DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 09:25 PM

an excellent idea -lots of us ignore what the body wants/need & could do with following your lead.

sandra

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 08:14 PM

Dupont:

Trip to Doctor and oncology nurse at cancer clinic this am. They assert that my malaise of last couple weeks - a big nasty bout of Diariea (sp) was the cause and it was reasonable that it has lasted to long and so nasty. So eat well and drink lots and we won't re-start that med until January. I really cannot fault the health care I am receiving here! Already feeling better - the Dr said I would so I must!

The cheeses are yummie. But R is not impressed by any of them. That's fine!! I will be starting a second loaf of bread tomorrow. Choices! My goal is to entice myself into eating better to improve the malaise and discourage the slight dizziness/vertigo. In other words: pay attention to what the bod wants/needs.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 06:59 PM

I'm glad it's working for you, Keberoxu! I like the Vermont Country Store. Recently I found a sulfite-free shampoo fairly low in the other stuff so every other time I shampoo I use that for the first wash, then my bar soap for the final wash, hoping it will remove any of the problem stuff. Shampoo is easier to use than bars. And if you're interested in another investigatory route, my hairdresser told me that the shampoos and (in particular) conditioners with Purple in them seem to really make silver and gray hair sparkle. But if your scalp isn't happy, your hair won't be happy.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? You're still at the facility you've been at for a while, aren't you? Do you have options? And how is the apartment declutter going? Have you sold more pieces or made donations to thrift stores, etc? Papers to the shredder?

When I woke this morning I realized I was perfectly comfortable under my small lap quilt over the sheet, but if my feet strayed beyond it they would be cold. When I changed the sheets this afternoon I put the big quilt on. The heat hasn't been turned on yet, that may probably happen in a few days when the daytime highs are in the low 60s.

The sunroom is looking much better this evening and I made progress on the jigsaw.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 04:48 PM

An ongoing topic on this thread is what to shampoo with if regular shampoo is irritating to your scalp.

Currently I'm buying from the Vermont Country Store website,
a product called Silver Savior shampoo.
The silver ingredient is something called colloidal silver.
Sadly, for those who are extremely sensitive,
this product still has laureth this and paraben that in it,
so it won't work for people who have coconut allergies, for example.

It seems to be working for me, though.
My scalp has settled down wonderfully using this product.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 04:37 PM

With the holidays around the corner I need to put a lot of stuff away (the dining table has the photo cube for eBay listings, boxes for packing things are in the den, and the sunroom has accumulated things that need recycling or put away.) I've started with the sunroom, plucking dead leaves off of the plants in the stands in the bay window and vacuuming up those that dropped to the window ledge and floor. If I really want to be efficient, I can finish the jigsaw puzzle lower the drop-leaf on that table.

When it comes to skilled craftspeople, I have to call the electrician one of these days since most of those projects I don't do myself. I will change the kitchen faucet, but after the holiday.

Charmion, how's the cough and did you do any more choir stuff this week? Dorothy, did R get home and is he working on projects for you to sort out the pottery and various houses and where stuff is stored?

Is everyone in the US doing some version of Thanksgiving this year? Do you have to jump through a lot of hoops to accomplish it? Do share!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 11:28 AM

Patty, I've never heard of the goathead roller - wow! That's serious infestation control. And your description of moving that bed sounds like a good way to get to know your neighbors. I've paid someone come in to move my upright grand piano three times between residences. I had special heavy-duty castors installed to make rolling it a bit easier, but it still weighs 1000 pounds.

Good luck with the kitchen faucet. This reminds me I've been meaning to change out my kitchen faucet. "Washerless" doesn't mean there isn't a problem with adjusting or dripping. (Charmion's faucet kind of describes the one I want to replace, except it wasn't expensive, it's that the connecter lines are not the usual gauge and the pressure is always a bit low. It needs the next larger line and can only be accomplished by changing the entire faucet.)

Mrrzy's studio sounds fascinating. When you went through the pile of art and clothing what remained in the room? What kind of art? (And are you redistributing the forgotten gifts to the Trumper recipients or to other recipients?)

Still have a lot to do around here. Keep moving forward.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 11:19 AM

Good Lord, Patty. I'll never complain about Ontario's native flora again!

I had a lovely modern kitchen faucet that cost an obscene amount of money and was at the cutting edge of fashion, if you can imagine that plumbing has fashion. It was one of those tall ones with an extendable sprayer on the end, very elegant. But its stream of water was weak from the get-go for no apparent reason, and after a couple of years it decreased to a mere trickle. My favourite plumber took it apart and found that it had several layers of mesh screen in the business end, at least three more layers than is usually found in the spout of a kitchen faucet, and all of them were clotted with lime.

That tall, elegant faucet also splattered its weak stream of water all over the place because, of course, it was released several inches above the brim of the sink. Whenever you washed your hands, or rinsed a dish, or scrubbed a potato, the water flew far and wide. I had never seen such faucets before that brief period of plumbing fashion, and now I know why.

So I junked the obscenely expensive fashionable faucet and, on the plumber's advice, went to Canadian Tire for a bog-standard Moen faucet that cost literally hundreds of dollars less. Years later, it continues to perform flawlessly.

Weather today is damp and chilly, with fog. On my way home from pool class -- made it today! -- I noted that the posties are on strike. Just in time for the Christmas rush. How traditional!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 15 Nov 24 - 09:50 AM

Kudos Mrrzy, you are on a roll!

