DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 24 - 12:15 AM

Patty, it's your house, if you want an extra table or two for other projects (or puzzles) that seems like an easy splurge. Or is there not room? The realty website photos of the staging (it's ages since I saw them) looked like you had some room to work with. My sympathy with the pump work. I've had a few projects over the years that if I'd known more I'd have researched them better or had bit the bullet and had someone else take care of them. But you often don't know until you try for yourself. I remember one plumbing project . . .

The neighbors across the street (the elderly couple) report that the lock on their side gate into the back yard was cut last night and someone also forced their way into their garage (from the side door in the back yard). They were at home and heard nothing. It is definitely time to get the electrician here to change out the transformer for my doorbell so I can install the Ring. That might well have caught the activity or them passing by, since my porch looks directly at their porch (it wouldn't have seen the side yard activity, but the only way to approach that area is from the street on the front of our houses). I didn't hear my dogs barking so whoever was over there was quiet. They usually bark at people in the street (everything that isn't a car passing by - though they make an exception for the mail carrier truck.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 06 Dec 24 - 10:20 PM

Okay, I'll say it, that puzzle is genuinely weird! Good luck with all the white zones!   I've learned my limits and only do puzzles that won't take more than 5 sessions to do, much more fun than the 'impossible' ones. Reminds me I need to order a roll-up puzzle mat since not much table space around here.

Keeping busy with new problems daily. I screwed up the well by not purging when my friend used some muscle to replace the filter, so air was trapped. When I started trying to learn about maintenance, starting with all the parts in the pumphouse, I opened the little metal door to the control box. Not realizing some insane person designed it, so that a bunch of wiring is attached to the door of the box, which come undone from 5 bladed connectors when you open it. And very difficult to reseat again, since you can't see what you're doing and it has to be forcibly pushed to go back inside its rim. Long story short, got neighbors involved, it's fixed, but humiliation level pretty high. One of the pitfalls of rural life is everyone is highly aware of every mistake you make, and how incompetent you are compared to them.   

The carpenter is starting to work on the new veranda roof, but it's going to be days of just tear-down first. I declined to pay for weeks of rental on a construction dumpster, I just don't have an endless stream of funds. So I'll help unload trailer trips at the dump. Starting to wish I had just laid a patch on the roof all by myself.

Meanwhile, the tires have been replaced, other must-dos done.   But I've developed an aversion to working on the bed project-- at first I just kept getting interrupted by other chores and crises. Then it went from being a challenge I eagerly wanted to do, to being something I dread turning to, because I know there will be 20 ways that the process will go wrong. Perhaps I must break it down into baby steps, just measure and mark the first few pieces.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 24 - 12:53 PM

There is a bugger of a jigsaw puzzle that has been on the sunroom table for far too long. I am to the point of filling in the whitish background, the last of all of the zones. This one. As I worked I was doing various characters or objects, but shifted to color zones starting with the green field and body of the large cat, when I've literally arranged pieces by the shape; one, two, three, or four of the knobs or tabs. Working by shape and finally able to catch some of the nuance of the slight color shifts is finally paying off. This one is right up there with the gourmet cheeses puzzle for difficulty.

Charmion I suppose when you shop this time of year you can use an insulated bag for the avocados so they don't get too cold in the car if you make many stops while you're out. Those bags are a feature of every car in Texas for shopping during the hot months to get frozen goods home more or less still frozen. Enjoy that rehearsal and performance. There must be a robust locker room for changing for the concert and stashing all of the cold weather gear you all wear to get there.

Patty, how is the construction work going? That lumber you had delivered is for an outside project?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Dec 24 - 08:35 AM

At least another day of snow in Perth County, possibly two.

Tonight is the dress rehearsal for this year’s performance of “Messiah”, and the show is tomorrow night. In this weather, getting a good audience will be a challenge.

As will getting around town. Like it or loathe it, the Y and the supermarket are on today’s itinerary if I have to get there on snowshoes.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 11:26 PM

Good job, Dorothy!

Yard work today involved putting out a few more lights in the front so the neighbors across the street have more to see if they look out front. That couple is about 90 and in failing health and haven't put up a tree themselves in a couple of years. One string I used to put on the front porch is now draped around the lowest branches of the pine in the front yard, and I wrapped the base of the redbud with white lights (I have another string or two to add to it tomorrow, working it around and up the multi-stem tree).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 03:55 PM

Dupont:

And 65 years ago I gave birth to a tiny 6 pound boy. His grandma told me later, she didn't think he would live. He was average weight by 6 months And, thanks to our "home grown" goat milk, he is now a tall, slim, healthy guitarist.

I phoned him after noon!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 03:46 PM

Dupont:

Never have taken statins; Health folks in Ottawa checked my list of supplements before giving me the Ibrance. They asked me not to take E and were not happy with the chlorpheniramine maleate "not more than 3"; I am still finding them helpful with the cough - but not more than 3!

A couple inches of snow and continuing- with temp at freezing point. Have chosen not to go anywhere. Too many bad drivers out there. Local FB page tells of LOTS of drivers being ticketed for lack of snow tires (1 Dec was deadline). There are checkpoints - like for drinking. Someone posted that they were almost rear-ended - excuse: "I'm from another country; I have no brush...!!" Those sort of twits convince me to stay home. And they are now all "from another country!" My lack of energy contributes - I do not have what it takes to deal with even a mini-crisis out there in the cold.

R came home exhausted from stress-filled day but perked up when I mentioned the window that might not open - ! He opened it and worked on cleaning between the window and storm - -- There must be a magic implement that will go up between... Then he fell asleep in his chair - to bed ho!

