CRANKY FURNACE???

      

    John and I had what I would call a partnership marriage, at least for the most part. Just yesterday morning, I was wishing I had my partner close to hand. That’s the crummy thing about being a widow (and maybe a widower as well). When your partner is no longer available, it leaves a hole (many holes) in your (my) life.

          After eating my breakfast, I went to get ready for the day. That’s when I realized the house was pretty cold. And it’s frosty and cold outside as well. I checked the thermostat and it said it was 63 degrees. It should say that it’s 68 degrees. I messed around with the dang thing, but the furnace didn’t come on. This is worrisome.

          I went to the furnace closet and the exhaust pipe (I think that’s what it is) was COLD. It didn’t appear the furnace was working. So, I flipped a switch. There are two and I can’t now remember which one I flipped. I think it was the one for the fan which I turn on in the summer when it’s hot outside. Anyway, the furnace rumbled to life and is still going strong about thirty minutes later. The house is warming up.

          This is where having John available would be very desirable. I know nothing about furnaces. That would have been his side of the partnership, a side I never needed to know much about. I did try to call AJ, but he didn’t answer so I just hung up. I’ll have to talk to him later and see what he has to say about the furnace…he’s an HVAC guy

          Meanwhile, this furnace was installed in 2001, so it’s twenty-five years old. When John thought the furnace was making noise in the middle of the night (it was a water hammer) about ten years ago, AJ completely rebuilt the dang thing over three weekends. As far as I know, he didn’t provide a warranty; and had he even done so, I’m sure it would have expired by now.

          When I began this year’s blog, I believe I posted about what I might need to replace in 2026. I think it was a refrigerator and this computer. I guess I need to amend that list and add a new furnace; but only if my HVAC savvy son is unable to keep it going. Still, I wish I had an inhouse partner to help with some of the stuff that needs attention. I sincerely hate having to be the sole responsible person.

"WHAT ME WORRY?"

 

          I guess it’s a good thing I’m doing this blog mostly for my own enjoyment as well as an effort to put some form of stability or routine in my life. It also might be an effort to see just how badly my memory is doing…or good. I’m sure you’d like to know what brought this revelation to light.

          Just the other day…and maybe many other days…I was trying to tell a story about something that happened in my life. As I was recalling and telling, I realized I wasn’t sure about the information I was sharing. Did it happen then? Did it happen like that? Was I mixing up that story with another story? Ah, who the hell knows…I certainly didn’t seem to. So, I gave up telling the story, but it made me more aware of what’s happening in my head…or not happening.

         Should I be overly concerned about this lapse…and others I’ve had/am having? I’m not exactly sure. I do know my own name, where I live, how to get about the streets of my community (and beyond), my financial information, and tons of other information necessary for day-to-day life. It’s the past information I seem to be having a hard time accessing, recalling, or sharing.

          I always thought that as I aged, my memories of long ago would become sharper and clearer rather than not, at least that’s what I’d always heard. And yes, there are definitely memories from my past that remain clear and that I could share without missing a beat.

          So, I guess I’ll choose to not worry about those momentary…or longer…lapses in memory. I guess as long as the important memories remain fresh and available, there’s no need to worry. Rather, when I can’t recall my name, address, bank account and fail to pay my bills, eat, shop, all the normal daily activities, then I should worry…or will the ability to worry leave as well…I certainly hope so because I don’t think I want to know when someone else steps in to run my life. 

          Think I’ll take a lesson from Alfred E. Neuman…”What, me worry?”

ZIP, ZERO, ZILCH

Nothing to say today. Just blogging to say I’ve blogged today. I’ll try to do better in the coming days.

GRANDDAUGHTER MOVES ON

           

My granddaughter has asked me to not talk about her on Facebook, and maybe not on my blog as well, but sometimes I just have to. This is probably because I am so very proud of the young women she has become. And it’s not like her parents have handed her everything on a silver platter, but they did instill an amazing work ethic in this kid.

          What brings her to the forefront of my thoughts at the moment is the fact she has moved into an apartment. By the end of the weekend, she’ll be joined by her significant other, but for almost two weeks, she’s been living on her very own and loving, loving, loving it. I’m sure she’ll love it when he moves in with her as well.

