Tricky Weather

Another useless Monday just went by. I woke with a cold. I've been dreading that and thought I'd escaped. Then, realized I must have been infectious on Sunday spreading it at the farm, church and among friends at lunch. Just what I've been trying to avoid, I'm giving, instead, to others. My bad.

Well, it's not a terrible case so far. Maybe it'll be short-lived. I shouldn't say today was entirely useless. I got a lot of desk work done clearing the tax debris from Saturday and took care of normal household activity while imbibing lots of water. Joined lots of crochet squares for the bed topper that may actually see completion before too long.

The weather has played games with us big time. Elsewhere, too, I know. One morning was cold and sunny...

The next one was foggy and warm...

The warm held and across the barn lot someone retro-dried their laundry...

Once upon a time in a place far, far away...Tucson to be exact...hanging clothes on the line was my favorite household chore. That's when I saw the U-2 spy planes cruise in for landings around 10:30 a.m. in the early 60s years; once, I saw a herd of rodent refugees fleeing road bulldozing one hill away; and almost any time a hawk or two, or sometimes more, were keeping an eye on things--especially the chickens.

It's nice having our latter day technology to catch up with family and friends. A very nice photo of my niece Paula and her grandchildren came from her mom, my sister Sandy, via one of the media services...

Clockwise: Grandmother Paula, Hunter, Paisley Rayne, and Lillyan.

Grandmothers, even us Great Grandmothers don't much look like the house dressed images of a couple generations back. We're much more comfortable.

Then, via standard mail, a delightful card arrived, put together by my granddaughter Sonja and her family--fiancé Jeff, sons Dimetrios, Elijah, and Kingston...Thank You!

The frogs were out croaking at the farm and Aidan and I barely got a walk in before the storm front hit Saturday afternoon. Then, the poor weather-tricked buds all must have been frozen overnight. Wendy and John enjoyed some time together in the city while Aidan and I hung out at the farm with cookies and a movie. Just like old times.

The gray squirrel keeps reminding me of Miss Suzy, the children's book my girls loved to have read to them. She is so busy and sometimes comes to the patio rug and busily licks it. I am wondering if it has had winter salt on it sometime or other. Mostly, she runs all over the yard digging up her buried stockpiles piece by piece scurrying up one of the trees with her treasures.

Miss Suzy.

My Third Life

My Third Life was my first blog name choice but it was taken. I didn't know anyone else out there in cyberspace is leading their third life. Nobody is using Said the Cat and Toby doesn't care, so here we are again.

Welcome!

I'm glad you are back.

Sunday, we had a double celebration! First, it was Aidan's fourteenth birthday. Happy Birthday! you rock, young man. And, we piled into John's car and headed to NYC to eat pizza and cheesecake and hang out until Keoni played his part onstage with Mercer University Orchestra and Chorus at Carnegie Hall.

Our entry through Lincoln Tunnel involved a missed turn exiting the tunnel that put us in front of the guardhouse at Port Authority. John quickly regrouped only to find no other choice but one; go back through the tunnel, turn around and do it again. In case you don't know, there are eight lanes funneling into two. The tunnel funnel...







Moments like these and I don't mind not driving one bit.

Of course, food was on our minds. We met Keoni at Angelo's...

Was great sitting at the table with the grandsons and their parents again.

Aidan and I hung out around Central Park for a little while.

The equestrian statue is of Jose Marti. A poet.

Aidan taking it easy.

There were a bazillion horse carriages and some sort of three-wheeled bicycle affairs; circling streams of happy tourists.

Was able to walk well for this adventure. Yes, I can tell I don't have as much lung capacity now but it's going to be fine. Still, enjoying walking outdoors immensely.

Keoni was back at the Hall rehearsing after the pizza. It started chilling outside so we went into a French place and had some desserts. Aidan's was a special plate of oreo beignets...

Nobody believed he was 14.

Evening and a beautiful venue for the wonderful music...

No picture taking during. Aidan snapped this one while seating was still going on. Keoni on left.

More visiting afterward followed by a late car trip home. Arrived in Q'town by about 1:20 a.m. I was useless all Monday.

To Explain What Just Happened

Hello Dear Followers,

I've had unwelcome attention to the blog so I am for the moment limiting access to those of you whom I know follow and are also in my contacts. I truly regret that that probably leaves out some who join in that I don't know about and are missing from the Google access list I threw together. It's not intentional. I hope I'll be forgiven as I sort this out.

There were unintentional emails launched to you by Google who, for shame, didn't mention that in the instructions. I meant to email you myself afterward.

Right now, I'm trying to decide whether to continue in this limited-access blog format or to construct another blog with hopes to upload all this into a newly named and constructed blog--a new identity. And following that, will shut down Beyond Dust Fuzzies as we know it here.

It's hard to think of abandoning the BDF name. It came from a long ago class for pregnant women (notice I didn't add "and husbands" since this was the early '60s) and during the session "after your baby is born" and all the nitty-gritties of newborn child care were covered, there arrived the moment when we were instructed to "learn to look at dust fuzzies". It was in the spirit of not sweating the small stuff because we're going to be tired, and the house wasn't going to be clean and neat, and all the little ducks wouldn't be quacking along in their row. Forever after, while dust-mopping the fuzzies from beneath the family beds I thought of that and a nice little warm place would swirl around me and make me smile.