HAH! finally checked the Atmospheric pressure -LOW!!! I was wondering why I was in a zombie state. Some sweet usually helps so a sliver of apple pie with a bit of cheese on top, slightly warmed might help.

Still snowing, still at freezing point, going down this eve... And R crossing the bridge ... as it does so.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 02:52 PM

I dressed for work in the yard today but so far have only made it out to the bay laurel to pick a leaf to add to the turkey soup I made this morning. It's warmer now so when the soup is finished I need to go outside.

There is a batch of broth simmering (the neck, back, and a couple of other trimmed parts were browned and now in water for broth to freeze). The soup is made with broth from simmering the baked carcass. To keep it more keto-like I just used carrots, no potatoes or noodles. And I've added tofu for protein and to have more volume in the soup solids. (There is also onion, celery, and some herb along with the last of the turkey meat.)

This morning I called a woman I met a couple of weeks ago through the Freecycle group. She told me at the time that she has plants in her yard she wants to give away before they move and several of them are small shrubs I've wanted (but are difficult to find at local nurseries). I'll go over next week and dig a few to plant here. I'll do them bare root so I'm not lugging around big pots of soil.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 05 Dec 24 - 11:27 AM

Heavy snow across southwestern Ontario today, and Stratford is choked. I was halted at the mouth of my driveway this morning, ready to turn into the street, when a man on foot wallowed up to the car and banged on the bonnet. I opened the window (snow swirling in), and asked, "You wanted to speak to me?" He said, "The roads are terrible! For your own safety, stay home!"

Reader, I went to the Y anyway. Getting home was a cute trick, however, and the only way back into the garage was nose-first; if I had tried to back in, as I usually do, the car would have stuck fast in the icy windrow left by the passage of the road plow. (It's a VW Golf, so it's front-wheel drive.) A glance at the weather radar map tells me this situation will prevail for several hours yet.

I had intended to hit the supermarket. I'm out of avocados. (How's that for a 21st-century First World problem?)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 11:15 PM

One of the reasons for taking CoQ10 is if you are taking statins, because there is something they deplete or effect. I wasn't taking it when I was on statins (it wouldn't have helped) - and now since I'm off of them I'm not worried about it.

Your variety of cheeses sounds nice, Dorothy!

Today was drizzly and cool, finally feeling seasonal.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 09:36 PM

Dupont:

So many topics that are foreign to me, or interesting, or helpful!

Snow: about half an inch out there at the moment but more on the way through the night - my phone says! Brussel Sprouts - not cooked to death and usually in a large pot with other veggies; usually a week's worth. We eat when we are ready, usually at dif times. R often gets home between 8 and midnight - 10 is good, 8 better, or I go to bed and the food is in the frig - take what you feel like... Planned overs are in glass containers with plastic lids which stack nicely.

"Christmas" - a habit of sorts to me with no special meaning other than once in a great while there is family. Taun is planning a trip the week of 15th ("I tried for Christmas but that wouldn't work") Tentative, dependent on weather - driving up through the Adirondacks???!! This is a big effort - for me as I might not be here next year. So far it is he and one grandson - maybe two - and respective partners. I have not been informed if they are staying here or at BnB.

My job is trying to get the house to his level of clean! He says cobwebs and dust are the problem. I don't even notice the dust and the cobwebs are ongoing - there is a spider in the bathroom that seems to work through each night do I walk into a couple strands each morning. The young woman is coming on Monday and we will focus on dust! I am trying to get to places I can reach easily - the mantel with all its gew-gaws was done a few days ago; I will watch to see how long it takes to get noticeable again. Might have to do it again. The real cruncher is the large bathroom window which has cobwebs between inner window and storm window! I doubt we can open it but will put in a request when I see R!

Went to the cheese shop and the vitamin shop today. Overdid the cheese selections; it cheers me up to know there is a variety available! I tried two nice ones for lunch. I ran out of CoQ10- I forget why I take it; it's expensive. And Weleda massage oil- for my feet - makes them feel much happier! And the woman who works there is worth a visit - to be greeted with such cheer - as though she was just waiting for ME! I usually mail order all the supplements but not quick enough this time.

Texted wonderful neighbour at Beaver/Bancroft for help! With the cold weather and storms and hydro going off at times... Should the water be turned off?? Larry will take care of it! And Steve will keep the drive clear; it is best not to let it build up.

And our new way of dealing with the firewood is terrific. I walk past the BIG pile in the hall on way to Bathroom and return with a couple sticks for the pile in den. The wood needs more drying so I put a few pieces at time near the stove. It is wonderful to have it in the house - though not very pretty ---OR beautiful depending...!

And still sorting out the TV room and re-homing all the sheets I found in the linen closet! In plastic bags so they don't gather dust! HAH! I see a cobweb!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 08:59 PM

This was on a browser screen out of sight since morning - and I've posted since then, so it is edited.

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and having the meal with friends and family. While that holiday is about the dinner, the most food activity people see from me on xmas is breakfast. Like Thanksgiving, it is another mobile holiday that lands when we can get the most of us together in one place. Certainly our most memorable xmas in recent years was during COVID, when we drove our cars to the parking lot outside the Panda Express at a location central to all of us. We each went into Panda, masked, and ordered our lunch then ate in our cars (it was cold and clear, no desire to set chairs in a circle). After the meal we took turns handing gifts through windows or unloading from hatchbacks and unwrapping in our cars.

Still thinking about more lights. The next block over has done a bang up job and it feels wonderful to drive past.

