December Plans

 In order to stave off stagnation and dementia, I have decided to have a new plan for every day of December. I especially want Tommy involved since he mostly sits. I can and do find things to do. 

Dec 1

Tomorrow, I will finish the door wreath and we will put up the red curtain lights I bought. This was not something I planned, but I saw red ones and flipped for them. Tommy will have to get out his 50 ft extension cord. Together, we will get it installed on the front of his ramp. It may be gaudy or look strange, but we are doing it. We will put out the outdoor poinsettia that I bought for $5 at the yard sale. 

Dec 2

We will get the wreath done and hung. I bought a greenery wreath and am busy putting big red balls and poinsettias and such on it. The wreath I bought last year looks so blah that it is unclear what it is from the road. It does not have greenery. Or reddery! 

Okay, we have something to do for the next three days. The heater/ac fan made a horrendous racket two weeks ago. Then, it made a little noise. When we drove to Cullman, the noise was so awful that we could not talk.  Finally, when we turned off the motor at a fast food joint, it did not make a sound when we started the car. So, no air at all, no heat or ac. It has been very inconvenient. The worst part is cracking the windows a bit when we are suffocating. I am not so sure what we can get done for Christmas projects.Tommy has a doctor appointment for a toenail that is hanging. It hurts me to look at it. That is our project one day. 

However, we have a few things to do: put up the 3 ft. tree and decorate, finish spraying the mum, making a Gingerbread house.  I bought it just for him. I try to get Thomas involved because he really does enjoy these things. We don't have a Advent calendar. I would like one that has little doors and is wooden. I imagine I will just go in and open a cabinet door, eat whatever I see, and call it good. 

Christmas music will be played every night. He enjoys the songs, too. I may read him some Christmas stories and poems. 

We want to go to a light show, the kind where people stay in the car and drive through. I do have other ideas. I want to make it a wonderful Christmas for him. 

Right now, I am getting rubber gloves and the carcass of a turkey, a hen, and a turkey breast. He is going to remove the meat. The house smells delicious. 

What are your plans? Do you have the decorating finished?

Tuesday Things

 I put the turkey bones on this morning, filled the pot with water and left the house about 10 am. When I got home after 5 pm, it looked like the same amount of water was in the pot! I checked to see if I thought the pot had been hot enough. I think it was well above 165F. So, I feel safe. Now, I have turned it up and will turn it down tonight when we go to bed. 

This morning I had an appointment with a neurologist--nothing new or interesting and no tests. My fears were allayed. 

THEN, I got a burger. We went to Big Box and I bought a can of silver glitter paint for the mum. It is sort of red from the red spray paint, but I will spray it with the silver glitter paint and put fairy lights in it. Then, I went to Publix. 

Wednesday, I have an appointment about my toe. Tommy managed to half rip off his toenail with the seam of his pants. It is just hanging. Of course, it was loose or the seam could not dislodge it. So, hopefully, my doctor will see him. I called three podiatrists. One agreed to an emergency appointment just to remove the toenail, nothing else. The soonest emergency appoint was Jan. 15, 2022! That is the most positive response I received. What is it with podiatrists being so busy? 

I started a new book--A Brief History of Time: Four Billion Years in Eight Chapters by Andrew H. Knoll. 

It's almost 7 pm and we are going to search for the rest of the turkey in the freezer! Tommy can put a bin on his walker seat and I will hand things out, one shelf at a time. In the meantime, I will put another breast into the refrigerator to thaw. 

We must get busy since I want to watch The Great American Light Fight, so I have to go. I love that show! 

Walden, Blacks, Turkey, Gasoline, Prescriptions

 I discovered a book, BLACK WALDEN. I am a fan of Thoreau and a reader of Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. For a few years I have been determined to find a copy of Walden and reread it. Almost all my classes in grad school covered these two areas.  In school my area of expertise and interest lay with the American Transcendentalists and the British Romantics. I never knew the other inhabitants of Walden Woods were black people. So, I need to read Walden again. The article certainly informed me of aspects of the book I have read several times. Why did someone not lead me to the fount? 

There was one disappointment in Thanksgiving. I lost the huge hunk of turkey breast I had cooked for the day. However, I had most of the turkey I baked earlier in the week and most of the breast of the hen. So, we did not suffer for lack of turkey or protein from the hen. Now, today, the two of us will try to find it in the big freezer. He and I both tried separately, but together we can actually take stuff out, lots  if need be, and sort through it instead of shuffling it about. How can you lose pounds of meat all in a hunk and in clear plastic? 

Today, I will put the hen carcass and the bones from the breast into a pot and cook long and low. I will add carrots, celery, onions and bell pepper. There is very little in the bag except bones with meat still on them and a bit of cooked onion and a bit of tomato. Any other suggestions?

Oh, I have another question. I read that a tablespoon of vinegar would release the calcium from the bones. Do I still need to break the bones? Also, will baking the bones make the stock tastier? Okay, that was two questions. 

It is cold as I sit here, 48F outdoors. I have on a pink floral summer nightgown. When I got up, I slipped on my orange Halloween leggings, and a pink sweatshirt. Tommy thinks this kind of dressing is different. Do you ever wear "odd" things at home? Tell me all about it. 

We both audibly rejoiced when we found gas had fallen in a few stations to $2.98/gal. Have you found prices of gas are falling, even if only a bit? 

I received a "prescription card" In the mail. I finally decided to try it. That was a bust since the prescription was higher using the card. So, the cashier did not use it. Have you found a card that purports to make your meds cheaper and then found it did NOT do so? 

I spray painted the mum and it is not attractive. I am going to spray it again and see if that helps. Yeah, waste a $5 can of spray paint. Way to go, Linda

It's a quiet, dreary Sunday, but the sun is supposed to come out. 

Saturday Replay and New Quest

 Tonight, we finished all the leftovers except for the turkey and the two cranberry dishes. So, that is it? No, I cannot find the turkey breast half I froze. Where did it slide in the freezer? I suppose that on Sunday, we will search.

Early Saturday morning, we were up and out of here. We went to Cullman to collect mail and search for my pecan man. The mail was stuffed, about half of it junk. Tommy had trouble getting it out of the tiny box. I doubt the size of the PO boxes has changed since their inception when the Pony Express delivered mail for a penny  a page. I just made up that last sentence, no facts involved. We went to my lot, I went to Publix to shop and go to bathroom, went to another store and bought nothing at either store. So, they were quick trips. I took cans to my friend who collects them for a mutual friend who has a $5000 bill coming up for her water or sewage or something. We just gave them to her daughter and left. And, I could not find my pecan man. 

Pecans--my quest this year, fresh and affordable. 

After buying a Whopper, we headed home. The Iron Bowl was at 2:30, so we were not wasting time anywhere even though I needed to return something to Belk's. I did not sleep a wink all night, so I had no energy, anyway!

Alas, Auburn lost the Iron Bowl! 

Before the Iron Bowl began, we unloaded the car, I spray-painted the mum a bright red which did not appear anything but dull rust. I suppose I need to do that again. 

So, now we are watching something Christmassy and Chevy Chase. 

How was your Saturday? Now, I need to inspire Tommy to fluff the wreath I bought for the front door!  What are your plans for Saturday night and Sunday? 

Quiet Day After

 Friday was quiet here, and we did not leave the house. Well, Tommy washed and dried clothes for me and got the mail. But, we went nowhere. And, it's okay. Now, I need to fold them. 

We ate leftovers and I napped. He ate leftovers and watched TV. After the news we had leftovers again. And, I wanted to watch Christmas shows--How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Five More Sleeps Til Christmas. Jimmy Kimmel wrote the book and was involved heavily in the movie. I won't ever watch a Hallmark Christmas story. 

Tommy helped me by handing the dirty dishes to me to load in the dishwasher. Now, he is washing out two bowls that would not fit and the knives, and cleaning the sink. He usually wipes off the stove, too. Good man.

I checked Amazon and there are no cheap green beans. I can get them cheaper at the store and on sale of some sort. I also wanted Margaret Holmes collards or kale, the kind with nothing but water and the vegetable. No luck. The Margaret Holmes items in the store are Southern Seasoned, too strong, too salty tasting, too much sodium, and too much artificial ham taste. 

It was a good day, no shopping, nothing but relief that there was no cooking to be done to get the meal we wanted. 

What did you purchase on Black Friday, online or in stores? Was it crazy busy in the stores? I will live vicariously through you. Any good bargains?

Amazon Stock Up and Bargain

 

I love Hormel's Roast Beef and Gravy! However, it is expensive at the store--$4.59 or more for each 12 ounce can. I am able open a can of green beans (on sale) and bake a potato and have a full meal for less than a meal out for the two of us. It is cheaper than a burger. And, so much more nutritious. I only use this when time is short and/or I am beyond exhaustion. 

