DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 26 - 10:51 PM

Last night I launched the link to the employer's new podcast (this was an introductory interview with the guy who owns the podcasting platform). It was haphazard; someone from the podcast page shared a Google sheet with me with the link. No one else seemed to be doing anything, anti-climactic for such a big move. Oh, well. I've got this.

It was a quiet day to finish another jigsaw puzzle, though there are plenty of other things I should be doing. I decided to enjoy the second Sunday in a row.

The power company I set up should take over service at midnight or sometime tomorrow. I'm watching the emails for confirmation (and ignoring emails from the first company that is asking me to set up my account information and auto pay.)

The next door neighbors are out of town for a week, so the morning biscuit at the fence won't happen. I've noticed my blue heeler doing a lot more annoying barking hoping to get his attention so the bark collar is going on tonight. Often the collar is enough, but she may need a zap tomorrow to break that noisy habit.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 26 - 12:35 PM

Sandra, the English Major in me was so tempted to tweak that listing (moderators can edit posts people put up) but I left it alone.

A further note on the piano - the inside is as beautiful as the outside, with the sounding board made of birds-eye maple.

The last time I had it tuned the pegs were so old (four sided instead of the modern style) that he had to dig around to find a tool to tighten them. And at least four of the strings broke, requiring repair. In the end he tuned it a whole note low, so it is very dark sounding (in addition to being out of tune now). It has a great action, the ivory still looks good, and I would love to have it restored. Maybe after I pay off the house that could be a project, but neither of my kids is likely to want the piano, so it would be just for me and then who knows. It would give it a lot more value for the future (see that site I linked to at the bottom of the above post).

The office is awash in paper on all horizontal surfaces, including lots of small notes to myself I need to either act on or toss. Annual things that need filing for taxes, the new electric company paperwork (including breadcrumbs so next time I land on the correct platform for choosing a company).

I've gotten back to using my subscription exercise program several days a week (and can feel it in my abs today). When I let it autorenew I knew I needed to resume using it almost daily.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 26 - 01:11 AM

what were they using him for?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 26 - 10:32 PM

Returned home from the protest march where I connected with friends. There were lots of steps walking with a large friendly but serious crowd that assembled on very short notice. Many police working the march, less relaxed this time since bad policing was part of the reason for this march. Several of us made a point of waving "hello" to them as we passed. I was glad to see a number of happy smiles in return.

Surprise at the house when I returned home - the garage door was open! When I tried to close it, it rolled down only to pop back open because one of the top rollers had broken off and it was out of alignment. I hauled out the step ladder, disconnected the motor and muscled the door closed, inserted the last of my spare rollers, then pushed it into place. The spring is a bit tighter than it needs to be, so tomorrow I'll work on that, and get another set of extra rollers.

Finally, a chuckle. I moderate a freecycle site in town and this was posted: "Anybody have a stroller for a boy that they are no longer using?"

Diagram that sentence. :)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 10 Jan 26 - 01:33 PM

> There is such a thing as an upright grand, it has to do
> with string length.

My ghast is duly flabbered. I stand corrected.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jan 26 - 11:28 AM

There is such a thing as an upright grand, it has to do with string length. Compared to a spinet. I found an instrument like mine online. Mine is a thick rosewood veneer and the front "legs" are ornately carved. It has the fancy panels on front and my pedals extend directly through the case, there is no shiny brass plate. I believe the family bought it new. I inherited from my great aunt.

Making a sign this morning after impulsively signing up for a rapidly-arranged "ICE out for Good" protest downtown this afternoon. Not dwelling on it, it's a one-off, but being part of a large group is energizing.

Just as I taper Prednisone (another 8 days at 3, then down to 2) I was tapering a bit of the wine left as I plan to do a dry January/2026. The last of the last bottle in the fridge was consumed as I worked my jigsaw puzzle last night, and when I turned to pick up some puzzle pieces my chair back knocked the glass and coaster off the credenza. I figure breaking the wine glass is a good sign that it completely begins now.

PS: Here a piano like mine on this site.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 10 Jan 26 - 09:15 AM

> upright grand piano

(*ahem*) Do you mean a non-electronic upright piano? Grands are by definition horizontal, methunk.

Admission: our battered ol' upright is so down-at-string that it has effectively negative value. Quite apart from the missing note(s) and it being so out of tune that it's torture to play, the C-sharp below middle C has one string which refuses to stay anywhere near in tune with its mate. Its main purposes in life nowadays are to hold up family photos, absorb furniture polish, and eat Christmas cards.

Learn from our experience, Stilly. I suggest getting someone in to see whether it'd be worth getting your piano in tune, at least with itself, to help stop further deterioration.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jan 26 - 03:26 PM

Yesterday and today I spent time on the phone making sure the new electric company I wanted to switch to has my information. Long story short, even though I know how to find and use the public information source that compares companies I still managed to land on the agency that masquerades as them. I'd set up a company then the agency wanted me to join them - arrgggh! I called and canceled (the company I was cancelling was very helpful and professional; I told the guy that if I hadn't landed there by accident I was sure I'd be just fine with them). The preferred less expensive plan is now set to pick up my power needs for the next two years. My next door neighbor worked in the energy industry so was all ears when I told her about this. And even for a professional, she says it's a struggle to really get the best price.

