Tomorrow

Ralph Waldo Emerson

He said, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” 

I would add, wait for it to happen and make the best of it if we can. We don't get to choose how life unfolds.

See opportunity in everything that comes your way.

"Tickled Pink Ballet"

Changed Her Name

Joyful Red is now Tickled Pink! She fooled me all seven weeks of watching her grow and develop. I am not at all familiar with this plant and assumed she would come out of her closet as red. NO! Today she showed her true color. After some research, I learned all of the different colors this plant can produce. Actually, I believe she is the "Apple Blossom" variety and am so pleased because that is one of the fragrances my mother loved.

I'm now going to call her "TICKLED PINK" because I love the surprise she gave me! See?

More buds to open!!!!

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Anticipation....

From last night to this morning! This is getting exciting! 

COLD!

Yum!

This is the first baking project of the year. Instead of pumpkin pie, I made pumpkin cake! I embellished its interior with dried Bing cherries! Soaked them in boiling water and then used the same water that was called for in the recipe. The butter cream icing was my own, not from a can. This took me all morning to complete, but now I have some to share with whoever....  My old handheld mixer with the wonderful long cord doesn't go on high speed anymore. Guess it's dying, but it did the job. The reason I didn't use Big Red is because the thick glass bowl is very heavy and my shoulder told me not to. Coulda - shoulda! Oh well....  I gloat with my success! It is wonderful!! Sorry that the mail carrier, propane delivery fellow and the sweet woman who does my laundry all came before it was finished. I'll try to save a piece for the yard guy who might be here for snow removal and my daughter may stop in before the upcoming storm. You'd like a piece? Come on over! Hang on to your hat, it is very windy!

You won't even have to help wash the dishes.

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Joyful Red Progress Report

She shows promise of becoming a fabulous beauty. I'm unsure if I'm giving her enough or too much water, though. This is a first for me. 

Just Simple

Well, While in the shower this morning I had a big laugh on myself at the end. I threw the washcloth to the sink so I could rinse it out and hang to dry in the living room for extra humidity. This is what is done here! Wouldn't you know that my aim was off and it landed on the new mega roll of TP. We cannot have that! The incident prompted me to write this. Silly me.

Anyway, it made me think of how and why I live like this. By that I mean that sometimes it's a big compromise. Yet....

Who the heck writes about their shower stall? I DO. This old tin thing was installed here in the early 60's and it most likely was a used-before item. That's how my dad got deals and steals. To this day it is functional, but has had repairs and caulking around the interior floor edges as the enameled tin rusts. The shower head might be the one installed in the 60's as well - I don't know that. What I do know is that it is about 1.5" in diameter and the holes are clogging more and more every day with minerals. We have well water here - not filtered. The Mister used to fill a shot glass with CLR and hold it up, submerging the head for several minutes. Then he would poke the holes in the head with a straightened paper clip and it would spray nicer for a few months. He tried many times to twist it off of the pipe but it is frozen there. I simply cannot keep my balance and use my good arm to reach it. A plumber would be needed for that process!

Anyway, more here... My showers last as long as the hot water does. Who cares? I do! I love hot showers especially on my damaged shoulder. I am able - without supports, rails, bench or helpers get the job done and let me tell you I am VERY careful not to fall. Nope! Not gonna! I've figured out how to hang on to the doorway edges without getting water on the floor. I do bring the landline phone in and place it on the hamper within easy reach IF I should need it, but I don't answer calls. I have had visions of falling, not being able to get up, and the hot water running out and the cold water freezing me —you know what would be next. Not gonna fall!

I am thankful to have a shower stall, hot water, and an electric wall heater for the time I use them; also clean towels, clothes, shampoo, and more.  I have a toilet lid to sit on when drying and getting dressed. Just think of people who don't have a home or water or warmth, or a bathroom.  Think HARD! 

Today

The sun is shining, I'm happy today. BUT it is COLD outside! I ought to tell you that I do not like the cold - inside it's warm - enough - just - I can do this.....

It's 10:30 now, it is quite windy and the temperature is the SAME...Froze my nose taking out the trash for Tuesday pickup. Hadda to do it! Not a wild critter in sight. Not even a person critter!

My cat is climbing the walls. Heat rises, don'tcha know!

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P.S. Cat on the wall knows all!
 

Sunday Thoughts

"I don't think people understand how stressful it is to explain what's going on in your head when you don't even understand it yourself."  ~Unknown

Well I  snatched this from a fellow blogger. It fits... I'll wear it. 

When I look in the mirror I see my grandmother's worn out rheumy eyes looking back at me. Crocheting did the damage. Lots of eyework. My eyes look the same but because of overuse on my electronic device.

When I  look at the ceiling upon first awakening, I see one of nature's best gifts to man - trees. Think deeply about that gift!

