Backyard is Bare

 1/12/2020

As I talked about yesterday, all the trees in the backyard are now gone. Without the trees, there is a significant difference. Ya think? One of those differences, is that the backside of our yard is now barren. And, the other thing, is that our house is sunnier, with the trees gone.  

The only tree remaining in the yard is a 30 plus oak tree. I'm assuming that the neighbors will object to have this tree remain in place. But, around here, you never know. In this neighborhood, your neighbors all want to know what's going on in the front and back of your property.

Our neighborhood, has an electronic bulletin board. And, some of the posts, from our neighbors, is absolutely ridiculous. Such as: they spotted a fox. Could it be rapid? The answer I found after research, is the likely hood of having a rapid fox in the area is minimal.

Other posts, are offering things for sale and/or free. I've noticed that some people, are trying to sell a Tupperware pitcher for instance. They are asking, most of the time, ridiculously low prices. If you are asking, let's say, $2.00, do you really think people are actually going to buy this item? I think not. Or, let's put it this way, I wouldn't. 

And, of course, there are people, who are way over the top, price wise. I sell nothing. I did start a book drive last year, and it was very successful.

Series review: The Imposters on Netflix. This show is worthy of binge watching. Our regret, at the moment, is that there are no episodes for us to watch. I will go and find Jeff and I another series to watch.

It's sunny outside, but cold, as far as I'm concerned. When I turn on the fireplace, both girls are quick to try and get as close to the fireplace as possible.They are cold, even though they both have "fur" coats!

The closets, that I've gone through so far, has made me aware (don't tell Jeff), that I owned too many clothes. While purging, I found some clothes that I didn't remember owing. That just sounds sad. Whoever buys my clothes, will be in for a treat. Everything is clean, not stained, ripped or otherwise. I am also donating some of the clothes that I wore while working for a most demanding executive.

Since, it appears that I'm no longer able to cook and/or bake, I have wondered about hiring some kind of sitter, who can help me in the kitchen for instance, as well as going out for a walk. I guess, the best thing for me, would be to have a companion, so that I would have someone to talk to. I don't know how much it costs to have a companion, but definitely worth looking into.

It's a beautiful day here, and I hope you are having one as well. Jeff and I are eagerly awaiting our turn for the vaccine. Will still have to wear a mask, etc., but it's a start.

P

 

Big Doings At The Bassett House

 1/11/2021

After months of waiting, due to schedules and weathers, the tree man came today! So to my neighbor, who is afraid of one of our trees falling on her house. How do you like me now? There is a lot of noise, when you take this many trees down.

We have used this tree company before, and they are nothing short of amazing. By the time they leave today, there will be evidence that our trees were ever in the ground. I haven't gone in the backyard, because I don't want to have the girls running away, when the gate is open. So, I'm watching through my windows, and now they are feeding branches and trees, into a grinder. Such fun. This kind of fun, unfortunately, is costly. But, in the end, definitely worth it.

Our kitchen window is quite long as well as high. When we moved in, some 30+ years ago, the neighbor behind us, had his kitchen window facing ours. Totally unacceptable to this California woman, where privacy is key.

So, to fix this problem, Jeff and I planted Leland Cypress trees across the entire backyard. And, for many, many years, the trees gave us privacy in the kitchen. Flash forward to the here and now, and all of those trees are being taken down. When we moved here, everybody toted that these trees, would make a nice and high barrier against our neighbor.

What they didn't tell us, and it's a biggie, that these trees should be topped off at some point, to keep them from growing too high. Since we didn't know this, the trees kept growing and growing. From time to time, Jeff would cut off a dead branch, but that's all the maintenance, we ever did. 

We learned our lesson about this type of tree, which is shallow rooted, when a tree company came out, to look at the trees. It was deemed that the trees, all of them, had to be taken down. This was a bummer, but this wasn't a verdict that we didn't see coming. Jeff says that only two trees have been taking down completely, and it changes the look in the yard. So no privacy now. 

I think Jeff and I will wait until spring, to plant something in the yard. Perhaps a wall of holly plants. We have a holly bush tree in one corner of our backyard. It's still thriving. Downside? trimming a holly bush is near to impossible. Oh, you can trim it, but then you have to pick up the fallen branches. And, that my friends, is not an easy process.