          I could go on for pages about this young woman even were she not my granddaughter. She sailed though high school, taking AP courses and finished almost a year before her actual graduation day. Not to sit back and be bored, she went to a community college and achieved a welding degree. If that wasn’t enough, she decided she’d like to go away to school, so applied to Wyotech in Wyoming to study diesel mechanics. She left there able to work on diesel engines.

          Her true love, if you can call it that, was, however, welding, so she’s been working as a welder for the last two or three years. She met her significant other at school in Wyoming and he, fortunately, lives in the area. Since her return, they’ve been moving between his dad’s house and her parents.

          Now, they’re setting up housekeeping together…is it okay to say housekeeping like that these days??? In any case, my wonderful granddaughter is off on a new adventure, that of being a totally independent adult. Based on her past accomplishments, I know whatever her future holds will be absolutely amazing.

          So, granddaughter, sorry for writing about you again…but dang it, I’m just so fucking  proud of you…so there!!!

REACHING FOR FIVE STARS

             

 I know I’ve written about how I choose what kind of day to have, what kind of attitude to have, what kind of life I want to have. But, it’s not always just that easy. Sometimes it’s so hard to make a positive choice. Sometimes, it almost seems as if making a choice isn’t possible.

          Currently, (Friday morning) I’m having excruciating pain in my left hip/buttock. I have no idea why this is happening aside from it being another symptom of old age. I’m trying to be proactive about the problem. I’ve researched how long hip replacements are supposed to last; and apparently, mine should be good for another fifteen years if not more.

          Years ago, I saw a spine doctor. My lower spine, i.e., the vertebrae and disks between them are in the process of degenerating, probably due to arthritis. This doctor told me I could have injections to help with the problem; however, I decided I wanted to put that treatment off as long as possible…guess that long as possible has arrived.

          I’ve emailed my doctor asking for a referral back to the spine doctor since I couldn’t find him on my list of providers…guess it’s been too long and he’s fallen off. I don’t know what she’ll say…probably get a response from someone else and likely that someone else may not have English as a first language and not understand my request…my experience with the last two emails I’ve sent.

          In any case, it will probably be weeks, or even months, before I’m seen by anyone unless I want to walk into Urgent Care and spend a day waiting for someone to see me, provide a diagnosis and schedule some form of treatment. Being an HMO member doesn’t always provide care when you want it, but regardless, I think the entire health industry works just that way.

          Besides whining here, I’ve done all my home physical therapy/exercises, eaten my breakfast, gone through my emails and made an online visit to my health provider. All that accomplished, it’s time to get up off this chair and begin my day. I’ve lots of stuff to do, i.e, tidy up the house, clean up the kitchen, make a dish for this afternoon’s potluck, make a huge salad for myself before the salad makings go bad, and clean up the kitchen again. This is all before I get myself dressed and ready to attend this afternoon’s retirement party.

          Unfortunately, most of the above efforts will require my standing up and that will make the pain very prevalent. I suppose I’ll be interspersing the work with trips to lean against my heating pad. That helps some, but I’d give almost anything for a good pain medication. I have some very old Percocet, but I don’t think it will be of any help with this problem.

          So, I’m choosing to have as good a day as possible…maybe not a five-star day, but the sun is shining, I’m alive, and have a party to attend…time to be positive and reach for at least four stars.

JEALOUS...GUESS NOT

          

 When I was writing yesterday’s post, I wondered exactly why that had come up as a topic in my mind. Once finished, I realized it was the result of a conversation at my Driftwood Sculpting class.

          There is a gentleman in the class who was there when I began three or so years ago. He was a week into a new relationship with a woman ten years his senior, i.e., she was 90. That relationship bloomed and they are still together. He mentioned this week that they are going to design “engagement” rings and have them made, but they won’t be getting married. The rings are just something they both want to commemorate their relationship as it is.

          During this discussion, another gentleman was mentioned whose wife had died. Apparently, he’s now dating and is quite happy with the woman that’s come into his life. My driftwood friend hopes these individuals become a couple.

          Then, there’s a good friend whose husband died. She was quite happy being on her own, travelling and enjoying life the way she wanted it to be. I learned some time last summer that she now has a man in her life and he’s wonderful. In fact, they actually went to the same high school and graduated the same year.

I have to admit there was a part of me that was/is hugely jealous of these individuals and their “new” relationships. I, too, would like to have someone in my life; but at the same time, I don’t want the bother of developing a liaison and going through all the various ways in which I, and he, would have to learn to communicate and compromise.

