DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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's brother Andrew
Date: 27 Nov 23 - 06:45 PM

Charmion, I doubt that it will last long.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 23 - 06:36 PM

On a hunch I messaged a woman I met through our local buy nothing FB group; she isn't very mobile and ended up not going anywhere for Thanksgiving. I asked if I could take over some leftovers from Saturday and she happily agreed. I just returned from dropping off several restaurant takeout containers (we keep them for this kind of use) with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, pie, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Pie and ice cream for dessert. Even sending over generous portions I still have a lot of leftovers.

I need to go to Costco but by the time I was returning from that run it was too advanced into the afternoon - that place gets crowded as people stop in after school or work. I need to go right before closing or right when they open, maybe tomorrow. (Costco sells the big bags of baking soda that I use in the laundry - who knew that I'd ever use a 13 pound bag, but I did, so I'm back for more.) Plus, I tend to avoid shopping on these big shopping days just out of contrariness.

Looking at the first paragraph - the reason for the trip was not to get rid of extra leftovers. I hoped to offer an array of foods to a new friend who doesn't cook these days (inability to stand for extended periods - not because she can't cook). And to express the annual surprise at the excess of food that happens over this holiday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 27 Nov 23 - 02:09 PM

Beaver:

Snow, Snow, Glorious Snow! So beautiful coming down and flying around ... Not goin' nowhere today. But enjoying looking out the window. Cleared the back deck and brought in only two large chunks of wood as there is no room for more.

I am realizing/thinking that both eyes and hearing are fading. Back to wearing drug store glasses for some of reading. ... Maybe the clutter will "disappear"! (As I look around to see what else I can un-home!)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 23 - 12:24 PM

No snow here, but I didn't cover the tomato, pepper, and eggplant last night so the light freeze ended this growing season. I picked a flat of tomatoes and eggplant and a few peppers this morning and they'll get used (the tomatoes will still ripen, none of the produce froze, it just killed the foliage.)

I have a plan to share a generous plate of leftovers with a new friend who probably didn't go anywhere for the holiday; I'll check with her first than pack up a cross-section of our meal to deliver. Since we cooked on Saturday these are still very fresh.

Lots of errands, and I meant to add a couple of things to my list; why is it that I clearly think of a thing to do when I get up in the morning but by the time I'm in the office I can't think of what I wanted to write down on my list?

There may have been previous mention of finding the kids' sleeping bags in my son's closet; he wants his extra-long LLBean bag but the older White Stag bag that was my daughter's is apparently the same vintage she already has, so it is staying here. Instead of donation, it will visit the commercial laundromat for a wash and dry (the instructions say not to wash in top-loading agitator machines - that would be mine.) I'll keep it in case of another power outage when it would be easier to set up in the closet on a sleeping pad pallet than the mummy bag I used last time (down-filled and narrow) from my mountaineering days. I'm not worried about a used bag, no cooties from the kids, but it hasn't been used for many years so does need laundering. (In Feb. 2021 when I slept three nights in the closet with the dogs my low thyroid hadn't been diagnosed so moving around was difficult. Were I to do that today, with thyroid topped off and 45 pounds lighter, it would be much easier, whatever the sleeping bag.)

Must get moving, and I think this thread needs some attention, there are a lot of duplicate posts that confuse reading down the list of contributors.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Nov 23 - 08:35 AM

First snow accumulation in Stratford. Game on!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 23 - 09:32 PM

Beaver:

I have resigned myself to the fact that my life is now owned and run by Apple. The Live Listen worked nicely during our Thanksgiving Facetime session - two sons, one grandson and respective partners at Troy's home. I asserted: "I will call you at 10 and YOU can figure out how to turn it on (answer it?)!" All engineers except Julie, who is a smart cookie, had a great laugh over my struggle with Apple. Actually Troy is not an engineer but a retired Air traffic controller- close enough!

But telling them about my recent trip to Madoc -- yep - that Madoc! I considered gas before I left; there is no gas between B-croft and Madoc. I overestimated the gas in the tank; underestimated the distance, and realized I was not going to make it - even to Eldorado, just a bit north of Madoc! I made it through the zillion km of "nowhere at all" and every time I saw signs of life I thought -I should stop there... Finally, I did.