In mid-December I spoke with an NYC camera store about selling the Canon camera; I mailed the body, lenses, flashes, etc. It was appraised this week and turns out they wanted everything except the camera body and one lens (they work, but have issues). The check will arrive for about $100 less than the original quote and they are returning what they don't want. I'll list them on eBay for parts or repair, and will make back that $100. The camera store will note what the problems with the pieces were, so I'll share the camera store evaluation in my eBay listing and it makes the sale to someone who wants to do the repairs even easier.

I've ordered a table-top music stand so I can set up the electric keyboard on the dining table and practice there; the upright grand piano is so far out of tune it's hardly worth attempting, as beautiful as it is and lovely to practice there. Trying to have it tuned at this point might be pointless, but I'll check around one of these days.

Dorothy hasn't posted on FB since Dec. 25; I worry when she's absent for long stretches, then we learn the computer was left behind somewhere or an Apple device went pear-shaped and needed help. Fingers crossed it's just a technical issue.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jan 26 - 11:30 AM

The truck our street needs is the new trash contractor. The schedule is Monday and Thursday, but trash from Monday sat at the curb till yesterday. I didn't put anything out then, I've put a bag out today to see what happens.

Yesterday an eBay sale was cancelled (she should have asked her sister if she wanted the item BEFORE she bought it) so I cancelled the mailing label then relisted. A listing taken down last week is repackaged into smaller offerings. The former Canon digital camera was appraised at the NYC camera store and the check is in the mail. It was last fall I decided to get serious about clearing out this way, not a new year resolution, but as this new year rolls out this habit is established. I need to haul the vacuum into the front room and see how much dust I can capture.

I've decided to participate in the museum docents' book club. Mid-February is the next meeting, giving me plenty of time to read ahead. I'm wondering if there are groups like that at keberoxu's new community?

Dorothy, what are you up to now and how are you doing? You've been quiet for too long.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 08 Jan 26 - 09:40 AM

One of the reasons that Ottawa doesn't name its snow plows is that most of them belong to contractors, not the city.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Jan 26 - 08:04 AM

Weather in southern New England:
the warming trend has cleared off the plowed roadways.
We still have snow standing on the grassy places.
But if it rains in the next few days, we should lose the snow.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion
Date: 07 Jan 26 - 09:54 PM

Alas, the City of Ottawa does not name its snowplows — probably because we have a lot of them. And yes, we’re digging out. We’ll be doing that frequently, up to several times a week, from now to the end of March. By April, we’re so fed up we let Mother Nature take care of all by the heaviest fresh dumps.

Eastern Ontario is having a warming trend right now, which means rain tomorrow and a helluva slushy mess in the streets. Then we’ll have another cold snap, and the slush will freeze into dangerously lumpy ice. What larks, eh?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 26 - 08:39 PM

Are those of you in the north and east digging out of snow or seeing named snow ploughs on your streets? It's sunny and fairly warm here, but the air is full of more juniper pollen; after much time spent outside I'm sneezing and feeling it.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Jan 26 - 09:52 PM

Good for you to be able to find a place to donate the long locks! And I've had those clogged drains with kids with long hair, even with drain sieves; it's still tree roots that are the worst drainage block here.

Today I drove to Dallas to talk over all of the changes that will happen on the website and the shift to podcasting. I could have added to my work on the business side but declined the offer. I got enough of a look at the new website to make a plan for how to preserve some content that would otherwise be lost in the transition.

I don't use a GPS system. With Google maps on the computer I write my list of roads and turns for a trip. The freeways in Dallas typically have long stretches of red - a standstill - and I hate being stuck on freeways. My trip there was via freeways at midday, but heading home in late afternoon I decided to take a cross-country route straight through downtown on what amount to the oldest roads, the earliest streets established through downtown, ("Main" and "Fort Worth Ave," etc.) across the river, under several of the freeways, and out west to home. I passed Dealey Plaza where Kennedy was shot. It was a beautiful drive, and I saw parts of town I've only heard about like Deep Ellum (think Stevie Ray Vaughn and others). I did a few miles of freeway in between, but then dropped into town near my university and took the same old highway system west into Fort Worth. It was a beautiful drive on a sunny afternoon and I feel like I visited the real Dallas. My employer lives in a historic area in the old town three blocks east of the historic Swiss Avenue with its gorgeous old Classic Revival houses probably from the era of railroad magnates and cotton gin owners (there are neighborhoods like this in towns all through Texas, built on railroad, cattle, mining, and farming dollars). After reading about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge last year, Swiss Avenue reminds me of the houses on Columbia Heights overlooking the East River (and that area discussed in the recent Ken Burns documentary about the American Revolution).