          There’s also the fact that in the small circle I travel, available men are few and far between. There hasn’t been a single one that’s caught my eye since John passed. And I know, how can I possibly be so picky at my age…but I am.

          So, I guess having grass green eyes when it comes to new relationships for other friends will just have to be the norm for me. Of course, I should never say never because who knows what’s waiting around the corner. Seriously, though, I doubt there will ever be a new man in my life. Kuma and I will soldier on.

WANTING/NEEDING COMFORT

          

 Do you remember what it was like when you were very young and something happened that was either small or huge and made you feel awful…lots of times sending the tears flowing? I do. I also remember being picked up by an adult, usually mom, grandma or daddy, or when I got bigger, being able to crawl into their laps/arms for a cuddle. Do you remember how wonderful it was to have all the “pain,” whether physical or mental practically erased by the time the tears dried? I do.

          Even today, I can remember how my mom smelled. She smelled like soap, cigarettes and sometimes mouthwash. Daddy smelled like cigarettes, flour and sweat sometimes. Grandma’s odor was different. She smelled like her clothing which always seemed clean and fresh, but sometimes, she also smelled like the snuff she put in her lower lip. All those smells and all those arms and hands, not to mention the voices provided so much solace and reassurance. I can remember how whatever my problem had been, it was solved by the time I moved away from them.

          These days, I wish it were possible to have this eighty-year-old body and mind comforted in just that way. Unfortunately, there’s no adult in my life that could sooth my physical or mental hurts in any fashion. Kuma will allow me to give him as many hugs and pets as I could possibly want, but it’s more for his pleasure than my consolation. I will admit though that there is a great amount of comfort to be had from Kuma and I’m grateful for him and his presence.

          I believe I’ve written about this before. Long ago in an English class, there was a short article about the importance of skin. Newly born, growing up, being in a relationship, becoming a parent were all discussed because there was an abundance of skin, i.e., touch during those times. The article ended by discussing how older folks suffered from a lack of skin which might be detrimental to those folks’ health.

          There was also an article about how many hugs is necessary for good health. This was just discussed at my exercise class last week. The minimum necessary per day is four. The best number is twelve hugs each day. Anything beyond those twelve is icing on the cake. Well, damn, I don’t have the cake, let alone the icing.

          I guess the best I can do with all this reflection is to remember the comfort given and received during all those times there was a lot of skin in my life, and to be thankful for those memories.

ZERO COSTCO VISIT

          

 Today I went to Costco. Big deal right? Well, it really was a big deal because I walked out empty handed!!! How about that!!!

          My purpose in going there was to have new connectors put on my hearing aids. I’m having a hearing test next week and wanted to make sure the aids were in tip-top shape. I was told it would be about twenty minutes before they’d be ready.

          I went and ordered a slice of cheese pizza. No need for a soda since I had my water bottle from exercise class. While I ate, I looked at my phone…like every single other person there…before I took up watching the folks who’d gone through the checkout line and were leaving. I’m always amazed at the amount of product that ends up in other people’s carts. I don’t think I’ve ever bought that much stuff at one go in my life. But then, I haven’t ever had a huge family to feed either.

          Finished with the pizza, I decided to walk around and look at all the stuff I don’t ordinarily look at. Usually when I go to Costco, I have a list, know where what I’m there for is located, so don’t wander up and down the other aisles. It was interesting.

          What was more interesting, at least to me, was my thoughts about all the products I saw. There were so many that I would have loved to buy except for one small thing…well, two small things. First, my need for anything I looked at, including the women’s clothing, is pretty much nil. I already have more than enough stuff to use and wear without adding anything else.

The second small thing is cost. I’ve determined I’m going to be frugal this year. No spending to gain something I merely want as opposed to need. I don’t know how successful this new campaign will be as the year progresses, but so far, I haven’t purchased anything that wasn’t/isn’t necessary…good for me, right? Right!!!

I must admit that as I walked out Costco’s door, I felt very proud of myself even though there was a bit of regret over what I’d really liked but denied myself.

WATER

 

       Water is a resource that doesn’t get much of my attention. I don’t think the majority of my family and friends spend too much time thinking about water, especially here in the Northwest where it rains a lot. I admit I spent a bit of time thinking about water as I drank a lot of water the past couple of days, plus I’ll probably continue as long as my diet includes the ham in the fridge.