Actually, a can of green beans and the can of roast beef works for me, but Tommy wants something else. Sometimes, a leftover works instead of going to the trouble and taking time to bake a potato.  I often eat 2/3 of the can of green beans because Tommy is not a green bean fan like I am.

Curious about the price on Amazon, I was pleasantly surprised and ordered a case of 12 of these cans. Online they were $29.80 for 12 cans or $2.48/can. 

From paying $4.59 (or more) to now purchasing these for $2.48 is a thrill to me. 

We eat this rarely and still will eat them rarely, but the Amazon price makes the Hormel Roast Beef and Gravy much easier to purchase. It always hurt to buy the expensive can. Seriously, 

A can of green beans, a can of Hormel, and two baked potatoes (sweet or white) will cost less than $4 for both of us, so $2 each meal. I like those costs. 

Now, I need to search for green beans on Amazon. 

Do you get excited about savings like mine?

This Thanksgiving Week

 Tuesday, I went to my new family doctor to see if I had diabetic neuropathy in my feet. He was looking in his cabinets and drawers, telling me had a device to detect neuropathy. He said it was super duper and the latest technology. As he went on and on, I suspected he was teasing me. "I hope it is not a big pin." "No, this is modern technology, nothing like that." He had to ask someone to bring it to him. 

He unwrapped a cardboard about 1"x2" with something sticking out of it. He explained it was fishing line. He took my shoes off and poked me with the line on about a dozen places on each foot and declared I had no neuropathy. Whew! 

Then, I went for the urine donation, the one I have given twice but has not been tested! That was an ordeal because the restroom was so tiny, I dropped the hat into the commode and was told it was okay. Now, why do they have a person clean themselves if it does not matter if the test is contaminated by commode water? Anyway, it is done. 

I woke at 5 am on Tuesday morning with only 4 hours sleep, if that. I have been irritated by my lack of a haircut, so I cut my hair! I only cut top and sides and shaped the sides toward the back. When I was pushed through the door of the doctor's office, the woman behind the desk exclaimed loudly, "You got a haircut." "Yes, I cut it at 5 o'clock this morning." She went on to rave about how good it looked. I must have looked awful the visit before.

When two weeks ago I went in with the uti, I got up and got dressed, went with dirty hair, and barely combed. I must have been a mess. This Tuesday must have been a great improvement. 

The doctor commented Tuesday that I was much more chipper than when he saw me last time. Well, I was pretty ill the last time I saw him. 

Since I was gone for about four hours on Tuesday, I only boiled eggs. Gravy and deviled eggs were on the agenda, but will wait until tomorrow. I had to hang two loads of laundry and take a nap. 

Wednesday is baking day. I will make two pumpkin or sweet potato pies. Maybe I will make sweet potato or pumpkin bread. So, I need to make gravy on Wednesday, make one egg into a deviled egg for me, and chop the rest of the eggs. On Thanksgiving, I will make mashed potatoes. Things are coming along. Tuesday, we had a baked potato, salad and chicken. I had sour cream on my potato. I have two sweet potato pies in the oven. 

Thanksgiving--The deviled egg is done. The other eggs for the gravy are chopped. Tommy peeled the potatoes while I made green bean casserole and made up two boxes of Stovetop Stuffing, one turkey and the other sage, mixed together. I was so exhausted and sleep deprived, I went to bed for a nap. I left the potatoes gently simmering and told him in 30 minutes to take out a big chunk of potatoes and if it was soft, to turn off the stove and put the top on the pot. All went well as I napped. 

We ate well--turkey, dressing, two kinds of cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes. I had deviled eggs, and sweet potato pie. And, there are leftovers. I decided to make the sweet potato casserole next week. Plus, my Jello salad will wait, too. It was a feast! Nothing went wrong except for that I was exhausted! 

This was the best fresh cranberry sauce I have ever made and I made it the same as before, 1/2 the called for sugar, and boil it to death. When we dipped into it, the sauce had gelled. Surprise!

How did things go with you during Thanksgiving Day? A catastrophe? Funny? Sweet? Cute? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

You don't have to skip bacon on Thanksgiving!

Panic in Publix

 "There was a panic in Publix." When I told Tommy this, he asked if someone was sick. No, but people were flying around looking for food.  I just needed measuring spoons, bananas, and a gingerbread kit jumped in my buggy to go home with us. Publix is closed tomorrow, so this is the last chance. I could have probably guessed the measurements for the pumpkin pie; bananas were not a critical ingredient and Tommy hates them; I would never have missed the gingerbread house. The traffic was horrendous in the Publix shopping center. It was hard to escape.

Can you believe the set of measuring spoons had no Tablespoon measure? I do know that 3 teaspoons equals 1 Tablespoon! But, why? I can do that. But, I only have a Tablespoon measure that someone gave me when I had nothing. Nice! I thought maybe this set had lost its T, but the rest of the sets, the kind on a little ring did not have the T, either. 

What I need to do before the day--make green bean casserole, make one deviled egg, brown flour for gravy, dice eggs for gravy, make two pumpkin pies. We are not having sweet potato casserole as we have enough sweets. Tommy is disappointed, but he is getting the green bean casserole, probably full of carbs, too. As you can see, I have fallen behind in my plans. 

Have you ever seen a set of measuring spoons without a Tablespoon measure? Did you go out for anything at the grocery store today, Wednesday? 

Are Yams and Sweet Potatoes the Same Thing?

 Yams and Sweet Potatoes are not the same thing. Despite what you have heard, they are different animals.

Just click on the first four words of this post, whatever color they may be.

Thoughts? 

This Makes Me So Sad

Aurora  caused a fear of movies. Columbine and Sandy Hook caused fear of schools. Now, Waukesha causes me to fear Christmas parades. All the innocent activities show how evil and mean people can spoil it for the rest of us. 

I sort of get over the horrors as it relates to myself. I will still go to the movies. My children are teachers and grandchildren go to school. I won't skip Christmas parades. It is still all just so sad to remove joy and replace it with death. 

Each instance digs a little deeper into my psyche. I try to get over my fears. And, I think I succeed to only have a more horrible fear appear. 

First and foremost, I am saddened, deeply saddened. 

I baked an apple pie and we ate some tonight. The rest is for Thanksgiving. For dinner tonight--salad with tomatoes and chicken, not a heavy meal. 

We will all endure and get past the parade killing. Won't we? Except for the loved ones of those run down. 

Kim at Out My Window id facing her own family crisis and deaths. 

Sunday Night and Tomato Seeds

 Sunday night did not go as planned. The turkey had been in the freezer for several days and on the top shelf. It was still frozen almost solid. So, I put it in a pan in the sink with cold water on it, not over. I was disgusted. Now, it is almost 10 pm and I have to roast it, wait for it to cool, remove the breast and have Tommy remove the meat from the carcass. Neither of us are looking forward to this chore. But, we are willing. I checked with Tommy to see if he cared. Since it is still partially frozen, it will have to cook longer. GAH! I am glad I had a nap. 

We had a delicious and healthy salad, lots of Romaine, turkey on it, and tomato. I had shredded cheese. 

When I bought Tommy's cereal today, I bought two more bags as they were 3 bags for $10. We love Romaine, all sorts of greens for salads. My favorite way to use turkey after Thanksgiving is whole wheat bread, turkey, Miracle Whip, slices of real cheese and spinach, lots of spinach. Tomato slides off so I just dice a tomato and eat it with a fork. His cereal was bogo. 

He told me today he needed cereal and yesterday that he needed milk. He was completely out of both. I suppose I need to ask him every time I go to the grocery if he needs either! He will not tell me beforehand. Oh well. 

One day, I noticed a piece of something on Tommy's empty plate. We had a salad and the piece was huge and looked like tomato. I asked. It was tomato, so I asked why he left it. SEEDS. He hates tomato seeds and the membranes around them He said he liked the last tomatoes I brought home because they had few seeds. I think that part seed part of the tomato is really tasty, unlike him. Is there anyone who does not care for the soft part of the tomato with seeds? 

It is now Monday, and I have prepared 6 huge Granny Smith apples. I am making a pie in two rectangular glass pans. It will have a topping, plus all the spices inside the pie. This is one of my projects for the day. I need to wash my hair, make the gravy, and freeze the turkey I cooked last night. Tommy is going to take the rest of the meat off the carcass. The wings and legs will be frozen for him and he will take that meat off as he is ready to eat it for a meal, his idea, not mine. 

