Friday, 30April.

Seems like I've been stuck in the waiting game all week. 

Heard from the real estate lawyers office yesterday and the closing is next Tuesday. As predicted, costs right around one thousand dollars. 

Decided to have the flooring delivered rather than going through the trouble of having W fetch it. Waiting on a call from the delivery driver now to give me an approximate time of arrival. Called to get cost yesterday after learning the boxes weigh about 54 pounds each. Way too heavy for W and I to have to heft from truck to shed. Was lucky enough to get it scheduled for today. Lumber Liquidators sure is fast. 

Still waiting to hear from Lackawanna Dermatology. Hope I haven't fallen through the cracks of the Medicare system.

The waiting is the hardest part. https://youtu.be/Mm2Br5OLPlQ

Thursday, 29 April 2021.

The steady rain from yesterday prompted new leaf growth on most of the trees. Renews my spirit to see the bright greens and reds dotting the hillsides. 

Spring is still my favorite season. 

In spite of the rain, Bandit and I got water at the spring on Taintor. Then, instead of going all the way to Kinzua Bridge State Park, we stopped at one of the State Game Land pull offs and hiked that road. The rain was mostly a sprinkle so we walked for about 45 minutes before the wind and rain started growing heavier. Was a beautiful hike with lots of interesting rock formations.

Tomorrow is the last day of my SLING tv subscription, so this morning after feeding the animals I sat down and watched a few minutes of Morning Joe and CNN news. After the first my only LIVE tv will be CBS/Paramount+. Am saving about $35 a month. Decided that I have enough media choices without SLING and the limited time I watch it now that the election is over.

Cleared some floor space in the shed for the flooring if it ever gets here. Haven't heard from W since Monday when he went to the airport. Not that not hearing from him is unusual.

Dang cat peed on Bandit's bed again. It's stripped and waiting to be washed next. Time to fold laundry and switch the wash over to the dryer. Laundry and dishes seem to be two chores that are never completely finished.

Wednesday, 28 April 2021.

Have been looking at the Jane Nicholas "The Complete Book of Stumpwork Embroidery"  since it arrived on Friday (the reason for no post). Started thinking about what I want to make. I know that somewhere in the shed are a few blank shadowbox frames. Will need to find them before determining the size of the project. Am thinking pansies, of course, because it will be a gift for Susie. Not sure if it will be individual flowers or a vase/basket of some kind. Kinda handy that todays chore is cleaning a 4' x 4' spot for the flooring to sit. Gives me an opportunity to search for the frames.

Found out this morning that Aunt Judilyn had to put her pup, Kendall, down yesterday. Gosh. That's such a hard thing to do. Kendall was the sweetest English Setter you'd ever want to meet. Aunt Judilyn used to dress her up on holidays and she was so patient and willing to please.

It's going to be in the 70s today and we have to get water from the spring. Might go for a hike up at Kinzua Bridge State Park while we're in the area. 

Gonna get started on the day.

Hope you find something to smile about today.

Tuesday, 27 April 2021.

Seeing sun poking through the clouds was a pleasant way to start our day.

Cut in the top of the hallway and around the fire alarm. Also got the better part of the kitchen wall painted white. Even painted the hood over the stove. Amazing how much brighter it looks.

Turned the mower over to clean out the grass; when I turned it back up it wouldn't start. Rolled it around and let it sit for a bit to let the gas go back to where it needed to be. Still wouldn't start. What's more - the starter line was very, very hard to pull back. Thought about it for a minute and looked at the oil. Added a bit of oil. The starter cord still didn't want to pull. Sent a prayer up to Jesus and continued trying to start it. Eventually, it started. And spewed blue-tinged oil smoke. Stinky!

Mowed the yard. All of it. Can barely walk now. 

Guess it's time for rest.

April 26. Monday.

Repainted about half of the cabinet doors in the kitchen. Will try to finish them tomorrow. The paint guy at ValuHome  was right about the Aquanamel paint. It has great coverage. Hopefully it won't wear off like the other paint did.

