some point between 8am and 5pm.) Not even a four hour block like the cable company insists upon. I scheduled this for Thursday instead of earlier to not tangle with the three-runs a day for cats. But I'm back in the car anyway (nod to Jurassic Park).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 04:52 PM

I hadn't considered it, but I can see how if a conductor is making adjustments on the text for the performance that would need paper. It is possible to mark up PDF files, but that would require every performer have a level of familiarity with the software (and everyone having a similar version and device).

Today's batch of stuff to the e-waste collection station has left the garage, added to what my ex had in the trunk already, including a boxed old keyboard that announced it was "Internet Ready!"

Tomorrow is predicted to be only 99 (after that it goes up again). Just as well because the dogs will be in the backyard for a while when the dryer repair person is here. This evening I need to clear stuff out of the way to be ready.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Aug 23 - 12:38 AM

Dorothy, I like the idea of you and others with a photo of Ruth - a mentor and friend.

Charmion, I am amazed by the amount of work that goes into your choir program and its rehearsals. I don't suppose any of them have asked for PDF copies they can load on their tablets? It would mean a lot less paper. (About 20 years ago we had the tech reviewer and now CBS Sunday Morning presenter David Pogue at my university - for his talk he requested a Steinway piano - I was prepared to read music and turn pages for him, but he had his music on a tablet he set on the music stand and didn't need any help.)

Watering plants and feeding cats for a friend over the last week has involved trying to keep plants alive under horribly hot conditions last week on Thursday through Saturday. She gets back in town tomorrow and I expect to hear questions about the curled brown edges on a few large plants - and I'll point out that they're still alive and that's about all I could manage.

Checked the mail in the post office box today. Fourteen months out from the ex's retirement and I'm still not getting a portion of the pension. The OPM folks are not just slow, they're glacial. There will be a lot of decluttering once they finally let the eagle shit.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Aug 23 - 12:39 AM

Three loaves of mango bread are cooling; this soda bread is one of those wet ones, lots of oil (even though I reduced it and used applesauce for half of it), and more cake- than bread-like. Too hot to try now.

As hot as it has been outside I keep the thermostat in the house pretty warm (80), so baking that bread was enough to bring up a sweat because I didn't push the air conditioning down to compensate for the oven. Not a great time of year for baking.

Laundry is drying on hangers and a few pieces are on the clothesline outside; must call to see about the dryer repair. It isn't just that the dryer needs repair, it means in preparation I have to empty everything on that side of the room around it. Shelves, donation bin, and a bonus: on the other side of the doorway into the laundry room is where my gardening cart sits, next to the potting bench, both in the way of an appliance being moved in and out of the house.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Aug 23 - 12:19 PM

Trouble with most flip flops is that they're slippery. It looks like aquasocks are on clearance this time of year (at Academy Sports). Part of this is also me edging closer to using the pool. With each part of the gym I use it means more stuff in the gym bag.

Dorothy - how is Robin doing? Has he finally cleared out the lung congestion? For those of you in northern areas, are you getting out sweaters or changing the bedding yet? We're entering hurricane season in the south, so far hitting way south Texas and parts of Florida. No sweaters yet. And in the fall tornadoes can be more active.

Time to research a new dryer - it tumbles and blows but there is not heat. The old one was purchased in 2002 and I've done some repairs but the heating element is a bigger deal. If the thermostats weren't working it would get too hot, but with no heat it's the element (my rudimentary diagnostic information). A new element costs $180, plus the installation service call, but I looked at my most recent Consumer Reports PDF about dryers (from 2017) and even then new dryers were costing a lot. Maybe a repair is worthwhile. Home Warranty folks will be consulted before I call the repair guy. I'm fine with keeping the old one in service for as long as possible.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 23 - 11:54 AM

With more virtual decluttering it has been the Clash of the Titans this weekend - Microsoft versus Samsung. A couple of weeks ago I told the tablet to store images from the tablet to my Microsoft OneDrive account, and after that my phone stopped uploading my phone photos to OneDrive. It seems Samsung set up its own nested files in OneDrive and wants to park things there. I spent time earlier this year sorting out my Camera Roll in OneDrive so the current year is loading there and past years are in their own files. So a new three-tier Samsung file is a pain in the backside.

After research I disconnected the two accounts then reinstalled, and in the end I left a Samsung folder on the OneDrive that I labeled "Samsung - Don't Use" and have turned off Samsung's sync ability to OneDrive. I also turned it off in the tablet where this started. For now I'll manually move photos from the phone to Camera Roll. I pay for OneDrive so there is no point in shifting to Google or DropBox for phone photo backup. But damn, that Samsung software is pushy. What is frustrating is that until now, the Samsung phone automatically updated the photos in the Camera Roll file.

