Moon and More

My walk after supper yielded a few photos of the moon. 

March 25 Waxing Gibbous 

My baby brother was born many moons ago...I think he should be my older brother any year now.   He is 67 today.   He bumped me out of the most favorite only child position in 1954.   Happy Birthday baby brother!

Yesterday Adventure Grocery Day was not much of an adventure...they were short of Lime Outshine Bars.  Everything else was as ordered....they even put the yogurt in its own bag after several were punctured during last weeks delivery. 

We received word that one of our Grands tested positive for Covid eight days after getting the first vaccination, was very ill for a day and is feeling better now.  

Anything is possible...stay safe out there! 

Far Side

Brown

 Brown in all shades...at least mud brown is gone so we can walk to the mailbox ...mud and ice are all gone. 

It was a gloomy day.  The Juncos stayed all day...I wish they would go where ever they go...North...and stop being snow storytellers.

The Trumpeter Swans are here and the Canadian Honkers too.   They fly over on their way to the grain and corn fields...there must be some open water down at the lake.

I had a fairly rotten day yesterday...just not myself yet.  I had a long nap in the afternoon.

Far Side

Covid Arm

 WELL... I have Covid Arm.  Leave it to me to get something.  The red area where they gave me the injection never did go away and it kept getting larger, sore, hard and hot to the touch. 

I filed an adverse reaction report.  

It is supposed to go away on its own.   My Doctor had never seen Covid Arm before ...so now she has.  Leave it to me to teach the medical community. 

Far Guy had markers on it and they have washed away...now he just measures it.   My Doctor said "I bet they won't give you the second injection in the same spot...probably the other arm." No way they can have a different spot on that same arm...I would like to keep my good arm a good arm.

Well it is better than getting Covid, in the hospital on a Vent and possibly death. 

I cannot believe all the anti vax people out there....someone said it is the mark of the beast...I don't even begin to understand why they would want to take the chance on getting Covid or passing it along to someone else that could possibly die...does that mean they could be charged with murder...or reckless endangerment??  It sure opens up a whole lot of questions. 

Today is day 15 for me and in 13 days I get my second vaccination.  I am still a bit tired, like my body is trying to fight off something...I imagine after the second vaccination I should just put on my jammies and go to the couch.

I had a nice video visit with my Doctor I needed a couple of refills on meds, it has been a year since I saw her in person.  She says at the local clinic anyone with respiratory symptoms is taken in a separate door from everyone else and is seen in a different part of the clinic. 

Far Side

Green

 I found this photo on the SD card that was in one of my old point and shoot cameras. 

It made me smile....the green almost hurts your eyes. 

It is my parents yard in town.    Last year they did all their own yard work.  My other baby brother takes care of their snow removal needs during the winter.  I  have shoveled only once this winter, when my baby brother is here he helps them too.  My Dad has a nurse that checks in on him once a week.  Other than that they do pretty good for old folks in their 90's. 

I visit with them on the phone or from their deck with their door wide open.  Soon my Mom will go to have her second vaccination.  Dad is done with his vaccinations. 

 My Mother is a very social person so Isolation has been hard on her, she wants to be able to go to church again...I told her she could go two weeks after her last shot...but she could not hug anyone...for her that will be a challenge. 

Far Side

Life goes on

One of my cousin's died this week.  Dean was 62 and on my Mother's side of the family.  I wasn't close with him, but still feel the loss of a younger cousin.  Two of my cousins are now gone from that side of the family, Linda last January and now Dean.   The funeral is today, my other baby brother will go to the visitation before the funeral and my parents are going to the funeral.   I will watch the funeral online.

Yesterday were received news that an old friend died, Alicia was 82 years old and died from complications of Covid.  We are sad for her husband who survived Covid but has Parkinsons. 

My other baby brother and she who sees robins first got their first vaccinations yesterday.   Steve and Jo our next door neighbors got theirs too...so I see some visiting in our future in the Spring!  

I had a whole bunch of stops to make in town yesterday.  Post Office, bank, three grocery store pickups and a stop by the meat market...and we recycled!  I even managed to snare some Lysol Wipes...but they were out of Artisan Bread....so it was mostly a success.

 I finally took a photo of the mural in town...note the Christmas Tree is upright.  they want you to shop downtown year round!  I am sure bikes are not allowed on the sidewalk and there used to be signs that said "No Loitering"...and the mural looks like it has a lot of loitering going on. 

For the record, the gal in the Post Office had her mask hanging off one ear while assisting another customer and when she saw me she smiled and put on her mask properly.  So I must be part of the elite mask police. 