For social stuff this month I'm leading two tours at the art museum where I have volunteered for almost five years. There are always special exhibits and docents who jump on doing those (making it difficult to find a time to do any of those tours after doing all of the research); I've decided that I'm sticking with the B team and will continue to do the general collection tour (it changes enough on its own to keep me on my toes). I volunteer in the archives also and if I decide to develop my own specialty tour it won't depend on changing exhibits. These will be a party or two as well.

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

Weight shows in the face, certainly, but I hadn't thought about how a hat might fit overall. Interesting observation! Today at my annual well-woman check I was weighed while wearing my jeans and t-shirt and was 154. That's just fine; at home on my scale in the morning with no clothes it probably would have been about 150. I'm watching the food I eat mostly to keep the carbs low (under 60, or failing that, under 100) and the right amount of calcium but a side effect with a keto-like diet is that I've lost a little more weight (and hope to stay at about this level).

Good talk with my doctor today, confirmation of some things I've been thinking about (one of her practice partners has told her "your brain needs cholesterol!" - my takeaway from my reading) and a couple of things helpful to her. A doctor married to a vaccine skeptic has to be an interesting relationship. Her husband has some health issues and is also looking at food and when I told her about my statin discovery a light went off for her. I was also able to answer a couple questions about (for example) some of the sugar substitutes out there that he's thinking about for some of his cooking (they're not recommended - might as well eat sugar). But sweeteners like monkfruit others have told her about it and I pulled up my Amazon account to show her the brand I like.

The turkey bones simmered this afternoon so it's time to make some soup. Now to figure out a low-carb soup. I have some turkey meat and tofu to use, along with onion, carrot, and celery. Maybe a little bit of potato. I could add some rice noodles, avoiding wheat but the carbs go way up.

I had a message from a friend of a friend today via Facebook Messenger. She is worried about a mutual friend who is struggling because her husband has moved to a care facility (he has something that resembles dementia) and she hasn't put out any of the holiday ornaments that she adores and was going to skip it this year. But the friend who wrote and I both think that for her well-being friends need to step in to help, so I've suggested our university retiree group meet at her house next week and put up the ornaments. And have the friend who contacted me come over as a surprise guest. (That can blow up in your face, but I think this would be a great surprise.)

For me time, there is a jigsaw puzzle in the sunroom that was feeling like I'd never finish it but recently I've made progress. I'll take time this evening to tackle more of it. It's a great "palate cleanser" for my brain some days.

Time to feed the dogs and make my soup.

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

Cool, Charmion! You decluttered your head!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 04 Dec 24 - 02:39 PM

This morning I took out a tweed hat Edmund gave me on our last Christmas together. It was a bit too tight, but I could not part with it. Good thing — it’s not tight any more, though it’s snug enough it won’t blow off even when the wind howls as it is doing today.

I had no idea that flab accumulates even on the head.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 07:43 PM

Feeling good today after time with friends, and time and music with friends earlier in the week. Today I had the gift of a slightly long ride with a truly musical fellow, and we mostly just played CDs and really listened to them. Most people start yapping halfway through the first song.

I'll be honest, the holidays have been annoying to me for quite a few years, since the wonderful big-family get-togethers of yesteryear have gone away. This year I don't expect much, but I will get some get- togethers with music and homemade singing, and I love that, so much better than some avalanche of presents and hurricane of baking and cooking. Let us be merry in whatever way we can.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 07:32 PM

Not snowed in yet, but not for lack of trying; there’s more than a foot of snow on the patio table and flurries in the forecast every day for the foreseeable future. I think the snow shovel is a bit big for young Logan, and my walk isn’t worth more than fifty cents. A guy with a self-propelled snowblower clears my driveway — best $700 (for the whole winter!) I spend in any year.

I’m not bothering with holiday decorations, with just myself and the cats to please, and I’ll be heading down the road to Windsor on Christmas Day anyway, weather permitting. I’m sure I’ll get my fill of baubles and tinsel at the in-laws’ place. If the weather doesn’t permit, I’ll open a bottle of decent wine and grill a steak. The cats enjoy hovering over my plate and pretending they like steak.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 03:29 PM

I was so ready to be finished with this cat gig, and her chart ends at lunch today. But I always ask just to be safe - "will you be home as you expected before their dinner time?" Nope. Got the schedule wrong again. Tomorrow. Good thing I left the yoga mat in the car, and at least I'm getting more regular workouts with my exercise subscription.

Looking through the closet where the holiday lights live I'm considering putting a few up in two front windows (in the past I've used suction cups with hoods on the glass - I don't know if I have those any more). There is a plug close enough to each window that I can put the lights on a timer. This feels like a year that needs more colorful lights to cheer myself and others.

How is everyone feeling? Is Charmion completely snowed in? Shoveling the walk might be a good job for the youth who lives nearby and wants to save up for I forget what he wanted. We haven't heard from Linn for a while but she usually has someone come plow her driveway. Our late friend gnu used to post photos of his New Brunswick yard and driveway with snow up past the garage roof. Do you have snow, Dorothy, and I hope you're staying in for the duration (or until roads are plowed and walks shoveled). Meanwhile, no snowing, just mowing here in Texas.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 11:41 AM

When I got the new AT&T fiber Internet they offered a thank-you of a gift card or cash card, whatever, but those things are notoriously difficult to use unless they're something like the Amazon card. Flash that barcode at Amazon and they credit your account in a hurry. So that $100 is here and in the account. Often times when people switch companies they have to pay a penalty so a few days later AT&T asked if I had to pay a penalty when I left. Well, not exactly, but they didn't prorate back the rest of the month, so they kinda did. Fine, AT&T says they're sending another card. Good time of year to bulk up the Amazon account.

