I stayed home in the morning; I was feeling tired and sore and didn't have anywhere I needed to go. After an early lunch, I went to Jean's house. She wasn't feeling good and I brought her some of the Captain's turkey stock. I cooked her some sweet potatoes and washed some grapes. She didn't have the energy to take care of herself, but knew she needed to eat. I sat there for a while as she slept, but then I headed to Earth Fare. I bought some groceries and went home. It was really cold and raining slightly, but the woodstove kept it comfortable in the house.

Ray came home too and we made a delicious fish dish with a little bit of sole I had bought. Then we rounded up the chickens (takes a lot of time unless it is almost dark) and fed the pigs and went to the Classic Center, where Project Safe was getting ready for their show this Sunday, Stomp. Eight teams are step dancing. It is more complicated than Dancing with the Athens Stars, because there are more than one piece of music for each number, so lots of cues. One group even has its own sound person. We will practice again on Sunday, with the music.

We were home again about 7:30, so watched TV, ate ice cream, and fell asleep early.

Whew! I did my first sleep apnea study last night. It was unpleasant, but not horrible. I did sleep a good bit, but I am tired and sore.  I had 21 wires attached to me: 4 to my legs, the rest to my face, head, neck, and shoulders. I need to take a bath and wash my hair to get the stuff out of it. I arrived at 8:30, as requested. Well, I was about 5 minutes late, because I went back for my pills that I take at bedtime. It was cold and wet--a chance of snow was predicted by this morning! I imagined being snowed in at the doctor's office. The door was locked, no one answered my knocks. I was getting a little upset, when I realized there was a sign on the door to ring the bell and a buzzer high up on the right. The sign was hidden by the Christmas wreath on the door and the outside lighting was not good enough to see the sign or the bell. But someone came, a woman (sleep technician) named April. She let me in and I filled out a questionnaire about my day, whether there was anything unusual to affect my sleep that night. She was waiting for another patient who never came. She showed me to a small, not unpleasant bedroom, where I changed into my nightgown. I used the bathroom next door and took out my contact lenses. April had me sit on a stool while she attached all the elctrodes (?) and a microphone over my throat for snoring. There were two sets of probes in my nose to monitor breathing and one near my mouth. She told me to sleep on my back as much as possible, which is hard for me. I always sleep on my side.

My back began to hurt from sitting there with no support for almost half an hour. The television in the room was on, a flat screen high up on the wall over my head. I could only hear it. Eventually I decided it was Bill Murray playing Scrooge in some modern version of a Christmas carol. It seemed a little surreal to me... I had asked her to turn it off earlier and she said she would, but hadn't yet.

I got into bed (carefully, with my wires attached). There was no good place for my water bottle, so it just spent the night on the bed with me. Not ideal, since it leaks some. She did some tests. She could tell me what to do from the next room via a speaker. She could hear and see me all night. I read for awhile and then told her she could come and turn the lights off. I woke up later and told her I had to go to the bathroom. She disconnected some of the wires and handed a box to me to carry over my shoulder with the ends of all of them. Then I came back and she hooked me back up. I was very thirsty during the night and my back and shoulder hurt, but I slept off and on.

Before 5, she knocked on the door and told me to wake up. She took the wires off, but I had to take the tape off. Ouch. I got dressed and put in my lenses and fillled out two more questionnaires. She offered me orange juice, apple juice or coffee. I took the orange juice--it was an individual bottle from Tropicana that had a funny taste to it, maybe like grapefruit juice. I've noticed it before with Tropicana.

I will go back in a week, unless they call to tell me I don't need to (because I don't have sleep apnea). The second time I will know more what to expect, which is both good and bad. I will use a mask of some sort to see if it helps me, I believe.

It hadn't snowed and, in fact, had stopped raining. It was cold, just above freezing. I only saw two cars on the way home. Ray was already up and he made me some breakfast. I went back to bed for awhile, but not to sleep. Maybe later today.

Yesterday, I went to an OLLI class on Modifying Your Home to Age in Place. It was taught by a contractor who makes renovations to people's homes. He was very knowledgeable, although much of the information I already knew.

I had a pleasant lunch with Becky. I went by the UUFA to pick up some information on a poverty simulation we are hoping to schedule in early 2012 and talked to Shaye some about the Green Sanctuary committee business.

At home, my Dad came about 4 to make turkey stock. I made oatmeal-raisin cookies and gave half to him while he was doing that. Then I went to feed the pigs and then I met Ray at the Shell station when he got off the bus (and got gas).

We had turkey with frozen broccoli and egg noodles, and ice cream, and watched a couple game shows, before I headed to the doctor's office.

Welcome rain
falls outside my house
in the dark

Quiet house
Amelia and cat gone
I miss them

Stayed up late
watching great movie
with hobbits

Hobbits climb
through mountain wasteland
with the ring

Jasmine, fast growing vine with white flowers

Yesterday morning, Amelia was at Kevin's; didn't come home until 10. Ray and I had pancakes, went for a walk. He went to UUFA to do sound. I stayed home with Amelia. She packed and took a shower. We were having some kind of issue with the hot water, so I didn't, because it would have been cold. She did one quick sewing project, fixing Kasey's skirt. Then we worked outside a little more. It was warm and partly sunny, but very windy. We let the chickens out and they didn't get under the house, although there is still a little more to do. We weeded and pruned and spread mulch, until Kevin called and wanted her to come back with the car so he could pack it. I heated her up some leftover pastitsio and sweet potato and scrubbed the garden carrots I had pulled up. She and Kevin were back in a bit to get the cat. Ray was home to say goodbye to her.

"New" chickens with mulched rose

flower bed with lattice

We ate the last of the various leftovers; there's still some turkey pieces to turn into soup. I hope it's not too late. I worked outside some more; Ray helped too. My Dad arrived, but he was really tired and didn't stay long. He brought me some sour milk and half & half for the pigs. Ray and I moved the chicken coop again and put fresh shavings in the nest boxes. We fed the pigs and came home. Ready to take our showers, I remembered the hot water problem. Ray went down with a screwdriver and took off a panel and pushed a reset button. Voila! Something started happening.

