Books and other "stuff"

 I finally made a list of the books that I have in the house to read.  I am only 52 books behind....but at least I know which books I have hidden away...just in case.  I had to order a few books for upcoming book club books.  That is what prompted the making of the list. 

We took it easy on Tuesday...because Monday was a busy day.  We made Jambalaya, salad and flat bread for supper guests.  Far Guy was the cook and I was the sous chef/dishwasher/bread baker.  Teamwork!  Tuesday morning we both said we are getting too old for cooking.  However Jambalaya freezes well and we froze some up for the summer...it will make a great side dish or main dish with a salad and fruit for the summer days we don't want to cook.  Far Guy follows the Cajun Ninja recipe for Jambalaya on You Tube. 

The flat bread was really good and made the whole house smell great!  No it is not perfectly formed but it tasted perfectly great! 

Supper on Tuesday was chicken thighs with skin removed in the crock pot with pineapple juice and soy sauce...salad and peaches. Easy cooking!

I have had a post it note floating around my desk space for a bit...it says...  

"Being popular on facebook is like sitting at the cool table in the cafeteria of a mental hospital" 

Far Side

Thoughts

 I found this photo in my archives.  Our fields look similar today...but it was warm so much of our snow has melted. 

There are Sandhill Cranes in the background with Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese out front.

My thoughts...I like birds...they do not have "stuff"...they have what they need to get along day by day.  Three different species of birds all getting along in the same area...

maybe people could learn from birds. 

Happy Spring!

Far Side

Mud Holes

 Sometimes you cannot avoid all the muds holes in life.

Great Niece Aubrey has to have another bone graft surgery, this will be her 10th or 11th surgery.  Of course we want her to have the best possible outcome when they do her big surgery next year.

Great Niece Ava broke her leg while playing softball...surgery will be Friday.

My Uncle Al has just weeks to live according to his Hospice nurses.    I will visit him one day soon. 

Yup mud holes. 

Far Side

Update Ava's surgery was a success. Her leg should heal:)

Boosted again and other stuff

 We both had our Covid Boosters on Thursday afternoon.  We are both feeling fairly crappy; muscle aches, tired and very sore arms.  We are happy to have it behind us again.  It is supposed to be a rainy couple of days so it is a good weekend to spend resting up, napping and watching tv.  I wonder if we will have to get these boosters the rest of our lives?  It had been 7 months since Far Guys last booster and 5 months since mine, now we are on the same schedule anyway...misery loves company.

Cross something off our list. 

We got rid of our telephone land line over the winter, can't say I miss it.   When I don't want to talk to anyone I turn my phone off or leave it in another room and if it bugs Far Guy he can answer it. 

I am watching Tournament of Champions a cooking show and Downton Abby.  At night Far Guy and I have been watching The Repair Shop.   It doesn't take much to entertain us. 

We miss Little Elvis and Sadie and maybe even Phoebe the cat a little.  Our reasons not to get a dog outweigh the reasons to get one.  No fence, skunks, porkypines, raccoons, burrs of all kinds, deer and dog ticks are high on the no dog list...all in exchange for companionship and laughter.  We can always go Up North and visit Little Elvis and Sadie and anyways Baxter seems to like us a little.

Sadie catching snowflakes one day this week.   Photo by Jen. 

It seems Sadie misses her "daytime" company...namely us! 

Far Side

Changes

 Changing the time is always hard on me, I get a headache, body aches and I want to nap non stop.  How can one lousy hour make so much of a mess in my body.

Everyone is home from Spring Break and Sadie was happy to see her people.  Her tail was wagging nonstop.  She has been on walks everyday and went for a car ride!  Sadie likes this change! So much more exciting than the old foggies.

Far Guy and I did a bit of shopping...purchased bath towels and rugs for the bathroom at home and a new shower head.  We are having some plumbing work done after we get home...a new hot water heater and new high rise toilets will be installed. 

Gas is $3.89 a gallon here.  I use coupons from the grocery store and save 12 cents a gallon.  We don't use very much gas being in town for the winter.  

I have noticed that some grocery prices are going up...milk, bread, butter, apples and meat for example.

Yesterday Andy bought a pie to celebrate pi day, if we are too far away to celebrate St Urho's Day this week we might as well celebrate with a pie for a change. 

Far Side  

 

Hands

 What would you hold in your cupped hands? 

I read an article about this sculpture called "Hidden Treasures" the sculptor gave his explanation.

Then it clicked.  