The other online clearing out I'm doing this week is unsubscribing stuff that I never read or that got added alongside other stuff (one account I followed on Substack was set up so you ended up with four other related subscriptions at the same time. I got the one I wanted and now will unsubscribe the others.) The email is a jumble of after-the-fact fundraising, holiday fundraising, Giving Tuesday fundraising . . . ugg.

Oh, and 1000.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 11:23 AM

Each year I've pulled a few of the ornaments that the kids really liked and given (locally to the daughter with a tree this year) or sent them (tucked in with gifts to the kid in the Pac NW) - so trees and ornaments are certainly topical this time of year and in this thread. I pull out some of the crystal pitchers and large vases (so much of this stuff - all from my great aunt's house) and carefully fill them with the various colors of glass tree ball ornaments. There are three up-lights on the mantle where they are placed and along with a string of lights wound through some faux-fir garland it looks quite festive in that small area. I go with themes - some years there are a few Santas set in amongst the greenery, other times various animal shapes. Or the nutcrackers. I gave away a couple of the big nutcrackers grabbed on sale at the grocery store and kept the ones my sister brought back from what used to be East Germany and a few others family members collected.

This morning I brought home a couple of more packing boxes from the cat sitting house (she sets them aside for me - they have packing materials that are good for shipping the eBay glasses). Also a robust plastic storage bin drawer thing that I'm pretty sure my daughter can use (with her voluminous collection of costume parts and materials). The last run is hopefully this afternoon for their lunch. And then I'll make a stop at a friend's downtown apartment with some leftovers from our Sunday dinner. I haven't had time to do that till now.

It's a bright clear fall day today, and I took time this morning to sweep out the track of my sliding glass back door and WD-40 it into working smoothly. The yard could use some attention also—here we are into December and the Bermuda grass still isn't dormant.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 03 Dec 24 - 09:14 AM

Christmas tree in and decorated today, which included Herself first going through the ritual deep-clean of our front room (which the builders saw fit to put at the back of the house). A small tree this year, but still bought in case Dear Daughter brings the grandsprogs down as threatened for a session of guitar building.

.... Here endeth the topic drift.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 24 - 06:46 PM

At our Thanksgiving table it was the opinion of those who regularly eat Brussels sprouts that they used to be even more bitter than they are now, since a hybrid or some specific variety has been cultivated more widely. Difficult to imagine people eating them at all under those circumstances.

The table is compressed to the smaller size and turned to make room for the dog beds that were moved out of the way for our dinner. It's always a one-two punch cleaning and furniture-wise at the holidays. I need to get out some of the decor and clear the mantle because that tends to be what I decorate. (Last week I put strings of lights in the juniper and I got a new string of large LED bulbs that is now hung along the soffit trim of the front porch.) It's just me here, why make a huge fuss? But when family do eventually arrive for our xmas meal and gift giving, it's nice to look like I put in some effort, and if I have to put in the effort it might as well be up for a while. I haven't had a tree in ages (my daughter spoke of picking one up this weekend - maybe I can send her a lot of the ornaments I'm not using.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Dec 24 - 05:48 PM

My Welsh husband never failed to mark Michaelmas (in late September) by remarking that it was time to put the sprouts on for Christmas.

It’s still snowing in southwestern Ontario, and the forecast indicates flurries all week. I’m finally wearing full winter kit, including boots, woollen socks, parka, hat, and serious mittens, an outfit that adds five minutes to my get out of the house routine.

My great-niece has had two expensive crises since September, running me lower in ready-use funds than I’ve been in years. Pension day rolls around at the end of every month, so all would have been well but for a fluke mistake at City Hall, where somebody pressed the Collect Property Tax button ten days early and suddenly my bank account was overdrawn. Colour me very, very pissed off, along with the rest of Stratford. I was shaken by the bolt of panic that hit me with the warning email; apparently more than 25 years of financial stability have not expunged the fears of my time as a freelancer.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Dec 24 - 04:24 PM

sprouts at Christmas are not an Australian tradition so I'd never seen/heard your sprouts comment, MaJo - I love it!!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Dec 24 - 11:53 AM

The table looked good this morning with the lacey cloth on it, so I was thinking I might not have to wash it between uses. But when I picked it up a whole bunch of crumbs dropped through the holes and were pretty evenly scattered on the surface under it. It's an antique so I soak it and do that wash by hand then put it in a zipper laundry bag for the drier.

A brief search on baking soda and vegetables shows that there is some loss of nutrition. One article suggests visualizing putting salt in the water - how little can be added before it is too salty. Swap baking soda for the salt amount and you can see it requires very little.

Now to get the eBay stuff out from where it was stashed for the holiday and return to listing things.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 02 Dec 24 - 09:10 AM

Bicarb in the greens ..... My grandmother used to do that: I understand it helps preserve the green colour, while permitting the greens to be boiled to buggery peridition. Who was it said that if the sprouts aren't boiling by September, they won't be ready for Christmas Day?

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

For the record, I love Brussels sprouts steamed, roasted, sautéed, or any which way but boiled to death. Canada, too, has a heritage of bad cookery featuring the humble sprout, so I have eaten my share of such pitiful offerings. It’s a point of pride with me that I haven’t wrecked a dish of sprouts since Pierre Trudeau was in office.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Dec 24 - 11:03 PM

My mother's generation & their mothers back in the Mother Country (England) before them boiled brussels sprouts into oblivion which is why lots of folk can't stand them.

