High Holy Days

  NO Easter egg hunts.  NO family dinners. NO joyful gatherings.  This year is different from the years most of us have known. Businesses closed. Schools and churches closed.  Many people are working from home or unemployed.  Lots of fear and panic running through the country. All kinds of rumors and fear mongering and dis-information flying about. Not sure who to listen to or what to believe...

  It is finally starting to look like spring out there.  Yards are greening up,  wildflowers are popping up everywhere and even a few mushrooms showing up.  Then the nights got cold again, almost down to freezing.  Strange weather.  It was almost 90 one day last week and then 50 the next. Never sure how to dress, but it doesn't really matter since I (for one) am staying in my pajamas much of the day. Some days I think, Maybe I'll go out and do some yard work !  And then look down at my pj's and think.. well, maybe tomorrow.  lol So, I have ventured out to fill bird feeders and sweep my front porch and stuff a few times, but really no yard work has gotten done.  

  I'm doing what many people are doing:  cooking a lot, reading more, napping extensively, and watching way too much tv.  I have been watching a lovely British series called  LarkRise to Candleford that has entranced me.  And now it has started over, so it must have been a short lived series.  Set in 18th century Oxfordshire, a story of 2 small hamlets, one a farming  burg and one a bigger town.  Marvelous. Watching lots of less marvelous tv as well, some things we generally watch and some we don't.  

  My son was here for a late midday dinner. I roasted a chicken and made candied sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, herbed stuffing, gravy, and some giant wheat germ and flaxseed rolls. We ate until we were beyond full and then he left and we vegged out.  I cleaned up all the kitchen and dishes, and then took about an hour nap. When I got back up , I asked him if he as hungry and he said not really and neither was I. So, we had some dessert (I made Creme Brulee earlier this morning to have for dessert, but no one had room.  I had enough chicken leftover to make another meal, as well as some of the other things too. I am being very frugal about using up all the things in the fridge in one way or another. I saw a recipe for a soup made with leftover stuffing, and they said it was a lot like a matzoh soup, so I might just try that.  It's raining really hard again right now. Tonight's temps are supposed to drop into the low 30's again.  We talked to my father-in-law up in Wisconsin and they are having a lot of snow again.  He is in a nursing rehab place now. It's disheartening talking to him sometimes.  He doesn't understand why his wife can't come see him and why he can't go home.  A common dilemma I suspect with older people who can't take care of themselves or their spouses.  We try to call him a couple of times a week at least.  Here is a picture of our table this afternoon...

 2 hungry boys over there.  lol  

 OK-- it's time to see how the tediously slow updating is going with the laptop. I've been using it a lot since I've been using Zoom and Jit.si for meetings and stuff.  Hopefully it will be done soon.  I've been trying to delete a bunch of the crap that came on this laptop and they sure make it hard to uninstall programs.  Grrr...  I don't have much memory on it and am trying to free up space.

  Wish me luck.

Greetings from the Hill...

  Here in Illinois, we are on about week 3 or 4 (I can't remember) of the official quarantine and sheltering in place. I was already limiting my forays into the world before that...  I have mostly stayed home and took my last dr and grocery and bank trip yesterday morning.   I won't be leaving the house for at least the next 2-3 weeks.  Himself is still working, so far. And not just working, but working 6 days a week,  16 + hours of OT every week the past 3 weeks. I worry that he will get run down, but I'm pumping him full of vitamin C and Elderberry and Zinc and cooking him nutritious meals. He was young when I got him, but he turned 60 in February... Pursuant to the meme above, we haven't spent too much time at home together yet, so there's hope that we will still celebrate 28 years in June.  lol

  There's still stupid shitshows going on in DC.  He just fired the watchdog of the relief act.  So he can get money where he wants it ? I'm sure. The rich are making a killing off this whole thing. I am not going to say anymore on this.  What I am going to say is that I can't believe how stupid people are being in regard to this whole pandemic.  I heard somebody yesterday say that they believe this is just a conspiracy to try to discredit the ..."best President this country has ever had."  This President does not need a conspiracy to be discredited. He's done that all by himself. People being stupid and congregating because they think none of this applies to them or whatever.  All I can say is this:

 We'll see what the process of natural selection has to say about it.