You see, on Sunday I baked a ham. I had ham for dinner and boy, was I thirsty. Then, I had ham for lunch and dinner yesterday and if I had been thirsty on Sunday, by Monday evening, I was as parched as the Sahara. This ham-induced thirst led to my epiphany.

Water, ice cold, ice cubes clinking against the water bottle. Gulp after gulp was wonderful. I couldn’t get enough. The feel of it’s iciness in my mouth, cascading down my throat and into my stomach. I was sure I knew what those characters in the old cartoons that crawled across the desert felt. I could hardly get enough water. I filled my water bottle at least three times yesterday afternoon and evening. Of course, that resulted in countless trips to the bathroom.

During this craving for water and more water, I tried to imagine what it would be like to live someplace else in the world where water is scarce, a luxury that I couldn’t afford to guzzle. That made me think about the various stories that report on how our water resources are in danger of becoming rare even though the world has so much water.

Still thirsty, I decided I didn’t want to reflect on a life that wouldn't allow me to drink all I wanted, especially not when my water bottle was in need of a refill and my thirst hadn’t yet been fully quenched.

REJUVENATED!!!

        

  Again, what a difference a day/night makes. I slept very well last night and woke up rejuvenated. Did a fairly major house clean and baked a ham. All that’s left for today is to prepare whatever I’m eating with my ham and take a shower/shampoo for the day to be complete.

          That doesn’t mean I dusted every single thing in the house because I didn’t. Have to leave something for me to do tomorrow. Actually, beginning tomorrow, I’m going to devote at least an hour, maybe two, to driftwood sculpture. I’m anxious to finish “Shipwreck” and will post a photo once it’s done.

          I also took advantage of the rain stoppage. Initially, I went out to put the garbage bins at the street. I cleaned up after Kuma and got the garbage and recycle bins down the driveway. I put the food scraps, etc., in the yard waste and realized there wasn’t much in there except last week’s and this week’s food scraps. So, I decided I’d have a quick go at pruning my hibiscus since it wasn’t raining.

          I clipped and even pulled out the heavy-duty pruners. Somehow, I managed to finish both bushes before it began to rain hard. It didn’t take all that long, although I had to stop and make Kuma go in the house. He wouldn’t stay in his driveway or front yard. I need to figure out some way to keep him localized if he’s going to be out there with me.

          So, lots done today and I’m pleased with moi. Guess a day of rejuvenation is very worthwhile.

WAS I REJUVENATING???

 

I think there’s a saying about how, “what a difference a day makes.” Well, in my case, it’s more like, “what a difference a night makes.” As I type this I wonder if I go back to bed for the second time today (Saturday) whether I’ll get up feeling more like the way I felt pretty much this whole year so far, or if I’ll get up still feeling “blah.”

There wasn’t anything unusual about my night. I believe I slept well and yet I could hardly keep my eyes open the first time I got up at 6:30 am. I was back in bed before 7:10 am, Kuma watered, latte drank and slept for more than another hour. Sitting here typing I feel like I could go back to bed for the whole day. I have no energy whatsoever and it’s hard to keep my eyes open.

It's not like I have a huge “to-do” list, although I do have one. It’s not like I worked my ass off yesterday. The human body, or at least my human body, is a wondrous mystery. Is it trying to tell me something by being so tired? Am I too out of tune with my body to recognize the message? Is my mind playing tricks on my body? I just don’t understand how I can go from feeling great one day to feeling so tired in simply a matter of hours…hours that were supposed to re-energize me.

So, I guess I’ll simply ignore the to-do list and take myself back to bed and see if more rest will give me more energy. Lord knows I really hate feeling the way I feel right now.

Well, Kuma and I did spend the entire day in bed. I put on Netflix and watched most of a rather boring program, “Runaway.” We did get up to make and eat lunch, but that was it. Now, as I type this so I can post it, water is heating to boil spaghetti noodles for my dinner. The salad’s already made and it won’t take long to fix some garlic bread.

I guess I could be rather depressed about “wasting” an entire day, but I’m going to choose to look at it as a necessary rejuvenation…nine great days followed by one that, I hope, will renew me for another nine plus???

