Happy New Year

Saturday Boredom

Hi, y'all.

I'm a little bit bored this evening. Early evening.

This morning I bit the bullet and downloaded Windows 10. It took awhile, but the process was seamless and easy even for a non-techie like me. Microsoft did a good job with this, from my point of view.

So now I'm facing something I've often wanted to face but didn't quite have the guts: Windows 10 does not have the simple solitaire and mahjong games that I've used to mindlessly while away time. Alas. The iPad doesn't have any, either. Yes, I could download some, but every time I try that I'm disappointed with what I got.

It's just as well, really. I need/want to not be so devoted to them anyway.  I still have the New York Times crossword puzzle, as well as their new spelling game (which I love!) and a few others I haven't tried. I'll just need to read, or something worthwhile, instead of mindless play.

Mostly, after the go-round with Microsoft this morning and a few errands about town afterwards, I've spent the day with The Queen. Signed up for my annual 30-day free trial of Netflix a couple of days ago, opted to watch most of season 2 to jog my memory, and am now into season 3, which I haven't seen yet.

One of my new neighbors is a wonderful artist (as in, a pro who actually sells her work) and she gave me a print for my birthday. Today I found the perfect frame for it, but the foam backing is too thick for the frame so she's going to switch it to a thinner backing tomorrow for me. It looks absolutely smashing, I must admit. The photo does not do it full justice, as I couldn't get the colors exactly right, but it's pretty close. Then there's the glare on the frame, and the fact that it's crooked. But -- you get the idea. The colors are vibrant and strong and well balanced and the brass frame was perfect for it -- as soon as I put the print into the frame at the store, it sang to me.

What will Sunday bring? Laundry, for one. Rain. A couple of good books to read, and some exercise machines in the next room waiting to be used.

Can the iPad become my camera?

Now that my energy is improving after the dreaded holiday is past, I opted to take a walk along the ponds to give the new iPad a test run as a camera. Random photos, no real effort at making them interesting, just trying to grab some different scenarios.

This one on the left is the result of a small amount of tinkering with the built-in photo editor, which is actually quite good. I only made one adjustment here, which was color saturation. Compare to the original, below.

 Clearly, the first photo is better, with the colors popping more.

There were a myriad of other options -- making it black and white, adding an over all tint, plus the usual adjustments one might want to make to a photo.  I only made the one because I suspected that whatever changes I'd make would overwrite the original, and I was correct. No 'save as' option, though knowing Apple there's probably something I haven't found yet.

Here are the others, unedited, merely as examples.

Merry Ho Ho

Christmas Eve, and it's the grinch here, as always.

Aside from being totally unable to forget/ignore the date and still live in the western world, my body and mind are sensing the end of a season that has for decades been unpleasant, to say the least. Thankfully, I'm long past the years when I'd go into a real funk every year, often not realizing what the problem was until the sunlight of my mind reappeared magically when the season was over. Or perhaps worse, realizing what the problem was but unable to do anything to stop it.

Plop Plop Fizz Fizz, oh what a relief it is! I used to work with the people who created that Alka Seltzer ad. Apropos of nothing.

Nowadays, though, the 'funk' has become much more insidious and sneaky so I don't necessarily realize it's even happening, though I realize something is off. Or, as in this year, I've noticed an increase in anxiety and sleeplessness, a general uneasiness and certainly a need to eat too much of the wrong foods. Comfort foods. But I didn't realize the extent of any of this until the last day or so when I noticed it starting to lighten up. Because it's almost over again for another year. I'm beginning to be more inclined to want healthier foods, and less interested in the red wine of an evening. I feel some inner excitement blossoming because the end is near, only another day or two left (and a few days after that before the media lets go of the fuss and advertising completely).

And here I thought I was such an expert at spotting this! Sometimes, it still beats me because now it's become quiet and sneaky in its ways.

For the first time since I've lived in this building (a little over 3 years now), I've appreciated the community this season. Much more connected to some people (possibly because I've reached out more). It's been a comfort I didn't expect, but appreciate very much now.