The library app "returned" the audiobook I was listening to; with fewer trips to the gym it's taking longer to read. There's a wait list so I'll get it back in a couple of weeks. I'm at the gym more this week and with so much foundation watering at the house I'm changing my routine at the gym and showering there. Might as well use a little less water at the house. This morning I dug around for some flip flops to wear in the shower—is athlete's foot a thing any more in public showers?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 23 - 10:15 PM

Jon, do whatever is comfortable. Palliative care will give you a lot of options (my understanding from what I've read about it.) It sounds like you have your parents set up for help.

The friend shopping computers sent some questions (via email) that I've answered this evening - it is remarkable how much electronics have come down in price as they've also gone up in quality. My recommendation for a monitor and advice about a printer he bought a while back but hasn't installed have been sent (after researching specs at Dell.com.)

It's so hot. 107^o. Still. The tractor sprinkler is crawling along the turf in front of the house this evening after running the oscillating sprinkler on the driveway side (all of this hoping to help the foundation and keep a few trees alive). I'll run soaker hoses on the back and the other side tomorrow. The next few days are supposed to be cooler, around 98^o before the next heat up in early September. The summer that keeps on giving.

Interesting - this evening I was flipping through channels on Sling and landed on a documentary about a rock band called Triumph. I actually know nothing about them, but I have a story. In 1981-82 I was leading tours at a commercial cave in Kentucky; they had the best formations in the Mammoth Cave area, and were close to the highway. This group pulled their tour bus off of the Interstate and ended up going through on my tour. The fact that I had no clue who they were wasn't a big deal to them, because we had other things in common. I'd worked in New York City as an Urban Park Ranger at various big events in the parks in each borough. They had performed there, and the local crew that did the stage set up for them was the same one I'd run into for Pavarotti and Simon and Garfunkel, and a couple of others. One man in particular, a very tall handsome man who looked just like the actor Ted Lynch - we'd made friends and would hang out at those concerts. He always made lemonade that he brought in a thermos, and shared with me. What blew my high-school-age co-workers away, those who knew the group and had all wanted to take that tour, was that the band and I were laughing and comparing notes about this guy on the setup crew we all knew. I never would have used the name, but the band called him Lurch. And we all knew exactly who we meant. #SmallWorld I recognise the folks in the documentary from all of those years ago.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 23 - 10:19 AM

As I was leaving to feed cats a small SUV pulled up at the curb and I spoke briefly to the woman who was here to collect the rest of the fence pickets. The spot is now clear and I hope her feet and ankles aren't too scratchy - the nearby pine tree is dropping lots of long sharp needles this summer. I need to rake them to use for mulch later on. Mostly today I need to run the soaker hose around the foundation again. Regular yard work can wait until fall.

The friend who visited yesterday delivered a couple of dead electronics (a large TV and average sized printer) that are in the garage until a weekday when my ex comes by and can take them to the recycle drop off center. When I made the call requesting he pick these up he commented that he's found a couple of more old small CRT portable TV/Radio things in his garage to recycle. Back in the day those AC/battery operated devices were helpful during tornado season when you hunkered in the hall in the middle of the house and wanted to watch the weather. Now it's all on our phones. The recycling center is very close and is annoying because they named that center for our village but our village residents can't use it. You have to show Fort Worth residency. Staging recycling this way is a more convoluted form of decluttering than usual, but whatever works.

A friend sent a recipe for mango bread that I'll try today. I have several very ripe ones in the fridge and this would be perfect. It does mean taking a healthy fruit and putting it in a more carb-filled form, but it's that or toss them because I can't eat them all right now. (I should try freezing them.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 07:09 AM

I got the new booster at a grocery store. It's a zinger but not bad.

T have 6 crates of art supplies but I'm reluctant to donate them yet.
The 50 canvasses and framed pictures I saved to paint over, can go.
Procrastination won. That will clear a quarter of the basement.
My back is so much better, this fall will see a mass donation of tools and sundry junk. YAY

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Sep 23 - 08:18 AM

Endomorphins ;^/ The sore person's friend

If you don't have a smallpox vaccination scar you are not one of my peers. A Florida public health official announced that the Covid booster is not safe. Florida is now the nation's hotbed of diseases including leprosy, Covid, Dengue, malaria and Florida man insanity.

