A Winter DPF

Temperatures reached 50 degrees today. Jen suggested we meet for an early Dog Park Friday at 1 P.M. Jen texted me, I called Chris, and Chris called Roberta. Six people and four dogs met at the picnic table in the back field. 

It was the only winter DPF that I can remember. We only lasted about an hour-and-a-half because the sun never came out, and it got cold. 

Thanks Jen for getting us together. 

Houses of Pretentiousness

I've always hated named houses. I figured their owners were pretentious assholes. The first named home I noticed (other than famous historical places like Mount Vernon) was Byebrook in Weston, an old hunting lodge on 13 acres. 

Manor houses and plantations were established in the colonies before the founding of the United States. House numbering plans were based on local policies; many American cities in the 19th and 20th centuries improved their numbering systems.

I pass another named home in Wilton several times a week called Twist o the Hill. This one bugs me the most because it tries to be poetic in its pretentiousness. When Jeff and I went away for our anniversary, I saw signs for two named houses: Cliff's Edge and Winter Haven. 

The only named home I can approve is the Burnside Fireside from Auntie Mame. Of course Mame named her home after hearing about Upson Downs and Upson Pines--homes of the obnoxious Upson family. 

Planning for the End of the Year

Usually people make plans for the first of the year, or resolutions for the whole year. I haven't gotten around to that yet, but I did have some ideas for the last week of the year or Slug Week per Jezebel. Write, read (finish my Wives of Henry VIII book and Gaylordsville history book) work in my art journal, put away/organize Christmas decorations, take some take paintings to be rewired, go to the gym four times. 

It's only Tuesday, but I already feel like I've messed up the week. It's silly, I know. It's too early to give up. 

Get it together Lynne, and save the week. 

Back to the Gym

I went back to the gym today after six days. I had hoped to go to the gym four times during Christmas week, but I needed more time to clean and organize. I never intended to go on Christmas Eve--I had to pick up food and cook. 

I thought I might return the day after Christmas, but chose a lazy day. I have no real excuses for yesterday. At least I exercised here on Sunday and Monday. I hope to close out the year with four visits this week. 

Counting today, I've gone to the gym 85 times this year. Gyms were closed at the beginning of the year. They reopened with limited capacity in March, but I didn't feel comfortable going then. 

Jeff and I returned in mid-June. I have records of my gym visits since 2012 and this year has my fourth highest number of visits. Oh well, not working frees up time to go to the gym. Next year should even be better. 

Slug Week

Loved the description of this week on Jezebel, what I've called the week between. I was journaling the other day but didn't quite get around to what I wanted to do this week. I've toyed with the idea of taking the Christmas decorations down, but I think they should remain through New Year's Day at least. I can certainly put away presents, at least. 

I want to finish the book I'm reading about the six wives of Henry VIII, and a book on Gaylordsville history. I want to write and work in my art journal. I was hoping to catch some mini-series marathons on TV, but didn't see any starting so far. Maybe I have to create my own. 

2021: The Year in Review: Part One

I usually wait until the year is over before reviewing it. I recently heard a segment on the radio about preparing for performance reviews. The report was focused on the workplace, even though performance reviews aren't as popular as they used to be. I thought it would  be a good exercise to start a review of my personal performance.

Covid-19 overshadowed this year as well as last year. By this time last year, a vaccine (maybe two) had been developed, but it was available only to a few. We started the year sheltering and were careful throughout the year. Jeff's health problems were also challenging, and so were Lola's to a lesser extent. 

I'm the healthy one. I took care of all my long neglected health check-ups and tests, got necessary vaccinations. I returned to the gym in June (Jeff too.) Lola is helping me stay healthy too by our daily walks. I am exercising most days between gym visits, walking Lola, and working out at home (mostly stretching.) I'll list my number of gym visits when the year is over. 

As usual, we've done our alcohol fast. It starts after New Year's Day, depending on what day New Year's is. In 2022, we'll probably start Monday January 3rd and end on Valentine's Day (a Friday.) I was proud this year that I wasn't tempted to drink while Jeff was in the hospital. (Similarly, I didn't drink the year I broke my ankle in the wee hours of New Year's Day. Both events would have given me good excuses.)

Looking back at the 2021 goals I posted, they are incomplete and somewhat sketchy. My goal to read 30 books was specific. To date, I've read 33 and re-read five books. I may finish my current book and and list them.

Another specific goal was to write 200 blog posts. This is my 187th. This goal is doable as long as I have enough of interest (at least to me) to post. I've been in a bit of writing/posting mood so I'm feeling optimistic about this. We'll see. 