We put some rice on for a stir fry (with turkey). Ray turned it down and we went to watch TV. The beginning of the Two Towers was on. Uh-oh...burned rice. He heated soup from the freezer for us. We turned it back on in time to see the rest of Return of the King, starting where we had gone to bed the night before. And that's how come I didn't go to bed until midnight and ate poorly.

Hi,

I'm not sure where the time went. Amelia leaves in a few hours. She wanted to go downtown shopping yesterday and I was not really happy about it. We met my Dad at Last Resort and had another great meal there. We resisted dessert entirely because we had pie at home. Spent a little time at Agora. I wonder if I should ask Airee about getting a booth there. Why not give it a try? Get rid of some of my stuff? We stopped at Hobby Lobby and went to Michael's again to get another can of white spray paint. Amelia is re-painting a rusty old outdoor table to make it look nicer.

I did make some small baguettes with a little whole wheat flour, as well as white flour, salt, yeast, and water. From Martha Stewart's recipe. It was pretty cool in the house yesterday, very overcast, so didn't rise prodigiously.

We had more leftovers for supper, with a little salad from our garden: lettuce, carrots, peppers! Amelia went off with Kevin et al. and we watched some television. I had fallen asleep and we were about to go to bed around 9, when we started watching the end of The Two Towers, followed by the beginning of The Return of the King. Very fun. We turned it off finally and headed upstairs but then it was a while before I calmed down enough to fall asleep. Silly, because we actually own them and never watch them. I am not sure, maybe Molli has them all. I might take a look.

The fun continues. We observed "buy-nothing day," and did not leave Kenney Ridge (until evening). Some of us slept really late and the day got off to a slow start. I made Amelia's favorite breakfast, an oven apple pancake. It was ready when she (and Leia) came downstairs. Ray had his even later. We had a walk. Captain came and did laundry and ate leftovers with us. We played Wits and Wagers, a trivia game that also involves betting on whose answer is right. One of the fun things about the game is that you all try to answer the same questions. They are cafefully chosen to be something that has a right answer, but that most people will not know, but guess at. How wide is a balance beam? What is the highest recorded wind speed? Sometimes I'm way off, but I think I won this time.

I finished a library book that was due. That's right, I lay on the couch in the sun and read for an hour or so. Amelia did some more work outdoors. The chickens managed to get under the porch again, but hopefully she has now made it impossible. Stay tuned.

As my Dad was leaving, Amelia's friend Becky and her 3-year-old daughter, Loretta, arrived. They wanted to see the pigs and other animals and pet them. We all rode in the pickup truck over to Karen's. Captain dropped us off and went home. Ray and I fed and watered the pigs, while Amelia closely supervised Loretta (and Becky took pictures). Ray and Nancy M. and two of their (adult) daughters were also wanting to see "the farm." Kevin and Kasey arrived as well. I headed home on foot. Becky & Amelia and Loretta came back to the house with K&K (in the car). Loretta had the run of the place (under Amelia's careful eye). She tried to play with the cat, unwinding balls of yarn all over the house, especially around and around the kitchen counter. She also enjoyed cracking pecans and bringing us each bits. The rest of us (not Ray) played Wits and Wagers--Kevin won.

When they left, I was feeling pretty sleepy. It was starting to get dark. I had a very light supper of turkey and green beans (from the freezer), while Ray and Amelia had pastitsio. We all took our baths (or showers), which we had somehow managed not to do earlier.

Then we went to the movies! The dollar theater was showing 50/50. It was very good. I liked it a lot, although it is sort of a comedy about being a cancer patient. Seth Rogen is not my type, crude and profane. But I really like Joseph Gordon-Leavitt's character (biting his fingernails), and the portrayal of waiting rooms and doctors' offices was excellent. It was pretty much ruined for me, however, by the very unprofessional therapist. She was supposed to be a doctoral student--I guess she was doing her practicum--on cancer patients! And she would have had supervision, in theory, but we never saw any evidence of it.

When we got home, Amelia headed over to Kevin's. Ray and I stayed up a while longer. I was a little keyed up for going to bed. I knit some and ate ice cream through 3 shows and went to bed after 11. Sorry to say, I stll woke up a little after 5...

practice bridesmaid skirt

Thanksgiving day was delicious and fun!

Cold and sunny in the morning. We took a little walk. Amelia made pumpkin pie to take to Kevin's house. She made the crust for my pie too--fudge pecan...yum. We watched some of the parade, but it was really annoying to me for some reason this year. Maybe the commentators were worse than usual. Fewer Broadway shows this year.

Amelia went to Kevin's. My Dad arrived and we had pastitisio for lunch. The three of us played a great game of Scrabble, after a little crying because my Mom wasn't here to play cards with us. My Dad played all his letters and got a 50-point bonus.

Amelia came back from Kevin's. Captain went home to get dressed. Ray showered and dressed. I made the chocolate pecan pie and the mini-corn muffins. I took the sweet potatoes out and put butter and brown sugar and orange juice on them. I took the rolls out of the freezer and baked them. I changed my clothes and we put all the food in the car and drove to Janna's.

Ana's pear tart, chocolate pecan, apple, pumpkin, gluten-free banana

It was really fun and delicious. But I think I'd rather make my own Thanksgiving dinner so I can have exactly what I want to eat. Maybe I'll go to their house for dessert and games. We ate about 7:30 and had dessert after 9. There were two turkeys; one was totally for leftovers and she divided it among us. My Dad left before dessert. Later, we played Fictionary, where we make up definitions to real words. It was fun and I laughed a lot, as did Janna. Ron was asleep with his head on the table for about an hour. I think it was midnight before I went to sleep!

Michael B., Tommy V. & wife, Emily B., Amelia

Amelia continued working on the lattice around the deck. The main purpose is to keep the chickens out. But I didn't realize it would look so nice! It really defines the flower beds in front of the deck. We have also been weeding them, especially pulling up the blackberries...which is hard for me.