Chaos here. The lovely modern kitchen sink tap opens and runs water at will, so it is tied up with a bungee til a new one arrives (checked for fixes online, it can be tweaked but is a bad design which will continue to fail).   

I spent time cleaning up the little front cactus garden but that just seems to highlight what else is wrong. Took forever to get the large prickly tumbleweed out of there. They have to be disassembled into a hundred small branches to get bagged up. Sort of like taking apart 3 tangled Christmas trees that are out to hurt you. Oh well. I tossed the bedraggled herbaceous plants with lots of berries over in the rough part of the yard and the birds seem to like having more private access to their goodies.

Picked up what looked like a small neutral sleeper sofa, quite a bargain, in an antique shop. Took staff an hour to wrestle it out of the place (though I had called a few days earlier to say I would be there), and heard an ominous remark by the main guy moving it 'it's incredibly heavy'. Oh drat. Note to self NEVER buy something without lifting one end of it.

Bought 2 dollies on the way home, but, still, could not lift enough to work with it. (Yes I know there are lifter tools but I didn't have one). Sheepishly called the neighbor who has already done too much for me, and he brought a second neighbor, and they still struggled with it. Were my kitchen equipped I would whip up some goodies for them, but alas, I am not, and getting set up will be another 8 things tacked on to the end of the endless list. Perhaps I'll go ahead and purchase the goathead roller and make it available to borrow. I need it badly and it would be something I could contribute to the neighborhood tool-borrowing supply.

Today I am off to pick up the vintage bedroom set which mercifully is in manageable pieces. Just have to clear an entire room to get it in and set up.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 07:27 PM

The Ryobi tools are now on the shelf in the laundry room but one of the utility baskets that lived there needs a new home. The contents may get spread around and the basket into the donation bin.

I've located a video about gate building that lets me work with the small space left in the fence, so am ready to move forward. I dug out the root and have to finish firming up the post before I do any more building (and possibly putting in one more post). The lumber is all in place and the pickets have the wood preservative painted on.

It seems like sending the care package to my son now might be an odd move with xmas around the corner, but it will help clear stuff on the side of the kitchen table and cluttering the sideboard. It isn't gift type material. This reminds me of a couple of sewing projects I'd like to get to now rather than the last minute.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 12:36 PM

MaJoC - when the local high end groceries do food promotions and don't sell all of them, their wholesale suppliers send the extras over to this place, pennies on the dollar. This place repackages those huge wheels of cheese and sells in large portions for a modest (still not necessarily cheap) price. High end yogurt is good at $1.59 a quart vs $7 and up at Central Market. They sell tons of produce and when they have breads gluten free I load up and freeze them - the prices are eye-watering at the Sprouts or HEB but they're usually $1 each here.

The groceries aisles have lots of sauces and canned goods and boxed stuff. I see stuff there that sells at Costco and Aldi - they all redistribute their excess and Town Talk is there to pass the savings on. They have produce out every day but on Saturday is when you can really dive in for savings. You have to be picky - sometimes the asparagus is wilted or the peppers are too close to gone. There may be mold on one or two of the strawberries - but if you're taking things home to prepare today - cut up, cook, freeze, whatever, then tossing a moldy organic strawberry and using the rest when they come at about $1.50 a pound or $8 a flat (8 pounds) is worth it. Most things that are novel come through, are sold out and never appear again. I've discovered some great salsas and hot sauces and tea flavors that way. One of the hot sauces was so good that I now order it online and pay the full price plus shipping.

Back in the yard the next section of the sunflower stand is cut and shoved in the trash; goggles and gloves this time. First I harvested a quart bag of seed heads for my daughter who thinks she wants some on her property in the next county north. Be careful what you wish for, but I cut some seeds for her.

The box with the embroidery thread is on the kitchen table; I'll pick a few primary and variegated colors to keep for reference or for adding to sewing projects here, and send the rest in the box to my son's partner. As my daughter and I went through them we realized why I had so many - when KMart closed about 25 years ago (!) they put notions on sale. Some of the old sale stickers are still on them. J.P. Coats most of those, but there are also a lot of DMC. Maybe I got those when Hancock closed?

I accomplished quite a lot yesterday, and have generally been more efficient over the last week. My usual catching up on news (on MSNBC or CNN) intermittently during the day habit is on hold for now; I can't stand to hear about Trump's stupid choices. I'll read the newspaper to get that stuff and not have to listen to his voice. Classical music via my CDs or radio are the main background noise now.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 10:57 AM

That sounds beautiful! And cheese doesn't walk, it runs.


Yay new drugs.

Organized my hats, finally, so there are all the berets (winter) on the big Eiffel tower, all the bucket hats (summer) in the closet, all the other hats (rain, boat, etc) sorted by type and either displayed on the antler hatrack or away in the closet. Found all the hats I'd wondered where they were, and a few I'd forgotten I owned, and even put a few in the Go to thrift store pile.

Got through the mound I'd amassed in the studio, finding art I'd forgotten I'd acquired on my travels, presents I've forgotten to give people and now that I think of it, fuck'm, they're trumpians, ha, will redistribute anyway. And bags and piles to the thrift stores, woot.

Next is the clean clothes, which did get folded but haven't been put away...

Progress!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 14 Nov 24 - 04:33 AM

> high end cheese and yogurt that turn up there periodically

(*ahem*) Do they walk there :-) ?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 08:22 PM

Dupont:

YUMMIE Cheese! My son likes any cheese but cheddar. I rarely buy anything else. So I have six different - well, five now! The small $6 piece was lunch on the special bread I bought yesterday. scrumptious and cheaper than a lunch thingy at Timmy's. A treat after supper was a dif creamy cheese.

