Tomatoes

Jul. 2nd, 2025 10:24 am
mlerules: (Default)
Starting to set fruit! Dangnabbit. Cannot figure out how to get a photo from my laptop to here. Only options for inserting photos appear to be from a website/somewhere online. *shrugs* EDIT: TaDa! (Thx, Stacy!)

Tiny Tomatoes - June 2025
mlerules: (Default)
Drove 350+ miles in <35 hours to effect an artwork transfer from one place on the Oregon Coast to another. 'Twas very much a last minute adventure, so my decision this past Thursday AM to include a mocha with brunch ended up unwise as I barely slept that night yet got up Friday by 6am and was out the door not long after 7am with a Dear Friend to help schlep art, one piece of the BF's art, several pillows, and a mass of comforters for padding art for transport.

Managed to sneak in a couple of walks/hikes & some beach sitting and reading-time at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Salem and Exploding Whale Park in Florence (FLO) before loading 7 more pieces of the BF's art into the car from the teahouse where they've lived the past several years. (Several sold and we drove down with replacements within this time.) Had a fine dinner at Waterfront Depot, my fave spot in FLO and slept in some yesterday (Saturday).

Drove Saturday aka yesterday AM up to Seal Rock to drop off the art at a temporary gallery which'll display 'em until the nearby permanent gallery gets its permits and finishes up construction blahblahblah. Stopped off on the way to walk the length of Heceta Head Beach and then up to the lighthouse. Headed home via lunch in Nye Beach (Newport). Mmmm, clam chowder...

Bonus from this Gone Coastal adventure: we enjoyed some cool temps (mid-upper 50s) and fog instead of PDX's heat and solid sunshine. The next few days have highs forecast in the 90s...ugh.


Realized as we got close to home that I would NOT have the energy to attend that night's production of "Assassins" I'd bought tix for weeks ago. After unsuccessfully trying to pawn off my ticket w/various friends, I ended up contacting the theater and having 'em release my ticket to the Wait List since the show was sold out. They confirmed they'd do so, so I felt fine 'bout it. (I saw it on Broadway 20-ish years ago.)

Spent yesterday evening on the couch working mainly on a mellow mix-tape while my compatriots faded in and out of sleep nearby. Slept poorly so finally just crawled outta bed to deep water the backyard plants when it started getting light. Methinks the day will include a fine nap. (I've spent most of the past three (3) weeksplus tired.)
mlerules: (sherman)
So, something happened recently that in the past would've led to days of beating myself up and agonizing. Instead, when I realized that I'd gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick and misread a situation and blurted something out, I only lost a half-night of sleep while drafting in my head an apologetic email which I then forwarded to another friend to look at along with a brief explanation of what happened. The friend said it sounded appropriate so I sent it off that AM and got a nice It's Fine response back.

YayPhew for not spinning so hard/much/long about a bone-headed move and for having friends who'll understand and forgive me when I potentially shoot myself in the foot by shooting off my mouth. I feel I've come a long way in figuring out...something...rships...myself in some ways (even if not others).

It does, however, show that Acting On My Gut doesn't always work out, although at least it wasn't fatal to a friendship. INSERT SHRUG EMOJI HERE
mlerules: (beach)
Today I had a friend cancel on socializing (thankfully, as I have no wish to catch anybody's illness). T'other calendar item turned out to be a time-keeping error on my part. March 8, not February 8. Heh. Oops. Read more... )
mlerules: (Default)
I went out for walkies today. 'Twas a hike, actually: a few blocks of city streets, but mainly trails in Canemah Bluffs Park out in Oregon City. We walked up and down and all around. Merlin ID'd a Spotted Towee (which we saw: purty birdie) and a Northern Flicker (which I've seen before but stayed hidden today). Pretty. Fresh air. Lotsa ferns. A fine crop of poison oak. Distant sound of Hwy 205 the entire way. Traversed about a mile, which counts as my exercise for the day.

I'll bus to meet up w/some friends for dinner tonight in another hour and some. Honestly, more than anything right now, I'd like to change into PJs, make a pot of hot tea, and curl up with a book (on couch or in bathtub). I'll at least get some reading in until I leave for the bus.

