DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Apr 25 - 02:29 PM

This morning drizzle started about the time I opened the garage door to lug out some bagged mulch; it was a race to see how much could be accomplished before the real rain started. I ended up with four tomato plants in the ground and mulched with cages around them (not just one cage over the plant but I positioned three of the old little cages around with one of many shepherd's crooks I have for garden stuff holding a couple of them together like a Venn diagram; the idea is to guide the lower limbs out through those cages instead of having them droop from within the single cage I usually use. Better this for now than buying something new to try.

When it was just raining but not storming I made a dash to the pharmacy to pick up an Rx they've been texting me about for a week. It's in the grocery store that has good beef that's very expensive but the last chance bin has meat at 50% off. I also had a 10% off coupon so with all of that brought home a nice haul of rib eyes and tenderloins that will be frozen. I keep beef to about once a week or less often (apparently all of the grain cattle are fed means they have more omega-6 that isn't as good for you as omega-3 that they'd have if they were grass fed.)

I've been out once today to flip the breaker back on that serves the office. I really will call the electrician this week. It's just the cost of it that has me putting it off, but there's another cat-sitting gig coming up, so I'll dedicate those funds to the electrical to-do list.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 10:42 PM

Good for you, Keb! Does any of the material at your current residential establishment go with you, or just things from the apartment that you're emptying? We'll have to watch the parallel moves of Keberoxu and Charmion (and if Janie were still participating in this group we could learn more about her move from North Carolina to Virginia one day soon. She is also selling a house.)

This afternoon some bedding plants and packs of seeds picked up at the nearby nursery, along with organic fire ant bait. They're bad this year. For now the plants are resting on the potting bench and I'll arrange then plant in the morning. And I have two large cans of sardines that are past their shelf date that will be emptied into a bowl, broken into a slurry, and some will be spooned under each plant as it goes into the ground. I think there are some more cans around here that I picked up from the buy nothing group some weeks ago, if I can just remember where I put them. I'll have to look in the garage. The seeds were in the 70% off bin and will be scattered on top of a few pots of soil. Other better seeds will be started on the potting bench and planted in May (for cucumbers and squash).

Aside from dishes and laundry, not much progress indoors so far this week.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 07:33 PM

Today I kept an appointment at the retirement community that I am moving to this year. For all resident applicants, a cognitive assessment is required; it was administered by the community nurse. I scored 30 out of 30.

I also got another look at the apartment that has been 'on hold' for me after a fashion. It is still technically occupied by the current owners; but for reasons of their own, they have emptied the space and cleaned it up, and it appears as new as it was when they began to occupy it.

The purpose of looking again was to determine if I wanted any of the changes to which I have a right as the next occupant. There were two:
I need an airconditioner for the bedroom, in which the window faces west; and I chose a very pale pink color to paint the walls. But the kitchen appliances are going to remain, and so is the carpet. One of the staff pointed out that the carpet change is usually the thing that takes the longest anyway, so with the paint job, it shouldn't take all that long to get the place ready.

People ask me if I am ready, and I'm not sure; I've been preparing for months, but it's happening rather fast now.
Oh, and I put down earnest money, it amounts to 10 per cent of the entrance fee to the retirement community. So, although I'm not there yet, I'm "in".

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 12:29 PM

Congratulations, Dorothy! You made better use of your sleepless night than I did mine (I blame the caffeine in dark chocolate too close to bedtime). Another factor is that the room temperature is warmer and I'm figuring out how many covers are enough or too much. It finally dawned on me when I was doing the "vent knee" out from the covers to cool off.

Yesterday's tilling was pretty good, but I'll make another pass to clear a couple of deeper paths in each where I'll do my planting (no point in tilling to the edge of the bed because I don't usually plant that close to it.) I'm going to cobble together some robust tomato stands by wiring several tomato cages around each plant. I have a lot of them and don't want to go buy stuff for wire cages (the reinforcing mesh for concrete is what a lot of people use).

The track for the sliding glass door has once again been brushed out and WD-40ed to have it sliding freely again. I was to the point of having to put down whatever I was carrying to use both hands to open it. While I was at it I put graphite in a couple of the backyard gate padlocks.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 06:45 AM

YAH!!!! well done

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 05:36 AM

Dupont:

Taking life in both hands, I made the decision to register for grandson's wedding on 1 June, hoping things might settle down a bit in the lawless country. This after listening to the ED of the ACLU talking about how they are working, with other orgs, to alleviate the situation.

Then the challenge of modern ways of communicating - YAY! I did it! Will call Robin in the morning for his choice of entree. Magic! - once one figures it out -with determination.

5:20 am and I am hungry and exhausted. Read a novel all day with mini "do something" breaks - laundry and remake bed and rake a bit, re-pot a plant, look at the clay and determining I need R to move a loaf upstairs for me. No more- "Oh, well, I can..." Bit by bit, I am re-gaining strength and cope-ability. - at the hospital last week I made a mini-mis-step and a staff person muttered about a walker. Now, That would be a real hazard!

