Powerless

Dang, life gets hard without electricity.  The worst is not having any water.  Try brushing your teeth without water, and you can't even wash your hands.  You don't know what quiet is until you live alone on the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere with a dog that doesn't bark and two cats who sleep all day.  Once again PG&E said the outage was due to predicted high winds...that never came.  In the 90s, even a puff of breeze would have been welcome.  Daylight comes late and dark comes early, but in between I did get a book read.  With the limited light, it took all three days, but it kept my mind occupied.  Michael and I were out for a walk yesterday; on the way back to the house I heard the TV!  Glory be!  We ran (slowly) back in and, yes, the TV was on and the fan was running!  The first thing always after such an event it to flush the toilet!  We get so used to 'modern' conveniences that we don't think twice about them until they're not there.

I was grateful that the power came back in time to watch the first presidential debate/debacle.  A good portion of my time is spent watching MSNBC news (I try to stay informed) and I would have hated to miss that event.

Usually, the first thing I do every day is write an entry here, but today I got caught up on FB first, especially to see how relatives in the Santa Rosa area were faring.  So far, so good.

Boy, did I ever miss the computer!  It's a lifeline to the outside world.  Glad to be back, for sure!

Stay safe.  Be well.

Cooks And Crooks

Ah, Saturday, my day for cooking shows.  I saw some good recipes and techniques yesterday, but admit to a tinge of sadness.  I have no one to cook for anymore.  I wonder what the holidays will be like this year.  Thanksgiving last year was reduced to KFC, but at least the family was here.  Christmas was the last time we were all together.  Boohoo.

The afternoon was spent in the company of Tom Selleck (hey, it could be worse!) and the Bluebloods family.  Too many of the new cops-and-robbers series are a little too gory for my taste.

PG&E has sent notice that they intend to cut our power this afternoon, may be out until Tuesday.  Aarrgh!  This time, as it was the last time, is due to projected high winds.  Last time, the strong winds were, as one local wag put it, enough to blow a leaf clear across his driveway.  Ah well, better safe than sorry.  I do appreciate the advance warning.  Time to fill the water bowls and trough, do the dishes, and take a shower.

It's been awhile since I've included a photo of a sunset.  The last hurrah last evening was spectacular.

Stay safe.  Be well.

Morning Song

There is such an advantage to getting up early, the early bird, as it were.  A rooster on property to the east sounds reveille to start the day.  There is a flock of pedestrian turkeys, maybe ten or so, that comes through just about daybreak.  They talk amongst themselves, quietly and constantly.  If it's still semi-dark, owls ask the eternal question, "Whoo?"  Quail tend to sleep in.  I haven't heard them calling for the missing Rod-RI-go yet.  The oak tree over the woodpile is filled with sparrows and the dinky birds, all up and talking at the same time.  They wake up the raucous woodpeckers who state their displeasure at length.  Pretty soon the crows will chime in.

While mornings are not quiet here, it was startling today just at first light when someone across the road fired four shots from a large-caliber handgun.  It leaves one to wonder at what and why...a mystery.

Well, all the birds seem to have gone about their business for the day and they're setting a good example for me.

Stay safe.  Be well.

One-Trick Pony

Actually, I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve, but of late I've only been pulling out one a day.  Inertia is hard to overcome, and I do inert very well.  I could/should dust.  Oh let it be, that dust isn't hurting anyone.  It's not nearly so satisfying to dust on a regular basis.  It's hard to tell you've done anything until you can write your name.  I'll put that on the list.

Benadryl doesn't put you to sleep, but it does cause a deep sleep and I've been waking up after daybreak...that's really late for me, especially since dawn comes later now.

There are times when I wish I hadn't made it my mission to write almost exclusively about farm life, my life.  Given the current political circus arena, I rant and rave, sometimes aloud, alone in the house.  I would love to give vent to my opinions and feelings, because as it is the only ones to hear me are the dog and cats, and they don't care and can't vote anyhow.  Ah well...just as well I keep these thoughts to myself.

Let's see.  Yesterday was 'clean the cat box' day.  I wonder what trick I'll pull out of the hat today.  I think I'll just let it be a surprise.

Stay safe.  Be well.

Slow Progress

The Benadryl is helping...slowly.  Most of the heat and some of the redness and swelling are gone from my arm.  I'm getting my wrinkles back!  At least I don't look like the bride of Frankenstein, made up out of extra parts, now.

I've cut way back on watching the news.  That has caused some anxiety, but I'm coping.

One game of sudoku (okay, two) a day.  I'm failing miserably at cutting out solitaire, but nobody said this would be easy.

I've found a channel that plays old reruns of "Bluebloods."  That is, for me, a feel-good show.  It's a good way to stay away from the news.  Trying to cope with everything that is happening out in the world was getting to me.  As much as I can't understand the what and why of it all, even more I can't understand those who post such division on FB.  This truly is a time when we should all be pulling together.  We should be able to disagree without such rancor.  So says the sage on the hill.

Stay safe.  Be well.

Childproof

It is said that as one ages, one becomes more childlike.  I know for sure that, at least in one aspect, that is true.  I can't open a darned thing.  In an effort to protect the little ones, packaging has become so difficult that the contents are safe from me, too.  I did go to the doctor yesterday about my arm...nothing for it but to wait it out another week or so, but he did suggest Benadryl.  I did stop and pick up the medication.  Yeah, well.  The pills were packed in one of those blister-packs.  It took ten minutes and a really sharp knife to get one dose.  No wonder they help you sleep...you're exhausted by the time you get to bed.

I have the same problem with some plastic bottles.  The caps are designed with children in mind.  I could die in the Sahara by the time I get the cap off to take a drink.  It takes a screwdriver and pliers to accomplish the deed.  Even cardboard boxes are a challenge, and then the contents are wrapped in layers of plastic to work through.  A bag of chips is so well sealed that the bag explodes by the time you've pulled hard enough.

I throw a childish temper tantrum as the manufacturers save me from myself.

Stay safe.  Be well.

Addicted

I'll admit I'm hooked...addicted to the news, as well as computer solitaire and cellphone sudoku.  I blew this entire morning on solitaire, "By golly, I will beat this thing!"  Ordinarily I would start watching the news as soon as Michael and I come in from our walk, but not today.  They say the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem.  When entire days go by and I've not moved, that's a problem.

I don't know if I can go cold turkey, so I'm going to try starting in small increments.  Three games only, regardless of the outcome.  The news is going to be harder.  I'll try to cut back to maybe just one hour.  The world is spinning out of control and I've felt the need to try to keep up.  It's not working.  I may need to add some time with this one as we get closer to election.

I'll try convince Michael to help me stay on the straight and narrow; he's been looking for a job and he is, after all, a support dog.

Wish me luck.

Stay safe.  Be well.