Weekend Coffee Share (1/15/17)

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Maggie C

#WeekendCoffeeShare is graciously hosted by Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that the snow from last week is lingering on. There’s been no new snowfall, but temperatures have remained too cold for much of it to melt. With only my dog Chules and me accessing my fenced yard, it is still relatively pristine and white. I like the way it reflects light – both by day and night – and makes everything seem brighter and more cheerful.

The US will have a new president as of the end of this week, and I am not alone in dreading what that might mean for the future of human rights and ecological preservation. Or, for that matter, ecological rights and human preservation. There’s not enough snow anywhere that can make the current political scene appear cheerful and bright.

I’ve been dealing with a general sense of anxiety and malaise for the past couple of weeks. It’s been frustrating not to be able to tie it into any specific source; having nothing I could pinpoint and say this is the reason I am feeling unease. With an unknown cause, it becomes more challenging to deal with the effect.

But maybe my subconscious has been wrestling with the apprehension of what the future holds as fundamental values and mores are being gutted in our society. Maybe the anxiety is born of a sense of helplessness, while at the same time knowing that the “help” has to come from within me. And within you.

I didn’t intend to be all doom and gloom when I sat down to write this. Maybe I need to forego the rest of my coffee and get outside to play with my dog in the bright sun and cheerful snow. It won’t make the world’s problems go away, but it will boost my spirits. And that might be just what I need to move from helplessness to hopefulness; from despair to decisiveness; from inertia to activism.

Snow angels, anyone?

Weekend Coffee Share (1/8/17)

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Maggie C

#WeekendCoffeeShare is graciously hosted by Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com.

If we were having coffee, I’d advise you to bring a sweater when you come over. The house was 59 degrees (F) when I woke up this morning. It has since warmed up to 59.5. This is despite my heat pump running nonstop.

I don’t really understand how heat pumps are supposed to work. Something about exchanging inside air and outside air, but with the outside air at 33 degrees, I’m not sure I want it being pumped into my house. Nor do I want 90 degree air coming into my 88 degree home in the summer.

The user’s manual for the unit says something about how the system doesn’t work that great when it’s really cold or really hot outside. Seems to me, those would be the times you would most need it. I must be missing something about how the heat pump works. Mostly – right now – what I’m missing is heat.

Okay, I’m done complaining about creature comforts. For now.

If we were having coffee, I would update you on my kitchen remodel. It has progressed from, “This will be a fun challenge,” to “Oh my God! What have I gotten myself into?!?”

I decided to replace the double doors on the utility closet at the end of my cabinets with a bi-fold door to allow for better visibility and access. I will likely redo the kitchen floor in the near future, so I figured I might as well remove the multiple layers of flooring where I’ll be installing a sill for the bi-fold. The build up from one floor being laid over its predecessors over the years has accumulated to about an inch in depth, so it’s been like an archeological dig getting to the original surface.

I removed the facing at the base of the closet and discovered a mass of what appears to be old wall insulation that has likely housed many a generation of rodents over the past half century.

Without much further investigation, I cleaned all of that out with my shopvac (I haven’t looked yet to see if I sucked up any mousies into the vacuum). Then I peeked under the closet to see what else I might find.

At the very back of the space, there are two little holes leading to the outer wall of the house. They are cute little holes. In fact they look kind of like the holes drawn in cartoons, where cute little whiskered animals live behind the walls.

Today, I’m going to seal off those cute little holes and remove the boards beneath the adjacent cabinets along that wall. I suspect that entire area has served as a superhighway for rodents over the decades.

Please, have another cup of coffee. I’m in no hurry to get to that particular task. Maybe I’ll position my cat at the entrance to the kitchen in case any current residents become displaced from their nests. The cat would love to make new friends. Unfortunately that’s about all he would do with them.

I wonder if mice like coffee. Excuse me while I set out an extra cup. Do you suppose they take cream? Or just drink it black?

What? You’re leaving now? Well, okay. Watch your step. We wouldn’t want you squishing any of my cat’s new pets.

I wish you a fantastic, warm and vermin-free week!

Weekend Coffee Share (1/1/17)

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Maggie C

#WeekendCoffeeShare is graciously hosted by Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com.

If we were having egg nog, I’d wish you a hopeful, healthy and safe New Year!

I have issues with wishing for happiness, but perhaps we can postulate that if one has hope, health and a sense of safety, there’s a good chance they can find happiness as well.

Oh, the egg nog ran out last night. No problem, I’ve got coffee brewing as we speak.

If we were having freshly brewed coffee, I’d tell you I’ve vowed to put 2016 behind me come this year. No ruminating on fears, disappointments, anger, sadness and doomsday prophesizing. I’ll try to build on the many, many positive moments of last year.

So here is a partial list of what I am wishing for and anticipating in 2017:

♦ The continued blessing of sharing my life with a loving family, companionable pets, and myriad hand tools and DIY project supplies.

♦ Opportunities to contribute to preserving and expanding the beauty and health of this planet.