I went to bed about 10pm, slept 'til about 2 am, (R not home - oh well) then decided it was decision time. Now, It's getting light! Back to bed!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 25 - 12:19 AM

The garden beds were tilled this evening. I stopped partway through when I realized the molded plastic cover was vibrating off of the tiller, and went looking for a small bolt to install to fasten it back in place (chances are the original one vibrated off and is somewhere around the yard, never to be seen again.) If the next door neighbor was watching out the kitchen window it offered a little example of resourcefulness (they also are pretty good at fixing things around the house and yard). Tomorrow I'll head to the nearby nursery and see what bedding plants they have to get this year's garden started. I also have some seeds to start on the potting bench.

The red lasoda (Irish) potatoes are putting on foliage and I found a couple of shoots from a few small sweet potatoes I put in that bed. And in the house I have several sweet potato slips coming along (on potatoes I intend to bake - I'll cut off the end that is growing and eat the rest). Those will go in pots.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 07:12 PM

I hadn't heard that the scar tissue returns. Congratulations on getting that taken care of. Did they dilate both eyes?

My appointment today was a telemedicine one, and we seem to have changed hats for this visit. The PA who oversees my ADHD meds has many patients who are anxious about US health care and all of the possible services and medications that can be taken away from them for no good reason other than RFK Jr thinks they should. She asked about some of the reliable websites I've used for making contact with my representatives and I sent a number of links. Her patients want to speak up about their health care but don't know how. She can't (and wouldn't) tell them what to say, but they can look at places like 5 calls.

Crispy pecans in the oven this afternoon, the second of two batches. Like with my granola, it is something I want to have around as a regular healthy snack; I've been figuring out how to scale up these basic recipes so I don't need to make them as often.

There's weird windy weather this afternoon, we are again at the very southern end of a front that is mostly clobbering the upper Midwest. I'm going to get out in a few minutes and take care of something - there are so many projects out there to choose from.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 03:04 PM

I’ve been to the ophthalmologist, and my eye is much improved.

It was a very 21st-century experience. A very slick office in Kitchener, full of junior staff to put dilating drops in my eyes and run the full battery of preliminary examinations with all the mysterious machinery that did not exist before 2010. Then a slender young Arab-looking man in sweatpants and yellow Crocs— the ophthalmologist himself — peered into the eye with a slit lamp, twiddled with his computer, and then matter-of-factly informed me of the 1/3,000 odds on anything going wrong with the proposed laser treatment, except for me because I have had a torn retina, so there’s that — are we having fun yet?

Among his remarks, he reminded me (as if I could forget) that I was a whisker away from losing my driving licence.

I weighed up the threat and risks and said, “Let’s do it.”

The treatment? Right there and then, he sat me down in front of yet another science-fiction machine, told me to look at his right ear, and laser-zapped many tiny holes in the veil of scar tissue that has grown over the implant lens. The effect was immediate — everything bright and clear again.

I drove myself home to Stratford.

But there’s a big, fat caveat: this treatment is a one-time deal, and the scar tissue will eventually grow back. So I have a reprieve. Definitely time to reorganize my life.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 12:15 AM

Shifting from short-term memory to paying attention to the details: I use a Bluetooth Logitech trackball (thumb) and a couple of years ago the Bluetooth card died in my computer. So I hunted around and for about $10 bought the TP link Nano Bluetooth dongle that I used until this month (it started blinking out and losing track of the mouse) when I spent about $25 and got a new WiFi and Bluetooth card to put in the desktop to improve operation and to free up the USB on front where the dongle was.

This evening out of curiosity I was looking at the Logitech Bluetooth trackball pointing devices out there now (this one is a bit sluggish; it might just need a good cleaning) and watched a video comparing this one with an upgrade version. And the guy pointed out that they come with a nano dongle tucked in the battery compartment. Really? Did I know that when I bought it? I just looked and there it is. [slaps forehead]

Did some gardening today, will mow tomorrow and mulch the weeds I tossed onto the turf area. Did some writing, am letting it rest and will take a look again in the morning. I have four 13-gallon sized trash bags on my sofa from my friend who is preparing to move; they're each stuffed with fabric and I haven't looked in any of them. I'm debating about using them as a surprise and doing an unpacking at lunch with my daughter one of these days. (We are so easily entertained.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Apr 25 - 10:10 AM

cartoon I saw recently - old man speaking over his shoulder to his phone - "Siri, what did I come in here for?"

speaking of cartoons, here's one I saw last century. It's set in a Stately home in England, an old(er) Lady this time, who is walking up one side of her double staircase - muttering "Now where did I leave my short-term memory?"

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Apr 25 - 10:00 AM

Agreed. And at this point, the idea of touching any account (I have two federal ones) and making changes is insanity. If they're working, don't rock the boat.

Our retiree group lunch today has had so many cancellations that I'm calling it officially off and will try something in a week or two. One friend has osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and is dealing with a broken leg she's supposed to stay off of for a while but has offered use of her home for our lunch. I think if we bring everything with us so she doesn't have any prep or cleanup it would mean she gets a chance to socialize, so I'll work on that with her.

Since lunch is off I'll don gardening gear and attack the front gardens. There's a native weedy vine taking over some of my landscaping.