During this trip I got my hands on a small self-published booklet from one of the authors my employer worked with years ago. She is long gone, but there are traces on the Internet about her work with saffron. The book isn't in the Library of Congress, no ISBN associated, so I am going to scan it and turn it into a PDF that they can either put up on the new site or sell as a small item (print on demand) on the Amazon store (to be set up soon). This is a real treasure!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Jan 26 - 06:09 PM

Charmion, I've had sink strainers in my kitchen & bathroom since the 80s when a long haired friend reported the verdict of the plumber who cleaned out their pipes. Mother & two daughters all had waist length hair - very coarse hair - & he had never seen such a blockage!

On another matter - in later years I had waist length, but mine is very fine & when it was finally cut off in 2017 - 70cm - the cancer wigs company didn't want it, they only used thick coarse hair. They would have loved my friend's hair when she finally got it cut after her physio said it was affecting her arthritis. I had a craft friend who made porcelain dolls & she was happy to accept my hair!

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Jan 26 - 03:15 PM

The plumber was back again this morning, this time to clear the slow-running drains of both the sink and tub in the en-suite bathroom. Both were severely clogged with long, black hair — obviously not mine — and the bathtub drain also contained dental floss, of all things. Yet more evidence that the previous incumbents were slobs.

Marc Durocher, my current favourite carpenter, pinged me yesterday to ask if I am ready to get started on updating the barely adequate kitchen. I can hardly wait.

In other news, it’s been very damnably cold for nearly a week, but the next warm spell is due to start tomorrow or the day after. This is the rock’n’roll winter for which Ottawa is justly famous — or notorious, take your pick.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 26 - 06:04 PM

Still me, nattering away. :)

At lunch with my daughter we discussed photo cubes and light sources. She makes elaborate hats for various costume events and wants to photograph them; her Amazon wish list had a couple of expensive setups with elaborate lights and filters but I didn't buy her any, instead I left my photo cube up over the holiday to show her but we forgot to talk about it. Just as well - the items on her list were just placeholders so she could look into the possibilities. Today at lunch we went over the pros and cons and now I've sent her a list of links to the things I use. I often give the kids things, but this I use all of the time so she'll have to get her own, and hopefully avoid the overkill.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jan 26 - 12:08 AM

Several more eBay items listed. A couple that were previously listed will be repackaged, I think the way I packed them led to shipping costs that were too high.

Granola and another batch of crispy pecans completed; this time I baked the pecans hotter for a shorter time and got away with it.

Today was the first Sunday in years that I didn't have a bunch of work-related things to complete, which is part of the reason I made myself buckle down to the eBay work. Also this weekend I finished one jigsaw puzzle and set up another.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Jan 26 - 10:55 PM

This is the first Saturday night in (literally!) years that I haven't had to prepare stuff ahead of a Sunday morning radio show that was the bailiwick of the guy I work for. It will shift to a Saturday podcast (from his home) in a week or so. For now, no more Sunday morning radio shows. It's kind of like retiring all over again.

To bed early, and not setting the alarm.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 26 - 06:07 PM

I mentioned adding new things to the task list on my bullet journal and I've found two more. I want to play the piano more, and today heard a sonata that sounds playable by someone who hasn't learned new music in years. I'll look to see if I have the sheet music before ordering it. And an interview on NPR with Jimmy Wales (who started Wikipedia) reminded me of a category I'd like to contribute to ("Women In Red" - those names highlighted in red that aren't articles there yet but should be.) I've been a Wikipedia editor for at least 15 years, not as active lately as when I was working and did regular posts on behalf of the library.

I find myself looking at ordinary household tasks and asking myself if this is something I need to do differently. The annual review seems to be part of the process whether we intend for it to be or not.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Jan 26 - 11:49 AM

Consumer Reports discussed pros and cons of several major toothbrush brands, and a huge con on some was the price (up to $300!) In their columns of noise, durability, customer satisfaction, etc., the one that I chose was one of the best, yet least expensive. Philips Sonicare series 4000 was about $40. The brush head on it was medium, and as Charmion notes, made my teeth ache. I found it at Kohls (and while for some reason Amazon prices the colors of the handle differently, Kohls was $40 for any color). The ultra soft bristle replacement heads required some searching and I was surprised to land on Costco as a result. I mail-ordered the pack of eight heads with a modest shipping fee. Just as my refrigerator keeps track of the calendar and turns on a light when the water filter needs replacing, my toothbrush will apparently light up when the brush head needs replacing. Were I interested, I could go through a series of switch on-and-off and lights flashing steps to change the intensity from low to high. Low is fine with me.