A WIDOW'S DINNER INVITATION

           

Long ago I heard or read about how much a widow’s life changes once the husband has passed. I haven’t really thought about that very much in the time John has been gone; however, just recently, listening to a friend talk about inviting a couple to dinner, it popped up in my memory…I guess it took my old 286 six-plus years to grind that information to the forefront.   

          I have to admit the information I filed away all those years ago definitely had merit. When John died, family and friends were very solicitous, but as time passed, invitations and connections ceased or became rare. I cannot, well, I guess I could, tell you how many of my friends are half of a couple; and while I may see/talk to/lunch with the wife, an invitation to the home for dinner, or really any occasion, is rarely, if ever, issued. This also applies to married family members.

          It’s as though my widowhood has turned me into a pariah. I’m a good enough/close enough family member/friend to warrant a weekly phone call or visit or lunch date, but not so much when it comes to issuing an invitation into the home of that family member or friend.

          I haven’t done any research to see if this is applicable to the majority of widows and probably won’t. There’s the potential to find out that this “isolation” isn’t applicable to most widows, that it’s only applicable to me because I’m not really such a great family member or friend.

Regardless, eating dinner on my own the majority of the 365 days of the year is lonely but I’ve become used to it. And it’s not like I spend all of those days here in my house on my own. I’ve lots of activities and interests that keep me occupied in positive ways; and while I could spend more time than this wondering if there’s actually something wrong with me that prevents those invitations, I choose to end this blog post and get on with the life I have.

A POTENTIAL SOLUTION???

 

The other day a friend and I were talking about the state of the country/world…it’s definitely very very sad. I thought of something that might result in improvements; and I’m a bit hesitant about sharing that idea because who knows who/what may come knocking on my door, but I’m going to share anyway and hope you, my dear reader, will come to my aid (bail me out) if necessary.

Now, I’ve heard, or maybe even read, about how folks think someone should perform an assassination of one particular person. That’s all well and good, but would the replacement be any better…most likely not. I do think, however, that multiple assassinations could result in some changes.

Were I to be in a position to do any such thing, I’d choose to eliminate a number of the billionaires that keep getting mentioned. I keep reading how the “master” is only satisfying what these billionaires want. With the exception of a couple of those billionaires, I have no idea who all those billionaires are. I suppose were I completely serious about a follow-through, I could research and figure out who these people are.

How would this improve the country/world you question. I really have no idea and I wasn’t the least bit high when I came up with this idea. I most likely assumed (ASS of U & ME) that without the head of these companies, the pressure on the “master” just might cause a cessation of some of these hostilities.

Of course, these billionaires have probably developed a plan that would continue on even without their leadership. That’s what I’d have in place were I to be one of them. But I live in HOPE that somehow, someway, sanity will return to those making the decisions that are so horribly, and maybe even will continue to, affect all our lives in a negative way, and by our lives, I mean all of us who are not billionaires.

Anyway, there’s my solution for what it’s worth…most likely not even a single penny. And, apologies to the author whom I cannot remember who wrote the book about the cabal of billionaires who controlled the world.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY WORLD???

 

Just when did the country/world decide to go absolutely insane??? I mean, really, China is doing this, North Korea that, Russia continues its war with Ukraine, and now the United States has gone so far beyond bombing potential drug carrying boats to invading Venezuela, kidnapping the elected leader and his wife. If that’s not enough, the United States wants Greenland and is toying with the idea of an invasion there.

          I also saw a cartoon/meme where the idiot in the White House and his cronies in China and Russia are talking about “spheres of influence.” Seriously, what happened to the United States of America being a leader that provides a democratic example of how a country should be governed??? What happened to, “…by the people, for the people….”???

          Since I live in a “blue” state, perhaps that’s why I see so much information that’s totally negative about what’s happening. I wonder if folks who live in red states see the same information; and if so, why aren’t they terribly concerned about where the United States is headed? I just DO. NOT. GET. IT!!!

          I lived through and participated (to an extent) in the Vietnam war protests and know it was my hope, and that of so many others, that there would be no more war in our lifetimes. Of course, it didn’t happen because it wasn’t long before the Mideast erupted and the United States just had to get involved. From that point on, it seems to me that my country has participated, in one way or another, to promote overseas difficulties. Perhaps I’m just terribly naïve, but is there some huge reason why we cannot have peace.

