I will not whine, for today is a lovely, sunny day. I have been working on yard work. From this time forward, each pretty day is spent on clean-up yard work. It is my habit and my work that keeps me sane.
Two days ago it was 5 degrees and the wind chill was unknown-cold anyway. The wind was from the north. I even put blankets over the door to the screen porch and the back door. I had a draft snake against the front door. The insulated shades were down on the north windows.
Yesterday the sun returned with some scattered clouds. It was still below freezing with a wind.
So today and tomorrow will be yard work days. It is still windy, and we are still in a fire alert ban. Not for the lack of moisture, but the wind will carry a fire a long ways.
The dog and cat have been enjoying the outdoors with me. Patty gets bored watching me and wanders around looking for cat s..t. I don't know why she is so intent on finding that stuff. It is so gross to see leaves and grass hanging from her mouth. I always know where she has been.
I am currently hacking away the honeysuckle on the west side and trying to save some of the trees it covers. I will leave enough for birds and critters to nest, but it is encroaching the yard. The trees in their desperation are bending and sending out weak limbs for any sunlight that can be found. So whack away and trim the tiny trees and the weak limbs. It all works out in the end. By the heat of summer I am lost to the weeds and the honeysuckle and I can barely get the grass mowed.
The birds are eating tons of sunflower seeds. I cannot believe that I fill three feeders twice daily now. I even throw some out for the ground feeders and put a little bit in a pan on the floor of the porch. I am concerned about one female cardinal that I think has a disease around her eyes. A friend told me that there is something that does that and that she has seen that on one of her finches.
I did get a lot of knitting done on the medieval sweater during the coldest day. Last night I cast on and began the second sleeve on the red sweater. I went through a period of several days that nothing I was knitting interested me, and I just did not knit.
I am plying the second skein of blue yarn, and I am anxious to get it done. I dyed some BFL roving yesterday with a new technique I wanted to try. I only dyed 4 ozs, and I like it. I think it is going to spin really nicely. I want to spin that up next just to see what it will look like.
Well, I want to eat a bite of lunch and then back outside to whack some more honeysuckle.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Back To Somewhat Normal!
Today is bright and sunny and very cold. It is deceiving to look out and see the brightness.
Yesterday was very warm, and just a perfect Spring day in January. It creates hope to have warm days pop in periodically like this.
My friend GO died on January 10. His memorial service was last Wednesday the 15th. It is a slow change to get back to a normal routine. I have been spinning the pretty blue yarn and watching Netflix. I have not gotten back to my normal knitting routine. It just seems so tedious right now.
My friend CJE came over on Saturday to divert my attention. We went to the Thai restaurant for bowls of soup and it was marvelous. We sat in the kitchen and knit. We talked about books and writing and the usual chatter.
I am now nine weeks into my new medications. I noticed a change yesterday that I cannot describe to anyone. I think the Vitamin D therapy is helping my chronic depression. I mentioned to CJE that my SAD has not kicked in. I attributed it to all the chaos of the past two months of taking care of GO.
Yesterday I began looking up info on the internet about symptoms of Vitamin D depletion, etc. I found psychiatric papers linking Vit. D therapy with Depression therapies. Hmm. So all these years that the doctors kept trying to drug me out were wasted years? None of the usual meds helped and one doctor determined that perhaps it is a chemical problem and not an emotional problem. You think? I am going to keep looking into this.
I missed my class last night at the university. It is a beekeeping class that is held by the state beekeeping group. I am certainly not interested in keeping bees, but I am interested in learning more about them. I have tried to encourage flowers that are attractive to them for a few years. I have noticed that there is an increase in honeybees last summer.
A friend told me this is not a good thing. Prior to the importing of bees along with the Spanish friars and the English, there were multiple species of wild bees in the U.S. The honeybees have taken over and there are extinct wild bee species now. I like honey; what can I say?
I bought a new suet feeder that are holes in a piece of wood and you put plugs into them. I tried several places and no interest. So Sunday I put it into a tree very close to the trunk. Yesterday I noticed that even the cardinals were eating suet. I never knew cardinals liked suet. Maybe this method will keep the big old bullies (all the blackbirds) from swarming into the feeder and gobbling it up. The things we do for our wildlife.
