Catching Up

Family visiting over the weekend and then some
was wonderful.
My daughter walks 1/2 dozen times a day on the property,
Callie always with her and this little dog has slept most of day
since family left - she is exhausted...

Trip to market and found my small steak, along with  mushrooms (noticed on package
it said they were a Power Food,
fresh spinach (I used a new dressing, I usually just use olive oil and lemon juice
but added few drops of the dill and yogurt dressing - so tasty.

The young man unloading vegetable near me and I asked "do you have a sharp knife"
had him cut the long ends off for me that I usually do a home, also remarked that the
spinach always so wet - he pulled out 3 pieces of paper towel and wrapped it for me ;)

Very cool mornings, like 42 here this early morning and now sun is shining and high 70's.
In the morning first frost expected.   A new young man helping me, oh what a blessing
he even helped me with my new computer and it seems all the young ones know so
much about computers.

Oven repaired today, always bake once a week. At market something new
4 fresh baked chocolate eclairs in a package.   Remember years ago buying at a bakery.
Purchased, looked at the calories - 210 each one - I thought good maybe this will put a
pound on me, had one at 2:00 meal and may eat another one this evening :)

Heat unit running and hopefully it will through Winter and next Summer, not going to purchase a new
one at this time.  Being urged to do so by this by service man, but have always gone by
"if I do not know what to do - I do nothing."

Still learning
about settings on new computer.
At the moment cannot find pictures from my camera
that were recently downloaded - seems new mouse drags, so accustomed to my old one :)
and keyboard seems different - more rapid.
Told I will learn and will take time, but has caused me some anxiety.
I do believe local children feel I am more capable then I am at the moment.
Maybe I am - so much is changing and trying to not analyze so much - but then
this has always been a part of my personality

Pleased my SIL  left my old one for a while in case
I need to use it instead of new computer.

As I shared in the past
do not want my writing of the future
to focus on health issues
but is becoming me.
Seems I have a few hours of almost my normal self
then terrible pain surfaces along with balance issues.
One day at a time I will continue and next week
cortisone shots in shoulders which usually helps.
My visiting daughter
kept saying
"you are focusing too much on pain and you are giving it a Life"
trying not to do this and find when someone is here with me by the woods
I do better - changes my focus :)

My Jamie
took this picture
really like it
and wish I had taken it :)

Everyone
take care
and thank you from the bottom of my heart
for keeping in touch....

A Day In The Country from my Daughter's Camera

So very good
to have my first born
visit with me.
Mom is happy....

Going Forward

Yesterday
heat/air man arrived and hopefully heat works through the Winter,
I asked "what do I owe you" he replied with a smile "nothing - Happy Birthday."
(I had shared with him that cooler nights expected and daughter from Florida
arriving and may need the heat on"
so I thanked him and thought what a blessing...
Electrician arrives this morning
to change batteries in smoke detectors,
last year they went off and my visiting daughter
could not get them to stop - had to call fire department,
also could not reach with higher then normal ceiling,
also light went out in oven and he will replace bulb,
guess 6 years is about time and this oven used a lot.

Special call from one who attends local church that I was such
a part of in past years,
I said "are you home from your brother's funeral in Illinois"
she said "no" just calling to check on you....
A dear person...

Special one who visits weekly with eggs
on last visit brought me several Molasses cookies,
oh they were so good.   I asked for recipe and made yesterday  morning

sure made a lot
good and I have ate about 6 with a glass of milk.
Will be making again :)  Hoping she soon feels better as she now has bronchitus.

My bones tell me rain is on the way,
more accurate then looking at weather on television.
Why is is pain is always the worst at night
daytime tolerable?

So this day
I was born
many years ago.
Time you have gone by too fast.

My special daughter arrives about lunch time..

This picture a few years ago on her visit...

Posting a day early....

Look at my post written on..... October 10, 2014

I have the thought
"did I write this ?"
Guess I did
and this past year has been a little different in many ways.