A quick biology lesson regarding my smoked salmon. Wild caught salmon have gone the anadromous route, fresh water immaturity, heading out to sea for years as adults, then returning to fresh water to spawn. Catching them in the ocean is where they are largest and good eating. Farm raised "Atlantic salmon" are generally awful; poor flavor, artificial coloring, poor farm conditions and they've had a poor diet and the addition of antibiotics. My young friend in the market described the care and good diet of the farmed fish from Scotland, and I agree, they are excellent fish. But they aren't the best for smoking because they are like the eunuchs of the salmon world - well fed and kept in an enclosure where all they can do is develop more fat and less muscle. They would be nicer for grilling or cooking for a meal, but when the goal of smoking is low-temperature for hours to slow cook and dry the strips of fish, they are so oily the result isn't going to be the same. I smoked them for about five hours (if I were a purist doing the heating and drying just in the Little Chief I could leave them in for up to 12 hours) and put them in the oven to bring them to a uniform 125 degrees. If you're looking for good farmed fish, the company is Wester Ross, a small brand that is kind of picky who they sell their fish to. Texas' HEB owns a few high-end Central Market stores, and they had to talk the company into selling them their fish, and before that Wester Ross sent representatives over to see how CM runs their fish counters.

It's a lovely day again, sunny and highs in the 70s.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: pattyClink
Date: 02 Jan 26 - 09:40 AM

I had a great electric toothbrush that finally died. Its replacement was so noisy at such an awful frequency I couldn't stand to use it. I guess it's time to research getting a better one.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Charmion
Date: 02 Jan 26 - 09:20 AM

I’m told that the cool kids these days prefer “intentions” over “resolutions” at New Year. That’s a distinction without a difference, in my opinion.

For the first time since Edmund died, my New Year review does not include any concerns over where I should live or how much stuff I have. This house needs work, to be sure, but none of it requires figuring out — it’s all obvious tasks to be done. Ambiguity and decision fatigue are over, and I have but to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Taking care, of course, not to slip on the ice.

When I last tried using an electric toothbrush, its vibration made my teeth ache. Is there such a thing as a low-stress toothbrush?

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 26 - 10:36 PM

When I was a child we had a remote lakeside cabin and a Monarch wood burning stove that a lot of paper and plastic was tossed into. Very little trash ever made it to the dump.

I agree about an annual assessment, I just try not to jinx good changes by doing it at New Year's. Another habit I've added to my routine is to use an electric toothbrush. My dental hygienist has suggested they do a better job of cleaning along the gum line. The "medium" brush that came with it was like a jackhammer so I waited to start when the very soft brush heads arrived. It takes getting used to but I think I'm there.

I am planning new things also, adding a few in the task list in this month's Bullet Journal pages.

The salmon is smoking now and I'm looking forward to comparing this with the wild caught fish. It's larger and a bit softer in consistency.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: pattyClink
Date: 01 Jan 26 - 07:09 PM

Happy New Year!

SRS, I don't have handy trash pickup, so I have been forced to learn to encapsulate any possibly smelly trash in tightly sealed containers or bags such as old bread bags, or even waste a ziploc if necessary. Then it can sit in the large trash bag in the back room til I make a trash run.

Trying to take time to assess the old year and plan some things in the new, got a couple of new/better habits started and hope to make some positive changes.   A bit disappointed that no one I speak to in real life is doing the same thing, there's a lot of scoffing at resolutions or anything resembling them. Oh well.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Jan 26 - 03:40 PM

The sockeye was completely sold out for the season and the fellow who runs the fish department (who grew up with my children on the same little cul-de-sac; I call him my own personal fishmonger) is persuasive about a Scottish farmed product (given high quality food, no dye added, etc.). I told him I'd give it a try and it went from the brine to drying plates this morning. I'll see if there is time to smoke tonight, might have to do it in the morning.

The drawback to these large fillets is the packing (butcher paper inside a plastic bag with a bag of ice for transport) and the general fishiness that spreads around the kitchen sink from scales and splashing. Today the brine was poured down the sink (no oil, so not a problem) but the drain is kind of belching brine smell. I'll run the dishwasher soon and flush it out of the line. The trash bin in the laundry room has a similar blooming fish smell from those wrappers and will go out to the can by the driveway soon (fingers crossed it doesn't attract raccoons.)

I'm making this a dry January, probably a dry 2026. I paid for another year of my exercise program (Essentrics) and will try to be more disciplined about using that to not only stay flexible, it always improves my mood. Since my garden was so successful last year I'll keep that up and get started earlier, and after organizing my greenhouse I'm starting more plants from seed out there.

I'm happy with my progress on eBay, though I removed a few listings today. A couple will be re-packaged, another one will be offered on Freecycle. The new camera has made the work go more easily, and since I tend to sell the same kinds of things I have boilerplate content to reuse. Keeping boxes on shelves by the front door has reduced the clutter of boxes in the den.