Those days were over--Book I finished. Book II lasted a couple more decades. Most of you have followed Book III since it began on this blog along about June of 2013.

I've been enjoying this contact with you. It keeps you fresh in my mind. Images become photos as I stroll along on my walks or sometimes text pops into mind. Then, it's fun and a nice little warm place swirls around me and makes me smile.

Oddly...

First, a shoutout to Cousin Jackie: Thank you, for the Jeanne Robinson DVD and for your email that solved the mystery of the comic addition to my DVD library!

A little hilarity, some song and dance vehicles, and gripping stories went a long way to interrupt the car-less quiet of wintery days--often the grey variety--and the healing wall I sometimes run into.

All this quiet led to a "make-over" of the loft. But, I'll back up because it really started with the arrival of five little "air plants"...

Five "Tillandsia". 

Thank you, Jeanenne! 

Instructions said to soak them for four hours as soon as I opened them. So glad I got them from the mailbox before the freezing temps did them in. Later, I read online that I soak the tops, not the bottoms but the plants forgave me since I'd rescued them from the freezing mailbox.

As I read more online about the air plants I could find no other suitable window for their survival but the loft window up on the third floor.

I figured out the screen makes the circles.

Oddly, arranging them in the window suddenly impacted how I perceived the loft that Marge so generously gave over to my enterprises. The little plants in the window changed that perception. Suddenly, a rearranged loft was paramount as I felt how important the window light was.

It was an ugly start...

But, I kept at it a small bit at a time until it began to come together...

The desk components are all manageable pieces I'd put together.

Pano distortions, but you get the idea...

It felt good orienting toward the light, added to the makeover of my bedroom while Jeanenne was here.

There even was space for the largest rutabaga I've ever seen which I bought in the fall and couldn't bear to cook. It obliged by growing...

Most days I get a walk in. It helps motivation when the wind isn't blasting and the ice is melting...

It's a quiet few days here keeping my own company. Yes, still healing. Concentration still at a premium but getting better. Walks are great but will avoid crowds a bit longer. The flu is everywhere along with coughs and colds. Just now would be pretty uncomfortable.

Someone has sent along a Jeanne Robertson video for some levity. I checked everything inside and outside the mailer but there was no clue to tell me who I can thank for a comedic pause. So, let me know if you are the one.

There have been some notable communications from family. One is that Aidan contracted pneumonia at the end of last week. He is doing a lot better now and went back to school yesterday. This laid him too low to participate in his cello competition on Sunday. He'd been practicing mightily for that event. Disappointing, for sure. We know there will be other opportunities that lie ahead and are grateful he is throwing off illness so fast.

Keoni has been keeping in touch and had some good news about a music and comedy program he put together that turned out very well. Then, he got word he'd won a Fellowship for strings at Aspen this coming summer. A stunning accomplishment that we're all excited about. It runs consecutively with the Rome trip so works out okay.

Wendy sent along a video this very mild Wednesday morning of Toby and Sebastian. The two of them play fairly often together and tear around the barn lot. The play this morning probably was warm weather induced. (There are five to nine inches of snow predicted tonight and tomorrow morning.)




The cackling in the background is one of the hens letting the world know there is a fresh egg just laid. One of the five or six roosters makes himself known, too.

Yesterday. Let's note that date -- February 2nd, 2017. Groundhog day. I learn I don't have cancer. None. No more tests, blood draws, CT scans, X-rays, Pet scans, appointments, paperwork. Go home. Live.

Ah.

How I appreciate the pouring in of concern, love, and support that has been happening for this long, long time. Kindnesses of every sort. A window to see what is real, and good, and strong.

Thank you.

No, I didn't run up the Art Museum steps like Rocky did. I thought about it, though. On the way home Wendy stopped so I could walk around the farm. Aidan was already home so he walked with me. I made the round as usual and it was fine for my altered lung. No worries. Toby and Frezz greeted me coming back to the porch steps. Nice. Then, Wendy took me on home.

How I miss Jeanenne who was with me for the better part of a month. We started fixing up my bedroom since I've added a heart monitor gizmo and a CPAP machine which was all way too much like hospital stuff so I wanted to alter that feeling and generally brighten it up. We had a grand time at the ends of discount store aisles where clearances happen and, in general, spent frugally and redecorated grandly.

Here's Jeanenne solving a puzzling lamp construction...

So, here's what the bedroom looks like...

Panorama from the doorway area.

From the corner behind the bed.

Well, you get the idea. It was loads of fun and kept us occupied. On Tuesday, Jeanenne headed back home to her family and further adventures of the Clark clan. It was hard to part with her company.

I can do most normal stuff. Still healing so I get little reminders, but overall have had a good go with all of this. Pain level is about 1 when there is any at all. Tylenol is all I've needed since the hospital last Friday when Jeanenne and I drove home.

In between, we had a very nice outing with Wendy, John and Aidan at a nearby (walking distance) Chinese/Japanese place. I avoided more densely crowded places but now I'm sure I'd survive the colds or flu passing around should that overtake me.

Shoutout to Keoni: Loved the recent phone calls and the rundown on your comedic musical event yesterday! I'll look forward to the visual media recording when you come for Spring Break.

Keoni was hanging out under this Georgia tree when he called.