Monday, October 21, 2019

10-21-2019 Monday--5pm

I don't know whether to say good afternoon or good evening--LOL!  One of those sleepless nights so was late out of the gate and am just plain moving slowly today.  Got to reading an ebook on Keto and almost forget to blog!  Plus daydreaming about changes in the studio...goodness!  But here I am on this dark, drizzly day.  Washer and dryer are going.  Sparrows are chowing down.  Annie asleep on my chair...waiting for me, I think.  (Funny how cuddly cats can get when it gets colder--LOL!)   
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It's been a good day already.  :)
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I quick took a picture of the three trees before it gets too dark.  
Not much happening with them since the blizzard.
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By Tuesday, the day after I blogged, most of the snow was gone.
The snowbanks were slower to recede.  Much to my delight I saw two crows playing on one!!
There were three of them, but I only caught a picture of this one that wasn't blurred.  The two danced and picked at something interesting in the snow.  Oh, I wish they would come back every day!  I do so love crows.  The other one came up near the patio eyeing the seed but was too timid to come that close to the building, I guess.  He tried twice, but panicked.  
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 Maybe he could me standing silently back toward the kitchen...or Annie sleeping on the floor inside the apartment?  
Annie Girl missed the entire near-visit of a bird we haven't seen here before--LOL!  They are smart and remember things, though.  Maybe they'll come back for some seed when the pickings get lean?
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Rita's Bird Cafe.
I haven't seen the jackrabbits anymore and the cottontail hasn't been here for quite a while now, either.  Not that I've seen, but they are more nocturnal.  Once winter comes we'll be able to see tracks.
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Meanwhile, I finally finished cleaning and filling the last two trays of fountain pens! 
I've never cleaned all of them at once--whew!  I usually check one tray at a time so I am cleaning and refilling as I go so I rarely have more than 2-4 pens at a time to deal with.  Feels so good to have them back! 
They don't take up much room stacked in their trays. 
As long as I am showing pens...this IKEA cart I pull over to the table every day when I do my journaling.  No fountain pens in there--LOL!  But I do use them for the doodle challenges in my bullet.
These are all drawing pens, highlighters, brush pens, markers, felt tip pens and the like.  Mostly for art and lettering. 
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On the shelf below I keep my fountain pen trays and stack of journals (minus the bullet that is usually out on the table for easy access).
Yup--and can you believe I have a lot more pens elsewhere!  Crazy pen lady!
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I love that the partridges are getting more comfortable here.  They often eat, then wander out to sit on the lawn for a while... 
...and then stop back for second helping before they all take off.  I see them 2-4 times a day.  Usually hear their gentle clucking first if I have the door cracked open.  :) They always make me smile.
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I don't remember if I ever showed you what the weight of several feet of snow last year did to the one plastic planter on my patio?  Big crack on the side there.  If it survives this coming winter maybe I will have to tape it up or something.  Not sure how to fix it...but I haven't asked Leah, our tool girl, about that yet.  I'm sure she forgot all about it.  I did--LOL!
The geraniums struggled back to life after the snow melted, but the coleus gave up the battle.   
I'll be out there to cut back everything once they have all given up the ghost.
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Two more of my cheapie dies arrived.  Birthday ones--a happy birthday and balloons. 
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Let's see--Caroline came to clean on Tuesday.  Wednesday Dagan came over and got my air conditioner cover in from the garage for me because Thursday afternoon maintenance was coming around to install all our AC covers.  ??  I've never lived in apartments that did that before.  Probably because it's a senior building?  But I've been here over four years and this was something new.  I like it cooler, so that just means I will be cracking the patio door more often.  ;)
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Thursday Dagan made a bird seed run and filled my bin in the pantry.  Friday McFamily headed for Minneapolis for a long weekend because Dagan had an appointment with a liver specialist today.  He hasn't had any problems.  His doctors apparently are being proactive since so many other heart patients have had liver issues.  I will hear the results of the consultation later on after they are home and settled in tonight.
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Meanwhile--IKEA has raised their delivery prices a lot so Dagan and Leah picked up what they could fit in their car of the furniture for me.  They got the high legged table for the corner of the studio and the gatefold table for the living room!  Leah said they are planning to make another trip down before winter and should be able to get all the rest then.  How exciting!!  :)
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We can set up the high table for the die cut machine and put it over the old cabinet and taboret that are there now.  Will be easier on our backs when we do our die cutting--whoohoo!
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This Thursday I go back to see Dr. Blom for the test results.  I've had 34 different blood tests since June--from four different doctors--19 of the last ones were Dr. Blom's.  Should be interesting.  
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Well, Annie thinks I should go settle into my chair like I usually do every evening. 
She's probably chilly (have the patio door cracked open) and wants her human heating pad back.  LOL!   Oh--and I hear the partridges have come for their final meal at dusk!!  Love that sound.
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Time to go fold and hang clothes and then be Annie's heating pad..hehe!  Till next week.  Have a fantabulous week everybody!  :):)
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"Nothing is worth more than laughter.
It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, 
to be light."
Frida Kahlo

12 comments:

Rita said...