"Do you have any gas I can buy?" He checked 3 cans - Empty! He thought a moment and said - just leave your car here and we'll take a can to MADOC! - 15 km.

I was concerned about the woman who was waiting in Eldorado to sell me a bunch of her "Table Soups"(on FB)- my way of trying to eat well. I had told her I would be there in half an hour--- I now realize that although I can get to Madoc in 50 minutes it was now near an hour! She phoned while we were acquiring gas. And Sir Galahad said - well we can stop in Eldorado on the way back!

We did that. Michelle met a neighbour- Jeff, who makes his own soup! I got my dozen packets of soups and Jeff deposited me back at my car - "Just do something nice for someone and have a Merry Christmas!"

As for "the only Prius": There was a Tesla charging at the gas station!

I once had a poster: "I'm TIRED of these learning experience!!!"

Did I mention that I DID manage to change the time on the Prius - good youtube!

I bring in firewood and not much else, groceries, visits, bought R two nice flannel shirts and a pair of jeans at a thrift shop and a nice Land's End jacket for me and a winter coat at two more Tshops. It was so nice the day I left Dupont, I left my winter coat behind! Thankful for thrift shops!

Had Covid shot #6 on Weds and my shoulder/upper arm still uncomfortable - disconcerting but I can bring in wood. House is toasty; snow expected tonight; had one day of freezing rain- a go nowhere day!

Yep! An inch or so of snow on back deck, then "drizzle" expected tonight and temp hovering at freezing all day tomorrow. A go nowhere day. Books to read and plenty of good soup - and other healthy foods. Not breaking anything - in my bod- is what matters!

Charmion's trip to Ottawa is wisely done! Enough energy to enjoy being there, in addition to not dealing with inclement weather. I watch the weather to plan trips back and forth. May stay here until mid December - already renewed books from QC library that were due on 2.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Nov 23 - 02:30 PM

Hand it over, Stilly. You know you should.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 23 - 12:18 PM

Dog beds, part two. They soaked and kind of rinsed in the tub, but are still wet and heavy. Transferring them to the washer was a bit drippy and took a couple of tries to equally distribute them—they're now running on ultra hand wash with the most amount of water in the tub and I'm hoping the spin cycle simply dries them and doesn't shred them.

The day after a big event is so nice in the house, when surfaces are clear and floors are swept and mopped and rooms are tidy. Not all rooms, but some rooms. My daughter brought stuff to me to redistribute; some to the village recycling and some to Goodwill (in a closed box - should I look or just hand it over?) I didn't get to cooking the roasted vegetables yesterday, so now have a bin full of stuff I'll be using in the next weeks. I bought Brussels sprouts for my daughter, but I'm not a huge fan. My best bet is to meet her for lunch this week and hand them over.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 08:41 PM

The annual Thanksgiving workout has concluded and there are leftovers but I managed to send quite a bit home with guests. The dishwasher is running and the laundry basket has a heap of napkins, dust cloths and dish towels. No one seemed to notice all of the changes as far as furniture placement, but I've had things in these positions before so I suppose it isn't anything to remark on. I'm glad to have so much dust out of here.

Tomorrow - the new sewing machine awaits!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 11:44 AM

And even as indigenous areas are carved out, they are so far removed from those cities they might as well be on Mars.

It would, of course, be the morning of the big meal when I picked up a dog bed and realized it has quite a puddle in the middle of it. Of you know what. [sigh] Covers quick in the washer, foam "memory pads" in the tub to soak in the shampoo I use when bathing the dogs. And I'll squeeze them out enough and move them somewhere else to dry before people start arriving. And mop that spot in the den, again.

At least the friend I've been cat sitting for has decided to come home mid-afternoon today, no dinner run to cut into our dinner. Usually it's three trips a day, but I compressed two this morning. One cat gets a medicine that must be administered an hour before or after meals (when other medications are mixed in). So he gets the first med, then while waiting for time to pass I do some of my exercise videos I can stream on the phone. Win/win. When the fitness app asks what other exercise I've gotten in the past 24 hours I have to choose "Other" since housework and moving bookcases aren't on the list they offer. Case in point: I relocated the shelf with four linear feet of old vinyl albums from the kitchen to the den. Meaning I had to shift all of those albums from that bottom shelf to stacks in the other room and then move the shelf, then put them back on the shelf; there's no moving the shelf with that dead weight. So - picking up vinyl albums 2X counts as a workout!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Nov 23 - 09:26 AM

“Damn, but Canada is BIG.”