Wherever you are, whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate this time of the year, may you be happy.

Sleet, travel, and new toys

Took a drive to Portland this morning, early, trying to beat the mad rush at the store I was headed for. And did it today because I'd rather not face the weekday traffic headed north and in the general area.

A few months ago an old and dear friend gave me a pass to the Columbia Sportswear employee store. Her husband is on their board of directors and they'd just come from there.  A couple of months ago I decided to check it out and look for a new winter jacket. The one I have is almost 25 years old (kind of like my bike, both purchased my first year in Oregon, 1996). I still love it, but one snap is missing and it's no longer as waterproof as it once was.

I found the store hectic and confusing that first visit, and felt I had to find something because the pass was a one-time use and I didn't want to waste it. The jackets really weren't cut for a short and pudgy old woman -- more for younger and fitter women with flatter bellies. And I didn't like the colors. Just not colors I like to wear. Finally, I found a jacket in their Mountain Hardware division that didn't really fit my needs, but I bought it anyway, ready to get out of the store. Big mistake!

Mountain Hardware is a great brand. I own other of their items. They are made for active, outdoor people who spend time in the wilderness. I used to do that, but not anymore. After I got home and tried it on again, it just didn't feel right. I stewed for a week about taking it back, but didn't want to drive back to Portland, so I finally hung it in my closet. Last week the weather here was really cold and wet so I put it on, thought I'd give it a try. Again, I knew it wasn't right or comfortable so I took it off and wore my old jacket. For one thing, it's just too warm for the use I'd have for it. Too warm to be comfortable inside a store, for example, and when I leave home I'm generally going to some kind of indoor commercial establishment. I would have sweltered in that jacket. It was a great jacket, just a stupid decision for me to buy it.

Yesterday I decided to take it back, and that's where I went today. Because it was past the 60 day return window, the refund was only for store credit, but that was cool. I learned a lot from my first visit and while the place was already packed just after 9am, I knew my way around. In the end, for the price of that one jacket plus $26, I got two jackets, a pair of long water resistant active wear pants, and two pair of socks. I could wish I hadn't bought the socks, but they didn't cost much. One jacket is a bright yellow trench style rain jacket that will be perfect for biking. Very visible. Long enough to cover my torso. The other one is water repellent with a fleece lining, which is what my old jacket is. I didn't realize until I got home that the fleece lining zips out easily, and the shell has a reflective lining that bounces body heat back inside the jacket. The pants are for cycling, though I'll have to figure out a way to use them with my current bike, which has no chain guard.

I've pretty much decided to wait awhile to buy the new bike. It's pricey, and I'd hate to find out that my knees are going to reject cycling after I buy it. So I think I'll work on strengthening my knees on an indoor contraption, and see how much I ride the bike during the winter. Even with the new clothes, I can't imagine there will be lots of days when cycling would be fun.  I might, however, start doing shorter errands with it, perhaps starting this coming week when I need to go across the river for a small item that other places don't carry. It's a hassle to get there and back in the car, but it's just over the nearest bike bridge from home and a short ride beyond that. Seems like a good time to start, and see where it goes. The market I use most often is also an easy reach on the bike path. If my knees stay happy all winter, then I'll get the new toy.

It was sleeting when I came out of the store this morning and started home. I could barely see the roads, but fortunately after I traveled southward a short distance, I left it all behind and even found a little sunshine.

Turmeric Toddy

Warning: this stuff is addictive! [see new notes if you've read this before].

You all know that I'm a real believer and practitioner of using food for optimal health. I read, I pay attention, and if convinced, I add whatever it is to my diet.

Some years ago I first learned of the incredible healing/health properties of the spice, turmeric. I started adding it to my daily smoothie and still do that, when I have a smoothie. That was also about the time I became enchanted with curry, another addictive obsession, which uses turmeric and ginger, among others. Other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger, also have great healing/health properties. I'm not going to list the benefits here -- Google will be your friend if you look them up.