Let's see, I came in here to do something . . .

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 27 Apr 25 - 08:45 AM

Saving enough from income to pay taxes without any form of withholding is a tough challenge for most people. The self-employed know all about it, and learn the discipline or end up in tax court. As a long-term freelancer, I remember it well. Those choosing to do it for political reasons will find out the hard way unless they are very, very prudent. Somehow, I’m sure that kind of rhetoric doesn’t come with much in the way of prudence.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 25 - 10:05 PM

Congratulations! The move people are considering here is to stop having tax withholding from wages and other payments. The trouble with that is that is next year you have to come up with the whole payment. The goal is to starve the government for cash but I doubt they'll be able to pull that off.

Last week when I set up the new compost bin I emptied the contents of the barrel composter into it (this is a base with wheels the barrel rests on so it is rolled over the wheels to tumble the contents). To restart it I needed some dry weeds that the wet kitchen scraps can start breaking down in. I pulled weeds and cut old plants in one of the canna beds and stuffed them into the barrel. I need to finish the weeding soon, but first I need to get some of the almost-organic fire ant bait to deal with several piles that have popped up around the house, including in that canna bed. The last time I got ant bites they seemed to have more uumph, making bigger blisters than usual. Best to avoid them.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Apr 25 - 05:31 PM

Having just e-filed my taxes, I now deserve a nice glass of wine. Thanks to paid instalments and lavish (for me) charitable donations, I'm due a refund.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 25 - 04:00 PM

I just stepped into the bedroom to examine the corner tag on the four-point blanket headed soon to summer storage; this vintage blanket came from my Dad's house. I remember noticing the England manufacture, but didn't pursue it further. Wikipedia says wool from Britain and New Zealand is used, and there are several importers in the US (LLBean being one of them. I bought a green with black stripes wool blanket from them years ago that I still use, probably made by the same folks.) So those will stick around, as will the coats and mackinaws.

Neighbors are mowing this afternoon, and I need to also. The soaking we got yesterday will contribute to a soggy operation, but better to do the mowing today and try the tilling tomorrow, after our lunch.

Today is granola making day, and I mixed a 1.5X size batch that is now baking. A couple of weeks ago I came across a Rubbermaid container at Goodwill with a great lid that is flexible enough to withstand freezing. I keep some of each batch of granola in an acrylic storage jar on the counter, the rest in the freezer, and this new used one is large enough to hold more than the previous container (the lid cracked). I won't have to make granola as often now.

My favorite gourmet grocery store was written up in the local newspaper on Thursday, including the wonderful Saturday market, so I'll avoid the extra crowd for a while and shop early on weekdays. And it was officially labeled a "salvage" grocery, but it isn't, not like the ones I've seen in the past that sold dented cans and cans without labels. They deal with vendors around the US with products they aren't going to sell (I often remark that this is where failed ideas come to die) - brands or flavors that didn't catch the public's attention will still get used here, and when it's gone, it's gone.

Back to cleaning.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Apr 25 - 10:10 AM

Yes, the HBC is really going, going, gone. Those last six stores did not find a buyer, so they and their stock go into bankruptcy hopper with the rest of the company. Lawyers are suing to protect the massive Great War memorials in the Toronto and Vancouver flagship stores, but it’s anyone’s guess how they can be saved even if the courts agree they should. As for the blankets, they have always come from a certain mill in England, so I presume the manufacturers will either find another customer for them, or stop production.

The Hudson’s Bay Company motto “Pro pelle cutem” (A skin for a skin) refers to the fur trade and the blankets with a Latin pun — both words can mean “skin”, but “pelle” is “pelt” and “cutem” is better rendered in English as “covering”.

Developments on the house front in Stratford are paused until forces can muster for a big push to solve the wet basement problem. The contractors agree that the leaking window must be removed like a rotten tooth, and the resulting gap be closed and sealed into the concrete foundation. At the same time, a full window-well with bottom drainage to the weeper bed must be dug in front of the other north-facing window. This project requires coordinated operations by three trades: Lucas the foundation guy, to do the concrete and drainage work; Jordan the landscaper, to take up and rebuild about a quarter of the adjoining patio; and Tony the carpenter, to restore the drywall and trim inside the basement.

I signed Lucas’s contract and paid his deposit a week ago, and his time appreciation suggests that work can start in maybe two more weeks. If the good Lord is willing and the proverbial creek don’t rise.

I reckon that all means finally listing the house for sale in June at the earliest and, with luck, moving in September. Will I get out of Stratford for my birthday? Only God knows, and he ain’t tellin’.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 25 - 08:14 PM

I raced around this morning, to the store and back home because I realized I didn't want chicken hanging out in the car all afternoon. That first stop was south of here - everything else was to the north and west. I stuffed things in the fridge at home then continued on my way, starting with a favor for a friend who is out of town all day and realized there was a delivery of frozen cat food on her front porch. I loaded it into her freezer then headed out to lunch.