The last snow storm there was a bobcat trotting across the driveway and then across the street. I was amazed. I guess I will have to watch Noodles a little closer now.
I had determined that I was not going to do any shows this year. Yet yesterday I made a check out for a booth in Missouri in October. I did good with this show last year. This year they are changing the date and the venue. I don't know if that will change the outcome. I have nine months to think about it. I cannot decide if I want to do another one or not. I like playing with my stuff, but I like to give it away too.
I am now into the second editing of my book. I like this process. I am learning so very much. I am really kinda sick of reading the stories over and over. They are so done in my mind. I am trying to just do the corrections first. Then before I submit it back to RW, I read it through. I have found a few mistakes of missed "the's" or other minor things that way. I am crossing fingers and toes that we can get this done in time to take books to the show in October. Pushing my luck, but we will see.
CJE told me about this site called First Line. They provide a first line, and then the writer writes a story from that. She is submitting one for February. Pretty clever. It's fun to play with writing. I don't pretend that I am anything but a crazy woman who likes to record dreams. I am not a "writer".
Well, I am ready to get to work. Actually it is almost time for lunch. I guess I should eat first. Then I won't interrupt the flow with stopping to look for lunch.
I am glad to get back to this page. It is fulfilling to just have streams of consciousness flow and magically appear on page.
Yesterday was very warm, and just a perfect Spring day in January. It creates hope to have warm days pop in periodically like this.
My friend GO died on January 10. His memorial service was last Wednesday the 15th. It is a slow change to get back to a normal routine. I have been spinning the pretty blue yarn and watching Netflix. I have not gotten back to my normal knitting routine. It just seems so tedious right now.
My friend CJE came over on Saturday to divert my attention. We went to the Thai restaurant for bowls of soup and it was marvelous. We sat in the kitchen and knit. We talked about books and writing and the usual chatter.
I am now nine weeks into my new medications. I noticed a change yesterday that I cannot describe to anyone. I think the Vitamin D therapy is helping my chronic depression. I mentioned to CJE that my SAD has not kicked in. I attributed it to all the chaos of the past two months of taking care of GO.
Yesterday I began looking up info on the internet about symptoms of Vitamin D depletion, etc. I found psychiatric papers linking Vit. D therapy with Depression therapies. Hmm. So all these years that the doctors kept trying to drug me out were wasted years? None of the usual meds helped and one doctor determined that perhaps it is a chemical problem and not an emotional problem. You think? I am going to keep looking into this.
I missed my class last night at the university. It is a beekeeping class that is held by the state beekeeping group. I am certainly not interested in keeping bees, but I am interested in learning more about them. I have tried to encourage flowers that are attractive to them for a few years. I have noticed that there is an increase in honeybees last summer.
A friend told me this is not a good thing. Prior to the importing of bees along with the Spanish friars and the English, there were multiple species of wild bees in the U.S. The honeybees have taken over and there are extinct wild bee species now. I like honey; what can I say?
I bought a new suet feeder that are holes in a piece of wood and you put plugs into them. I tried several places and no interest. So Sunday I put it into a tree very close to the trunk. Yesterday I noticed that even the cardinals were eating suet. I never knew cardinals liked suet. Maybe this method will keep the big old bullies (all the blackbirds) from swarming into the feeder and gobbling it up. The things we do for our wildlife.
The last snow storm there was a bobcat trotting across the driveway and then across the street. I was amazed. I guess I will have to watch Noodles a little closer now.
I had determined that I was not going to do any shows this year. Yet yesterday I made a check out for a booth in Missouri in October. I did good with this show last year. This year they are changing the date and the venue. I don't know if that will change the outcome. I have nine months to think about it. I cannot decide if I want to do another one or not. I like playing with my stuff, but I like to give it away too.
I am now into the second editing of my book. I like this process. I am learning so very much. I am really kinda sick of reading the stories over and over. They are so done in my mind. I am trying to just do the corrections first. Then before I submit it back to RW, I read it through. I have found a few mistakes of missed "the's" or other minor things that way. I am crossing fingers and toes that we can get this done in time to take books to the show in October. Pushing my luck, but we will see.