I did some cooking, making the rolls for today and freezing them. I cooked the sweet potatoes (too much, once again) and Ray helped me peel them.

My Dad came by for a while to do his laundry. He joined us for lunch and advised Amelia on the carpentry. All the chickens were out most of the day.

About 3, Amelia and I went downtown and did a few errands. We picked up a vase she had won as a door prize Sunday. We went by Five Star Day for pig scraps, but they were closed up tight. We looked at Lyndon House and Cine and the Foundry for possible wedding venues. And ran into Bel-Jean to check out the paper for printing the Save-the-Dates. We stopped at Michael's and Amelia bought some supplies. I bought a ball of yarn and studied the knitting supplies while she roamed the store.

Back home, Ray was making the custard for the pastitsio and then we put it in the oven. Kevin and Kasey came over and played a trivia game with us. Ray won, of course, but I was in hot pursuit. We ate the pastitsio at 8 and I was asleep by 9.

 The temperature was in the high 70s yesterday! Ray and I took a walk. When Amelia got up, we planted the red tulips we hope will bloom in time for the wedding. Actually, Amelia placed them and Ray planted them. The chickens and the dog wandered around.

In the afternoon, we drove to Becky's and picked up pecans from her trees. It was lovely. She chatted with us and brought us cold drinks. We took them to be cracked. There is a place with a machine that cracks them. You still have to pick out the meats--I don't know if there is a machine that does that commercially. I kind of doubt it. It cost $2.10 to crack ours and now we have to "pick" them.

We went to Kroger to get some things we needed for pastitsio--including eggs! 4 chickens and we're lucky if we get one egg every other day...they're still upset, I guess. I hope it will get better. You can imagine that it was pretty wild at Kroger after 4 on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We were trying to  make the pastitsio before potluck, but gave up on that plan. Now I have a good start on pastitsio for tonight. We love it, but it does take a good bit of work. Amelia made cauliflower-eggplant curry instead. It was delicious and mostly disappeared.

The Kenney Ridge potluck was on Tuesday this week and there was a cake for Paul's birthday. My Dad came with us for a little while; he had a change in schedule and didn't have to be at rehearsal until later. We had a good time with Amelia and my friend Adah.

When we were ready to leave, it was almost 9 o'clock! And it was pouring and thundering and lightning. Did I have a jacket? A hat? An umbrella? No...we were soaking wet by the time we got home. Fortunately, it was still pretty warm and we got right into our pajamas. A little work on my knitting with some quiz shows and good company and it was time for bed.

I might have slept past 6:30, except the phone rang. The woman at the other end:"Oh, I'm so sorry, baby." A lot better than a hang-up, but still.

Beautiful clear sky, with the colors of the trees and ground starting to be seen, and brightness where the sun will be soon.

new chickens

 It was a little cool in the morning, so I tried to think of what I could bake quickly. I wanted to make muffins to take to the Small Group Ministry meeting, but had no eggs. I went to check the coop, just in case, but no eggs. So I found a recipe for whole wheat biscuits that I made and warmed up the house a little.

Amelia was up in time to go for a short walk with me to the Community Center (Cedar Commons), to think about having a wedding there in the spring. Then I zipped over to the small group meeting and enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to hosting here in a couple weeks. Talked a little to Deb and went to pick up Janna for lunch. We met Amelia and had a nice time, eating outside! Amelia went to get the Captain and buy some wood at Lowe's. I went home.

We all worked outside some in the afternoon (well, Ray dozed on the porch). There were chickens and a dog and a cat (inside). Captain and I were weeding some and Amelia was putting lattice around the porch, which looks nice and will keep the chickens out eventually. This was the first day I had let the black chickens range and they seemed to enjoy it. They didn't fly away or wander into the woods, but stayed close to the coop, avoiding the other chickens and Cameron. Getting them back in was a trick. Ray did it. First, we lured with corn. The gray chickens followed us. We tried to herd the black chickens after them, but, of course, they were afraid to come in after the gray ones. He had to wait until the gray ones wandered out again and then herd the black ones and the gray ones after. I went to feed the pigs--I even had some things from Five Star Day! Apparently, no tomatoes or onions for pigs, but I need to research this more. My Dad is taking a bucket to Porterhouse, so maybe some really good stuff there.

Amelia went to Atlanta with Kevin to pick up his good friend Adam. Ray and I had a nice dinner from the freezer and a quiet evening in front of the TV. I did work some on the guest list, too.

Amelia is here! Which is certainly a big part of why I am so happy. Leia (the cat) is too.

Of course, it is a holiday week. Ray doesn't have to go to the University at all, although he has papers to grade and tests to make up. Everyone is in a festive mood.

We took a 20-minute walk and then went to Pilates for a hard workout. We were both sorer than we have been other times. At the Farmers' Market, I bought cauliflower and eggplant.

At home, we had good leftovers for lunch and then I started baking a chocolate cake for my sweet girl. My Dad came for a bit, but he was tired and didn't want to wait until she arrived. It was about 3, I think, when Kevin dropped her off. She ate some of our minestrone and tabouli and we went to feed the pigs. It was warm and sunny, a very nice day.

We cut a broccoli for supper and Amelia made frosting for the cake. I made an interesting and tasty dish of Mexican Home Fries--potatoes, tortillas, spices, and--you guessed it!--peppers...I had a second helping of cake--it was so good, although not the prettiest cake I've made!

Amelia went off with her boyfriend and his family and Ray and I watched a little TV, but I was pretty sleepy, so went to bed soon.

During the night, I woke up a few times, once before midnight--maybe that's when Amelia came home. It makes me happy to think of her in the room down the hall. Even the cat is fun to have around, although Cameron is not pleased that he can't come in the house now.

I had a wierd dream (or series of dreams) involving a future in which everything was fluid and unstable, probably a computer-generated reality like the Matrix. From minor color changes in the decoration of a room, to people's existence, it all changed from one moment to the next, generating incredible anxiety--if Ray left the room, I wasn't sure he would ever be back. Anyway, glad to be up now. And it is raining! I didn't expect that, but it's great.

Yesterday was pretty good, too.