The nice young man at the shop was very patient trying to determine what was "Charlie"- the name I read on the label from T's cheese. When I got home and took the old label out of the trash, it is Charrue! And I did bring home out a piece of that, serendipitously.

Fromagerie Ruban Bleu is a goat farm 20 minutes away so many of the cheeses are their goat cheeses. There is also a wide selection of other Quebec cheeses. Their beautiful shop is the nicest I have found in this town - for anything! They seem to be doing well; people must visit from miles around! It is a class act! This town is far from a class act!

Today: 30 min driving, time in store, 10 min home, lunch. Then I fell asleep in the chair and went up to bed. Now ready to go back to bed - but on clean sheets as I did manage a laundry.

Oh! I drove the river road, beautifully full to the brim with hundreds of geese in the shallows. Lovely!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 12:45 PM

Ticking off the various office decluttering items that need doing, filing and shredding so far. Fall came to my computer desk via a scattering of colorful post-it notes that are slowly rounded up and acted upon - send the note, bookmark the podcast or film, save a book title in GoodReads, an appointment that is past - all into the trash when finished. A couple of films are now on my Prime watchlist and sorted the Spotify free account and a podcast added to it. The Spectrum account is closed and there is no way to see the autopay stuff but I did what I could to disable that when I made the last payment. Disturbing dust has caused some sneezing (I will dust when I finish clearing).

This morning I sent an email to WYSIWYG - Susan Hinton. I hadn't heard anything from her for a long time but stumbled upon a Facebook group where she is still modestly active. I have no information about where she's living or how much much help she's needing now.

I concur about the price of cheese - the good stuff costs money. The reason I love my local warehouse gourmet grocery is for things like high end cheese and yogurt that turn up there periodically. Last week I found some high-end havarti. Usually I buy at places like Costco (their Coastal rugged mature sharp cheddar is a favorite.) Good dining, Dorothy! I hope that doctor appointment gives you the best of both worlds - comfort and prolonged life.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 13 Nov 24 - 10:19 AM

Good for you, Dorothy. Focus on things and activities that give you pleasure and help you feel strong. Good food ticks those boxes.

In my experience, there ain’t no such thing as good cheese that is not expensive.

Yet again, I noped out of pool class at the Y after a night of broken sleep due to coughing. I have a haircut scheduled for today and a work session in the choir library tomorrow, and if I get through those without a major coughing fit, maybe I’ll be ready for pool class on Friday. The sun is bright and strong today, so a walk before lunch would be good; that’s the time of day when I feel most capable..

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 10:08 PM

Dupont:

Phoned the oncology nurse this am and we agreed that she would make an appointment on Friday for R and I to talk with the Dr. and her to sort out the Ibrance problem - I vote for no more! I mentioned that I should no longer be paying for meds now that I have official health card. Then the pharmacy phoned and asked us to stop in after we see the doctor. I messaged R but no response so I just hope he can do this. (OH! I must tell Taun!)

Slightly better today. Ate well and went to store with slight trepidation. But I felt a bit better for getting out. I did. however, end up with 6 loaves of various breads which will barely get space in the freezer! My goal was the goat cheese shop but it is closed Mon and tues! Hopefully tomorrow as I am craving the lovely cheese Taun bought there; - the cause of all the breads! The cheese is expensive but I need to eat better to feel better. I did get some veggies as well!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 06:23 PM

Good luck with that! Steroids and antibiotics are wonderful tools but they are overused. Hopefully the only thing you need now is a healthy dose of time (and do you breathe steam to soothe your respiratory system?)

The fence post is pretty securely lodged so I'll call next door and plan tomorrow to go around to their side of the fence to do some digging and pushing in the direction I want it to move (straight up - it leans into their yard at about 15^o from vertical). Meanwhile I did an esthetic project. The fence posts are all set in concrete that it is not flush with the surface so pickets at the post look taller than the rest of the fence, giving it a wavy look. I worked my way the length of that fence removing those pickets, turned them upside down, figured how much would come off the bottom and drew a line before sawing. After trimming about a dozen pickets the fence looks much better.

And in the "it's always something" department, today's work made it clear that my tool arrangement needs work. I have enough battery-operated Ryobi tools that now they are an ungainly stack in the laundry room. I need to look at the shelves on both sides of that tiny room and decide what gets moved to make space or if the tools need a new home entirely. It may be that some stuff goes to the garage and the tools get most of the lowest shelf over the washer.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 05:10 PM

Watson and Isobel have co-existed with the Cough from Hell since they were 12 weeks old. They know it’s loud but harmless — at least to them. I got through choir practice last night and felt surprisingly okay this morning. Still coughing, but slightly less often and less disgusting.

The doc (consulted this afternoon) wanted to dose me with Prednisone again, but I protested — again? When I had a heavy-duty two-week course of it back in March? Hmmm, maybe I had a point. So we compromised: if I stop improving, or relapse, I’ll call in for a prescription.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 02:25 PM

Keb, thanks! Yesterday afternoon it was at its worst but by evening was barely noticeable. Today it seems to have cleared up. And yes, I also wondered about the cough - and do Charmion's cats take umbrage at the disturbance or are they sympathetic and better cuddlers?