Got the better part of the hallway painted. Just need to cut in the top by the ceiling and around the fire alarm and door. Am always amazed at what a difference a coat of paint will make. It looks so much brighter now. Might need to get another gallon to finish up. Will probably repaint the kitchen white as well. 

Still need to get a new vanity/sink combo for the small bathroom. May as well pick up a range hood to replace the shabby looking original one.

Cleaned up the laundry cubby so it's presentable should anyone enter via my back door. Guess I'm going to have to clean out my closet area again at some point. Would like to put different shelves in there. Not real happy with the crappy shelves purchased from ValuHome. Waste of money and we all know I hate to waste money.

April 25. Sunday.

Had a little reaction to the vaccine. Sore arm and what used to be referred to as the back door trots. Small price to pay for the knowledge that I probably won't die if I get COVID. 

Moved the two bookcases off the carpet by the little bathroom in preparation of the new flooring being laid.

Put the smaller of the two in the hall by my bedroom. Moved the DVDs from the pie safe onto it. Then moved the bulk of the baking supplies from the island cupboard to the pie safe.

The larger bookcase was basically shoved into the back bedroom along with everything else. 

What a mess! At least I have a couple months to reorganize this house before surgery.

On another note, Bandit and I checked out the trail on the road to Gilbert Reservoir. It was too muddy to go more than a quarter mile, but rather pretty. We will try it again in the summer.

April 24. Vaccine Day.

Was nice to see a full parking lot at the old Catholic school when I went to get vaccinated. Everyone was wearing masks. The few that had them below their noses pulled them up after getting glared at by others. 

The process was well organized. Folks entered the foyer where a volunteer took their temperature with a handheld device similar in action to a radar gun. Once through the second set of doors, you presented your identification (usually a drivers license) and health insurance card to the next volunteer who made photocopies of them, returned them to you and pointed you to the registration desk. 

Some folks forgot their IDs and were turned away. I found out later that completed vaccine record cards were being scalped for upwards of $1,000. Yeah. A thousand dollars. Crazy what folks will do or try to do to make a few dollars.

Anyway...

After the volunteer at the registration desk confirmed your appointment it was time to  stand six feet apart in line for the next available healthcare worker to administer the vaccine. The wait was perhaps ten minutes.

The worker verified your ID, asked the standard COVID19 questions (have you ever had an allergic reaction to any vaccines, had a fever/chills/sore throat - you get the idea), gave you a copy of the COVID19 Fact Sheet, asked if you had any questions, and injected the vaccine. Quick 1-2-3. You were then directed to have a seat for 15 minutes just in case you had a negative reaction.

Before you could leave you were required to schedule your next shot.  I say required, but why would anyone get the first shot and not the second? 

More volunteers were lined up at tables with portable computers to enter your data - which they did by looking at your photo ID. The second vaccine date was predetermined, but individuals were allowed to pick what time of day to receive the shot.

My second vaccine will be administered on May 24.

April 22, 2021. Thursday.

Another snowy morning as Bandit and I headed out the door at 6:30 this morning. All the way down the path he was acting all nervous and looking behind us. I even stopped and hugged him and reassured him that everything was okay at one point on the path. Then we got back to our yard and there are footprints in the snow from the hedge row through our yard and all around the garden fence. The tracks were too distorted to identify the animal, but the prints were as big as Bandits and he's a hundred pounds. That's a big wild animal. Possibly a young bear. Sure wish I had hooked the kitty cameras back up after I moved the furniture around. 

Time for a cuppa and to get this day started.

April 21. Wednesday.

The weatherman has been threatening snow for the last couple of weeks and it has finally arrived. Am hoping it doesn't stick around for fear of losing all the plums as the flowers on both trees are almost all open.

Spent most of yesterday reading Take What You Can Carry.  

The title reminded me of the Boy scout motto BE PREPARED. 