One of the pies is for now, the other for later, like Christmas. Maybe I will get two pumpkins baked tomorrow. I just looked at the recipe, and I intend to only use half the sugar. 

Now that I have finished the antibiotic, I feel soooo much better. However, I still did not sleep because of J trying to cheat me out of something. Well, he is cheating me! Maybe I will take a nap. 

Seriously, do the tomato seeds and the membrane surrounding them bother you? I like them when I put home-tomatoes in soup. Is anyone else baking apple pie for Thanksgiving?

Lady Who Fell

Sunday, we went for a bit of a drive. I wanted to drive past where I thought the woman who fell lived. She was on the front porch, sitting, and waved when we stopped. The woman who came looking for her was mowing and continued. We yelled and another woman who was working in the yard came to us. She was struggling to walk. 

The woman who came to talk was her daughter and has CP. The one  who came to the woman after she fell was the best friend of daughter who just moved there. The other daughter who we have not seen lived there, too. So, it appears there was a house full of women. 

Her daughter said she was pretty well banged up. The elderly lady told her, "I guess I can't walk my dog any more. I suggested she just walk it around the yard. It's too bad a fall and the danger of another will now prevent her from getting out and walking. 

Even though I did not get my full sleep last night, after going out and to the grocery store, I did get a nap to fill out my quota. The dishes are washing and we washed out the lids to the glass bowls/container, the ones that snap on all four sides. The turkey is in the sink, nine pound one, to go into the oven in a minute.  I probably won't roast another turkey or breast until some time next week. 

So, that is my Sunday, mostly.

A Bad Fall

 Someone asked in comments how I am feeling today. I sort of feel better. Mostly, I am through with the antibiotic that makes me feel so crummy, so now I only have to deal with the sore throat and malaise from not being able to breathe. I have meds and inhalers for those. 

I did not take a nap yesterday. Today, I will because I only slept 4.5 hours last night and the night before, not enough. But, yesterday I did not want to take a nap at 7 pm when it hit me that I needed a nap. 

Today's goals are getting Tommy to take clothes to the washing machine. He doesn't mind but forgets. All the hanging and folding can be a bit much for me. Plus, I have another turkey to put in the oven. We are really enjoying the turkey breast, so much that I want one each week. Really, at the rate I bought these it would be cheap protein for the two of us. Those two things will occupy the whole day, off and on. 

Last night, we had turkey, sweet potatoes, and kale. I had gravy on my meat. That was scrumptious. It came from a jar and now I don't know what brand. That kale is gone and I won't be serving sweet potatoes until Thanksgiving. 

When we took a drive yesterday through a neighborhood. I was looking across a creek/ditch in this neighborhood at an ambulance and a fire truck when Tommy exclaimed, "Oh, that woman fell!" I looked up and saw a small woman on the ground. We pulled up and I got out to help her up. Her face was covered with blood. It was scary looking. She had her glasses in her hand and they were covered with blood, too. She was holding a leash and had a white dog, some sort of small dog. 

She had managed to get onto one knee after I reached her. I gave her a wad/stack of fast food napkins so she could wipe her face. As little strength as I have, I managed to help her up. She was very distraught, and I don't blame her. Tommy said her dog was under his car. The dog was very frightened. She would not come out for her owner. I figured she was afraid of me, so I retreated to the back of the car little by little. As soon as I was fully behind the car, the dog came out to her owner who grabbed her leash. 

Thankfully, traffic stopped in both directions and drivers were not impatient since we were in the lane going in the opposite direction. We had the whole road blocked. Someone who saw me struggling to walk and trying to help this woman got out to help. But, the woman was on her feet and I was cleaning blood. She insisted on walking, so we told her to walk in the street instead of the grass where she fell. We told her we would stay behind her so no one would run over her. 

As I got into the car, I saw a younger woman coming and not taking a walk. So, she got to her and held onto her. I have no idea if this other woman was a neighbor or relative, daughter I think. 

This woman who fell was walking off the road but right on the margin where road and grass meet. She said she stepped onto something that made her fall. Leaves obviously obscured whatever made her stumble. She fell onto the asphalt face first. She had a two-inch cut above her right eyebrow and another one-inch cut under her right eyebrow. It looked awful. I wonder if she has a huge bruise today. 

I tried not to get any blood on me, but doubt I was completely successful. I had gloves in the car thanks to Covid. Residential areas need sidewalks, but the South is not known for being walkable. I doubt this woman will ever be allowed to take a walk again. 

Tommy uses his clean travel pillow all the time. He still switches it off for the dirty dog bone pillow. I mentioned washing it two years ago and he yelled about it forever. I mentioned washing it the other day and he just looked at me and made noises of assent. So, I need to get out the lingerie bag for him to wash it. 

Okay, it is still about 9 am. I have waited an hour and can eat. All I want to eat is turkey! But, I will get a boiled egg instead. 

Raggedy

 Since Wednesday, I have been fighting off illness. I have a cough, head congestion and pain. I feel miserable, too miserable to much but sit. Of course, I cannot sit too much. 

Friday, I wanted the blueberry goat cheese that is seasonal. It was there on the shelf, but the crackers I wanted were not! I eat Wheat Thins Lightly Salted. They were on sale at Publix, so it was the perfect time to buy. But, they were out. I asked the woman stocking there. She said all of Nabisco was "raggedy," a perfect description. It is true at other grocery stores, too. 

One of us will eventually sit down with blueberry goat cheese and crackers for a snack and end up making a meal of it. It is a little splurge we both enjoy. Of course, I have cut back on little splurges to afford these. 

The bowl of sweet potatoes are still in the refrigerator. Everyday, I say "today is the day" and still have not frozen them. We are eating from the frozen turkey breast I baked last week. I am too tired to do more. I may make turkey a la king. Tommy would be against it if I tell him. 

The cranberries are in the pan to cook. The package calls for one cup of sugar, but I asked Tommy if he minded my putting only 1/2 cup of sugar. I like them very tart. These will be frozen to keep me out of them until Thanksgiving Day.

Tommy loves the colcannon I cooked. I froze two meals of it and thawed one yesterday. It was way too watery for me. He loved it. Is this how it normally turns out when it is frozen and thawed? I know I could put dried potato flakes in it to firm it up, but I don't want to. 

The most beautiful head of celery came home with me. I will have to make potato salad and tuna salad while I have crispy celery. There is frozen in the freezer, but it has no crunch when thawed. Even though it is gross to eat celery sticks, having it buried in tuna or potatoes is a special treat. 

I was in Publix about 2 pm on Friday and people were coming out with carts overloaded. Same at Big Box. at 3 pm. I cannot imagine the crowd later that night or on Saturday. 

For the first time, I bought Sister Schubert's Yeast Rolls. They are delicious, but not as tall and light as I expected. Have you ever had these frozen rolls?

Do you ever have blueberry vanilla goat cheese? 

Does frozen colcannon thaw watery?

Have you found Nabisco products are abundant? Or, out of stock? Anything scarce or not available? What product shelves are raggedy?

Holiday Food Costs--Going Up?

 This is not true. Well, not in my opinion. Note that the ten shoppers did not look for specials. These facts may hold true for some people, but not for most people. Well, this is my opinion.  It is eyeopening.

Exhausting but Happy Wednesday, Now Thursday

Wednesday morning, I awoke mostly rested, since I never feel well in the morning. I woke at 8 am and washed my hair and made a chicken sandwich to take with me for breakfast. We were out of the house by 9:10. I ate the sandwich and a glass of milk in the car. Then, we hit a 10 mile traffic jam and never did find out what happened. We mostly sat and occasionally drove 3 mph! 

If I look closely to my face, I am probably wind-burned! 

A church was having their monthly lunch pickup. It was going to be turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, roll and cranberry sauce. Plus, there was chocolate cake or pecan pie. Consequently, the line was longer than usual.  The word gets out and people come in droves. Plus, some people picked up 30+ dinners, picking up for groups of people or individuals who cannot get out of the house. 

We invited Tommy's cousin to eat outdoors with us at a different park. Sportsman's Lake is closed while they decorate for Christmas Light Tour in the park. We also planned to pick up two lunches for our 90-year-old friends we usually meet in the park. He is ill and had been in the hospital and won't eat or drink enough to survive the kidney infection. 

We sat for two hours talking and laughing with Tommy's cousin. We really like him. The wind was blowing in gusts that blew my hair in my eyes and face and twisted it up. I fully expect to wake on Thursday with a horrible sinus infection and accompanying ear pain.  I sat where the wind was in my face. Tommy and cousin had it to their back and side, better positions, I think. 

