Misfits, smoothies, surprise and kind offers

Today is Misfits day, this time Ronald has the honors, and the morning shift.

Neighbor contractor Mike who designed the risers for my sofa saw the pink truck arrive and carried in the box for me.

I got a refund on the eggs because two arrived cracked, very unusual. The other ten are fine but eggs count as a unit so Misfits takes  the loss on the dozen.

Sugar because I use sugar, and this is organic and fair trade, or I suppose as fair as you can get in the sugar trade. Nice pack of hake, affordable white fish which will make fish cakes and whatever else I think of, maybe just battered and fried.  Spinach which will make an appearance below, along with berries and a couple of these apples.

You'll notice other things happening in the background on the stove too. That's because I finally got around to making the crunchy tofu sticks. So easy and I really enjoy them. 

I make a dozen sticks from one container of extra firm tofu. Simple batter, panko, fry in avocado oil, dipping sauce made of ketchup, soy sauce and a dash of oil. Done. Today's lunch was roast chicken chunks with tofu sticks.

I forgot a picture of mine, but they're pretty much like these

This also gives you the reference to find the recipe on YouTube.

And I found a smoothie idea on Shug's blog, thank you, Ivy,  which I tried with the ingredients I have, not much resemblance to the original. I don't like the name smoothie, a bit twee, but I do like the results, and definitely appreciate the reminder.

Gala apples, blueberries, spinach, milk, honey, blended 

Here's two instant breakfasts or something. It's a nice mix, not all smooth, more of a roughy, but good anyway.

Today was not all food. I made it to the mailbox and met a couple of neighbors on the way, who both offered help in the next little while, so nice. 

Then there was actual mail in the box, a beautiful pop-up from C, thank you so much. 

I've been playing with it. Local birds there, too. It's a great lift to my spirits on a grey cold day. 

Good day, and I'm recovering from yesterday's excitement. My shoulders definitely feel the results of lying for long periods on my back, arms stretched above my head.  But there's worse stuff around us,  not much to complain about really. 

Happy day everyone. I may need to wait a day to crochet, to give the shoulders a rest, but that's fine. I'm planning the stitch pattern, simple, the size, small, figuring out the hook and number of chains to start. For once I'm thinking ahead, amazingly.

And in more direct resistance,  I wrote an email to one of those treacherous Dems who voted for the SAVE act, which will disenfranchise millions, Jared Golden, of Maine. 

The others close their contacts to anyone outside their district.  If you're in the districts of Ed Case, Hawaii, Henry Cuellar, Texas, or Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Washington State, please give them your thoughts. Firmly. 

Good news and comic relief

This afternoon I feel like blogging a bit, because I think blogistas might like a bit of good news, as well as Gary-related comic relief.

I finally got all this week's appointments done, and Helen Hip was very unhappy about all the cars, waiting room chairs, examining tables, and climbing and walking, especially having to lie on that side at length for the echo test, but now it's done. 

And the four hour series of scans including the NUCLEAR stress test (hilarious name! Sounds like scorched earth approach), was well, interesting. Very capable technicians, nice cardio, and being injected with Danger, danger, Will Rogers, radioactive stuff, then the antidote, like in movies,  was an experience. 

I did my usual reaction, nausea, but it passed. And the cardio plus two technicians stood close around, I suppose to catch me if necessary, since I was perched on a table. Very glad it's done and all the malpractice lawyers can check it off.

Good news minor: hearing ability is very close to last time, no need to recalibrate the hearing aids.

Good news major: the heart valve issue is there but needs no action, just observation, and I got cardiac clearance.  Yay! Emil the pt is so happy too.

Yesterday I had the hearing test late morning, at one location, then echo cardio early afternoon at another. I had originally planned to just drive myself, then had second thoughts. Just as well, since I was done for by the end and struggling to walk, Helen shouting that she never signed up for this. 

Today handsome Son drove me early, but not through a rainstorm this time, to the long NUCLEAR (!)  appointment, where there's no caffeine for 24 hours and no food after midnight, oh dear. Breakfast was a cup of hot water.   Then he went to return my car, get his own, and go to work. Gary was set to pick me up four hours later. 

This was after a blizzard of texts with four people very upset they couldn't give me a ride home, largely medical appointments of their own, deliveries, etc.  It ended with Gary switching his delivery to another day, gallant man, and the ride was set. 

Then, while I was in mid test, what happened was that texts and calls from him and another friend came in while I was in a machine, not in a position to do anything about it! 

He'd forgotten which doctor's office, where was I.. I also found that the reason for the other friend being roped in was that in the middle of this texting he lost his phone and was beside himself in case I was calling! 

I responded to everyone with directions, and remembered to tell him which doctor, there's a ton of them in the building. And when I emerged finally, he'd arrived and was grilling the receptionist about my whereabouts! 

Home again and starting to think about a thing I'd like to make, a crocheted summer top in cotton. This is a good sign, when creating and making rears its curly head.

And a pot of tea. All good. And I wonder why I needed these stress tests when all you have to do is check the news. 

Anyway, glad to be in touch, and you've missed a couple of Gary hoots, but there will be more, I expect. Did I mention a third neighbor also wanted to help? I have as close as you can get to assisted living without moving!

And here's some grains of sand in action 

I need a day, or a few, off

 Thank you for all the encouragement.  Tired today, so I'm just letting you know I'm taking today off from blogging. And maybe a couple more.

Nothing personal!