Did you know: I carry a day pack in my car with a rain jacket, two pair of socks, water shoes, long and short sleeve shirts, hat, scarf, TP, soap, shampoo, fire starter, etc. It's a hold over from both happy times (road trips) and fearful times (walking on eggshells days).

April 20, 2021. Tuesday Trials and Tribulations.

Yesterday Dr. Andrulonis called with the biopsy laboratory results: basal cell carcinoma. I have to have Mohs surgery. 

Am going to go to Aunt Judilyn's house and her dermatologists office, Lackawanna Valley Dermatology, for the procedure. Called her and my insurance to verify its okay. My copay is only $30. 

W wants me to go to Roswell in Buffalo because he says its closer for follow up appointments. Am pretty sure I can go back to Dubois for those. No way am I dealing with driving in a city again. Stressful enough having to get pieces of my face sliced off.

Prior to the doctors call, W had stopped by to pick up the down payment on this property. Spoke with the lawyers office and they told me the land is now mine. ... As long as I make the payments in six years (or less, God willing and the creeks don't rise) it will be mine free and clear. 

Mopped the linoleum yesterday for one of the last times. Can't wait to have the new floor down. Can see it all clean and shiny in my minds eye. W wants to pull up the carpet now. Really don't want to do that until I can open the windows.

April 19, 2021. Monday.

Had scooped litter, gathered garbage, fed animals and walked Bandit before 7 o'clock. Sipping coffee and doing some online grocery shopping at Wal-Mart now.

Am trying my best to not purchase items made in China, but dang it's hard. Searched for furniture movers made in the USA for over an hour before discovering Scott, a 3M Company, makes them and Lowes carries their brand. 

Lowes also carries Amana washers and they are on sale ($80 off) until Wednesday. The good thing about that is it is entirely made and assembled in the USA. Guess I'll wait until this washer dies before replacing it. 

Gosh. I hate spending money.

Sunday Stitching.

Have been watching stump work and needle painting videos on YouTube for a while now. Finally got out some fabric, wire and embroidery cotton and made my first three wire slips. 

Other than using the wrong kind of fabric they turned out quite well. Not quite sure what I can do with them now that I know the fabric choice was wrong. Guess I'll deal with that after I've read some of the Jane Nicholas stump work book that should be arriving Thursday or so. 

In the meantime there are plenty of tasks to be done around the house... Or not.

Saturday, April 17.

One more week until my first of two COVID19 vaccine shots.

W is picking up a chicken BBQ from Eldred today and I'm going to his house to eat it. 

It's cold outside so we probably won't do a heck of a lot else today. Already removed the sheets protecting the tomatoes and peppers from the snow. Sure hope we don't get a hard frost. The plum trees are loaded with blossoms.

Ten Years In The Wilds.

Yesterday marked the tenth anniversary of my move to The Wilds of Pennsylvania. Henrietta is by my side as I reflect on the events that brought me here as they relate to the present.

This mornings wake up song that keeps repeating in my head is called When You Close Your Eyes sung by Night Ranger.  The lyrics stuck in my head are:

What do you do when it's falling apart and you knew that it was from the very start? Do you close your eyes and dream about me?

*sigh*

So, hey. The guy that I always dreamed of in both good times and bad told me he loved me and wanted to be with me. I believed him and moved here to be with him.

He changed his mind a while back. 

I am trying to make the best of the situation. Trying to mend my broken heart. He's been generous in many ways. Selling me this trailer and now the land and outbuildings at reasonable prices. Making sure I get some venison in the fall. Making repairs to the house and arranging vehicle services. He's helped me in so many ways.

April 15. Trip to Erie.

Spent the better part of the day riding to and from Lumber Liquidators in Erie, PA. Four hours round trip. Was a pretty big let down. The showroom was much smaller than either of us anticipated. I did pick out and pay for new flooring. CoreLUX Castle Hill Birch. It is 6mm thick, waterproof and has a lifetime warranty. As luck would have it, none of the flooring was in stock so I have to wait two weeks for it to arrive at the showroom. Then we have to go back up and pick it up. Ugh! Stressful driving in city traffic.

