Sept 30 going...going...gone

Not much going on and I stayed home. Chuck came and mowed the yard. After all the rain the grass grew like crazy. There are still a few odd tomatoes in the garden that I should pick.



The weather is cool and pleasant. I like it, but hate to think of what follows. You know...



I cheated on my diet a little. I bought a baked fish dinner from Captain D's. The fish was fine, but I didn't need the rice or the bun that came with it. I rationalized that I hadn't eaten (much) all day so it was "O.K."



I slept "semi-late" this morning, mostly because I was as snug as a bug and didn't want to leave my cocoon. After awhile I did, 'though. Tomorrow I will get myself going and go to the store.

The only thing that is dropping in price is gas. Today it is $2.19. I have almost a full tank, but I probably should "top it off." I am sure it will go up in price.



My friend Debbie called late last night. She was in the last minute rush of getting ready for her trip to Roam. I wish I could have gone, too, but I don't think I am up to par for such a trip. My arm has given me fits for three days now; my own fault for trying to start that mower. My arm hurts, my knees hurt and I am too rolly poly for such a trip. I do hope she, some of the residents, Mother Superior, Father Ted, and all have a good time. The founding Mother of the Little Sisters of the Poor is about to be elevated. The Little Sisters really do good work. If they didn't I would not have worked for them for 32 years. And they took me in when I had my surgery and tried to spoil me rotten.



If the weather stays cool I will try making some home made bread. There is nothing better than the aroma of fresh, homemade bread wafting throughout the house. When I do make some bread, most will go into the freezer as I am trying not to eat too much. However, there is a vast difference between what you make at home and that paste/glue you buy in the store. Homemade is better than store bought because it doesn't have all the chemicals and additives in the ingredients. Basically it is flour(whole grain) eggs, yeast, sugar and liquid. I like REAL potato bred and REAL whole grain breads. If you buy the REAL bread in the store it will cost you some REAL dough. In other words it more expensive. No wonder America is obese. I think it is partly not how much you eat, but what you eat. Just my opinion, thank you. So, it is time to wrap up my opinions and call it a day.



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Cool Hand Jack

Jack is coming to visit soon; Jack Frost, that is. He has packed his bag and is on his way. He will be blowing in here one of these days on a wayward wind. The average first frost here is around October 15 or there abouts. The temperature did drop down into the forties last night. It was supposed to be up in the seventies today, but only made it to 63 degrees. That's O. K. with me; it makes good sleeping weather.

Last night was the first night I wore more my "warmies" to bed. A fleece top and bottom keep me warm and toasty. No fan, or a/c were needed and 'though I had the doors open yesterday I did go and pull the screens down last night when I locked up.. The fresh air wafting in and out of the house during the day was nice and I wanted to enjoy it while I could.

There are many things to do before it does get cold. I don't know how much I can get done. After trying to start the mower yesterday I am reminded of how much I can no longer do. Maybe next spring I will get a mower with an electric starter on it and I won't have to tear my arm up. That is next spring so I won't worry about it today. When I went to the store today I could smell Ben Gay loud and strong so someone else must have done something the wrong way. too!!

I am trying to watch my weight as you may have guessed. I have really cut back on bread, cookies/cakes, sugar and fats. I am not suffering because of it, just tempted as I cruse through the stores, esp. now that there is all that good stuff out for Halloween. I am eating lots of soup and vegetables. My continued weakness is a package of instant hot chocolate in my morning cup of coffee...Oh me! I don't add more sugar, 'though. I am too short to be too fat. I don't want to reach the point where I could just "roll" about and around.

I have been inclined to ramble today; just call me the happy rambler. LOL!

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Some Wind in Your Sails

It has been a really pretty day even with the wind blowing and the trees dancing in the swift breezes. The shifting winds don't seem to bother the Monarch Butterflies because the garden is full of them, flitting and capering on the big red Zinnia's. The leaves are flying from the trees all about and soon I will have to try to rake them up.



I tried hard to get the mower going, but it won't start so I put it away for a try on another day.



I have been reading about cloves. Everyone knows that they are good medicine for a tooth ache/decay. It's interesting to find how much more cloves can do as a herbal alternative. I found more information on line than I did in my book. Here is a list of some of the herbal medical uses of cloves.

Cloves can be used for:

intestinal gas

nausea

diarrhea

fungus's and athlete's foot

some types of viral infections

diseases caused infections

tuberculosis

malaria

scabies

coughs

parasites

For most uses you can make an infusion of clove tea by bring water to a boil and letting a couple of cloves steep in the liquid for about 10 minutes. You can add lemon and a small amount to sugar to taste. As in all herbal alternates you should use common sense and read about the herb. Clove herbal medicine is not to be used every day; just as you need it. You can find more information on line as all I have posted are the basics.

If you look at the little wind picture at the top search for the boy sailing along. There may be two faces to find if you look close enough.

September rolls along

I didn't take any pictures today I just couldn't spot or think of anything of interest. I did go shopping 'though the sky is very overcast and the air is humid . We may get more rain before we get the sunshine that has been predicted.



I bought 10 boxes of Swiss Miss instant cocoa mix. That is 10 envelopes to a box=100 envelopes. I will get some of my calcium this way. I am trying to ward off any and all broken bones. The Surgeon said I had "soft bones" so I intend to "harden up." My next appointment is coming up in Oct. and when he takes X-Rays I want to have some evidence of stronger bones. I already had started drinking more milk, but for a long while I had not been consuming milk of any significant amounts. I don't know why I got out of the habit of drinking milk, but I am trying to make up for it.