I ran across this recipe a few days ago, similar to one I'd tried before and lost. This one is even better, although I tweaked it a bit to add more goodness to it. I'm having one as I write this, though sipping cautiously with a spoon because I took a swallow of the first cup I made and felt the burn all the way down my esophagus. Not fun. Be warned, delicious as it is, it does not cool down to drinkable temp quickly. Hence the cautious spoonful approach.

I've been using either 100% canned coconut milk (all I had on hand) or a combination of the coconut milk and whole cow's milk. I'm going to get some boxed coconut milk (cheaper) and give that a try, too.

Notes: I've now tried this with a variety of kinds of coconut milk: full fat canned coconut milk alone, or mixed with half either  cow's milk or dairy coconut milk; Lite canned coconut milk mixed with half dairy coconut milk;  100% dairy coconut milk. Only the full fat canned version, either alone or mixed with a lighter milk 50%, is the only one that gives the creamy, unctuous consistency and flavor that I find so addictive. And after running some cost numbers, turns out the canned version is no more pricey than the other versions. But it does have a LOT more calories.

Also, I'd caution you to be careful with the black pepper. I've never measured the amount I use, but it's usually a few turns of the pepper mill. Once I added too much and it really took away from the overall taste. My understanding is that black pepper 'needs to be present' when turmeric is consumed in order for the health benefits to occur. I've seen nothing that says how much, so I'd rather err on the low side than the high side, for best flavor.

That's it for the update. Now, enjoy!

Spiced Turmeric Toddy (1 serving)

1 cup milk of choice (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp. coconut oil or butter
1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper (this is necessary for fullest benefit of turmeric's powers)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp local honey
few drops of vanilla extract.

Heat all but vanilla slowly until steamy, whisking to blend well. Add vanilla at the end. The turmeric will thicken the milk and it'll be unctuous and creamy and yummy. Pour into a cup and enjoy.

I have to limit myself to one cup per day, partly because the coconut milk is pricey and partly because despite being healthy, it does pack a few calories. Boxed coconut milk is not as fatty, and has fewer calories, but probably not quite as unctuous and creamy. I'll soon find out.

Do I really need a new toy?

Hello out there.

On the off chance that anybody wonders, I'm still here. Alive and well. Just been having some annoying physical issues that led me to believe the body is fighting off a bug. Bottom line, biggest symptom of that is fatigue and lack of energy, sleeping more than usual.

Of course, for an insomniac sleeping more than usual is a good thing, but also a sign that the immune system is working hard to kill off some intruder, when combined with the other issues.  So far, it seems that the immune system is winning.

Besides that, I had and have nothing really to write about.

I've had a lot of the 'I wants' lately, which is a state of mind I've learned to recognize for what it is, and ignore. I frankly thought the 'I wants' were a thing of the past, but like other nonsense, they've been banging on the door for a few months now. So most of the stuff that has been on that list -- such as a new iPad or something -- has withered away far from any bit of urgency.

One thing that has arisen a lot over the last month or so is a new bike. Mine is fine, nothing wrong with it. But I've noticed a few things while beginning to ride it again that suggest that if I want to keep riding -- and I do -- I need to make some changes. This bike, which is almost 25 years old, is awkward to get on and off of. Always has been, but when I was 25 years younger it was less of an issue. In order to get on or off, I have to lean the bike to its side and attempt to swing my right leg over the seat without falling on my rear with the bike on top of me. It's just not as easy as it once was. Secondly, the seat is really uncomfortable. I've had it maybe 10 years, and it's never been really comfortable, but now it's just really noticeably miserable. And, leaning forward with my weight on the handlebars has also gotten far less comfortable on aging hands and hand joints and tendons, not to mention arms and shoulders and everything else involved.