Now to keep the political miasma at bay and get over the disappointments of 2025.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - 2026
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Dec 25 - 11:09 AM

The morning is cool and quiet and I've cleaned in the kitchen then cleared the table to work on books; I use antique mylar book covers to protect the dust jackets on several received for the holiday (my father brought home two packages of these Gaylord covers when I was a child; I somehow inherited them and still have a good supply). These are nonfiction, but I have a number of mysteries here to tackle as well.

Headed out to get more salmon to smoke for myself (to brine it overnight and smoke it tomorrow evening). I'll do some baking today and tomorrow as gifts for friends, and pretty soon it's time to start putting potatoes in for next spring. I'll check the greenhouse and set up a few pots for starting stuff from seed. The domestic activity is just fine instead of going out to party or attend films or football games.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Dec 25 - 10:57 AM

Pet food. My blue heeler has been scratching and licking up a storm lately, the culprit probably a new type of food from Tractor Supply. As we neared the end of that bag I returned to the previous variety and started her on it as soon as it arrived (Cookie isn't bothered by the other one, so she's finishing it off). The scratching has decreased dramatically in just a week.

These two announce important arrivals at the house: family, delivery people, the trash truck in the street, and the mail carrier. They get it wrong occasionally so I look out to an empty porch or driveway, but they're right more than they're wrong, so today I'm waiting for the bark that tells me the mail carrier is coming so I can hand off the last of the boxes from my delayed gift orders.

On his wish list this year my son wanted "normal human shirts" (not polo). I went looking for good cotton t-shirts and Reddit reminded me of LandsEnd, that used to be its own company then joined Sears and is now out there again as its own company. A friend from Chicago who liked to sail introduced me to them in the 1970s. Today's parcel contains their shirts for him, but since they sent an email about their clearance sale I found two light fleece jacket shirts (I've been looking for those for ages). They zip up the front and are great for wearing around the house in cool weather. The one I have is from Royal Robbins (a mountaineering company) and it won't last forever. I like them in particular because the sleeves are long enough for my arms but are slim so they don't snag on things. Like drawer pulls, or pick up jigsaw puzzle pieces as I'm working on one. (As soon as I placed the order I set their email to arrive only once a month. I hate getting swamped with store promotions.) Xmas money well spent.

Finally, I don't make new year resolutions, they are made to be broken, but I have a couple of behavior adjustments I've been working on that I can see from this point in the year have worked. I always used to pick up my phone when I woke and look at several email accounts and a couple of the social media sites (Instagram and Bluesky). The cortisol generated from messages about the resident in the White House set the bad energy into motion for the day and I'm sure was part of the PMR recurrence. If I pick up the phone in the morning now it is to look at one email address (that receives no politics but does tell me if there is anything in the mail) and the weather.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 29 Dec 25 - 05:59 PM

Foul weather in Ottawa today: rain deteriorating to sleet and, eventually, to snow. Before the freeze began, I struggled downtown in the slop to retrieve a picture from the framing gallery only to find them closed, as they always are on Monday. Colour me peeved — at myself. I should have checked.

On the way home, I hit the Farm Boy, the dry cleaner’s and the public library, so the trip wasn’t entirely wasted. But I still have to get that picture, and pay for the new frame, before New Year’s Day — all debts must be cleared at Hogmanay.

Watson isn’t exactly happy with his new diet, but he’s putting up with it. Although he evidently gets enough to eat, I still get lots of feline nagging. He’s used to having kibble available whenever he feels the urge, but now I pick up his dish when he walks away because I don’t want Isobel to hoover up what he leaves (she has her own dish on the counter). So now he gets a small serving up to four times a day. So now I get ejected from bed in the morning with even greater emphasis.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Dec 25 - 12:01 AM

Two loads run through the dishwasher later and I've cleared the kitchen after today's festivities. This was a holiday for us and it was a carb blowout that I won't bother to record on My Fitness Pal, where the culprit was sugar, not flour. The rest of the cranberry bars (made with a gluten-free cake mix) are in the freezer (after giving a robust chunk to the neighbors next door).

I see some simple doll forms online to do with my thoughts about effigy burning/hanging/poking with needles. But focusing on the turd isn't healthy, so I'll consider if the therapeutic benefits outweigh the harm of focusing on the subject.

Two large eBay boxes leaving the house on Monday.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 25 - 08:38 PM

Another holiday celebrated, everyone stuffed full of brunch and back on the road ahead of the wind that is now gusting hard enough to keep the motion-detection driveway light on full-time (and carrying in more juniper pollen). And the biggest change, the radio show concluded this morning as the Internet podcast age begins. Not a lot of change for me, I think, except I no longer need an alarm to check that a contest photo has posted each week, and I removed a weekly reminder about posting it. I did call in to pay my respects, to give a voice to the name he mentions several times every week (since I post his social media I also send him a list of the questions people have asked during the week - it helps eliminate dead air when he's trying to remember what else people asked him about, etc.) Cat sitting was finished yesterday, and I have a few days in which NO ONE NEEDS ME TO DO ANYTHING. Wow.