♦ Tenacity to hold to an ethical, honorable and selfless ethos, such that our society can rise above the mires of that prior year I said I wouldn’t ruminate upon (hint: 2016).

Oh, alright…

♦ ♦ ♦ I also wish for happiness for all! ♦ ♦ ♦

Welcome to 2017! Let’s make it a year to cherish!

The Daily Post daily prompt: Year

Weekend Coffee Share 12/18/16

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Maggie C

#WeekendCoffeeShare is graciously hosted by Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’m feeling lazy this morning. Not that that’s unusual for me, but today I feel like embracing the laziness instead of berating myself about all the things I “should” be doing, or “have to” get done.

Okay, maybe I should go grocery shopping. With my kitchen torn up from my remodeling project, I’ve been mostly dining on frozen meals that I nuke in the microwave and foods that don’t need much preparation (like PB & Js). Since the freezer is bare except for ice, it’s time to restock.

With all my DIY home projects, I’ve been telling myself it’s okay if my “improvements” fall short of candidacy for a House Beautiful photo shoot. The house is pretty old after all, and – as a former rental house – wasn’t cared for with much pride in ownership. So if my rebuilt cupboards aren’t totally straight and level, it’s no big deal. It’s not the end result that’s important, it’s the fun of the challenge. Or so I tell myself as I survey the lopsided end result.

But I realized the other day that the house is only six years older than I am. That’s not so old… is it?

Speaking of old:

Last week I received my first “senior discount” at the local Walgreen’s store. I wasn’t offended. My first thought was that surely I’m too young for that and – in all fairness — I should decline the discount. My second thought was, “Discount? Heck, yeah!”

Perhaps the fact that I was wearing my sweatshirt inside out gave the impression of age-related dotage. What can I say? Sometimes I like to wear it that way.

Anyway, the sun is up now and it’s getting on in the morning. Basking in laziness can only last so long before the “should”s and “have to”s take over. it’s time for my PB & J breakfast. Then maybe I’ll watch a few episodes of “This Old House,” so I can plot some more DIY projects.

And if there’s a program out there called “This Old Person,” I refuse to watch it. Unless, of course, there are discounts involved.

Weekend Coffee Share (11/12/16)

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Maggie C

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am trying very, very hard to not be political right now. Hillary supporters are grieving. Trump supporters are celebrating. And I’m not really sure who the people are that think vandalism and violence and rioting is the appropriate response to the presidential election results.

But I realized last night that I’m not being political at all. I’m being human. And that’s very important right now. One of the definitions Dictionary.com gives us for the word “human” is “sympathetic; humane.” I might add fallible, imperfect, visceral, discerning, emotive and perseverant to the list.

Regardless of our political stances, we are all human. And so it hurts when Starbucks puts out a drink cup design meant to represent unity, and social media trolls decry the design as a divisive political statement. Since when did unity become a Blue or Red characteristic to vilify?

And it hurts when I watch late night show host monologues of the evening after the election, and it makes me cry; not with laughter, but with sorrow. I try to cry softly so as not to upset my dog, because he doesn’t understand what’s going on. He watches me warily and worriedly, and then he comes over and jumps up to frantically lick my face as if to say, “It’s okay. Be happy! I don’t like it when you’re sad.”

And then I wonder how many parents are trying to grieve discreetly so as not to frighten their young children. And it hurts more. Much more.

If we were having coffee, I would think I should apologize for being such a downer, for being a thoughtless host for expressing my not-so-uplifting feelings. But then I would rethink, and realize that I’m just being human. And I would try to respect that you, too, are human and regardless of your thoughts and feelings about the election or the candidates or the Starbucks coffee cup, we would most likely both be humane about one another’s beliefs.

And what’s a good coffee share without honesty and respect and – if not real understanding—at least a willingness to listen. So please have another cup of coffee and I will respectfully listen as you share your honesty. After all, that’s what a thoughtful host does.

Thanks to Diana at PartTimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #WeekendCoffeeShare.

Weekend Coffee Share 10/16/16

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Maggie C

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’m not feeling very enthusiastic today. Which I guess is okay. It’s a dreary day in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday had been forecast to see the “Storm of the Decade” roll in from the Pacific Ocean, remnants of Typhoon Songda. Heavy rainfall and high winds were expected to wreak extensive damage along the coastline and inland to the urban areas of Seattle, WA and Portland, OR.

There was indeed some damage: fallen trees, power outages and some flooding; but not nearly as severe as had been forecast. Which I’m sure is no consolation for those who did experience loss.

But maybe that’s what’s contributing to my sense of letdown. Anxiousness and uncertainty was draining on my energy and now there’s no major outcome to justify the concerns. The adrenaline of anticipated danger had nowhere to go since no immediate emergency presented itself for me to address. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Although that’s what it sounds like. Hmmm…

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my dog Chules couldn’t wait to go outside once the worst of the storm passed and I felt relatively confident that he wouldn’t get hit by falling branches. I think he enjoyed the feeling of the strong winds ruffling through his thick fur. As for me, I was content to stay indoors and watch the rain.