My Dad was here early in the day. He stopped by after a doctor's appointment, where he was declared to be very healthy (for his age, which is kind of annoying when they say that). You are 84....yes, I know I'm 84, but that doesn't explain why I can't carry my recycling to the dumpster or tie my shoes without getting out of breath. Anyway, he's great. And he gave Ray a ride to work when he went home.

I hung around until 11 in the sunny-but-cold-outside and warm-inside house. Then I went to Hendershot's to meet a woman I had found on the internet. I don't remember exactly how. She has her own business building commercial buildings that are energy-efficient. She is LEEDS certified. She has been doing it for two years and has two architects she works with. I was trying to convince her to take me on as an office worker and assistant and apprentice. She was very nice, but not interested at the moment. Still, a good resource, who referred me to a website and an organization. You never know when she might change her mind or be talking to someone who is looking for a person like me. I told her I had office skills and an interest in energy-efficient building. She was adamant that residential construction (i.e., my experience designing and building my house) and commercial construction have nothing in common. I would mildly disagree; the interest is there, even if the skills don't transfer. An interesting experience; she is 27 and very competent and sure of herself (also attractive). Here's her picture and her website.

Then I picked up Becky, where her car was getting aligned, and took her to lunch with Rebecca M., the editor of Patch.com. We ate at a place Rebecca likes (and she paid), a Vietnamese place downtown, so we just parked in the deck and walked there. It was okay, but served on all styrofoam. I was really horrified and made a point to tell them I would never eat there again. The young woman said I should tell her boss. I asked her to let him know. We had a fun and interesting discussion. Rebecca has two young children, so her life is different from ours right now. She is going to send me a holiday assignment, so that will be fun.

I picked up Ray, took Rebecca home, took Becky to her car, and we went home. The chickens were still alive; I let ours out and left the black ones in. No eggs from the newbies yet. Still about the same from the gray ones: 3 or 4 a week. Not sure if just one is laying or that is the output from both.

Made soup for supper that was not quite as good as I had hoped. We went to feed the pigs and then came home and built up the fire and ate supper. TV and bed--not sure where the evening went.

Ray's coat closet

I felt pretty good all day yesterday, too, for the second day in a row--no crying.

I helped a woman named Lizzie May with reading and writing. I don't think Lizzie May will be taking the GED test, at least not soon. She is reading "The cat sat on the mat," and writing sentences she makes up and asks me how to spell the words. She enjoyed it, though, and if she can actually learn to read and write better than she does now, that is bound to help her improve her quality of life. Right?

grape arbor

Two "new" chickens avoiding the others' attacks

I met Becky for lunch and we had a good time. I left the car at my Dad's for Ray. We drove to where he was and gave him the key, since there is only one. Then Captain drove me home. It was really cold out, sunny and windy. We moved the new chickens in the tractor, so it was connected to the coop. We opened the door between and let them interact. Mostly it was noisy. The "old" chickens, one in particular, clucked and squawked for hours. I stood there in the cold, with a jacket on, but no hat or gloves, watching to make sure they didn't hurt each other. The "old" ones gradually came out of the coop and the "new" ones got past them and went in. There was a little nipping and pecking, on the part of the "old" ones, but no blood or even feathers. The old ones would dart in to attack and the "new" ones flew up on top of the nesting boxes. As night fell, all four of them were in there, the "new" ones up high, the "old" ones on the perch, as far to the left as they could get. Hopefully, they are all friends by this morning. No eggs from any of them yesterday. It was supposed to be very cold last night (and feels like it was), so I kept telling them they should be glad, they could keep each other warmer.

Sunset at pig feeding time

 There was enough tabouli left from the UU potluck, so I didn't do any cooking. When my Dad left, I headed to feed the pigs and then went to the KR community center for that potluck. I was early, so I helped set up. My young friend Adah was glad to see me and sit with me. She did not want me to leave and walked me out to the car. Then it was too dark for her to walk back...she hugged me several times and pouted. They will be gone over the next week for Thanksgiving, but I look forward to seeing her when they get back.

I had to go to my Lay Ministry training at the Fellowship at 7. I was about 10 minutes late. My phone rang as I was walking in. Michelle said they were worried about me. Very esoteric discussion of UU theology and our beliefs. Sort of fun and interesting, with 6 lovely women, but long. It was after 9:30 before I got home. I fell asleep watching Wheel.

The best-laid plans...I meant to get things done yesterday. I didn't go to the Occupation, with intentions of writing and vacuuming...

It was rainy, which was good, and plenty warm enough, so being home was not unpleasant. I spent some time on my computer and worked some on the tabouli for potluck. My Dad arrived about lunchtime and we ate some leftover pork and mashed potatoes (and peppers). Then I had a call from Five Star Day; they had burned a batch of beans and filled up the Pig Food Bucket, so I said I would be by soon. Well, I could have driven the Prius, but since my Dad was here, I had him take me to town when he headed back. Ray had driven the truck (and filled it with gas), so I took it downtown to get the pig food. When I went in and he handed me the bucket, it looked awfully heavy. He was kind enough to carry it around the corner to the truck for me. Lesson learned: I must plan to have some muscle with me when I pick up pig food. Then I went to Ray's office and waited for him to be ready to head home.

At Kenney Ridge, we stopped to give the pigs their windfall. Fortunately, it wasn't really raining, but the yard was pretty muddy. Ray wasn't dressed for pig detail and got a little cross. Then we went to Nancy's and picked up the cage with the two additional chickens that she is getting rid of (possibly to be called Beauty and Bess--they are black). At home, I let the "old" chickens out and the conversation among them was intriguing. I am not sure who is going to attack whom... Today, I have the black chickens in the tractor; so far they have not been with the others. I am waiting until they settle down (?). And these aren't used to being loose, so I will have to figure out how to get them trained to come back at night. Heavy responsibility. No eggs so far.

Then I took my bath and washed my hair, which had been on the list, but hadn't happened yet. Now it was at least 3:30...