Ate at Red Lobster on the way home. It was so cold inside that we got our food to go and ate in the truck. W got Walt's Shrimp and I got the lobster Alfredo. W had the trots by the time we got back home. I got them shortly thereafter. We think it was the biscuits. 

We were both exhausted from being in a car so long. He went home to sleep. Bandit and I went to CVS, picked up my Hobby Lobby order from the Post Office and a loaf of bread at TOPS, gathered water at the spring on Taintor and went for a walk on the oil road past Droney. 

By the time we made it home I was so tired I couldn't sleep. Was midnight before the sand man granted my request.

Called Connie. Finally got a hold of her on the fifth try. Guess she doesn't want to be friends anymore.

Is It Really Monday Again?

Feels like all I did yesterday was sleep. To be truthful, I didn't do much else. 

Sore as all get out from digging holes to plant the lilacs - the perils of living on land filled with bricks to bring it above the flood plane.

Couldn't decide where to plant the fig tree. Hard to think of it as a tree when it's only a few inches tall. After reading up on their care, I decided to put it in a pot until it's bigger. That way it can be moved inside the shed for the winter. Looked at their foliage online and they are quite lovely when grown. From the reviews I've read they grow fairly quick and can yield fruit in their first year. 

Early Start Sunday.

4:30 a.m. and I've been awake for a while now. Not quite sure why. Left the bathroom window open last night and the fresh air smells wonderful. Sprinkling a bit so the garden won't need watering.

The animals are wondering why I'm awake. Trigger usually starts moving around at  five o'clock. Going to try a mantra to go back to sleep. Owha-tajer-kiam sounds appropriate.

Later on...

Did fall back to sleep for a little bit. Cats insisted I get up and feed them at 6:30 - a whole hour later than normal. The sprinkle turned into a steady rain that not even Bandit wanted to brave. We were outside long enough for him to wet a bush and he wanted to go back inside. Can't wait for the hardwood floors so this place doesn't smell like a wet dog or cat you-know-what. 

W brought me a quart of boiled dinner so I didn't have to cook.

Got the peppers and tomatoes planted. Still have to decide where the fig tree should live. 

Saturday Planting.

Bought a "Chicago" fig tree from Tractor Supply and some green pepper and tomato plants from Strayers Greenhouse that need planted today. Have decided to use some of the bird netting on the garden beds to keep the cats from peeing in there. They keep uprooting the seedlings. Will need to replant the beets and possibly the lettuce.

Temps in the 70s today. Turned the furnace off and closed the blinds on the East facing windows. Looks like the A/C will need to be installed early this year. 

Wish I had a rain barrel. Have a feeling we'll have a dry summer. Since wishes don't come true magically, guess I'll spend a bit of time looking at DIY rain barrels on Pinterest. Am already looking at DIY garden paths.

Gotta get to it. "We're burning daylight."

Friday Progress Report.

Been stressing all week about yesterday's dermatology visit. Didn't get hardly any sleep Wednesday night. W called me Tuesday and offered to drive me there. I accepted.

Took about 90 minutes to get there. Very easy drive with only a couple turns at the very end. Was early so had to hang for a while. Got a diagnosis: Sebopsoriasis, which is where I have symptoms of both seborhhea and psoriasis. Wrote me three different prescriptions to use to clear this rash up. Finally! 

The doctor also removed the growth from my nose. Will have the biopsy results in two weeks.

More fun times on the horizon. Have to meet with a lawyer to draw up a mortgage for the land this trailer sits on and the out building W built for my storage. Will be signing papers at the end of the month. The I'll be watching my pennies for the next six years until it's paid off. Hopefully I can pay it off sooner and nothing major goes wrong for the next six years.

Scary. This is a really big commitment for me. W and I had a bit of a argument about it. I wanted to wait until the work on the shed is completed. He took offense saying I didn't trust him to do the work. Which I don't. With good reason. Had a crying jag after we hung up. He told me "I have feelings too." Like he ever takes my feelings into consideratipn...