I suppose I should step away from the computer and try to do something constructive around the house. That would probably lift my mood. Even though we averted the Storm of the Decade, there will be many dark, cloudy, windy, rainy days ahead this fall and winter. And spring.

I think Pacific Northwesterners were meant to hibernate through the dark winter months, but then someone invented electricity to keep our days lighted and warm. And then someone invented mortgages and car payments and other responsibilities which the bears and rodents and other mammals that hole up for the winter have wisely not encumbered themselves with.

Thanks for stopping by for coffee. Hopefully the weather and I will be less dreary next weekend. Until then, let’s stay warm and dry, and remember to go out and let the wind ruffle our hair a bit. Chules highly recommends it.

Thanks to Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare.

Weekend Coffee Share 10/9/16

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Maggie C

If we were having coffee I would tell you I’m pleased to be seeing more and more signs of autumn. Leaves turning to vibrant hues, falling ground-ward only to swirl back up in the wind and skitter down the rain-slicked streets…

Okay, so I wouldn’t really use the words “skitter” and “rain-slicked” if we were sitting around sipping coffee. I might more likely say something like, “There go those damned dead leaves blowing down the street. You just know they’re going to end up clogging the rain drains, and then the streets will be flooding all winter.”

Along with the skittering leaves of the season, the autumnal rains have set in. I purchased a Gore-Tex coat a week or so ago to wear while walking my American Eskimo dog Chules this fall and winter. I thought about getting Chules a matching poncho, but with his thick double coat of fur, I doubt he even really feels the rain.

Except in his face, that is. He flattens his ears back against his head, and squints up at me accusingly as he hunker-trots along, side-stepping the larger puddles. I’m sure I’ll have that same look on my face in a few more weeks when the gusty cold winds force the rain from a vertical downpour to a horizontal onslaught. But for Chules’ sake – and mine – we’ll persevere in our daily walks.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’ll be watching the U.S. Presidential debate later today. It reminds me of when I was a child and my parents let me stay up late to watch Saturday Night Wrestling, featuring the likes of The Claw in his black mask (Booooo!!) and Rowdy Roddy McDowell (Hurrah!!!) in his kilt, and Beauregard something-or-other in not much more than his well-oiled muscles and skimpy wrestling shorts.

Invariably the ~~actors~~ wrestlers would end up in the spectator seats, chasing one another through the arena aisles, and slinging wooden folding chairs at one another that would break into splinters upon being cracked over someone’s head.

Watching the staged wrestling matches, one could get totally caught up in the drama and suspense even though you subconsciously knew that after the show these “sworn enemies” would likely be sipping beers together at some dive bar just down the street from the arena.

Wait… what was I talking about? Staged… actors… slinging… drama…

Oh, yes. The Presidential debate.

I’m just glad such nasty slime-slinging debates don’t blow in every autumn. It’s bad enough having to deal with those damned clogged rain drains.

Thanks to Diana at PartTimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #WeekendCoffeeShare.

Weekend Coffee Share 10/1/16

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Maggie C

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that my adventures in landscaping continue.

I pulled some more railroad ties out from the dirt bank that they were supposed to be supporting in my back yard. In reality, the ties were so rotten that the only things holding them against the bank were plant roots that had laced their way through the crumbling wood.

One railroad tie held a defunct wasp nest that dropped out in pieces when I moved the tie. Ah, yes. I remember that nest well.

My lawnmower had inadvertently upset the demon insects a couple of years ago, and they had come pouring out of the holes in the railroad tie intent on retaliation. Unfortunately, the lawnmower pointed the finger at me, and so I was the recipient of multiple wasp stings, wasps caught in my hair, and wasps in my house where they had pursued me when I attempted to escape.

My first thought, when I picked up the crumbly layers and saw the wasp carcasses stuck in the pockets of the nest, was – well, not charitable.

My second thought was, “Hey, I bet my granddaughter would find this interesting!” So when my daughter stopped by the house a few days later, I gifted her with the erstwhile insects to share with her little one. She was thrilled!

If we were having coffee, you’d probably be making a mental note to not invite me to participate in your Secret Santa pool. Hard telling what anonymous gifts might end up in the mix.

But, wait! It gets better!

Yesterday when raking leaves in my back yard I uncovered a small jawbone with some ragged-looking teeth still in residence.

My first thought was, “Hey, I bet my granddaughter would find this interesting!”

My second thought was, “Wow, my granddaughter is going to think I’m really weird if I keep giving her dead things.”

I’m not sure to what species the teeth belong. Opossum? Cat? Raccoon? Regardless, the mystery mandible is in a plastic baggy on top of my fridge, awaiting pick up by my daughter. She’ll be thrilled!

* * *

Would you like more coffee? I’ve got something else to show you that I found in the back yard the other day.

Yes, it once was alive. Yes, it’s now dead. Yes, it’s a bit decayed…

Oh, you have to leave now? Well that was sudden, but okay. I’ll just tuck it away to show you next time.

Trust me, you’ll be thrilled!

Thanks to Diana at PartTimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare.

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