Potluck and choir...I fell asleep during the last half hour or so, dropping my music on the floor, unable to stay awake. I had woken up at 3:30 or so and not gotten back to sleep, been fine all day, but suddenly could not keep my eyes open. It makes it hard to sing. I would have left, but Ray is in choir too, and there was no reason he should leave. Glad I didn't have to drive myself home! Needless to say, I went right to bed and slept a good 8 hours.

Well, so far today, the good news is it's raining steadily, since about an hour ago. The bad news is I've been awake since about 3:30. sigh.

Yesterday morning, I spent about an hour with Jean B., the second person who's dying of cancer I spent time with in less than a week, also a member of the Fellowship. She was up and alert and pretty much taking care of herself. I put away a few dishes and kept her company and chatted a bit. One of the reasons to do this is so that when she needs more care, I will be a little familiar with how she likes things done and how her home is set up.

I spent a little time downtown at the protest. I spent time with several different people, but the ones that were there the longest are the homeless people. Now, I am not putting them down. Certainly homeless people are part of the 99%. But not the only part! I hate for people walking and driving by, and people participating, like me, to see a guy in a multicolored childish costume skirt, with a pink bandana around  his head, representing the Occupation. He left soon after I got there. I didn't have much to say to him. The woman who looks like a caricature of an Appalachian grandmother (and may be younger than me) is not really a problem. She wants me to knit her a hat and said she will bring some yarn. Jeff, who has been there a lot, and is pretty solid, except for smoking too much and disappearing around lunchtime to go to the soup kitchen most days. Jenny is a transvestite who showed me her artwork on her iPhone--about 30 picture collages dealing wtih death and suicide. She told me about her latest hospitalization and how she had to spend $80 on a cab to get back to Athens. All this is kind of interesting, but it really pisses me off that no one else has time to stand or sit with us! Paul L. stopped by for an hour or so, and so did Sabrina. LaBau stopped to chat for a few minutes on her way to her job. But where are the students? The founders of this Occupation? Where are the members of the UUFA or other liberals that I know? It is so frustrating and aggravating. I am thinking I will stay home today.

I had a nice lunch with Janna at Lumpkin Cafe--Oriental Chicken Salad and Orange Iced Tea--no dessert. We mostly talked about the wedding plans. A little about Thanksgiving and how neither of our mothers will be there.

I picked Ray up; we got a few things at Kroger while he was picking up gift cards. I am always struck by how crowded and slow it is to shop in the afternoon. I usually try to go in the morning, or I used to, and it's a million times nicer. We also stopped at the drug store to get my cholesterol meds.

I spent some time on the computer before my Dad arrived. Then we went to feed the pigs and see about getting a couple more chickens from Nancy. She says they are solid layers and I am exceited. The challenging thing is how well they will get along wtih Gladys and Mabel. She is putting them in a crate and I can get them today.

I cooked a pork roast in the oven with, you guessed it, peppers! Red and green, sauteed in oil with herbs. Yum. Mashed potatoes and even gravy, something I rarely make. TV, reading, bed about 10.

It is amazingly warm this morning. Yesterday, it was warm in the house because Ray had banked the fire overnight. He added more wood because it was overcast. Then, by the time we got home, it had been warm and sunny (high 70s!) and the house was really hot--we opened the windows and the Captain sat around with his shirt off! So, last night, we had the windows open and it is not cold in here. Rain is expected--yay!

I was at the Arch with other people. Apparently, our signs were destroyed late Saturday night. I didn't talk to anyone who was there. But we won the home football game--that probably correlates with drunken violence. Paul P. was there and Sabrina (whose family is from Argentina). Linda and Katie stopped by for a while. No police. Two student interviews. It was warm and I knit a bit. A young woman, art student, named Clara is going to trade a ceramic mug she made for one of my hats!

I took the bus back to my car at my Dad's and went to pick up Ray. Then we went by the restaurant to pick up the bucket of scraps for the pig. They didn't know what I was talking about, or where the bucket was I had brought the week before. I was hesitant, but left the new bucket with instructions. Hopefully, the message will get through this time.

We went home; my Dad was there. We worked on the grape arbor in the warm sun. Ray split wood. I went to visit the pigs. Captain went to rehearsal. We made potato-pepper frittata--it was wonderful.

I went to the Fellowship for a meeting of the Green Sanctuary team, feeling kind of discouraged, but felt better afterwards. Maybe something will happen.

TV with popcorn and 7 & 7 afterward, then bed.

dogwood in our back yard

Yesterday, still benefiting from the time change, we were up pretty early. Since we didn't have to sing (or do anything) at the Fellowship, we had time for a longish walk. The leaves were gorgeous; the pictures don't really do them justice. I was so busy admiring them, I tripped over a small stump and went down hard. I lay there for a while, checking everything out, and slowly sat up. I was fine, a little abrasion on my right palm, a little soreness, but relieved. Today, my left shoulder and lower back are sore, but nothing serious.

We sat together during the service, which is a surprisingly rare pleasure. Second Sunday is when they have fun music, like Don Henley and Peter Gabriel songs, performed by Diana, Amber, Deb, and Chuck on the drums. This time, we had the pleasure of a saxophone as well.

After the service, there was a meeting about the budget, which is grim. I am pledging nothing this year, as I have no income. They are having to eliminate committee budgets, and the benefits for part-time staff they had hoped to implement.

At one, there was a meeting of the people planning the workshop on Preparing for the End of Life: Administrative Details. This time, there were 9 of us, which is wonderful, but made it hard to keep people from talking at once. It's really going to have a lot of useful information. I feel good about it. Wills and other legal issues, health care directive and hospice, funerals and disposing of bodies. I learn more every time.

We were home for a bit and then walked over to see/feed the piglets. They are fine. It's always fun to see them and the other animals at Karen's: goats, donkey, chickens, guinea hens...

I made some chicken provencal, except I didn't put in the green olives, which I don't like. We ate another beautiful broccoli and some leftover rice pilaf. We watched some TV, and I went to bed before 9. I woke up several times, thinking, "well, I probably have slept enough," and went back to sleep again several times, until almost 6. That's a lot of sleep for me.