  Hereabouts is as it is almost everywhere, I suspect.  Lots of the things we want/need aren't available when we want/need them.  Panic buying is rampant.  I have to admit that I have bought a few things  more than I may need, but since I always keep a stocked pantry I'm not too worried. And having been poor most of my life, I can make magic meals out of very little ingredients. There was none of the bread we like on the shelves a few weeks ago, so I started baking bread again. Then there was no flour or yeast, but that has settled down. Personally I am good for ingredients, because that's how my pantry is stocked. Not with any already prepared foods (except the ones I have prepared and canned... like tortellini in marinara sauce and a couple of soups) . Things have slowed way down in my life, and I am loving it. No commitments, nowhere to be, nothing to do.  Well... plenty to do here, as always, but you know what I mean.   The few times I have been out, the whole world seems slower.  Reading about how in India and China pollution levels have dropped and they are seeing blue skies for the first time in years. Fewer cars on the roads.  Fewer people in the markets.  So.Much.Less.Noise.  The earth must be sighing in relief. 

  The economic side of this is scary, but like I have said before ... when you are poor these  things don't affect you so much. And we have survived some scary things before, and I am sure we can survive this. We own our home, so no worries about repo. We have plenty of disaster supplies and  camping tools in case the electric gets shut off because we can't pay it. (We have lived though earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes.  We've got this.  We have a cistern and plenty of spring water if the city water gets shut off. (We didn't have city water for 2/3 of the years we have lived here, so we know what to do).  So for now, I'll stay away from foolish people and practice safe distancing and common sense.  I'll speak up when I need to, and shut my pie hole when I don't.   (Maybe).  lol

  I've been baking bread and making desserts and growing fat and sassy. There was a time when fat meant affluent.  I am affluent in all the right places.  lol  Someday Rubenesque woman will be all the rage again, and I will be a frontrunner in the race.   Until then, I will be okay with myself, no matter what. No matter how grey, no matter what I weigh. I will never be tall enough- I've given up on that. 

  I am in the final (I hope) stages of recovering from a brutal surgery (February) that  consisted of my Achilles tendon being detached, split, bone spurs and fragments removed and stitched all back up again.  It was no weight bearing for over 3 weeks and then partial in a boot for another 3.  The incision healed nicely, but it's still tender and doc said it will be for a while. But the godawful pain of that spur shredding my tendon is gone, and for that I am grateful.  It did ease me into the social quarantine, I must say. 

  It's looking like spring here on Honeysuckle Hill. The peach and cherry trees are in bloom, the grass is greening up and the trees are leafing out. It was hot for a couple of days then a near tornado blew through and this morning it was in the low 30's.  Up to 55 today (hopefully) and very sunny and beautiful skies out there.  I plan on [maybe] doing a little yard work today.  We'll see. NO rush...we're gonna be here a while.

First Day of a new Decade

  Here we sit. Precipice of a new year. Not particularly excited about it, but not dismayed either.  Curious to see how it all plays out, considering the state of the world and of this country.  I do believe that even in the darkness, the light will prevail.  That love wins over hatred, although it may not look like it at times. That there is hope for humanity, no matter how bleak things appear from time to time.  I am generally an optimistic person, and hope that doesn't change...

  We had a lovely quiet Xmas and New Years.  Friends and family for a Xmas Eve supper, and then just himself and my son and I for our traditional Steak and lobster supper.  And as I was cleaning up my plate, I realized I didn't take one picture of that magnificent spread.  NY strip steak, lobster tail, skewered shrimp. Caesar salad and aglio y olio and fresh baked Italian bread. We ate until we were full as ticks and still managed to barely stay up long enough to welcome in the new year. We never go out for NY Eve.  

  No particular resolutions for this year, other than trying to practice better self care and live an authentic life.  Something I do strive for, and probably do better than I think.  My diet needs cleaning up, my weight is an issue, and these things are in the back of my mind.  In 5 days I will turn 67 years old, and I must say, it's been a ride. lol  When I look at it all from a historical perspective, it's amazing that I'm in as good shape as I am. So there's that.  And when I get real, I could be a lot better physically and I know it.  Mostly I intend to be a little gentler with myself and try to stay grateful and happy.  I have lived longer now than either of my parents (mom died at 55 and dad at 60) and sometimes that's a little freaky to think about. 

  All in all, living lightly on this planet, doing what little good I can for others,  and cultivating more love in the garden of my heart... these are things that are important to me.  Family.  Food.  Love. Laughter. Simple things, to be sure.  But in my little corner of the world, it is enough. I hope to have chickens again this year and plant a garden. That's been missing from  my life for over 2 years.  I need it back.  So I'll do whatever I have to.  I may have to do it on my own, but maybe not.  This winter I have been feeding wild birds and they eat like crazy, but provide me with so much joy.  Every day out there I am blessed with cardinals, sparrows,wrens, titmice, woodpeckers (3 kinds) juncos, chickadees, and probably a few others I can't recall.  The weather is bizarre-- 51 today. I'm going out to enjoy it while it lasts.  Happy New Year, everyone.