A neighbor has a bike that's appealed to me for awhile, as I've watched her ride off on it. It has smaller wheels than my standard size bike so it's lower to begin with, and has a step-through frame where I can do just that. Step through, not swing my leg over. Much more stable. And it has a fat and soft seat and high handlebars, so there is no leaning forward. I finally caught her on Sunday morning in the laundry room and asked all the questions I could think of about her bike. She does not own a car, has had other, standard bikes, uses this bike for everything and is a 'wanderer' like me, who just hops on the bike and takes off to explore new areas. We had a lot in common. She loves the bike. So later that day I took off for the same bike shop I took my bike to recently for some maintenance work, which is where she bought hers. I fell in love with one of them, but didn't want to take it for a spin outside because the streets were wet and I didn't want to spatter that shiny new bike with road dirt. I need to go back and give it a try before committing. Thinking of doing it Friday, but the weather looks to be really cold, though clear and dry. Since I'd need to ride my current bike over there -- maybe 30 minutes away -- to trade it in, then ride the new one home, I'm wondering if a later day might be better. Who knows what I'll end up doing in the long run! I certainly don't. We'll see what happens on Friday. 

Here's the website for the bike. The top one is the bike, but the one I want is green with yellow wheel rims. The 'I wants' are really strong right now, and while that's a clear sign to not take action yet, I really would like to have the thing for whatever sunny days show up this winter.

Curry overload

Anybody remember the old Alka Seltzer commercials of the 1970s?  At one point in my checkered career, I worked for the agency and with the creative team who came up with those ads. That's neither here nor there.

Today there's one of those in particular that I'm thinking about: "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"  In my case today, I ate every last bit of a fish curry I made for lunch, and far too much of the rice that I made to go with it. I really regret that last bit of rice and sauce, the leftovers. My belly feels like it's going to burst, or maybe wishes it could. If it had a brain.

Curry has become an obsession of mine over the last 10 years or so. I'm pretty much convinced that about anything is better with curry spices and/or a sauce. And a sauce, of course, requires rice.  And really, there wasn't enough of it for two meals, two days. So what's a curry-obsessed gal to do? Eat!

Now I guess I'll regret that for awhile, until enough of it is digested enough to be less noticeable. A full belly makes for a good after-lunch nap, so there's that.

My foot is healing nicely, now feels like just a bad bruise when I walk on it. Whew!

Old age ain't for sissies

I've been quiet because not much is happening, since my bike ride on Sunday. 

And speaking of Sunday, sometime during that day I noticed a bit of a tender spot on the sole of one foot. It felt something like what we used to call rock bruises. I didn't really think too much about it, because I've had a lot of those over the years.

By Monday, however, it was hurting a good bit more. I took a look, and there was a small round red/blue bump surrounded by red skin. I thought it might be a blood blister, though I've never had one.

By yesterday, it was still there, still sore, showed no signs of going away. My doctor couldn't fit me in this week at all, and I sure didn't think it warranted a $40 copay for urgent care.

By this morning, after a rough night of little sleep (not because of the foot, though aggravated because since my attention was on the foot I felt discomfort whenever the foot encountered the bedding), I opted for another option, a walk-in clinic at a group where I used to have a primary care physician.

It's a good thing I went. Great doctor who probably spent an hour with me. First used a needle to try and drain it, but the pain was really intense. He tried some numbing cream, which really didn't help, then a numbing injection that also really, really hurt but didn't numb it enough. A second syringe of the stuff did the job and after that I didn't care what he did. He was able to drain it quickly and lo and behold, a blood clot emerged. Not a huge one, maybe a little more than pinhead size, but enough to make the surrounding tissues very unhappy.

Fortunately it was not a dangerous kind of clot -- the DVT kind that can break loose and cause havoc in the heart.

Hopefully I'm now on the mend, and hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight because I'm really, really groggy and tired. Just wanted to say hello. Is anybody listening?

Bicycling again...