Also for the record gasoline went up another 20 cents a gallon, that makes a 70 cent increase since the election.   Gas is now $2.69 per gallon in town.  

Far Side

Mosaic Crochet

This year I said I was going to either finish up old projects or learn new things!  Mosaic Crochet is beautiful.

First I made a small swatch...then I graduated to a scarf using small odds and ends of pastel yarns. I am working on it inbetween wasp nests.  

Each row is worked one at a time leaving the ends.  This is the front.

The back...

It stripes wonderfully.

The ends are tied and then cut shorter and you begin to encase the ends. 

Here is the beginning of the envelope. 

I have a ways to go.  I learned about mosaic crochet on You Tube.  There are many different designs.  I would like to make an afghan...maybe...I joined a facebook group and get lots of ideas and oh my the color combinations! 

Grocery Pickup was uneventful.  It was way warmer than last week.  I went by the Post Office drop box and then waited in the Clinic Parking lot for Far Guy to call me.  We came home, disinfected groceries and put them away...had lunch and a nap. 

Shot report:  Far Guy is feeling much better.   I still have a red swollen arm...they say it is normal. I am still tired.  

Luckily I can take a nap when ever I want!  Suppers were planned way ahead of the shots...using a number of freezer meals.  

Far Side

All about the boxes

 I have been accused of being a box hoarder.  It may be partially true.   This week I saved a bunch of boxes that other boxes came in...just incase...I might need them someday. 

Yes that is a candy box filled with dark chocolate from a friend!   Someday when it is empty I will save it for something! 

I saw this other box online....and could not resist! 

It was my paper project for this week.  It is a Greeting Card Organizer!  Perfect for me...I make many cards and previously stored them in a dresser drawer in plastic bags...this is much better!

Shot report:

Far Guy is very tired and his arm is sore...his sorts are out.  He rested many times yesterday.

My arm is sore, red and swollen.  I am tired also so I had a long nap in the afternoon. 

Today is grocery adventure day and we are warming up enough so that it spit snow for a bit yesterday.  

Far Side

Shots

 Far Guy got his second Moderna Vaccination and I got my first one.   I have a bit of a stiff arm and so does Far Guy...no big reactions so far.   We are thankful to finally begin the process together.  In about six weeks we should both be "somewhat protected." 

I have not been in a building with lots of other people for a long time...I was a bit uneasy and felt a little claustrophobic....but happy to finally be doing something to fight this terrible pandemic. 

We had clear skies for the trip.  It was -35 F at our home in the morning.  Relief from the severe cold weather always seems a few days away. 

We went through a drive through for lunch (a big date) and came home and had a nap. 

My baby brother in Oregon finally has electricity.  Apparently one of the cell phone towers  that serves the area was destroyed in the ice storm so cell phone communication is spotty at best. 

Far Side

Normal?

 We are back to normal...if there is such a thing! 

It is very cold.  -26 for a low and -8 for a high.  Anything done outside should take as little time as possible!  We recycled on the way into town, I dropped Far Guy off at the Infusion Center I picked up our online grocery order, went by the Post Office drop box and the drive through at the bank, filled the gas guzzling car with its 4 gallons of gas so we have a full tank and then waited in the parking lot for Far Guy's call...I crocheted while I waited and watched people.

The grocery adventure was not without drama...seems they overcharged us...and when I called the gal said "Oh my I recall that and it is my fault."  I hate calling them to complain...but I refuse to pay for groceries I did not get.

In the mail was a tiny box of chocolates and some lip balm from a local retirement home...they said it would be sweet of us to move there. 

We disinfected groceries at home and washed fruit and vegetables.  

I mixed up a bunch of stuff; brown sugar, apple cider, Worcestershire sauce, and Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce...poured it over some miserable pork shoulder poor excuse for pork chops that I got one week last Fall...put the whole works in the slow cooker for about five hours...and it wasn't too bad served with vegetables and a baked potato.  

So we are normal for these pandemic times.  It is supposed to get colder in the next couple of days...brutal they said.  Oh well at least we will be warm! 

Lupines in the Wild Gardens 2009

Far Side 

Snowfolks and other stuff

 What says winter like snowfolks.

I left the red lights on the wreath...I may turn them on a time or two. 

We are supposed to get an Arctic Blast soon.  Fun...not so much.  I suppose we are overdue as our weather has been mild.  

My Mom is signed up to get her first vaccination on Friday...she is 91...Dad (94) got his at the VA and gets his second shot on Friday. 

There were some vaccines available in the area however we live in the wrong county...even though we go to that clinic and hospital....picky ..picky...picky.  The hospital in our county is only doing health care workers and nursing homes right now. 

