Ron drove us to Bennington and a little beyond, and we came back on Route 7A. We drove past the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. We plan to visit when it opens for the season in May.
I received an email inviting us to confirm our interest in a male poodle named Frankie. They will be checking our references and Lizzie’s Bennington vet.
I started the day by picking up popcorn bags gifted by a lady who lives in the last house in Williamstown. Did a grocery run at Stop & Shop then worked on taxes for most of the day. Can’t believe the number of schedules and forms our return requires.
I worked on the federal taxes today, and it looks like we don’t owe anything. It also seems we are entitled to a credit for installing the heat pump that we can carry over to next year.
I also completed and emailed the application for poodle Fern.
Didn’t do much else besides make an egg sandwich for Ron.
I’ve pulled together the documentation for our income taxes, including instructions for the energy credit.
I spent two hours going through old paperwork. Unloaded the dishwasher, watched the news, made soup out of old potatoes, carrots, spinach and mushroom soup, did a little kitchen cleanup, left some for Ron so he would feel useful!
Heard from Em, they are taking two classes this term.
Landscaper came by to talk about some transplanting (grass in front of house to be replaced by a lilac, move hydrangea to the side, new tree in the back) and digging an extended garden plot.
I raked the side yards and pretty much filled the back of the truck. Ron and I brought the brush and recyclables to the transfer station, then to Walmart for one of his prescriptions and some shopping for the house. Stopped off for pizza at Cumby’s, $7 weekend sale for a large pizza. Pretty good, too.
I figure we can stop at a Hands Off! Rally either in Bennington or Keene on the way to Paulette’s memorial in Jaffrey on April 5.
Ron is in pretty bad shape this evening. He remains suspicious, guarded and stubborn about a variety of things. I have a feeling he hasn’t been taking all of his meds.
I also have a feeling that a lot of what he does is calculated . “Where is your Self to be found?” the Austrian poet Hugo Von Hofmannsthal asked. “Always in the deepest enchantment you have experienced.” I think that Ron has either never experienced the “deepest enchantment” or experienced it only once in his 79 years and he mourns the loss. I believe it’s part of why he’s so often nasty to me but I haven’t put the pieces together yet.
I was hurting and took a couple of Tylenol. Felt faint and lightheaded about 20 minutes later. No, thank you. Did a little vacuuming while Ron was out an didn’t fall on my face.
Put in a request to be considered for another dog, Frankie. He’s three, a little young but according to his foster’s description, he’s not the type of doggo who needs to work off a lot of energy and is generally a happy sort. We’ll see.
The tools need attention, badly, but at least I put them back in the shed before the rain predicted for later this week. Many of them were in the garage for the winter, used for snow removal.
Today we brought a truckload of dead grasses and leaves to the transfer station. I finished as much cleanup as I could by myself, and now the area around the driveway and in front of the house looks 100% better.
We even disposed of a bag of leaves from the fall.
We did a shop for groceries – almost out of bread – and although it was a little cool, had lunch on the deck. Gorgeous blue skies today.
Ron has been talking about not being able to find Johnny Walker Black in the local wine and spirits stores, so after lunch we visited Liquor World and Market, a Kappy-like outlet but unlike Kappy, staffed with friendly people, in North Adams.
Afterwards I picked up an inexpensive Belgian waffle maker at Goodwill and made waffles for supper.
Ron’s computer problems were not due to malware but a stupid web page rendered in Safari.
I skimmed Facebook Marketplace and found a couple of desk chairs that I thought could work for Ron. Early birthday present from me.
After making arrangements to travel and hour and a half each way to see a couple of chairs, a Williamstown person posted a nice one for $15. We arranged to meet at Cozy Corner and brought the chair home in the truck. It’s adjustable and comfortable according to Ron. And no three hour trip to pick it up.
I finished uploading and testing database and web pages to MRS. Didn’t receive a test email from SendGrid but I think it might be because it’s a duplicate submission. Investigated the Response but wasn’t helpful.
Made mac and cheese for supper, two boxes. Ron wolfed down a serving and seconds, poor guy was hungry.
More Republican dodging about “Signal-Gate”. The level of immaturity is beyond belief. Admit it was a mistake, do better. This administration really is being run by amateurs and not shame in that, just don’t make it worse by acting like 6 year olds. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska, a retired Air Force Brigadier General, said the same on the telly tonight, and good for him.
We are both in rotten moods today. I’m worn out with the BRC2 project and dodging other people’s disapproval, including Ron’s. Ron is living under his usual black cloud for reasons unknown or at least unrevealed.
I canceled an appointment to talk with a salesman at Coggins about purchasing the Corolla. Can’t face the stress of a car dealership visit today. He called and I told him it was just not a good time, had enough arguing with men today.
Yesterday Ron was on a ladder in front of the garage and was a bit sore this morning. He’s not been taking all his meds. I hope we have that squared away now.
We made a quick run to Job Lot for mustard seeds and cheered on a standout in North Adams. Filled the Corolla at Cumby’s in Williamstown. Salad and chips for lunch.
Aside from that, I’ve been working on BRC2. I wasted a day on a page to add a new student until I remembered I’d been working on a version that was almost done.
Took out a short subscription to Cape News, should cover town elections. Curious to see who’s running in Mashpee.
Finding it hard to stay focused. Would really like to dig a new flower bed; dreading what I might find.
I saw a Great Pyrenees today. If we had a proper fence, wouldn’t it be nice to offer him a home?
Pancakes for breakfast. Signed us up for lunches at the senior center, veg choices from the regular menu. The place that prepared vegetarian options for Elder Services went out of business.
Made a stop at the food pantry. Brought home two bags worth.
Did a little more yard cleanup, this time in the front corner.
Donated blood. Ron is still anemic, 10.1.
Did a grocery run, so a full day of food shopping.
Ron ran out yesterday, thinks either the pharmacy made a mistake when they refilled his prescription (unlikely) or he dispensed the meds incorrectly. I picked up an OTC version that we hope will work.
Changed sheets, did laundry.
Good news; we have half a tank of oil, hope it’ll last for the rest of the season.
Enjoyed sharing thoughts with Eric on the state of the government.
Continued work on BRC2. Incredible the mistakes I made in the setup.
