On to Other Things

After two days spent working outside, it was time to move on to other things. For one thing, the weather changed. After being spoiled by sunshine and “shirtsleeves weather,” yesterday the wind picked up, and it turned cold. It certainly made outdoor work sound less enjoyable. Besides, I needed a break from it, and I had plenty of other things to do.

The day was half-filled with small tasks. I had to go to town in the morning for a blood draw, in preparation for my annual physical, so I added a list of town-related tasks, to accomplish as long as I’d made the trip. I went to the bank and the post office. I stopped at the community center to drop something off. I brought my recyclables to the transfer station.

Next, a visit with my cousin, Bob. I brought him a tote full of freshly dug daylilies, and sat down to talk to him about when I’d need to use his mainland car. I have several medical appointments coming up, some in each of the next four months. Nothing serious, they range from mammogram to eye appointments, but I will need transportation when I get to thee other side. I know that he’s having quite a bit of dental work done on the mainland too, and his partner will be going across for her job at the bank. I wanted to make sure none of our dates conflicted. We had a good visit, and he sent me home with several pots of herbs he had started.

By the time I got home, it was lunchtime. I warmed a cup of coffee to have with my leftovers, and checked the news. I cooked some hard-boiled eggs to have in the refrigerator, and started a loaf of bread so that I can pack sandwiches for my lunches this week. I have enough leftover chicken for at least one sandwich, and I could throw together a dish of egg salad for another. There’s always peanut butter and jelly, in a pinch.

The rest of my day was spent studying. Tonight, my art class is “Lino-Cut Prints.” When I drew up the course outline, it seemed easy enough. I had learned the methods first in high-school, then over the course of several semesters in college. I’ve used the technique…even kind of excelled at it…thirty years ago! As this day drew closer, that thirty years loomed frighteningly over my head. What had I forgotten in all of that time? Could I even remember enough about the processes to teach them? To come unprepared is not only disrespectful to my loyal students, it is the stuff my worst nightmares are made of! So, yesterday afternoon was spent giving myself a refresher course.

I looked up from my books and videos just in time to fit in a walk with the dogs before dinner. Two brisk miles down the Fox Lake Road, then meals all around. While the canines relaxed, I did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen, then off to bed early. I work today, and for the next two days, so my progress with the garden will be on hold until the weekend. That’s okay! I was ready to move on to other things.

Not as Young as I Once Was

Sunday, I worked outside for ten hours. I dug up weeds and daylilies, raked and pruned. I settled the Potter’s wheel into its new location. I moved rocks. Then dug some more. After walking the dogs, which was my last outdoor act of the day, my tracker informed me that I had walked eighteen thousand steps. That’s a good eight thousand more than most days! I made a simple supper, then soaked for a long time in a hot bath. I wondered if I’d have enough energy to get out of the tub! I almost drifted off to sleep right there!

Monday, I did it all over again. Well, yesterday I didn’t move the potter’s wheel from backyard to front…or anywhere else. I think it can stay where it is for a good long while. And I only clocked fourteen thousand steps. Still, it was plenty! My knees, my back, and even my hands are complaining. I’m stiff and sore, and feeling every one of my seventy-plus years!

In other years, I’ve put in long spring days working to prepare and plant the garden with hardly a second thought. I used to have more stamina. I used to be lots “bendier.” I can remember when I could get down on my knees without discomfort, and leap right up without help. Now, it hurts! And, if I don’t have something to grab onto, I don’t think I’d ever be able to get back up! With few exceptions, I prepared by garden for planting with a shovel, hoe, and garden rake. No mechanical equipment for me! No hiring others to do my work!

The way I feel this morning, I think I’m ready to cry “uncle” to that stubborn independence. This is a new area for planting. At roughly 20 by 24 feet, it’s a pretty good-sized plot. Even after two days of digging, there is still a lot of area to be opened up, and much of it is dense sod. I am going to look into getting someone to come out with a rototiller, and work up the garden spot. That’s a difficult and humbling decision. But, hey, I’m not as young as I once was!