And at 8:00AM I see black ice. Up the road, down the road, in front of the cabin, shiny and shouting, "Danger! Danger! Danger!"

tap on image to feel the cold! 

Oh Well.....

Would you believe that an old Sunbeam humidifier that I depend on here quit its job? I had just put in a new filter, as usual after a two week stint and the fan wouldn't start. I took it all apart, put it back together and...hmmmmm...got a table knife, gave that fan a kick through the slotted opening and sure enough, it started spinning just fine.  The next morning the water was only halfway down and the fan had stopped. I dug out the instruction leaflet that I had saved and there was nothing in it to help me. I do keep sales slips stapled to all appliances in a folder. 

Now you might like to know that I bought it on 2/29/14 and the cost was $36.73 plus tax. A filter was also purchased for $10.88. At the time I didn't realize it was a filter eater as that had to be replaced every two weeks when the function arrow turned from blue to red. I soon found out that the unit was no deal but we used it every winter for almost 8 years, and ordering many filters online as no local stores carried any for that model.  

Something else I never realized was that it was a gallon and a half model so when refilling the tank, you had to be very strong. One time the handle broke and it couldn't be lifted into the unit when full. I called Sunbeam and they immediately shipped a complete replacement humidifer, which didn't come with filters. Well I hot-glued the handle back on the old one and continued to use it. After the Mister died, I had to transport the heavy water-filled tank from the kitchen sink to its place at the end of the living room on my rolling walker!  Actually I was GLAD it quit! Humidity is really needed in here during the winter months.

There is more to the story----Recently, in preparation for easier operation, I was able to get two new Crane Cool Mist Humidifiers that don't require filters and only hold half a gallon. I figured one in each bedroom would work. In fact one was put to use right away and I love it. It's quiet and has variable speed settings but best of all it can easily be carried from the sink to the room. Today I put the other to work in the living room area.

THEN... I dug out the Sunbeam that was sent to me as a replacement for the first one with the broken handle and saw that the box hasn't ever been opened! I never even checked on getting a filter supply for it as it didn't come with any. I opened the box and found the filter #. I checked and the internet has the filters. The funny part is now the filters are about $6.00 each plus shipping and tax. The main unit price is listed as $36.99 & shipping and tax. It is a one gallon unit. BACK IN THE BOX IT WENT! ANYONE WANT IT??  FREE! (IT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN ANY STORE NEARBY!)

all above images from internet

Don't forget to order plenty of filters!

Paul, My Brother

Memories of Paul

You won’t see memories like these in an obituary but this another perspective of my brother. It is mine. 

When growing up together I was the older sister by three years. He was three and I was six when our twin baby sisters arrived. I think that is when we bonded, and that bond lasted for 79 years. There were several times when we really disagreed but then re-connected just fine after the heat was dissipated.

He was an Eagle Boy Scout and I was a Golden Girl Scout.

We both developed skills that were similar. He was a sharp shooter and hunter. I never wanted anything to do with guns. I was musical he wasn’t except he loved to dance.  

When quite young, I remember us together pouring hot lead into soldier molds when sitting on the cellar floor. He was a bit stingy when it came to sharing his Lionel trains at Christmastime. I remember that there was once a snapping turtle that we caught and brought into the cellar to study. We put a dead box turtle in a water-filled hole in the garden to watch it rot so we could have the empty shell. We got poison ivy and all of the common childhood diseases at the same time. We purposely together, broke thermometers so we could play with the mercury, handing it back and forth with care because it wanted to roll away. We scratched drawings on the bedroom window glass with fingernails when it frosted. He had terrible earaches when a child, and I helped with the hot wet compresses until he went to sleep. We shared the same small bedroom until I married at age 19. 

We built card table tents in the living room and rocked on the upholstered armchair, always he on the left arm and me on the right. We built tree branch teepees in the woods. As we became older I was always both envious and fearful of his motorcycle daring acts, even when he went so far as to stand up on the seat when going down the road. I was never daring to that extent.

At the seashore he would fly his homemade kites for my kids and teach them how to create them. All of my offspring adored their Uncle Paul. Still do. He once dragged me out of a very strong ocean undertow. I almost drowned that time. 

When he was working for a tree business he would cut, climb, descend and was like a monkey on those trees. Many times when a tree fell, the mother bird, squirrel or raccoon would abandon the premises so he would bring the babies home to raise, bottle feed and eventually release back to nature. Often I filled in with the care of several. Many times he brought home baby crows, owls, sometimes finding other owls of all ages that had been struck by traffic and needed help to recuperate and survive. There were also times when even baby groundhogs and rabbits were brought home. The last one that he had when he visited me here as aging adults, was a baby opossum. It was tucked inside his vest and as it grew and thrived, he kept it in his garage.