Anyway, I need an affordable place to live so I'm going through with it.

In other news...

I've been on a bit of a buying spree lately. Bought some embroidery floss so I can try needle painting and stump work. Then I picked up a fig plant and a Krasavitsa Moskvy lilac from Tractor Supply. They are tiny. Less than a foot tall. Then I bought two James Macfarlane lilacs and a Weigela from Graham Greenhouse. The lilacs are about three feet high. The Weigela is about a foot.

Easter Sunday.

Was surprised with a phone call from my son. First time I've heard from him in a couple years - mostly because our political views are polar opposites. He's a lot like his dad.

Also got a text from old friend, Sam. Haven't heard from him since I told him I don't date. 

Made an offer of assistance to an old grade school friend. Her husbands cancer is back. Hope she takes me up on the offer.

Linda from down the street gifted me some Easter candy. Was really sweet of her. We might just become friends after all... if we live that long. (just kidding)

Saturday. Scattered Thoughts Day.

Henrietta watching birds

Spent most of the day playing video games, listening to music and watching TV. Just letting my mind wander. Remembering what was. Like Joe Walsh sings, "Why do we give up our hearts to the past?"

Another cold day, but it did have its bright spots.

Spoke with Aunt Judilyn who is getting ready for Easter. She's making kielbasa, ham, mashed potatoes and corn muffins. The rest of the family is bringing dishes to pass. Was great to hear from her. She has two new great-grandbabies to love on. (Gosh, are we really that old?) Wish we lived a bit closer. Four hours there and another four back is a bit far for Bandit and I to travel and still get home to sleep in our own bed.

Another bright spot was the hyacinth W bought me for our 10 year anniversary. The blossoms have opened and every time you pass into or through the room is the most lovely, sweet scent. What a fabulous flower. AND it can go outside to bless me with blossoms for many years to come.

Watched the movie starring Russell Crowe called Unhinged. Rather, I should say, I started watching the movie Unhinged. I couldn't watch it to the end although I may attempt it at some later date. The anger hits way to close to home and I remember being followed around the house by a pissed-off husband with a shotgun in his hand saying "If I can't have you, no one can have you." Those crazy eggshell-walking days that are best left in the past where they belong.

Put that out of my mind and reviewed movies to add to my watch list (Amazon Prime). Working on cleaning out the desk now that the den furniture has been rearranged. 

Nice relaxing day.

Friday Progress Report.

When I spotted Coltsfoot (Tussilargo farfara) earlier this week, I knew the snows of Winter would be over soon. Not quite yet, but soon. Also spotted sprouting are rhubarb, a cinnamon fern, first this and the plum trees.

Have spent a bit of time watching how to videos on YouTube. Mostly embroidery - both needle painting and stump work. Am anxious to try both, but need more education before attempting ... Or perhaps I'll jump in and try. I yearn to make a butterfly combining both techniques.

In reality, there are so many chores on the to-do list I don't know where to start. This month I'm supposed to be getting the carpet replaced with new wood flooring. Which means all the bookcases, tables, etc. Need to be unloaded and moved. Not a fun job. Have to start now and do a little at a time so I don't hurt my back any further.

Kitchen cabinets need washed down with Dawn and repainted.

Bathroom sink needs replaced.

Porches and stairs need repainted, as do the house and shed (after the batting is installed).

Have to make a run to Kaytees in Coudersport to get a shrub or two before it's too late for planting.

Thursday.

Made stir-fry last night. Beef strips, broccoli, onion, carrots and bok choy with thyme and ginger flavored beef broth. Served over Thai Jasmine rice.

Thought the fresh ginger looked a bit like a horse. What do you think?

Woke up thinking of this song: Pretty Maids All in a Row (Joe Walsh of the Eagles is singing).

Supposed to get company today, so I guess I'd better take Bandit for a stroll and straighten up a bit. 6:00 a.m. and we've reached the daily high temperature: 32 degrees Fahrenheit.