Nice lunch with my daughter (I bought two feminist silver pendants and gave her one of them - sterling silver wire bent into the shape of a wire coat hanger). Next I stopped at the new friend's house to pick up things she is passing along as she prepares to move (bags of fabric and some plants), but we ended up sitting in the kitchen for a couple of hours, sharing pots of mint tea, comparing stories about places we've lived, experiences with teaching, work, gardening, literature, you name it - and again we both bemoaned the fact that we only met now, when she's preparing to move away. (I'll look through four bags of fabric and decide if it should be kept here, shared with my daughter, or most likely, the bulk of it taken to the donation site for local school art teachers to use.)

A couple of more stops on the way home, part of it planning for a lunch here for friends on Sunday. I have to clean house, and it really needs it, so the lunch lights a fire under me to clean here tomorrow.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 25 - 12:23 PM

Dorothy, I wish there was some helpful advice to offer about the trip to the US, but the inmates are running the asylum and citizens and legal residents are being arrested here so it's difficult to offer encouragement.

This morning in the news I read that The Bay is liquidating the last few stores. Really? All of Canada has only a few stores now? I don't have the story in front of me, but it sounded like 4 or 6 stores, and some connected Saks establishments? I have quite a few things around here that I bought at The Bay on various cross-border excursions to visit family or go to conferences. After Sears finally closed down here I found that their superior Die Hard automotive batteries were still being made and up to the same standards because another company bought the rights to them. I wonder if the Hudson's Bay blankets and other iconic items will fare as well in Canada?

I managed to push all of my errands for the week to today so am leaving soon to work my way down a fairly involved list of stops and purchases and things to pick up and people to meet.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 25 Apr 25 - 10:26 AM

Dupont:

We have been to the country and back again. Wonderful trip except for almost running out of gas - WE know there is no gas available from B to ??? Had BF next to a gas station. I thought - "we need to.. before we leave.. but then we went to see the new Quarry - beautiful! R/geologist liked it. Friend who is owner enjoyed our visit. Forgot to get gas.

In the absolute middle of NOWHERE- I noticed and suggested we stop at a residence with lots of vehicles - cars, trucks, farm machinery... They would have at least one can of gas handy. NO! we coasted down hills. Finally came to a "town" and R went to inquire at a "shop". It was another mile or so. R took delight in the challenge and the peculiar shop/eatery/ with a gas pump out in yard; he eventually found the notice that one is to get gas then come into the VERY Busy store to pay! I was a wreck.

I could say the rest of the trip was OK - it was "OK".

WE had started out Saturday am after a quick BF. Nice day with a bit of rain - better than the sun in our eyes! Stopped at special store for special peanut butter cookies! Then, of course, R had to investigate the nearby junk store - bought part of an antique phone??? We stayed in the hinterlands rather than getting back on the 401 so R drove.

Eventually we got to the Bakery, had lunch. chatted with owners and found some interesting goodies, lamented the lack of our fav muffins. If I had been sure we would get there, I would have ordered 2 dozen - another time! Easter Saturday, the place was humming! I was most impressed to hear Chelsea explain, very well, to one of the busy staff, about my hearing disability.   

I have been having better luck with the hearing aids but I still have glitches. I went to the audiologist a couple weeks ago but they just told me I had wax in both ears. I continue to explore ways of coping. I don't think the wax is a problem; the phone/hearing aid connection is. What works today may not work tomorrow.... And using only the aid for the one ear works well. So I don't bother with the other unless I am in a situation that requires it. I have an appointment for a mammogram today so I shall put in both and see how it goes.

OK, so we had a fine weekend in Bancroft; Saturday event was terrific and on the gorgeous Sunday we visited Lisa and ?. Lisa and I have a special connection as we each lived 10 years in the "farm" at separate times. NOW, she and her current partner have bought a fine house on a lovely hill on the same road but closer to town. We visited them about a year ago in their previous abode and talked about their plan to move. I was excited to hear of this move and it is indeed wonderful! The move is daunting - exotic chickens/geese/etc, three dogs a couple cats - and some rescues... Selling the farm gave her money to go for a MAster's in Art. So, for now she is gainfully employed!

I have been stuck in the internet these last weeks, wanting to go to my granson's wedding in PA and scared of crossing int the USA - terrified, actually. I have only a few days left -1 May to register for the event and still hearing stories... terrifying.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Apr 25 - 01:05 PM

Last evening I tilled more of the old compost pile then filled the wheelbarrow and parked it in the greenhouse overnight. Good thing, we had another dawn thunderstorm that would have turned it into a tub of mud. The work I planned for this morning will wait a day or two. Meanwhile, the potting bench is tidied and I've pulled out some of the seeds to start (in a mix of soil and compost in pots on that table that has a shade cloth so it doesn't all cook in the spring afternoons.)

Dusting this morning and getting out to do some volunteer work if the rain lets up this afternoon.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Apr 25 - 12:41 PM

A heavy thunderstorm before dawn this morning filled various standing vessels; I see by the previously empty birdbath outside the kitchen window that there was about 1" of rainfall. That's good enough so later this afternoon I can till those veggie beds. (Yesterday I finished a writing project instead of gardening).

