Forced to go grocery shopping although I had little desire to leave home. Several other tasks plus an unnecessary stop at the Thrift Shop. I don’t need a single thing but I love to browse!  I bought six small Christmas items (although I have a box full… stored in the cargo trailer). I displayed the purchases AFTER I put groceries away and slathered IcyHot on my shoulder and neck. Aleve, and IcyHot, have not lessened the pain!! Neighbors have Christmas decorations on display so I wanted to make a small contribution (to decorations). I hung garden flags from my large supply.

A squirrel has mastered the technique of securing a kernel of corn–from the cob–on “the twirler.”  A neighbor stood at the edge of my yard and watched the hysterically funny spectacle.

“Twenty-five degrees warmer than this time yesterday.”

Oatmeal is simmering on the stove so I have a good breakfast as I’m “gearing up” for a busy day. Rain, later this week; next week “we won’t get out of the 50’s.” ~~ Published about seven AM with the suggestion the reader check back for pictures of my outdoor activities.

…never come another day.”  Paraphrase of “Rain, rain, go away; come again another day.” The pain in my shoulder and neck was aggravated by the yard work this morning!! But as Mike Rowe says “Somebody’s gotta do it.”

Directly below, “before” and “after” pictures.

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Pain–or no pain?! The “threat”  was a motivator!!

Only one picture this afternoon. Considerable time in the yard.  I was “too tired”  to think about pictures (in fact, the one picture was an “afterthought”). I’m discouraged, and uncertain of my future. Through a “third-party” (gossip) I heard my rent will be increased. (No problem.) Furthermore, (reportedly) my car has to come out of the carport so the removed items (removed in January) can be returned to carport. (Problem!!) More details as things unfold.

Apology: I had intended to add pictures of the items moved from “my” carport to their yard. “They” want to return their clutter to “my” carport. The desired pictures are “lost.”  😦   I would appreciate your prayers.

It’s still November but television is ridiculously focused on  buying/selling  jewelry, cars, toys, etc.  I’m sick of hearing “Jingle Bells”  and  reference to TV programs about “How the Grinch stole Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.”

Last night, ever so gratefully, I found a reprieve from major TV programming when I came across the broadcast of Ken Burns “The Civil War.” Actually, not a rebroadcast but conversation about the major contribution to our knowledge of that horrible scar on American history. ~~ During my genealogy (Ancestry.com), I’m frequently documenting Civil War veterans. Often, documenting a pension to a widow.  ~~ Gettysburg: During my travels, I visited the battleground and museum.

Who done it??

In 2007 I purchased the “used” 2006 KIA Sportage. It already had 39,000 miles (well used). Eleven years later, the odometer reads 82,131. This year (2018), I’ve driven 1,064 miles.

Last night, a neighbor knocked on my door to tell me the lights were on–on the KIA. Had I been “out”  and forgot to turn off the lights? No, I haven’t driven the car for twenty days! The headlights were not “on”  but the tail lights were bright red in the dark night!! I rushed for the car keys and opened the door. “Yes,”  light’s switch was “on”  but this has never happened in eleven years!! “Yes,”  the battery is dead!!

Did a squirrel get under the hood and chew on some wires? Every day, I see squirrels in the carport. (Especially since I hung feeders with black-oil sunflower seeds, and corn on “the twister.” As I type this, a squirrel is trying to reach the ear of corn on the “twister.” Oh so funny to watch the activity!!)

…detailed on NBC-Today Show (today). I could not pull up the segment on the NBC-Today website but I found the story on the Internet. Many of my readers know I am passionate about Bluebirds. I’ve been courting them for about seven years. Many blog messages devoted to “my” Bluebirds. This is such an inspirational story; I encourage you to click the red link and check the story.

Last night I relied on herbal sleepy time tea rather than a “sleeping aid.” Not a full night’s sleep but awake and feeling fine at 7:00 AM. No “hangover” (and I didn’t have any booze). Doctor Oz talked about the “after affects” (hangover) using over-the-counter aids (a problem I’d experienced). Therefore, I had a better approach to today; I got more tasks accomplished this morning.

This afternoon, I was moving planters and other garden decorations and did not feel tired and sluggish. Hallelujah!! Twenty-four hours ago, it would never have occurred to me to shift planters. HOWEVER, the landlady has returned after one year of (1) hip surgery, (2) rehab, (3) convalescent facility, (4) months with a daughter, and (5) months with hr sister. She saw me in the yard and walked across the driveway and greeted me with “We have a problem.”  (“Yes” just like that!!) She explained that my planters were over the leach line and the weight (of planters and garden decorations) are “too heavy.”  **If** a problem, I would have to pay the $4,000.00 for repairs. So I moved a lot of planters… and (perhaps) more things tomorrow. Hopefully, the exercise helped my aching shoulder, and neck? ~~ Remember how pretty this corner looked?

Good news: The squirrel figured out how to get the corn from “the Twister.” I was “permitted” to stand five feet away and watch the antics.