          Writing this blog piece, I thought of a book I read a very long time ago. I’m sure if my 286 grinds long and hard enough, the title and author will come to me, but for here and now, I’m just going to share the book’s ultimate message. There was a cabal of powerful and wealthy men (billionaires now) who met infrequently to talk about where the world needed to go next in order to continue their ability to amass wealth. This group would decide what needed to happen, and then find and fund a way to make it happen. Since it was fiction (but was it really???), the long term goals weren’t easily  had, and heros and  heroines saved the day/year/century.

          I feel like this author’s message is coming to fruition. My question is where are those heros and heroines today…we need them desperately.

BLOG CONCERNS

 

When I decided I’d try to post something to my blog every single day, I had no idea how difficult it might turn out to be. It’s not like I want to just blog about normal, ordinary things. I’d like to blog about things that really matter. Unfortunately, at my age, the things that matter seem to have disappeared.

I mean, seriously, it’s not like I have a love interest and activities with which I could titillate your imaginations because I don’t. And, I don’t want one either. So, what on earth should I blog about that would bring you to this site every single day to see just what on earth I had to say about whatever.

What it all boils down to is just my day-to-day stuff. Okay, Monday, I went to Costco and bought what I needed to replenish my pantry. Now when I need a can of tomato paste, it’s there, waiting to be used. I also went to QFC where I stocked up on a variety of beans so I can make soup/chili whenever I choose. How exciting is that when it comes to publishing a blog…not very at all. And, wouldn’t you know, when I was contemplating making something just Tuesday, I discovered I didn’t have all the ingredients…$300.00 later and my cupboard is still lacking.

I seriously wish I could find an agreeable male with whom I could perform all kinds of sexual acts with which I could regale you, my favorite reader; however, I don’t want another male in my life and don’t really have the energy to satisfy myself on my very own and then write about it.

If you, my faithful, or even now and then reader, would like to provide some subjects about which you’d like me to provide my opinion or blog about, please don’t hesitate to share that with me.

I’ve a feeling my life is far too boring to actually sustain a blog in any fashion. I’m probably just kidding myself when I think I have something to say about my life in general or whatever is happening in the world in general to share with my readers…all three, maybe four of them.

Seriously, I have no idea how many people actually read the blog posts I make. I have no idea whether those folks think I’m clever, funny, or just plain boring. That’s mostly because I don’t know how many people actually look at my blog. It could be like fifty, but only one or two post some kind of a response, so I’ve no idea if what I post actually gets read. 

I guess it’s a good thing I post mainly for my own pleasure/amusement. Folks who read this and post some kind of comment are actually icing on the cake…and I thank you.

THANKFUL FOR AJ

 

It’s great to have a son who’s willing to lend a hand when needed. If I had a ton of money, I’d just hire someone to do the stuff I ask him to do, i.e., change the water filter under the sink and replace a light in the laundry room. That was on the list for his visit this past Sunday.

AJ doesn’t come weekly, and I don’t always have a project on which he needs to work. Lord knows, I’m sure I could make a “Honey Do!” list that would have him busy each and every time. But, I don’t because I don’t want to impose too heavily on his good graces. In return, I try to give him whatever soup I’ve made or some other gift of “Mom’s cooking.”

Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without AJ’s assistance. I’m genuinely grateful.

MOLES, THE SCOURGE OF MY GARDEN

           

Moles…I hate moles; not the kind on your body although if I had a lot of them, I’d probably hate those too. I’m talking about the ones that love to make a mess of my garden. I believe that for the moment, they are dormant; at least none of the decorations planted in the garden have been knocked over recently due to the tunnels beneath.

          The woman next door calls some mole removal service; and while I haven’t checked into that, I believe it wouldn’t fit into my budget. Years ago, I went to a seminar about gardening and the man giving the talk said that having a man pee (women don’t have the right smell/hormones) on the mounds will chase the moles away.

          You laugh, but I told the man who lived across the street and when he had to get up in the middle of the night, he’d go out and pee on the mounds. The moles left and have not returned to that yard and that was years ago. John wasn’t able to get out there to do that to my mole hills back then, so I had him pee in a bottle. Apparently, the pee has to be fresh, or John’s pee was wrong because it didn’t work.