This morning I tipped a new bag of the regular "sensitive stomach" grain free dog food into the food bin, after finishing the last batch that I had mixed with a small bag of food from Aldi. The blue heeler has been turning up her nose at this regular stuff, so today I'll run by Aldi for another bag of their grain free food to mix in. Juicing it keeps her interested (but it leads to flatulence, the reason we get the special brand). This batch is a crossroads - decide to go with a bigger bag of the usual grain-free brand, different flavor, that makes her stinky, or keep adding to the less-stinky smaller bag and she's again stinky. First World Problems.

Testing the new dishwasher detergent, a powder that is packaged in a cardboard box. Using it volume-wise 1:1 it doesn't seem to clean as well; will adding more make a difference, or will I return to the Costco brand that comes in a plastic bin and continue to cut it out of the polyvinyl alcohol plastic case? Scientists testing assumptions about biodegradability. There are so many of these pod things around, will my not using them make any difference? This may be a real world illustration of "exercise in futility." How much trouble am I willing to go to? The boxed detergent costs less and it doesn't take any time at all to add a scoop to the dishwasher dispenser. But I may have to rinse more before putting dishes in the machine.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 25 - 10:03 PM

The good news is my gardening stamina is much improved without the statins (no garden last year.) This afternoon I worked on the raised bed edges, pounding metal stakes through the corner planter blocks then digging out extra edge soil so planks stay in place better. Not all of them need it, but the bed where the potatoes are sprouting was kind of droopy around the sides. Everything else got trimmed and tomorrow I'll till the three other beds and plant this week.

I also cleared out around my potting bench in a private spot behind a fence near the garage. When I replaced the fence the I put a 10' perpendicular extension from the side boundary (creating a deep corner) so I can stash tools, the trash cans, the potting bench, etc., out of view of the street. I'm ready to start a bunch of seeds there (flowers for the various pots around the side and front porch). I've set up my garden watering hoses and need to set up a sprinkler for the vegetable garden—except when I got out my battery-operated programmable watering device that spends the summer on the back yard spigot I realized I was short a AA battery to replace the pair before I program it. Order placed on Amazon. I turn on water and it will turn off after X number of minutes, or when it gets to super hot weather I can program it to water before dawn so the code enforcement folks don't notice if my watering schedule doesn't match the city alternate side of the street rules. I'm not really a scofflaw, I don't bother to water the lawn in the rest of the yard, but the garden is important.

Freshly baked chicken breast for dinner (smells wonderful!) baked in the glass bowl convection oven. I found a Pyrex baking dish that fits inside so I don't have to clean the whole oven with each use. Yesterday I used it to bake a high-protein bread pudding (gluten free bread, only 1 T brown sugar for four servings, extra sweetener was Stevia and monkfruit drops.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Apr 25 - 12:36 AM

Keberoxu, good job! I also have papers to get rid of, and since we had rain this weekend I'll set up the burn barrel in the yard tomorrow and torch them.

Food prep today; I mentioned buying extra leg of lamb last week because of possible price hikes due to tariffs. I cut up and froze most of it. I haven't been buying anything for the past few days, another economic boycott. Big stores, all of them (so I simply didn't shop anywhere.) And I marched with four friends yesterday downtown. The event had 200 sign up and police estimated close to 3000 were actually there. It went well and the weather cooperated, but was humid so I was ready for a shower and a nap when I got home.

The little camera was deployed again; I'm going to have to check the settings each time, it doesn't seem to remember what I want it to operate at and a number of the photos were too blurry to use. I got several good ones, though, including the most interesting juxtaposition of the Statue of Liberty and Jesus Christ each with a sign in the park.

An eBay box goes in the mail tomorrow, and more listings need to go up. The garden needs another big push to finally get the rest of it planted. Now to put laundry in the dryer and give the dogs their bedtime treat.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 08:08 PM

well done!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 08:57 AM

Back to the apartment.
Sorted through some papers for a change -- and threw them all out.
Just had to look at them one last time before I could let them go.
Also broke down and carried to the dumpster
some more cardboard cartons.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 25 - 11:13 AM

Gained a couple of pounds since the last weigh in. It's the carbs (the dark chocolate has some sugar). More protein for a few days will put things back to my desired level.

Day two of mowing to get the back yard in shape. And hand pulling a row of weeds along the back fence. Rain over the weekend should get the front raised beds in perfect shape to finish that tilling and work in more compost for planting.

The house - oy. I dropped off a bunch of recycling yesterday, but have to round up more. I'm terrible about holding onto those gallon bottles the vinegar comes in, thinking I'll use them for something. I probably have a half-dozen around here that need to go to the bin also. At least the laundry was finished last night and I have a week's worth of clean underwear. :)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 10:57 PM

Or you can start a new one. Or I could try to move a few of the last posts into a new thread for continuity (if I can find them?)

I set up the double-sized geobin and pounded in several fence stakes around the inside to keep the sides upright. The next door neighbor came out and I pointed out that it's close enough to the fence between our yards that she can toss her kitchen waste in. I had to leave ~ two feet of space to push the mower between the bin and the fence, but it's an easy reach.