My Husband and Paul got along very well.

He was a gardener, keeper of a chicken flock, maple syrup master and so much more. He grew and shared catnip with everyone. We always had dogs and cats when growing up and to the day he died he had a dog and a cat.

The last thing he did for me when he visited before Thanksgiving was to sharpen all of my knives. I sent him home with another jar of his favorite jelly. It made his eyes light up.

Yes, I’m rambling. As soon as I post this I know more memories will surface, but for now I am grateful that my memory has retained so much. They are my treasures. When life changes, you have to adapt. I’m trying. 

I have so many photos that are not scanned but I think these will do. 

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2021 Wrap Up

2021

January - County Retirement dropped our health supplemental and drug coverage plans as it was too costly for some retirees. We had to find broker to help with getting new coverage. Hassle! Horse loving friend died.

February - Roof was shoveled by construction company. Lots of snow. Interior bedroom door was sticking. 

March - COVID  continues. First Moderna vaccination. Socially distancing. Seedum and daffodils poking up from ground.

April -  Second Moderna vaccination. Hummingbirds arrived. 

May - Yard man hard at work with Spring cleanup. 

June - The Mister hospitalized on 6th after many falls. The Mister died  June 20. It was our 60th anniversary on 12th. Nephew had bladder surgery for cancer. Radiation followed.

July - Private memorial Masonic ceremony for the Mister. Impressive. Many Masons participating. Cremains brought home and in special Raku pot. Lots of paperwork completed. 

August -  Great Grandson #2 was born. PA tomatoes only fair this year. NJ daughter’s were outstanding as usual. Saved seeds. 

September -Beach friend’s wife died.

October -  Sold car. Got my long hair cut at home. Local Grandson grew a huge pumpkin again!

November - Brother very Ill and hospitalized with double pneumonia and Covid right after Thanksgiving. Several neighbors diagnosed Covid + and recuperating. Got my Moderna booster vaccination. James has another torso hole. Repaired previous ones this summer. Sent golf car to dealer for winter storage.

December -Staying as safe as possible with Covid Pandemic. Spent Holiday alone. Coping well. Nice gifts received. The sound of pine cones bouncing off of the roof is something I didn’t hear last year - probably because the roof was snow-covered then. More red squirrels evident than in previous years. No Mister to control population now. Brother not gaining and still in ICU.

ME-Turned 85. Still slowing down while moving forward. Took some pictures  from golf car riding with daughter around home area; most photography efforts are of indoor activities. Shoulder received injections many times throughout year. More constriction due to increased scar tissue. Eyes still giving me grief with dry eye. Leg and feet circulation poor. Lost weight. Using cane when motivating outside cabin. Exercising by walking laps with rolling walker inside cabin. Mailbox moved closer to side door.

Am living with smaller means and don't have any debt. I am comfortable and still capable of being somewhat independent and self sufficient. Schwan’s delivery of foodstuffs continues. Laundry picked up and delivered by friends. Grocery shopping help with friend. Medical appointments with daughter’s help. Depending on Yard man more than before.  Thankful for many good friends.

New Stuff

Large hand thrown clay bowl and several small ones.

Candles in potter’s bowls. 

New sweater vests and fleece sweatshirts.

Repairs (Professionally Accomplished)

One, a patch on chimney flashing - no charge

Crafts…..

Created some Christmas cards-scissors, glue, etc.

86 Photomanipulations on computer

Hobbies…..

Published 175 Blogs

Read at least 40 books

Research of many various items and subjects on internet

All of my various directories and calendars are updated for the year 2022 and I start all over.

“Count your blessings instead of your crosses.

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes.

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears.

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full times instead of your lean.

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth.

Love your neighbor as much as yourself.”

Kindness and acceptance for all. SHARE! SHARE!

Out with the old....

IN THE KITCHEN 2021

I spent less time in the kitchen 

Cinnamon Buns

Bread Pudding with Almonds and Raisins

Baked White Loaves of Bread (4)

Baked Wheat Loaf of Bread

Lemon Poppyseed Zucchini Bread

Pumpkin Spice Quick Bread 

Loaf of Lemon Bread

Dinner Biscuits

Pumpkin Pie (2)

Lemon Cookies (2)

Chocolate Chip Cookies (2)

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Walnut Bars (2)

Chocolate Brownies

Spaghetti & Homemade Meatballs

Meatloaf

Pickled Eggplant

Quiche with Spinach and Cheese

Baked Macaroni & Cheese (2)

Patty Pan Squash Casserole

Swiss Chard Soup

Cabbage Bean Soup

Vegetable Bean Soup

Split Pea Soup (2)

Chicken Chunky Soup

Cheesy Potato Soup

Dehydrated Apples

Cantaloupe

Turkey Breast roasted

King Crab Legs baked