The leaves were falling and flying in the wind. Even under the pavilion, two flew into my food, three or four onto the table, and one huge one fell on Tommy's food, and more on all of us, the table, and onto us. The venue under the trees was very pleasant. 

We forgot to go the PO, went to two grocery stores, my house. We were home by 4:15. It was a long day. all the talking and laughing and the hard wind took their toll on me...lol. I took a nap from 5:30 to 7 pm and got up to eat with Tommy. 

We brought home two lunches and had them for dinner. We shared a small piece of cake and a small piece of pie. I seriously overate and could not finish my meal for dinner. Tommy took my turkey and put it in a sandwich bag. He has baggies down pat and sees the slice of turkey as his lunch. Good man. 

Wednesday was a very good day with a friend, picnic, and great lunch. I did not freeze the sweet potatoes. Tomorrow will be a new day. Maybe I will make mashed potatoes and freeze them. I do know I won't make sweet potato casserole since I have had my fix and need no more added sweetness. 

We did stay a bit and talked to the wife of friend who won't eat or drink enough. His wife is so worried. The next time we go, we will get watermelon chunks in Publix and take that to him to help with hydration. They are 90 and both still drive. Last year, they drove to Michigan and made it back in one piece. 

Thursday

I slept well and awoke ill. This is what the wind does for me. Nose, sinuses, ears, sore throat and chest all involved. Now, my job is to soothe and decongest all this. Otherwise, a fever will ensue and I will be miserable. I went to bed at 1 am. Tommy stayed up later. And, he always accuses me of making him miss sleep...lol. 

I do have things to do. I plan to freeze the sweet potatoes in portions, make gravy. If all goes well, I will have the gravy to the point of using fresh turkey drippings. I will save out enough sweet potatoes for one meal. That huge bowl will vacate a huge space in the refrigerator. I need the room. 

This is something I started about 40 years ago. I don't want to be stirring flour on the stove with oil continually to brown it on Thanksgiving Day!  My back cannot handle that these days. But, I started this just because it was more convenient. I can put the browned flour and oil mixture into a very small bowl to store it until Thanksgiving day. Or, in this case until I put the turkey juice in it. By that time, I will have the stored turkey and at least one of the ten half-gallons of milk from the refrigerator. 

Maybe I will just make mashed potatoes and freeze them.

It is almost 3 pm and I am tired and losing ambition. Tonight, we will have turkey breast, sweet potatoes, and kale. 

Has anyone done the hard work of browning flour and oil for gravy ahead of the day? What dishes do you or did you prepare before the DAY? By adding drippings later, the gravy does not have to fit into the refrigerator. Mama was always cooking everything on Thanksgiving. So, did I until I figured out better. There were reasons she worked unnecessarily hard, so not judgment there. 

Tired Tuesday

 Tuesday night, I baked 20 sweet potatoes and took the skin from 18 of them. We ate the other two. I have a nice bowl of sweet potatoes that I will freeze on Wednesday. I want to freeze enough in bags to make sweet potato bread from my pumpkin bread recipe and to make sweet potato pie from my pumpkin pie recipe. Plus, I want enough for our T-day dinner or a sweet potato casserole. 

Dinner Tuesday night--Tommy had chicken, sweet potatoes, and English peas. I had chicken, sweet potatoes, and kale. It was a meal fit for a king or queen. 

I talked to Linda, the neighbor, for 90 minutes on Tuesday night. (Tommy told me the time when I asked.) She is funny and nice.  We have plans to make plans. She has had no luck finding anything at the Senior Center here, either.  

Since I bought two 9 pound turkeys on Tuesday, I put one in the freezer and one in the refrigerator to thaw. I can put one in the oven on Thursday, I suppose. These were $0.49/lb. Plus, they were small, both about 9 pounds. It was an ordeal getting the food arranged since there are 9 or ten cartons (half gallons) of milk. Tommy did most of it. 

Monday night, I started reading Beowulf in bed, but that is going to be my book to read in the living room. This is a brand new book I got from a free bookshelf. I have no idea what I will take to bed tonight, probably something from my box of books in the mail. I had gone to bed without looking for a book and did not want to disturb Tommy, so I found Beowulf. I read a large portion of this in the undergrad English Survey class, I believe. I need to get Grendel's Mother and read that when I finish Beowulf.

Have you read Beowulf or any portion of it? Are you a fan of Beowulf?

Tuesday--What is Wrong with Blogger?

 Okay, I did not bake sweet potatoes, and we still ate well. Tommy had salad with carrots and tomatoes on it. Plus, he had peas and baked chicken. I had a sandwich--bread, tomato, cheese, carrots, chicken breast. Later, I had green beans. Yes, I was short on fiber. 

Yesterday, I did not bake sweet potatoes. We went to the store where I had a list of what was on sale this week. They were out of the butter, cheese, dawn original, and Kraft Medium Cheese. I did get the cream cheese. I don't need Dawn, but I wondered if it really was the original formula. 

Then, we went to the bread store, quite a trek. I bought two loaves of bread with Nov 18 as the best-by date. 

The couple who are both ninety-years-old have had a setback. He has been ill for two weeks and may come home. His uti is  complicated and probably caused by his lack of desire and refusal to eat or drink enough. So sad. 

We added more bones and skin to the stock bag in the freezer. I even added a bit of tomato. I cannot wait to get it all cooked down. 

Today, I will go the Publix to get more milk and see if they got more turkey breasts on their meat truck. I will get the sweet potatoes baked today!  Just now, we emptied the dishwasher and loaded it with the few items that were dirty. Tommy scrubbed the cookie sheets and the sink. We have to determine how many turkey breasts will go in the freezer and how many more cartons of milk will fit in the refrigerator. 

My blue bird will get one additional coat of paint on a place that was sanded. In front of the brick house the temperature will be just right. Then, we will hang it. 

Goals today: spray paint bird, go to publix for milk and breasts, bake sweet potatoes, and take from skin. Since I slept four hours, maybe less, last night, this is an ambitious list. Remember, these sweet potatoes might be part of Thanksgiving dinner for us. So, I have to do something every day. 

Today, it is 72F with a slight breeze, lovely day! 

I went to Publix and brought home three more half gallons of milk because they are 3 for $10. I found small turkeys for $0.49/lb. So, I got two that were 9 pounds. Now, I have no room for them. So, we will have to work on getting them in the freezer or in the refrigerator to thaw. I guess one can thaw while the other goes in the freezer. What a problem to have! So, I have cheap meat for the next year, I suppose. 

We stole the ads in the pink bag from a vacant house since our street does not get ads any more. Celery is cheap--$1.29 head. It has been up near $3 for a bit. I thought cranberries were on sale at Publix. Obviously not. 

What goodies/bargains have you found this week in the ads or the store? 

There is no gray thing to pull down to advance the page. Where did it go? What did Blogger do with it? 

Phone Calls and eBay Amidst Cooking and Cleaning

 Sunday night, I took the turkey breast from the oven, let it cool a bit and bagged it for the freezer. We are still eating from the hen I baked. Tommy had a salad and a leg from the hen and English peas. He ate carrots and tomato on the salad. I had tomatoes, cheese bits, and chicken with Miracle Whip stirred in and green beans. 

Since I bought 3 more half gallons of milk, the refrigerator is crowded so I did not get another breast out. That will happen today. 

I believe today's Thanksgiving dinner prep will be baking a dozen or more sweet potatoes. I will peel the baked sweet potatoes and freeze them in meal sized portions. Since we have peas and green beans leftover along with the hen pieces, we can have dinner by adding sweet potatoes. 

The Butterball Turkey Breast had a gravy packet. I put it in a Ball jar to save. I don't know if I will use it or not. 

I started a bag in the freezer for stock. So far, I have the bones and browned skin of the turkey breast. This is new to me. I think it will work well. The juices from the turkey are in a Ball jar. They will go in the broth bag. Tommy listened closely when I told him how this works. He has never heard of such things. He said he was reading and looking at the boxes of broth and stock at the store. 

Sunday, I went to Publix to get two more turkey breasts. They were out. Pooh. However, I did get three more half-gallons of a2milk. That makes 3.5 gallons in the freezer. 

Okay, Publix did not get a meat truck in on Monday. Since it will come in tomorrow, I will check back.  The next breast to be cooked is thawing. I tasted the breast I cooked with plenty of seasoning and it was not tasty. Since I can taste everything else, I wonder why this Butterball breast is not tasty. 

My phone I bought from eBay and was advertised as 4G is not, I am scurrying to get it back to the seller through eBay. This is not easy. None of the numbers work, so I followed directions and left a message with eBay to contact me. That is not happening. The phone is a Rugby 4, not 4G, 4th generation of the model, Rugby. 