That’s a central fact of our lives.

Perhaps the greatest social divide in this country is the difference in world view between people who grew up in cities, with all their conveniences and problems, and those accustomed to life in the sparsely settled — or unsettled — regions north of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s hard for a Torontonian, for example, to grasp the sheer rage of a guy from the bush when he’s told that his pickup truck is a luxury the planet can’t afford.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 23 - 05:49 PM

I remember looking up Madoc when you two were planning to meet. I also like looking at the map at a scale so I can see all of the tarns/lakes formed by the glacial moraines during various ice ages. We had some places like that in the Western Washington area that were visited by glaciers, but nothing like north of the border. Damn, but Canada is BIG.

I've moved a large mirror and am about to move the television. I have a lot of wires to reposition, and it seems I don't have any long pieces of coaxial cable here (to run to the TV from the antenna outlet on the wall). Hmmmm. I might have left a piece up in the attic after that work last spring. After that I can move the low table the TV was on, a bookshelf, and the sofa (revealing more dust as I go. I'm wearing a COVID mask as I work.)

Cranberry sauce will be made this evening and I'll peel and cut some of the root vegetables for baking tomorrow. Crock pots will be deployed.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Nov 23 - 04:15 PM

I'm procrastinating on the minutes of the choir board meeting, which I can barely look at without going all grey in the head. There's also an executive meeting to document, and the weekly newsletter to write, and I don't wanna do any of it.

But I will. Sigh.

It snowed this morning, so this is the day when I really must put the snow-brush in the car. The buttons are coming off my boiled wool coat, just in time for winter, so I took it to the tailor shop. Sure, anyone else would just do the job herself, but my fingertips have lost so much sensation that handling a needle is really difficult; also, I can barely see to thread it. Plus I just plain hate sewing, which I think I'm allowed. If not now, when?

Stilly, there is, indeed, a train station in Stratford; we're on the main line from Toronto to Windsor. This town used to be a support hub for the Grand Trunk Railway, and the wreckage of the locomotive shop is still cluttering about two acres of prime commercial land.

Since you like poring over Ontario travel routes on Google Maps, take a look at the stretch of Highway 7 that connects the city of Peterborough and the town of Perth. Near the half-way point, you'll see the village of Madoc, lying south of Highway 7 and north of Moira Lake, bisected by Highway 62. Where 7 and 62 meet, just a tick north of Madoc, Tim Horton's sits on the northwest corner and McDonald's on the northeast corner.

Take a look at what else is there -- not much, right? An Ultramar gas station and an Ontario Provincial Police station. The rest is nuttin' but rocks, trees, bush, and highway.

So if someone wants to meet you at the Tim's by Madoc, there's not much chance of confusion. And Dorothy's car was probably the only Prius in Hastings County that day.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 23 - 11:27 AM

Guerilla decluttering tactics this week: I've shifted the dresser from in front of the closet door in the sewing studio and pulled out some of my daughter's stored stuff (this was her room, then the guest room, so personal things were packed up). It needs to be emptied enough so I can at least walk into the space. This long narrow closet is packed full. She'll be here for our family dinner tomorrow and I found a couple of things she asked about but she is also going to get to poke through a few other boxes and say yes or no to keeping them (and if she wants to keep them, to take them with her after the meal.) When you have a costume designer in the family everything can be a possible part of something else, so all of this stuff has been waiting for it's 15 minutes of fame in some convention, contest, or historically-based event.

This was a break from the cleaning in the den; there is plenty more to do in there. It was trash day today so a lot of the dust and dog hair I've swept up this week exited the building. The Goodwill bin contents were donated so is ready to accept any of the still usable stuff my daughter decides to part with. It's about a 30 gallon capacity (to visualize the volume) so if I could get that much out of the closet I could walk in a couple of feet. Yup. It's that full.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 23 - 08:39 PM

All runs completed successfully, with a bonus of lunch with my daughter. Books taken to Half Price Books added up to more than the one I bought, so that's a win. Goodwill has one more box to go with a bunch already stacked at the donation door, and village recycling drove me nuts as usual - the bins fill too fast when thoughtless people drop their large boxes into the bins without flattening them.