CJE told me about this site called First Line. They provide a first line, and then the writer writes a story from that. She is submitting one for February. Pretty clever. It's fun to play with writing. I don't pretend that I am anything but a crazy woman who likes to record dreams. I am not a "writer".
Well, I am ready to get to work. Actually it is almost time for lunch. I guess I should eat first. Then I won't interrupt the flow with stopping to look for lunch.
I am glad to get back to this page. It is fulfilling to just have streams of consciousness flow and magically appear on page.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Today......
Today, December 25, 2013, is Christmas Day on our Christian calendar. It is a quiet day. After talking to a few friends and family and viewing my texts, it has been a day of not doing a lot. Supper is in the oven.
I watched a video that my brother sent to me. I got one row of my medieval sweater knitted. I fed all the animals. That's it. Not a lot.
Happy and Merry Christmas to all. May the Light of this Season shine over the world and bring peace, joy, and love.
I watched a video that my brother sent to me. I got one row of my medieval sweater knitted. I fed all the animals. That's it. Not a lot.
Happy and Merry Christmas to all. May the Light of this Season shine over the world and bring peace, joy, and love.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Winter Solstice!
There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
-Edith Wharton
Today is Winter Solstice! It is really the beginning of winter in this hemisphere. I know, I know, we had that dreadful snow/ice/freezing rain/sleet event that stayed on the ground for over a week! That was only a tease from our mother the earth to remind us of who is in control.
I always begin each day after this with the idea that each day is longer than the day before. By February I am really sick of gray, gloomy icky days. I long for warmth and sunlight. By March I can hardly contain myself. Wouldn't one think that after all these years of habitual behavior I would adjust my behavior or change it somehow?
The cat and dog are not happy with the weather either. I have to make them go outside when it is raining/freezing raining or any other form of frozen precipitation. We will get through this and I kick them outside to do their business. Patty did a record poop and pee this morning shivering the whole time.
I am beginning to go into the winter slump already. I think it is a little bit early for me to do so, but sometimes I just sit and frown. I have SAD, and this year it is early. I ache and I am cold all the time. I don't want to get up and do.
Yesterday I did cook my annual mincemeat cake. It is a recipe from my former sister-in-law, and I really like it. I don't like fruit cakes, but this is really good. It isn't too sweet, which is a plus.
I had an annual physical in November, and I am still healthy. My cholesterol is high, but that is expected with my family history. My Vitamin D was depleted, and I expected that also. But everything else is perfect. Just aging is enough to cope with.
Not much else is new and exciting. I am knitting one sleeve on the red sweater. The medieval sweater is languishing by the chair. I started my niece's baby blanket. I have been searching sock patterns again, and I don't need to do that. I have enough to do. I finally found some fabric I like that will finish the quilt I have reserved for H and R.
So settling in for a long winter's nap sounds good about now. We have four more months of yucky to cope with.
-Edith Wharton
Today is Winter Solstice! It is really the beginning of winter in this hemisphere. I know, I know, we had that dreadful snow/ice/freezing rain/sleet event that stayed on the ground for over a week! That was only a tease from our mother the earth to remind us of who is in control.
I always begin each day after this with the idea that each day is longer than the day before. By February I am really sick of gray, gloomy icky days. I long for warmth and sunlight. By March I can hardly contain myself. Wouldn't one think that after all these years of habitual behavior I would adjust my behavior or change it somehow?
The cat and dog are not happy with the weather either. I have to make them go outside when it is raining/freezing raining or any other form of frozen precipitation. We will get through this and I kick them outside to do their business. Patty did a record poop and pee this morning shivering the whole time.
I am beginning to go into the winter slump already. I think it is a little bit early for me to do so, but sometimes I just sit and frown. I have SAD, and this year it is early. I ache and I am cold all the time. I don't want to get up and do.
Yesterday I did cook my annual mincemeat cake. It is a recipe from my former sister-in-law, and I really like it. I don't like fruit cakes, but this is really good. It isn't too sweet, which is a plus.
