Wednesday not in Egypt

 One of the YouTube channels I've been following since it started is Silver and Solo, created by Jen, lifelong happy single person and a lot of fun to follow. She's so honest, and her life is interesting. A Canadian, she now lives in Vancouver, and recently turned 60. 

Here's part of her birthday present to herself, balloon trip over the Valley of the Kings, and more.

 

She saved and planned and splurged on a once in a lifetime solo trip to Egypt. Checked all her boxes. Hotel room overlooking the pyramids, see King Tutankhamen's tomb, sail down the Nile, another hotel room overlooking the Nile, even ride a camel!  

It was fun just seeing her face whenever she saw something she'd longed to see, and the squeee of excitement.  Anyway I was touched by her joy and thought you'd like it too.

My own 60th birthday present to myself was a set of free weights, not as romantic, but they've improved my life.

If you're solo and have passed your 60th, what did you do for yourself for your birthday?

Wednesday self care involved the biannual doctor visit to get assessed again for the Prolia injection. My doctor said nice things about my fitness and was very happy I'd had the successful hip replacement. 

Meanwhile I had a couple of interesting convos. Her nurse commented on my cold hands, which led to pastry and how I make it well, because cold hands. 

Turns out she started life at culinary school as a pastry chef. I commented there was probably less shouting now, whereupon she said I could tell some stories about restaurant kitchens!

When I checked out there was an interesting discussion in the middle of setting up my appointments, with a receptionist who'd worked way back for Disney. She was explaining to a bearded colleague that Disney required a beard or clean shaven. You had to take vacation time to grow it! Who knew.

Never a dull moment in my doctor's office. I also had a comic interlude when the injection lady called my first name and another lady and I both stood. Then she explained it's the one here for an injection, and we both said still me! Then she specified what kind and my namesake went with her. She returned after a while to the waiting area and when my name was called, dammit if she didn't jump up again. But it was me this time.

Handsome Tenant seems to be studying the heatpump and getting the hang of the system. One thing I liked that they did was reconfigure how to change the filter. 

Now it's set up inside the return grill in the living room rather than out on the deck where the furnace is in a storage area. Saves going outside in winter to change the filter, I like this.  You just pop off the grill and insert the filter, then close it again. Easy.

Today's yes2next was 20 minutes' resistance band work. I've moved to the blue, heavier, band now. Yay me.

Happy day everyone, give yourself a present, you're worth it.

Meanwhile here's yet another bouquet. When I thought I'd picked the last, the zinnias and daisies evidently took it as a challenge.

Incidentally the chickens have been busted. Some miserable person reported they were ALL OVER, THEY'D ESCAPED, WHO DID THIS, etc. So the HOA is looking into it. I know nothing..

Where it makes sense to alert: I got a text from the bank security department asking if I had authorized the (big) check for the heatpump. I confirmed, and they will pay it. 

 Still there for you, friends 

Because it's my flag, too!

Weight training, bringing in the potato harvest, quiche and glorious dyes

Today started with a weight training and balance video,  which I really like, because balance is better than falling. Usual teachers, April and Aiko

Then there was a walk, cheery greetings from neighbors. My Chinese neighbors always wave even when they're two feet away on the sidewalk, I love it.

Then home to find Gary lugging stuff about. I think gardening should be renamed carrying, but anyway. I was observing that I had one potato total from two containers. Then he remembered he had two containers, so we tipped them out to see.

This is our total harvest, presented to me, and steamed with carrots. He declined any. Just likes growing them, not eating them.

And I made mint sauce, fresh picked peppermint minced, pinch of sugar, malt vinegar, the way my auntie Annie taught me as a kid. Just making it reminded me of her.

Then lunch with a spicy sausage fritter, butter melting over the potatoes. More for tomorrow, too.

I'm reading The Ellerie County Funeral Ladies, very warm friendly reading, located in rural Wisconsin. I like reading about it more than living there.

Later I made a leek and spinach quiche 

Crustfree, using just the green part of the leeks. I've got other plans for the white sections.

Then this afternoon was a presentation on natural dyeing of Anatolia, where the slides are self explanatory, so I'll just show you. It's a feast! For people who know a bit about natural dyeing, no news here, but it was still great to let it flow.

Here's the magic moment when the greenish yarn emerges from the indigo dye bath and the oxygen turns it blue

Arsenic makes a lovely green, but it's hazardous for the dyer and maybe wearer too.

This was a great lecture. The host commented that they've had so many questions over the years about the technicalities of antique textiles when collectors present, that they thought they'd get a great technician in dyeing history and processes, to talk. Behind him is a kilim, rug, the yarn for which he dyed. 

Isn't it great just to wander about these colors and mixes and history. 

Happy day, everyone, they can't take this away from us.