Thanksgiving Day 2019

   This is what the high holy day of gluttony looks like when your oven doesn't work.  LOL  Right now there is a pan of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in there for breakfast. That little Airfryer Oven has sure gotten a workout this past 6 months. I'm getting ready to make the pumpkin pie in it and then I'll put the crescent rolls in.  The Proctor Silex roaster oven held the 2 --12 pound turkeys just right...they've been cooking on low overnight and just turned it up to crisp the skin a little. House smells like roasted meat...and cinnamon. Keeping it pretty simple this year, turkey, stuffing, baked sweet potato and bacon wrapped asparagus.  Crescent rolls and pumpkin pie.  lol Some years I have lost my mind and made a 15 course meal.

  It's just me this year. And maybe my son.  But he's sick as a dog and I may just take a plate to him.  The Irishman is up in northern Wisconsin with his family. I don't know what any of the rest of my family is doing, but heard nothing about a get together, if anyone's even having one besides their immediate families. So, it's a quiet cold Thanksgiving day.  3 days ago it was 65. Today it's 35. I'm going to go out and refill the bird feeders in a bit. They appear to be stocking up, lol, and the wildbird seed feeder is empty and the suet block is almost gone. I filled them about 3 days ago. Maybe it will tun winter now...been crazy.

  Been thinking alot about the practice of giving thanks. My grandmother taught me to bend over the plants in the garden and thank them for feeding me and my family when I harvested them.  I was taught to say  thank you when anyone gave me gifts.  Gratitude and appreciation go a long way in changing my mindset, when I am feeling stressed about money or sorry for myself because I don't have everything I want.  But you know, I always have everything I need. My house isn't a palace, but it's [mostly] clean and it's cozy and it's warm and the roof doesn't leak. I have a car that runs well. Because I have a house and a car,  I have insurance that [for now] I am able to pay. I have family and a husband who loves me and a son with whom  I have a relationship I don't deserve.  I have friends.  I have  serenity. And I have a good stable life.  These things are the most important. The older I get the more I understand that the basic component of a well lived life is love. I could be anywhere, doing anything, and as long as I have love--in my heart and in my life-- all will be well.  The venerable Meister Eckhart  said : 

So I say thank you to God every day, for all things and in all circumstances. And I hope that is enough.

Happy Thanksgiving !

And just like that... it's autumn.

  A few days in the 70's,  back to the 90's and finally... 60's and below.  Today's high is expected to reach 49. Chilly nights coming up and cooler days.  The leaves are starting to fall. Colors beginning to change.  Still a lot of corn and soybeans in the fields, and it rained like a monsoon last night and most of this morning. It's stopped now, and the sun is out, but it's chilly.  Himself is walking the dogs down the road and back. One at a time. So every time he brings one back and leaves with another, the other two sit at the window and whine. Even (esp) the one that just came back.  smh...

  I love soup weather.  I have been home for 2 days and don't want to go out.  Decided I would make a nice comfort food stew this afternoon. Knew I was out of onions, but I had dehydrated onions in the pantry, so I used them.  All the rest of the ingredients for Posole were in my pantry. Yippee !!  It's in the crock pot now, filling the house with the wonderful aromas of onion, pork and cumin. I'll warm up some tortillas to go with it and it will be a filling and warming supper.  Made enough for supper and a lunch or two.  A great fall/winter meal.  But now I need to look for pork loin on sale to buy and can... that was the last 2 jars.  I still have lots of chicken, some roast beef and a jar or 2 of corned beef in there.  Winter is a good time to watch for sales on these meats and can them. Summertime is too busy with vegetables.

  

  When it's time to eat, I'll garnish the bowls of it with some thin sliced cabbage and radishes. 

  It's been a hectic week...doggie health issues, financial woes, sick friends.  My leg is in a cast for 1 more week, more or less, and I am SO ready to have it off.  It's a pain in my arse.  lol

 The kittens are growing by leaps and bounds.  The special needs girl is such fun to watch, as she grows more confident and gets braver all the time.  The boy is a snugglebug.  Our old cat Chichi doesn't like either of them.  She's going to have to suck it up soon, because it's getting too cold for her to stay outside all the time.  lol

Life goes on.  DC is a joke.  The world needs all our prayers.  

Be kind.

 Later, taters.

Will it ever be autumn ?

  It has actually cooled down some. but not much.  Tonight I changed the setting on my AC because it's feeling chilly and the damn thing wouldn't shut off.  I'm sitting here with my robe on.  We have still been having daytime temps in the mid to high 90's and it's getting old. Rainy today and probably tomorrow, so maybe things will really start to cool down. 

