That's the Way It Crumbles, Cookie-Wise

[Nancy Hart]

Nancy, sone of these trees I'm saving are ungrateful, I'll be pulling vine's off them and they will let loose a huge limb form storm near me. So far they missed but I'm beginning to suspect their intentions.

That's like a nuisance tree that you cut down to the ground, and it refuses to die. Sends out sprouts making an ugly bush. Bring out the chemicals.

 

[Nancy Hart]

I was too late getting the chickadee house up last spring, but it's up in time this year (2/22/26). Took the crosspiece off the top of the post, where other birds used to perch.

If there are any takers, they should finish before May. They typically only do one nest a year. I only have to worry about them for a month.

2023

 

[Nancy Hart]

Still plodding along on this diet. Day 56. Too discouraging to wait 8 days just to lose 1 measly pound. Enthusiasm was slipping away. Reduced calories from 1250/day (green line) to 950 (red line) 3 days ago.

Calories/day

Weight

(click to enlarge)

 

[Nancy Hart]

Two little Carolina chickadees were checking out the nest box just a few minutes ago. It was a stroke of luck to catch sight of them at the right time. Each one went in and out at least a half dozen times. Scoured every inch of the outside---inspecting sides, back, and under the bottom. I believe they might take it.

I'm already worrying about the weather. March and April here can get both very hot and very cold. I need to trim that nearby wild azalea bush lower and farther away.

"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." - The Little Prince

 

[Nancy Hart]

The chickadees were in the box again yesterday, and the male bluebird was trying to get inside, but the opening is too small (I hope). Maybe chickadees are smart enough to know who is really a threat, and who is just another nuisance to be constantly dealt with. I suppose bluebird harassment is better than house sparrow.

I guess I'll put up the bluebird box today. I wish everyone could just learn to get along and mind their own business.

ETA 9:20 am: The bluebird house is up, and the bluebirds were checking it out before I got back to the house. A brown-headed nuthatch took a peek inside and the male bluebird chased it away. Next year I'll have to make a nuthatch house.

 

[Nancy Hart]

Just finished putting the refrigerator back together. This one was dripping water in the back of the fresh food compartment. Ice had frozen over the defrost water drain hole in the freezer. That happened to the one in the mobile home, and my mother and I were able to fix it. The time-consuming part was melting a plug of ice formed inside the drain hose. I think it's fixed now.

This was likely caused by setting the freezer temp too low, trying to get the fresh food colder. I blame it on Cool Whip (for pumpkin pie). I didn't realize Cool Whip was supposed to be runny. Was able to work around the back wall without detaching any wires.



According to the serial number, this refrigerator is 21 years old. Time flies. The inside parts look new.

 

[Nancy Hart]

After 24 hours the freezer air temp ranges between 0°F and 6°F, when set to Normal. I guess that's good enough. Before I had it set a lot colder than Normal. Things at the very back of the top shelf of the fresh food section were frosting over a little (but not Cool Whip).

The last time I checked, the fridge in the cabin was still working. It is at least 45 years old---the avocado green of the 1970s---which I bought used in the mid 1980s.

(click to enlarge)

 

[Nancy Hart]

It's now the 4th quarter of the diet, when I often say "Close enough!" and quit.

The drop in calories to ≤ 950/day helped. Now the problem is Mission Creep. When eating shifts to earlier and earlier during the day, making for long evenings. Time to shake things up. Yesterday I took the day off. Hitting just below maintenance (1660) with lots of salty soup, just to see what happens. Expect a 2-3 lb gain at the end, plus hot weather is coming.

Don't want to quit early this time. Putting it in writing!

Calories (click to enlarge)

Weight

 

[Mary Stetler]

It's now the 4th quarter of the diet, when I often say "Close enough!" and quit.

The drop in calories to ≤ 950/day helped. Now the problem is Mission Creep. When eating shifts to earlier and earlier during the day, making for long evenings. Time to shake things up. Yesterday I took the day off. Hitting just below maintenance (1660) with lots of salty soup, just to see what happens. Expect a 2-3 lb gain at the end, plus hot weather is coming.

Don't want to quit early this time. Putting it in writing!

Calories (click to enlarge)
View attachment 1851
Weight
View attachment 1852

I can find all that you've lost if you like.

 

[Nancy Hart]

I can find all that you've lost if you like.