Exercise

Feb. 5th, 2025 03:08 pm
mlerules: (sherman)
So, I started an Exercise Program today. Hoping to continue it daily. It'll supplement my walkies, which I do at least weekly. For my own porpoises, here 'tis: Read more... )
mlerules: (yogi bear)
So, apparently I can carry a fair amount of stress without even noticing/feeling it, until it's gone. Then, I feel a HUGE weight GONE, and feel SO much better. YayPhew for that happening last night! Slept well afterwards. Feeling far better today.
mlerules: (Default)
A friend posited recently that these days (vs a couple decades back when LJ was really a thing) "everyone is just so much more stressed than we all were back then, that taking the time for contemplative connection is more difficult."

This makes me ponder questions of depth v breadth of connections. FB reaches SO many folks, but at what cost? Fewer folks frequent DW/LJ (I conflate 'em, even though it's been ages since DW successfully mirrored to my LJ...sigh), but if'n they read through...they're getting more of me...for whatever that's worth. ;-P Read more... )
mlerules: (sherman)
I used to enjoy LJ greatly, prattling on about this and that, using this as a space to journal my thoughts and track my feelings (and see what other folks posted, too). In the process, it helped me get to know a bunch of other people (initially) and then, because the timing was right, to maintain contact with SoCal folks when I moved to the PacNW (and get to know PacNW folks better, too).

FB's easier to access and post to, but that doesn't mean it's a better experience, just different. For me, it's far more for posting photos on the fly and sharing interesting/worthwhile/funny links and/or pics than journalling. Some folks use it differently, I know. For some, FB may satisfy the needs that LJ used to satisfy for me. FB fails to scratch some social/connection itch I had/have that LJ did.


Read more... )

blergh

Jan. 5th, 2025 01:33 pm
mlerules: (PONY)
Having a hard time getting going today, despite getting a relatively decent night's sleep for a change. I want and need to get out for a walk, and the weather's even cooperating today. Heave ho...okay, gonna go get the chicken into the oven and take a shower, and see whether I'll have the...whatEVER to get dressed and out the door once the chix's out and cooling before it can go into the fridge where it'll live until I make chix soup and/or sammitches and/or whatever else I decide to do w/it.

EDIT: Didn't make it out for walkies after all. *sigh* Tomorrow's supposed to be sunny, so I'll go then.
mlerules: (Default)
I keep making slightly smaller batches of stuffing. Next year I'm only making HALF what the recipe I use calls for, and'll still have leftovers! I tend to forget that this recipe, from my step-dad, is for the large Tday & Bday gathering he and friends from college have held since the mid-1970s. Even with six (6) folks at Thanksgiving dinner o'morrow, we'll have plenty (plus leftovers).

Happy to have done all the chopping, sauteeing, mixing, and baking today. Tomorrow's just for roasting the turkey, making gravy, supervising the making of mashed potatos, de-canning cranberry sauce, reheating stuffing, and heating up rolls.

One friend's in charge of veg (not green beans, as she doesn't care for 'em, and not brussell sprouts as the BF doesn't like 'em). I said a salad would work. (If'n I decide at the last minute we NEED green veg, I'll nuke a packet or two of frozen peas.) Another friend's on pie duty. Another's bringing appetizers (meat & cheese & bread).

Today's gotten lovely out after a grey AM. The sun's shining. I've had xmas music blasting since 10am. I'm happy and smiling and thankful for so many good people in my life, as well as for the time and space to cook and have folks over and live a pretty darned good life.
mlerules: (daffy duck)
Day before yesterday got blustery and damp, but it wasn't that bad. Yesterday dawned sunny and bright, despite the Bomb Cyclone that hit hard elsewhere in the PacNW. Took advantage of it to visit IKEA for meatball brunch followed by a walk-through to get tealights. Since it's dark so early these days (by 5pm), I want to have more Full Candle evenings where I ritually wander around the living and dining room, chucking the old, replacing with new, then lighting the dozen or so and letting 'em burn (baby burn).