My comment to get your comments in my inbox! :)

Lady Fi said...

Ah - sounds like a wonderfully cozy day!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Hi Rita - I am so glad to see the birds enjoying their meal thanks to you. I look forward to seeing who visited your front porch each week. Annie is so settled and happy with you. Great pen collection, all caught up and filled. Adding two more work areas when you IKEA tables are picked up by your lovely McFamily - looking forward to seeing them in place.

Thank you for visiting my posts and leaving a comment, always appreciated. Things have settled into a sort of routine now - my husband is out of the hospital (surgery on his foot/little toe - bone biopsy showed a very rare/unusual infection in the bone so I am relieved the Doctor/Surgeon made her decision quickly and it is over). IV trips to the hospital every day but DH is getting better at transferring himself from and into the back seat of the van to the wheelchair he needs right now. The first couple of tries where darn scary because I am way smaller and cannot even brace him if he slipped. Who would have guessed we have a wheelchair and a walker and a knee walker and a portable 'potty' on a tall frame in our home. We had to take over our Grandson's bedroom as it was in the basement and he has moved upstairs for the duration until DH can manage to get into the house with 9 steps spread between 3 landings. It is going to be awhile. You will likely smile when I tell you we moved all of DGS's clothes and furniture except for the bed and TV and stuff into the living room so that DH could have space for the stuff he needs right now. I am ignoring the additions and just grateful DGS is here to help with some of the heavier jobs.
Hugs.
Joy

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wow, you are Annie's heating pad and I tell my boys the reason I feed them is to keep me warm in winter. As of today I was in shorts and sleeveless tops. That will change overnight, though, because the cold is set to move in.

You really ARE a crazy pen lady. You have more pens than I've ever seen in one place. I have eight and most are ones I've picked up at trade shows that have ads on them! I admire that you have them organized.

Hope your tests show what might be wrong with your hand and foot. Maybe this new doctor will have some answers for you, dear.

Bonnie said...

Annie looks so sweet in those pictures! All your pens are amazing - I would have trouble making up my mind which one to use for each task. How exciting that you'll be getting some of your new furniture soon. It will be so good for you to get the results of those last blood tests. Maybe they will help the doctor to treat you. Take care!

DJan said...

I just now found your post, Rita. It must have showed up late (well, for me 7:30pm is late). You didn't mention your knuckle so I figure it must be better. I look forward to hearing what the doctor(s) have to say! :-)

Divers and Sundry said...

I enjoy bird-watching with you :) We have crows in the area and sometimes see them flying over the building or up in the trees, but we never get them on our patio. We put out peanuts just for them and enjoy the blue jays that attracts lol Our bird variety has decreased dramatically, and now we're just getting sparrows. We like them, of course, but I prefer a bit of variety :(

I trust you'll have a productive doctor visit and that the blood test results will prove helpful.

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

I'm so happy that Annie has such a higher comfort level than when she first arrived. What a change! Crows are so fun to watch - they have quite the personality! The IKEA cart sure keeps your supplies handy and organized! We have a rather overcast day here as well. It's perfect weather to get things done inside - like you are. Loved seeing all the birds coming to your patio.

Jon said...

It sounds like you've had a wonderfully cozy October day. I'm going to miss this month when it's gone - the weeks are flying by.
You're so right about cats wanting to snuggle when the weather gets colder. Bosco sleeps under the covers of my bed and takes up an annoying amount of room.

I love the concept of Rita's Bird Cafe! Maybe you should hang a sign outside...which might entice the timid crows...

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Pens, pens and more pens just not pig pens or dog pens or even rabbit pens and no way you have a pen for Annie

Far Side of Fifty said...

The wind has been horrid! Hope your test reveal something, Rita's Bird Cafe is popular. Yes my bunnies are out at night:)

pearshapedcrafting said...

That final photo of Annie is wonderful! I loved my first IKEA cart so much I bought another..then the other week 2 smaller ones - so handy to be able to move them around! Yes, I think you win the crazy pen lady title! Colouring pencils are my downfall....or is it stamps?? Catching up!!! Hugs, Chrisx