Paying Home Insurance

Today I paid my my home insurance premiums.  I took the envelopes to the post office, mailed them at the counter, and bought some more Forever stamps.  It's such a relief when the big bills are paid.  Property taxes will be due before we know it!

The arborist who trims my trees called me and we arranged to have some more work done.  Maintaining large oaks and pines is expensive, but it's so worth it.  I am excited to see the transformation completed.  It makes the whole energy in the yard so magical. 

Tomorrow I plan to amend my soil with some homemade compost.  I've been saving my fruit and vegetable scraps and depositing them deep into the compost pile each evening.  It's attracted an abundance of red wiggler worms.  They do an excellent job of turning the soil and improving it.

How are things going with you?

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Have You Been Moody During the Pandemic?

I am trying out the new Blogger but cannot figure out how to add photos or how to separate the paragraphs. How are the rest of you bloggers doing with this new version? I miss the old one.  I had to go back to it to fix this post.

Yesterday I felt down in the dumps, and had a hard time shaking it. I was frustrated with Lula on our walk, and she didn't understand why. I ran into another man with walking his large Border Collie off leash. I asked him to get his dog. It walked towards me,  away from the owner. I had my pepper spray in my hand, and a rod iron golf club, as well. I placed the club on the ground between the dog and I to create a boundary. "He's not going towards you, he's going towards your dog," the owner told me. He stood there, passively, watching. He made no attmpt to leash the dog.

With this virus, I definitely don't want any people or animals coming close to me or my dog.  The man finally put the dog on the leash, but it was an exasperating experience. I guess in these times we are going to have to learn to deal with oppositional people who refuse to follow any rules. I lost my temper and he told me where I could put my golf club.

After doing yoga, working on my latest article, and knitting outside, I felt like my old self again. It is a challenge these days to remain calm and unaffected. Taking a walk is not what it used to be. I may start staying closer to home. It's not worth the aggravation. Lula loves to fetch a ball, anyway. She's happy to lay on the porch or deck with me outside. I spent some time yesterday afternoon looking at my photos from my vacation in Europe. They make me so happy. It was so incredible there. I loved being on the ship and visiting the ports.   The people that I cruised with were wonderful.  Travelers love travelers...

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Remembering A Magnificent Vacation

Today I flipped through some of the photos that I took while on my cruise through the Mediterranean last November.  These are from Monte Carlo and Monaco.  It seems like so long ago...yet it's only been nine months.  My, how life has changed for all of us since that time!  I feel like I was so fortunate to get to visit these places  when I did.  It was such a magnificent trip.  Perusing the photos takes my mind and spirit back to all of the magical islands and European cities.  What an incredible trip it was!

Today I did a load of laundry and hung it out on the line in the sunshine to dry.  I love the effect that the sun has on our clothing, sheets and towels.  They feel and smell so fresh when you take them off the clothesline and bring them inside the house.  I  folded everything carefully and placed the items  neatly in my clothes basket, like my mom used to do for us.  She trained me well.

The other day I coated my hair with red henna.  My grey roots were starting to show, so I painted over them with a brush and left the henna on for four hours.  I always feel like a new woman after I bump up the color on my hair.  I could really use a trim, but with this virus,  I'm going to have to wait.  Henna  picks up the sunlight so beautifully.  I get so many compliments on it when I'm at the lake.  People still refer to me as a   natural redhead, which  I really get a kick out of... (especially since I'm totally grey now and color my hair myself.)  Henna deep conditions the hair and really keeps it healthy.  I just love it.  I will probably use it for the rest of my life.  Juliet Prowse kept her hair red as she got older, and it looked great on her!

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Back To The Library-Just Published

This morning I took Lula for a relaxing walk down the Wrightwood Trail.  I stopped at the post office on the way back, while no one was there.  In my mailbox was the latest edition of our local newspaper, The Mountaineer Progress.  My article on our sweet little library was in it.  It's so fun to be in print again.  My friends have been so supportive.  It's sweet. 

I stopped at Mountain Hardware and picked up some Cosmos and a large, impressive  Russian Sage plant.  Cosmos do very well in Wrightwood.  They get so tall!  I also bought a couple of bags of rich, black  planting soil.  As I was digging into the dirt in my front garden, I was disappointed to realize that  most of it is still very dry and rocky.  A few pockets have improved, but not nearly at the level that I had expected.  I need to do some more amending and mulching.  My friend always told me, "Just keep planting..."

It was so satisfying to work closely with the earth and plants.  I love how my tiny woodland garden is coming along.  I hope to add some berry bushes and more colorful flowers.  The purple Russian Sage plant is so delicate.  I've seen them growing in my neighborhood, and they thrive.  It helps to pick plants that do well in your location.

Have you been out in the sunshine lately?

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Avoiding Arguments During the Pandemic

One thing that I have learned since this virus hit has been to choose carefully the people with whom I will interact.  If I sense that someone is looking to pick a fight, I walk away, quickly.  I would rather hold my focus on what I want to create than get into a conflict with someone who is angry and antagonistic.

