Home Sweet Home - Fixing Up

  It's nearly 100 degrees and humid to boot! Jeff Beaty is out in it - scraping down the porch and painting more of the railings. The long porch was added on after Bill passed away about 14 years ago. Jeff also goes around and patches things up - peeling hall and kitchen ceilings, nailing together and old wooden bench out by the front door left by the former owner nearly 40 years ago, and restoring the huge picnc table - which seats 10 people when I have a picnic here.

  I was able to "forward" a lot of paint supplies on to Jeff, too. I won't be doing any more major projects "on my own" that require all those brushes, trays, rollers and paint. The amount of stuff that I have acquired "over the years" fills garage cupboards - top to bottom. Gradually, I am getting through it - giving it away - sharing and using, too.

  The Kharma, LLC yard guys were here last week to clear out the "jungle" - overgrown plants and bushes all around the back yard. The guys will be back to lay down pine straw mulch out front. Another job is to get up on the roof and get rid of the magnolia leaves that fill roof valley underneath the magnolia tree. Whoever planted that tree had no idea how huge it would be in 50 years! Speaking of trees, the gigantic oaks and locust trees are due for "opening" by Madison Tree Company. There is a lot of tree work to be done - crabapple trees need pruning, a huge ash tree needs to be removed and in back of the cottage there are plenty of dead limbs on the evergreens that "should go". The trees around here have been fed, pruned, nurtured and saved - a major investment - worth doing!

  I planted the moonflower plant that Gary brought into my art studio last week. I'm hoping it survives. I bought some fresh Miracle-Gro moisture-control soil and put it in a pot just for that plant. The moonflower has special meaning - it's a "family" flower that reaches back to my childhood memories and my early love for growing things.

  Out on the lower patio I'm trying my luck at growing some lavender plants again. Last year the big pot of lavender was frozen out. The summer herbs have grown and bolted. I don't use many of them - I just enjoy growing them "just in case". I may make the Walnut Pesto recipe given to me by the We're All Nuts guy at Madeira Farmer's Market - I have the walnuts, now to make the pesto!

 

I'm Here, Still Here

Contemplating "all that's going on". Here it is another Tuesday - a regular Tuesday? No, not exactly. Things are not the same as usual. Life seems more complicated. Is it from my watching too much TV or reading the blurbs that pop up on-line? Probably.

In spite of such bothering, I move forward with life - day by day - hour by hour - minute by minute. Today I am finally down here in The Cottage at the computer again - writing - observing. WGUC's classic music station booms out something modern. I look out the small window at the pine branches that nod quietly in the rays of noon sun. For awhile the window was covered with a curtain, but it's better without. Having another opportunity to connect with the real world - that of nature - is today's gift.

I saw two large yellow butterflies bouncing around the purple clustered butterfly bush. When I see small white butterflies I acknowledge Mrs. Garrison - my son's grandmother. She loved butterflies and collected many items that had a butterfly "theme".

This Tuesday the neighbor's tree stumps are being ground down into shavings. Some neighbors leave the stumps standing. Birds and squirrels hop atop the stumps to get a better view. Some stumps eventually wither and die away. In the back yard - the remaining stump of a beautiful blue spruce still holds a bit of ground that interrupts the neat strips of mowed grass.

Out by the mailbox the remaining lilies are putting out their last blossoms. We survived this year's battle with Mama Deer and her twins. I used Deer Scram, Deer Vik, This One Works and held back on the cayenne pepper and Irish Spring soap. Many beautiful iris bloomed earlier this summer, too. Now the iris leaves are turning yellow and the rhizomes are calling to be "divided". I may or may not get to this project.

For encouragement and help I visit my Facebook friends over on "Homemaker's Encouragment" where we list our "daily doings" and share our progress. By keeping in touch, I know that I've accomplished something and have given encouragement, too.

Today - I ease back from housework - because I have The Cleaning Authority team doing the jobs I could do, but choose to give myself the gift of time - time to be here to write another page for this Widder Lady blog. Onward!

Theater Thoughts 7/20/13

Just returned from "Seeing Stars Over Dixie" at our local community theater - Mariemont Players. It was a Sunday, 2 p.m. matinee performance - with a "sold-out" crowd. The play was entertaining with some fun "jabs" at humans being human. Forgiveness, acceptance, love and deciding "what's important" took "center stage".

Wished for both audience and actors that there were more opportunities for curtain calls. One session of applause (in my opinion) did not give sufficient reward to incredible hours of dedicated, hard-working, talented, creative people.