          I receive a gardening catalog from some company, the name of which escapes me right this second. They advertised a method of eliminating the moles. I ordered it, two bags actually. It’s kind of like slug bait in composition. You sprinkle it all about your garden and the moles leave. Well, it worked the first time, but the moles must become habituated to it because this past year it did not work. I’m currently trying to decide if I should order a bunch more and spread it every single place in both the front and back yards.

          One year I tried ordering nematodes. Supposedly, they would take care of the “bugs” in the soil that the moles love to eat. This was expensive and very messy. The nematodes arrived dry and I had to put them into a spray container with water. Then I sprayed them all over the place. Again, I’m not sure they worked.

          Supposedly, the only mole deterrent that really works is catching them. I’m sorry, but I’m old and the idea of digging down to the tunnel, setting a trap and then going back to remove the, hopefully, dead mole seems just a bit beyond my abilities.

          The fact I have a greenbelt on the other side of my fence doesn’t help matters either. I’m sure the moles run rampant back there and eventually decide a trip into my garden for a potentially better menu is the way to go. Well, I’d really like them to just GO!!!

Meanwhile I guess I’ll check with the neighbor and get her mole catching firm’s name. It really sucks to work hard in my garden only to get up the next morning and find new mounds and tunnels…I hate that.

HYENA COMMERCIALS

           

For last couple of weeks, I’ve been sick with a cold and sore throat. As a result of that and lack of energy, I’ve watched a lot of television. I mostly watched old episodes of Criminal Minds, Law and Order, and whatever else caught my eye. I didn’t have the energy or focus ability to find something on Netflicks or Prime or HBO.

          Once good thing about being older is my ability to remember whether I’d seen the episodes before. There were a few where I knew what was going to happen, but so many others were just like new episodes to me. What really caught my eye/attention; however, were the commercials.

          These ads were for a wide variety of what had to be nonprofit companies trying to raise money for their cause whether it was dogs, cats, elephants or children or fixing the country in some way. I hate these commercials and wouldn’t donate a penny to any one of them and here’s why.

          Every single ad asks the viewer to pledge $19.00 every single month forever. Why $19.00? Has some ad reviewer reached the conclusion that this amount will really resonate with the viewer? I have no idea. Another aspect of these commercials is how they portray the immediacy of what my $19.00 will prevent, i.e., the animal won’t starve, especially if I pledge right now. Seriously, how is my pledge going to save an animal that’s on the verge of death? By the time the organization acquired my first $19.00, the animal would be long gone.

          The final thing that irritated the hell out of me was the “gift” I’d receive once I pledged, i.e., a plush or t-shirt. Why can’t these organization utilize those funds to feed the poor starving creatures? And, okay, the cost of these “gifts” is probably minimal, but if you put all those pennies together, you’d have enough to buy some dog food.

          These commercials must work; however, because they play over and over; sometimes more than once in the hour-long program. So, there must be people out there who take a photo of the QR code and sign up to provide $19.00 to that organization forever.

          I don’t have a lot of “disposable” income, but should I choose to make a gift to an organization, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll check them out on Charity Navigator first. I tried that with a couple of the ones I saw and they weren’t rated…wonder why???

         I used a photo of a hyena because, while these organizations weren't asking me for funds to save them, in my opinion, they are closely related to this animal. 

SEARCHING FOR....

 

          For the last few months I’ve been going through stuff in the house. I think it was October when Thor and Xander came and hauled away all the boxes I’d filled. I think I blogged about this effort the end of October. In any case, it’s stuff that’s GONE.

          Just this past week, I was unable to find two pieces of paper I thought I needed, i.e., the property tax valuation card and the property tax notice. The excellent result of this fruitless search was two bags of shredded documents and clean files to begin 2026. Imagine my chagrin when I unclipped the papers that required these documents only to discover both documents attached behind. To add insult to injury, once I read over the document I planned to fill out, it became clear I receive too much money to qualify for old age assistance. Ah well.

          What brought me to write this post was one of the finds I made while searching…Kuma’s baby teeth. There they were, at least the ones I found/saved in a little plastic envelope. Looking at those and comparing them to his adult teeth, it doesn’t seem possible Kuma was ever that small. I don’t have all of them, only eight and am wondering if I couldn’t turn them into a piece of jewelry? You know, encase them in clear liquid plastic and make a bracelet or earrings. Seriously, do you know anyone who has their puppy’s baby teeth in some kind of format like this? Me neither…perhaps I could start one of those do it at home businesses I read about on Facebook.

