After CARE.

Yours truly had been warned of loss of satellite TV reception during cloudy and rainy weather. Yes, pouring rain!! Pouring rain when I took groceries from the market to my car, from my car to my kitchen. ~~ Old habits die hard!! I saw the two green (matching) bottles at a Thrift Shop recently but didn’t want to pay $4.00 each. I was told Thursday (today) everything would be “half price.”  After that purchase, I went to another Thrift Shop and found another green bottle–and a large butterfly. I suspect I’ll be working on a new garden as soon as weather permits. My plants (in planters) may be dead (after our recent hard freeze) but “bottle bushes” and “bottle trees” will bloom in my yard.

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Friday, January 12, 2018: Where, oh where, is my crock pot?? (Buried inside the cargo trailer!!) Gratefully, I had not donated the Magma set of stainless steel cookware purchased at the CARE garage sale in October 2013. 

With 20/20 hindsight, I wish I’d purchased celery but I thought it “too expensive.” Yum, yum, smells good!!

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Tuesday, January 16, 2018: Tasty bean soup (simmered with ham bone).

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Two cartoons I can relate to.

Yours truly is passionate about Bluebirds. If you search my blog, you will find dozens of messages devoted to Bluebirds. About noon, I saw a Bluebird perched on the “arm” of the planter/decoration in the middle of the yard. I quickly searched the cargo trailer (as best I could) looking for mealworm feeder and mealworms. Sadly, “digging” into that mess is postponed until I have “helping hands.” So I made a trip into Livingston specifically “for the birds.”

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Now I have “critters” in my yard. Four squirrels at one time (after bird seed); a beautiful white cat (after the birds).

IMHO, life always gets brighter when Bluebirds visit my yard.

“Figures  don’t  lie.”

No sunshine this Sunday morning BUT the birds and squirrels found the feeders. Admission: Lorraine is “cuckoo” and “nutty” about wildlife in the yard. Next step: Set up the fountain/bird bath.

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Finally, the propane furnace is working. Strangely, Lorraine is the culprit!! Getting ready for the move, positioning things OFF the slide-out, boxes were stacked beside the front door. Stacked… in front of a vent (one of five). Frustrated from many attempts to repair the furnace, Jim did an Internet search. While reading about “thermocouples,” he saw a comment that indicated the problem could be a blocked vent. (I did an exhaustive search in an effort to find the information and add it here as a link. Sorry, I couldn’t find the comment.) Jim phoned me with that information several days ago; I cleared the area almost immediately. Today was warm enough to approach outdoor repairs and Jim was anxious to see if the furnace would function. Believe me, he was so excited to finally resolve the problem. Thumbs up for Jim; thumbs down for Lorraine.

To reinforce the concept regarding vents, here is the exact wording (in red letters) with my new Hughes Internet modem: “Do not block any of the modem’s ventilation openings. Leave six inches around the top and sides of the modem to ensure adequate ventilation.”

Speaking of Hughes satellite Internet: It’s  s-l-o-w!! How many miles do you think it has to travel bouncing from my computer to the satellite and back to my computer? Just curious… so I checked.

Forced myself to work in the yard. I “knew” that would help dilute my depression. Would it be disrespectful for me to paraphrase Martin Luther King? “Warm at last, warm at last; thank God Almighty, warm at last.” It is 4:15 as I publish this message and I do not have the space heater turned on. Seventy-three degrees indoors. Oh, so pleasant!!

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“Here birdie, birdie; here birdie, birdie.”

At my previous location, I could watch the birds while seated in my comfortable chair. To duplicate… I’ll need to set up a Shepherd’s Hook in the open area?!

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As if the frigid weather isn’t enough to contend with (no furnace), I encountered this message when I turned on the TV this morning. Four years ago, I chose to simplify my life (moving to Escapees CARE Center). I’m four years older and mentally and emotionally not equipped for all the new complications in my life!!

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Because the warmest place in my trailer home, I went back to bed (until 10:37). Because I’m depressed, I lack initiative to resolve the frustrating problems.

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Thirty people sat on “the other side of the aisle” when I stood before the Judge regarding the eviction. Fewer folks on my side of the aisle–but steadfast friends. My heartfelt thanks!! In the past two weeks, I’ve heard from friends verbalizing their support–friends far and wide.

For the first time in my life, I have a fast Internet service. I’ve had slow WiFi for years; I’ve learned to be patient and wait (and wait) while the little icon was “buffering.” With the consent (lol) of my handyman, Jim, I decided to abandon the Channel Master, through-the-air antenna, in exchange for Dish Satellite television. Part of the bargain “bundle” (offered by Dish) is Hughes Satellite Internet. In an earlier message I commented on doing research for a bargain. Furthermore, my investigation took me to the Verizon store to check cost of a “hot spot.” Believe me: Hughes is half the price!! Now to explore the quality of the service.