I unplugged the cord to the holiday lights down by the driveway in order to mow the front yard, then set them back up. I'm hoping that is the last mow of the season, but as warm as it has been I might be mowing into December.

No Thanksgiving feast tomorrow, that's for Saturday, but the ex is coming over for brunch just to acknowledge the date. I'm still working around here cleaning; this evening I'll be moving the electronics and after that can rearrange the sofa and a bookshelf and start a sequence of cleaning then moving things into the space. That'll give me the opportunity to turn the dining table and put in the leaves and start getting it ready to set.

Zeke is 15 today, so I'll give the dogs a treat with peanut butter later to have their own little party. Maybe smear it on some apple slices.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 23 - 11:04 AM

Charmion, I pulled up Google maps to look at your holiday trip - at that time of year that's a long drive - the train looks like a great answer. Is there a train station in Stratford or do you have to travel to the depot elsewhere? When I look at this map and see how you and Dorothy are situated I find it astonishing that you two found a way to meet in the middle at one point. (Dorothy has been quiet for a couple of days on Facebook - I hope all is well!) While on the map examining that part of Canada I tried searching for the approximate location of Three Pines. Google has no sense of whimsy or humor.

When traveling by train or plane I always make sure to have a few durable snacks in my bag. My mom took an Amtrak trip across the US and one memorable part was when she had to break her trip and stay in a hotel for a couple of days to get over food poisoning from something served on the train. I'm real picky about the food I eat on trains for that reason. Get by with something you brought yourself if need be.

Recycling, Goodwill, there will be runs today to discharge unwanted materials to the world. It's clear and bright so by this afternoon the lawn will be dry and it will be a good time to mow the front (being careful to avoid the electric cord that runs to the holiday lights down at the bottom of the driveway). The turkey is in the fridge to defrost. Preparations are proceeding.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Charmion
Date: 22 Nov 23 - 10:09 AM

Glum, chilly and wet in Stratford — bog-standard for November. I am spending way too much time at my desk working on a grant application for the choir, but the outside world is not at all tempting anyway.

The dominance of American content in the news and entertainment media makes this time of the year particularly bleak in Ontario. It’s just the inevitable slide into winter; get your snow tires on and clean the furnace. The most festive thing on this month’s agenda was detailing the car, which looks and smells brand new all over again.

I have decided to visit the Ottawa-based wing of the kin group at Christmas, and to spare myself the strain and risk of driving (a full day of highway — no mere bagatelle). So I’m booked on the train, where I expect to spend Christmas Day in a post-Midnight Mass doze. The cheapest possible fares are still available on both the 25th and 1 January — who knew? For the record, I am compulsively stingy about fares, always booking the cheapest possible seats by rail or air. In first class the toilets are no better than in steerage, and I would be just as cramped and bored. We all get there at the same time.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Nov 23 - 12:46 AM

The cleaning continues and has gone much deeper than originally intended. I looked at the shelves behind the trunk with dog food and realized there is a lot of dog stuff there I no longer use and don't need to keep. I ended up moving what I'll keep to boxes under a table (with a shelf between the legs) and removed the small bookshelf. Clears out the doorway and I've had better access to the tile floor that needs a good scrub on that side of the room. Muddy dog feet go in and out of the dog door many times a day.

I still have to clear the dining table and put in the leaves.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Nov 23 - 11:27 AM

The threads seem to be rearranged by who posted right now; if you open the whole thing from the title on the left, it's in order. Otherwise, the appearance is unusual.

Sweeping and mopping today and I'll gradually replace clean rugs on the scrubbed floors. Meanwhile I'm drying rugs a couple at a time; they clog up the lint filter fast, despite shaking them out before putting in the washer.

The morning is cool and Zeke is having trouble standing on his own. Once he's up, he hobbles around like usual. I fear his legs will give out before his heart or goofy Lab attitude. It's always difficult losing them at the holidays, but it's also hard on them to keep them around longer than they're happy. So far, he's happy, but rough days ahead. I can boost him up several times a day if he needs help for the time being. As a 70-pound dog I can't carry him more than just the lifting distance from the ground into the back of the SUV.