Sure enough I recall at my Uncle Ervin and Aunt Violets farm in the summer at dark the fireflies would be out and we would catch them in our hands...your hand would light up...however they left green goo... no doubt firefly poop in your hand.   I am sure the treasure must have been your hand lighting up not the poop.

Far Side

The sculptor said in an article“It’s suspended by its own weight,” he said. “I’ve never separated wood into dyads before. The challenge was to separate the piece of white pine, hollow the inside and put the pieces back together. It was experimental, a prototype to see if I could do it.”

Thoughts on Grocery Day

 Traffic was more crazy than usual...it was crazy days in town...needless to say we stayed off of Main Street.   I have not been crazy enough to go to Crazy Days in years. 

Grocery Pickup was great...just missing Licorice...but we can do without it. 

I stopped by my parents to check on them.  Dad was in the ER Wednesday night...he has a broken rib from a fall on Tuesday.  He got scanned ...my other baby brothers daughter Stacey who is an RN went to the ER with them.  Dad said he was feeling pretty good after a good nights rest....and the Doctor said the rib should heal up. 

 Back home, I mowed our lawn and trimmed around trees a bit.  It was a warm day high of 84 F or 29 C  eh!  For now the wildfire smoke has lifted. 

Real scary news about the new Covid variants...seems like they are spreading like wildfire.  I wonder if we are headed for another lock down?  Wouldn't that be the pits.  Herd immunity seems to be a figment of the imagination with so many people who did not get the vaccination.  Heck we would still have Polio and Smallpox if our parents had the same thoughts against vaccinations.  I was thinking of the sugar cube and the polio live virus that was on that cube...a bit scary...but Polio was scary too.  Polio could cripple you...heavens Covid can kill you...that all I will say about that.

Far Side

For the birds

 I have a feeder that I use in the winter for the Chickadees.  I mix up generic peanut butter ( NO Skippy for them birds!) and black sunflower seeds.   I mix up the goopy mess in a bowl and take it outside and spoon the mixture into the feeder.  Sometimes I am swarmed by the Chickadees as the feeder is placed back on its hook. 

What do you suppose he is saying? 

Chickadees always seem like happy little birds.  

The meatloaf puff pastry was a failure...Far Guy picked his meatloaf out of the pastry.  It surprised me as I thought it was a great meal.  I am usually the person who doesn't like something...not him. 

For those of you who nap in the late afternoon...do you have a hard time figuring out if it is night or day?   Since it gets dark at 4 PM on cloudy days if I am napping late in the day....I have to figure out if it is day or night by what I am wearing.  Now if Far Guy wakes me up and says "Supper is all ready sweetheart."  then I know it is night time. 

We are discussing a Christmas Tree...no one will be visiting...so it seems redundant. I just don't know. My plan is to decorate the house a little at a time and see how it goes. 

Far Side

Grocery Day

 Well what do you know we got almost everything on our grocery list. They are still out of green enchilada sauce but daughter Jen found some for us....and I have one can in the pantry shelf. Ah yes hoarding big time.  Usually when I use something it goes right back on the list.  

It was a nice day around 40 F or 4 C eh!  So I disinfected the first grocery order right there in the parking lot...I get lots of stares but I just don't care. I didn't disinfect at the next curbside pickup ( I disinfected at home)...and then went by the Post Office drop box and the drive through at the bank and just about that time Far Guy was done with his infusion. 

Far Guy noticed some construction going on at his old house in town...he lived in that house for 19 years. 

Looks like it is getting an enclosed porch.   It is used as a meeting place for disabled folks. 

Town was not real busy...the deer hunters are gone. 

The Governor of the Great State of Minnesota has ordered a "Dial Back" for the Covid outbreak.   Closing bars, restaurants, gyms, theaters etc...but schools can remain open along with stores, barbers, beauty shops and churches.  Restaurants can do take out business only.  This Dial Back is in effect from Friday night November 20 until December 18.  I notice lots of bars were advertising specials to empty their taps before Friday night on facebook. Where ever will the bar flies go for a month?  Home??  Imagine that.

Far Side

Quiet Day

 We had a quiet day doing our usual stuff; housework, laundry, cooking and free time.

I worked on Christmas Cards and sewed buttons on some Cowls that I finished this week. 

Just a few that are finished.  They will be gifts most likely...I crochet to keep my hands busy.  Some of this yarn has been hanging around for a long time. 

 Bad news for some of the people we like...my Aunt is entering Hospice Care, Son In Law Andy's Dad is in the hospital with something they are unable to diagnose and an old friend has Pancreatic Cancer. 