My sister remembers us putting overboiled veggies on the little shelf below the base of the dinner table, I think it just braced the legs.

In the 70s I had a lovely friend who was born in 1912 & I remember her poking at the fiercely boiling peas for a long time, & apologising they still weren't soft even tho she had added bicarb! I said it didn't matter...

I still eat brussels sprouts but I adore kalettes have you tried them? I have a friend who is a gourmet cook & I had to persuade him to try kalettes. He's older than me & learnt to cook when he went overseas in his 20s & makes the most wonderful food, but still remembers his mother's sprouts!

sandra

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 24 - 10:34 PM

I agree with the cats, you made a wise decision about not making that drive. And the blood pressure equipment is a an affordable piece of equipment (I added one to my small collection, including a digital thermometer and pulse oximeter.) Mine is in the suite of products connected to my fitness tracker and my bathroom scale, so it keeps all of the records in an app on my phone.

This morning's workout was the shortest of the week but left my legs feeling quite achey. Add to that all of the back and forth in the kitchen preparing for the meal this afternoon (Thanksgiving postponed). I'll sleep tonight. Two more days of cat sitting.

The house is in limbo this evening. One load of dishes washed but I'm not going to unload the dishwasher to reload it with the rest. In the morning is soon enough. The dining table is set up with the lace tablecloth still on; that can also wait till morning, as can hand-washing the wine glasses we used for our sparkling cider. Considering it was Thanksgiving I did pretty well. Along with two types of meat I had a serving of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and I ate the filling but not the crust of a piece of pumpkin pie. I kept the wheat out but did get some sugar and big carbs. A bowl of roasted vegetables - Brussels sprouts, carrots, and red potatoes - got a lot of attention. It seems not everyone likes the sprouts. As the bowl was passed around some pointedly picked out just carrots and potatoes, others selected lots of sprouts. In the end, when people went home with leftovers, I ended up with a bowl with nothing left but sprouts (enough for one portion in a meal of leftovers.) There is some entertainment value with a dish like that.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 01 Dec 24 - 01:16 PM

The big, fat, lake-effect snowstorm that ate southern Ontario yesterday is taking a short break before returning this afternoon with renewed vigour, according to Environment Canada. After a close look at the weather radar map on their website, I’m resolutely staying home despite two music events this afternoon and evening. Both events are in London, an hour’s drive down Highway 7, and the last thing I want is to have to drive home in the dark into the teeth of a snow squall.

The cats approve this plan; both are aboard the lap and heading into the afternoon snooze.

I still feel dizzy and light-headed when I get up in the morning, so I have decided to buy myself a blood-pressure monitor I can use at home — yet another whiz-bang gadget of the 21st century. With two registered nurses in the church choir, I had no trouble getting detailed advice this morning on what to buy and how much to pay for it!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Dec 24 - 12:54 AM

To give myself a break tomorrow I've already made the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. The bird will be spatchcocked so it should cook fast, and there will be lamb. I went shopping for some steel skewers for the grilled lamb (the ones I had are shorter and ancient). Mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, and Brussels sprouts) will be finished right before the meal. The rolls will be made ahead in the morning. When it comes to turkey gravy the keto folks go overboard with fussy ingredients so I'll make it with cornstarch for one evening (it doesn't keep well). It's a few more carbs, but a lot easier.

The dining table has been cleared and my eBay things moved out of the den. I noticed a couple of boxed items that need work so left them in their own stack in the front room. Moving dog beds, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, it's all on the list of things to do in the morning.

My plans have to work around cat sitting. I am more than halfway through le travail des chats and I've worked out the schedule for tomorrow. After then it gets easier. Good pay, but a lot of juggling.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 30 Nov 24 - 01:06 PM

I don't use hot water washes often, but when I do (washing filthy or germ-laden stuff), I expect to have the tap work. That's when I found out they had cut off the valve.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Nov 24 - 12:23 PM

Patty, it is not necessary to use hot water in most laundry these days. The dishwasher, on the other hand, should have lots of it. It costs more to heat it so I don't use it in the laundry. Rim flats - one of those things you can't fix. Park carefully with the new tires!

My morning routine this week of cat sitting means I'm doing my fitness workout while I wait for time to pass between two types of cat medication (one hour). I need to keep doing it this way even without a cat gig.

Some baking today, in preparation for tomorrow, and more picking up around the house. I've pulled out the stack of recipes to get started on things that can be done ahead.

My new printer cartridge arrived and was installed and didn't connect with the printer after many attempts. Note to self: next time check the paper tray first, it was empty. The new cartridge works now, no lines. Before placing the order I researched the black line problem (the drum is bad on the old cartridge) and realized they can be swapped out easily (he speaks Hindi, but you get the idea).

Before I realized the paper was out, I thought if the new cartridge wasn't connecting, I could at least use the new drum in the old one. When that also didn't work is when I checked the paper. [slaps forehead]

I've put the new drum back into the new cartridge and into the printer. The old cartridge is boxed with a note that the drum is bad. The self-test on the old cartridge showed it had 89% toner left so if I'm still around when this new cartridge runs out and if the drum is still good it can be swapped into the old cartridge. There are new toner drums out there but they cost as much as the entire new cartridge.