My mowing has started and I tipped a half-dozen mower bags of wet grass clippings into the new bin. I stopped before the mosquitoes came out.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 06:38 PM

My 'stay afloat' thread has achieved the status of
'big-ass thread' at last.
It has helped to keep me out of mischief and trouble at Mudcat.
But I guess it is time to retire it since it is "closed".
That too is a form of de-cluttering.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Apr 25 - 04:56 PM

This hasn't been a normal week. Cat sitting ends today and I can work on yard stuff this afternoon if the delivery gets here in time. Tomorrow is my eye exam (dilating them messes up my day so I always make the appointment in the afternoon) and Saturday the march.

I had an interesting conversation as I was approaching my house this afternoon; I stopped and rolled down the passenger window to greet a fellow on the bridge with a couple of fishing poles. (I'm the second house up from the bridge and the creek runs through the back of my yard.) I wondered if he was fishing for something in particular or what he's catching? He said he lives a couple yards away on the other side of the bridge and while he fishes other places around the state had never tried the creek. Apparently we have big mouth bass! He's releasing what he catches, and caught one of about 1.5 pounds. I regularly see smaller fish, turtles, birds, snakes, toads, etc., that live along or in the creek. It's an urban stream with lots of street and yard runoff so there's nothing in there I'd want to eat, but I've always been glad that it can support a diverse population. That brief view of recreational fishing in the neighborhood was such a nice departure from the stress of the world these days.

No bin yet, but I think I'll start mowing and pile clippings where I want it to go.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 10:36 PM

I didn't set up the new compost bin site but I did mow the front yard. I want it to look good - this is the time of year when it is truly beautiful - the irises are blooming in various colors in several beds around the yard and other things are blooming as a nice accent (Salvia greggi in particular). Bonus points: I found an ancient broom in the garage and swept out the parking area that was full of leaves and tracked in dirt. With all of this I got a good workout.

Tomorrow the compost stuff will be put in place in the back of the back yard and the rest of the spring garden activity can proceed. This extra bin piece was my last purchase for a while (it came via Amazon - the only place that had it locally was Walmart and I avoid them whenever possible.) In the US there is an economic boycott this week - April 18-20 - of any big stores. Small local establishments aren't included, and if people don't have any other options, they've been told not to beat up on themselves if they must shop in Target or Kroger, etc.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 06:45 PM

The house is as grubby as ever. With all that "free" time on my hands today, somehow I just could not be arsed.

However, the new burglar alarm is up and running, and I ran three errands. With that, and a fresh supply of coffee beans and my refitted rings back from Konrad the Polish jeweller, I feel very bourgeoise.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 05:33 PM

I've watched the oak leaves from neighborhood trees (I have no oaks in front) pile up and get compacted along the length of my front curb, and no convenient rain storm to wash them away. This afternoon I took a large scoop and a broom and loaded them into a trash can and made many trips to spread them around the yard (they'll get mulched in tomorrow when I mow). That was a workout. My lot is shaped like a slice of pie, and these are all along the crust edge of it. :)

After the next check on the cats (I'm worried about the little guy, he may be needing his blood glucose checked) if I have a chance this evening I'll stake out the new spot for the compost enclosure (the extra piece so I can double it in size arrives tomorrow) and start mowing and dumping grass clippings in the middle of that area. These things have to be done in a certain order. There's no point in tilling and weeding the new garden area until I have the place to drop all of the stuff that gets pulled out of the beds.

A basket of office paper recycling is ready to go to the bins on my way out, then it's time to clean out the SUV seats and set up the third row. There are at least four of us carpooling to a protest on Saturday. I'm driving since I have a parking permit for a nearby downtown lot. We're going to have to take rain gear, it looks like it might be a soggy march.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Apr 25 - 01:37 PM

The burglar alarm technician is on the ground. The current system is not 5G capable, so a whole new control panel and set of perimeter contacts must be installed. At least the batteries will be fresh, so I'll be long gone by the time they need replacing. Putting a new coin battery in an awkwardly placed contact is one of the most irritating household maintenance jobs I have -- up on a ladder, neck cricked, struggling to pry the cover off a tiny electronic doohickey while the control panel nags persistently.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 06:13 PM

Big sweep through town today, from my discount grocery, a nice haul of produce, and then to Costco. They had leg of lamb in stock, but the supply is getting low. I think they bring it in every 6 - 10 weeks; the meat is packaged to be stable in the cooler for many weeks. If these tariffs are going to kick in, Australian lamb is going to jump, so I picked up more than one and will spend the evening cutting portions to freeze. I suspect I'm not the only person stocking up on import items that are in the store right now.

The house is a mess. I need to make a stab a picking up some of the stuff on horizontal surfaces, working small areas of the house (it's a busy week, small assignments might get done, big ones won't.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 11:58 AM

Good old Ma Bell. We're most of us old enough to remember when it was the only phone company in town. I resisted going back to any of their service for a long time (I finally set up the Internet access a few months ago.)

The days of long distance bills are gone, but the monthly bill just to have a smart phone soars with those companies, so they're still getting their cash.