I wanted to get a flat of Bean Soup, but I guess everyone likes Bean Soup because the shelf was empty. I should be back in stock on Wed.



I bought gas today at $2.25 per. gallon. I wonder how long that will last. I already had about $15.00 worth in the tank and added another $20.00 dollars worth. It did not fill the tank. As I have determined that I am going to get out more while the fall season is nice, I thought filling the tank would be a good idea. I want to be out and about so I don't get cabin fever.



I seem to be a bit sleepy; probably because of the dreary, rainy weather. Elvis sang a song about "Kentucky Rain" and I think of it every time the rain comes down.



Tomorrow, being Sunday, I give myself permission to take the day off...and you should. too.



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Audubon State Park

This is a shot of the small lake in Henderson at the Audubon State Park. The building is part of the Audubon Museum. The park is named after...you guessed it..John James Audubon. He was a famous artist/resident of this city. I believe the park and lake were built by the CCC Boys during the depression. I didn't post all the shots of the park, but I saw a wild grape vines as thick as my arm winding up and through the trees. Wild grapes make good preserves.

In his early days Audubon was a failed business man and had a mill along the Ohio, not far from where I took these pictures. You might guess he spent his time painting instead of running the mill. Many of his paintings are on display in the museum as well as some of his personal belongings. To say he was a naturalist begs the definition. He killed a lot more birds than he painted. The 600 acre park is within the city limits; a nice place to sit and contemplate. At this time of the year hardly anyone goes there.

It's hard to keep up with the changing season and scenery. Right now I can get out and take a few pictures. The weather is cooler and the leaves are falling. My tree has not started to shed yet, but the tree next door has been carpeting my lawn with a yellow tapestry. That's OK, because soon my Elm tree will be blanketing the yard, too.

Chuck has not been over to mow for two weeks and it shows. All that rain has made the grass grow. Maybe I can get the mower started and mow in a straight line...maybe not. My neighbor's yard looks worse.

I got my little book out, "O Pioneer," by Willa Cather, and started reading it again. I had forgotten how simple yet difficult those early frontier settlers/pioneers had it. They endured. We endure.

P. S. For those that worry about my little money jar, I don't think there is enough for anyone to take the risk. After all, I do have a little bang-bang and I am sure it would hurt..OCH!

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Up and running

The root of my camera problems turned out to be a defective memory card. I took the camera into CVS and they tested it on their computers and all I needed to do was replace the memory card. Bingo.

The bookcase I built in an opening that held a window at one time. After I bought this little house I had the carport closed in and it is now my bedroom. The window was no longer a window. I had hired a guy to build this in, but he did such a bad job I tore it all out an did again-myself. I meant to put moulding around the edges, but never got around to it. Now I can't, but it doesn't look half bad. The clock is a cypress wedge I bought at a yard sale. I bought a clock kit and numbers and hung it on the wall. I didn't quiet get the numbers in a proper circle, but close. It needs batteries. I can't do the things I did a year ago, but I have made lots of progress. So be it.

Of course it is raining and Green Street flooded as did some of the other main streets. I am high and dry and lucky. When this city was laid out and planned they made the streets very wide-100 ft. wide to prevent fires from jumping the main streets. In the 1700's western Ky was forest land, rich in timber and fine farmland all along the river. When the Ohio flooded in the spring all the top soil was deposited in what is called the "bottoms." This is still rich, sought after land. There was a man at the nursing home whose family owned about 1200 acres of bottom land. He didn't like farming so he became a banker.

I went to the Chinese Restaurant for a late lunch. I have plenty of food at home, but I think it is good to get out and about. If you happen to read about pioneer woman, more than one went bonkers from loneliness and isolation. Even the constant wind whistling across the prairies would send people over the edge. I have in that book case a book called "O Pioneer." It is an older book and easy to read. It relates some of the hardships the wives and daughters of the early settlers endured. I do get peeved when some of the bloggers complain about their wives who won't "get on board" for prepping and survival. Even into the 20th and mid-20th century life was hard for rural woman. Just ask my mother...if she can hear you from up yonder.

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Dumb Down Day

I don't feel like reading. There is nothing on TV. I didn't go to the store. I did wash two loads of cloths and put them through the dryer. I do feel like eating. I have pork chops, sweet peppers sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables in the pressure cooker. I did drink my water and I did what comes naturally after absorbing my hydration. "Good to go."

The weather is not shopping friendly which is why I didn't go to the store. A little rain won't hurt me, but might mess up my hair-what's left of it, LOA.

I am fighting with that little camera again. I guess I will have to take it to the store. The little memory disk is on "protected" and I can't get it off...Darn.

Here is a picture of my money jars. I took the shot the other day. The little round thing by the penny jar is a silver dollar-real silver. I figure if I have a jar full of change I will never be broke. I keep a number 8 playing card in my pocketbook, too. If you keep a no. 8 playing card in your wallet you will never be broke. It actually works. I don't know why it works, but it does-try it. No investment necessary, which is even better.

I am running both air conditioners and a fan. No, it isn't hot, but I would rather have my liquid in a glass or cup instead of breathing it. The humidity is 90% again, it is raining again and the a/c helps get some of the moisture out of the house. So much for trivia. So...how was your day?

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