The other news, is that I can't manage my new  iPhone. When Scott joined AT&T, he bought his family, and ours, new phones. I had an iPhone, oh 4 or so years ago. This was Bella's puppy stage. At that time, anything she could reach, or pull out of a trash can, belonged to her. When we discovered that my cellphone was missing from the counter, way in the back, then a search began. Yes, we did find the phone, but she had chewed on it, and put into dirt. This was a phone that wasn't coming back. My old phone was (a) smaller; and (b) easier to use. I knew that technology of a cellphone was newer, but didn't believe it would be hard to use. And I was wrong. I even bought a dummy book for seniors using an IPhone. First thing, was this new phone was waaaaaay bigger and heavier than the one I had years ago. But, initially I sat down with phone in one hand, and the book in the other. Unlike, my old phone that had a button the bottom, for turning on and off the phone. This one doesn't have that button anymore. And, try as I might, just couldn't understand any of the function buttons. I finally called "Uncle", and the phone is now put away. Jeff reminds me, and he's right, that, for the most part, I'm never alone. And, therefore, have no reason to have and/or use a cellphone. I just wanted one.

For the last few days, I've been cleaning out my closets. And, I have several large plastic bags to donate. I had many clothes that were just too big, some I didn't like anymore, and unfortunately, some that were still too small. I decided, that keeping clothes that were, at the moment, too small, was not a reason to keep them. When I donate these clothes, whoever buys or gets these, will be very happy.

Next project, shoes. Ugh. Over the years, all of them, I had small and narrow feet. Currently, somehow my right foot is now bigger. It makes no sense to buy shoes that I can no longer wear, so I'll just donate them. It's not like my right foot is magically going to get smaller! I wish.

Have to close now. I have a doctor's appointment in a few minutes.

P

 

What Can I Say Today?

 1/8/2021

After yesterday's blog, anything I write today, will hardly compare. I did watch one news cycle this morning. CNN has several morning shows, but you only need to watch one. Each different time of the news, is merely repeating what I've  already seen. Since the news is, for the most part, depressing, it's healthier for me to leave the television, and get started on something else.

Jeff and I gave Benjamin, for Christmas a kerokee (or however you spell it) machine, as well as a green background, and a panel of lights. Happy to say, that these three presents, has spurred Benjamin on, to make YouTube videos. The drawings he creates, also has music playing in the background. If you want to watch his videos, you can go to
https://youtu.be/MpZV1Zed9PA.

As Benjamin's Grandmother, I, of course, think that the work he has already posted, is beautiful. There are three people in the family, who are creative. Me, not being one of them. Hats off to Wendy, Stacey and Benjamin. My skill, if I had to pick one, is writing. I have taken several on-line writing courses, and have enjoyed the assignments. Your prompt, for instance, could be as simple as "You have a red rose". My task, was to create at least a 100 word story, about the rose. Challenging, but fun all at the same time.

I have many things I could write about. My last project was about the missing diary of Abe Lincoln. Jeff even took me to Baltimore so that I could see some of the older churches. In my story, once the slaves managed to get to Baltimore, there was an underground tunnel in a church. The front pew would be moved to reveal the tunnel, and a path to Canada. Obviously, the pew was returned to it's original position. And, the story goes on and on. Over time, I have written probably more than 100 pages of this story. Unfortunately, I have lost my mojo, along the way. 

Some of the things that I learned about, during my research, was that once the slaves had fled the plantation, there was help along the way. One indication of a safe place, was the hanging of quilts. If  the was pattern up, then it was safe. If not, the slaves didn't stop, and kept on going.

Starting to write a book (not likely, but I can dream) is not easy. You have to capture the attention of the reader right away. When I am in a store, and looking for a book, I always read the first few pages. Those pages usually, tell me whether to buy the book, or find something more interesting to read.

After grabbing a reader's attention, then the story must progress. What is the dilemma or problem that the main character(s), has to deal with. How do they handle the crisis? And, of course there is the ending, which I have not yet envisioned. Stumbling blocks on the way to writing, can cause me to, for the moment, the story. 