Many people out there are struggling.  My prayers are with all who struggle with health issues Covid related and non Covid related. 

Count your blessings if you are in good health! 

November is half over today...the days are dark and dreary....which is usual for November weather.

Far Side

Blooms and a crappy idea

Our weather is downright tropical.   I mowed in the morning before it got real hot. 

The rest of the day was quiet ...I had a long nap.

The Bee Balm or Monarda is blooming in the wild gardens.

Fireworks in flower form.

I am in between projects...Christmas Cards or Milk Can ...which project do I do next?
Something about the Christmas Card has me bugged...I need to work it out in my old brain.

I worked out a solution to stop riots...manure cannons mounted on the trucks that suck all the gunk out of your septic tank....u betcha...cover those rioters in poop...

Far Side

Spring Colors

We have no spring colors outside yet so yarn has to do.

Just finished up a shawl out of these colors.  I will take a photo soon.

I am in between projects, only because I have not decided what to do next.  I knit on my socks and worked on some crochet squares for a charity project.

I am taking a day maybe two off of spring cleaning. 

Today I get a chipped filling fixed at the Dentist...they are allowing only one person in the office at a time.  I will pick up groceries during Far Guys Infusion, deliver a few items to my parents and come home and disinfect everything. 

Just a couple of thoughts;  I realized I am not high maintenance.   My hair has not seen dye in many years, I only get my hair cut twice a year and if worse came to worse I could hack some of it off.   I do my own toes and finger nails.  I have never had a spa day...what ever do they do for a whole day anyways? 

Far Side 

10 things

I have decided that instead of being in a funk about this virus situation I can do certain things every day.  This is day 24 for us being safe at home.

1. Do something to make someone smile.
2. Do something for Far Guy...like let him cook.
3. Reach out to someone....check on the elderly...mail a card.
4. Complete a small project...clean out a drawer or a cupboard.  Organize something!
5. Go for a walk...
6. Do something volunteer related...indexing, find a grave or crochet for charity
7. Do an activity that I enjoy...making cards, knitting, crocheting, watch a movie or taking photos.
8. Put my feet up and close my eyes for at least 30 minutes.
9. Disinfect something! Clean clean clean!
10. Pray many times a day ( easy). Accept the things I cannot change (very hard).

What would you add to your list?

I like to be in control of our situation...and this whole nasty virus has me feeling like I am in a tornado spinning out of control.   So I suppose I am a bit of a control freak (who knew).

Sometimes my thoughts get the best of me.

 I like to know that Far Guy is not taking any unnecessary chances that would place him in peril...

that he isn't walking too far running out of oxygen without having his phone turning blue at the edge of the road about to be run over by the Speedee Delivery guy that drives too fast on our back road that might accidentally encounter a spike stick someday...  see that is what it is like inside  brain at any given moment when I don't know what the heck Far Guy is up to.  He has a very worn out beat up Guardian Angel...that is probably on strike.

We are melting more every day.

Far Side

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  2020 is here.

My husband turns 70 years old this year and I am not far behind him at age 69 this year.   I am not only the Far Side of  Fifty but the Far Side of Sixty also.  Uffda...Uffda

We had a quiet New Years Eve at home doing what we usually do in the evenings, Far Guy watches music videos and I watch TV and crochet/knit or read blogs.  We have intermittent conversation...I talk to myself when he has his head phones on.   Sometimes he lifts a ear phone from his ear and says "Were you talking to me?"  I always deny it...talking to myself works for me.

I have been thinking about my one word intention for 2020.  Last year my word was relax.  Previous years words were kindness, exercise, explore, and ongoing.   I bucked the system one year it was laugh, smile, hug and dance all things that could be accomplished a minute after midnight because I was tired of non attainable resolutions.

So... after much ado...I decided on time.  Time goes so fast and I need to manage my time better.  Time to finish projects I am good at, time to give up on old projects that I am struggling with,  time to organize and reduce, reuse and recycle.

Yesterday on New Years Eve we has sunshine!  It nearly blinded us!  It was a good moral booster even if it was barely above zero.

We have no big plans for New Years Day...we will watch a parade and relax.
Far Side

Stinky

I still subscribe to several magazines.  One of them is Martha Stewart Living.  I opened the latest issue and was assaulted by a horrible smell...worse than hog manure.  Lambcomb of Paree...ode de outdoor biffy.

I emailed Martha Stewart Living and complained...much to my surprise they have fragrance free issues and I am now on that list.  Yeah for someone who is conscious about fragrance sensitive people! 