Beech Tree on the trail

Chicken and Rice

Oh, I made Oatmeal Bread too.

It was a fun busy day with Ray. We went to a great pilates class at 10:15 and stopped by the farmers' market on our way. I chatted with Richard about what it means to have a certified kitchen. Basically, I will need to find somewhere else to bake if I want to sell cookies at the market. I bought a few onions (at $3/pound!).

After lunch, my Dad came by. He and I worked on the grape arbor he started a few months ago. It was sunny and warm enough to work. Ray split wood and the chickens foraged around us. My Dad gets frustrated because he gets so tired. But he just keeps going, sometimes resting a bit. I do the handing of tools, holding of wood, some of the picking up, and mostly the keeping of company, listening sometimes to the same stories I've heard before. He was pleased with what he got done. Now to staple the lattice onto the frame we put up--shouldn't be hard. He suggested I plant a second grape on the other side of it. I wondered if we could plant something different--a clematis or other flowering vine...He thinks that would be odd.

For supper, a new recipe for rice and beans--not as good as our favorite Roman Rice and Beans, but it used up a pepper. It won't be long before I will no longer be looking for recipes that use up peppers.

At 7, we met Deb and a friend of hers at the dollar theater to wach Crazy, Supid. Love. It was quite good, if you aren't looking for too much realism. Fun, clever. I generally disagree with the basic premise that there is one true love for everyone, but there were some other good messages there. Casual sex with strangers is not that great--although you can find your soulmate that way. Very smart writing leading up to plot twists, which I won't reveal.

I had a good sleep.

Well, we are not waking up at the Mountain in North Carolina, where it would be beautiful. I am sad that the kids did not get to go. But, I was glad to sleep in my big warm bed (with Ray) and wake up in my warm house, with no middle schoolers. It's pretty beautiful here too (and quiet now) and driving up there in the dark is a little terrifying, staying up late and sleeping on not-too-comfortable beds.

I took a bin for pig food down to Five star day, after dropping Ray off, and have to pick it up at 3 on Monday. Then I drove to Joy and Harry's house in Kingswood. The address I had was off--there was no 153 and I drove back and forth. I called Covis and Bob helped me find it -- 155.

Helene, Penny, Deb H.

Joy is dying of cancer. She weighs 80 pounds, but was alert and active when I saw her, sitting up on the couch and getting herself something to drink. She said that whenever she sees the doctors, they like to be sure she understands that she will not be recovering. I heard her assuring her boss on the phone that they need to go ahead and fill her position at work. The only thing she needed from me was company. I am sure sitting around all day waiting to die is about the suckiest feeling there is. Of course, to some extent that is what we are all doing--we just don't know how soon it will be. And she doesn't either. But she won't be here a year from now. Meanwhile, Harry works for the USDA and they are closing his office. They keep putting it off, which is sort of good, but makes it hard to plan. They will tell him in the next month where he has been reassigned, and he will have a month to say yes or no. Then they will have to sell their house (yes, in this economy) and move to that place...while Joy is dying. Hopefully somewhere with good health care. Totally sucky. Of course, there are people with worse stories and similar stories all over. I know another family being affected by the same closure--with a 12-year-old son, who will have to sell their house and move. But no one in that family is dying right away, that I know of.

Herb, Myrna, Paul

So we talked and I knitted. Then I picked up Ray and we went home. It was sunny and cold and breezy and the leaves on the trees are gorgeous. My Dad arrived just ahead of us and unloaded some materials from his car to finish the grape arbor. We visited a little and he watched some TV. I made a rice dish (with peppers) for the Hootluck (hootenany/potluck), which was at 6 at Rosemary's. He had to go to rehearsal at 6.

Deb B., Karen S.

Ray and I stopped to feed the pigs on our way, giving them some leftover rice milk (thanks to Bonney and Hank) with their dog food. At Rosemary's, we had great food and a good time and sang a lot of songs that I enjoyed, with good friends. Bonnie S. just got her Ph.D., so she was celebrating that. I think she is about my age, with white hair. Now she will find a job--it is in sociology. Bill is a peer counselor, so I guess he can find work wherever she does. We drove home about 9:30, still singing and falling asleep, like when I was growing up. Fortunately, Ray didn't fall asleep, just me.

Fall colors are beautiful on our morning walks

modeling a hat in the bathroom at Changos

I called the GED classes as I was on the way there, and they said they had a speaker coming at 10:30, so I did not need to be there. (I didn't say, "couldn't you have emailed me that information earlier in the week?") So I went to stand at the Arch instead. Unfortunately, I had not dressed for it and it was cold and windy. I knitted some. There was a young man from UCLA visiting. He had been participating in Occupy LA and was very personable. Rick F. from the Fellowship was there as well, and one or two "regulars." I kept moving my chair over to be in the sun, so there was a line of us on the sidewalk strung out in front of the Arch. I expected someone to complain or tell us to move, but I don't think UGA can tell us to keep off the sidewalk. I was prepared to explain about the sun...

Fortunately, Becky and I had planned to have lunch, so I got to leave before I was frozen to death. As usual, I had to use the bathroom pretty badly. The place we planned to eat was closed--maybe they don't serve lunch any more. So I had to turn around and walk several blocks in the other direction. By the time I got there, I really had to pee and was glad to be inside. She met me soon after that and we had a nice lunch, although the acoustics and atmosphere there are not great--it is one giant room with a high ceiling. and the food was just okay. The chai was wonderful, though, warm and tasty.

I told Becky she was wearing Molli's colors and I needed a picture

My Dad picked me up outside the restaurant and we mailed Nicky's birthday presents--about a month late, I think. Then we drove home. He sat at the dining table with his computer, while I was upstairs on mine for awhile. Then we went outside and did some work, in spite of the cold and wind. He put the hose away for the winter and covered some of the plants. I pulled up or cut some herbs to give away, and picked the last of the peppers that might be of any use before the freeze that was predicted.

Adah was telling Dave he couldn't talk until the timer ran out.