          In the process of cleaning out drawers, I also pulled out all the connecting cords for I don’t know how many electronic devices. I’m sure I don’t even own some of the recipient pieces. They’re currently in a big pile on the counter with the exception of two which I was smart enough to identify at some point. I guess I need to spend a bit of time figuring out which cord goes to which gadget and eliminate the ones that no longer have a partner.

          Ah, the joy in my life is simply indescribable…can you tell???

LOOKING AHEAD

           

Looking forward from the lofty perch of the second day of the year, I’m feeling just a bit concerned financially. This is because I may have to make several purchases before the year ends. It’s funds I’m not too happy about spending, but the spending may become necessity.

          First, it’s this computer on which I’m currently typing. It was bought around 2016 or so, I think. I remember I had to buy two computers then (John needed one too) because there was a major glitch caused by Seattle City Light. That glitch paid for the computers and a couple of other things that were broken by a huge power surge. In any case, it’s been a good computer and is still working just fine.

          Why replace my computer you ask if it’s working just fine. Well, it has an old Microsoft Windows program and Microsoft has informed me, now almost on a daily basis, that this program is no longer supported. I guess that means I could lose everything that’s on this computer, but I’m not exactly sure. I guess I’ll need to do a bit of research before it gives up the ghost permanently.

          Still, I hate the thought of a new computer and having to figure out all the ins and outs. And yes, I know, it will be a learning challenge and at my age, I should welcome these challenges. But I don’t, really. I find myself preferring things not change AT ALL.

          The second purchase, which I’ve been aware of for some time, is a new refrigerator. Again, the one I have is working just fine. It freezes stuff in the freezer compartment and keeps the stuff cold in the other part. So, what’s the problem you ask.

          The problem is that there is water leaking down the back wall of the inside. It’s not a flood, but does require I use a couple of towels to soak it up when the puddle in the bottom of the fridge becomes large enough to want to run out onto the floor. This happens about every two weeks and it’s not a huge chore to rectify. I Remove one of the vegetable drawers and soak the water up with towels. The water isn’t stinky or discolored, merely COLD.

          My son, at some point last year, investigated the problem, thinking the drain line was plugged. It was not and he couldn’t figure out where or how the water was originating. It’s more of an annoyance than a problem, but it could definitely become one which would require the purchase of a new refrigerator.

          There are other things that could potentially require large monetary expenditures, but I’m choosing to be an ostrich; and, while I cannot actually stick my head in the sand, I am choosing not to think of those other large potential monetary necessities on this, the second day of the new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL

          

 Happy New Year y’all. On this, the first day of 2026, I’ve resolved (That’s not the same as making a resolution, and I checked the thesaurus to make sure.) to attempt to blog every single day. Some days it may not be more than a sentence or two, especially if I’m not feeling especially inspired; and other days, it might be a lot more.

          I’ve resolved to do this in an effort to get my life under control; and it’s not as though my life has become crazy because, if anything, it’s boring, boring, boring. What I’m attempting is to put aside the books I spend hours of my day devouring only to barely remember what they were about a few days later. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a way for me to avoid my life and the choices I need to make to have a better one.

          I’ve also resolved to not post on Facebook every single time I blog which will be every single day. This decision isn’t necessarily new because I haven’t been doing that with the blogs I’ve posted now and then in the past. I will post this particular blog piece mainly to let y;all know I’m back at it. It will be then be your choice to save the link and check back now and then to see if I actually have anything to say every single day.

          What’s the plan that will keep me from burying my nose in a book while life rushes on by…and believe me, at the ripe old age of eighty, it’s RUSHING, RUSHING< RUSHING. Well, I want to spend more time working on my driftwood since I now have a space set up for that very purpose. I also want to keep a cleaner, more organized house. And, Kuma, poor Kuma, he needs way more attention than he’s been receiving, so we must take walks and play together. When spring arrives, and perhaps before, I want to be out in the garden. I enjoy that, especially when it grows and blooms and becomes what I envisioned.

          Finally, I want to make my fingers dance across the keyboard while my brain pulls thoughts, ideas and stories from its recesses. And, like I said in the beginning of this, the first one, my brain may provide only a sentence or two; but I never know until my fingers begin to dance over the keyboard what may come forth. Please save and use the link you found on Facebook for my daily posts.