I am crocheting wasp nests....I have two done.  They worked real good for us last summer. Each one I crochet is a bit different...and I have no pattern....perhaps I should write one! 

My paper projects... I grabbed all the loose recipes that I had printed off and shoved behind the recipe boxes...ditched the ones we didn't like and copied some to recipe cards...a few we have not tried yet so they were folded and put in the recipe box....I cringed when I did that...but I was still able to shut the box!

Made Tater Tot Hotdish for supper minus the tater tots.   I layered frozen hash browns, frozen mixed vegetables, browned hamburger and added diluted cream of chicken soup...bake for awhile ( about an hour) covered and then uncovered and  top with cheese.  I made enough so we have some freezer meals. 

Far Side

Onto February

 As we turn the calendar over we say goodbye to January.

I have fun making calendars with my own photos.

Onto February! 

Since it is someones birthday later in the month he and his new old car are the subject for February.

One month more of the Pandemic...or one month closer to a vaccination and some kind of immunity.  I am still waiting...I filled out a questionnaire from our local clinic.  No news yet.

My computer  Windows 7 is getting really wonky...and slow as molasses...I got this computer back in 2010. So I guess it is time for a new one...it has been ordered...and I hope this old one holds out until the new one gets here. 

I have been going through photo files and taking many off of my simple saves...not sure they are compatible with the new system I am getting.  It may be a real adventure. 

We ran errands in town...dropped off the taxes at the accountants, got the special gas for the new old car and went by the bank...so much for our outing.  The special gas is $3.09 a gallon. 

Steak, Salmon and salad for supper...I am not real fond of Salmon a fork full suits me fine.  The steak was excellent! 

Far Side

Snowy Day

 It snowed.  

We went to recycle ...our big excitement for the day. 

The sky and the snow are the same color. 

Someone waved to us on the way back...not sure who it was...perhaps a neighbor or someone that was really friendly.  We did not recognize the vehicle...but then someone may have gotten a new vehicle. 

Face it we are out of the loop.

The roads are still icy in some spots from the wind and the snow last week.  

We made Moons Over My Hammy for supper.  I make a plain omelette pile some cheese and ham over it plop it on a slice of bread...cover it with another slice of bread and  throw it is a pan to toast both sides.  Breakfast for supper.   It was one of Far Guy's requests. 

Far Guy's sister and  brother in law got the Pfizer vaccination yesterday in Indiana...and have no side effects so far.  They got their shots from their vehicle and then were directed to an area to park and wait...Jan said they were waiting to see if they would die... we asked what were they suppose to do if they had a reaction...honk the horn??

Far Side

Saturday Roundup

 Here we are at the end of another week.  My online grocery order was number 45. They keep track.  This week we were missing Yogurt.  I spent some time planning meals...Far Guy had a couple of requests. 

I waded through the Insurance and Medicare paperwork that you get in the mail...not sure why I keep them...I suppose in case I have a question. They are now shredded.  New folders were made to collect the 2021 papers. 

I am still working on the granny square lapghan...in a couple more days it will be done.  I am working on the border now.  Not sure how wide of a border I will put on it.  

I am reading the book for Book Club.  It is a good read so far.  The Untamed Land by L Snelling...about Norwegians coming from Norway and making their way to the Red River Valley in North Dakota and Minnesota.  

I am enjoying the Discovery + channels...no ads...no news...just perfect.  I watch a number of cooking shows.

Far Guy reports no horrid side effects from the vaccination...his arm was a bit stiff.  One of his infusion nurses said it is not really a vaccine...it is a protein that protects you from the virus.  She also said the Moderna is 80% effective shortly after the injection and then goes up to 95% after the second injection.  The Pfizer injection is just the opposite....begins with 15% and goes up to 95%.   Far Guy's sister and brother in law in Indiana are supposed to get their shots today.   Far Guy is a bit bugged that I do not have the shot yet...I told him that he is the important one as he has to go out to the Infusion Center once a week...I do not have to go anywhere...so I am very safe at home. 

A cheerful photo I took last year inside a grocery store. 

Our weather has turned cold...down right bitterly cold.  Normal for us in January. 

Far Side

First Shot for Far Guy

 Far Guy got the vaccination yesterday.  He called the local VA where he usually goes in Minnesota...they had no idea when and if they would get vaccinations....so he called the VA in Fargo North Dakota and got an appointment. 

So we made the trip over.  The roads were a little icy in spots. They got a little snow overnight.

Elm Street in Fargo...when you drive down this street in the summer time it is like driving through a leafy tunnel. 