Saw blue skies (mixed w/clouds) today, and a lovely sunset while driving. Enjoyed a fine steampunk tea with a friend at the Clockwork Rose Tea Emportium in Beaverton, thanks to a bday gift certificate from my bro and his fiance the year before last. Currently on a fine caffeine and sugar jag. Thankfully we laid in a base of the savory bits! Will have a light supper tonight...if anything.
mlerules: (Default)
Thanks US Gov't! https://covidtests.gov/index.html I finally got my order in this AM. It'd gotten clogged by all the folks accessing the site.
mlerules: (Default)
I heard recently that current text/msg etiquette frowns upon exclamation points (much less interrobangs). Well, the heck with that! I favor normalizing the use of "Huzzah," or perhaps "HUZZAH!" None of this "too cool for school" attitude for me, where I cannot applaud or laud what I love for fear of looking uncool. (Harumph! ;-)
mlerules: (daffy duck)
Tried to sleep. Failed. Got up and read. Now feeling exhausted, but not necessarily sleepy. Hoping I can fall sleep before long.

It feels SO good to be able to recline without my head immediately filling up with phlegm and coughing - sometimes enough to come close to vomiting - and needing to blow my nose. Now on antibiotics (twice a day on an empty stomach, only now I'll take with a few Saltines after coming SO close to throwing up about 1/2 hour after my second dose - and Prednisone (before 9amm, WITH FOOD). I've had to use the emergency inhaler a few times since the wheezing began on Sunday and a few days ago not long after laying down to try to sleep I coughed/choked on phlegm so much/hard I nearly puked. More than once.

Got sick 3 weeks ago. Felt far better after 3 days, but still w/some coughing and post-nasal drip and not a ton of energy. Then last Sunday it returned, worse then ever. Took a Covid test on Thursday: NEGATIVE. Had phone appointments with nurse then doctor that day, too. (Former suggested I take the test before my ph appt w/the latter.) Then drove to Kaiser to get Rx.

Feeling far better now, on the mend but not fully recovered. Hoping whatever 'tis goes away completely this time.

Hoping I can sleep now. Exhausted, but not necessarily sleepy. BlehBlehBleh...
mlerules: (Default)
Yesterday I attended a good Cozy Woodland Tea bday party where three (3) of us wore petticoats. Mine was black, the bday gal's was white, and another's was red. For some reason I feel pleasantly tickled about this. We also enjoeyd a grand Story Time when the co-host read aloud to us all. I knew a few folks, but most were strangers. It helped that we were all somewhat vetted because we'd all been invited personally by the bday celebrant host. I had a good conversation with one person, giving me lots of fine thinkie-thoughts and sending me down some fascinating Deep Listening on-line rabbit-holes.

Sometimes I forget that I'm an extrovert, even if'n I now need more recovery from social events.

Feeling Spring Cleaning'y, and working sporadically on same. Tidying's happening. A deeper dive - sweeping and mopping - will take place in the next few days. I might even dust, a daunting challenge. For now the music's blasting, I'm puttering pleasantly, and the forecast of 70s next weekend has made me smile optimistically.

Too Hot!

Aug. 16th, 2023 04:42 pm
mlerules: (beach)
Monday was too hot (108) at home, so the BF & I went coastal. Tillamook was 91! Luckily it didn't top 66 in Depoe Bay. We spent the afternoon at Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint area, just South of DB. We walked out not very far with a small lunch cooler & folding camp chairs. We sat on the bluff and enjoyed the salty breeze, buzzing bees, and bonus whales. Multiple whales spouting and cruising by not very far out at all! I drove us there and back again after supper of clam chowder & prawn cocktail at Gracie's Sea Hag.

Got up early (6am) Tuesday/yesterday to water since the forecast high was 104. Took care of this and that, had a useful, heavy PT session late morning, then took a friend grocery shopping. I came home and napped upstairs in the AC for five (5) hours, got up for dinner and went to bed early.

Got up to water again at 6am today. Another triple digit day. Ugh. Tomorrow should be cooler (low 90s), then hopefully it's back to the 80s (and some upper 70s) after that. Currently melting in the living room. Thankfully the ceiling fan's running though, or I'd already be upstairs. Will eventually head back upstairs to the AC'd guest quarters where I've slept the past few nights. Somehow have managed not to nap today. Likely in part because I've only left the house to water.