The afternoon is for taking a friend to a colonoscopy. Best to have it before Thanksgiving because they restrict your diet for a few days prior to the procedure (and the awful prep). Think of the misery of not being able to eat Thanksgiving because of the upcoming exam!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Nov 23 - 04:44 PM

We're back!
THis thread didn't like it when I clicked on the number of posts,
but it responded the right way
when I clicked on the "d" next to the number of posts.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 08 Nov 23 - 12:00 PM

Yesterday, it took about 8 gremlins to get me through: two women at the local library helped me print my ballot (to vote on-line in the state of Washington); one stayed on after the end of her shift to meet the goal! Then - my new phone not working at all like the old one - a call to a nice woman in Louisiana (Apple Help - I should have it on speed dial!) enabled me to get pics of said ballot onto an email. Soon, a new email informed that ballot had been received!! YAY! I voted!!
After lunch -at 4PM - I set out to go to a tribute to Leonard Cohen: Totally lost in Montreal, I stopped at a mall where two young fellows managed to pull up a map on that darn phone. This helped me head in a more correct direction but the map disappeared and I was closer but still lost.
I pulled into a side street, stopped the car and got out, intending to go to a shop for help...BUT a young man wearing a motorcycle helmet offered help: looked at his phone, told me to wait while he fetched his cycle, came back and led me to my destination!!!!! "There it is, right across the street. park here! You're welcome!" And he was gone.
It was a great eve! A great day! (It took 34 minutes to get home! I was lost for about 2 hours due to failing to write down explicit directions at home.) All we need are gremlins! Lots of them!!

So, I need more help with this Iphone which is currently more of a hazard than a help. Other than that, preparing -mentally- to deal with snow tomorrow. Hoping my energy level this afternoon will allow trip to produce store. And damp mop the floors (no carpets). The sewing room and pottery (here) are closed indefinitely - until I feel the right spurt of energy.

The woman I sat next to last night told me she loves her hearing aids, "get them, you'll love them!" I suspect they were a new part of her life. She gave me the name and location of her provider; in the same building as the CNIB- so opthamology (sp?) as well, a recently evolving concern. There was very little down time so I never found out why she was so enthusiastic. "Get them; You'll love them!" R commented -to me only - that he doubted that. Also wonder why he said that. She gave me the name of her brother who lives here in Chateauguay. But not her own! I will check out her bro, a reporter for the local paper.

At the end of the evening as the device came along to accept our payments, she passed it to the man across from her, commenting on how handy husbands are! At about the same time I was offering my card to R! (R paid.) Last weekend, I paid the tickets, he the meals; about even. I was surprised by her remark.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 23 - 07:40 PM

Dupont:

I seem to be in a holding pattern this week: Recovery from weekend, groceries, minimal cooking, final outdoor bit and pieces -almost! Trip for more pastries on Friday, then about five hours in resto with Geri, chatting and trying out the "live listen" feature; it wrote out what we were each saying but some of the words were way off!

I tried out Face Time with #1 son who them shouted at me about my "hearing loss" and frequencies and on and on. Most unpleasant encounter I recall having with him. He is adamant that I need a hearing aid. Geri is also - I found out Fri! But this was the first time I found her voice dim. R listens to me without much feedback.

Hearing vs comprehending - very different. I detest loud noise so do not want anything louder. Still looking at APD and its effects and not yet sure about anything. Not wanting to spend more money on sound altering equipment! Frequencies and the fact that a sound system may be altered ... and if people do not speak directly into the mike... These all make a difference. Most of the time I have no problem hearing at all. A conundrum and the jury is still out - regardless of being browbeaten by my son. I thought he would be delighted that I Face Timed him.

Anyway, the dishes are up to date and there is cooked food in the frig and R might be home tonight --- or not. I have a small struggling fire in the wood stove - the wood we brought is not really dry enough. I need to bring in some kindling from the brush pile. Manana.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 31 Oct 23 - 05:19 PM

Dupont:

Arrived home about 3:30 am this morning, having learned a hard lesson: Decide ahead of time and make arrangements where/when you are sleeping. Tired after the concert and a long day exploring very rural Ontario, the phone was no help at all and we wandered for about two hours until I found an energy reserve, about 2:15 and said, "OK, it is only an hour home; I can do that." I did. R slept. We happily crawled into bed. There were still two items on the to-do list -- some other time!