The sunflowers are almost gone and no crops in the yard this fall. Herbs still - oregano and rosemary make it through the winter; the first freeze will kill the basil. The last of this year's acorn squash has been consumed. My daughter told me that she decided to experiment with her four chickens so carved a few holes into it and gave it to the birds. It didn't take long before they were pecking and prodding and ate about half of it the first day, thoroughly enjoying the seeds and pulp. They finished it the next day. As enrichment activities go she had two days of very happy birds.

I've started working with the dogs on cooperation with each other - there are things they are fine about, others they are jealous. If I take a nap on the couch or the recliner Cookie has been allowed to hop up and as long as she sleeps can stay. Pepper is less of a nap dog. But I've decided to give them access to the sofa if I'm sitting there, one dog on each side. Cookie is very territorial about the couch, so with a dog on each side Cookie was ready to launch herself at the offending Pepper. I did several short attempts and by the last one Cookie had settled down. I'll keep this up until they get the idea. This would have been impossible when there were three since the Lab was pretty leaky and not welcome on any furniture.

Research on diet continues, with attention now to the upcoming holidays and what to bake. Sugar is part of the chemistry of baking so taking it out is difficult. The alternatives look worse (Heathline article 1 and Healthline article 2) so I think it will end up being a combination of stevia with some added bulk (yogurt, applesauce) for volume and a smaller proportion of regular white sugar for additional volume and browning. The bottom line is that sugar is bad for you but the substitutes (erythritol et al.) are worse.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 01:14 PM

Stilly, I hope your eye is recovering after receiving a punch from a sunflower.
Charmion, I hope your cough is clearing up at last.
ANd Dorothy, as Senoufou would say, you keep a'troshin'.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 11:38 AM

When Zach de ka Rocha wrote "Rage Against the Machine," I am pretty sure he was thinking of a printer.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 10:21 AM

Dorothy, I need to either do something with my old Wordpress account or bail on it. Like you say, I think I wrote better then. (I felt like I had more to write about!) It's a question of adjusting that one or changing venues and subject matter. Scattershot all over a few social media isn't great communication.

I took myself off of statins this year, but I don't consider that as important as the one you took yourself off of. Maybe your doctor has a suggestion of a version of that with fewer side effects? Or sometimes there is a companion medication to help with those.

Since you looked at your hold homes, I've revisited a couple: my childhood home (the earliest one I remember) was upgraded and now appears to have a basement apartment. The house we moved to when I was finishing elementary school has had some changes (the front porch rebuilt) but the robust magnolia that we gave my mom for Mother's Day in 1968 is still at the corner of the front yard. The current street view from 2018 has a garage. The 2024 satellite view looks like they tore it off.

Good work on the printer setup, and I'm sorry Taun's bagels were a bit stale when he left.

Attacking the fence post this afternoon.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 12 Nov 24 - 09:57 AM

Dorothy, is there a Habitat for Humanity ReStore anywhere near you? The branch here in Stratford handles recycling of dead computers and their peripherals, including printers, and I’d bet money that’s something they all do. For your own sake, get someone to rid you of those non-functional printers!

Over the last four years I think I have hauled about three generations of computer parts to the ReStore. The house is much more livable without them.

I’m sorry to read that you’re feeling so frail and blue, and glad to note that food and rest perk you up considerably. Please update us on your thoughts and actions whenever you feel up to putting words together. We care.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 08:28 PM

Dupont:

Having eaten everything in sight - more or less, I am feeling some better. I thought of some writing I had done on wordpress about 10 years ago and managed to find it, copy it and move it into docs so I can dispense with wordpress, where I have done nothing since then. But I read it all and was impressed by my writing! I was far better back then - when I was writing regularly?

Over the last week I have been struggling, at times, with a loss of words - not remembering and having to describe what I wanted to catch the word. This malaise of the last couple weeks has been deep. I blame the Ibrance and stopped taking it. It has been over a week 'til I am, tonight, feeling better and hopeful that it has passed. There were days when I could hardly eat anything - chicken broth and a slice of bread.

Sunday/yesterday, I woke up barely breathing. We were still in bed and R felt it also - I really was barely breathing. He finally got up and went downstairs to talk to my son. I am very pragmatic about the fact that this cancer will surely kill me and would prefer not to be waiting around, also want nothing to cause me to end up being tortured in a hospital when we know nothing will help. I can feel the cancer gremlins nibbling on me, sometimes nipping me and mini pains are here and there, now and then.

By 10 pm, I had spent hours talking family history with Taun and we typed out a new, more tidy "will" and Taun - with his B Engineering in computerated automation - where's your printer? Well, there are two that stopped functioning and the one I bought in February (the day before my life stopped being reasonable) was still in the box, which was - still is - being used as an extra counter in the bathroom. In a few minutes it was functioning and Taun astounded R by hitting a button on the computer downstairs and informing R it was printing - upstairs!

Now I have two dead printers to get rid off - declutter!!- and one functional, and no inclination to print anything. We have a will! to put in a safe place with my body donor card. The box is still in place for the "counter". Magic Taun had somehow extricated the computer without moving the box. And he went to Philly today instead of yesterday. With his 3 dozen two day old bagels. No fuss - he just did what he felt needed to be done for us old folks. WOW!

He says he is coming back in a couple weeks with my #1 grandson -27 or so. Doubting I will make the wedding on 1 June.