Island Life

When I was asked, several years ago, to read and record my blogs for our little radio station, they named it “Island Reflections.” Sometimes I feel like that title is a little deceptive. I live on an island, yes. I write, though, about whatever comes to mind.

When I first moved here, it seemed like living on an island was the most monumental thing about my life. It influenced everything! In 1978, the grocery store didn’t even carry fresh mushrooms! Catholic nuns still taught in our public school! The Post Office was the social gathering place! The price of food and fuel was a huge adjustment. Travel of any kind took deep thought and big plans.

I got used to recognizing every person, every vehicle, and every dog. I knew where most people lived. Other things, you never get used to. My heart leaped for joy as I rounded the corner at the church hill, confronted by the sight of our beautiful harbor. It still does! Any sight of Lake Michigan continues to be a treat. Sunrises and sunsets over the water are fresh miracles every day! The woods along the Fox Lake Road offers a constantly changing, always spectacular view.

Many things have changed over the years. Buildings have gone up. We’ve gotten a new, larger Medical Center and library. Our little school went through extensive renovation. The Community Center now stands in the location of the old general store. With a big influx of new residents, I no longer recognize every person I see. With new roads cut through the trees, and other roads diverted, I could easily get lost here!

Now, having called Beaver Island my home for many years, I find this doesn’t seem so much like “island life” most of the time. This is just “life.” I go to work, and come home. I walk my dogs. I work in my studio; tend my garden; neglect home maintenance. I pay little attention to the cost of gasoline until someone asks. It all feels very normal, edging on mundane.

And yet, my life just happens to be on this island. I am still amazed by the beauty around me. My daily walks are shaded by the trees that line my road, and blessed by the seasonal changes there. The view of the harbor still takes my breath away.

My simple life often seems barely worth writing about…yet I keep writing. Knowing that these essays will eventually show up on the WVBI, under the guise of “Island Reflections,” I sometimes feel like I should inject a little more island-specific content. Just to make them deserving of the title. Yet even when all possible topics are available to me, I still struggle for subject matter. It doesn’t seem realistic to narrow that focus in any way.

What I offer are my thoughts, based on my life. I just happen to have the good fortune that my life is island life!

Dogs

I have two dogs. The small one, Rosa Parks, has been with me since 2011. She was still a puppy then, less than six months old. And feisty! Though my old dog, Clover, had been here much longer, Rosa Parks quickly made it clear she was going to be the boss. Over the years, she has seen me bury Clover, then Blackie Chan, and then Darla. She managed to get along with all of these dogs, as long as they respected her place in the family. Now, we’ve added Stella.

The bigger dog, Stella, came to be a part of our household this year on New Year’s Day. She’s four years old and as sweet as can be. Stella is a beagle-lab mix, which seems like an odd combination, but has resulted in a dog that appears to be the best of both breeds. She rarely barks, and doesn’t bay or howl. She looks like a beagle, but doesn’t have that hound-dog smell. She’s very good-natured, friendly with people and with other dogs. She loves to be outside with me, and is a wonderful walking companion. She’s a fast learner, and tries hard to please. Stella has boundless energy!

Therein lies the problem. In this household, there is me: seventy-one years old; bad knees; low energy; works away from home up to four days a week; when at home, likes to read, or write, or work quietly in the studio. Then there’s Rosa Parks: thirteen years old; almost blind; nearly deaf; bad knees; low energy. Poor Stella! All she wants to do is play! She can run circles around we two old ladies, and she often does! Sometimes I hear a big sigh coming from Stella, and I think what a disappointment we must be to her.

And poor Rosa Parks! All she wants, when I get home from work, is to greet me. A simple, “hello, I’m glad you’re home.” In dog language. As she tries to make her way from dog bed to door, Stella leaps over her, then turns and does it again. She rolls her into the kitchen cupboards, then into the freezer on the other side. Stoic – and pretty sturdy for a little dog – she continues to get back up and walk toward me. I, meanwhile, am in the middle of my own struggle to make it into the house, as Stella leaps at me, letting me know, in her own way, that she missed me, too.