More to follow. 

A Stocking Gift

On Christmas morning, I found this in my stocking: a White Russian inspired by The Big Lebowski. Jeff and I split it, and it was pretty good.

I checked out the label and saw that this drink was made by Sono 1420, a local distillery. Interesting. But oddly, the ingredients were vodka and rum with natural flavors. I always thought a White Russian was vodka, Kahlua, and cream.

I was right according to this site. We'll have to try a legitimate White Russian soon. 

Happy Kwanzaa and Boxing Day

Jeff greeted me this morning with Happy Boxing Day; I responded with Happy Kwanzaa. 

I don't know much about either holiday. 

CNN offered this article on Kwanzaa. The seven principles in English are focused on community:

Unity, Self Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

According to Wikipedia, Boxing Day originated as a day to give gifts to the poor, but is now known as a shopping holiday. I remember seeing an episode of M*A*S*H when officers and enlisted men switched roles on Boxing Day.  Wikipedia also mentions Christmastide which led me to Saint Stephen's Day which is also today. 

Quite the day. 

A Christmas Dreary

We slept in today, especially appropriate on a dark, dreary day like today. I made Christmas breakfast--a tradition we resurrected last year. 

It was just the two of us today, and it was just as well. After I cooked the turkey breast at 350 degrees, I turned up the oven to 400 degrees to re-heat the scalloped potatoes and the stuffing and cook the biscuits. Unfortunately, the oven wouldn't get any hotter. I thought maybe I had messed up. I turned off the oven and restarted it. The oven wouldn't get any hotter. 

Luckily we have a double oven and a new, fancy toaster oven. I heated the stuffing and potatoes in the upper oven (it's small and we usually use it only for broiling) and made the biscuits in the toaster oven. At least I had cooked the turkey in the main oven; it wouldn't have fit in the other two. Dinner was better late than never. 

We watched some Christmas movies: It's a Wonderful Life is on now.

Merry Christmas. 

White Christmas Eve

I was surprised to wake up this morning and see snow. Yes, I had heard that it might snow, but I assumed it would be farther north. The snow looked beautiful on the trees, but not so nice on the roads and sidewalks. Jeff took Lola to the vet's and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few items for tomorrow. 

We had a good meal today: filet mignon, scalloped potatoes, roasted peppers, a salad of arugula and spinach, and Pillsbury biscuits. I was pleased with the results. 

I made enough scalloped potatoes for tomorrow when we'll also have turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and salad. Here's to another good holiday meal. 

Happy Festivus and Other Thursday Thoughts

Today is the holiday for the rest of us! I had hoped to celebrate with some fellow Seinfeld fans, but that didn't work out. Happy Festivus anyway. 

I took Lola to Oyster Shell Park this morning. It was my first day of the season wearing my winter coat; I put it on when I learned the wind chill temperature was 26 degrees. I had double layers of blouses and tops which kept me warm. We lucked out walking when it was sunny and not windy. 

Today reminds me that the best and worst thing about having a dog is that you have to walk him/her every day. Lola helps to keep me healthy.

Honoring Spike

We said goodbye to Spike six years ago today and still miss him. He came to live with us in March 2002 when he was just over a year old. We introduced him to meat; I still remember how he sniffed at our broiler when he first moved in. 

Spike was a wonderful dog, companion, friend, and family member. 

The Essential Lucy

I found this article on the 16 essential I Love Lucy episodes. I'm not sure exactly what the author meant by essential: is it just the favorites? I agreed with five of the 16 selected. I went through a list of the episodes and came up with 19 favs. 

If I narrow it down to 16, here's my list.

Season One

Lucy Does a TV Commercial

Lucy's Schedule

Season Two

Job Switching

Season Three

Lucy Writes A Novel

The Diner

Season Four

Business Manager

Ethel's Birthday

Ethel's Hometown

Hollywood At Last (my all-time favorite)

The Star Upstairs

Season Five 

Lucy Visits Graumann's

Great Train Robbery

Staten Island Ferry

Lucy's Italian Movie

Return Home from Europe

Season Six

Building A Barbecue

Winter Solstice

Today is the darkest day of the year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. I'm happy to report it wasn't the coldest day on this first day of winter. Lola and I got home around 4 from Winslow Park--it was starting to get dark that early. I'll appreciate each extra minute of light starting tomorrow. 

Book 33: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Note: Of the 18 books I purchased at library sales, this is the 11th I've read. 