When I moved here, Tommy refused to let me clean his bathroom. So, I didn't. He did deign to allow someone to clean it, but that has not happened. I am quite sure that he will "allow" me to clean it now. But, I won't!  So, the floor is so filthy that some of the tiles are obscured with dirt. For the past several weeks, I have been mentioning him vacuuming the bathroom floor. It needs to be vacuumed, swept, and maybe re-vacuumed before putting anything wet on it. 

I removed the stick vacuum from the bedroom in which it was stored and put it at the end of the hall a week ago. Everyday, I mention something about vacuuming. Today, he did it. The bathroom floor is still filthy, beyond anything I have ever seen. If you wonder how I can stand it, it is hard. I wore shoes for the first 18 months I was here since the beige rug had turned dark brown. Then, I stepped with my bare feet to the two new rugs to use the toilet! 

Today, he also washed the two rugs in there since I have mentioned it for two weeks. It rained some and we were not here some days. Today is sunny and there is the slightest breeze, so the rugs will only require the least bit of time outdoors to dry completely. 

He is violent when I first mention my cleaning something. Then, with each mention, not nagging, he mellows. By that time, I am not going to clean whatever, so he gets to pay someone or do it himself! 

Sometimes, I hear him doing things in the kitchen. When he comes out, he either tells me what he did or I ask him what the noise was. He will clean things that I am shocked he does without my asking. I question none of this surprise cleaning. 

I had a list of calls to make and the numbers. Monday is the day I start making calls. Do you think I can find that list? Not at all. So, I suppose I need to start the list anew and find numbers. sigh I think I need ice cream. 

I suppose I will clean the pan for baking the sweet potatoes I have not washed and trimmed yet!

Are you using fresh sweet potatoes or canned ones for Thanksgiving? Hey, there is no judgment on using canned as that is what Mama did and so did I until I discovered these delicious sweet potatoes, buying from the farmer. Maybe you don't eat sweet potatoes?

Food Talk

Saturday night, I transferred three pounds of Great Northern Beans to two quart canning jars. When I remove the jar of Navy beans in the freezer, I will place one of these in the freezer. I am careful with canning jars in the freezer because if one falls out, it will break. So, I cleaned a space on a shelf where it can lie securely. Freezing beans will kill any pest eggs in the beans.

Today, I will cook a turkey breast for Thanksgiving.  Then, I will thaw another and bake it. They store easier in packets of meat for several meals. Plus, it sure is nice to have a cooked protein ready to eat.  It is so cold that running the oven is not a problem.

While Tommy was waiting for me in the Big Box, he said he looked at all the things up front for Thanksgiving. He said he was amused that some boxes of Stove Top Stuffing were "dedicated" to Turkey and some were dedicated to Chicken. "Dedicated"? I told him that meant Turkey flavor and the Chicken was chicken flavor. He said the ingredient list did not say so. Well, he might be surprised there is a Cornbread variety and Traditional Sage variety and Herb variety. He says the cutest things sometime. He had no idea the ingredients were different. 

At Piggly Wiggly I bought enough groceries to earn a free Graham Cracker Pie Crust. I bought aluminum loaf pans for breads. However, I forgot to go to Publix for more turkey breasts. 

I have my Thanksgiving menu:

Turkey breast 

mashed potatoes 

gravy in a jar and make it into giblet gravy with diced boiled eggs

sweet potato casserole  (maybe not)

green bean casserole 

Stovetop Stuffing 

cranberry sauce

Jello Salad

I might make a couple of deviled eggs for me since Tommy won't eat deviled eggs.  There are an awful lot of carbs in the meal, but we will eat judiciously. I may not cook the mashed potatoes, but if I do I will use Yukon Gold. They make the most delicious mashed potatoes. Do you ever cook with Yukon Gold potatoes?  I have definitely decided against sweet potato casserole, I think. We will have that on a low-carb day. 

Of course, the gravy will have chopped boiled eggs. The cooking starts today with the turkey breast. This menu might change according to whims and my energy level. 

The tricky part of this meal is buying bananas and having them just right, right ripeness to put in the Jello. I can eat them very soft, but I want bananas a little firmer for the Jello, but not green smelling or tasting. I have to divide this into two small bowls because Tommy hates bananas. 

Today or tomorrow, I will gather everything to make sure I need nothing else to get this meal on the table. Like last year, I will make a dish or two each day. We will probably eat a bit of it for a meal and the rest of the dish will be served on Thanksgiving for a honest-to-goodness meal of our favorite Thanksgiving foods.

There is a can of cherry pie filling that I would like to use, not for Thanksgiving, but this season. I really hate cherry pie, but Tommy would love it. Maybe at Christmas.  

Friday, I finally sent the Bread and Butter letter to our Monday night host. I realized I did not know her last name or address, so I stuck the note into a sandwich bag and put it under her windshield wiper. My intentions had been to put it in the mail on Tuesday so she would get it on Wednesday. 

Do you ever use Yukon Gold potatoes? Do you send Bread and Butter letters?

This and That

 Tommy has a pillow he uses behind his neck in the recliner. It was his father's, and he died in 1972. Tommy said he got the pillow in about 1969. Tommy has used it since 1972.  It has never been washed! That grossed me out. I bought three travel pillows, one for the car and one for each of us in the house. Tommy threw a loud fit, saying he like the bone-shaped pillow and did not want or need the travel pillow. 

Well, since yesterday he has used his pillow exclusively. I bought these six months ago, but wanted the pillowcases to use with them. I would just use a pillowcase that fits a regular sized bed pillow, but I only have three pillowcases here and I use two of them all the time. I found the pillowcases this last week, washed, and hung to dry. 

He loves the pillow! I suffered verbal abuse when I bought the pillows. Maybe one day, I will suggest he throw the old pillow out. I know that if it is washed, it will come apart. Can you imagine using a pillow for 60+ years and never washing it? I offered and suffered verbal abuse. He said it did not need washing. Yuck! 

I have been using one of the travel pillows under my shoulder, so that pillow is pretty flat or at least not so fluffy. He wanted that one and let me have the new one. That is okay with me since the fluffier pillow will work and I won't have to fold the flatter one for use under my shoulder that has torn rotator cuff. 

New book last week--Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. 

This book follows the murder trial, coercion, and conviction of a black man for something he did not do, was not in town to commit. It is shocking how many lies convicted this man and put him on death row. Stevenson is a young black attorney who comes to Alabama to work for blacks wrongly convicted. Of course, all this is now a matter of record. 

Some nights, I read as little as four pages and then go to sleep so I won't work through the sleepiness and stay up too late. I could read the book in three days of leisurely reading if I put my mind to it. I think I will keep a book in the living room to read, plus one in the bedroom. 

Friday night, I put the hen in the oven late, about 6:15. The hen was still partially frozen with giblets inside. I put the oven on 350F, intending to leave it that temperature for an hour and turn it down to 300F. His oven is 50F too high. But, I forgot and left it on for the whole four hours. I wanted the frozen giblets cooked, not raw! I ripped off the breasts and put in a bag. Then, I ripped off thighs, legs, and wings for Tommy to remove meat today. It may be overcooked, but it is not raw! There are about 10 meals in the refrigerator from one huge hen. 

The hen was rubbed like it was turkey and it smelled like Thanksgiving in here. I rub salt, pepper, and ground sage into the hen before it is baked. I never use poultry seasoning. I chopped an onion in anticipation of Thanksgiving cooking and froze them. 

A hen tender was my lunch (no breakfast), dipped in Miracle Whip instead of Honey Mustard, milk, half a banana and pb. 

Tommy is watching an Auburn game, so the day is stalled while he watches. There are so many little picky rules in football. He doesn't mind telling why things happen, but I am not so sure I care. I know people like football, but it all seems so cruel and violent that I wonder about people who love football. Okay, not really!  I guess we don't have jousting and gladiators, so we have football. 

Hopefully, he will not want to watch the whole game. I can dream, can't I. But, there are things to do. I won't even ask about going out. 

Since all my Ball quart jars are now clean, I can fill them with beans, sugar, flour, powdered and brown sugar and such. I started that on Friday night. One jar of Great Northern Beans is in the freezer for a three-day stay. 

The weather is going to be beautiful this weekend, with a predicted frost or freeze on Saturday night. Most trees have not turned yet, so maybe this frost will do the trick. Some trees, deciduous ones, are still fully green, maybe fading but still green. 

Are you an avid football fan? Have the trees all turned in your area? Does anyone you know refuse to give up and replace an item that has seen better days? Do you use Ball jars to store dry goods?