In the yard, or on our walks down the Fox Lake Road, Stella is certain that she can convince Rosa Parks to play. She never gives up! She runs at the little dog, circles her, ’round and ’round, and charges her with such force it knocks her for a loop. This terrifies Rosa Parks. Lately, in order to get our walk in, and to ensure that Rosa Parks also gets fresh air and companionship, I’ve been wheeling her in the stroller for two miles. I put her down to get some exercise just for the last little bit; by that time, Stella has spent much of her energy chasing chipmunks and squirrels!

Inside the house, most of the time, they respect each other’s space. They tolerate one another. Not perfectly, but. And then, every now and then, I find them snuggled together near the heater. That gives me hope that, in time, they’ll learn to love each other as much as I love each of them!

Books

Books have always been a big part of my life, and I usually have several going at any given time. Right now there are the gardening books I’m browsing for inspiration, an old cookbook that I’m re-reading, one book on walking, one on weight training for seniors, and one on time-management. Then, on my nightstand, I have a small stack of books that I intend to read, but until I get new eyeglasses, the nightstand is the wrong place for them. My bedside lamp is just not bright enough, for my vision right now. Sometimes, n the evening, with my magnifying glass close by, I read snippets from Alpha to Omega: The Life and Times of the Greek Alphabet, by Humez and Humez. It’s just the kind of easy reading that I like, dealing with word origins, history, folklore, and lots of obscure facts. I’ve had the book for many years, and have read it before. With a possible trip to Greece coming up in the next year r two, I this would be a good time for a refresher.

Mostly, these days, I depend on audio books. I avoided them for a long time, insisting that I preferred the feel of a real book in my hands. I still feel that way, but with age has come arthritis in my wrists and fingers, as well as a few issues with my vision. That makes holding a book and reading small print more challenging. My first experience with an audio book was not a good one, simply because the reader had an annoying tone. She tried too hard to mimic a child’s voice, or a man’s voice, or a Southern accent, and the whole experience made me cringe. I honestly think I would have loved the story, if I’d had the printed version, or if it had a better reader! Now, I always listen to a sample first.

Since I’ve gotten over that hurdle, I find that there are many advantages to being able to listen to a book. I listen while I’m walking the dogs, and while I’m driving to and from work. Lately, I also listen while folding clothes, working in the studio, or taking a bath. I’ve downloaded the Libby app, which allows me to borrow audio books from the library at no cost. I also have an Audible membership, which gives me one credit per month toward the purchase of many titles, and access to many books that are included free with my membership.

I’ve gotten a few stinkers, but I’ve learned to read reviews as well as the publisher’s descriptions. That, along with listening to a sample of the audio, helps to ensure it will be a good experience. Lately, I’ve found a few gems. I was slow in getting through a book I’d borrowed from the library. The Removes by Tatjana Soli was a pretty intense historical novel recounting, from the point of view of two women, the first great settlement of the west, and the cruel and heart-breaking destruction of the Native American culture. I was seventy percent through it when it came due. Because someone else was waiting for it, I couldn’t renew it. I returned it, and put myself on the waiting list.

Then, desperate to have something to listen to that day while I walked the dogs, I quickly pulled a title from my list of possible good books (based on reviews read), and downloaded it. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is set in northern Michigan, not far from where I live! Having our local cherry and apple orchards play a part in the story was thrilling enough. Even better, the entire book was narrated by Meryl Streep! Her expressive voice was perfect for the story. It was a wonderful story, too.

After that, I was pretty selective. I hate to top off a really good book with something only mediocre. So, I spent some time investigating, and finally acquired The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Oprah Winfrey had selected it for her book club, and said it was the best book she’d ever read. That was good enough for me! After I spent my Audible credit to purchase it, and had it loaded on my phone, I realized it is over thirty hours of listening time! Most audio books run six to twelve hours; if they are less than six, I feel like I’m getting short-changed…but thirty-one hours! I can’t believe it only cost one credit! And, though I’m only on chapter eight, so far, it’s a very, very good book!