I was a bit concerned when I started this book and found the dialogue was written in the vernacular. I remembered how difficult it was to read Mammy's dialogue in Gone With the Wind. This wasn't the same. I did have to read the dialogue more slowly than the narrative. I stumbled over a word or two, but I could understand it. Hurston's voice was more authentic than Margaret Mitchell's, I'm sure. 

I liked Janie and reading about her journey from the grandmother who stifled her in trying to protect her, through her relationships with three men who tried to control her in various ways. Janie's journey wasn't an easy one, but she found some happiness in finding herself. 

There were so many beautiful phrases in this book.

It opened with: Ships at a distance have very man's wish on board. For some they come in on the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.

To begin the second chapter: Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone, dawn and doom was in the branches.

As I was reading this book, I came upon this link about Nora Neale Hurston. I loved reading this article about Alice Walker searching for Hurston. 

I want to read more from Zora Neale Hurston especially her memoir: Dust Tracks on a Road: a great title.

More on Anne Boleyn

I am on the email list of The Anne Boleyn Files and learned about three days of talks: what did Anne look like; was Anne a pawn or predator; and Anne Boleyn myths. I ended up reading the transcripts instead of watching the videos (the first was an hour-and-a-half.) I found there's actually an Anne Boleyn Youtube channel. I guess I'll be spending some time there. 

Writer's Remorse Part Two

I wrote 124 words yesterday--another poor showing though better than no words at all. Maybe if I post these pitiful numbers it will inspire or shame me to do more writing. 

I didn't get up with a plan to write yesterday. Instead I did some reading online, played the New York Times Mini-Crossword and Spelling Bee. I opened my document and jotted a few lines and then Lola got up. I took her out and didn't return to my writing all day. 

My point is not to blame Lola, but to show that I can write in spare moments---something to build on.

Writer's Remorse

A few times this week, I got up with the alarm with specific plans: do laundry, make turkey chili (my first attempt was a success; I wish I had made more) make spaghetti sauce. 

This morning as I lay in bed around 5 A.M. I realized I had no specific plans for my morning (except go to the gym.) I decided to work on my book for at least an hour (my fiction book, not my non-fiction book that I'm still researching.) 

I sat down at my computer and opened Word. I saw a poem that I recently wrote based on the latest Dune film. I noticed that it wasn't listed in my poems folder. I resaved it.

I worked a bit on my story. Then I went back to my folders. I had a Documents folder within a Documents folder and a Poems folder within a Poems folder. How did I do that? 

I figured I should consolidate the folders.

Soon, an hour-and-a half had passed. How did I do with my writing: 147 words. I feel like Lisa Simpson in The Book Job and Roseanne in whatever episode she procrastinated about writing. 

Sigh.

Try, try again.

Anne Boleyn in Pop Culture

I was surprised to see an article about Anne Boleyn on Jezebel.com today. I had heard before about the AMC + series starring Jodie Turner-Smith and saw her on The Daily Show. I hope I'll get to see the program.

I had no interest in the film Spencer about Princess Diana, but now I'm intrigued that Anne Boleyn appears to Diana as another victim of the crown. Anne was played by Amy Manson who I saw in The White Princess. 

This shows how Anne continues to intrigue and enchant people. 

Christmas Prep

On Sunday, Jeff put up the Christmas tree and I started decorating it. I also packed up some things we normally have out to make room for other decorations. I kind of half assed cleaned as I went along when I should have cleaned with my whole ass (thank you Homer Simpson--he once said but I was parenting with my whole ass.)

Anyway I finished decorating, but still have to finish cleaning--touching up and vacuuming in the living and dining area, cleaning everywhere else.  

I'm just about done shopping: I'd like to get one or two more things for Jeff's stocking. I'm putting together gift bags for a few friends and may add an item or two. I'm also looking for Christmas placemats. 

Next up, finalizing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus.

Wednesday Morning, 11 A.M.

I remember hearing/reading that Monday morning used to be wash day. This article provides an explanation. 

Living in a condo with shared laundry facilities (with an insufficient number of washers and dryers in my opinion) means I try to do laundry when the laundry room isn't crowded, such as Friday and Saturday nights and during the Superbowl. When I worked part-time and now that I've retired, I do laundry during the day. Jeff liked to do laundry on Fridays to have clean clothes for the weekend. I did that for awhile, then I had a tutoring student who liked to meet on Friday afternoons. Thursday became too busy. Recently I decided to follow the lead of a neighbor: he says the laundry room is never crowded at 5 A.M. That's a bit too early for me. I've been going around 6:30 am on Wednesdays, and it's worked well. 