I Need Red Clothing, eBay, Dinner

Yes, it sounds like a silly thought. But, I have one nice, dressy-ish t-shirt that is red, nothing else. Well, one red long-sleeved cotton sweater. However, all summer long I have had to wash the red shirt separately and alone in the washer. I tried washing it with black, but it got little gray balls all over it.  Tommy picked all those off. I need more red items to wash with it so it won't distress him so...lol. I don't like washing one item, either. 

I had two red coats/jackets, a red sweatshirt, two or three raggedy red tops I wore around the house. Now, I only have this one nice blouse/tshirt. I also had dark pink coat and a pink tshirt that were washed with the red items. Now--nothing else. Yes, it is a first-world problem. But, I need to use water more judiciously. All the tshirts I find are sooo thin. 

Winter blouses are another thing I need. Since I cannot stand even a short sleeve under a sweater, I need sleeveless tops. I wear sleeveless things all winter under sweaters, mostly tank tops. My daughter in NYC wears tank tops all year long, even when it is snowing!  She understands. Usually, I buy my winter wardrobe in the spring. This year, I did not. Between not getting into stores much and there not being much when I got there, I seem to still be lacking in tops.

I bought a new phone like I already owned on ebay. It was advertised as 4G, but it is 3G. It is a Rugby 4, not a 4G phone. I hope I can get a resolution in my favor. 

Earlier, we had seen an ad for Domino's pizza, two large for price of one. Yesterday, I was so stressed I wanted the deal and we were going to freeze the majority of the two pizzas. But, when I called the store, they had no idea what we were talking about. We discussed getting something else, somewhere else. Finally, I was to emotionally exhausted to discuss it. I said, "Let's go home and find something." We did. But. the first thing I did was take an hour nap.

There was one slice/shred of turkey left from the package I bought to feed J. There were collards and two baked sweet potatoes. One small bit of mac n cheese was left. I thawed meatballs. We had turkey, meatballs, collards, sweet potatoes, mac n cheese.  It was a great meal. Money saved!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

November 11th is my brother's birthday. He was born 11/11 and died 12/12, only 52 years old. I was 14 months older. My little brother should not have died first. 2001 was a stressful year as 9/11 occurred, my best friend ever died, and my brother died. Yes, I do say "died" as I cannot stand saying or hearing "lost" or "passed." 

Tuesday, My friend came from Cullman, cleaning gutters and cutting stray trees. He picked up a chicken pen and said he did not want money for the work. We were prepared to pay money, but I owned something he wanted. So, that trade happened. And, I gave him cash for gas. 

Wednesday, we went to Cullman.

PO

my house

Publix

storage unit

BK

another grocery

stopped for lab test

I had only slept three hours, but it turned out to be very pleasant. Wednesday is when I found the turkey breast deal. My groceries for Thanksgiving are coming along. I could do without any of these and still eat well. I listed most of what we got on Wednesday on the last post. 

Thursday

I slept well and awoke exhausted on Thursday. We wanted to take advantage of sales on Coke and Pepsi, so we went out before the rain was predicted. 

onions

potatoes

bay leaves

Dr. Pepper

cream cheese

bananas

cooking bags--hold 8 lbs.

bay leaves

The rest of Thursday:

If the hen is thawed, I will cook that. 

finish loading dishwasher

wash cookie sheet for hen in bag

hand-wash lids for glass dishes

scramble eggs for me

hang up wet laundry

fold dried laundry

The dishwasher is half full of wide-mouth, quart, Ball canning jars. Some of these are destined for powdered sugar, brown sugar, and flour.  Tommy just went out to get in the clothes from the dryer. 

Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, I will dice onions and freeze them for Thanksgiving cooking.  This year, I plan to make the mashed potatoes and freeze them, same for anything that can be made ahead of time. 

Maybe I will peel apples for an apple pie, but that might be pie in the sky...lol.

It is only noon on Thursday, and I am tired. What I want is a nap but won't give in.

What is happening in your life? Any great deals? Oh, there were NO turkeys or breasts when I went to Publix today. I was exhausted yesterday and had to come home. Besides, Tommy has to bring everything in, several trips pushing a walker up a ramp. Then, he has to lift the walker into the house. 

We turned the pumpkin with its painted on face to the wall. That was the extent of our Thanksgiving decoration. The mums and pansies are still on display. What decorating do you do for Thanksgiving on your porch? Or, inside?

Do you cook with bay leaves?

\ 

Turkey Deal

 Today, at Publix I got a good deal. Butterball Turkey Breasts were advertised for $0.99/lb. I wanted the two allowed! I went in and bought a2milk at 3 half gallons/$10. I will buy 3 more on Monday. Then, I picked up 2 boxes of turkey bags. Since I did not see the turkey breasts, I asked. The guy took me to them where there was a sign for $0.99/lb. I had him put the two largest in the electric cart, got bogo Mayfield ice cream and was ready to check out. I happened to see the screen with my transactions--turkey breast $19.79. 

"no no no no"...this was a quiet voice caution not a yell..."that is the wrong price." I was assured this was the correct price. I told them an employee helped me and said these were $0.99/lb. AND, there was a sign there. My turkey breasts were quickly whisked away from me and returned to their home in the freezer. 

I was stunned. My turkey breasts were spirited away. But, another employee, higher pay grade, came over, listened to me, and we went back to the turkey breasts, she with ad in her hand.  She compared ad and turkey breasts and the signage. Then, she told a meat guy it was priced wrong on the tag. 

THEN, I remembered that if something rings up wrong, the item is free. So, I asked. Naturally, the cheapest breast was free, but no matter. I got a free breast and one for  $0.99/lb. 

I paid $6.28+tax for 12.01 pounds of turkey breast! That is meat, folks, for $0.52/lb, 

Fifty-two cents for one pound. 52 cents

This price is cheaper than chicken breasts and about the same as dark parts of the chicken. 

Turkeys were $0.49/lb., but I decided that the breast would work. There is a hen thawing for any good flavors that the dark meat gives. I only eat breast. Tommy eats the dark meat but prefers the breast. 

We went to Cullman, today, but that is a tale for tomorrow. 

So, today was a good day at Publix. We will get two more turkey breasts for year round eating! 

Tommy said he wondered how many people paid original price of $3.48, the price that made the first breast cost $19.79. I imagine lots of people will come back complaining.

What prices have you found for whole turkey or turkey breast?

Monday Dinner Out and Handyman

 We were invited to my new friend's house Monday night. We had so much fun and she was saying how much she enjoyed us coming and we would have to do it again. She bought three chicken breasts from Publix, a package of potato salad and one of slaw. Smart woman. Before dinner we had strawberries and peanuts. This is my kind of hostess. My kind of friend. My kind of woman. (Okay, dinner out was without a mask inside of a friend's house.)

We met her when I insisted on stopping and talking to her as she was in her yard. I make friends everywhere! 

Her home is a small unassuming brick, with a beautiful yard. Inside, her home is well-appointed, stuffed full of very nice furniture. I was surprised. She had to downsize and kept what she could. 

She was so thoughtful in that she put her dog in the bedroom for the evening. That is a plus. I had a very good friend who allowed her dog to lie across my feet over my objections. I did not say a word, just moved my chair back until I was six feet from the dining table. Dog owners are one of the reason I "don't like dogs."

We talked about everything under the sun! She is funny and interesting, and not a bit shy. Tommy had a good time, too. Of course, we let him talk...lol. He seemed to really enjoy her company. 

This is the first time we have been with anyone without our mask, in someone's home, or with a person while eating. We did meet our friends in Cullman in the park, but they are in their 90s, and the weather has not been fit on the free lunch day. I don't know if they are up to cold weather. We would sit outdoors and just bring a blanket to wrap in while we eat, but I am not sure how they would feel about this arrangement. 

Tuesday, a friend from Cullman came down here and cut a tree and suckers that were going to ruin Tommy's roof. The suckers were  20 feet tall. Then, he cut a 20 foot tree that was right next to the house, within 6 inches of the foundation. Tommy and I fought bitterly as to whether these two trees would ruin the roof. He also cut some firewood for himself! None of the trees or limbs were over 4 inches in diameter. 

Then, he climbed on the roof and used his leaf blower to clean out the gutters. I have never heard of anyone using a leaf blower for gutters, but I suppose  it works. And, he walked carefully so as not to damage the roof. This guy is a jack-of-all trades, retired military. I have known him for well over 20 years. No, he did this for me and he is not a handyman. But, he is a handy man. 

He said the last time he climbed on a roof or up a tree, forgot which, he ended up in the hospital. He told me he wanted to go to UAB. So, with that settled, he worked steadily. He also said his wife did not want him to get on the ladder. Yikes! 