I have personally seen only one case of leprosy. It's not pretty

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Sep 23 - 09:22 AM

My mother's last three paintings were self-portraits that were identical except they became progressively more blurry. That indicated to me that she like Monet and myself had Fuchs syndrome which presents with corneal fluid bubbles that make vision foggy with rainbows around light sources. Every morning around 6 to 7 AM the rainbows start, BUT because I was prompted by caters to get checked I have curative ointments that dry the eyes out back to clarity in ten minutes. It's too bad mom assumed it was just old age. Today transplants as small as 3 millimeters of fluid pump cells can cure Fuchs. I carry eye salt drops at all times just in case. I still need 250 mag glasses for close work and reading. While vision varies with fluid it does have moments where I don't need glasses or a remarkable telescopic quality appears.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Sep 23 - 10:11 AM

The Cochran report still finds the efficacy of masks inconclusive in slowing the spread of Covid.
For myself there is a scenario where masks are beneficial. It is your or someone else's violent sneeze.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Sep 23 - 01:58 PM

Today I got the flu and RSV shot. The FDA will approve the Covid variant vaccine next week so getting the shot will be up in the air for weeks.

I was wondering, What if artificial intelligence had a conscience?
Would it be ashamed of its creator for the bias and prejudice over meaningless things like melanin and gender?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Sep 23 - 06:56 AM

Woof its envigorating sweater weather this morning. Our dog loved the shower probably because of the water temp. At 7 AM there is enough light to get out and about. No more 5 AM first light.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: pattyClink
Date: 02 Sep 23 - 04:13 PM

I usually just get small basal cell cancers that are quickly handled in the dermatologist's office, but lately have 3 that require the "Moh's Procedure" where it's rounds of cutting/checking under the scope.

I perhaps need to move to a twice-a-year checkup from the annual one I had been getting by with.

If you or family are prone to skin cancers, then a regular checkup is a great thing, but I'm not sure you need to get one unless you have some spots you're concerned about.

Am now in Mississippi where my doctor(s) are, not the greatest time of year to be here weather-wise, hoping the 'dome' breaks down soon.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: pattyClink
Date: 02 Sep 23 - 12:42 PM

Happy Birthday, Stilly and Charmion!!

SRS, we are blowing on virtual candles and wishing you a cool and pleasant autumn.   For Charmion, safe and happy travel to the Getaway.

I have to report that I cannot get to the Getaway this year. The skin cancer saga drags on, and I will be having staples removed from my scalp that week.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Aug 23 - 02:06 PM

Oh, do wear those flip-flops in the shower, athlete's foot is still a thing! Keep a grocery or other bag in your gear bag so you can switch out pool/shower flipflops with your street shoes, keep dirt off everything else.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: JennieG
Date: 28 Sep 23 - 05:59 PM

I have read that glitter is the herpes of the craft world.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Oct 23 - 08:45 PM

The last time I went to a cinema was in 1980/81. A group of 4 of us, all early 20s went to watch Dumbo at the cinema in Rhos on Sea. Going to the cinema just hasn’t interested me.

My hearing’s not that great and I sometime have to ask people to repeat things as I’ve not heard them properly. I usually have subtitles on when watching tv.

I believe that digital hearing aids can be quite good as they can raise/lower frequency bands to suit the hearing loss rather than just make everything louder. They also can have different settings for different environments.

As for our NHS which was mentioned a few posts back. I don’t believe they offer the latest and greateast but I think they offer the quite reasonable rather that the seriously outdated. I think the service was dropped but Comer Hospital at least once operated what I thought was a good idea. That was a monthly drop in clinic where people could have their hearing aids servoes//repaired and retuned.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 03 Oct 23 - 03:43 PM

The only recent device I can think of, SRS, is the very unexpected birthday present of the iPad mini from brother in oz. I’ve yet to do much with that yet except having it sit happily on my network and setting up the email accounts so its sort of ready as and when I want to play more with it. I think it will end up replacing my Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. It’s smaller size feels better suited to my current needs and it is the better machine. It’s display seems crisper to me and it feels a touch more responsive.

It is the first Apple product I’ve owned. I’ve avoided them partly because of price (and even now, don’t think I’d invest more than double say the cost of my Samsung for an iPad) and possible hardware ties as well as software ones.

Tim apparently got himself one about a month ago. He had used a Microsoft Surface Pro for a few years but he became frustrated with its handling of midi and with high end VST plugins. I gather that the iPad just did all he’d wanted straight off with no hassles. I also gather that him being so impressed with his and wanting to get me something he knew I wouldn’t normally consider buying were reasons for him getting me one.

Oh, and I did get a clone of the Apple pen for it the other day and quite like it.