I had an annual physical in November, and I am still healthy. My cholesterol is high, but that is expected with my family history. My Vitamin D was depleted, and I expected that also. But everything else is perfect. Just aging is enough to cope with.
Not much else is new and exciting. I am knitting one sleeve on the red sweater. The medieval sweater is languishing by the chair. I started my niece's baby blanket. I have been searching sock patterns again, and I don't need to do that. I have enough to do. I finally found some fabric I like that will finish the quilt I have reserved for H and R.
So settling in for a long winter's nap sounds good about now. We have four more months of yucky to cope with.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Enjoy The Warmth!
We are easing towards Solstice, and we have a warm up few days to enjoy ourselves. I love to sit in the sunshine and soak up whatever warmth I can during these early winter months. I am getting to hate gray days, but I tolerate them knowing that sun will shine again.
There is a major cold spell on the horizon for Thursday through the beginning of next week. Pooh!
So today I wash blankets and put them on the clothesline. I give Patty a bath, and she will sit in the sunshine to dry off. I can't think of sitting still with any hand work when I can just sit in the sunshine.
We are soon going to have Solstice. Every year I somehow tell myself that after Solstice the days are getting longer. That there is more light every day. Then by February I am not a happy camper. I want it to be Spring. It isn't Spring until after the Equinox. I intellectually know that, but I am tired of winter by the end of February.
I have been writing down my stories due to my friend CJE. I submitted them to a publisher, and the first editing has been returned. Whew! What a learning experience that is. It is rewriting and rewriting and learning and thinking and a lot of work. I am so thankful she didn't just throw up her hands and say, "You need some real help here." I am enjoying this process. I know it sounds so crazy, but I am.
I have the medieval sweater on hiatus. I have some little projects that need to be done quickly. In between I pick up the handspun sweater. I only have two inches to go until I start the sleeves. Yeah!
OSM's socks are on the final sprint. I am halfway done on the foot of the #2 sock. I got the yarn yesterday to knit my niece SK a hat. I ordered yarn for a blanket for my niece AK a baby blanket.
Nothing going on in the sewing department. I have things in my head to sew, but nothing is happening there.
My friend I have been caring for is housesitting for a friend who has gone to New Orleans to visit family. He is bored, and he is not handling the being alone and sitting still part. I know it is his journey, but I understand how hard it is for him to be forced to retire so early.
Otherwise, I am back to normal in the household, and I am finally rested from that adventure. I have my house back to my normal state of semi-clutter. I have my nest back that I do my night knitting. I have the hall bathroom back. I have my meals back to normal again. Now if I can just be motivated to get back to work.
The animals are back to their normal routines. Patty is sitting in a sunny spot right now. Noodles has slowed a bit on his rodent eating for a while. He is still fighting his enemy that invades his territory on a regular basis. The other morning at 4 am his "frenemy" was yowling at the bedroom window. Oh, boy, did Noodles get upset over that!
So back to sitting in the sun. I need to put the blankets on the line and get Patty bathed. My usual slowing down for the season. I don't push real hard any more. I try to just accept that this is happening, and that I don't need to push so hard. I just have to keep the bird feeders filled, and everyone's happy.
Enjoy the week. Enjoy the warmth when it occurs. Enjoy the sunshine when it occurs.
There is a major cold spell on the horizon for Thursday through the beginning of next week. Pooh!
So today I wash blankets and put them on the clothesline. I give Patty a bath, and she will sit in the sunshine to dry off. I can't think of sitting still with any hand work when I can just sit in the sunshine.
We are soon going to have Solstice. Every year I somehow tell myself that after Solstice the days are getting longer. That there is more light every day. Then by February I am not a happy camper. I want it to be Spring. It isn't Spring until after the Equinox. I intellectually know that, but I am tired of winter by the end of February.
I have been writing down my stories due to my friend CJE. I submitted them to a publisher, and the first editing has been returned. Whew! What a learning experience that is. It is rewriting and rewriting and learning and thinking and a lot of work. I am so thankful she didn't just throw up her hands and say, "You need some real help here." I am enjoying this process. I know it sounds so crazy, but I am.
