Acorn Squash, Hairpin Turn

Too foggy for real sightseeing, but I went to Hairpin Turn anyway and finally got to see the Natural Bridge.

Did a shop on the way back.

Baked acorn squash with a chestnut stuffing that Ron enjoyed.

Infuriating conversation with a stupid insurance agency employee.

Found

Happily located three things that I’ve been searching for: a folder of vegetarian recipes and two putty knives, the latter of which were in one of Ron’s toolboxes.

We watched the Chicago/DC football game last night. Nice to see a good one for a change.

Started painting the living room window frames, a chore. No cooking, just a salad.

Little Visitors

We had a fun visit with our neighbors yesterday. They got to tour the house and said our yard was a “10 out of 10”.

Ben found a salamander under a log in front of the shed. Nice!

I sauteed tofu from the organic market; it was still not very good. Had better success with an applesauce loaf. I was on my feet for two hours, though, and my right knee is not happy.

Learned that my GAP coverage is only for a total loss.

Filled in an application for homeowners insurance with Greylock.

Talked with the oil company about applying for fuel assistance. Dropped in to the senior center to say hello and drop off a check for this month’s lunches.

Ron continued sanding the big baseboard.

Starting to see color in the hilltops.

Beautiful

James and Jake stopped by to finish up the third bedroom.

James also replaced the damaged chunk of pantry wall and installed the gorgeous new cordless blinds that have replaced the tattered shade in the kitchen window.

We got a great deal on B Complex vitamins at Walgreens.

Ron did a little more sanding, I did a little more blue taping in the living room.

Another stellar day in the Northern Berkshires.

Baking

I made a tasty apple dessert and roasted vegetables with two new recipes yesterday.

Also cleaned up the kitchen, which took a while.

Ron did transfer station and redemption center runs.

Had bad stomach pains, probably from too many crackers and cheese in the evening.

Wellness Fair at the Senior Center

Didn’t win any raffles but enjoyed cookies, a donut, herbal tea and coffee while perusing.

Made fried “pancakes” from cabbage, onions, eggs and bread crumbs for lunch.

Watched “Banshees of Inisherin”. When Jenny the miniature donkey choked to death on Colm’s severed finger, it upset Ron so much he switched to a “normal” murder and mayhem TV series where only human beings are killed. Fortunately, the real Jenny not only survived but retired after filming.

New “try before you buy” slippers arrived yesterday; I’m keeping them, paid for them this morning.

Painted another coat on the upstairs hall trim and the wall with the little shelves in the kitchen. Put some pretty things on them and now that corner looks very cheerful.

Attended a very good presentation/Q&A at the Senior Center this afternoon on the Charter commission progress to date. Lots of good questions, engaged crowd.

Picked up some good deals at Dollar General and Wild Oats. Saw Butch and the boys.

Peeled and sliced apples for a dessert, maybe will make tomorrow.

Leg is not yet 100% but much improved.

Leg

Day six and my left leg feels a bit better. Talk about a long recupe.

Ron started sanding the long baseboard in the third bedroom.

I finally ordered bedroom slippers, looking forward to tossing the “Friends” scuffs.

Also ordered blinds for the kitchen and living room windows, three in all.

Taped and primed the unfinished trim in the hallway.

Grateful that the furnace has been running. Should be able to get the new tank installed soon.

Brought back some of yesterday’s produce after Ron refused to help prepare it. Tired of trying to cook with a bad leg. Kept the stuff that I like, including some adorable mini cauliflowers and shallots.

Picked up a case of Narragansett in Pownal. After he dry mopped the floor, the store owner carried it to the car for me!

Attended a fine presentation by a Williams College Stats major on “A New Linear Rank-Type Test for Interval-Censored Survival Data Based on A Proportional Odds Model”.

I bought myself a smoothie and an apple cider donut for Ron at Lickety Split, then a half dozen ears of corn at Chenail’s. Very Williamstown.

Weekend: Shredding, Big Y, Patriots

We brought three containers of shredding for a small contribution to North Adams on Saturday. Followed with a stroll around the farmers market, featuring real farmers and lots of beautiful produce and a shop at Big Y.

We chilled on Sunday, changed sheets and watched an afternoon Patriots game. They won but it was by a hair – the Jets receiver dropped the ball in the end zone seconds before the end.

A “friend” of 22 years is mad at me for writing the obvious about the game, and claims we put her in financial peril – nine months ago.

I guess it takes time to gestate a grudge.

Meanwhile, I was scammed $30 by someone claiming to have concert tickets. Oldest trick, I fell for it.

Conundrum

They say never discuss politics or religion, but it seems sports is also a prohibited topic of conversation.

I’ve celebrated birthdays and Christmases, experienced ups and downs, for 22 years with a person who is angry with me over my opinion of a Patriots football game (great Defense, too many costly penalties, lucky break in last seconds of the game, lackluster second quarter Offense: pretty similar to what others think).

She also texted that I “put (her) in a terrible position” 10 months ago over (I guess) a misunderstanding about money. This was the first I’ve heard of it.

I’d be happy to send her whatever she thinks I/we owe her, but how to do that now that she’s written “LEAVE ME ALONE”?

Looking for suggestions….