I have a couple of classic film DVDs from the library to watch (that I hate to admit I've never watched) and I'm going to go pick up some more salmon to brine (the batch I made for the ex and our daughter was amazing and it can be reused several times) and smoke in the next day or two. I think a perfect use of a bit of xmas cash, buying wild caught salmon.

Xmas day chat and consultation with the librarian daughter who had a broken Achilles tendon repaired surgically a couple of years ago was helpful to her father, and the result is that we both think he needs to see the orthopedist. My knees and her tendon were repaired by orthopedic surgeons. So starting next week we'll see about an appointment for a professional opinion. The GP hasn't been able to solve this one and he needs to get back to driving himself around.

This thread can continue to run into the new year because it was updated for the Mudcat thread count. In a couple of days I'll change the name to 2026.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 11:40 PM

Sounds good! I have a cranberry bar that is made once a year (it just came out of the oven) that is full of butter and sugar, and uses a cake mix as the dry ingredient along with oatmeal. Three eggs, and I add a cup of chopped walnuts. Pack down a layer of the cake dough (the consistency of oatmeal cookie dough), then there is a layer of cranberries, topped with more of the cake dough. It gets cut into 1" squares (it is very rich) and is shared with lots of people because it would kill anyone to try to eat the whole thing alone.

Timely delivery of parcels this year went kerflooey and I've resorted to wrapping a few odd objects as stand-ins for the recipients until the actual items arrive. Tomorrow is our brunch and by then I'll have most of the house picked up. Right now I've finished the advance cooking and gift wrapping. Instead of cinnamon rolls it will be blueberry muffins (by request) and I'll make oatmeal, and there will be fruit and maple-flavor breakfast sausages, etc.

Finishing up the last list of questions for the host of his last radio show tomorrow. The family will probably arrive for brunch right about the time the program ends, good timing.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 06:14 PM

Never had fresh krumkake, I'll bet they are wonderful. I put a spice cake in the oven just to use some eggs, I'll just top it with powdered sugar and freeze pieces to use now and then, in lieu of overprocessed snacks.

The cranberries I make with 1/3 less sugar than they prescribe, and keep them around in the fridge, mostly to use with vanilla greek yogurt when fresh fruit is pricey or bad. Also handy for chicken/turkey sandwiches or meals.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 05:59 PM

Maggie, last night was colder so I tossed off the shawl & brought out a red wool blanket that I got for my 21st birthday. It looks like a hospital blanket with the open weave & has been darned over the decades. (ps. hospital blankets are pale blue!)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 05:11 PM

patty, a friend gave me a couple of boxes with Styrofoam inserts for frozen cat food she has delivered. I'll keep your note in mind. (I cut them down for packing eBay stuff that needs extra protection like bread machines with glass lids). What are you doing with cranberries?

The cooking sounds nice! I'm preparing a batch of krumkake batter to chill overnight for the cast iron krumkake iron tomorrow. (That's cast iron - pass up the aluminum ones). It hurts my heart to see the horrible condition of some of the irons for sale on eBay. Rust should never be allowed on such tool. My particular implement is the same model (Jotul) as our mother's (the one my sister has now).

Cat sitting is finished, the last run made to the store (stocking stuffers for these kids include things like seaweed snacks and good chocolate.) The rest of the baking or cooking will be in the morning. Along with dusting and putting stuff away today I'll tend to the sinuses because I am again feeling the effects of pollen from the "mountain cedar" (Ashe Juniper) in Central Texas. It is still blowing through the area.

I'm tired of my own cooking, so tonight I think I'll pull a slice of Aldi's pizza (cauliflower crust) from the freezer and tart it up with extra cheese, peppers, mushroom, etc. And maybe watch a movie.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: pattyClink
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 12:10 PM

Our halcyon clear warmish days have abruptly stopped, now I've got grey sky, rain, and wind coming in. I did insurance nonsense and other paperwork yesterday instead of fortifying the exposed pipes on the rear patio.

Now I will watch for a dry window to go get that done before a freeze arrives. I wasted time just finding a styrofoam cooler of the right size to trim and secure in place over the wrapped pipes, had to return one that wouldn't work. FYI they are now small and expensive, so don't toss them like we used to in the day.

With the wet part of the day, I'll be cooking and prepping fridge salad, soup, another round of cranberries.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 10:43 AM

Don, if I were I'd become a hurricane to wash away the trash that has built up in the tidal basin in the last year. ;-)

Sandra, that sounds like a beautiful combination of cloths and wraps! I have a handful of wool shawls/lap blankets that came from a friend and from my great aunt's home, so in cool weather out come the combination of crazy squares of acrylic color and somber but comfortable wool to live on the backs of several chairs around the house.

Tomorrow we'll be back to seasonal temperatures. The warmth here was interesting but I prefer to feel distinct seasons at the time they're supposed to be here. This week the house was cooler than the outdoors, so I wore a sweater in the house and was just shirt sleeves outside.