I have the medieval sweater on hiatus. I have some little projects that need to be done quickly. In between I pick up the handspun sweater. I only have two inches to go until I start the sleeves. Yeah!
OSM's socks are on the final sprint. I am halfway done on the foot of the #2 sock. I got the yarn yesterday to knit my niece SK a hat. I ordered yarn for a blanket for my niece AK a baby blanket.
Nothing going on in the sewing department. I have things in my head to sew, but nothing is happening there.
My friend I have been caring for is housesitting for a friend who has gone to New Orleans to visit family. He is bored, and he is not handling the being alone and sitting still part. I know it is his journey, but I understand how hard it is for him to be forced to retire so early.
Otherwise, I am back to normal in the household, and I am finally rested from that adventure. I have my house back to my normal state of semi-clutter. I have my nest back that I do my night knitting. I have the hall bathroom back. I have my meals back to normal again. Now if I can just be motivated to get back to work.
The animals are back to their normal routines. Patty is sitting in a sunny spot right now. Noodles has slowed a bit on his rodent eating for a while. He is still fighting his enemy that invades his territory on a regular basis. The other morning at 4 am his "frenemy" was yowling at the bedroom window. Oh, boy, did Noodles get upset over that!
So back to sitting in the sun. I need to put the blankets on the line and get Patty bathed. My usual slowing down for the season. I don't push real hard any more. I try to just accept that this is happening, and that I don't need to push so hard. I just have to keep the bird feeders filled, and everyone's happy.
Enjoy the week. Enjoy the warmth when it occurs. Enjoy the sunshine when it occurs.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The End of Wovember Is Near!
Yes, it has been a while since I last wrote. My days have been not my own, and my routine is fouled up. The cat and the dog are confused.
I finally had to call in some help to move my friend on to his next stop. I need my space. I need to settle into my winter routine.
My friend is so much better, but his memory is gone. He cannot remember where he puts things or where things are. Occasionally I see agnosia, but it is infrequent.
I noticed this morning that I do not have any salt to put on my steps. Poor little Patty slid down the steps in a thump. Climbing back up the steps took at least two tries. If it wasn't mean, I would have laughed out loud. With the cold north winds, she does pee quickly.
I have got to quit whining about everything. I know that my friend is scared, I know how hard this whole process is for a someone who is totally left-brained and the left brain side is damaged, and I know he is anxious.
Luckily I have long-termed knitting commitments. My color work sweater is moving along, but I could not figure out some directions this afternoon. So I set it aside until I can focus on thinking about that next part. I had a teeny mistake on my red sweater, and I thought last night I would have to unknit a coupla rows. But today I was able to salvage the mistake with a crochet hook, and I think it is undetectable. Last night I finished one purple sock, and I cast on the second one. That's a portable and quick knit.
Today I had a chunk of time to myself, and I FINALLY finished my last purple blend skein of BFL. It should never, ever take three weeks to finish one skein of yarn.
We are having our first bit of real wintry weather. We have bitter North winds that have dropped the temps to miserable levels. We had some freezing drizzle last night that left ice on the steps and porch. Tomorrow afternoon snow is supposed to come, and something yucky on Monday, I think. Then our usual warm up stage through Thanksgiving.
My plan is to stock up on Wednesday. I need more bird seed, dog food, cat food, and I better get a coupla gallons of water to put back in the closet. I need a few things for the fridge. Oh, yeah, I better get some salt, too, for the steps. Then whatever happens next, I am READY!
I am going to demonstrate spinning with our guild next Saturday at the regional alpaca show. And I am pretty sure that is all I am committed to for the rest of the year.
So Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks for all of our many, many blessings, and for all our friends and family.
I finally had to call in some help to move my friend on to his next stop. I need my space. I need to settle into my winter routine.
My friend is so much better, but his memory is gone. He cannot remember where he puts things or where things are. Occasionally I see agnosia, but it is infrequent.