I suspect I'll be struggling not to find it myself when this is over. Won't need any help.

 

[Nancy Hart]

(3/28/26) Saturday

Attended the No Kings protest.

There were 6 different locations in town to choose from, meeting simultaneously. Maybe the one downtown marched, but at the other 5, you just stood still while cars drove by and honked in support.

Everyone signed up online ahead of time, and you got a little sticker to wear when you got there. There were no free signs, but there was a pile of free poster boards with Sharpies.

I counted about 200 people at this location, and would estimate that 60% of them had gray hair. Restored my faith in Boomers. Everyone was having a good time. It was all good.

 

[Nancy Hart]

Four events in 5 days. I'm not used to this. A preference for single-tasking runs in my family.

Yesterday was #2---the semi-annual Dr appointment. BP 112/62 (no meds). She thinks the new shoulder problem could be bursitis. TEMS (Transcutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulation), if used improperly, can aggravate, or even cause, bursitis. Bursitis can last for months. Makes sense. She recommended ONE WEEK ONLY of Aleve Dual Action (Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen), twice a day.

Dr. also suggested a referral to a dermatologist for a spot on my face. They had a cancellation tomorrow morning. I hope whatever the dermatologist suggests can be taken care of in one appointment (wishful thinking).

Dinner tonight with a group at Carrabba's, a restaurant chain concentrated in GA and FL. I've already picked out the second lowest calorie dinner (550) offered---steak. The lowest one was chicken. Blech! I'm so tired of chicken.

 

[Marie Mallory]

(3/28/26) Saturday

Attended the No Kings protest.

There were 6 different locations in town to choose from, meeting simultaneously. Maybe the one downtown marched, but at the other 5, you just stood still while cars drove by and honked in support.

Everyone signed up online ahead of time, and you got a little sticker to wear when you got there. There were no free signs, but there was a pile of free poster boards with Sharpies.

I counted about 200 people at this location, and would estimate that 60% of them had gray hair. Restored my faith in Boomers. Everyone was having a good time. It was all good.

No fool like and old fool.
Not a big fan of Trump, but the alternative is out of the question.

 

[Nancy Hart]

4/2/26 Thursday

Visit to the dermatologist went well. The doctor wasn't there. I saw a PA. Although I never went to kindergarten, I imagine she was what a kindergarten teacher would be like if I were in her class.

She had a device with a spout that looked like one of my dad's old oil cans. Zapped a spot on the bridge of my nose, with liquid nitrogen. That was it. She called it actinic keratosis. Scheduled another appointment for October. I may cancel.

The spot first appeared over 20 years ago, and I had it zapped back then, too, but it came back recently. I normally don't worry about little things like this, but best to nip it in the bud in this case, I think. Hopefully it will stay gone another 20 years.

 

[Nancy Hart]

There are two bushes in the front yard, intertwined at the roots, both terribly overgrown, like small trees. One is a mock orange. The other is an invasive bush honeysuckle. The leaves look very similar, but the blossoms couldn't be more different.

(click to enlarge)


Unlike the vining variety, the bush honeysuckle doesn't smell at all, at least not to me. I've meant to take it out for years, but every time I get a good chance, I can't tell which is which! The stars finally aligned, because the honeysuckle is blooming, but the mock orange is not. Dragged dozens of limbs to the edge of the driveway. Chopped and loaded them on the back of the truck a few days later, to haul off ... one day soon.

Hope the mock orange perks up now. It's been there at least since I bought the house in 1982.

 

[Joe Riley]

There are two bushes in the front yard, intertwined at the roots, both terribly overgrown, like small trees. One is a mock orange. The other is an invasive bush honeysuckle. The leaves look very similar, but the blossoms couldn't be more different.

(click to enlarge)
View attachment 1862

Unlike the vining variety, the bush honeysuckle doesn't smell at all, at least not to me. I've meant to take it out for years, but every time I get a good chance, I can't tell which is which! The stars finally aligned, because the honeysuckle is blooming, but the mock orange is not. Dragged dozens of limbs to the edge of the driveway. Chopped and loaded them on the back of the truck a few days later, to haul off ... one day soon.

Hope the mock orange perks up now. It's been there at least since I bought the house in 1982.

"By their fruits, ye shall know them". - Matthew 7:16