Yesterday I dropped a string of pearls at the jeweler to be restrung. It won't be expensive, about $60. Turns out they are simulated (but they look very good, they're so old they were probably made better at the time). I'm going to assume the double strand is also simulated and I'll go ahead and string that one myself, after getting a good look at the string done professionally (and a few YouTube videos). Darn - another windfall down the drain. :)

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

keboroxu, I'd love to know what make that car is so I can avoid it in my shopping this month. The very idea of having to go to a mechanic to tell the car its tires are okay, do they not know there is a shortage of mechanics in most places?

Coincidental that we all have tire issues this weekend. T-day as I rolled up to festivity number 2, was told my tire was half-flat. Kind people aired me up a little more but old man was quite sure I didn't really need 67 pounds. Limped around town trying to find a truck stop with a mechanic on call. The one called declined, in the middle of family dinner, I understand. The gas station pump required $2 in coin or card, but its gauge was missing.   

Blessedly, O'Reillys was open and sold me their strongest 12-volt pump, which is not as costly as it used to be. Got home, tire survived the night, aired up again, charged down to the tire shop. Again blessedly the good one was open that day, but, diagnosis: pinhole at the rim. I had been warned about mesquite thorns doing in sidewalls, I have to assume that was the culprit. Not reparable, which was fine since that pair was due for replacement anyway.

Connected with a dear old friend passing through town unexpectedly, and he was that kind of Midwestern "I'll fix that for you right now" guy, so the well filter has been changed, the big drawer now slides into the workbench, and the dishwasher has electricity. He was oddly happy to have his recent decision not to buy a nice house confirmed as a good decision, seeing how overwhelmed I am with stacks of little surprises and chores trying to maintain this place.

Ran a load in said dishwasher, took a while, lots of gentle noises for an hour. This morning opened it up to find dirty dishes. The #$!%) owners pulled the blasted thing out from the wall (after it was tested and ran during inspection, but before closing (not easy)) and not only unplugged it but turned the water off. Just weird weird weirdos. (They also turned off hot water to the washing machine and didn't tell me, I had to discover that a couple of weeks in. At first I was afraid it was because of a leak, but no, they were just weirdos).

Well, I'd better get started on those dishes....

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 01:40 PM

My car, as well, got a dashboard signal of low tire pressure.
On my car it is necessary to get the signal turned off directly by a mechanic, it will not go off by itself when tire pressure is corrected.
And it turned out that the signal was triggered by the temperature drop
and there was nothing the matter with any of the tires.
Had to trek to the mechanic just to get the signal reset.
It's all right though; it was time to drive by the DMV to get an extension on my car registration while I wait for the replacement license plates to be delivered; so got both done in one trip.

Am staying off of the roads this Black Friday,
the weather is much improved over yesterday
and people driving will certainly take full advantage of it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 12:41 PM

Dorothy, small repairs like that are wonderful gifts to yourself or the garment wearer. A favorite shirt or pants is back in service with no need to buy more. On the clothes front I await a message from a woman who asked for two pairs of size 14 bluejeans I offered on the local Buy Nothing page. They were listed on Wednesday but yesterday wasn't one for pickup so hopefully today I can move these out to the porch.

Charmion and Andrew, I have tarantulas in my yard, and occasionally they get into the house. There is a technique of dropping a clear plastic take-out container over the spider then sliding a piece of cardboard under it for safe removal outdoors. I keep a couple of those containers near the back door so I don't have to run to find one and possibly lose track of the critter. Which reminds me, a Mediterranean house gecko got into the sunroom last week and slid under the trim at the side of the room before I could catch it. I need to see if he's hanging out in the plants or needs removal.

My cold weather story this morning is that the SUV told me there was low pressure in one tire. When I got to the cat sitting gig I used my portable compressor to add air to the front passenger side. Then it told me they all needed air so when I got home I worked my way around the vehicle (the little pump is slow, about 5 minutes per tire) and they are all where they should be. It has a new battery, tires that have a lifetime as long as the vehicle, and is paid off, so let's hope we get through the next four years without needing to buy something new. I think by now there is a rush to buy existing vehicles and there is no need to go into debt out of fear.

No shopping today, but earlier this week I ordered a new toner cartridge for my laser printer so in a way it is a Black Friday (it should arrive today).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 11:58 AM

Dupont:

Woke up thinking cold but... I was going to stop in at a knitting group - just to chat for a few minutes. Then I realized there were little white pellets on the ground, below freezing and raining. So I have to chat here!

The day when, living at the "farm", mile and a half from the main road, I said to self, "It's Tuesday; I go to the library on Tuesday." Left the car in the ditch about half way out and walked home, having spent two hours, and gained a good constitutonal, convincing myself that, "Just because it's Tuesday...!"

Another drismal day but R just texted that his eyelid is not a major deal. Took a slice for a biopsy; will require removal (of something) and reconstructive surgery for eyelid. He wisely stayed in town last night; his bro is driving.

Another BIG success yesterday - laugh your heads off! A shirt of R's needed a button - it has needed it for months and, every morning, I think of it and every day, I do not do it. WHY? I might not be able to thread the needle! SO, yesterday - !!! I can use the flashlight on the phone to give enough light!? Button is finally on!!!! It is a nice Levi denim and still has life in it! And all its buttons! ~~~If I had put that button on back then, R may have worn it to death by now!!?

Well, when the internet no longer amused me, I have lots of papers to sort. And Woodie Guthrie, a life, by Joe Klein. There is about a half inch of white stuff out there! so far...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 11:38 AM

Spiders like damp spaces close to the ground— better hunting. My drawer of the human filing cabinet in Kingston was on the eleventh floor, too high for mozzies and bluebottles, or even moths. Hence no spiders.