If we had driven straight home after the concert, we could have been home by 1 am! These things happen when one/two is/are way over tired! If is had not been so cold, we could have slept in the car.

We woke up to a couple inches of snow on Monday! BUT the road was clear!!! Mostly R did a whole bunch of getting ready for winter tasks before we left AND we loaded some of our good dry firewood into the car - since R has not yet gotten any for Dupont. We backed up to the woodshed,onto the snow covered yard - almost level but not quite! Then - Hey - this car is front wheel drive! (I was thinking of that.) That load on the rear took some pushing, maneuvering, and gravel - some of what washed into the yard in the spring run off! BUT ---WE did it!!

Well, the 30th of October will be remembered! Not least for the concert by a friend of over 40 years - but not seen in almost 40 years. We had a good chat, partly about his lifelong "bestie" whom we had seen on Saturday night - on a better organized trip! We drove from Dupont to the fascinating venue via more rural explorations. The site, near Picton is a very retired - in places falling down - air force base. Efforts are being made to turn it into a cultural centre; the concert venue was very beautifully restored - "Sergeant's Mess".

My recovery from the event of 14 Sept is complete - with very good info from a knowledgeable sound person: "Yes P.A. systems can be set in such a way as to be difficult to understand. There are settings of frequencies that can be altered to make comprehension easier, but if not set correctly, can make voices sound off." I do wonder if anyone else had a problem with that day.(And if some fool told them they had a haring loss!) R found the sound systems in the Sergeant's Mess a bit "muddy". But the combo of lyrics and instrument make it virtually impossible for me, tho I enjoy the instruments - generally... depending...!!

Tomorrow snow tires and general maintenance!

The phone has been close to an ordeal and is not completely set up. But I am hanging in - hoping for the "listen live" feature to be helpful. The vibration is stronger and the ring and other notification sounds are a definite improvement. Still lots to figure out.

Supper tonight... Still a figment of my imagination!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Oct 23 - 08:39 PM

Dupont:
Spent early part of day planning weekend. Then off to Apple -Hi ho hi ho!! In the middle of transferring data from phone and computer to new phone...! Needed the password for the computer; I never use it so it did not make it onto the wonderful new list of passwords I made last week. Have to go back tomorrow - but now I have the password but the whole computer is topsy turvy. I have an appointment with a tech - and Hope! Really want it done for the weekend as there will be many opps to try it out.

Otherwise there is food to eat and all is well - as long as I remember to take Pau d'Arco, and eat choc and keep face hydrated so eyes are happy.

Robin brought last of plants in this am!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Oct 23 - 09:08 PM

Dupont:

Rain and more rain with occasional dry for a while days. Have managed to get most of fall work done. Still some large bits for R to do; nothing frost will harm but make room on deck before we get fire wood, which is beginning to feel like a myth. I shall insist we bring a small amount back from Beaver on the weekend. The cold is coming.

Lengthy conversation with engineer son, Sunday, elicited: He has APD as well and always had - "Why do you think I didn't go to classes?" I didn't know he didn't! So an I-phone is in my future, possibility of Airpods if needed. But, I do not think eliminating noise is safe - we need to be aware of what and who is nearby.

Long conversation with Apple help on Mon, trip to Apple store on Tues where the woman "helping" never understood my problem/concern/need... Another call to Apple help today to try to connect Mac to TV. Nice person tried hard but finally realized an upgrade was needed - Call back when it is done! BUT - before he got away he answered some questions about Iphone; I clarified with son by text and we agreed I will go tomorrow for a phone. Apparently it can listen and convert speech to text. That would work if I am talking to someone in a noisy place. I suppose it would have limitations - perhaps less than I have? A rather expensive "we'll see how it works" but I can return it after the weekend if the help is not adequate.

