On the NBC Today Show (this morning approximately 8:15) I learned there has been a controversy: “Is it clothing or a blanket?”

I love my Snuggie!! True story: I was snuggled in my “Slanket“ while watching the TV program!! Bottom line: The controversy developed over the way it is taxed. Because it has sleeves, “the powers that be” want to tax it as clothing. I searched the Internet but couldn’t find the story; we’ll just have to accept Today’s statement (it’s a blanket).

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Seven-thirty PM: “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.”  I searched…, I found…!! Here’s a news article about the argument.

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Went shopping, today, for fifty pound bag of bird seed. Just one of four very important items (on my “To Do list”). Honestly, I even procrastinate about a fifteen-miles round-trip into Livingston!!

Recently I’ve been asked about my through-the-air antenna reception. For their benefit, I searched blog messages for details when my system was installed.

IMHO, the rates for Dish, Direct or Cable are exorbitant. Frankly, I can’t afford…!! However, from Amazon:

Xtreme Signal HDB8X 8-Bay VHF/UHF Bowtie Antenna

Doing some research for this blog, there is a newer model for $64.00: Xtreme Signal HDBX-NI 8-Bay VHF/UHF HDTV Bowtie Antenna

Channel Master CM-7777 Titan 2 Antenna Preamplifier

Channel Master CM 9521A Complete Antenna Rotator System with infra-rad Remote Control for TV Antennas

I confess that my TV viewing isn’t expansive but I’m happy. My one-time expense (more than two years ago) was $157.07.

Here are details about my Yagi WiFi antenna.

I’m extremely blessed to be able to sit at my laptop computer, in the comfort of my trailer home, and prepare these blog messages. Gratefully, my Yagi has a straight line to WiFi signal from the CARE Center.

Old age and senility catch up with us!!

At eleven o’clock, I phoned cousin Edna in California to wish her a happy ninety-second birthday. She didn’t know me!! I carried most of the conversation; occasionally she said “yes” and “how nice.” ~~ This leaves me so sad because I have the same genes as my first cousin. Is this in my future??

here’s a Sears Roebuck catalog from 1930.

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Honestly, I’m “downsizing”–when I don’t get distracted. I’ve checked the Internet and found one advertised for $9.99 or best offer. Obviously, my battered old copy isn’t worth attempting to sell?!

Checking e-Bay, they ask if I have one for sale. I went through all the rigmarole to (perhaps) list mine. Frankly, too much trouble and it might cost me more than I would receive!!

First let me show you my indoor-outdoor thermometer with morning and afternoon temperatures.

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Second: I’m “sick” as I type this!! I am so sensitive to odors–and I’ve been inhaling diesel fuel the last few minutes. A brand new trailer was delivered to my brand new neighbors. I took fourteen pictures but will only share eight pictures. Here’s my unsolicited opinion: These thirty-year-old RV sites were not designed for forty-foot trailers with three or four slide-outs. My specific little street is very narrow and there are three long ramps angling from porch to the street.

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Let me repeat: I am so “sick.”  The odor of diesel still hangs in the air an hour later!! My eyes are watering, I have a monster headache; I am on the verse of vomiting!! I’m going to hit “publish” and then take a long walk to clear my head.

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Should I anticipate eviction because I live in a shabby old trailer??

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7:30 PM: “How sick?”  I went to Dollar General and purchased a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and ate it all in one sitting!! I do not recall ever doing something so foolish. I reject desserts; I attempt to “eat healthy.” (Comfort food?)

A friend sent the following article. (Thanks Jan.) For me, it is very comforting to read that gardening is an anti-depressant. (I struggle with depression. “Rejection”  is very difficult to live with.)

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RESEARCHERS FIND THAT GARDENING SOIL IS A NATURAL ANTIDEPRESSANT

Gardening enthusiasts adamantly tout the long list of benefits include stress reduction and mood improvement. But, why stop there? Could tending to a garden, breathing in fresh air and exposure to Vitamin D sunshine rays help those suffering with depression? The votes are in and experts say “yes.”

The answer lies in the actual antidepressant microorganisms in the soil.

Antidepressant Microbes in the Soil

Mycobacterium vaccae (M. vaccae) in dirt and soil naturally activate the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

Together, these neurotransmitters send chemical messages to the brain: dopamine affects your emotions via sensations of pleasure and pain, while serotonin regulates our mood, social behavior, libido, memory and sleep.

When gardening, these microorganisms absorb into your skin and are inhaled with each breath. Upon entering your bloodstream and respiratory system, they quickly get to work – boosting your mood and subsiding your pain.

The connection between these soil microbes and mood elevation, funnily, were discovered by accident. Originally administered as an immune booster for lung cancer patients, M. vaccae surpassed oncologist Dr. Mary O’Brien’s expectations.

According to O’Brien, not only did the vaccae microbial bacteria improve their immune system, but patients also demonstrated a sizeable boost in their happiness, vitality and pain relief….

Lorraine here: There’s more but I’ll let you go to the link and read the entire article.

Today is cloudy–and cold!! Gratefully, yesterday’s severe storm moved East but left extensive tornado damage in several locations in south Texas. So, I’m pursuing my second favorite activity: Blogging. ~~ I may work indoors today but will venture out, soon, to refill the bird feeders. From my computer, from my blogging, I can see a dozen birds on several feeders. One female Cardinal, a Dove, and lots of Goldfinches. If I reposition myself, I might see a Bluebird on the feeder.

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After several extremely nice days, today, three hours and one inch of rain. By necessity, today I worked on indoor projects. The last few days, outdoors, I made great strides downsizing .

Two boxes of Christian books packed and labeled for Love Packages, Butler, Illinois. I’m searching the Internet for a place to donate decades old collector’s items books and postcards. I’m praying a location near Huntsville will take a lot of my collectibles: Wood ironing board (my mother’s) over eighty-two years old; “sad” irons; treadle Singer sewing machine stand, etc. 

**IF** I get a “green light” from the Brethren Heritage Center, I may load boxes of family history into a U-Haul cargo trailer and transport to Brookville, Ohio (when appropriate time, weather-wise).

I’d love to start my Spring garden (in my Garden Tower) but “downsizing” must take priority!!

I’m not getting any younger (one son just celebrated his sixtieth birthday); I cannot continue to procrastinate!! (I’d rather work in my “yarden”!!)