One of the high points of our "family" conversations: looking on google at the neighbourhood in which I grew up, I told him that his grandfather and friends had built the house (about 1940) --- "Every time I drive on that road, a house my grandfather designed and built is just over there!" Now if I can just find the floor plan - in pencil on graph paper. It is not where I was sure it was so some searching must happen. That would be treasured by Taun as it has been by me. The house does not look as nice as it did. My grandparents nice home is beautiful. And grandfather Quantin's has been nicely improved. The memories!!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 06:22 PM

I saw my daughter today between the various scheduled meetings and appointments (I took over my 25 drawer cabinet of embroidery floss for her to pick through) and we discussed Thanksgiving. I'm making changes to my diet, but I will still have some of the traditional things they expect - mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, but I'll also see about that Cranberry duff as an addition to the fare. Meat and poultry. Slow-carb vegetables. She understands (has been hearing about this for several months) so we're good. Now to find a date.

Thanks for naming some of the possible thickening agents for gravy. Cornstarch does have its limitations. I could keep a container of the drippings in the fridge and make fresh gravy each time I need it if I went that way.

Meanwhile, this morning Dorothy wrote:

A week with my wonderful #2 son (61) has been all manner of gifts. The bottom line is that we (R, Taun and myself) are all realizing, and supportive of each other, that there is only one way out of this. I am sadly ready and hope to get off the world peacefully in the not too distant future: weeks? months?

Viewing this as the ultimate de-clutter?

Very little energy. Going back to bed.

I am verklempt. Dorothy, I love you. If you need and can get palliative care it frequently extends life. You can continue chemo (if it isn't too nasty) during that time. Being comfortable is good for you, and I'm glad you had time with your son to really talk about it. My heart is still broken to know your cancer that took so long to get diagnosed and you're having to make these decisions now. Give our love to Robin - he's going to need it to sort out everything you two have built. I'd love to buy a cup or plate or bowl or whatever you have made that is around for sale if someone could ship it. Your work is gorgeous. ❤ ❤ (lets see if either of those gets through).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 01:50 PM

The other thing about foods thickened with cornstarch is that they don't keep. Within a certain amount of time (don't remember how much, but less than 48 hours), they tend to separate and "weep".

Tapioca (not the pearl kind) and arrowroot are effective thickeners that are also, coincidentally, gluten-free.

Pan gravy -- the reduced but otherwise unthickened juices from the roasting pan -- is also nice, and safe for your celiac friends.

Me, I don't think it fair to invite people to dinner, require them to bring a dish, and then lecture them at length about dietary restrictions. The host is responsible for ensuring that every guest will eat well, and if that means farming out only the un-challenging parts of the menu, or providing both conventional and adapted versions of particular favourites, then so be it.

Speaking as one who does her best to avoid sugar ... !

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 01:05 PM

I have been invited to a gathering on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Hostess spent 30 minutes lecturing about gluten etc, so I guess I will have to give that kind of baking a whirl, and will have to do a dry run to see if it works. She mentioned having success with einkorn flour, which is apparently still wheat but low-gluten enough it doesn't bother them. I've used spelt in the past and liked it, but not einkorn.

For gravy, we always used cornstarch ,which is gluten free. You may know the caution about always mixing it with a little ice water, then slowly drizzling in the slurry to your hot liquid, stirring constantly til it thickens. I know it's carby but just thought I should mention it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 11:30 AM

Good decision to stay in when your health isn't up to the event or the cough would disturb you for worry of disturbing others.

This holiday is one that is both personal and ironic. My father was found on November 18 by the nextdoor neighbor who decided he had been too quiet for too long. Looking at my last contact and his emails and appointments he missed, we know he in fact died of that pulmonary embolism after his evening shower on Nov. 11. He and my mother were both WWII veterans; she died on Memorial Day (six months later - that was a really rough time).

Starting the planning for Thanksgiving by first establishing when people can do it. Not always on the traditional Thursday. From there I'll figure out a menu. Today I've pulled out the Bob's Red Mill gluten free baking flour to test my first modified recipe for a Cranberry Duff dessert. I'll do some traditional foods we always eat including mashed potatoes and gravy, but if I can figure out how to make the gravy without wheat flour then I can have an open face turkey sandwich over a piece of non-gluten bread with the non-gluten gravy. There is usually never leftover lamb, the other meat we'll have (and a yogurt mint sauce for that is gluten free). Reminds me I may need to pamper the mint pot beside the kitchen door to see if I have enough for that yogurt.

Today is trash day so I put my modest bag of stuff that can't be recycled or composted into the large can then stuffed the can full of old sunflowers. I am slowly clear cutting the tall woody dead stand in the front. They grow 10' tall and sometimes as wide, into each other and the seedy heads tangle. This morning as I pulled them apart one of them struck back, a direct hit to the eyeball. That smarts but I think I'll survive. I'll use saline rinse (those single dose packs) to rinse and otherwise keep my hands off and see if that is sufficient. Note to self: gloves and goggles next time. There is a small galvanized can that rarely gets used but maybe I'll make a push with both cans to finish that whole tall thatch for Thursday's pickup.

_________________

Dorothy, I hadn't seen your post when I put up my remarks this morning. More in a bit. Dawg speed to you, however this works out.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 10:50 AM

Dupont:

A week with my wonderful #2 son (61) has been all manner of gifts. The bottom line is that we (R, Taun and myself) are all realizing, and supportive of each other, that there is only one way out of this. I am sadly ready and hope to get off the world peacefully in the not too distant future: weeks? months?

Viewing this as the ultimate de-clutter?

Very little energy. Going back to bed.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 10:49 AM

Coughed half the night again; no parade for me. Date with the doc tomorrow at three.