  I haven't posted here since  April. Good lord.  I have been feeling the need to write but somehow just not getting it done.  I have no excuses... still not working, although I am going to probably have to go back to work soon.  Having a terrible time with a nasty bone spur in my left heel that is tearing my Achilles tendon. The pain is excruciating...off and on.  The anti-inflammatory they prescribed made me sick as a dog, and am using a  cream now. It bypasses the gut, so no yuck. Unfortunately though, it helps for about 2 hours after I apply it and then it starts hurting again.  SO I'm all gimpy and cranky and trying to make it another 9 days til I can get in to see a new podiatrist. As usual, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off....on the go way too much, busy with a lot of things and blah blah blah.  

  On a bright note though... I rescued a couple of adorable kittens last February and they are doing great. They are about 7 months old now. The little boy was just neutered and the little girl is next. She's a warrior princess and in spite of her disabilities, is climbing and playing and just living a great life.   They are a handful and def keep me busy. I wouldn't trade 'em for the world.

I'm tired today. Maybe I'll hit the hay early tonight. We have a big annual picnic tomorrow and I need to get up early-ish and go help out. Also forgot (until about an hour ago) that I am supposed to make a basket for the raffle,  Yikes.  I'll figure something out, lol  I canned about 2 bushel of jalapenos as Cowboy Candy and Jalapeno jelly. Everybody wants some. Maybe I'll do that... 

  Good to be here again... With all the madness in the world, it's a great place to escape to.  Later taters...

Is it safe to come out yet ???

April Fool's Day is over...and I think it's safe to come out. lol  Actually there weren't many pranks or jokes in my world this year, aside from a few tRump jokes.  The kind of people I know usually go all out for this special day, but this year I think everyone is so fizzled out from the winter sick and bad weathers that they just didn't have it in them. lol

  I've been spending my days doing weirdo things like dehydrating pineapple. In fact the loaded up 6 tray dehydrator is finishing up a batch now. The fruit has been on sale and I have so far dehydrated about 10 of them. I am finally feeling better enough to do stuff.   Moved all my furniture around one day. Got a new-to-me china hutch to put my new-to-me Pfaltzgraff set in, which meant I had to rearrange the angle of the dining room table and then rearrange all the living room too. That's what happens in these sought after (ahem-cough)  open living spaces.  But it looks good and seems to flow better and I am happy with it.  It took the dogs and that man that lives here a few days of grumbling and glares before finally getting used to the change. lol  But you know the saying..."When mama's happy, everybody's happy" and so it was.  It's quite pretty, the new stuff. I got the dishes for a hundred dollars, a huge set with all kinds of extra matching pieces and stuff like linen napkins, potholders, dish towels, candle holders... the woman I bought it from had obviously been collecting it for a long time.  I think she said she got the starter set when she got married. And it was her 30+ year old sons that loaded all the boxes into my little car.  (I was never that kind of a girl.)

  I got the hutch from a woman here in town selling things off because she and her husband were moving to Texas where it's warm and her grandbabies live. lol  Fifty bucks. Yay for me.

  So that's about the gist of it here on Honeysuckle Hill. I have started doing a little outside work. Weather has been hit and miss, warm and rainy, but it's a start. I haven't got the chicks yet and need to get on that before they're all gone. The Irishman is dragging his feet about it, so a friend of mine came over and we walked around the coop and took some measurements and talked about some ideas.  She wants to keep a couple of chickens here too, as she now lives in a place where she can't have them. Same with a garden, so I told her we could easily share crop if she wants to come help me with that. She has RA and has some limitations, but she's amazing and persistent-- between the two of us, we're almost a whole person. lol  It will be a win/win if we actually do that...

  The summer is shaping up to be busy, we have 2 family reunions, an area assembly and a speaking engagement  to fill it up. As well as my sober birthday and our 27th anniversary. And that's just June. We might try to turn the second family reunion (in Wisconsin) into a mini-vacation. A couple of years ago we did that...followed the Mississippi north, went to Hannibal MO (home of Mark Twain)  and Stillwater MN (Took a paddlewheel riverboat dinner cruise) and stopped at all kinds of places in between, including a cool set of caves that we hiked through. We're pretty simple folks, and easy to amuse.  lol

 In the meantime, there's weeds to pull and wisteria and Rose of Sharon to prune. Today is my volunteer at the AA office  day (every other Tuesday for 4 hours, no biggie).  I have a meatloaf in the oven for himself's supper and some leftover mashed potatoes to go with that. A vegetable and he's set, since I won't be here. After the office thing I'm going out to eat and then to a mtg to see a friend get her sobriety coin. I was out last night to, so I am really looking forward to Wednesday when I can stay home all day and night.  It's supposed to hit 60 today, the river is rising and the creeks are running over their banks and once it warms up north of us it's gonna be crazy. We live high and dry, so it doesn't affect us except when we have to go south. 

 Have a titillating Tuesday campers.   I KNOW you will...