April 1st, Fox Lake Road

I have once again decided to participate in the A to Z blogging challenge that is held every year at this time. That means I’m committed to posting a blog every day this month, except Sundays, working through the alphabet for my subject matter. Some participants are much more specific in their plans. Not only will they write every day using the letters as their guide, but they have chosen themes as specific as “health,” “flash fiction,” “books.” or a host of other possibilities. Even with anything in the world to write about, I still struggle, some days, to come up with a topic; I won’t limit myself to a specific theme! Or, rather, the theme I chose was “random blogging.” That best describes what I do. Luckily, the challenge starts on April first, with the letter A, so there’s my subject, readymade! The first of any month is a good time for an update, so that’s what I’ll offer today.

First, the weather. We had a week of spring-like, shirt-sleeves weather a couple weeks ago. I made some serious progress toward making a new flower bed, and moving a border of stones from around the old one. Then, the temperature dropped, plunging us right back into wintry cold. Two days ago, we got snow! This time of year, I know it won’t last, so I just appreciated it for the novelty, and the beauty it added to my daily walk.

A quarter of the way through this year, I have to, I suppose, consider my progress – or lack thereof – on all of my good intentions for 2024. I planned to get serious, this year, about things that have been on my list of resolutions for several years now. To that, I added a couple new ideas. And, I did my best to make the whole thing more palatable by refusing to call them “resolutions,” and by measuring my successes and failures in smaller increments. That way, I won’t have messed up the entire year, if I’m not doing so well as of the first of April!

I have twenty pounds to lose. Having been skinny, and able to eat anything, for most of my life, I am not happy with regimens that ask me to eliminate food groups, count calories, or restrict portions. That is, any diet at all. I had success a couple years ago with Intermittent Fasting. It was relatively easy for me, and I lost weight right away. Until it stopped working, and the pounds crept back. So, on medical advice, I took a break from the fasting regimen, through the forty days of Lent, in the hopes that it would shock my body into responding to fasting, when I got back to it. The good news is that I didn’t gain any weight during Lent. I didn’t lose any either, though. Now, Lent is over, and I’m back to the plan. With high hopes.

I’ve continued to plug away at paring down, de-cluttering and organizing my small home. My biggest success in that department has been in my little studio. At the beginning of this year – and for quite a while before – it was so full, and so disorganized, it couldn’t be considered more than just a storage room. Incidentals that had no other designated place in my house joined with frames, art work, materials and supplies to fill all of the floor space, and every horizontal surface. It was impossible to use the room for its intended purpose!

After several weeks of planning – and being too overwhelmed by the immensity of the task to even start – I dug in. It was every bit as big a job as I imagined it would be…but beginning was the hardest part. I started by organizing the storage areas, under the eaves on both sides of the room. That created space, so that when I took something in hand, I had a sense of where it should belong. After more than a week of plugging away at it, the floor, the printing press and the drafting table were clear. The room was usable! There is still work to be done. I told myself I’d tidy a drawer or shelf each day upon entering the studio. So far, those tasks have taken a back seat to art-making. It feels good to be actually using the studio for creative pursuits. Right now, I’m calling that success!

This year, with a few planned exceptions, was going to be a year of no frivolous spending for me. In recent years, I’ve become pretty thoughtless about my consumerism. After a difficult day, it was easy to try to find comfort in some ill-considered and unneeded purchase. The no-spend commitment was intended to get my buying habits under control. It has helped. I am no longer mindlessly ordering books and other things from Amazon. I’m more cautious about what I put in my grocery cart. I’ve let magazine and streaming subscriptions lapse. My downfall has been the day I volunteer at our little resale shop. Everything is so cheap! If it is something that is really good, based on quality or color or label, I spend the few dollars to bring it home. But, I still feel guilty about it!

There are other things in my life that deserve an update: books I’ve read, or that I’m reading; the progress I’m making in getting rid of excess; my walking routine; plans for my garden; and how my dogs are settling in together. For today, though, this is enough! There’s a long month ahead!

This Year, So Far

Here we are, about seven weeks in to this new year. Being weary of disappointing myself, I avoided “resolutions” this year. Still, unable to disregard any opportunity for a fresh start, I did make plans. I wrote about them in my New Year post:

“I am determined to lose the twenty pounds that I’ve been struggling to lose…for the last twenty years. I am going to finally get organized. I have big plans for de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and paring down all through this house. I’m cutting way back on spending in 2024. I have intentions for walking and other forms of exercise. I have a little bit of travel planned.”