Meanwhile, it is now snowing copiously in Stratford, and everyone on the road is belatedly realizing that any intersection is likely to feature a skid-pad. This morning’s trip downtown to the Y was paused for a good five minutes while the inexperienced driver of a school bus figured out how to get the vehicle’s back tires to grip long enough to achieve a left turn.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 29 Nov 24 - 10:20 AM

Charmion, do you remember the champion spiders of Kingston? When I visited you in the human filing cabinet, I never noticed any, but your other digs might have been more welcoming.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 11:39 PM

Having a holiday on a weekday makes the entire week feel odd. Thursday felt like Saturday, so what will Friday feel like? Will we have two weekends in one week?

Taking a couple of extra fitness props with me in the morning, so if I exercise at the cat house I have the cushion that makes floor work more comfortable and one of the fitness bands that helps with some leg stretching exercises. And now we're past the holiday I can actually go to the gym (it was close for the holiday).

The turkey is in the fridge. There are signs of progress around the house, and hopefully tomorrow I'll get enough clearing finished that it doesn't feel like last minute work to be ready for Sunday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 04:42 PM

I got most of the cobwebs and dust clumps off of the bedroom ceiling except missed one little area I noticed at 2:30am last night. That's when I finally finished changing the batteries in my little battery clock (an AC adapter lets it shine the time on the ceiling.) Damned thing started beeping. When it was set up I realized the time shone directly on one of those odd dust spots.

Dorothy, good news about finding the comforter! Most of the repair people I know are careful to try avoid damage to things around the house - that guy sounds like a boor. Your family visit sounds like it will be wonderful.

This morning was quite cold, I got out my LL Bean insulated jacket for the trip to feed cats. Not quite down to freezing yet, but soon.

I made buttermilk pancakes with a side of bacon for brunch. The Bob's Red Mill pancake mix has his blend of non-gluten flour, binder, baking powder, a little sugar, salt, and the cook adds an egg, melted butter, and 3/4 cup milk. To make buttermilk pancakes from scratch you reduce the baking powder and use baking soda. Since baking powder is already in this mix I just added a teaspoon of soda then my buttermilk. I also thin the batter a lot more with water to make the Scandinavian thinner style pancakes. They came out great - I got away with it! Of course the bag suggests a serving is two 4" pancakes and we each had three 6" pancakes (a far more reasonable amount in real human terms). I thawed some of the strawberry syrup I made before I started my low-sugar ways. Ate most of the fruit and as little of the actual syrup as possible. Still lots of sugar.

Off to do cat stuff again and while I'm out I'll swing by the city hall recycle bins and drop off some flattened boxes. A lot of flattened boxes.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 04:14 PM

My house dates from about 1974, but I swear half the spiders in Stratford hang out here -- especially in the ground floor loo. I suspect some kind of chink in the foundation directly underneath it. The garage, of course, is a cobweb festival. I just let it be.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 01:30 PM

Dupont:

No snow here yet but in the forecast... My phone is warning - soon... Drismal day!

Holidays: Get little attention from me. So do unsolicited phone calls! - just got one - hung up.

Oh yeah - holidays - I think we may have had CA thanksgiving at cousin Doug's (R's) A tolerable event; Ann is a good basic cook. And very nice. The upcoming: The house will be clean by the time the family arrives (thanks to Mylene)- week of 15th for unstipulated time. Vegan family for the most part so no turkey! And not much celebrating. Just being in the same place will be a gift!

Trying to get the left hearing aid in place. It roars if not exactly correct - getting there is sometime easy sometimes difficult... OK! And going to the office for help - I dread the trip and am avoiding it! I manage most of the time.

So big news today was taking that "looks life a comforter out of its bag and finding it is one I treasured - found it at the Sally Ann and did not think twice! When we were still inhabiting the dreadful place in the city. I am delighted; I remember worrying about it and requesting its rescue! the fellow doing some work in that BR actually put his tools on it! The backing is a beige cottonish of no interest at all but the top is beautiful! It could be machine embroidered silk or a silk-like material. A soft green. Yes, the doofus did make a small tear in it. The second or third event that rated - never again! But R kept having him do things. Enough comforters! R happy to have his weighted blanket (too much in warm weather).

Thankfully! that guy is no longer a part of our lives! Put that on my Thankful list! And the family coming! And Mylene cleaning with a lovely spirit and competence. I think I shall ask her to just get it as clean as she would like her home. I need to walk around with a dust cloth attached to my wrist! Mini cobwebs everywhere! AND, most mornings, I walk into a bit of cobweb in the upstairs powder room. Old house (1902) - old spiders!

Getting organized for the winter. And the family...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 11:36 AM

First snow of the season this morning, but it won't last. More to come (obvs).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Nov 24 - 10:37 AM

Congratulations on the working oven, Patty! Another Sunday celebration in the works here - I need to move the turkey from the freezer to the fridge today.

Since today is the official day my ex is coming over and we're having brunch. I've already been out once to feed the cats (and I extended my stay by doing one of my Essentrics workouts so I could dispense one medication that needs to be an hour out from any other medications, otherwise it would be an extra trip). Almost had a case of cat yoga, the littlest guy thought I needed company on the floor on my mat. I need to get back to regular exercising so this is a good way to use the time.

The next door neighbors are away for a week so I expect my dogs to be a bit needy; they always get a morning treat at the back fence. He probably gave them one before they left before dawn, but for the rest of the week I'll be distracting them (or they'd spend all day out there watching for movement in the yard.)