Looking forward to the long weekend with lots of travel for the sake of two separate music events, kind of en route- performers I once hung out with and have not seen in 40 years. We will get to Beaver Sat night and leave Monday - hopefully getting a couple errands done, maybe even a Covid booster.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Oct 23 - 08:59 PM

I'm very prone to sinus attacks, always on the right side. It's been my misfortune for the last three years to have suffered from frequent bouts of cellulitis, so I've been on big doses of antibiotics a lot (I'm now on a prophylactic low dose of Penicillin V for a whole year!). I can tell you that the antibiotics do not stave off, nor cure, sinus attacks. I suppose that means that they're caused by viruses.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Thompson
Date: 01 Nov 23 - 01:49 AM

Ah, rain barrels: why has no one invented a hose connector that can be used by the standard water butt tap? Or why don't the butts have a tap that will fit the standare hose connector?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Thompson
Date: 31 Oct 23 - 06:45 PM

Charmion, a good way of shifting a recurring sinus infection that isn't bad enough for antibiotics is NeilMed (not sure about the studylycaps, maybe it's Neilmed). This is a squashy plastic bottle and a collection of sachets of saline powder. You fill the bottle with warm water up to the mark indicated, pour in a sachet of saline powder and give it a shake with your thumb over the hole in the top, then you squirt the warm water into each nostril alternately. It just washes out the sinuses and the saline shrinks back the mucous membranes.
Very relieving, and better than most of the spray bottles because it's warm, and because there's more of it. You have to keep doing it every day - part of the morning routine preferably, because if you do it at night, the remaining liquid drools out onto the pillow. If you do it for long enough - nearly a month, usually - the sinus demon says "Curses, this is too rainy for me" and gets out. It's a big help at hayfever time.
Another help at hayfever time is to find the most local honey you can get, and take a teaspoon of it every day. Local is best, they say, because the local bees will have fed on the weeds whose pollen your sinus demon loves, and by some magic of transference, eating the honey nourished on these weeds helps to quieten down the allergies.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Thompson
Date: 26 Oct 23 - 05:15 AM

Dorothy Parshall, two tips with Apple helplines:
1) Find the time when the best techies for your purpose are online. Here in Ireland that's around 9am to 10am our time, when the helpers tend to be Irish or Scottish and reliably tech but (usually) able to explain without patronising. I've had some spectacular good luck with Arabs and Indians too, mind!
2) Always give the agent your phone number first thing, so they can call you back if the call drops.

And in general talking to helplines, I find it's better if I ask the person their name and write it down - doesn't matter whether they're using their real name or not - and use it in conversation the way I would with anyone else I'm talking to. "So, John, I need to press the little button at the bottom - the 'home' button, is it?" sounds much better, and makes both sides feel human. If apps are restarting or anything and there's a bit of a pause, it's nice to say "Where are you? Oh, X place? What's the weather like there today?" etc - human conversation.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Nov 23 - 05:09 AM

this afternoon friends collected 2 large unwanted craft collections.

I used to make mohair bears (a collection already downsized, but not yet moved out!) & naturally had more mohair than anyone who is not a professional bear maker could ever use. I also used to make beaded earrings & necklaces & had a similar sized collection of beads & fittings etc, both collections have gone! Most of the mohair was in a gi-normous zipped plastic bag that had contained a large quilt/doona, the rest in a large gift box, half that size. Half the beading stuff was in a small shopping trolley, the other in a large reusable bag from my local supermarket, I didn't realise they came from Bulgaria!.

well done me (pats self on shoulder) & well done to my friends.

sandra

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER * Health/Home Ecologic-Innovation *2023
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Nov 23 - 09:40 PM

Plugging along this week, not making as much progress as I'd like, but I'm still moving forward. I picked up the new sewing machine today but it's not likely to be opened until tomorrow or the next day.

The SUV key fob has been AWOL a couple of times this week, giving a misaligned signal (not starting the car until I get out and get back in) and not always unlocking the car. I have a sleeve of inexpensive button style batteries that seem to be underperforming (the fob wasn't responding when I changed to one of these batteries) so I put the old battery back in with enough juice to get to Lowe's and buy some name brand batteries. The cheap ones have their use, but this isn't one of them.

Planning for the holiday meal and I'm going to set up a couple of crock pots around the kitchen so I don't have to juggle so much on the stovetop. Is anyone else doing a Thanksgiving meal this week?