In addition to this list, I started the year with a new dog. Stella joined our household on New Year’s Day. So. how’s it going so far?

Well, as far as Stella is concerned, we’re doing fine. She’s adjusted pretty well to my schedule, our household, and the quirks, foibles and bossiness of the senior resident dog, Rosa Parks. We are dealing with a couple issues, however. For one, the more attached to me Stella gets, the more jealousy she exhibits. I’ve had to scold her sharply for her efforts to keep the little dog away from me. The other is that though Stella has gotten used to the fact that I have to go to work, and she knows that I will come back, she greets me with such over-the-top, uncontrollable exuberance, that I’m almost afraid to open the door!

She has nearly bowled me over in her enthusiasm. My eyeglasses have been driven into my face or onto the ground regularly enough that I now remove them before coming inside. Meanwhile, poor Rosa Parks, who is simply trying to make her way through the kitchen to greet me, is rolled over, tumbled into cupboards, and trampled! So, it’s not going perfectly, but all-in-all we’re doing fine. Stella is a sweet, loving dog, and has settled in comfortably. She’s a wonderful walking companion, too. I love having her around!

Which brings me to the other plans I’ve had for the year. Walking is my one big success. Since the first of January, I have walked every single day, usually two miles, sometimes more. Over one hundred miles so far this year! I wish I could say everything else was going as well.

I’ve been pretty neglectful of exercise other than walking. That twenty pounds I want to lose is still hanging on. And, for Lent, I’ve even temporarily set aside my long-time healthy habit of Intermittent Fasting. Maybe this is the opposite of progress?

Though I’ve been putting quite a few hours into cleaning and organizing the upstairs, at this time much of my progress is still invisible. A tour of my clean attic, drawers, totes and bins – while ignoring the rest, including added messes created by organizing those hidden spaces – you might see where I’ve made some headway. Otherwise, no.

Then, inevitably, I have to address my “no spend” plans. Just this last week, the guys came out to repair my bathroom ceiling, which was damaged a couple years ago when the roof was leaking, and has been prevented from collapsing only by my expert application of several layers of duct tape. I was happy to see them, even though I had neglected to account for this expense in my new year’s plans. And even though the repairs occurred in the same week that the winter property taxes came due. And right when Rosa Parks ran out of her – very expensive – allergy medicine. No worries, these were all justified expenditures.

The problem, when assessing the failure of my no spend policy, was not in big things, but small. The Island Treasures Resale Shop, where I volunteer one day each week, was my downfall. Every single week, something seemed “too good to pass up.” Over the course of the year so far, I bought a cute sundress for my granddaughter, four small balls of brightly colored yarn, a lightweight black blazer, tights, two never-worn bras with the tags still on them, and one T-shirt. Just last week I brought home three unused sketchbooks! Even though every one of these items were well worth the few dollars I spent on them, they were all clearly against the rules I had set for myself. So, seven weeks in, my “no spend” policy can hardly be considered a success!

As for travel, that is still planned, and something I’m very much looking forward to. In fact, I’m almost all packed, already, for a trip that not happening until September! So, that’s how my year is going, so far.

Lent, Backwards

I grew up in the Catholic faith, so, since I was a child, Lent has been a regular part of my year. The Lenten season lasts from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday. Based on the liturgical calendar, the dates vary from year to year. Ash Wednesday is always 40 days before Easter, and Easter always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. It’s a little complicated, so I just depend on the calendar.

As children, we were taught that Lent should be a time of reflection and prayer, and of making amends. We were encouraged to give up something for Lent, as a way to teach us about sacrifice, and to make us more aware of the season. For most of my childhood, I gave up candy. It hit all the markers, being something I loved and would miss, but not involving a lot of forethought.

As an adult, I continued to make commitments for Lent, not because of a strong religious conviction, but as another time for a fresh start. Like the New Year, my birthday, the first of every month and – if I’m honest – every single Sunday, Lent is a time for a “reset.” What isn’t working in my life, and what sacrifice will help to fix that? I figure that a little more discipline and restraint is never a bad thing.

