Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Frozen” (not the movie) two !!

Oh no, my water is frozen!! I was preoccupied with blog messages and did not have a trickle from the faucet. This is not good!! Our freezing temperature is due to continue for another thirty-six to forty-eight hours. This is Tuesday at seven PM. It never occurred to me to use precaution during the day.  ~~ Complacent; taking things for granted. ~~ Because my trailer is parked under a roof, my handyman, Jim, did not think my hose would freeze. Ironically, “electric” wrap for water hose is unavailable in the jumble of stuff in the cargo trailer.

Updates from my indoor/outdoor thermometer and TV meteorologist.

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The propane furnace is keeping my humble home warm.

Frozen (not the movie) !!

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My furnace is being temperamental!! As you see, my trailer home isn’t warm this morning. However, I’m warming the area (partially) by simmering a ham bone to flavor “Fifteen Bean Soup.”  (Earlier picture of my reliable “space heater” doing a good job; I’m not suffering.)

By afternoon, it was pleasant enough to work in the yard–while doing laundry. Tomorrow will be another “deep freeze.”

The “after life” !!

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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Bane and blessing ?!

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.

Adding insult to injury !?

“Figures  don’t  lie.”

Saturday, January 6th, in my former mailbox at CARE, a statement for $1,084.13; Tuesday, January 9th, in my new residence mailbox, a bill for $1,166.01. In 2013, I paid the first month in advance. How convenient that the CARE business office has forgotten the resident is required to pay the first month in advance.

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Note that I attempted to pay my rent on November 10th but check was voided and placed in my CARE mailbox. The second  check for November rent cleared my bank account on December 20th, 2017.

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Please allow me to plead my case: Not that “they” will honor this concept BUT a resident only pays $500.00 for the month if they are traveling and not “at home.” Therefore, a single person’s food, laundry, housekeeping, etc., has a presumed value of $500.00. Under the circumstances (because I was shunned by intimidated residents), I did not eat any meals in the CARE Center in December. I’ve never used laundry or housekeeping services. My December residency was limited to three weeks. Therefore (my arithmetic), the first month’s rent (paid in advance) more than covers the electric expense, several November breakfast’ and a guest meal. **Correct me if I’m wrong.** Furthermore, “they” never credit the departing resident with refund for propane remaining in the large tank (at resident site, for resident convenience). Again, my arithmetic, but I think they owe me. Worst case scenario: I owe CARE $100.13 for November and December electricity. Oops!! Add the November “guest” meal of $6.00. 

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FYI: The $16.60 was electricity at my “free” site while a volunteer. At that time, “single individual” monthly rent was $850.00.

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Note to Russ regarding propane tank hose.

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When I lived in Paris, France (1959-1961), I learned the expression “tête de bois”  (wooden head). A kinder way of saying “dumb,” or “stupid”? I confess to a wooden head. Maybe my emotions clouded my vision? Now I see **my** “fuzzy math”!! Debt paid in full?!

Wildlife welcome !!

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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Handy-dandy man !!

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.