Settled in
and not planning on any new projects :)
except continuing to downscale, already have flower gardens,
miss long walks in the woods alone, miss riding the tractor,
miss working in garden 1/2 day and pulling of bags of mulch from truck
and spreading, list goes on
and try to accept everything as it is
and changes in store.

But I smile as I write this
as the last year made some decisions.

I know in my heart that this is the most peaceful place
on the earth for this One Woman.
Finally arrived at "doing less" yes it just seems to happen,
thankful for so much
especially that mind is the same and can make major decisions,
body just not the same in many ways - especially energy.


My daughter from Tampa arrives tomorrow,
some of family here this weekend,
first time this one is not preparing a big meal
or setting a beautiful table.

I will contribute several things and daughter's the rest
and hey
use the good china or a paper plate - your choice.
Candles will be burning, sun shining, fire pit burning for the little girls
which are no longer little but guess grandma will always call them that.

Smiling faces I will see
with so much love in my heart and just wish my special son was here with us.

Life continues
and life is good
but will continue to be different
as time changes everything...

Notice in comments last year around this time
the ones
from
Dear Balisha.
So special and left us earlier this year
She was so good to me
with emails, comments, books and cards she sent me.
A special one that I would never have known
except through my sharing online...
Balisha
I miss you....

Rain Keeps Falling

Yesterday and today
 an all day rain,
late in day - finally heat.
As usual, frogs and spiders in the unit.
Wish I knew how to clean it would save me a lot...
Was wearing turtleneck, cardigan
and a sweat shirt.  Oh so nice to have heat.
Not that cold, 52 but with rain it chilled me to the bone.

Chili earlier today simmering with an addition of chopped carrots, celery and onion.
Did not really feel like cooking - but this simple with ingredients on hand.
Chopped cheese on top and for some reason kept wishing I had corn chips to go with this.

My only rose bush that has survived by the woods, decided to come back to life.

My corner over the last few rainy days....

Finally worked on the one closet and switched summer tops to top shelf and lower shelf now
holds sweaters and turtlenecks...

Never Say Never

For many years I have always had a dog or dogs.   I enjoyed them but they were always kept
outside.   In cold winter in the country a house of straw would be made for them and they were always on the porch.    Rarely would I let one inside.


Now little Callie rescued 6 years ago as a year old had a dog house on the screen porch
during the Winter.   Little by little I have been bringing her inside and at night she is in the
utility room with a small gate by the door so she does not wander.

I would read of those letting their dogs in their bedrooms and I would say "never" would
this one.   All of my children with their dogs let them have the run of the house.

Last trip to big city I bought another bed for Callie "for my bedroom" for the cold months.
Oh my she loves it.   I go to bed early and she is on her little bed and never moves until
I am up early in the morning.

In the 50's early this morning with rain and have no heat.  Was going to turn it on for a short time
to take chill off of inside.   Called Service man and he  told me what to do on the phone
but still not happening.   No hurry but he will arrive sometime over the next few days.  I may be wrong but sense we will have an early really cold Winter here by the woods.   Oh, how I miss
my wood burning fireplaces and stoves of the past.  Gas logs to knock chill off but nothing
like a real fire burning...

Since building this cottage there has been constant problems with this unit.   Never before
in years past in other homes and I know that nothing is made like in the past, seems all
appliances are problems in a few years.

Morning

Peaceful showers this morning and predicted for the coming week
 are so welcome along with cooler days.
Grass seed has been sown and straw spread where there was once a flower bed.

Twice  this morning have chased  2 turkeys away as they try to eat grass seed.
I clap my hands or sound the hand held emergency alarm.
They may be the ones who ate all my turnip green plants as they were emerging.
Lately, Callie just sits and watches :)
She use to chase them away....

You did not bloom all summer but now you are giving me a gift of one bloom
on this  October day :).  I accept your gift and pleased you are still able to bloom.

This one
enjoying the rain....

A morning of looking for lost phone
finally found it
in my truck.

Calling home number with cell phone
it was ringing in truck and could not locate
under the seat.  Finally with flashlight found
it among wires and lodged under where seat
goes back and forth.
Remember this is an old truck :)

Enough shared on the first day of this new Month...