I have been a "theater goer" for many years of my life. I'm amazed by the entire process of theater - amazed in knowing how an idea appears in the playwright's brain which may gradually become a bound packet of dialogue to be read, torn apart, read again and again; discarded or eventually accepted as a play. Maybe the play will make it's journey to the stage - to be performed for a living, breathing audience.

Knowing that the playwright's idea may be squished and molded into something he may not have envisioned is a true "leap of faith" - allowing others to rip and tear one's creative thoughts, words and vision to pieces or reconstructing the entire story to fit another's interpretation of what may have been originally intended - this is the challenge - the challenge of getting past the fear of being fiercely judged - one's creative work - judged and possibly destroyed!

However, there is the possibility of genius lurking among those exchanges of speech, body maneuvers and gestures between those who are chosen to "play the part". Having this promise of sharing with others - one's thoughts, dreams, observations, obsessions and a myriad of other interactions with "all" that is available to the eternal mind - this force - this soul wrenching force - pushes the playwright forward.

How to become a playwright - that is the question for me today? I've written articles, columns, press releases, small stories and worked with my mother writing several books for family and friends. Writing comes easily - when I choose to write. So, today, I write a blog - not a play - a blog. (What a funny word - blog - rhymes with cog, dog, bog - funny word for writing).

OK. Let's "get with the program" as Mama (now Angel Lois) would say - hearing her words makes me realize it's time to do just that! One more word, just one more word! Onward!

Monday - February 3, 2014

Thank God it's February! We made it through the Polar Vortex and hope there is no further repeat of Arctic air dropping down to the Ohio Valley. This cold snap brought on hibernating behavior. No amount of green tea, Yoga stretches and motivational sayings helped me move from inactive to proactive behavior.

Now that January is over and my 77th birthday celebrated, I'm ready to face facts - face the fact that another year is "in my face". Calendars, clocks, schedules, TV news, FB pages shout it out - 2014 is here - it's here!

I still am following Wheat Belly Lifestyle - 18 months and counting. Many new friends are joining up and sharing their amazing progress. 109,000 of us! Wow! Grocery shopping has become a new adventure. I buy new favorites: Kerrygold Irish Butter, almond milk, wild blueberries, Wholly Guacamole, grass fed beef, eggs, Hormel uncured bacon, etc. I use almond flour and flaxseed flour for baking and order easy mixes from Wheat Free Foods LLC.

My five Meetup.com groups continue to grow. Some people are helping out by listing their events on the Art, Music, Theater Meetup page. More and more students are coming into class on Wednesdays at the studio. After class, Amy and I enjoy dinner at Swampwater Grill (authentic Cajun), BUZ (eclectic American food) and Tostados Mexican Restaurant. We usually have extra food to bring home for another meal next day.

Housekeeping has been made so much easier by having The Cleaning Authority come here every three weeks to do all the "basics" - bathrooms, kitchen, floors, carpet, basement and cottage. My job is to get rid of the clutter. I keep taking items to the studio "free shelves".  Now to set up an eBay store!

My life is filled with many theater events. I enjoy Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theater, Mariemont Players and Cincinnati Playwrights' Initiative.  Saw "Book of Mormon" and will see "Phantom of the Opera" again (thinking this is my fifth time). 

Life now is filled with so many angels. I know they are here and continue to let me know they are "here", too. Angel Lois smiles at me as I write this. Harry sends flowers and Bill is sending robins to the crabapple tree. Yes! February is here and soon will be gone, too! Onward!

Beautiful Sunday!

Turning back the clocks - 4 more to go. Happy for the "extra" hour and more daylight in the morning. I was already adjusting to the change of schedule - could "feel it". I call myself "Barometer" because I adjust to the weather accordingly.

Outside today pulling and cutting back Iris and Lamb's Ear.- looking for path rocks. Yesterday I pruned two butterfly bushes "way back" so that Rodney and partner (Pool Boys) could approach pool equipment without struggling through the overlapping limbs. There are a few more butterfly blooms still hanging on - left them to "finish" their cycle.

Out front, the yellow Iris continue to bloom as do the rose bushes. I'm so glad I got some Deer Scram and scattered it all around the edge of this front garden area. I put out the Thanksgiving flag that has a cornucopia on it. I will hang the Thanksgiving Turkey flag out in a couple of weeks.

Last week the yard guys cleared away the oak and locust leaves from beds, driveways and lawn. Things stayed "clear" for a couple of days, but now, today - this Sunday, there is a layer of leaves everywhere. I plan to use the electric blower to clear the front walk again.