And, when said book is finished, finding somebody or some company, to actually read it, and then, hopefully, gives you a thumbs up! Wouldn't that be grand? This is much like winning the lottery, if you don't play, you won't, obviously, win anything.
When I have "down" time, which is mostly all of the day, I have started, to organize things around the house. For instance, I would like to stop the struggle of finding a top, and then can't find the bottom, or vice versa.

Please stay safe everyone. As for me, I leave the house only for a doctor or dental appointment. 

Enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday.

P

Yesterday

 1/7/2021

There is only way to describe, at least in polite society, is wow!  Jeff and I spent several hours yesterday, watching history. Albeit terrible history. The kind of history, that you will remember all the days of your life. For example, I remember, and perhaps you do as well, where I was when President Kennedy was assassinated. I was in junior high, and the schools were closed for the day. 

I know that when I got home, my parents were glued to the television. Remember, that at that time, there were very few television channels to choose from. As a preteen, I hadn't developed an interest, in many things that were happening around me.

Fast forward many years, and I now watch the morning and evening news.

The election last year, voted Biden as the new President. These two political parties, Democrat, and Republican, left the country deeply divided.  camps. Democrat or Republican, you choose.

The recounting of votes, over and over again, left all of us in limbo. This has never happened before. You run for office, you lose, you leave. It's as simple as that.

But, yesterday, left me sad and confused. Were there that many people who, like the President, really believed that he had won the election. There were, no fake votes, or duplicate votes from people who died, or lastly, dumping votes into a river. Such nonsense.

And, then yesterday, D.C., was overrun by protestors. Clarification, Trump's supporters. What probably started quietly (I actually don't know this), turned into a horror show. Around the world, heads of states, couldn't understand yesterday's actions. Frankly, at this time, I believe, we have definitely not showed the rest of the world how democracy happens. Unfortunately, just the opposite.

Protest, if you must. But, to have people die during this protest, is unnecessary. When the protesting started getting ugly, that's when no amount of police presence, could stop this mob. They went into the offices of some people, such as Nancy Pelosi, dumped papers all over the floor, sat in her chair (very disrespectful), and took selfies.

Washington, was not the only protest going through the country. Some, but not all, states, also had protesting. For instance, Georgia   Kansas (this I can't imagine) Idaho, Michigan and California, as well as other cities around the country.

I can only imagine, and I hope I'm wrong, that there will be more protesting on the 20th. When people or sports teams are defeated, they congratulate the other team, lick their wounds, or egos, and go home.

In this country, there are Democrats and Republicans. For months, at least it feels that long, people have begun feuding. I understand,

The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. I'm sure that when the Constitution was written, our forefathers couldn't have begun to imagine the events of yesterday. 

Yesterday, in movie terms, would be an action film A movie, that no amount of popcorn, could erase those events.

I, do applaud, Vice-President Pence, for being such a strong leader, which we badly need at this time.

As for the administration, there have been people, who have, or will jump ship. You can't blame them. You know when your ship is going down, that you don't necessarily have to go down also.

Most of you know, that I don't "do" politics. But, today, I just had to go there.

Apologies.

P

History In The Making

1/6/2021

I'm a bit behind this morning. But, as usual I have an excuse. History is unfolding today, and I wanted to watch the news a little longer. 

I'm pretty sure, that in my lifetime, I will, hopefully, never have to life again through all the political shenanigans,we've endured both last year, as well as the beginning of this year. I don't know about you, but I'm word out. The solution, obviously, would of course be, to stop watching the news. And, I just can't do that. This reminds me of driving past a car wreck, and not looking. It's just human nature.

Our Tivo will record the election results in Georgia, for the two seats that need to be filled for the Senate. I don't have to tell you which side I'm rooting for. I'm sure all of you have figured this out.

If we record a show, then Tivo has a button for 30 second skips. Purpose being, to avoid commercials as much as possible. I know that advertising of products, etc., is a revenue stream of money. But while the products see to be interesting, I have never actually stopped a show, to watch an ad.