The sky is the colour of an old aluminum saucepan, with a cloud cover so dense that the weather radar page on the Environment Canada website is down. I have no idea how often I have stood in front of one cenotaph or another in such conditions, hoping the inevitable deluge will hold off until the last wreath has been laid and the marchpast completed. In Ottawa, this day is usually chilly and raw, with a snell wind that freezes fingers and ears while the icy pavement numbs the feet despite solid boots and high-tech “sock systems”.

On the whole, another day in the comfy chair is the wiser choice.

I don’t need to visit a cenotaph to remember those acres of tombstones, or Edmund’s uncle Jackie on the Menin Gate, or my Dad looking solemn and impossibly vulnerable in a Leading Seaman’s jumper, or the stunned atmosphere at CEFCOM Headquarters in Ottawa when news arrived of soldiers dead in Kandahar, victims of yet another IED strike.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 08:03 PM

I went to church this morning and had to retreat twice to the vestry to cough. I should have remembered how singing shakes up the crud in my lungs. Fortunately, the congregation isn’t there for entertainment, so they don’t mind the disturbing racket.

Remembrance Day is tomorrow, and I don’t know yet if I’ll do the parade. I’m still coughing, of course, and the weather forecast is not promising: 60 percent chance of rain, and a high of 14°C. I’d rather have dry, and a bit colder. I was planning to wear my Burberry raincoat because I can wear my Victory in the Cold War medal on it, but in a high of 14° it will be too warm. I hate sweating under a woollen beret when I can’t scratch my scalp or wipe the trickle off my face.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 07:01 PM

Instead of my virtuous list of chores getting attention I continued to struggle with the Internet setup. I think I've solved one problem without having to jump through more hoops. I'll use the Microsoft Defender program for the antivirus (it's already in there) and stop trying to add AT&T's free McAfee suite. That's several hours I won't get back, but I learned something, so it wasn't wasted time. Getting under the hood every so often keeps your computer and software skills current.

I set the speed lower on the Internet and it still is just fine, better than Spectrum. This month's bill is already set, but after next month it will be about $25 lower than Spectrum. The Tech support person was able to set that up for me.

Busy tomorrow then a couple of days off. Tomorrow is a social day, that is probably something I should do just because it's good for me.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 11:24 AM

I'm thinking about enhancing the landscaping in my back yard with a couple of small trees or large shrubs that are xeriscape in nature to survive our dry spells. When I finish the fence it will be time to look at moving compost bins and working around the big hackberry in the middle of the yard. If I start trimming it back I can put in better trees to make it look more like there was some design intended. In two or three years if I want to sell, they'll be established. I also have one tree that has died in the front, but there's a big project there first (removing the earth-filled tires from the berm in front - meant to keep cars from rolling into the yard and hitting the house). My handyman friend will probably do these projects with me - we'll dig out one side of the berm and replace the tires with big chunks of concrete that otherwise need to be discarded, and in back start low with the large branches and raise up the crown to let more light in.

This morning eBay; later, outside. Today is the day to stabilize the footer at the end post on my fence. The root is cut, just needs to be pulled away and the post straightened. I have a bag of concrete to mix in the wheelbarrow then scoop into each side of the new larger hole around the post. Once it's stable, the rest of the work will continue.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 06:44 PM

The Internet service provider exchange is complete. The most excruciating part is getting someone on Spectrum to simply close the account - they send you to sales and do everything they can think of to keep you. "Your personal modem was insufficient" - no, and it's blazing along at twice the speed right now on AT&T. "We'll lower your price" - you should have done that when I asked. "You paid for 10 days you won't be using" - I told her I don't give a fuck about that - and she went ahead and finally agreed to close the account. It's funny, the phone clicked over to hold when the F word was introduced.

Tomorrow is free of appointments so I'll work on eBay listings. I want to keep moving forward on emptying this stuff out of here. Lately nothing has been selling except the glasses, so I'll list more glasses.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 12:00 AM

This has been a hell of a week, but despite the exhaustion of political turmoil I've sorted out one thing I've put off for a long time. Inertia is a great reason for leaving accounts in place that you don't like if the change means a lot of bother, but I finally went to that bother. Today I've been going through various accounts I don't use anymore and logging off or unsubscribing, and have set up the new internet account so I'm ready for the tech to test my new service. I also have a long CAT 5 cable (yes, CAT 6 is better for the faster service, but it's here and will work) to run from the router in the hall to the computer to test it. I'm not going to let him fuss with anything else, and after he's gone I'll go into the settings and set up the IP Passthrough so I can use my existing third party router with the new fiber modem. In theory I won't need to change any of my setups or passwords, and I'm planning to change the stupid gibberish password that AT&T assigns to it's devices.

I promised the dogs a walk through the park tomorrow morning before the excitement begins. I may also run the vacuum and clear out some of the drifts of dog hair in the hall where the guy will work. He's also going to have to go into the attic, and I'm ready for that as well, having moved the shelves from the pantry (they block access to the modem area) and out of the way in the hall where the steps need to pull down.

Patty, I added your book recommendation to my GoodReads list so I don't lose track of it. Another long one!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 12:53 PM

No antibiotics yet. I’d have to see the doctor again, and I don’t feel up to fighting my way past the gate-keeper who answers the phone. If the cough is still bad on Monday, I’ll have to stiffen my upper lip and do that.

