Cleaners, art and complications

Today the cleaners came so I went to the library to see the current art exhibit by Frank Rivera, and approve some other features 

Frank Rivera, who taught at the local college where I got a lot of my art education, is interested in small works influenced by graphics and the small religious paintings seen on Italian altars. 

Some of the pieces date back to the 90s. It's a mini retrospective. The colors are very subtle so a bit hard to see here 

And in the plant exchange, here's the nice form of the tradescantia name

 there are interesting ideas everywhere 

And in the bathroom a new notice saying that for sudden need, period products are available free at various desks, including the children's department. This is a considerate move, as any woman or girl can attest.

This afternoon Gary visited to see what's up and was proud of my successful stand at the dealership, but realized quickly it was costly for me. 

And he might want to buy my car, however I haven't agreed to that, because anything around him tends to develop many complications and hitches and delays! 

Anyway he supports my decision to sell though he had earlier urged me not to be hasty. He was hugely amused when I pointed out that the seller can honestly claim it was driven only locally, by an old lady!

So next week I'll be on it. I can get a refund of most of my insurance payment, which had doubled since the last bill. This is all good.

And good news from the food pantry: people have come through and they're able to fill all the needs this week. They're happy.

Happy day everyone, attend to your local needs,  drive your own bargain! 

Library, food pantry and game hen

Again I was up at five, me and the moon early breakfast,  then a nap. Then I marinated the game hen, about which read on.

Friday was about errands then food, how unusual. I still hate driving and have to force myself out, not getting easier. 

Anyway I went to the library in the next town, haven't been there for so long, but I made it. I needed to go in person to renew my card as an out of town holder. If you live in that town, you can do it online. 

So now once again I have access to that account, and their Hoopla has a different collection, so more choices.

On the way home since I was out anyway, I left my small offerings at the food pantry. While there I met a young woman donating bag after bag of food. I thought she'd done a drive but no, it's all her own effort. Next week is distribution, so this is in good time for their sorting. What a good soul that lady is. I was very impressed.

Then home to roast the game hen. Earlier I'd put coarse seasalt inside and out, olive oil and garlic paste spread on.

I roasted it for about an hour at 400°, turning over at halftime. Served with green beans, garnished with a sprig of fresh peppermint mint and some dried cranberries. Dessert was the last of the pureed pumpkin beaten with honey and whole plain yogurt.

This was a great meal after a fairly difficult morning, with the driving and many detours, roadwork season. But the newly repaired road outside this development is a treat, so easy to drive without multiple potholes. It's been years of pressure to get it done. 

Then at home I was able to borrow a new acquisition, a Margery Sharp collection, on my renewed card, on my Kindle.  I plunged into The Nutmeg Tree this afternoon.

The home library is planning on another exhibit of Tuesday Knitting Group items. Last year I showed knitting and crocheting, so I think this year it's stitching, maybe goldwork. I might even finish the fabric book, too, to show.

All in all, Friday was a day of doing things, some of which I fear, but did anyway.

Happy day everyone, do the thing anyway, you'll be proud. Or don't, your life, your choice.  

Yes, proudly flying my flag. We did it proud this week.

Sunday the clocks changed. Small Island. No pork chops.

 I feel disoriented when the clocks change and wish  they, whoever they are, would just make up their minds. We don't get an extra hour of anything. 

Moving on, I made it to the library

Stickers from Halloween everywhere.

 and here's today's entertainment

Book and TV series. So I'll see what they did with the novel.

And with the new month, I can resume borrowing from hoopla, starting with 

After lunch, the sun came out, the wind dropped and I walked to the pond, lovely sights today. The birds were quiet, they don't like wind, so it was the wind in the trees, fallen leaves and me.

Some oak leaves came home with me.

Beautiful day.  After a postwar WW2 childhood with air pollution from coal fires making November a dark, foggy time, I never take these clear bright days for granted. 

Happy day everyone, enjoy your day. I forgot to explain about pork chops: Gary was about to cook some for his visiting granddaughters, stopped in to ask if I'd like one, or keep one for next day. I explained thank you, but I don't eat pork, so good of you to think of me. 

Special thoughts to blogista e, please, she's got a medical/surgical appointment today, sez Ted and Big Ursy.