The other day I was at the grocery store.  The woman behind me kept getting too close to me.  She and I were both wearing masks.  I decided to just pay the cashier quickly and leave.  I don't think she was aware of what she was doing.  She didn't seem malicious or aggressive.  Sometimes children at te lake just seem to gravitate towards me.  I think they miss having contact.  One little two year old boy placed his stick on my beach  towel as I was sunbathing and smiled at me.  He was so sweet.   

My mother taught me not to watch soap operas because she didn't want us "watching other people's problems."  My best girlfriend was hooked on All My Children when we were  thirteen.  She would talk about the characters passionately, (like they were her closest friends.)  Her mother watched the show religiously.  Now I understand how wise my mom was to turn on the t.v. and tell us to go play outside.  It was much healthier, on all levels.  Thanks Mom. 

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Making Time To De Stress During the Pandemic

Twin Lakes Wrightwood, California

 
Ah... the relaxation of floating on the lake.  It's just magical.  I love to lift up my sunglasses and peek at the mountains and trees.  This view just takes my breath away; I never get tired of it.  It's easy to practice social distancing here.  Guests are not allowed at the country club at the moment.  It gives us all plenty of space.  The warm, soothing sunshine feels amazing!

During times like these, it takes a lot of self discipline to stay grounded.  I try to not get sucked into the negativity of the news.  Exercise, time in nature, crafting and home care can help to ease mental and psychological pressure.  I have been saying the serenity prayer a lot these days.  Enjoying delicious home cooked meals, picnics and a daily structured routine can really help to maintain  a positive focus. 

Have you been out in the sun lately?  Where is your retreat?

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Received A Large Tax Refund After E-Filing

Because of Covid-19, I waited to file my taxes until July 13th.  We  had a three month extension in America, due to  the stay at home order.  Normally I see an accountant in January.

I found a new one up in Wrightwood, and was very happy with her services.  She was organized, efficient and knowledgeable.  It only cost $145.00 to have her prepare my return.  If you are low income, you can also get them done free of charge through VITA.  That's what I usually do.  Our local senior center in Santa Clarita usually has tax professionals  who volunteer each year.  Since my dad died last year, I wanted to hire someone and discuss some of the estate tax forms that were new to me. 

I pay cash for my health insurance, which is my biggest expense.  Continuing to work has really been advantageous.  I received nearly all of the premiums back, and the direct deposit has already showed up in my account!  I transferred it to savings, as I am rebuilding my emergency fund.

My favorite financial guru, Suze Orman, announced on her podcast today that she is in the operating room for surgery.  Please send her thoughts of healing and your prayers.  She is such a force!  Her website is here.

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Staying Home and Spending Less

Have you been spending less money since the pandemic?  Many of us are finding that since we are not commuting, eating out, traveling or shopping that we have reduced our expenses.

I have been making a concerted effort to stay on my budget and to use the supplies that I have.  I am eating through the stockpile, and replenishing it slowly and carefully.  I buy a lot of my groceries in bulk, which saves me time, trips to the store, and money.  The garden has been producing well, and the produce I get from the local co-op means very few items are needed from the market.  It's rewarding to eat what's in season, and to support our local farmers.  It's satisfying to not use any packaging.  Everything is placed in our reusable baskets.

Living in a mountain town that's walkable means lots of daily exercise and fresh air.  I never realized how much I would enjoy settling in a small village where everything that I need is within a mile or two of my cabin.

Making use of the numerous hiking, bicycle trails and local lakes has provided inexpensive and free entertainment.  Instead of purchasing a kayak, I bought a $20.00 blow up raft at the hardware store.  It suits my needs just fine, and I can carry it with me to and from the country club.   One of the ladies who works there commented that I'm certainly getting my money's worth out of my membership.  She's right.  My parents raised me that way.  If they bought us something like soccer cleats, or a skateboard, we were expected to use it.  Going for a daily swim in the lake has been so  beneficial, on  many levels.  Once the weather turns cold, these long sunny days will be over; so I enjoy it now as much as possible.

There seems to be much less laundry to do this time of year.  I wear sundresses and sandals most of the time, which are light, cool, and breezy.  My beach towel is carefully laid outside to dry each afternoon.  The swimsuit is rinsed in cold water and hung on the towel rack in the sauna. Both are  fresh and soft the next morning. The beach towel can be used several times before needing to be laundered.   

How is your summer going?

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Up and Down

Yesterday we had a disturbed man in Wrightwood cut the lines in a box affecting all of our cell phones.  He was caught and apprehended in Ventura, and is in jail now.  The wires were repaired and our phones were running again after about four hours of no service.  It made me realize that maybe I should probably have a land line, as well, just in case. 

I have picked up my beloved knitting again.  I decided to start simply, and  made a couple of dishcloths. I'm using a ball of  lovely, soft organic cotton yarn.  It was given to me by one of the leaders of a knitting group I used to attend.  She gave me several skeins.  The pattern I'm working on right now is the basket weave stitch.  I'd forgotten how much I enjoy clicking the needles.  It really does relax me, as long as  I don't overshoot and do something too complicated or frustrating.