Posting a press release today for the organic business I've worked for since I retired from the university. "May you live in interesting times" is a curse, but I suspect they are about to arrive. I have options, and will probably have a meeting in the next week or two.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Dec 25 - 09:10 AM

Stilly, you are a force of nature.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Dec 25 - 06:04 PM

weird December here, too - for several weeks I've slept under a sheet with the fan blowing over the bed, last night I put on a jacket that lives on the back of my office chair & got out my 2 shawls, one is a thin blanket made from 2 cheap "pashimas" that I used folded in half in my camping days, now it spreads across the bed when the weather starts cooling. The other is a very good quality woolen shawl of Indian/Pakistani origin & I was comfy. It was 15C (69F) when I went to bed & it's now 19C (66) we're only expecting 24C (75F)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 25 - 10:18 AM

When I feed the dogs they sit until they're told they can eat, and I scoop a few kibble from each bowl so when they finish they turn to me and when both are done they're given the last few pieces from my hands. That way they don't look to the other's bowl to grab extra.

Smoked salmon last night is one of the best batches I've made. The only real change was using two types of soy sauce because I was running out of the standard variety. I had some black soy, rather viscous and very rich, that I substituted for about 1/4 of the amount called for. It's easier to make it when I buy the fillets; in the past I've bought whole fish and filleted myself, but those aren't available often.

The predicted high today is 86^o. By Sunday it will be back to seasonal cool temperatures. Weird December.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Dec 25 - 05:39 PM

Speaking of cats as we were - 20-something years ago my friend's vet put her fat cat on a diet - just less food, I don't remember any fancy stuff. The skinny cat who was a picky eater started meowing under her feet in the kitchen so was given treats - for a while, until my friend noticed skinny cat was pimping for fat cat! I also don't remember if the meowing continued as a duet, or if there was silence in the kitchen.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 25 - 10:56 AM

That is a very modest diet for Mr. Watson! The cats at the client house are tiny and get ~ 80 grams a day (except for the smallest one with health issues who is always rail thin and can eat as much as he wants, usually 125-150 if I can get it into him.) The kitties gave me a gift today - everyone ate a lot of food at breakfast and their medication so I can skip a trip. That extra hour or so will be appreciated here.

I'll use it to wrap the bag of things I'd forgotten about until Charmion mentioned putting on the woolen socks. I have some mukluk-style socks that were supposed to go in yesterday's box. I missed another thing and something else I ordered is coming here instead of going to the recipient directly, so I shall keep UPS in business for a while into the new year.

Since it is xmas day I've turned on the good receiver in my office with its wonderful speakers (it has lost the ability to store stations so I don't use it so often) to listen to the classical station and their various holiday offerings (non-secular, but not sounding churchy, so good for me. You can never listen to Schubert's Ave Maria too often). Last night PBS played something from London conducted by Marin Alsop called Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah that I'd like to listen to with the good speakers. (It's also on YouTube if this link doesn't work in Canada).

From the holiday to the mundane: another gift to me was reassurance from the insurance adjustor who earlier this week called to see how the work is going on the house. I was relieved to learn that they don't need it all to be done right now, that I can postpone to better weather. He's fine with me being the contractor. I'll send him the information about the roof job and that's the biggest part of it.

This week the local NPR station played some of their "best of" interviews and I've added two books to my list to read soon. She has some of the best interviews around, and along with Fresh Air is probably where I get most reading and film suggestions that I follow through on. In particular, The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life by Arthur C. Brooks sounds like one the entire world needs to read when we have the cretin in the White House sucking every speck of dopamine from our brains. It's a collection of his essays from The Atlantic, and I could just go read there, I am a subscriber.

Veering back into the holiday lane, I've looked at the modest setup on my mantle and need to bolster it with a few taller figures. Often I pull out a subset of ornaments to give a different spin on the diorama I create there, but this year's carved pieces are all fairly short in stature (I couldn't have them out with garland, they'd all be buried in it). But I can add a couple of taller nutcrackers to balance the display. This is for the kids, mostly. It has been a rough year, and for no reason to do with me or any of my family. Even though we are all ok, we aren't. I think my next sewing project is to make small dolls of the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave that can be hung or burned or stabbed with pins. When I dressed I put on a t-shirt with the message "Even White People are Sick of White People BULLSHIT". Ho ho ho.

I am ok, and I had some chocolate this morning with my tea because it is xmas. Just looking back and looking forward and considering the strategy to make the next year better. There is a little dog asleep under my desk and she must be dreaming, she is wagging her tail against my foot. That is the message that counts right now, I am the person my dogs think I am, and their world is good.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Dec 25 - 09:41 AM

Yes, Watson is large. The vet has put him on a diet — 74 grams per day of a prescription kibble that, if price is any guide, must be made of gilded nightingales’ tongues — in the hope that he will shed enough avoirdupois to be safely anaesthetized for a thorough cleaning of his fangs. He has arthritis in his hips and lower back, which accounts for his reluctance to jump higher than the seat of the comfy chair.