I have something he wanted to trade for. So, that deal was done. Plus, I gave him $30 for gas. He  objected and finally put it in his pocket. 

Today, I drove my car and put gas in it. Well, I drove and Tommy pumped the gas. Dinner will be light tonight, something I do not have to prepare! We have a bag of salad and there is ham I bought to feed J. And, there is fruit. 

We had a busy and fruitful twenty-four hours. Today, I think the predicted temperature was 74F. It has been very warm and pleasant. 

I have other things J wants, so he might do the things that need to be done around here. 

Glorious Monday

Monday is a beautiful day, blue skies and not a cloud,  72F so far, It boosted my mood to get out of the house for an hour and sit in the car in the park. My mood today is ruled by the antibiotic that makes me feel so tired. I am not grumpy at all. That would be too much work. I feel lethargic. 

Fire ants are on a planter on the front porch. I told Tommy months ago they would come in the house if they were not removed. I bought Amdro Fire Ant Bait. You don't put it in the planter, but all around it. The ants feed and take it back to the nest, killing all the ants. They feed late in the day, so I will go out just at dusk and give them bait. 

Okay, a nap is kidnapping me, so I need to go to the bed while I can still walk. 

Do antibiotics ever make you feel crummy? 

Don't Toss the Dead Mum...Decorate It

 On Friday I got from the freezer a package of strawberries. Digging around in the freezer the day before I had pulled out shortcakes for strawberry shortcakes. Then, on Saturday, I decided to make the Hershey's Chocolate Mousse. Then, we barely ate either which is a good thing. Well, Tommy did have the cake with ice cream on top and then half the strawberries. That was huge, but he did not go back for seconds. 

All day Saturday, I felt ill. Just before my antibiotic, I started feeling like myself. Of course, taking the med makes me feel worse!

I saw something on tiktok I am going to make. I have no idea where it was. But, you know how a spent mum looks? Well, this woman sprayed hers silver and attached ornaments, just sort of sticking there, not hanging. It was stunning. She said gold would look good. I suppose red or green or any other color spray paint would look very pretty.   With the shelves almost bare of spray paint, I do hope I can find silver spray paint. On the porch I think white flocking would be striking. But, flocking might not hold up to rain and wind.

I have a planter that must be identical to this one. Well, it is the same shape and size. 

Just now, I took a huge hen from the freezer.  I will put a couple of pounds of carrots, bell pepper, celery, and onion and the hen in a cooking bag. This will be the basis for at least a dozen meals. It is huge!!! Since I only have one onion, unless I buy more, only one onion will go into the bag with the chicken. 

In a bit, we need to go back to the freezer to find a cooked meat for tonight. There is frozen chicken and beef, but I want chicken.

I am excited about the extended life my mum will have! Are you planning your Christmas decorations yet? What are you planning? 

Saturday Doings

As DST ends,  the realization that it will be a long few months hits me. During the summer, we could be out at 7:30 pm and still not be driving in the dark. Some days, the sky was light until almost 8 pm. Now, we try to get home by 4:30. Starting tomorrow, we will have to home an hour earlier, 3:30 pm. The prospect is soul-cringing. Thankfully, some politicians are pushing for year-round DST. I am for it. 

 Earlier in the week,  I spotted a dime on the pavement at a store, forgot which one. Yay, for the dime. I need to take a stroll every time I get on an electric cart so I can search. Just kidding. 

While in a store, I bought the only Kodak camera they had. I was thrilled it was so cheap. A few days later, I was opening the box. It uses AA batteries instead of lithium. Grrrr. It is going back. 

For the last week, Tommy has been very compliant about the dishwasher issue. Only, he never moves. He is agreeable to all my statements, but never moves. On Friday late afternoon, I asked him to empty the dishwasher. by himself. There were only about eight articles in the dishwasher, including utensils. 

At 11:50, he asked me if I wanted us to load the dishwasher. I figure he thinks I might ask him to load it alone. I know he hates dishes at midnight because I wanted help at night and he refused, saying he was relaxed. So, for him to want to work late and mention it was a big deal. I was shocked and got up. The dishwasher was loaded. 

This morning, he washed the sink because I did not want him running water when the dishwasher was running last night. He also cleaned the skillet I used for burgers and want to use for scrambled eggs today. He has gotten everything I wanted since I awoke at 11 am. 

We went out and are now  back. Tommy and I both had calls in to our respective doctors for prescriptions. And, no one called his meds or mine to different pharmacies. We both had to get and emergency supply in order to have meds!  Friday, I needed to pick up 6 meds. They had four. One of those was wrong--a med I am allergic to. Right, I ended a sentence with a preposition.  Then, I went  back on Friday and got the right med. Still, I am missing a critical med, thus the emergency supply. Tommy's med is even more critical. This all started with the failure of doctors, not an employee or a supply chain. 

I went to the church yard sale and just asked the woman to come to the car. She is the one who said she could help me in the house. Still, I wait. Tommy offered to stop for another half dozen yard sales. But, I was too shaky on my feet and felt weak. 

Just now, he brought me the sweet potatoes, washed, for me to prepare. Now, I need to go in there and see what meat I put out. No? He is searching for the meat I want. Okay, we are chicken soffrito and brussels sprouts along with the sweet potato. 

I really feel awful, but I slept for two hours. No fever or other symptoms at all. Was today good yard sale weather at your place? It was 

Help with Meals and TMI and First Social Engagement

Last night, Tommy was a great help.  He washed four sweet potatoes, and brought them to me in the living room. I trimmed them and oiled them, and he took them and put them in the oven. He got a can of kale that I opened. We stood in front of the freezer looking for cooked meat. I found two cups of ground beef and we ate that with leftover spaghetti sauce. So, kale, sweet potatoes, and blackeyed peas was dinner. 

Later, he wrapped the two sweet potatoes and put them in the refrigerator, emptied the rest of the kale into a glass dish and put it away. He put all the dishes in the sink and put water into them. I did nothing except get up and go to the bathroom. Dinner was delicious. The meat and spaghetti sauce was eaten after the vegetables. I should have skipped it. 

While we looked in the freezer, I found two bags of colcannon, and chopped cooked chicken. It is good to know that for meals the next few days. 

You have been warned!

At 5 am, I went to the bathroom. I lay in  bed until 6 am and had a huge belch or hiccup or something. Fearing the worst, I headed for the tiny plastic waste basket in the kitchen. I made it and started violently throwing up when I got to the bed. I could not have stood if I started before then. Okay, a point you could do without--2cups later and I was drained. 

Somewhere in all of this, I screechingly called out for Tommy, yelling his name. He said I sounded frantic. He thought I had fallen. He brought me a washcloth and a disposable cup, and emptied the plastic waste basket, washed and dried it, and brought it back to me. He stayed around another 30 seconds and was back to his chair. I was not in any shape to walk. I spread a large towel on the bed and dared to lie down. 

I really wanted to go to AFC in Cullman but knew I should go here to a more local one. Local is about 30 miles away! I called my new family doctor and was able to get in to see him an hour before he left for the short Friday. I told him I had a uti, he listened and wanted a sample. Since I had less than 3 ounces of water since 9 pm the night before, I doubted I could produce anything. Well, I did. 

Then, the ordeal with the drug store began. It is almost 4 pm, and the two prescriptions I called in on Wednesday and the two refills from Thursday AND the two from today are not ready. Always something. 

With my symptoms, I could not go into his office. I had to go to the respiratory part of his office, entirely on another floor. He came up to me. I was impressed. 

This is the first uti I have had in over two years! 

Dinner Friday night--hamburger, salad and leftovers. The leftovers are two tablespoons of green beans and about the same of collards that were left in the bottom of the dishes. We dipped from the bowls and left some that I don't want to throw away. I will eat those. 

Our new friend down the street invited us over on Monday night for snacks. So, we will go, but I am nervous about taking off my mask off inside with people/person. I think it is exciting. Maybe scary. I am not sure what the emotion is that I am feeling. 

Turkey Breast $.99/lb.

 That is what I saw when I read the ads online. This morning, I could not find the store. I even asked Tommy if I told him about it last night. He said I did, so I know I did not dream it! 

Remember the CHILLS I HAD? Well, today, I realize I have a raging uti. Lovely! Of course, it is chilly inside and very cold outside. But, with a fever, I don't really know.  Last night, I was cold all night and got up for a trip to the bathroom at least once an hour. It was a rough night. But, I made it through October with no congestion in head and chest, so I just need to conquer this problem.

Today, I finally found pretty red spray paint for my cardinals I am making. It is gloss, but it was the last can of red in the store. The last three stores had no red spray paint of any kind. I can put matte on it another day if the boats from China ever unload. 