Working on stuff around the house today. Minor tidying, filing, organizing the calendar, downloaded all recent photos and began organizing 'em, working on various Mix-Tapes aka CD Compilatoins), had an hour-long phone call w/a Dear Friend wherein we shifted our make-up campout from the Fall to next Spring. Hydrating lots. Will do some PT exercises to keep that going. Must needs get out for walkies soon, but not 'til it's cooler.

Progress!

Aug. 12th, 2023 11:01 pm
mlerules: (Default)
Had a couple friends over today. Made lunch for us all. Boiled brats, sliced beets & zucchini and rubbed olive oil on 'em and seasoned 'em w/ground black pepper and onion powder. Then the BF BBQ'd it all. Made numerous trips up and down the back stairs between the backyard and the kitchen.

It felt SO good reconnecting w/these folks. Had a pleasant, uncomplicated time chatting. Artsy/Crafty'ness happened. When they left, I took advantage of the not-yet-way-too-hot afternoon & evening by reading in the backyard. For dinner, I baked salmon and made a green salad, adding in the tomatoes my friends'd harvested from their yard earlier today. Mmm... Managed to do more standing around and cooking. This is good progress.

Planning on taking it easy the next few days. Watering will happen. Will turn on the upstairs AC tomorrow afternoon, as it's the first of three (3) days with forecast highs over 100. (UGH!) Planning to Go Coastal (Depoe Bay-ish) on Monday. I have PT late AM Tuesday. Might see a movie afterwards, but might also head home and spend the rest of the day i the AC'd guest space.

Feels good to feel good, as I'd hit some low lows recently and figured I'd emerge eventually from the depths, and now I have.

Update :-)

Jun. 11th, 2023 07:22 pm
mlerules: (Default)
Still not as far along as I'd like, but further along than before. Progress is good, albeit slow and unsteady.

Just back earlier this week from a delightful couple of weeks house-sitting on Kauai with a Dear Friend. Spent many a quiet morning hour on the lanai with a pot of tea (me) and coffee (him), watching and listening to the local chickens/roosters, awaiting the sun to hit the tree where all the geckos lived, delighting in the warmth and lushness of it all.

Balanced some good exploration with quiet days of rest and relaxation. Visited Lydgate Park/Beach several times. We took folding chairs, set up shop at an empty spot, and variously lunched, read, wrote postcards, and stared off at the ocean/clouds/sunset. Drove all the way the West side of the island early one morning to marvel at fabulous views before they were obscured by clouds. I walked up steep pathways to several outlooks, then let the Dear Friend admire a couple when I was done walking for the day.

Read more... )

A Quiet Day

May. 4th, 2023 09:41 pm
mlerules: (sherman)
Overdid it last week, apparently. Had two (2) good but hard PT days and in-between, a 1.5 hour walk at Crystal Springs Rhodie Garden. I took at least a half-dozen bench breaks, and only walked a mile and a bit, but it did tire me out. (Also drove a few hours and took a train ride wearing the boot one day last weekend.) Apparently all that was Too Much.

Did a good, hard PT on Tuesday, followed by a fairly quiet afternoon and evening. Spent a pleasant couple of hours in the backyard, enjoying the warmth, Spring air, and HM greenergy. Managed to finish up a couple Mix-Tapes (CD compilations), including burning 'em despite technical difficulties).

Went to Vernonia yesterday. Plans went agley, but had a good time, nonetheless. Pretty walkies, albeit far shorter than expected/desired/planned. A fine lunch. Wrote some cards & mailed 'em. I listened to my body and stopped before going too far. Enjoyed pretty views, luscious smells, blossoms & birdies, good companionship, blahblahblah Crawled in bed before 9pm. Got up sometime after 9am.

Had mellower aka modified PT today. This is all part of the program. It's not all straightforward and positive. Yeah, yeah, it's generally progressing and I'm healing blahblahblah But I'm annoyed. And frustrated. *sigh*

For the rest of the day, I've had a pleasant mellow time of tea-drinking, news-reading, music-listening, weather-watching, mix-tape making (and burning &c.), WWF'ing, supper-making (bachelor chow feed of meat stick aka summer sausage, crudites (celery, cuke, tomatoes), crackers, and cheese (cheddar & Brie). Sleep will come soon. No need to wake up early. Tomorrow's another day...

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