Usually, I forget to plan ahead. I realize Lent is here when I start noticing people with smudges of ash on their foreheads. Then, the pressure is on, and I have to scramble to come up with a sacrifice. In past years, I have given up sugar, pasta, meat, bread, alcohol and – my old standby – candy. Not all in the same year, of course. My focus is generally on what will do me the most good, either for my general health or weight loss, rather than any spiritual gain. This year is no different, though I’m trying a different tactic.

I started Intermittent Fasting three years ago. I read a couple books on the subject, listened to a couple podcasts, convinced myself that it would not kill me to give up cream in my coffee, set a date, and dove in. I had nothing but black coffee and water until noon. Then, between noon and eight PM, I ate what I wanted…usually two meals with maybe a snack in between, and often a dessert after dinner. At first, it was great. As I’d suspected, giving up cream in my coffee was the biggest hardship, but I got used to even that pretty quickly. I’ve never been much of an early morning breakfast-eater, so that was easy. I loved not having to count calories, avoid certain foods, or limit portion sizes. And, I started a slow but steady weight loss. After the first nine months, I had lost about eighteen pounds!

Then, with winter approaching, the weight loss stopped, though I continued Intermittent Fasting. Cooler weather invited more calorie-dense comfort foods, and I’m not as active in the wintertime. Slowly, the pounds started to creep back. Then, in January, I started a new job at the Community Center, which changed my schedule. Even though every 24-hour period was still divided into an eight-hour eating window and a sixteen hour fast, there were subtle changes. For one, I was having dinner much closer to bedtime. I was having a hard time getting a good walk in each day. And, we serve an excellent pizza at the Community Center; it quickly became a fairly regular treat. Within a pound or two, I gained back everything that I’d lost!

That’s where I’ve been for well over a year, still fasting, still watching the scale go up and down, a pound or two in either direction, with no real progress. Friends and medical professionals have advised me to stop the Intermittent Fasting for a while, so that when I go back to it, it will once again be a shock to my system, which may kick-start the weight loss. That makes sense, and I’ve tried it. But only slightly. I’ve made popcorn after eight o’clock a couple times, or made toast in the morning every great now and then. I’ve even given over a whole day to “eating normally,” but not often, and not regularly. The fact is, I’m a creature of habit, and it’s hard to change that.

That’s where Lent come in. This year, rather than give up a food group, I am giving up Intermittent Fasting…for forty days! It seems kind of backwards, and possibly counter-productive. After, all, we’re still in the middle of a long, cold winter here; all food sounds appealing, and stuffing my face seems like a worthwhile pastime. I may find myself with a lot more weight to lose! But, I’m going to try it anyway. It’s Lent, after all…a time for sacrifice!

Fashionista!

I don’t pay much attention to fashion, these days. That hasn’t always been the case. When I was younger, I was very attentive to whatever styles were current. Looking back over old photographs, I might’ve been better off if I hadn’t! The entire decade of the eighties, for instance!

I’ve settled into a pretty predictable manner of dress over the years, and I’m comfortable with it. My clothes last a long time. I rarely wear things out, and I try very hard not to outgrow anything So, the things I wear are familiar, steady and unsurprising. When I do have to replace an item, I stick with what works. I am much more likely to ask myself, “does this match what I already have?” “is it comfortable?” and “does it hide my flaws and fat rolls?” rather than any question regarding whether or not it is fashionable.

I have one pair of blue jeans, a half dozen pairs of black slacks, and a small collection of sweaters and sweatshirts. In addition, I have a few pair of leggings, that serve as an under-layer on cold days – much less bulky than “long johns” – and as pajama bottoms. Pajama tops can be something actually designed for that purpose, or any t-shirt or sweatshirt that is clean and handy. I have three pair of sweatpants, any of which can be thrown on over pajamas when taking my morning walk. I have a bunch of socks. This is the extent of my winter wardrobe.

Summer is not much different. Sweaters give way to lighter tops, shorts sometimes replace long pants, and every now and then I pull out a sundress. Still, it’s the same basic colors, and the same emphasis on comfort rather than fashion. And yet, I am not completely without a sense of style.