Shopping runs today, and waiting for a call from the doctor's office to see if I can stop taking the bone density monthly medication. I think it's beginning to cause a side effect (a low-level heartburn at times). Best to stop that before it becomes a bigger problem. A friend who took one of these meds for a while developed GERD that has caused her to drastically restrict her diet to avoid the symptoms. Another had the jaw problem of growing what her dentist calls "funny bone." The least time the better on this stuff.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 08:50 AM

Weather in southern New England:
we have had warm nights lately.
THis morning for the first time
it SMELLED like spring when I stepped outside.

Unfortunately, we are due for three freezing nights in a row,
starting tonight.
THen it will warm back up again.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Apr 25 - 08:36 AM

More snow today, despite the daffodils in bud and the blue-eyed grass spangling the lawn. The basement is unchanged, if dry, and the realtor is coming to look at it on Thursday morning. Tony the carpenter has read my text messages but failed to reply.

Other preparations continue. Tomorrow’s pool class is a no-go for me because a burglar alarm technician is booked and the company won’t set a time of arrival more specific than “between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm”. So I guess that’s my cue to clean the house.

I have a new iPhone, the result of visiting the cellular service kiosk at the supermarket to update my data plan. The sales guy made a valiant effort to make sense of Bell Canada’s various service offers while his colleague wrestled with the billing woes of a Czech immigrant whose only government-issued identification is a passport with the wrong birth date, thanks to an administrative error in Soviet-ruled Prague. After a group effort to explain the existence and location of the nearest Passport Office, I found myself with three new friends and a complicated gadget that I have yet to master fully.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 25 - 08:19 PM

The compost digging is moving along and there will soon be a good spot to set up the newly emptied bin. I've ordered a second one (called GeoBin - they are a durable flexible plastic that can be linked together) to give a large area so I can turn the compost from one side of the bin to the other. I prop it up with tall steel fence posts pounded in around the inside (they're made to hold up chicken wire fencing). That's to keep the dogs out.

Cat sitting is also underway for a few days and is more complicated with each trip she takes. I'll make today's last run in an hour. Meanwhile I have cooked carrots ready to add to my dog's dishes for their dinner (as soon as a Zoom meeting I'm listening to ends).

I was looking at my friend's house today and realize she has a gazillion hobbies and projects going - just like me. We both need to declutter. It's easier to see it in someone else's house than your own.

How's the Northern Tier weather coming along? Has everything thawed? Is the leak into Charmion's basement being fixed now? What is going on in Dorothy's yard (any of them?)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 25 - 07:44 PM

Follow-up from PattyClink - I heard on the news today that people are noticing thrift stores as a source of clothes now that tariffs are in place. It's where I always get my jeans, and some of my dressier blouses and sweaters. Those of us who regularly shop there may have some competition. And yes, keeping the good fabric makes sense.

A friend buys cashmere sweaters and does any repairs and sells them. The cashmere we get today is not nearly as good as the older stuff because of the marketplace and the way it is managed (in Mongolia).

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 25 - 07:39 PM

More compost shifted from the old piles to the front beds and the decision must be made about where the portable bin will be set up this year. A lot of tall grass awaits mowing that will be tipped into it for a good start on the process. (Tomorrow.) I also need to trim some of the raised beds along the edges (the blocks holding the planks in place have shifted and need to be reset. I should also get some pieces or rebar or other long metal objects and pound them through the middle hole of the blocks so they stay put.)

The dogs killed a young male squirrel today and left him neatly arranged in the middle of the kennel in the den. Sweet. Like they'd brought home a friend and put it to bed. It is now swimming with the fishes in the pond behind the house (a wide spot in the creek), and I'm sure the birds, fish, and turtles will process that protein quickly. Nothing goes to waste.

Several days of intensive cat sitting started today, and I'll use those trips out as the springboard to other activities in the vicinity. I downloaded an audio book I haven't finished to listen to at the gym and I have a friend with plants to dig so put buckets and a shovel in the SUV.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 13 Apr 25 - 07:23 PM

Impressive efforts, keboroxu and SRS!

In an effort to round up anything worth donating, I wound up doing a big seasonal sort of clothing and bedding today. If I don't do this in both spring and fall, things get out of hand. This time I was more ruthless than usual and threw some things out. And a few things I thought would fit from earlier thrift shop buys are going right back to where they came from. Happy surprises were the usual 'oh, that still looks good' items coming out of boxes and onto hangers and into drawers. Unhappy ones were the jeans and blouses which almost fit last year but are now 'no way'. That's okay. Passing a few on, keeping a few for goal inspiration to do better.

I may regret it, but I have enough clothes that have 'had it' but are made of great and durable material, I am just starting a tub of 'fabric' to be used in some future way. With new fabric being both cheesy and outrageously priced, why not keep the great poplin or black watch wool or terrycloth items, to cut up for projects?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Apr 25 - 07:50 PM

Keb, did you always have enough room there or are you having to create paths as you work? (A question that comes to mind when you mention cartons cluttering the floor).

