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Tuesday, February 25, 2020

If pictures say a thousand words...

at this point, they'd all be naughty.  So, since we try to keep this blog family-friendly, there are no pictures.  Besides, if you've seen ice, snow and more ice, you've seen them all.

We were graced with three days of 40-50 degree sunshine, which helped immeasurably to life the spirit.  However, it was not enough to get rid of the ice.  Rats.

I looked up at the roof this weekend and discovered that both fresh-air intake vents were flattened by the last snow.  I have sent a text to the roofer and we are discussing it tonight.  I am not keen on shelling out more money, as they were supposed to last until spring, when they will be riveted onto the roof.  I am starting to think this roof is jinxed.

Theodore (actually, Therese) the squirrel was handed off to the wild life rehabilitator, Thursday afternoon.  I felt like I was harboring an illegal alien, as we had to meet in the hospital parking lot in VT and she was a NY squirrel.  However, her little paws never touched the ground, so I am saying it doesn't count.  According to the latest update, she is almost healed, having had antibiotic ointment smeared on her eye twice a day.  I tell you, if I had only known that one could BE a wild life rehabilitator, I would have signed up at sixteen.  That would have saved me a lot of wrong turns.  Ah, well.  Too bad hindsight only sharpens when you are of an age that you need reading glasses.

Bag #3 of black oil sunflower seeds has been opened - I am not working on 120# for the winter.  I am, after all, feeding a cast of hundreds - birds, squirrels, rabbits and who-knows-what-all. 

I spent Thursday looking after my mother - I don't know how my sister does it.  The house is like a furnace, all conversations are at high volume and, while I am happy that she is content listening to audio books, the volume makes your ear drums vibrate.  I managed to finish the second sock of the pair I had been working on and ducked out to hand off Therese and pick up a few groceries.

Speaking of which... I may have to have a responsible adult accompany me into Aldi's from this point on.  I had four things on my list and walked out with two full bags.  Sigh.  They have all my numbers.  If I could only stay on the left side of the store...  I ended up with a large, fresh steelhead trout fillet and four packages of GF bagels (even though I am swearing off grains, dairy, sugar, legumes, and alcohol).  I am weak. 

I ended up poaching the trout in a broth/water/citrus concoction and made Mexican Restaurant Cauliflower Rice to go with it.  Oh, boy - both were excellent!  I am definitely going to try some other cauliflower rice mixtures!  Other than allowing myself two glasses of wine per weekend, I have been adhering to the Whole 30 guidelines and have noticed a bump-up in energy.

On Sunday, I finally was able to clean the sheep's water bucket and rake out most of the discarded hay.  I also cinched up my BGPs and started on the back room.  It is not an endeavor for the faint of heart, let me tell you.  On a roll, I also blocked and finished a cardigan that I started last March, then finished the front trim, which needs a steam block, and will be blocking out a giant shawl/scarf that I just finished as well.  I have one sock done of a new pair and the second started.  Spring must be on the horizon!

14 comments:

Susan said...

So true re timing of hindsight. I think we should be allowed a reset at 30 or 40 when we know ourselves better. Could our mother manage ear buds/head set? Or is she using them and the sound still bounces off the wall!

Lynne said...

It's nice your Mom can enjoy the audio books.It was also nice you gave your sister a break. I know what it's like I took care of my Mom for almost ten years and I miss her to this day. We had our moments ,but everyone does. You got so much done in one week-end and even managed to finish up some knitting. Was glad to hear about the squirrel. How are the porch cats' doing? Hope you solve the problem with your roof!! Take care , Susan !

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Your opening made me laugh! Yes, Spring has to be coming right? Although snow is revisiting us. Again.

ErinFromIowa said...

I listen to audio books,podcasts, music and watch captioned television with ear buds. For television I plug the ear bud jack into one end of a stereo cord and the other end into the TV speaker jack. My television has a menu setting that turns headphones into surround sound!
Thank you for the seeds!

Mama Pea said...

Ya know what I've been thinking about lately? And what your post illustrates? We can keep busy constantly just handling the everyday things like home repair, cooking, shopping, cleaning, feeding the wild birds, caring for the homestead animals, transporting little squirrels in crisis, making time for and caring for family members and some times good friends. So where's the time for real progress whether it be construction or knitting or figuring out what we want to be when we grow up? Sigh. (But it's a good life, isn't it? You bet!)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

You're always so busy! Do you ever have a day with absolutely nothing go do? Hahahahahaha, I know, as soon as I wrote the words.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

are you getting this new storm up your way? of course, it is missing us again. we have had an unnaturally warm winter...damn! you are always so busy!

Joanne Noragon said...

Listen to you, and I have not finished the one sock I keep going on about.

Michelle said...

Jinxed roof is right!

Sam I Am...... said...

You're amazing! I'm retired and don't work or even volunteer and I don't get that much done. Warning: Get everything done when you're young because when you get old (70's) it is a slow boat to China! You go girl! And the knitting progress....impressive!

Ed said...

We eat quite a bit of cauliflower rice during this time of year when other fresh veggies aren't as plentiful. I should also add, my wife has Aldi's disease too. Send her in for a few items and an hour later she emerges with an entire cart full.

ellen abbott said...

supposed to dip down to 29˚ tonight. just cold enough to nip all the emerging blooms. we have an Aldi 30 minutes down the road and if they ever finish the road construction I might go shop there. as it is I avoid the gauntlet as much as possible.

Helen said...

I'm tired just reading your list! lol Can't wait to see the finished knitting projects.

Nancy In Boise said...

We had snow/rain this morning, 65 Friday! So nice you took care of the squirrel, poor critter! Hang in there, our hens finally started laying!!!