My latest escapade involves my bicycle. I've lived here for a little over three years, am within a block of the riverfront bike path (18 miles, round trip), but haven't ridden the bike for about 3 years. Just before I moved in here I'd lived further out of town and was regularly riding and exploring flat country roads in the area. I took the bike out once not long after I moved here, road it across the river on an errand. Then I let the local fear-riddled little old ladies scare me about it being unsafe to be on the bike path alone, especially early in the morning. Lots of druggies out there waiting to prey on unsuspecting women, don't you know.

I really didn't believe it, as in the past I've ridden that path in the early mornings many times, all parts of it. But I foolishly let them plant a bit of fear about it inside my head and it was possible things had changed in the years when I lived in Georgia.  I took it out once more, on a weekend afternoon when the path is really busy (hated that!), but for some unremembered reason, my body seemed to rebel, and I felt shaky on the bike, so I parked it in my living room and haven't moved it since.

Over the intervening months I've often had yearnings to ride it, but of course the tires had lost air and I no longer had my good air pump. Plus I was plagued with some kind of lung congestion for over a year, which would not lend itself to that kind of exercise. Plus my knees would bother me from time to time, and cycling tends to aggravate that. And on, and on, and on.

Last Sunday I snagged a decent floor style air pump for free and put it to use, then a few days later went out for a trial run. I didn't feel shaky, which was good, but quickly became aware that my left gear shifter wasn't doing anything and was stuck in super low gear. I could adjust the rear gears still, and let's face it, low gear is good for old folks 'cause it's super easy. I was out there for about an hour (or so I thought, but today I'm not so sure), and while I felt the exercise, and one knee whined a bit the next day, I was basically none the worse for wear. So I hied off to the bike shop and had them replace the bad shifter and do a couple of more things they suggested.

Today, I really wanted to go out but didn't want to ride the riverfront path because of crowds. So I loaded the bike onto the car (something I can barely manage, frankly, after these 3 years) and went off to the edge of town where there's a lovely path that goes along a canal, through wildlife meadows and wetlands. It was wonderful and the bike felt lovely with it's new shifter and some maintenance. I rode to the end of the path and back and was shocked to learn that it only took 35 minutes. And I know it's longer than the section of river trail I rode last week. I think I was going faster, with the right gear combinations, with no more effort.

That whole exercise took a bit more effort than it was worth, all in all, but I'm glad I did it and am now ready to tackle longer rides on the river path. Mid-week. And maybe (gasp!) I'll brave getting to the bridge that crosses the river so I can run errands over there, any druggies be damned.

I mentioned to the young man at the bike shop who checked me out that I hoped my body would let me keep riding it. He told me that his grandfather is 93 and still rides 3 miles every single day. It's not a long ride, but he keeps doing it. He told me to just keep it in low gears, go slow, and not tackle hills, and I'd do just fine. If today was any indication, he was right.

Old folks have the best stories to tell

It's so easy for all of us, me included, to look at old people and not see past the thinning grey hair, the saggy, baggy, wrinkled skin to the person inside.

I live in an old-folks home, of sorts. Not a place with facilities or care or meals, merely an apartment building for people over 55. One of our residents will be celebrating her 100th birthday this Friday, and while many people rely upon aides to come in during the week to help with bathing, laundry, cleaning, whatever is needed, an equal number are self-sufficient, still have cars and travel as they wish.

Up until a couple of weeks ago we had three married couples living here, then one of the men died. This was a couple who everyone here respected and admired, especially the wife, who tended her husband both at home and in his frequent hospital and/or nursing home visits, where she would stay with him night and day for the duration. The devotion was astounding to watch these past few years, but while I knew who they were and spoke to them a couple of times when I'd encounter them, I didn't really know them.

A couple of days after I learned that he'd died I was on another floor to meet with a couple of friends, who happened to be in the hallway speaking with the widow when I arrived, so I joined them. We learned that they were married for 67 years. I don't know what they did for the rest of their lives, but that day I also learned that they had been lighthouse keepers at one of Oregon's many lighthouses for 17 years, many years ago.