Far Guy tries to escape the smelly lady at Pulmonary Therapy...as soon as she arrives they set up a fan to blow the scent away from Far Guy...too bad they cannot just tell her that she stinks. 

Now that it is nearing Christmas the fragrance ads on TV multiply...good thing there is no smellavision.  Ever notice how the smelly models are thin, wearing  diaphanous gowns walking around someplace foreign?  Not thick waisted women with silvery hair...

Did I tell you about the escapade with the Unscented Fabric Softener that was smelly?  Naturally I called the phone number on the box and complained.  They said "Sometimes stores put fragrance scented fabric softener sheets next to unscented and the fragrance transfers...so it is not really the manufactures problem."  EXCUSE me...your product states it is Unscented and it stinks...perhaps you should wrap your boxes in plastic wrap!   They said they would forward on my suggestion and they would mail me a coupon and they did. 

  Tamarack one day last week 

Far Side

Thursday Thoughts

Thank you for all your prayers!  Aubrey's surgery went well and she is in recovery mode now and should return to her Grandparents next door to us sometime today or tomorrow.   She is one tough little girl!

Far Guy finally got the medication that will fight the fungus in his lungs.  The antibodies showed up in his blood so the Fungus Test was spot on.  It was frustrating waiting for the medication to arrive..it spent five days in Illinois at some Post Office...go figure.   We are waiting for an appointment with the Infectious Disease Specialist.

My brother and sister in law from Oregon have arrived safely.  They saw snow at The Continental Divide...they brought us a pizza from Duane's Pizza in Moorhead MN. 

My Mom is finally recovering from her bout of pneumonia.  My Dad had a bad cough but he says he is all better now. 

While I was away at retreat and shopping I saw a bingo player that always sits at the table next to us.  I asked her if my Dad was at Bingo she reported "Yes he was there but with a strange woman who we had never seen before."  (My sister)

We enjoyed a quiet lunch yesterday with one of Far Guy's old classmates.  It was good to see Jack again...he was full of it in High School and is a delight to visit with now...still full of it!   He has married again after his first wife died from ovarian cancer.  His new wife also suffered the loss of her husband so they are a good match.  They do some traveling and enjoy each others company.

I am planning my Mother's 90th Birthday party coming up later this month.

Far Side

Why?

I wonder why...

Why do hospitals and clinics use the metered water system in their bathrooms...wet ...soap up...rinse rinse rinse...that water does not stay on for the full Happy Birthday song that is playing in my head.

Why doesn't someone design a backpack purse with closures /zippers toward your back instead of out there where who knows who can unzip something.

Why are some "computer things" so complicated that it takes weeks or forever and ever to resolve problems..  Case in point...I set up Online Banking a month ago, as a test I paid two bills from it...electricity and the phone bill...Yes the bill was paid...but the money remains in our account.  "The Third Party" that takes care of this computer crap stuff says oh yes those bills were paid...and so do the payees...but the money has never left the account...so is it a bottomless pit of money?  The Credit Union knows there is a glitch someplace..a mystery glitch now over a month old.

Why is the Infusion Center located in between the hospital and the clinic where all germy people go...some idiot must have thought putting immune suppressed people in the germy area would make them more money.  Yes, since Far Guy has had four ports now...and each one has failed, he goes to the Infusion Center where he gets an IV every week for his Alpha-One Antitrypsin Deficiency.  We were both sick and tired of doing infusions at home when his port was not working properly...let the gals in the Infusion Center worry about it...after all they can start IV's.   It is still the pits exposing him to germs... but he likes the gals up there..one is the daughter of my cousin and another nurse is the sister in law of my nephew.  The gals take very good care of him and make him coffee. It takes real special Nurses to work in the Infusion Center...I just wish they were off in a building all their own or had a separate entrance.

We are finally done with appointments this week...we had five appointments this week. It is what we do.

The last of the Lupines.

Far Side

Rough Roads

Our area roads are still rough.  We sneak out the back way or make it through one mile of construction to another country road.

We took my baby brothers Gator out to survey the area.   That sand will suck you in...we heard that someone was stranded in the sand overnight until the construction crew came back the next morning.

Seems like so many people are having rough roads lately...Dementia, Cancer, Death, Drug and Alcohol Addiction.  The sadness of it all overwhelms me sometimes.

Far Side

Tuesday Thoughts

East shore of the Big Island of Hawaii January 2019

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunshine

Just a quick thought for today!