Mulched the Front Yard to Prevent Flooding

 We have had a significant amount of rain recently.  It is wonderful for the soil and plants, but I live in a flood zone.  If I don't apply straw mulch in my front yard and on my porch, I will end up with a soggy living room carpet.  

After arriving home, I noticed a small patch of wetness by my front door. It concerned me.  I placed towels on it and walked on them to absorb the moisture.  I had to do this several times.  I sprinkled baking soda on the affected area this morning and vacuumed it up eight hours later...I don't want any moldy or musty smells.  

There is always something that needs doing when you own a house.  The straw breaks down over the winter and really nourishes the soil.  It makes the tangerines burst with flavor, and the irises burst into colorful bloom.  

How was your Christmas?  Did you have fun?

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MAME - JULIET PROWSE and GRETCHEN WYLER (FULL SHOW)

Had the 1950's Cooktop Fixed

 After our power outage up in the mountains, neither my cooktop nor oven was working.   Both are olive green General Electric appliances, from the 1950's.   I studied the reviews for appliance repair online, and   chose a five-star repairman.

The burners immediately turned bright red after he switched on the breakers.  I had tried that, but didn't realize that there was fine print next to each side of each switch.  It has to say "On," and I had only noticed the ones on the right side.  

The oven is still cold.  It needs something simple from an electrician; only one side of it is working.  I was relieved that I didn't have to purchase a new stove or oven.  Both of mine are very small.  The cooktop measures just twenty-six inches.  Everything I researched online is so much bigger.  

He fixed the water dispenser on my Kenmore fridge while he was here.  He had a kit in his truck.  He said that Kenmores are actually Whirlpools.  Once again, I was so pleased to find that I don't need to replace the fridge, either.  Appliances from that era were made to last a lifetime.  

The whole fix was only $250.00!  Phew.  I am so thankful that the previous owners bought quality items and took such good care of them.  How are your appliances running?

Food As Medicine - Full Movie - Free

Snow and a Power Outage

 

Our power went off this morning at 9:00 a.m.  Fortunately, I had gotten up early and made enchiladas.  That gave me a flavorful hot meal for lunch, even though my stove and oven weren't working for part of the day.  I sauteed onions and red peppers, and stuffed them inside the white tortillas with leftover roast chicken.  Topped with enchilada sauce, Tillamook cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro, it made for a very satisfying meal.  It's a strange feeling when the electricity abruptly stops; you don't know when or if it will return. 

We had intense rain and strong winds last night.  The fireplace insert has been doing an excellent job of heating the cabin.  I have to continually feed it with wood.  That entails getting out of my warm bed and padding down the stairs in the middle of the night.  

In the afternoon, layers of warm clothing and hand knit blankets insulate my body heat.  I've been wearing my alpaca hat and woolen mittens inside during the day.  Having long hair also helps with warmth.  

We lost power again for a short while this evening.  Thank goodness I had candles and oil lamps ready.  It can be a shock when the room goes dark.  The tiny Christmas bulbs went out, and the only light was the flickering flames from the fireplace.  It has come back on again; I hope it lasts.  I will make a pot of coffee for tomorrow, just in case.   I guess I could heat the water up over the fire, if needed.  I'm so glad that I stocked up on beeswax candles and lamp oil.  

How is the weather where you live?

Rick Steves' European Christmas

Staying In Your First Home

 While recently visiting friends in New York, I heard the same refrain... how high the rents had become.  One artist was spending over fifty percent of his paycheck on rent, and he had to get a roommate.  Another told me that she used to be able to pick up take-out food for eight dollars, and now it is far more expensive.  She doesn't cook.  They didn't plan for inflation.

My father warned me many years ago that as you get older, the value of a dollar will shrink.  He remembered buying hot dogs for a nickel, and that sort of thing.  The big cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles are pricey.  

I was fortunate to buy my cottage in a down market for $89,500.  In California, property taxes are one percent of the purchase price.  Back in 1998, that was about $100.00 a month.  Even that was a stretch for me at the time, freelancing as a ballet and yoga teacher.  

Thankfully, I stayed in that little house.  What used to be considered the outskirts of town is now being developed.  Because I planted fruit trees, and amended my soil each year, I am able to grow a significant amount of organic produce.  They are now mature, and loaded with fruit.  That makes a huge difference in my grocery bill.  I buy meat and chicken on sale, and store it in the freezer.  All my meals are cooked at home, and nothing is wasted.  I grow my own herbs and dry them, too.  Staples are bought in bulk to save money.  I am still going through a huge bag of white rice that is in my freezer.