I am getting better, if not nearly as quickly as I would like. I cough less often and not quite as hard, and the “breathing razor-blades” sensation has gone away. But I’m weak, bummed out, and easily distracted, sure signs that I’m not ready for prime time.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 10:44 AM

Thanks, Patty, another book to add to my list! And the true test of the new sofa is if you can take a good nap on it. :)

How are you feeling, Charmion? Are you going the antibiotic route to treat the bronchitis? And I should have spelled out right-of-way first time, a good journalistic habit. Am looking forward to dumping Spectrum and hoping the evil AT&T will behave itself. I should be able to mute all of the sales attempts (phones, direct TV, etc.).

Busy today but then the weekend off (just the tech here tomorrow - but I don't have to go anywhere). I need some peace and quiet.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 09:22 AM

R-O-W means "right of way" like the land bordering public roads.

Agree with the 'plants good' theories. So many micro-nutrients in them like flavonoids, carotenoids, that we know little about, that seem to really help with good health. Unless they mess with one's gut, we need them, but in smaller bundles. There is no excuse for a hybrid apple that weighs 8 ounces and has jacked up sugar content and minimal micronutrients. We need our fruits, but in small sane sizes.
"Eating On the Wild Side" by Jo Robinson is a fascinating book on fruits and veg and what's been done to them.

Home after a great trip to the mineral gathering in Socorro. To-do lists grow daily. Not only do dust storms leave drifts on the porch, there are little dust clots on the windowsills and pits in the stucco walls. Did not anticipating sweeping walls!

A great chofa was delivered, (sofa with chaise 'L') so it's starting to look like a decent home. Still tons of boxes, but some order is coming together.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 08:49 AM

What’s an R-O-W?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 24 - 05:04 PM

You'll find that there is more gritty detail in the larger book, and lots of source material if you want to go look things up.

Have just completed the run to take a friend over for an outpatient arm surgery; she is at home and her medications were picked up and dropped off. I'll check in a couple of times today (since in theory the hospital wants someone to stay there in the first 12-24 hours). I can't stay there long because the smell of the cat litter is too strong almost all of the time. I believe her olfactory nerves must have been fried by the smell by now.

I have to examine my setup here to prepare for the new line for the Internet, and because I plan to use my own router I'll review instructions on that "passthrough" move. I'll have to clear a path to the modem spot (small shelves on the wall near the top of the small pantry, the line pulled through from the attic.) I'm fussy about how I want it done so will spend much of the time keeping an eye on things. The dogs will be in the kennel for the duration. I think the line will run a line from the telephone pole halfway down the back yard (at the fence with next door - the R-O-W runs across our backyards halfway down. Nextdoor neighbors have this service already and the installers buried the line across my R-O-W and under the fence and then through her landscaping before it exits her back yard and is installed on the side wall near the front of their house. Mine should be much easier (note to self - go scoop any dog droppings ahead of foot traffic back there.) I should go see what that box looks like on their house.

The savings from the switch from Spectrum to AT&T is the amount of the monthly ACLU donation, about $240 a year. Win/win.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Nov 24 - 02:27 PM

Pollan is next on my to-read stack. I just started on “Good Calories, Bad Calories”. Having already worked my way through “The Case for Keto” and “Rethinking Diabetes”, I don't expect to learn much that’s new, but I feel obligated to read it for myself before passing it on to anyone else — notably Great-Niece No. 1, who lives with the kind of corpulence apparently common among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Nov 24 - 01:28 PM

Charmion, if you start to hear about your weight loss from friends you'll know you've gone too far. That's what happened here, so I'm about five pounds above my target weight, and don't hear comments now.

I'm working my way through the Pollan book still and can see where Gary Taubes takes issue; they cover much of the same territory (and Pollan is very appreciative of the work Taubes did in Good Calories, Bad Calories - he calls it eye-opening and groundbreaking). Pollan suggests the science hasn't looked enough at what we get from plants (the things "nutritionists" haven't learned to quantify). Taubes has shown less curiosity about that, and is into avoiding carbs at most costs. Carbs = most plants. I'm looking at exchanging some of the yogurt I eat for a larger variety of small portions of vegetables and fruits. Staying pretty close to the "slow carb" designation (but with a few potatoes and carrots in the mix.) His discussion of the science of nutrition is pretty interesting, and also kind of depressing. The hardness and fastness of nutrition labels seems to be yet another myth.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Nov 24 - 08:08 AM

I caught a cold last week while preoccupied with the big, bad belly-ache. Now the gut problem has eased up and the cold is bronchitis, for the second time this year. I am so bummed.

Nothing says “misery” like coughing myself awake to the sight of Trump’s smug face on the front page of the Globe & Mail.

My weight has skidded to 63 Kg, a bit less than 140 pounds. That’s about the size I was coming out of recruit school. Of course, I was 5 cm taller then, and carrying a lot more muscle. My fancy electronic scale and the charts on even the most respectable medical websites say I’m still a bit over-fat, but I’m not sure those charts apply all that well to a woman of my age. I’ll persist with the low-carbohydrate diet, however; not for weight loss but because it’s apparently what my guts prefer. Never argue with your entrails; they get the last word every time.

Fibre-optic telecommunications service is widespread in southern Ontario. We made the switch about five years ago, when a local provider brought it to Stratford. It’s stable and much more consistent than the coaxial cable service we relied on before, and the provider’s tech staff are both skilled and downright nice. No regrets whatsoever.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 24 - 08:29 PM

That would be lovely! There are several Mudcatters in that area. My brother is in New Hampshire, near his daughter and grandchildren, a possible destination, but my heart (and my son) is in the Puget Sound area. Dorothy's old stomping grounds also. I have to split myself from one child to live near the other. One in Texas, one in the NW. Those are pretty much my two places to choose. I told the ex about this thought today, so he can consider it.