I have unfinished sorting of clothes. Today, I'll tackle the closets (yes, more than one). I'll use the same method that I did with the spare bedrooms. It either fits, or it doesn't. Simple as that. Don't let sentiments get in the way.

The closets are filled with my going to work clothes. Since I no longer work, I don't have a need to keep all of these clothes. I will keep a certain amount of clothes, that I would wear to go to a party, etc. And, since the virus has ravished our world, there aren't any, or shouldn't be any large gatherings.

For this reason, I'm staying for the most part in the house. If I stay inside, then the zombies can't give the virus to me. I know that Jeff is right about catching the virus. And, now there is this new strain, and it's moving across the country. Okay, I'm a little bit paranoid!

My sincere sympathies, go out to the thousands, if not more, waiting in food lines that look like they are more than a mile long. Nobody, wants to sit in their cars for hours, but you have to do, what you have to do.

Most unemployment assistance, I think, ran out last month. Payments to your landlord, or the mortgage companies have been put on the background, for the moment. I do know somebody who owns a lot of rentals. His theory is, if you don't pay, you don't stay.

I, was in my first marriage, poor, I mean really poor. In the 60's, there were many marriages to veterans coming home. Some may have lasted, but ours did not. It lasted 5 years, until my husband, decided he wanted to marry somebody else. Best thing that could have happened to me. 

Before Jeff came along, a trip to the grocery store, was nothing short of a financial disaster for me. I had a son, and myself to feed. I looked for dented cans, even some out of date. Stale bread, and milk that was right on the edge. As a parent, I didn't like my newly divorced life, and I only received one check for support check. And, then nothing.

When my parents, came to visit me, they never came, without bringing food. Trust me, if you have never gone through this kind of near poverty, then you can't begin to understand, know difficult and hard my life was. 

When Jeff came along, we went grocery shopping. As usual, I looked for all the discounted food, which is all I could afford. Jeff, on the other, who was and still is, my man in shining armor, was going through the store and filling up his cart. When it came to checkout, I remember telling Jeff, that there was no way I could afford all these groceries. His answer was, and I can still remember, that he took my meager amount of food items, and paid for all of the groceries. That was my first experience, but certainly not the last, of being eternally grateful, of Jeff's help. This continues still today, when, because of my short term memory, he has to remind me over and over again, before I tell him, that I can't remember having this conversation. Basically, I'm the cement block, that Jeff has to lug around everyday. And, I wish he could have a better life, than the one he has now. 

Time to close. Closets are calling!

Please stay safe everyone.

P

 

Ugly Weather and Ugly News

 1/5/2021

For the new year, Jeff has bought me a day calendar featuring puppies. How great is that? On gloomy days, which have been many, it makes me happy to look at puppies. 

I watched the morning news, but only for one hours. I can watch one hour of news, and then move on to a pleasant tv show, or a movie. After all of that, I return to my "office", to write my blog. Writing comes easily to me, but there are some days, where I have to really think about the subject.

With the help of a Ritalin pill in the afternoon, I turn into a master organizer. The pill gives me a lot of energy. Completing a project in the afternoon, is very easy. The mornings not so much.

I have scheduled for later, all the nonsense going on in Georgia. I really feel sorry for the people, who have had to recount the votes over and over again.

Today, I wondered what the poll works make. The Inspector gets $150.00 a day. Clerks earn $80.00 a day. And last, but not least, counters earn $8.25 per hour. Normally, of course, with the exception of this election, the poll workers announce the winner of their particular state. Based on the messiness of this election, it might make it difficult to find workers for the next election.

I checked the facts. In history, only four elections have been contested. But, right this minute, everything that could go wrong, has done so. Thanks to CNN, I am recording the news all day. And, I'll do it again tomorrow. Fingers crossed that tomorrow, there's no issue with approving the Electoral College Certification.

I can't decide if my glass is half full or half empty, when I think about the year ahead. Getting everyone vaccinated is likely to take time. I have heard that some people won't be vaccinated until the spring. Argh. Other than giving shots to first responders, nurses, doctors, etc., it's hard to know when it will be our turn. Neither Jeff, or myself, have any doubts about getting the shot, and would likely want to be first in line!