I lived in New York for just one year, in the eighties.  Even back then, I was shocked at how expensive everything was.    I made $375.00 a week teaching dance, and my rent in Astoria was one fourth of my income.  I earned enough money for basics, but not for extras.  My splurge was taking classes.  That was the highlight of my stay there.

We need to plan ahead for our retirement.  Having a paid off home as a senior is a huge relief.  Skyrocketing prices cause so much stress for long term renters and those who live in high cost of living areas.  It's so important to keep your expenses low.  That money that used to go to the landlord can then pay for health insurance, gas, electricity, or groceries.  

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Just Watched the Documentary Adrienne

 I posted the trailer for the incredibly moving documentary, Adrienne,  below this post.   It can be viewed on HBO Max.  What a sad and tragic story.  She was such a beautiful woman. She possessed a shimmering femininity and a liquid, sensual, star quality.  

For some reason this year has really driven home to me how dangerous certain men are to petite and attractive women.  Maybe part of that was seeing the Gabby Petito case on the news.  It just saddens me deeply when young, talented women are killed.   Due to their size and stature their attackers   overpower them.  I always analyze what happened,  and if it could have been avoided.

  In Adrienne's case, the killer went ballistic when she told him that she was going to call the police after she caught him stealing her money.  Law enforcement in LA County recommends not resisting people who steal from you.  This might have saved her life.  They grab and run.  These people hate it if you call the police.

Another thing I learned from reflecting on her case was, always secure your doors and windows.  This man was working construction in the building, stealing from tenants,  and found her apartment door  unlocked.   Have a dog with you.  Dogs are great alert animals.  They bark when someone is near, and reliably sense dangerous and unscrupulous people.  

Carry a panic alarm, and keep one by your bed.  The sound is piercing, and they attract attention.  I have used mine on an loose dog, and the animal ran and hid.  Neighbors also came out on their balconies to see what was wrong.  One lady offered to help.

Have a fireplace tool by the door.  I was approached by a strange looking and bizarre acting homeless man on the beach a few months ago.  I jumped up from my towel, and slammed my rod iron bar into the sand, while standing tall.  I looked him right in the eye.  He immediately sensed that I would hit him with it if he tried to attack me.  (I was also next to the life guard's station, who I'm sure was watching.)   Smirking and  changing his mind, the homeless man meandered away from me, zig zagging down the shoreline.  The daily work outs, push ups and sit ups that I do gave me the confidence to take an on guard stance with him.  He didn't expect it.  

 There was a recent incident of violence against a man and his family who were here vacationing in Malibu.  It's not something you expect, while sunbathing or swimming, but it can happen. 

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Adrienne (2021) | Official Trailer | HBO

Had My Vintage Oven Repaired

 Today I had my O'keefe and Merritt oven fixed.  The pilot light wasn't working.  I made arrangements for a repairman to come here Saturday morning, but asked them to call me if they had an opening during the week.

While I was at the beach this morning,  my phone rang.  It turns out they could send someone to my home in fifty minutes.  I explained that I would have to ride my bike to the parking lot in Malibu, and then drive down Sunset Blvd. to the 405 North.  The man on the phone said that the technician would wait for me if it took me longer to arrive.  When I pulled in the driveway he was already here.  

It turns out it was an issue with the oven flame sensor.  He did some testing, and replaced it.  He told me that I was fortunate that I had already had the valve replaced.  It can be difficult to do work on appliances from the fifties.  Sometimes they no longer make the original parts, and you have to buy them used on EBay.

I had a gas leak in the kitchen last year and had to shut off the gas and replace the line.  This can cause trouble with gas appliances.  I also hadn't been using the oven during the summer, because it gets so hot.  He told me that gas appliances need to be used.  (like plumbing.) 

When my my mom was still alive she bought an expensive Viking stove and regretted it.  She told me that she wished she had one like mine.  Her new one kept breaking and having problems with the electric parts.   I found mine used, for $250.00.  Sasha said that the simplest models are the best.  Even if we have a power outage, (which happens often,) I can still cook and eat.  

It's a wonderful feeling to be cooking and baking in the oven again.  Life is calmer and more secure when we can repair and fix what we own. 

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please comment in English.  I'm sorry, but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.