Small hitch

Friday morning, Handsome Son and I left at dark o'clock to go to the cardiologist office, in slashing rain. It was locked, no lights on, nobody there except another patient! Then someone opened up and we went in, lights turning on, and it was okay after all.

The cardiologist found something in my heart to be concerned about. So more tests next week. Most of the week is about tests and doctors. 

I've gone from being horrified at finding I need the surgery at all to being anxious to get it over with, without any hitches! 

So this is brief, I'm tired and a bit disheartened. I suspect that some of the concern relates to liability, some to age. By Wednesday I'll know if the surgery can go ahead.

Happy day everyone, hitches or not. We got this.

And this 

Over 30 protests in my small state alone. 

Sand in the gears, Misfits and Mma Ramotswe

Let's try this. And urge our MOCs to oppose the ridiculous tariffs.

And it's Misfits day 

I really like being able to send back these ice blocks and cooler bags for reuse/recycle. One of the many good things about dealing with Misfits.

Canned goods, stocking up.  I make a  very simple stew with a can of diced tomatoes, can of cannellini beans or chickpeas and spices, good too.  Potatoes for another soup maybe, with chard, and chicken chunks in the freezer.

Yogurt for desserts with berries, and other meals, brown rice to go with tofu stirfry, coffee in case I run out (!) and Tony's because the rainy weather is tough on Helen Hip.

Today's sand in the gears: messages of thanks to my senators, Booker and Kim, for this week's marathon speech,one delivering, one supporting. And I asked them to lead shadow hearings on signal gate and illegal deportations, to shine a light on them and not let the fascist admin move on.

All good, and now I'm reading 

Peaceful reading, distraction from pain and politics.

And for the viewing pleasure of grammar  police officers

Happy day, everyone. And if you want to end your sentence with a bird, or flip one, go ahead.

 

Restful Wednesday

After the excitement of the Wisconsin win, Wednesday was all about trying out the resistance bands, check, and cooking for the freezer, check.

Cream of red lentil and carrot soup, a favorite 

Today's lunch with multigrain toast, and half a dozen servings to freeze.

I used smoked paprika, fine seasalt and umami seasoning mix, usual onions, garlic, olive oil base.

The relief of having a sofa at a better height is surprising. So much easier to navigate. In other nonnews I think I'm running out of tasks. I scrubbed a step stool..

Happy day everyone, if you find you're scrubbing stepstools, maybe reconsider your life path. I did. I invented the Lazy Lady's Tray Cloth.

Nice piece of batik torn to size and chucked on a favorite tray.  Shameful shabby chic. Tea stains, the pot sometimes drips, won't show. 

Meanwhile here's a mourning dove couple checking for this year's nesting place.

They've nested around here several times, laying eggs in a scrappy nest near the deck, if they don't find anything they like along the front path. 

They're nice neighbors, not too noisy. And considering the state of the nests they throw together, they're in no position to snoot my new traycloth.

 

Brrrreaking news

 My former State

Ed note: it's about the crushing Dem victory in yesterday's Wisconsin State Supreme Court election. I first lived there when we came to the US. It's the dairy state, residents took the pejorative term cheesehead, adopted it and made cheesehead hats to reclaim it! Cheeseheads rule, over massive spending by M**k to buy the election.

My current state of NJ, our Senator Cory Booker

Do I pick winners or what? On a more optimistic day than quite a few recently, I'm just sayin'.

Quiches, Textiles and Tea, sofa risers, doors, keys, cabbages and kings

Cooking for the freezer today, two crustless spinach quiches, using mozzarella cheese. 

Battle stations, then wonderful smelling quiches hot from the oven. Once cooled, I'll slice and wrap them for the freezer, to go to when I'm recovering.

Today's PT was a bit rugged, the changing temperature, swinging over 40 degrees over a couple of days, having made Helen Hip a bit unhappy.  

I got resistance bands, green blue and black from Theraband, Emil's recommendation for my current fitness level, and tomorrow I'll start with them. Years ago I had bands, which wore out, proving I used them. 

Then Gary rushed in, wanting to check various keys I keep,  because he changed his lock.  

All done at warp speed.

Textiles and Tea today presented Peyton Pearson, a brilliantly gifted weaver, hsnd dyer, graphic designer, punch needle artist, already with a name, at 27!

Watch out for him, he's a rising star.

Then another irruption from Gary, who has finally found the right doors for our outdoor storage areas. Which will need to be stored in my living room pending painting and installation.  He needs a second person to lift them -- heavy solid slab, not hollowcore.

Here's a neighbor helping, Gary being on the other side, glimpses only

And here's the current state of play

The door, stored until painted and installed outside, adds a charming rustic touch to this shabby chic interior. 

In among all this is Michael the contractor,  who has finished the risers for the sofa, just before leaving for a week.

Note the higher level of the sofa, unbelievably more comfortable now that the height is right.

Now to fold the laundry I was doing before the day got complicated. My knitting friends also emailed today with offers of help and food if required, so nice.

Considering I'm a single older party living alone, it's amazing how complicated my days can get. Something for everyone today.

Happy day everyone, try not to have everything happening at once. Which is more than your humble blog writer can manage, it seems.

One busier person today was my Senator, Cory Booker, holding the floor of the US  Senate,  giving a marathon civics and history class, with the support of other Democrats, and still going, since yesterday, non-stop. Good trouble and a hero of our time.

Reclaiming our flag