Here at the house more sunflowers are in the Rubbermaid can for tomorrow's trash. And I finally cut my way through the large (12") root at the back fenceline that pushed my fencepost crooked. I'll straighten the post and backfill with some fresh concrete (leaving the old footer still on it). I pulled out the electric reciprocating saw and after a half hour going back and forth with the saw and crowbar was able to cut the root. Soon I'll reinforce the concrete footer then finish that chunk of fence.

Saturday AT&T installs the new Internet. The fiber cable is faster and cheaper than Spectrum that has jerked me around for a long time. Today I called and said that since I never saw the speed they promoted I wanted to drop back to the lower speed and price. No can do, apparently. All accounts are the same high price. So I told him no thanks and goodbye and now I hope they don't tank my Internet service before Saturday when I'll call to cancel. Good riddance.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Nov 24 - 06:13 PM

If you move to upstate New York, Maggie, I’ll come visit.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: keberoxu
Date: 06 Nov 24 - 04:05 PM

IN answer to your question, Stilly,
having decluttered my old car and replaced it with
a newer used car,
I'm getting things done this week:
tomorrow the registration and paperwork,
next day the state inspection sticker.
And I'm driving the car with enormous care
so as not to get pulled over
when I have neither registration nor sticker ...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Nov 24 - 07:23 AM

I have just checked to see how many months are left on my mortgage at the current rate to pay off my house, and I will use the time to hurry up my decluttering so that when that time comes I can easily sell and move out of this state. It's bad enough being in the US with Trump, and being in Texas compounds the injury. I don't know if I'll be able to get the rest of the family out, but it is worth the effort.

While I was tossing and not sleeping last night I worked out a list of the things I need to start doing as far as cosmetic repairs. The structure is sound (well, except for the foundation - but if I have the work done on that in a really wet winter the house will be as close to level as it ever is and possibly make the work less expensive). Paint is cheap.

I was really depressed this morning when I finally decided there was no point in trying to stay in bed any longer, but now I find I'm really pissed off, and that is a better way to approach what is coming. We need to make the most of the next two and a half months and case harden as much of our lives and the government as possible. I'll be setting up monthly donations to the ACLU.

Pardon me while I go feed the dogs then get ready to finally finish that backyard fence, and while I'm back there, measure the side door in the garage to order a replacement.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Nov 24 - 06:51 PM

Dupont:

Finally posted a plea for house cleaning on Chateauguay Chit Chat. half a dozen responses flew in! I asked the first one to phone me. She did everything she could to get the house looking OK for son's arrival which he upgraded to tomorrow afternoon. We delighted in her already being here!

A fine young woman whose goal in life is to be a house cleaner! She worked quietly and confidently for two hours. Found an extension cord for the shop vac and used it. No muss no fuss! Definitely the best that could be done! I had started the morning by trying to vac the staircase - only lasted about 15 minutes - got halfway! I happily paid her $40/hour for her two hours. And me not being wrecked!

A trip out for a few essentials - an hour at most - was all of yesterday's energy.

My effort to connect with a few of the women I met at a local group elicited a call this aft -- my phone never rings more than once a day. Francoise is coming by at 9 am tomorrow. I am barely conscious at that hour but shall make a supreme effort!

Warm enough this aft to sit on the front steps for a while several times. Started a book - Creatures of the Rock by Andrew Peacock, 2014. Adventures of a young vet who aged during his 30 years in rural Newfoundland - starting with learning Newfie English! Been there! It can be exceedingly different! Interesting so far- two young vet students figuring out how to castrate a 600 pound boar without getting killed!

R on way back - sometime tonight with any luck. Letter telling me to come and have a retake of photo for drivers license. I hope it can happen at the one ten minutes away! And have not yet managed auto insurance - phoned 3 dif offices and none had clearly functional phones. I had no idea what they were saying - in English.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Nov 24 - 11:06 AM

We had a lovely soaking rain yesterday so when I took my HARRIS sign from the porch (where I parked it overnight) and shoved the wire legs into the ground it was easy to put in place. Soon I'm going to have to mow again now that the grass has gotten the "grow again" sign from the rain and no hard freeze to make it go dormant.

The first box of beer glasses is packed and the day will be spent puttering with the rest or working my jigsaw. Just not listening to the news. Ok, maybe news on the hour on NPR, but not the constant drone of exit polls.

I have some sewing to do also, and while I'm in there, pull some of the unused embroidery thread and send it to my son's partner. She's getting started on various projects and the infusion of more thread may give her a boost. I should send her the entire box (one of those multi-compartment storage plastic drawer things people use for nails and screws and such.) Keep a few colors for if I need them for something small, like the amount of yarn I have here now (not much).

The house is very quiet right now. Time for some endorphin-pumping music.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Nov 24 - 01:41 PM

Damn. I just realized my Harris/Walz and Colin Allred (senate race, Texas) were stolen overnight. They could have leaned over to grab one sign but the other two they had to advance into the yard. I reported it, but who knows if anyone will be caught doing this today. The sheriff should know this kind of thing happens and watch out for people after hours. Oh, wait, our village contracts with the sheriff and they don't go around here 24-hours. I've put out a query on Facebook asking if there are spare signs around.

I had an old Biden/Harris sign in the garage so taped over Biden and put that out. It's closer to the house in front of a window but visible from the street. Us old broads are resourceful.