I stayed in the car...walked around it several times and stretched and had a nap.  He was out in about 40 minutes.  He reports that they could use better signage about where to go...but the Security Guards were helpful...too many people in the elevator for his liking... other than that they tried to keep Veterans about eight feet apart.  He said it was a small needle and didn't hurt...his arm is a little stiff hours later. 

I packed an EPI in his backpack...just in case we needed it. 

He got the Moderna Vaccine and has an appointment to go back for his second dose. 

No news on a vaccine for me yet, they think it will be soon... at the Clinic in town and we will be notified by phone or email.  So we wait. Being 25% done is a start.

On the way home we stopped by Burger King...they were only doing take out...which was fine with us...there was a wait...but we had lunch for lunch and supper. So we called it a date day! 

Far Side

Not Much

 Not much snow, a little ice.  I shoveled the patio and the walk.  Far Guy got the mail and visited his new old car.   I made it through all our issues of Woodcarvers Illustrated.   There are now two  magazine upright storage containers that Far Guy can fill with "stuff."

I figured the crochet stitch out and have an idea for a project...I have a few kinks to work out in the binding.  The stitch is called Apache Tears..the special binding covers up all the ends...I have redone it twice now...but I am persistent. Third time is a charm. 

I watched two old movies or most of two old movies...Unforgiven from 1992 and Men Of Honor from 2000. I enjoyed both.  Unforgiven had some really good writers...if you listen closely there is some humor..."I read you were dead?  I read that too... hell I even thought I was dead, till I found out that I was just in Nebraska."

We started a television subscription to Discovery Plus...what a great adventure that is...no news!! AND I signed up for the no ad version....happy dance. 

I have to pick out another paper project to start this week. Not sure what I shall choose probably something to do with Medicare or Insurance.

Progress is very slow on old photos on my computer files.  I make a few puzzles as I go.

Chance and Peonies June 13 2009 a Puzzle

Far Side

Fizzled out

 Not much of a storm at our house...but who knows what it is like out of these woods.  We did not venture out.  I will shovel the small amount of snow that we got sometime today. 

Yesterday was a catch up day.  Some household duties that were let slide earlier in the week...cleaning the bathroom and steam mopping the tile floors. 

Then we were free to do whatever...Far Guys whatever was taking a nap.  My whatever was trying to figure out a NEW to me crochet stitch...the stitch  is a good one...no problem with it but I am stumped on the binding...I will figure it out...in the meantime it is frustrating.  I remind myself this is why I do a practice swatch...it can be accomplished or thrown out.  The important thing is I am trying something new to me.

I got the flag changed this week!  Yeah me! 

After supper...Chicken and Noodles... I was done...just done..fizzled out...headed to the couch for a two hour nap filled with strange dreams.  That will teach me not to crochet all afternoon during nap time. 

Far Side

New Projects

 I decided sometime over the New Year to try some new to me things or finish an old project every week.  I was tired of the same old same old in Isolation 2020 that carried over to Isolation 2021.

Baking dinner rolls from scratch.  I have made bread from scratch but not dinner rolls.

They don't look much like the photo that was on Facebook but they were still good and easy peasy. 

Big Fat Yeast Rolls

1 cup warm water

1 package or 2 1/2 teaspoons of dry yeast

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons softened butter

1 egg beaten

3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour

Put water and yeast in a large mixing bowl (I mixed this gently with a spatula)  add the sugar, salt, butter and egg. Beat with dough hook until well blended.

Add 3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour, mix until soft dough forms that is not sticky.

Put the dough on a floured board and knead a few times until smooth.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for about 45 minutes.  I  use a corn/rice bag that is toasty warm after a few minutes in the microwave...I nestle the bowl onto the top of the bag. 

Punch down and turn onto a floured board. Divide dough into 12 large pieces and shape into round balls. Place in greased 13 x 9 inch  baking pan. Cover with plastic wrap.  Let rise about 30 minutes on a warm corn/rice bag.

Bake for 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Brush tops with butter. 

I timed this and you should start the recipe about 2 hours before you want warm fresh out of the oven dinner rolls for supper. 

Far Guy liked them...and I liked them also so we declare it a winner of a recipe!  I used all white flour but will try it with my mix of whole wheat and white flour..I mix my own flour... half and half.

Old project: Looking through all of our woodcarving magazines and books.  I tear out instructions for projects that I might want to do someday and put them in a folder and recycle the rest of the magazine after Far Guy has paged through them...I keep more than he does.. This project is about half done so it will continue a few more days.  

Far Side