The finished compost piles (2 and 3 years old) in the back have had the tiller treatment and two large wheelbarrows-full so far have been shoveled into the beds in front. Once I get the compost moved I'll till those front beds and work in the compost. I have a sieve to shovel the compost into and then sift it into the wheelbarrow to remove roots, big chunks, plastic, anything not needed in the garden.

There is tons of weeding to do in the front, and I can put compost in those beds also before I mulch them.

This morning I attacked the forest floor in the den. I swept, and the next stage is the battery-powered brush to start scrubbing the dried muddy path across the room now that the rainy season has passed. I also need to work my way through the house with the duster. #SpringCleaning

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Apr 25 - 07:39 PM

Also got a haircut on Thursday, long over due,
so I have decluttered a fair amount of unneeded hair.
It was getting downright shaggy.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Apr 25 - 07:19 PM

Another trip to the high-school-student-employing bookstore
with a carload of books . . . it never seems to end, but it's getting done.
Also some more clothing donations put in a drop box.
And moved some cardboard cartons so they didn't clutter up the floor.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 25 - 05:29 PM

Last year a friend gave me a boxed raised garden bed kit that is I think a 4'x4' square with corner supports, 6" tall on the sides. I never found a place to use it so today I handed the box over to my daughter who has to relocate her raised bed because the current spot gets so much sun last year's garden was burned to a crisp. This kit will I think get that relocation started. She can set it up in the new spot and then start moving the raised bed from the old location and have two beds to use this spring/summer/fall growing season. Spacing them apart by 3 - 4 feet gives a path between and it begins to look like a real garden. I have built raised beds down the side of my driveway and at this point have four of them and a separate stone-walled bed I'm reworking into a fifth. (Today she told me about having tree frogs in her yard and on the house. They're like my toads and lizards here, at night the frogs cling to the screens over the windows and catch bugs attracted to the light. Yards full of reptiles are healthy places to garden.)

Sometimes I wonder what kinds of things my kids learned from me that they're using in their lives now. My son went to a protest march last weekend and my daughter is working on her garden, so I can see that some of it got through (will work on finding good protests for her to go to also, like at the Tesla store near her workplace - she lives in a rural conservative area now). She is raising chickens and dealing with a bully in the flock (giving "time out" to a chicken!); he is doing an amazing amount of cooking because I always cooked from scratch and rarely brought home processed foods. Being self-contained and resourceful in this political environment is probably a good thing for all of us.

Time to stop playing, turn off the computer, unplug stuff, and put in the new WiFi card.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Apr 25 - 12:29 PM

Around here "investors" buy up homes and rent them out, so it's difficult for everyone else to find good houses to buy. (Alongside that problem, the private equity market is something that should be disabled - that's another part of our financial issues here - they buy businesses, take them apart, then leave the wounded operation now having to pay rent for the property they once owned.)

The wheelbarrow has been emptied into the 45-gallon Smart Pot (I'll add compost to it also before I'm ready to plant sweet potatoes). I have a small raised bed kit given me last year that I can't figure out where I'd use it so am handing it over to my daughter at lunch (along with a burlap bag of wood chips).

Computer work will await till this afternoon. For now the nano plug is out and I'm using a regular wired mouse. Once I get started on a project like this I want to completely finish it, hence not starting this morning when I would have to stop for lunch. The work will be in removing then reinstalling the Bluetooth drivers. I'll only resort to the company's drivers if MS or Intel don't have something to do the job.

What I do have time for now is to wash the SUV, then climb into the shower for myself.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Apr 25 - 11:17 AM

& Stilly, to answer your recent enquiry - Sandra, are you still donating or gifting craft stuff or did you finish that work? What is the end goal, to simply clear where you're living now, or are you eventually moving also?

hmmmm. I live in a small apartment block (20 apartments over 4 floors)- 38 stairs to climb, with an extra 10 when I leave by the back door to take out my recycling & rubbish & I have chronic back & leg pain. I'm still finding homes for stuff, & I do need to move one day, but the effort is too hard. Real estate prices are crazy, we have a housing crisis, but my renovator's dream would be worth a fortune if it was empty & could be painted etc.

Today at Craft I made a little felt bunny & gave it to a knitter friend who likes rabbits! I have a lot of craft material & unfinished projects etc that need sorting & distributing.

I've been working on unfinished craft projects - one was from 2008, according to a photo I took at the time, oops! - including other felt toys which will soon leave for a hospital gift shop where a friend volunteers.

But there is still a lot more needing sorting

One big job is sorting the stuff on the floor - I do have unoccupied shelves that can take the floor stuff, then I could vacuum .... sigh

sandra

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 11 Apr 25 - 11:15 AM

Big Huzzah for Dorothy!! Let us savor life and this lovely spring!


Regrouping today, after my trip got scrubbed as I was enroute to airport. Kind ticket ladies there allowed me to reschedule for next week. I'll spare you the details about doctors and insurance jerking people around.

Made the most of the long otherwise-wasted trip by pursuing stops in Las Cruces, so the day turned out fairly fruitful in a couple of ways. When in doubt, stop at a Whataburger and ponder one's options.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2025
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Apr 25 - 03:36 AM

yah Dorothy, onwards & upwards!!