Also Nurse Fluffina FRN, that's Feline Registered Nurse

Howard's End is on the landing, Brideshead redux and toys for boys

Monday morning the cleaners came so I got out of their way.  I had dropoffs for the food pantry about which more later, then pickups at the library, so I stayed there.

When I found that the newer Brideshead Revisited had Emma Thompson playing Lady M, much better casting than the earlier miniseries with Claire Bloom, I decided to borrow it. Monday night at the movies.

The other pickup was 

This inspired piece of writing, which I found out about on Sue from Suffolk's blog, thank you.

It's very engaging and I've already borrowed a couple of her book recommendations for my Kindle. She'd disapprove of this, preferring to be surrounded by actual books and handling them, even ones she's had for years and will definitely read one day.

And convent schooled ladies (!) will recognize this way to hold a book. Never press a thumb into the spine, gels!

Whenever I pick up a book I hear Mother Monica's Irish landowner sharp, loud,  voice.. I daren't hold it any other way.

I used to be in a postgraduate course long ago with a Susan Hill and have often wondered if it's the same one. Turns out not, so it's not six degrees after all. 

Outside the library, in the  square where the fountain is located, they've been digging and tearing all summer and we're finally being let in on what they're up to. The fountain will move but will be there.

All kinds of fun big toys, some for picking up paving looking like hippos biting it and slinging it on a growing heap. There are also humble  spades and rakes, I was surprised to see.

My walk today was around the square, dodging traffic because the sidewalks are gone for now.

Back home I realized that the food pantry can also use condiments and I thought I had a lot of turmeric accidentally over-ordered, and many malt vinegar packets, same reason. 

I did indeed have extras and checked the expiration date on the turmeric. Oh. 2022. I was pretty sure it was more recent. I can still use it, it's vacuum sealed and good quality, but I can't donate it. 

The many little packets of malt vinegar, serving sizes, are fine, and confectioner's sugar. So Tuesday, when I'm on the way to my needlers group, I'll drop them off.  Time flies when you order too much by accident. 

I also have vital wheat gluten, kept frozen, but I can't donate it, it's also well past the date.  I may add in whole wheat flour, though, which is definitely good.

Happy day everyone, some of us are a little past our expiration date but who's counting.

Not I, sez Flufferina

Cleaners here today, more firsts

I had planned on a couple of errands today involving carrying stuff, as well as a library pickup, while my cleaners were working at the house.

But this changed my mind

I wasn't up for getting wet several times, and maneuvering in and out of the car likewise. 

So I went to the library anyway to pick up my DVD of a later production of Cheaper by the Dozen.   

This is the Steve Martin production, and I think there's another later one. Anyway this is what my library had.

First time I've driven in heavy rain since Hippolyta, first time I've been to the library for an extended time, sitting on those way too big seats, and it was okay. Certainly nothing like the pain involved in doing this in Helen's time.  I'm getting less awkward in and out of the car, too, less worried about it.

Soon I'll have run out of firsts, and it will all be just everyday life. I'm looking forward to not being a patient, even to the end of my time with PT Emil. It means a return to good health, though I've really appreciated the work we've done. I'm far better off than I would have been.

So, all good, and here's my views. People on the right playing chess. After they left, a man was showing his little boy the moves.

And the puzzle table where I succeeded in adding one whole piece, after which I retired to read my Angela Thirkell.

 Just the right cosy read in rainy weather.

You'll notice no reference to the current gallery exhibit. It's a well meaning try, well framed and organized, print material nicely written and presented, the work of someone who really wants to be seen as an artist. This is quite different from someone who needs to make art and knows how. 

Home to cheese,  crackers and a pot of tea. The seeds I flung about on the crackers are quite successful, particularly the fennel seeds. I like the licorice flavor of the seeds while not liking at all the actual vegetable. There's something odd about a green salad type veg with licorice, or anise, flavor, to me.

This afternoon will be a movie matinee, maybe with more tea. Also laundry, my cleaning family using mops and cloths galore. My part is to leave them mops, cloths and cleaning liquids and a check. They take it from there. Suits me. 

Lovely day, though I'd been apprehensive about stormy driving and slippery walking, now I'm glad I did it.  I carried Carol Cane but didn't actually use it. Just in case of skidding.

Happy day everyone, take a little chance, you might be glad.