Still a great deal to do before Sunday. It's finally cold in the mornings which is kind of energizing, so I'll take advantage of it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 11:59 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all who celebrate it, we've all got some things to be grateful for! Personally I am thankful the lumberyard folks were polite and contrite and replaced my 8 foot boards with the 10-footers.

I will mostly miss one RV-folk dinner in favor of a Gaelic class that has so many non-US folk they didn't cancel it. Which is fine, because I'm not looking for opportunities to overeat. I've asked if I can just drop in at the end for a slice of pie and catch up with some friends.   

The 'neighborhood' gathering will be on Sunday and that's the one where I have to bring a few things. But no, I did not trek out to get einkorn flour, just no time for such fussiness. Got some regular flour, had a heart attack at the butter aisle from the prices, and remembered to get a tall straight wine bottle to use as a rolling pin. And tested the oven by cooking an oven dinner today for the first time in 7 years! It worked, thank heaven.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Nov 24 - 10:58 AM

Executive decision in the black plastic purge (or at least, diminishment): the Hamilton Beach electric kettle I use is all glass with a black plastic lid. I wore one out a few years ago and replaced it with the same model. But they now make a model with a white plastic lid so I ordered one that landed on the porch this morning. Tested already and it works fine. Of all of the manufacturers out there I like this because it's an old established company with a good reputation and I've been using a number of their products for years. The lid's still plastic, but maybe it's just a little safer type? There will be replacement kettles under the tree this year for close family members.

I made my annual cancellation call and got Sirius to give me the introductory offer again this year. The automated answerer tries to speed things up by offering you a discount from the full price but not as good as the intro price, so you wait to talk to a human. My next door neighbor does this every year and she said she got an annual price even lower when she inquired about an annual payment so I asked if an annual price would bring it down. He quoted the one time cost that would be exactly the same as monthly and I hemmed and hawed but he didn't give me anything lower. Mission accomplished at $8.45 a month instead of $24.50. I make a point of streaming through my Echo Dot (it goes through a bluetooth device plugged into the receiver) to get use out of it, though I don't listen to their high-dollar talk shows or sports. They're still making money on me.

Lots to do today, including testing a couple of recipes (to start - a small batch of Brussels sprouts). Patty, what are you doing for Thanksgiving? Dorothy, do you do the US date (I guess so if family is arriving soon?) Charmion, I think you took a load of hand-me-downs to family for your Thanksgiving last month? Excellent deployment of excess goods on a family occasion! I'll work on my stack of "to go" things for my small gathering on Sunday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 24 - 06:35 PM

I think my house is much smaller than yours, Dorothy, and only one story, but I also manage to misplace things that get stored for part of the year (or longer.) There are closets in bedrooms I rarely enter these days, trunks I've moved around, zippered under-bed bags. I have a down comforter I don't use often, and it's in an ugly duvet I made (of two top sheets) that makes it difficult to move around (but does keep it cleaner and less dust).

Patty, I feel your pain as far as an after dark delivery. Yesterday just having those bags of iris picked up was a challenge in the dark. She texted that her husband was going to help and they'd be here at 6:30. Pitch black out there, so I got my side door motion-activated LED light to stay on for the few minutes it took to stuff the bags into their SUV.

I picked up a few higher-end BPA-free plastic storage containers at Goodwill today (they probably came from the Container Store at quadruple the price) and after they run through the dishwasher I'm going to move some of my new non-gluten flours in to them. I have some elderly plastic containers that need to be retired (because: decades-old plastic that gradually flakes and who knows what it was made of). I'm also using glass containers more (canning jars; the containers that have wire bale attached lids and gaskets are ok but the gaskets can get weird if they're rubber. Finding the right size silicone gaskets isn't always easy.)

For some reason everything on eBay is at a standstill. I'm ready to revise each listing with a photo of a Xmas ribbon bow to suggest they should buy these as gifts.

There are still glitchy things in the office, but mostly it's working pretty well. The bookshelves need better arranging.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 24 - 02:03 PM

Dupont:

Went on line to look for thrift shops - nothing I don't know about. Looked at duvets/comforters on line - prices! Got to work and checked all the places in the house, pulled out the "monster", found a sort of duvet on a top shelf, in a plastic bag, and tossed it downstairs for a whirl in the dryer, found R's weighted blanket in an under bed bin. That will be sufficient. No idea where that odd duvet is from; will see if it survives the dryer! Yep! If it has feathers! That could be a dreadful mess!! I'll consult with R. Someone once said to me, "tell them anything that has ever happened to anyone, has happened to you." But R has his own set of such!

Mylene is arranged for cleaning! I am close to civilizing the TV room! And the family still may choose BnB.

Grislich Day! Atmospheric pressure is low! Flurries in our future and wind tomorrow...

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER *hoards *bad habits *toxic stuff - 2024
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 26 Nov 24 - 12:11 PM

Dupont:

"Old Cheddar on sourdough bread with apple butter … mmmmm." Totally! But "my" apple butter has no sugar! That sandwich I had in Penn Dutch country - grilled - was SO scrumptious!

The futon frame is repaired and mattress in place. I can start sorting paper! and fabrics and... And making the TV room into a guest room.

Need more quilts. I thought I had a surfeit but not so. I do have a surfeit of flannel sheets - matching!! There were no quilts at the thrift shop. And R asserted firmly this morning that he is cold! I thought I had more quilts but ... There is one more really big one - big as in so thick and heavy that I have to plan how to turn over in bed! R loves it but I rather dread it... Also need to find his weighted quilt. ? make a trip to the big, upscale thrift shop... Looking on line for alternative - Ouch! Not up to this task today! Take another look through the closet!