I am busy with my writing and am organizing my finances.  We are in the process of closing on a couple of real estate deals.  It feels satisfying to get all of my ducks in a row.  I am happy with my investments and the dividends that they produce.  I have been researching a few companies that I really like, and plan to buy some more stocks.  I got a good deal on Coca Cola.  I think they will be around for a while.  I was amazed to see how many people in Europe drink it regularly, out of a bottle.  It reminded me of the old days when I was growing up in San Mateo, California.

How are you doing?

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First Published Article for the Mountaineer Progress

Yesterday I received my subscription of the Mountaineer Progress in my mailbox.  I was pleased to find that the feature article I had completed on the country club had been published.  

You can also read this issue online here.  It's on page A-3.  The photo in the digital version is in color, so it appears much brighter than the black and white newspaper.

My writing work has gotten very busy.  I have more submissions to complete for the local paper.  I enjoyed a rich 45 minute phone interview with Tommy Tune this morning at 9:00 a.m.  I was up at 3:00 a.m. getting my chores done.  I zipped down to the  gas station at 6:00 a.m. to avoid any lines and people.

I am doing some creative work for Tommy's  CEO, Peter Glebo.  I am very excited to get started on editing the interview  for Peter's website.  Right now I am just in the typing phase.  It will take many hours to shape and rework it.  I love collaborating with such talented, successful artists!  

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Busy Working From Home

Do any of you work from home?  I find it so exciting that we are able to send documents and complete business transactions  remotely these days.  No having to drive to an office  saves you so much money on gas, clothing, food, time and energy.  If you are disciplined, you can get a tremendous amount of work done from your living space.  I like being able to have my meals simmering on the stove  and a load of laundry tossing  in the washing machine as I'm typing or editing. 

For me, it helps to get a cardio workout done early in the day.  During the summer, Lula thrives on a routine of walking or running alongside my bicycle while it's still cool outside.  Yesterday we hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.  Halfway through our route, we ran into a loose dog that we used to see regularly on a trail that we hiked a few months ago.  I had switched my ritual, trying to avoid an exuberant Australian shepherd and the difficult couple that own him.  They refuse to put their dog on a leash, and I was getting tired of the stress of our conflicting attitudes.  Tempers had escalated.  I thought it was kind of funny that we met up with them again.  I just veered off the path with Lula and made a half circle.  Their  dog is still charging around, completely out of their control, but at least he is happy and fairly friendly.  If you ask them to get him so that you can pass, they yell at you.  Since I hike to relax and connect with nature, I now just avoid the conflict.

How is your summer going? 

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Holding Your Focus

Yesterday I received a  message from a kind  and special friend that I've known for decades.  He lives in New York. He told me that he had an idea, and  wanted to run it by me.  Knowing that he is extremely  creative and talented, I eagerly called him right back and left a message.  He had asked me to phone him when I had time to discuss it.  We talked this morning, and I am thrilled.  I can't wait  to get started on this new writing project!  I will be telling his story.  I love writing about people that I admire;  it's so rewarding. 

One thing that's exciting  is that we can include video, photos, painting, and interviews online.  I can work in California send my drafts and outlines to him in New York.  The digital age is truly amazing.  I get to live in the Jeffrey pines of Wrightwood, yet still  co-mingle with some of the greatest creative minds that I know.

During this virus it's so important to stay focused on using you creative gifts, rather than being depressed by the negative stories and reports.  Keeping in touch with people who are disciplined, positive, and uplifting makes all of the difference.  Their energy feeds us.  We need to take careful care of our bodies, minds and souls.

I even arranged for text messaging with my phone service, something I had been dragging my feet about for many years.  It was set up in a matter of minutes.  Now I just need to figure out how to work it.  It shouldn't be too hard.     

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Another Big Fire Here

mature trees at the Wrightwood Country Club

 
This afternoon I heard fire trucks go screaming down Sierra Highway.  I sensed  both urgency and doom in the way they were speeding.  There were two fires in this area today.  The first one was only five acres of land, up by the 5 freeway.

The fire near my cottage was the one that worried me.  It was burning 400 acres, last time I  checked.  This is becoming all too common.  It's in the history books, so many homes burned to the ground when this area was first settled.  They didn't have fire departments in those days.  It gives me a sick sense of dread when I see the smoke and hear the sirens.  Part of the reason that I started looking for a cabin in the mountains was because of the repeated summer burnings in this area.  It makes me nervous.

Fortunately, it's not too windy today, and our firefighters are very experienced.  Thank goodness there isn't a lot of protesting going on at this time.  Recently things were so out of control.  We really need our civil servants in times like these; it's so dangerous without them.  I am very thankful for their dedication and training.

On a more positive note, the sunflowers are in bloom, and the garden is doing extremely well.  We have had very pleasant temperatures for this time of year.  Today it was eighty degrees.  Normally it's much hotter.  I picked the first few ripe, red tomatoes from the garden for salads.  I also tasted the first green chili pepper that I have ever grown.  I sauteed it with onions and put them both on my chicken enchilada, garnished with fresh cilantro.  Yum! 

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