Lots of people here have interesting stories, though I only know a fraction of them. One used to train racehorses (trotting/pacing horses that pulled sulkys, not thoroughbreds that race with jockeys), again, many years ago in another life. One is an artist and poet and all around free-spirit who lived in Mexico much of her life and has only 'retired' in recent years due to a health issue. One went to school and became a car mechanic at an advanced age and at one time many years ago raced cars.

Looking at them -- us -- people see the sags and bags and droops and wrinkles, and never look for or think about the interesting lives behind them. I'm guilty, too, but my horizons are certainly opening up.

Electronics woes

I have a strong itch for a new toy, but not really a toy. I need a new camera if I want to take decent photos, have considered a used iPhone6s but while that's still desirable, I dug deeper into the idea yesterday and learned that my Verizon prepay plan would almost triple, rather than merely double, so I backed out of that. It's always there if I want it.

Also, I had a Kindle ereader for a couple of years -- just a tiny one with few features, but that was useful in the living room for email, twitter, web surfing, etc. It died recently and while I've adjusted well to life without it, sometimes there are things going on in the world (currently the fires in Sonoma, California) that make me want to stay closer to this computer, which is in my bedroom.

And this computer, while only 3 years old and working fine at the moment, needs a decent backup and I no longer have one. Or, the one I have is old, uses Windows XP, and is suddenly just really slow. Last week, a 'critical alert' popped up as I opened a tab on Firefox. I knew it was phony, but it froze the computer and I ended up doing a hard shutdown. Fortunately, it was fine after that. But still, I want a backup. I have a great laptop that needs somebody who is a pro to repair it. Reload the operating system, check components, clean it, etc.  There wasn't an easy fix 3 years ago when it died, or at least the guy who came to my house to fix it couldn't fix it. He just did the same things I'd done that I knew didn't work. So, not having somebody I'd trust to fix it, I ordered a new one.

So my question is, do I get that laptop refurbished? It was a great one with lots of wonderful features, but 6-7 years old. Kind of outdated, and it would probably cost a few hundred to get it fixed. Or, do I bite the bullet and get a decent sized iPad, which is what I call a real toy. I actually ordered one on Woot! this morning, but cancelled it within 5 minutes because I realized that while it had a good camera, there was no way I'd carry something that size out with me on hikes or walks or anything else, so the camera doesn't matter.

Getting another tablet, or any other computer such as a Chromebook, would still leave me without a camera, and a camera is what started this whole thing for me. I'd still need to buy one. I really can't buy both, and that's my conundrum this morning.  That old bugaboo craving wants the iPad. Common sense says maybe a Chromebook and a camera. Or a smaller iPad, I guess.

OK. Got that out. Putting it into writing helps organize my thoughts. I don't expect a decision right away, although the iPhone is out due to monthly costs (I'm still poor).

Life in old age

Hello, world. Is anybody still out there?

Yes, it's been almost a year since I last posted my nonsense here, but lately I've found that my need to communicate has been somewhat renewed and instead of using the blog, I've bombarded a friend (a patient friend).

For some unknown reason, life has seemed a lot better in recent months. I've had more energy, despite still not sleeping well, thus that need to communicate, to use my brain for something other than crossword puzzles. Granted, this blog has never been a major brain event -- quite the opposite, most of the time.

So what have I been up to?

Genealogy: I've solved two long-time 'brick walls' using DNA. Plus I've confirmed all the info I already had on all of my family lines using DNA. Since for me the fun of genealogy is the hunt, the puzzle, playing the detective and searching for clues, I find that is now less time-consuming and less interesting. Something has to fill that gap, and the TV sure doesn't cut it.

Hiking: I've had a real urge to get into the forest again, but while hiking alone has never been a problem for me, nowadays I find that I just want company, if I can find it. Had the bright idea a few days ago to approach a few people here who I thought might enjoy some local hiking (and be physically able). I posted notes on their doors, then headed to the southside to a trail I hiked a lot when I lived down there.  As was always a problem with this trail, it was heavily used even early on a Monday morning, and populated with unleashed dogs, runners, and mountain bikes. None of these were rude, but I've certainly encountered rudeness in the past and I hate sharing trails with mountain bikes. After 27 minutes of slow uphill progress, I decided I didn't need to reach the top and turned around. I'm really not in shape for hills. Yet.