In the spring, when the mosquitos hatch and begin their mad quest for blood, I go out walking in an outfit designed to keep the insects off my skin. It consists of a pair of large, baggy net trousers with elastic around the ankles, and a big top that hangs to my knees, with a full hood and zip on face shield that completely covers the rest of me. It’s quite a sight, granted, but it does the job. I am always sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat under the hood, however. It keeps the netting off my face and, I think, adds a little bee-keeper flair to what could otherwise be quite a fashion faux pas!

In the winter, leggings become an almost daily part of my wardrobe. Most are simply black, and don’t require any additional thought or consideration. One pair, though, are a magenta-and-black hounds-tooth check. When that pair comes into rotation, it takes a little extra planning. Even though no one else will see the leggings, hidden under my slacks as they are, I am conscious of them. I will only choose the magenta sweater, then, never either of the green ones. And, my one pair of plain black socks are the only acceptable ones, as polka-dots, stripes or argyle would clash terribly!

Lately, our winter weather has been interrupted by a considerable thaw, turning parts of the Fox Lake Road into massive puddles. My boots, which are great, warm protection in the snow, are not entirely waterproof. So, I’ve been sliding plastic bags over my feet before putting on the boots. Last week, after pulling on both boots, I noticed that one foot was encased in a gallon-sized plastic bag, which tucked nicely out of sight. On the other foot, I had a bag in the two-gallon size, clearly visible for several inches over the top of the boot.

“Ugh, that looks terrible,” I said, but – considering the time it would take to fix the problem, and with Stella waiting at the door, I thought I’d just let it go. My big dog sat down. So impatient to go for our walk just a moment ago, now she wasn’t so sure. She looked at my mis-matched plastic bags, and raised an eyebrow pointedly. “Are you sure you want to go out like that?” her look seemed to say, “don’t forget that your appearance is a reflection on your walking companion!” She was right, I had to admit, so I stopped and switched out the large bag for a right-sized one. As we went out the door, I said, “are you afraid I’ll embarrass you, Stella? Well, you just wait until mosquito season!”

So Far, So Good

Two weeks in to 2024, I guess it’s time for an assessment.

First, the dogs. Rosa Parks is still a little lame; we’ll have to follow through with that when the vet is back on the island. She’s getting used to the new dog, and has figured out how to dodge the boisterous pup. Stella has been a member of our little household for fourteen days now. We are dealing with a couple minor issues of jealousy and separation anxiety, but, mostly, it’s going well. She’s becoming familiar with our routines, and accepting us as her family. She readily shows me her belly now, whenever I approach to give her some attention, and she follows directions to “come,” “sit,” or “stay.” I have quickly grown to love her. She looks forward to our daily walk, and is a good walking companion.

Walking has so far been my most successful “follow-through” of all my good intentions for the new year. I’ve started a few days with yoga, worked out with weights three times, and played around with a couple other exercise routines. Nothing consistent. But, with Stella by my side, I have walked at least two miles a day, every day this year!

I’m continuing to make slow, steady progress toward getting organized. The dining room is complete: there is more space around my large table; the files are easy to access and convenient to maintain; and it looks nice! The bookcase at the top of the stars is done, with a box of books set aside for donation, shelf space created for all the books on literature and writing, and everything dusted and clean. Yesterday, I cleaned out a couple kitchen cupboards, and then tackled the bathroom vanity. Two small drawers and an under-sink cabinet…I’m embarrassed to admit how much stuff I had to sift through, and how many hours it took!

I gathered two boxes of things to donate to the resale shop, and – other than one nice four-dollar sweater that I plan to set aside for my up-coming trip – have managed to stick to my “no-buy” commitment. To help facilitate that, I’ve been busy unsubscribing to the dozens of messages that show up in my Email, intent on selling me something. I’ve certainly become more aware of all the temptation that comes at me regularly…and how much mindless spending I have done.

That’s about all I have to report. Two weeks in to the new year, things are going pretty well for me. Whatever your intentions are for 2024, I hope you can say the same!