I still have to put the clothes away, but the washing is done. I've also emptied the dishwasher, taken Lola to the vet's, and made breakfast for us. It's a good start to the day. Keep it going. 

Book 32: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

This is the second book in the Outlander series ( I read the first in 2017) and corresponds to the second season of the TV series. Overall, I enjoyed the book, though it could have been edited more. 

The TV adaptation did a good job of condensing and revising scenes. I loved the way a scene dissolved from the 1940's when Claire and Frank disembark from a plane in Boston to Claire and Jamie arriving in France in the 1840's. I liked that Jamie did not serve as a witness at Mary and Jonathan's wedding, and I especially liked that Mary killed her rapist on the show.

I'm not sure if I'll continue with the book series. The first part of Season Three dragged, but I liked the second half. I guess I'll see what I find at future book sales. 

Plans, Schedules, and Self-Sabotage

It's been a frustrating week for me. But I still have the rest of today and tomorrow to make the most of it. 

I'll start by discussing the end of last week. I had planned to write a post about plans gone awry focusing on our visit to the Christmas Shoppe at the Merwinsville Hotel. It takes about an hour to get there; I wanted to leave home at 1 and return around 4. I figured I would exercise then and maybe clean the bathroom.

I wanted to take Lola out at 11. I didn't take into account time to get gas and cash. Backed up traffic on I-95 led me to go to Cranbury Park instead of Sherwood Island Park. Then Lola and I made a wrong turn in the woods. It was 1 before I returned home and still had to eat lunch. By the time we got on the road, it was almost 2: we returned just before 5. 

One hour isn't a big deal. As a friend said, we didn't have appointments or other obligations. But if I had planned a little better, I could have taken care of my chores and left for the Hotel at 1. If I had gotten home at 4, I wouldn't have blown off exercise. As for cleaning the bathroom, that was never realistic. 

For the next several days, I got off to slow starts and faced distractions. I spent an hour Sunday looking to buy a map of Gaylordsville, only to discover that Jeff probably had the best map already as part of his Western Connecticut book of maps. D'oh. 

On Monday, Jeff couldn't find his phone. It was in my car, but I didn't find it despite searching and despite both of us being in the car until after we bought new phones. Double D'oh! Jeff needed a cell phone to log into work, so it became an urgent task to get a new phone. Our service plan had expired, Jeff had talked about getting new phones, and apparently our old phones are from the Jurassic Era. So, we needed new phones, but I didn't want to spend two hours on Monday getting them. 

The rest of the week--well, I seemed to be rebelling against all the things I should have been doing. Many to-dos were left undone. One to-do from Sunday was to bring Christmas decorations from our storage bin in the basement. The boxes still sit in the dining area. 

On the positive side, I was more productive today. Not as productive as I had hoped, but that's a rare occurrence. Tomorrow will be better. 

The Christmas Shoppe at the Merwinsville Hotel

Today Jeff, Cynthia, and I visited the Christmas Shoppe at the Merwinsville Hotel. On our way there, I gave Cynthia a summary of the hotel's history and how Jeff and I first found it. Oddly, the way I remember first approaching the motel just doesn't make sense. My memory is faulty.

One volunteer Georganne decorated beautifully including a village with a railroad, nutcrackers, and amusement park ride models from her own collection. One of the bedrooms is decorated with a Hanukkah theme.

Items for sale included jewelry, paintings, pottery, glassware, ornaments, and shrubs. We liked that many items were reasonably priced. We bought ornaments, wooden gift tags, t-shirts, jam, honey, wine glasses, and a zip pull. 

It was a nice day for a drive, although coming home in the dark made it feel much later than it was. We got home a little before 5, and it was fully dark by then. Tis the season. 

Sustainable Change

I got an email from Laura Vanderkam yesterday, and it was helpful. To paraphrase and summarize, Laura says the end of the year isn't a finish line. You'll have the same schedule and challenges on January 3rd or 4th as you have today. Rather than wait until the new year to resolve to do something, try it today.  

It's not that I'm waiting until the New Year to do things. But I often find myself so distracted by the day-to-day to-dos that I don't focus on what I really want and need to be doing. If I can't do some writing today, it may mean my goal in unrealistic. That's a scary thought for me--I want to write two books. But this exercise could help me into a more productive, problem-solving mode. That's what I hope and need.