I noticed this morning that I do not have any salt to put on my steps. Poor little Patty slid down the steps in a thump. Climbing back up the steps took at least two tries. If it wasn't mean, I would have laughed out loud. With the cold north winds, she does pee quickly.
I have got to quit whining about everything. I know that my friend is scared, I know how hard this whole process is for a someone who is totally left-brained and the left brain side is damaged, and I know he is anxious.
Luckily I have long-termed knitting commitments. My color work sweater is moving along, but I could not figure out some directions this afternoon. So I set it aside until I can focus on thinking about that next part. I had a teeny mistake on my red sweater, and I thought last night I would have to unknit a coupla rows. But today I was able to salvage the mistake with a crochet hook, and I think it is undetectable. Last night I finished one purple sock, and I cast on the second one. That's a portable and quick knit.
Today I had a chunk of time to myself, and I FINALLY finished my last purple blend skein of BFL. It should never, ever take three weeks to finish one skein of yarn.
We are having our first bit of real wintry weather. We have bitter North winds that have dropped the temps to miserable levels. We had some freezing drizzle last night that left ice on the steps and porch. Tomorrow afternoon snow is supposed to come, and something yucky on Monday, I think. Then our usual warm up stage through Thanksgiving.
My plan is to stock up on Wednesday. I need more bird seed, dog food, cat food, and I better get a coupla gallons of water to put back in the closet. I need a few things for the fridge. Oh, yeah, I better get some salt, too, for the steps. Then whatever happens next, I am READY!
I am going to demonstrate spinning with our guild next Saturday at the regional alpaca show. And I am pretty sure that is all I am committed to for the rest of the year.
So Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks for all of our many, many blessings, and for all our friends and family.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
A Simple Twist of Fate
Last weekend was so nice. It was fairly nice weather, and my son and his wife visited the whole weekend. Usually it is a quick in by bedtime, and out the next day. This was a whole weekend!
R had told me they had tickets for the Razorback game, so we drove to War Eagle Mill and viewed the Fall foliage. We ate a late supper, but left room for a hot dog and a pretzel at the game. The essential foods of choice.
When they had left to go to the game and I had putzed around some, I decided to check my emails and to check my phone. I had a voicemail from a friend that he was in the E.R. and thinks he had a stroke.
After running Patty out to pee and grabbing my portable knitting, I rushed to the hospital. I stayed until he was admitted and settled. He did have a stroke, but miraculously he did not have any motor residual effects. Unfortunately he did have cognitive effects on the Broca's area of the brain. He was d/c'd on Monday-after only 2.5 days of non-treatment. He just got a diagnosis, given follow-up info, and a prescription.
Consequently he is staying at my house to get his meds regulated and to monitor his status until he is able to go somewhere. He cannot go to his own home. It is really far out in the boonies, and he uses wood heat. It would not be safe for him with his visual deficits.
So not a lot of knitting is getting done. I am behind in my spinning. And I am frustrated. Luckily it is short-lived and I will be back to normal again soon.
Gotta go clean out gutters.
R had told me they had tickets for the Razorback game, so we drove to War Eagle Mill and viewed the Fall foliage. We ate a late supper, but left room for a hot dog and a pretzel at the game. The essential foods of choice.
When they had left to go to the game and I had putzed around some, I decided to check my emails and to check my phone. I had a voicemail from a friend that he was in the E.R. and thinks he had a stroke.
After running Patty out to pee and grabbing my portable knitting, I rushed to the hospital. I stayed until he was admitted and settled. He did have a stroke, but miraculously he did not have any motor residual effects. Unfortunately he did have cognitive effects on the Broca's area of the brain. He was d/c'd on Monday-after only 2.5 days of non-treatment. He just got a diagnosis, given follow-up info, and a prescription.
Consequently he is staying at my house to get his meds regulated and to monitor his status until he is able to go somewhere. He cannot go to his own home. It is really far out in the boonies, and he uses wood heat. It would not be safe for him with his visual deficits.
So not a lot of knitting is getting done. I am behind in my spinning. And I am frustrated. Luckily it is short-lived and I will be back to normal again soon.
Gotta go clean out gutters.
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