I had made eggplant-tomato casserole in the morning, so just had to put it in the oven at the right time. I cut up a few peppers to freeze, too, and gave my Dad some leftover canned soup and crackers, as well as tea. He complains of being tired a lot, and is often short of breath, but otherwise he was pretty good. The play is taking up a lot of his energy, but that's not a problem. He does better when he's busy.

Adah cleaning up

I went to Cedar Commons for the KR potluck at 6:30, with my casserole and my herbs. Chatted with the interesting people there, and especially enjoyed Adah and the other children. She sat next to me while she ate and I encouraged her to clean up her plate. (Mine was bare) We took our plates to the kitchen and then played games. She wanted to go out, in spite of the cold and dark, and I finally relented, pushing her and the others on the swings, catching them on the slide, and playing zombies with them. One of the bonuses was the full moon and the bright stars.

Back home, I watched some TV while waiting for Ray and started a new hat. It was after 9 when he got home and we watched part of Wheel of Fortune before Molli and Amelia called on the computer and we talked for about an hour, I think, mostly about bridesmaids dresses. So it ended up being almost 11 before I went to sleep, and then I woke up at 4:15. Darn! Cameron barked until I let him out. Not sure what was out there, but I am worried about the camellia we just planted. The deer would love it and I didn't do anything to protect it! I will be so annoyed if I went to all that trouble and don't get the red flowers I wanted!

I started out feeling really hopeless. I am so tired of not having a job, it is sometimes impossible for me to keep going and trying to stay busy. It seems useless and boring.

I dropped Ray at his office and took the bus to the Arch from my Dad's. There was only one guy there, Jeff, and the police chief was asking him about the paint cans on the steps, neatly piled in one corner, and the paper-mache puppets on the lawn out of the way. "They are going to be declared debris," he said. Jeff moved the cans under the table. When Adam came later, he carried the paper-mache puppets to the sidewalk. Aaron came and sat next to me and read his homework for an hour or so. Linda and Katie came and held a sign for a while. Kathi D. from the Press came and put money in and gave me a hug. Another guy gave me $20!

I knit and read emails on my phone and talked to people. Lauren was there for a half hour or so. Another young woman put signs up about a march Friday night. Gretchen and her little dog came for another half hour. She said the paper-mache wasn't dry enough to paint yet. She lives in a travel trailer she built herself. They let her park it at the storage units. She sews for a living and does art. I was the only one there for a while, though, and I had to leave finally.

I took the bus back to the Captain's; Ray got on at Aderhold and drove me to St. Mary's for my mammogram. He went back kto his office to get some things and then came back to get me. It was a relatively painless process. Except for the part where they checked my information--and I had to tell them that was not my work phone; I didn't have a work phone. Then they made me fill out a form with some of the same information upstairs. That is so annoying.

As we drove home, my Dad's car was right in front of us. I worked on the ratatouille for supper and then went out to plant the camellia with Captain. Ray had dug the hole, so there wasn't much to it. He hung out his laundry, even though there was a chance of rain. And sure enough, this morning when I woke up, it was raining. Good for the garden and the camellia, not so good for the laundry, but it will dry eventually.

As he left, my Dad dropped me at Karen's to feed the pigs. She had gotten more puppy food from Mary's, and another source of scraps. She had a couple buckets with lids that I can take to Five Star Day. She washed them out with the hose and a scrub brush, as the moon rose and I waited for Ray to pick me up. I walked toward home and he came along--I was sure it was him, even though all I could see was the lights shining in my eyes. We left the buckets on the side of the road to pick up on our way back and started to potluck. "Did you put the chickens up?" I said. "Darn! he said (or worse). I knew there was something else. I brought the ratatouille..." We turned around, picked up the buckets and took them with us. The chickens were in the coop, I just had to shut the door. We zipped to potluck and were not late! A good variety of food and company.

Amber had lost her voice and was trying to direct us without it--even more challenging than usual. We are working on Christmas and solstice songs, which I mostly love. I sat next to Jenny and she was in a mood to be silly--we had the giggles two or three times. She told about a friend who was on the jury of a case and her chair collapsed under her. She got the giggles so bad, she finally had to be excused. She would get under control--and then start back up again!

We were so tired when we got home, we went right to bed. Of course, this is the first Wednesday since the time change and it seemed later than it was. Naturally, I woke at 4:45...to the sound of rain, which I like.

No exciting event yesterday. I spent a few hours at the Occupation. Some people were creating giant paper-mache puppets and spread out making signs around the Arch. After a few hours, the campus police came and photographed with a video camera and made them move all their things down onto the sidewalk. They said it was blocking traffic, but it wasn't. One young woman was disitressed and said, "they can't do this, I'm a student. Why are they doing this?" I advised her to be totally agreeable and not give anyone an excuse to comlain about us. Let them see that we are reasonable.

I had long loud discussions with a couple men a little younger than me. I generally say hello to people who pass by, if I can get their eye. Many act as if I was invisible. If they hesitate, I say, "Can I answer any questions for you?" I try to stay calm (and not break down and cry), but firmly state my position. These two guys both were complaining about the extremists keeping people from work. Of course, what they have seen on TV of the Occupy movement would be the most dramatic things. I said I didn't know of anything like that. I just think corporations should not be getting handouts and then turning around and giving bonuses to CEO's. Most people agree. Some, like these two, hate Obama and are worried about socialism. They say we need corporations and they should make as much money as the market will let them. We just need to reduce government regulations. I say, we have tried the free market and it's not working. I say, corporations are getting more handouts than people. I say I know how hard it is to get on welfare in Athens, when they talk about people who don't want to work and just want a handout. It's very frustrating and pretty hopeless. These are not people who are going to change their minds from my talking to them. But maybe if enough people tell them, they will begin to hear it. They say, I chose to go into the field I did. I say, you don't think luck has anything to do with your success?

I took myself out to lunch at Five Star Day and asked them about saving scraps for the pigs. They said, "yes." I need to bring them a bin with a tight-fitting lid and I can pick it up Monday afternoon and give them another one to replace it. I brought my corn muffin back for the artist, Gretchen, who keeps a little dachsund with her all the time, leash tied around her waist. She was wearing a long skirt, with a clear strip in it, and purple tights. The dog got paper-mache on its nose.