Yesterday one of my neighbors went with me to another trail in the same park, one where mountain bikes are not allowed and that is not as heavily traveled. I had to find the highway trailhead, since I always walked there from home, but once that was solved we were on our way. The trailhead sign said 1.3 miles to the next road. Hilly miles. Bike tire tread marks on the trail, but didn't meet any. Met a few other hikers and a large group of local firemen (and let's face it ladies, firemen tend to be real eye candy -- young and fit and cute) who were practicing rescue on a hillside. We reached the next trailhead not long afterward, and contrary to Monday, having company made it seem easier. This trail is also more rolling hills, not straight up like the first one. I was quite stiff and sore after Monday, and am sure I will feel yesterday's to some extent. But this is good. My body needs it. And so does my mind.

Tomorrow, walking the nearby ponds with a new resident who physically can't walk fast or for long trips, but who seems really interesting. I'm happy to have company for local walks, too, as they get really boring when I'm alone so I rarely do them.

Garden: still growing some delish foodstuffs in my 4x4 raised box. Lots of garlic last winter. Lots of salad veg spring and early summer. Experimented for the first time with cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts this fall. One head of cabbage, which was utterly delicious. So far one large head of broccoli with three others that should be ready in the next week. and two stalks of brussels sprouts, immature and yet to be sampled. I was so pleased with the cabbage that I bought more seedlings of a winter variety, plus some rainbow chard. Yesterday planted 4 garlic cloves, as garlic is a great pest repellant for the entire bed.

So -- my need to communicate this morning is now scratched. Later!

More snow....

Day 3. More snow overnight. Looks like about 6" from up here, on top of cars. Looks pretty much like it did the morning of Day 1, aside from tire tracks down the parking lot and piles of snow alongside sidewalks. I was hoping to be able to catch a bus today for some grocery shopping, but it seems unlikely they will run today. I won't starve -- far from it -- but will certainly have to live without fresh veggies and kefir (made from milk, which ran out today). The good news is that it's forecast to be a bit warmer today (all of 41F!), above-freezing tonight and no precip the next two days. This should clear away rather quickly if all that happens.

Record snow in Eugene!

Day two of being snowed in! Total of about 11 inches, which is said to be a record for Eugene. It all fell in less than 24 hours, beginning in the evening and continuing until near noon yesterday.

Some of us (yours truly included) had to get out in it. I went out once early morning to take garbage and recycling, had to wade through 8" of virgin snow. That part was easy. The hard part, which I hadn't thought of, was that there was also 8" of snow on top of the lids to those two big containers. I had to brush a good bit of snow off before I could get them open. Barehanded.

Then, I hiked through more virgin snow to my car where I used a brush and long-handled squeegee to get all the snow off the car, except for the top. I went out again later and removed the next 2-3" that had piled up in the interim. Also went out to my garden spot, which has a frost-gard 'tent' over the entire bed. Inside the tent are 6 baby romaine seedlings I planted last week. Over those are two layers of frost-gard kind of crumpled right over them, held up by supports. I had my doubts that these babies survived the cold, so I brushed all the snow off the tent, peeked inside and voila! those little seedlings looked happy as can be.

Looking the other way -- ruts of a big truck that brought two very nice men from our landscaping company who shoveled all the walkways and some of the handicap areas, sprinkled them with de-icer. A couple of folks have driven over it, though why anybody is out in this mess I'll never know. Our power has been on the entire time, but much of the town is apparently without power, lots of trees down, etc. And while the city/county have snow plows, it's not like what a town in some area that gets lots of snow would have. The bus system did not operate all day yesterday but I understand they are on limited 'Sunday' schedules today. Fortunately, I have enough food that I don't really need to go out, and I don't plan on moving that car until all this is g-o-n-e! I don't do ice and snow.