I have been preparing dinner from the sofa. Tommy washed 4 sweet potatoes, brought them, a knife, a towel, tiny baking sheet, and a tiny bowl with a bit of olive oil. I trimmed the potatoes, oiled them, put foil on the pan, and sent it all to the kitchen where he had turned the oven on 300F. We will have sweet potatoes, kale, beans I froze last year. If I can find any cooked meat, we can have that, too. I think there is some in the freezer. His oven runs too hot, so I cannot use 350F for baking.

For the last four nights, I have been reading a new book from my box of books mailed to me. I could only read about four pages last night. I wondered why, but I was ill. 

Right now, I am wearing Halloween leggings, a nightgown, and a light jacket. I look adorable...lol. 

Have you seen turkey breast this low lately?

Criminal Scandal--Tennessee Children's Home Society

 But, first...

Yesterday, Tuesday, I put sweet potatoes in the oven to bake. My feet and legs were swollen, so I lay down in bed and told Tommy to get me up at 8:15. Of course, I went to sleep.  He came in and said, "Linda, it's 8:15, time to get up." He said that I said in a sleepy voice, "Why am I getting up at this time?"  "You said the sweet potatoes would be done." He said I perked up and said in a normal voice, "Oh!" and got right up. I was so tired. I like this kind of dinner with leftover meat loaf and leftover meatballs. I opened a can of collard greens and the sweet potatoes were steaming hot. It seems when he wakes me most of the time that I have no idea why I told him to wake me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1945, a man was living as though he were single, dating and lying. He seduced a single woman and impregnated her. She insisted he marry her. Then, he told her he was married. His wife refused to give him a divorce. 

One Christmas Day, he went to his home and five children. His wife worked the night shift at a factory. He sent the babysitter home and spent the night there. In the morning, he went to the police station and told them his wife had left five children home, one an infant, the oldest only eight-years-old. 

When the mother got off the bus, she saw police cars and all sorts of vehicles at her home. Upset, she went screaming down the street to her home and children. The authorities took her children and put them in a home or orphanage with dozens of other children and babies. 

The mother immediately went to court and could not convince the authorities what happened. She got a job at the orphanage and worked in the baby room so she could take care of her infant. During the day, she went to the older ones and visited through the fence and told them not to say she was their mother. 

Because one of her children was a beautiful little boy with blond, curly hair, the home decided he could be put up for adoption. The mother fought in court. She almost lost him. But, she prevailed and eventually all her children were home with her. The poor mother was almost no match for the legal system in league with Georgia Tann, but through persistence she saved her children against the lies of people who wanted to sell him. 

The mother gave the father a divorce because of his deception and cruelty. 

I have no idea what the father of the five children thought about all this. I will have no chance to ask. I only discovered this family secret after all the adult parties involved were gone. Georgia Tann almost succeeded. 

Judges, social workers, and police were all on the lookout for children in order to get a bounty from Tann.  So, many parents were in a dilemma if they were poor.

Read the book, Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate. 

"From the 1920s to 1950, Georgia Tann ran a black-market baby business at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Memphis. She offered up more than 5,000 orphans tailored to the wish lists of eager parents—hiding the fact that many weren’t orphans at all, but stolen sons and daughters of poor families, desperate single mothers, and women told in maternity wards that their babies had died." copied

Have you a story to tell? Did you know anyone involved or who lost children?

Tuesday in Cullman

Tuesday, we went to Cullman for my appointment with the oral surgeon about TMJ. I don't need surgery which I did not think I did. It seems I cannot eat certain foods if they cause pain. I sort of  knew that. I can get some sort of thing if I grind my teeth, which I don't. I never chew gum, anyway.  The clicking goes away when I don't eat caramels. 

I have had an earache for 11 months and it only went away when I found a sub for pseudoephedrine. The clicking started when the molar was pulled last year. I suppose I will spend my stimulus on the implant. 

I went to my place and looked at it while in the car. We went to the farmer who sells me sweet potatoes, Beauregard, and bought 40 pounds of sweet potatoes, and a container of green tomatoes. I hate fried green tomatoes, but Tommy loves them. So, I will cook fried green tomatoes for him and let some ripen for both of us.  

Then, we went out to the country to the Dutch Oven Bakery and had a sandwich made to order at the meat and cheese counter. I bought two pieces of candy that they have 3/$1, and a bottle of water for Tommy. I had a bottle. These sandwiches are delicious, better than fast food joints. We ate at a picnic table over near  a fence where the farmer keeps cows. Every time we have gone there, a cow comes over to sit by the fence and the table. And, there is always no place to eat. Today, we found an empty table and the cow did not come! Bummer! It was only 50 degrees and in the sun, but the wind was brisk, causing me to want to go. We left before I peed on myself. 

Since it had been so long since we ate and still had to drive home, I suggested DQ chicken fingers. Well, I got chicken fingers and Tommy ordered a Strawberry Sundae. I was so mad but he would eat nothing else. We won't be going to DQ again. I should have remembered the packs of crackers I keep for him. 

So, he was driving crazy all the way home! I was prepared to demand he pull over or call 911 about his driving. 

It was a beautiful day, plenty of sunshine and traffic  was not bad. I did not go to the store where I get bargains. And, I did not go to Publix. 

At one car lot, there was a yellow car, an orange car and a white one. It took me only seconds to figure it out. 

Dinner tonight is a smidgen of leftover meatloaf, leftover meat balls, collards and baked sweet potatoes. I cannot wait! 

Hard Monday and Lift Chairs and Wrong-way Driver and New Book

 I was so tired that I napped a bit after I got up this morning.  We had planned to go to two Medical Equipment places to look at other lift chairs. Well, the one said they could give us brochures as they had no chairs onsite. Not going there. 

We went to the other one who had lots of chairs but only two that put my feet above my heart. It was as high as the discount we got at Lazyboy. Tommy tried one that was $3500! But, it did not put  feet above heart. So, we left with brochures. I am going to try my ortho in Huntsville, a long way--over 120 miles, but we can see what they have. Maybe.

I told Tommy I needed a small burger when I realized he had eaten over two hours before we left. But, he would not have one. So, I ate one. As we left the place with chairs, he could not navigate the driveway. He deliberately got out of the right hand lane and steered to the left hand late to exit the business' parking lot. I told him what he did as he did it, because if I mention it later, he denies he drove on the wrong side. Then, as we were driving along going about 50 miles an hour, he did not let up on the gas as the  traffic came to a stop ahead. I screamed and he came out of his sort of trance, and said he saw it and had plenty of time. I let up on the gas when I see cars standing still. He keeps the accelerator down and then does an emergency stop! 

So, I said I was hungry again. I WAS NOT! He got burgers, but refused to eat his, just the fries. So, I ate mine with a knot in my stomach from the stress of him not eating. It wears me out to have to remain on high alert. He said he could wait for dinner. But, I was going to Lowe's. So, he ate in the Lowe's parking lot. 

I found the wire for hanging my birds that the employees at Lowe's said they did not carry! I bought a Bostitch stapler and staplers to upholster Tommy's chairs. I also bought two Amaryllis  bulbs for us--red for him and Apple Blossom for me (pink and white). We will put them out on Thanksgiving in the living room and lamps will help them since they will get no sun. They will bloom by Christmas. He does not mind me using his Lowe's card. 

Several miles from home on 59/20, I gasped a really huge gasp. And Tommy saw it after I gasped. Okay, Tommy said I screamed and pointed. He saw it then.  A car was coming toward us the wrong way. Thankfully, we were in different lanes. There was another car coming toward the wrong way car and in the same lane. Tommy moved off the road to the right and slowed down. The car took advantage of the space we gave him and moved over toward us to miss the pickup truck in the wrong lane. 

The truck had come up the on ramp and turned into traffic instead of merging. It was so scary. This was the first time I have faced a wrong way driver. His pickup would have demolished the Nissan Rogue. I have driven in the wrong lane in another place I did not live, but we were all going about 20 mph. There was no danger of a big crash. 

I finished A Beautiful Mystery and really enjoyed it. Then, a week ago, I started Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate. I finished it Saturday night. I highly recommend both. The first had a lot of Catholic stuff and terms. The second was about the Tennessee Children's Home Society and Georgia Tann. I will tell you a personal story about the children "adopted."  

Now, I need to dig in my box of books mailed to me and find another to start tonight. 

Do you buy Amaryllis for forcing in December? Or paperwhites?

Have you ever had a wrong-way driver coming toward you on the interstate? My heart rate rose rapidly and I think I am still feeling it. Any wrong-way driver stories? Any.