The coleus plants have died. I don't know whether to try to "root" some this winter. Seems a bother. I did try last year, but the stems just melted away to squishiness. I did get some root pods to use for rooting plants - thinking what to save - geraniums or that lacy grew plant?

Sat outside in the sunlight for more Vitamin D - enjoying my easy tuna salad mixture in a wooden bowl. Saw a bright, shiny-tiny bee "putting himself in order" wiping his antennae, "feet" and then take off. Never saw one like him - ever!

Last night went to see "Slasher" at the Falcon Theater. It was a comedy - based upon making thriller movies - low budget - really low budget! There was much laugher from the attentive audience. Found a seat next to the wall - my favorite "lean to" and an extra open chair next to me. Several "singles" were in attendance. Happy to see the director, Ted Weil, all smiles and enthusiasm and happy to exchange a "big hug" after the performance.

Before the show, I stopped in at Richard's - a favorite "haunt". Found "Richard's" a couple years ago - a shop filled with "stuff". I usually find something worth bringing home. This time I bought a pillow that said "An Angel's Work is Never Done" (Thank You Angel Lois). I also bought a card holder - with a base that looks like a drum and a drumstick - maybe a Christmas theme, but maybe a drummer's knick-knack for photos. I'll use it at the studio to hold small art cards for display at the
December 6th & 7th Essex Art Walk. Richard's is going out of business - wondering if there is anything there that I "need". The fellow that was minding the counter said Richard had had the store nearly 40 years! Wonder where all the stuff will go? Yes! Where will all the stuff go?

Miracles of Nature Right in my Yard

Goldilocks

Garlic Shadows

Damp Lambs' Ears

Web Crystals

Widder Lady's "Usual Day"

Morning's for this Widder Lady are now free from any "have-to's" now that I've learned from my counselor Edgar Gibson that there are "No Have-To's" only "Choose To's". With the "Choose To" attitude in place, I now choose to get up when I feel like getting up. This can be any time from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Lately I'm sleeping much better and getting up around 7 a.m. I do think my body-clock is resetting itself as the "set your clocks back an hour" message approaches.

I put on a robe and some slippers and head for the kitchen. I wash my hands before I begin the morning routine of breakfast which is the "same thing" morning after morning. I defrost a small bowl of blueberries topped off with some unsweetened almond milk. This morning's blueberries are the bigger ones. I like wild blueberries better. For protein - I boil an egg by a timer for 3 minutes and put a strip of Hormel uncured bacon between 4 layers of paper towel and Zap it for a minute. I boil some water in the microwave then pour it over a little bag filled with  Green Kukicha twig tea. I get the tea at Essencha Tea House in Oakley. "Discovered" Kukicha in New York City @ TeaNY down around the corner of Orchard Street. I take a Vitamin Supplement from Dr.Sinatra.

My intake of  is "wheat/grain/free" for sixteen months - following Wheat Belly Living. (More information about Wheat Belly can be found over on Facebook). I take time to write down my daily tasks - in the little notebook. Breakfast, email, Facebook, trash trashed, clothes away, put me together, Yoga stretches, outside cleanup, office matters, write, read and paint. The list varies depending upon my "choices" for each day.

Today, I will be painting more lines into "The Symphony Hotel" painting I'm working on. This blog is the "Write" task on my list. I'll read something interesting before the day is over. Yesterday I checked the inside plants after the "Water Birdie" beeped (bought at Walgreen's or Family Dollar). It beeps when the soil gets dry. After many years of having various plants as "old friends", I watch as they grow and change.

For "focus" I use a timer that I also purchased at Walgreen's. I set it for 15 minute segments and "stay on track". The timer is an incredible "assistant".  As I write this, the timer has reached 15 minutes 3 times! I'm listening to small square Sony clock radio (clock clicks - but hands don't move) - music from "Showboat" plays - from WGUC. Above me is a picture of Mama "Angel Lois" as encouragement. I surround myself with bits and pieces of inspiration - a bulletin board full of items that I enjoy revisiting again and again.

Next to the bulletin board is a 90-Day Organizer "wipe off" calendar. I wipe off each day as it passes. I put upcoming events that are scheduled - my Meetups, theater events, classes at my students, dental and medical appointments; and celebrations.

I have many more "free days" - days that are mine alone - days to stay home - days to choose to wear sweats, days without makeup, days to sit outside and soak up some Vitamin D. Lunch time arrives -
another healthy salad will be enjoyed or some "Stoup" will be heated up. Afternoon - I may choose to take a nap, watch some "dumb" TV or tour the yard to see what Mother Nature has "been up to".