Month: October 2023

Ron’s friend Greg stopped by for lunch and a visit: a treat for both of us.

I spent the morning decluttering and organizing, put the painting supplies in the sunroom, hung pictures and attempted to dust. The house actually looked pretty good by the time Greg arrived.

Ron made a very good carrot cake which we shared with the neighbors and picked up one lunch at the senior center; Rick kindly delivered the other later. I brought home cheese, bread, macaroni and pasta salads and potato salad from Winchester’s.

Epic one yesterday.

Ron got his Greylock password squared away, so we stopped at the bank ATM for cash.

Picked up meds at Stop and Shop and Walmart. In between, had lunch at the Berkshire Food Project.

Returned the blinds to Home Depot in Pittsfield.

Got to Stockbridge two hours early. Mailed the Mirabito contract documentation at the post office and enjoyed pastry at The Lost Lamb. Fortunately, the library was open so we used their facilities before boarding the bus for Naumkeag.

Gorgeous day for an outing at the Naumkeag Pumpkin Show.

Got home in time for a stellar neo-bop/post-bop 90 minutes plus concert at Williams College by the Jimmy Greene quartet:

Jimmy Greene – saxophones

Aaron Goldberg – piano

Reuben Rogers – bass

Jonathan Barber – drums

I spent hours yesterday listening to The New Republic’s “Stop Trump Summit”.

This morning I finished painting the side window frames.

What misery.

This morning I tried a light sand and first layer of paint on the window sill. Difficult time getting the brackets off, thought the whole top trim was going to fall.

Baked the delicata and brussels, made a sauce that wasn’t bad but it set up like hard taffy.

Yesterday we attended the Historical Museum Fall Harvest Fair. Had the worst veg burgers ever eaten but enjoyed the rest, especially the new barn. Got good reviews for my photo montage in Facebook.

Watched the Patriots game into the third quarter, gave up.

Hoping for some foliage photos, I suggested we visit Royal Enfield in Pownal. The owner was welcoming and he and Ron had a good conversation. No photos, though, not enough sun.

We stopped at Dwyer’s for beer for Ron; he tied on a good one while we watched TV. I made an Amaro sour; Ron did the same and added it to a glass of maple bourbon.

How can someone who is paranoid about cancer be so cavalier about alcohol poisoning. Self-medication? Same for me for that matter; I gorged yesterday, much of it healthy but more than I needed. Why?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.