Ray called and I left on the bus and we picked up the car at my Dad's. We stopped to feed the pigs, who were even less skittish than the day before. I scratched one's head. I sat on the porch in the sun and chose a recipe for dinnr. My Dad came out and joined me. He studied his lines. He is really enjoying being in the play so far. I look forward to seeing it about a month from now. I hope it doesn't become too much for him.

Ray dug a hole for the camellia. I peeled the shrimp and gave Captain some canned soup and crackers. Ray and I enjoyed another eearly supper and watched some TV. I managed to stay up a little later than the night before.

Yesterday, Ray was the guest lecturer in another class. It started at 8. He was there at 5 after, pretty good considering. The time change should have been a help.

I drove to Deb's house, where I didn't have to be until 9:30. I parked in the drive and listened to Morning Edition. John came out to walk the dogs and I walked with them. It was a lovely morning, sunny and not too cool.

After a bit, Deb came out and told me to come on in. We chatted a bit and set out the banana bread and cream cheese. Other people arrived. We had a discussion about the holidays. Not one of the six of us really loved Christmas time and preparing for it, to varying degrees. One usually travels then (I like that plan), another just doesn't celebrate at all...so I felt pretty conservative in my general Scroogey-ness. We do have some nice traditions and good memories. This year will be hard without my mother. She did a lot of decorating that I am not that into, but I will try to do some of it. I was thrilled to see Nordstrom's policy: "We don't decorate until November 27, because we prefer to celebrate our holidays one at a time."

Tim Echols at Trumps banquet room

I left a little early because I had an 11:30 OLLI luncheon. Tim Echols is a Public Service Commissioner and he was talking about alternative energy sources. Apparently the other commissioners think he is crazy and the Atlanta paper has written a lot of negative articles about him. He has a solar water heater on his house and drives a natural gas-powered car...when he can get it filled. There are only two stations. He is a little abrasive and the situation is bleak, but I was reluctantly impressed with him. He argued in favor of elected public service commissioners, because he is out meeting with and talking to groups like ours. Did you know France recycles its nuclear waste? And 82% of their energy comes from nuclear? Not that I am about to embrace it. But I had no idea.

After that, I waited a little bit for Ray to be done and brought him home. My Dad came after a bit and we drove to Cofer's to buy a red camellia for Molli's wedding next spring. We stopped to visit the pigs and I gave them a couple scoops of puppy chow. They were still afraid of me, but came a lot closer than the day before.

My Dad was heading to his first rehearsal for A Christmas Carol. The church where they rehearse is on Tallassee, but much further in town. So it makes sense for him to come to the house for a while before hand. I think he will be doing that regularly. Rehearsals are currently scheduled for four days a week all month. He had a piece of pork and headed out.

I was working on our dinner, but it wasn't ready before he left. We sat down and ate and were done by six! We watched some TV and I was dozing off, and it wasn't quite 8 o'clock. I went up and tried to stay awake with the computer and reading, but I am sure it was before 9 when I fell asleep. Of course, I woke up at 3:30 and I wasn't really surprised. The surprising thing is I managed to go back to sleep until after 5.

Piggies

A few weeks ago Karen F. and I were talking. "Paul and I are going to be raising pigs again this year," she mentioned. "I want one!" I said. Paul and Karen built the fence last weekend, while we were away. "What can I do to help?" I asked. Karen asked me to buy some puppy food, which is higher in protein than adult dog food. She is looking into a source of organic hog chow, and we are trying to get food waste from restaurants and grocery stores. We asked at Peking, when we were eating lunch there with my Dad, and they are supposed to call us after they check with the health inspector.

Saturday night, I wrote a check for $50. Sunday afternoon, Karen called. "We'll be there in 20 minutes," she said. We finished up what we were doing and headed over to her house, where the pigs will live. There were three little coal-black piglets in the back of Paul's red truck, with a lot of straw. His truck has a cap on it. Shannon, Karen's daughter, and her husband, Steve, came from next door to help us. Steve crawled into the mucky straw to catch the pigs. They squealed like they were already being butchered and ran from him, but he caught them one by one and handed them out the back. Paul took one, then Ray, then I took the last one. They screamed, but didn't bite or kick, just squirmed. We held on for dear life, walking over the rough farmyard to set them down inside the electric fence Paul had strung, making sure not to get shocked as it was "live." The three terrified pigs ran around and right through the electrified fence! Potential disaster and much excitement. Karen's style of farming appears a little haphazard, but there was another fenced area around the pigs' enclosure. They crawled under that fence and into another fenced area. Ray and Steve and Paul waved sticks at them and tried to keep them from getting out into the woods. They would not be coming back, with plenty to eat and no desire for human companionship. And probably something would catch and eat them. So long, $50!

Paul is the pig whisperer; Ray carries a big stick

goats looking on

Paul and Shannon worked quickly to put up another wire, while Steve and Shannon and Karen and I carried logs to block some of the places they had crawled through, and Ray herded them back toward the pen. We encouraged them back into the pen with the additional string of wire and turned the power back on. We tried to be calm, so they would calm down. When they were riled up, they would run right through the electrified fence, but once quiet, they would notice the charge and avoid it. We watched for a long time. Karen brought the dog food we had bought and a pan of water as well. They stayed in the corner farthest away from us, contentedly rooting and learning about the fence. Yay! Hopefully they will stay in. As they get bigger, the fence will be more effective. But mostly, once they learn to avoid it, they will not try to get out. And we will bring them food and water and keep them happy.

The pigs are a combination of three heritage breeds, not the pink commercial pigs you think of. One is mulefoot, one is black something-or-other...

That was the most exciting part of my day, which also included pancakes and a walk in the woods, followed by singing at church. For supper, I made pork with peppers and onions and mashed potatoes (without any milk!). I thought about the baby piggies as I sliced the pig meat...

Enjoyed it and some TV before bed, as well as knitting.