We have lived for nearly a year, wearing masks, distancing and washing hands. Eventually, and I don't know when that is going to happen, it might be hard to return to our normal lives. It's possible that, after this length of time, some of us, may not find it easy to return to work, school, etc. But, I'm sure that we'll be able to adjust to the way things were, before March. 

Because, of the new strain of virus, which has already been in several states, I've decided to just stay home. If, I do this, I'll be relatively safe from getting sick.

Time for me to switch gears, and try and finish up my chore of going through my clothes. Unfortunately, I just might have more than a "tiny" amount of things to go through.

Stay safe everyone.

P

 

 

 

Back to "Normal"

1/4/2021

Today, just about everybody, returns to either work or school. And, what am I doing you ask? Organizing - clothes! This is a daunting task, that requires trying on a number of clothes, to make sure that they are (a) not too big; (b) not drastically too small, as in I'll likely never be able to get my weight down, to wear them; and, finally, clothes that I, frankly, just don't want anymore. 

So far, I have filled 4 of those large plastic bags with clothes, that I'm ready to donate. You know how we ladies always tell our husbands, that we have nothing to wear! For me personally, with the filling of four bags, it is obvious that I had too many clothes (don't tell Jeff), in my closets.

The last time Scott was he mounted a large television in our bedroom. Problem? Last night, for instance, I was watching a show, and I thought I was sleepy. Not so much. A downside to the television in our room, is that I get too wired to go to sleep. This is not good. Perhaps, useful if I want to take a nap during the day.

I have high hopes for this new year. Pretty much anything, would be better than the year we just went through. I don't know when Jeff and I will be eligible for the vaccine, but when it's our turn, we'll be in line. Pretty much like everybody else!

I love Christmas time. Not for the things that I receive, but the presents that I give. But, as my family knows, when Christmas is over, for me, it's really over. I take all the decorations off of my little artificial tree, and along with garland, pack them up for next year. I like lights, all year round. Since it's not hurting anybody, and we seldom have visitors, I'll probably just keep the tree up all this year. If, for no other reason, is how pretty the little tree is, when we tell Alexa to turn on "x" smart plug. Or, however that works.

Scott, who now works for AT&T, he bought his family, and Jeff new cellphones, Samsung I think. At one time, in the early stages of Bella being a puppy, she took my cellphone, out into the yard, chewed on it, pushed it into the mud, etc. This didn't go well once the phone was retrieved, and put to a natural death. I was told at the time, that I would never get a cellphone again ever. But, important to note, I really don't need one, since I am seldom alone. But, if by chance, I do find myself alone, I would be able to call Jeff for help.

I no longer drive  the family thinks that my response to a situation would be com-promised. I agree with everybody, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm only 71, but my world gets smaller and smaller. 

Scott bought me an iPhone, last year, and so far it's sitting on a kitchen counter. I've pushed the phone way in the back. Since I'm not a regular cellphone person, I bought one of those "dummy" books, titled iPhone for Seniors. It's true that I could be told how to do this and that with the phone. But I wouldn't understand and/or remember what I was being told. Much better for me to read this dummy book, and find out exactly how the phone works! 

If, for no other reason, I would like to be able to take pictures. And, perhaps a jog to my memory, of upcoming appointments. Things like that. I don't make calls to my friends, very often. Being me, I always assume that when I call, I'm interrupting their day. For the most part, I know that none of this is true, but that's just how my brain works! Or, how my brain doesn't work so well anymore. I hate, what my life has become. And, it's maddening to those around me, that they have to repeat things multiple times. Notes don't work, because I can't remember where the list is. Such is my life.

Due, in part, because of the new strain of the virus, I have made the decision to not leave the house, unless I have to absolutely go somewhere. For instance, going to get a pedicure is not so important (actually it is) that I should be around other people.

I've even decided not to go to work with my personal trainer. When I'm with the trainer, I generally ride the bike, for at least 10 or 15 minutes. The sessions are for 30 minutes. After being on the bike, it leaves little time to do much else. 

The weather here has been gloomy and rainy for several days. And, this absolutely doesn't improve my mood.

Stay healthy and safe everybody.

P