New Dry Food

Ron is worried about driving in the storm that’s supposed to start on Tuesday morning. It was only raining this afternoon, so I got tired of listening to him fuss about it and did the North Adams errands myself.

We’re down to a couple of days worth of Life’s Abundance so I started looking for retail options. Found one, Diamonds Natural, at Tractor Supply.

Turns out Tractor Supply has an unbelievable variety of dog foods and toys, including the chewy fetch balls that Jett loves.

Picked up a small bag of Diamonds Natural and since I was in the neighborhood, stopped at Walmart for a couple of groceries which I’ve forgotten more than once, fresh and frozen onions in particular.

Checked out the furnace filter the other day and wacked my head pretty good on the return duct. Aubuchon/Ace didn’t have the right size. Couldn’t believe that I forgot to look for them while I was at Walmart so ordered them to be delivered later this week.

Mixed the Diamonds Natural with Jett’s old food this evening. He seems to like it.

We watched football again today. No cooking, still working through leftovers. Want to make a soup recipe Peter sent. Bought baguettes to go with, now they are missing. Hmm.

Snow

Ron has been fussing like an old person about three to five inches of snow. If we get an inch, I’ll be moderately surprised.

Ron’s out and about. He did some errands, forgot his Neufchatel, so is out again.

Earlier today, I emptied the wastebaskets and loaded the truck. Jett and I brought trash and recyclables to the transfer station then went to the post office to mail a letter Ron had left on the tonneau cover.

Vacuumed the stairs.

Ron and Jett played fetch this evening as the snow started to wind down. It was dark and cold!

Thanksgiving

I’d made a stovetop casserole yesterday with soy curls and rice. Added cheese and mushroom gravy and it was quite good.

Today I made a “three sisters” stovetop dish with chickpeas, coconut milk, corn and pumpkin seasoned with ginger, garam masala, cumin and turmeric with brown rice and asparagus.

Also made the traditional green bean with fried onions casserole. Served it with cranberry sauce and garlic sticks for a pretty complete Thanksgiving spread. Chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.

Leftovers tomorrow.

We watched two football games in between food prep and taking care of Jett.

Tuesday Nothing

I had a conversation about renewal with our homeowners insurance company. Decided to keep the coverages as they are. The savings for changes in deductibles, for example, are trivial whereas the impact would be substantial.

I wanted a copy of the revised billing schedule, may try again tomorrow.

Went over finances to be sure we can pay the 25% of annual premium due on the first.

Looked through recipes and made a shopping list but neither of us is particularly keen on going out. I’m barely feeling better and Ron is not especially energetic either.

Ron made scrambled eggs and toast for supper.

Ron took Jett out in a light rain, after dark. I vacuumed the living room rug and changed the sheets. That’s it. Seems like we let the day get away from us.

Monday

Gorgeous skies today, bright blue and grey/white clouds. Not too cold, high thirties/low forties.

Ron is on his way back from his follow-on hearing appointment in Pittsfield. I couldn’t figure out how to get Google Maps synched with his phone; very annoying and as a result, he got lost on this way there but I think is taking the pretty way home.

Driving myself nuts looking for envelopes. Finally remembered where I stored them with a bunch of kitchen clutter, in the sunroom behind a chair.

Got interested in a Christian-inspired Netflix video based on the Book of Hosea. I was quite taken with the (English) actor who played the hero: what a doll! Like my Ron was back in the day.

Feeling much better. Still oozing phlegm but can breathe more or less through my nose and cough without causing spasms.

Up Early With Jett

Made breakfast for us at 5:30. Went back to bed, got up at 9. Jett kept us company.

We use about 500 gallons of oil per year. It’s come way down over the last two years, from $4.10 in October 2023 to $3.25/gallon last month. If that’s due to Trump, then thank you, Trump.

It’s cloudy and in the forties today. There are craft and food events but no wish to attend or for that matter to stand out with the North Adams anti-fascists. I’m symptomatic and thus contagious.

I tried thanking the members of Congress who publicly confirmed that members of our armed forces have the right to refuse illegal orders. Unfortunately, only three of the six make it possible to email if you aren’t in their district.

ZOOM With New Attorney

We got a referral through ARAG. Good meeting. He doesn’t think it would be to our benefit to set up a Trust for our house but will do that for us if we wish.

I’m feeling better. Ron washed the bedding, we changed the sheets. Took a shower, washed my hair.

Ordered a Walmart delivery, no fee. Forgot cheese, remembered Milk Bones.

Jett took his monthly Sentinel.

Ron went out for wine and cheddar slices. He’s outside now in below-freezing temps getting the mail and keeping an eye on Jett.

Tough Night, Better Afternoon

The leukocytes were working overtime last night; it was pretty uncomfortable, liquid and heavy phlem pouring out.

Ron did runs to the food pantry, transfer station town hall and library today. The last was to return the air quality monitor which reported “Good” air wherever I tested it.

Feeling better now at 2:00. Covid test was negative.

Called Mass. Senate Ways and Means and Senator Marks to request their support of the Workplace Psychological Safety Act.

Getting Better

My poor Leukocytes have been sacrificing themselves by the hundreds of thousands, and I’m starting to feel a little better. Ron, unfortunately, had another “accident” today.

I ordered groceries at Walmart yesterday afternoon and signed us up for Walmart+, too late for that order so Ron, Jett and I drove there around 7.

Bill from National Grid is once again $0.

Mower, Yard Work, Sick

We picked up the lawn mower yesterday. It was available on Monday but signals got crossed.

Ron finished the back yard. He’d raked the side yard; I helped bag. That pretty much takes care of leaves for now.

I did the North Adams standout. Brought home macaroons from Great Falls Baking Company.

Did two loads of laundry.

Had tickets to a jazz concert featuring vibes at the Clark last evening but since it was cold and raining and I felt lousy, stayed home.

Feels like the flu but perhaps moderated by the booster.

Not as cold today.

Went to a vendors market at McKay’s, came home with lemon/ginger scones for Ron and me.

Worked on Andi’s application. Mostly did nothing else besides reading the news. Did watch the start of the new season of “Landman”.

Ron watched a couple of football games and played fetch with Jett.

Microwaved potatoes and broccoli for supper.