A grey and sullen Christmas Day in Ottawa, with a forecast low tonight of -24°C. Time for the knee-high woollen socks, sheepskin coat, serious hat and no-kidding mittens.

This is the first Christmas in many years with no travel and no major cooking. Such a relief. It’s like being a teenager again.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Dec 25 - 09:50 AM

Is Watson the puma sized fe-lion? Perhaps he has experienced the laws of physics often enough (over-shooting the target when your weight causes too much momentum) to decide it isn't worth the attempt?

I had to send a text this morning that will probably shorten the trip. The cats are fine, but the fridge was making growling noises and everything in the freezer is thawed. This is a fridge/freezer bought within the last three years.

Salmon is in the house, now to mix the brine.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 24 Dec 25 - 09:08 AM

Those poor cats.

A much-loved pussycat can be very old for a looong time. Watson and Isobel turned 12 in August, and their vet rates them as “seniors”. If their luck holds and I do a good job of caring for them, they could live to age 20.

Every time Isobel leaps for the kitchen counter, I cheer her on. Watson has already given up such feats of athleticism.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 25 - 10:52 PM

I see! I didn't realize how old it is.

A late friend (my gay hairdresser) used to say "nothing says Christmas like excess!" and decorated the bejesus out of his house. Lots of antique stuff in the mix (a glorious decorated two-story Victorian dollhouse with one wall that opened out completely filled their dining table.)

Food requests are coming in and the plans are falling into place for next Sunday's brunch. Gifts arriving anywhere on time are another matter, but it is the gathering that counts. I haven't made xmas cookies this year but plan to have a couple of batches of dough and batter ready and my daughter and her wife can supervise the baking (because they'll be taking them home afterward). She's used the krumkaka iron often enough to know how to produce them pretty quickly. It's safe to say this will be a carb blowout.

One of the three cats I'm sitting this week is being particularly uncooperative at meal time. The other two are sweeties, including one who was very standoffish for ages. Now when I put his food plate down I give him head scratches then along the back and scratch the base of the tail and occasionally pick him up. The littlest one (with the most health problems) is just a normal little friendly cat and very patient considering all of the stuff that gets done to and for him. When my friend travels and has me feed them it gives her a mental health break from the cats, and when she comes back home it gives me a break from the cats. Kind of says something about the relationships there.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion
Date: 23 Dec 25 - 06:48 PM

I put up one of those Facebook “then and now” photo things yesterday. If you look at my page, Stilly, you’ll see Dad’s parrot perched on high.

I’m told there are people out there who hire designers to deliver “curated” Christmas decorations in the latest style, etc. etc. Christmas decorations should be old favourites salvaged from parents’ and grandparents’ houses, mixed with newer items found at church bazaars, given by friends, made by the kids, or otherwise wandered into our lives. The colour-coordinated matchy-matchy Christmas decor I see in commercial spaces, on TV and on the Internet just makes me feel a bit sad.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Dec 25 - 10:42 AM

A celluloid parrot is something I'd like to see!

The Truck - the source of the frozen wild caught salmon fillets I seek to smoke for next weekend - comes to this high end grocery on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Since on Monday evening they had thawed all of the fish on that day's truck I will go over bright and early Wednesday to get the sockeye to smoke. I could have started now with their thawed fish, but I'd rather it not spend the day in the case before all of the rest of the steps. Christmas eve in a fancy grocery store - I'll park at the far edge of the lot and be prepared to wade through crowds. I realize I'm a very niche shopper as a Pacific Northwesterner who is really fussy about her wild caught fish. I left the store with a bag of peanut butter crisp chocolates to tuck into a box for my son and a jar of pickled herring. (If for some reason there is none on Wednesday I could get it Friday and do a rush job on the smoking, but still have it ready.)

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 23 Dec 25 - 10:03 AM

What Charmion has not mentioned in her description of her decorations is the celluloid parrot that our Great-Aunt Molly sent to our father when he was long out of the cradle. It's nearly a century old now.

Subject: RE: DECLUTTER: *Sorting *Health *Progress - '25-26
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Dec 25 - 10:22 AM

Yesterday I unsubscribed some more of the news/political action folks that were still landing in the email, reducing again the amount of negative energy stimulus. I know how to find them later if I need any information.

Holiday letters are addressed and in the mail today. Temperatures forecast up to 80 some days this week so the holiday spirit has to come from the visual array around us, not any wintry weather. The neighbors brought over some wheat and sugar offerings yesterday that will be redistributed soon, and I'm working on a recipe for krumkaka that involves a non-wheat flour (I can use far less sugar and substitute stevia for some of it and add an extra egg for consistency.)

There are a few items for the Buy Nothing group, stuff I've kept in the freezer that I never use. Might as well do it now because some of it will work for holiday meals.