Making Donations

 I just received an email today from my friend that was in the hospital with Covid.  Her description of what it was like to have this virus in the hospital basement read like a horror movie.  I was sickened by the details.  It's really sad to hear how overworked the medical workers are now.  It sounded so frightening and lonely.  My heart goes out to her.  I sent her a Christmas card and a check for groceries.  Thankfully, she has neighbors and family that are helping to keep her stocked up with food.  Simple things like vacuuming and dusting are very hard for patients like her who are now home on oxygen.  She also worries about losing power.  My prayers are with her.

I made donations to a couple of charities, and wrote out checks to dancers that I thought probably could really use money to buy food.  I hope it helps.  Just making a delicious dinner can really lift your spirits.  

Yesterday I put together a homemade pizza; it was delicious!  I made the sauce the day before, so that all of the flavors and seasonings could blend together and  mature.  It was therapeutic to make the dough.  There is something about kneading flour, oil, yeast, and water that is very grounding.  I have enough dough, sauce, and cheese in the fridge to make three more pizzas.  Yum!  

After reading about my friend's harrowing experience, I am going to wear two masks, and have decided not converse with people who don't wear one, even outside.  I just don't want to take the risk.  Do you know anyone who has had Covid?

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In the Mood to Mop the Floors

This afternoon I felt the urge to clean, so I followed that energy.  I  vacuumed the carpets, and mopped the floors.  I used hot water with my homemade liquid soap for the first coat, then followed it with  hot water mixed with white vinegar for the rinse.  The house feels clean.  The air feels different; it reminds me of my mom's house.  She was an exceptional housekeeper.  I am no where near at her level, but she cleaned for hours every day.  She would approve.  She loved this place.  She found her big house a burden as she got older.     

I dusted the furniture, as well.  The past couple of days I've been catching up on the laundry, and will deep clean the bathroom and kitchen tomorrow.  It is much easier to take care of a small home as you age.  I'm so glad that I opted for older furniture and appliances.  They are extremely well made.  The newer stuff falls apart so quickly.  I love what I have; it's sturdy and trustworthy.  My Kenmore washer and dryer are fifty years old, and they are still going strong.  My stove/oven is seventy years old, and it works perfectly.  It's a relief not to need to have repairmen in the house right now.  I don't want to take the risk, with Covid.

I'm going to do some yoga before bed.  It helps to have healthy routines during these times.  Our habits create our future.  I am so thankful that I stayed on a disciplined budget for all of these years.  It has made the pandemic much easier for me than it would have been when I was younger.  How are you faring?  

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The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Do Not Need

Enjoying the Sunshine

 Today the sun is out, and I took Lula for a walk through our gorgeous neighborhood.  I returned a couple of DVD's to the library, (which we are so lucky is still open,) and checked out three more to watch at home.  I have been thoroughly enjoying getting lost in movies and Youtube videos again.  It's so relaxing to sit by the fire with sweet Lula at my feet. 

I found out that my friend was released from the hospital.  What a relief!  I've been watching tapes of people who have long term effects from Covid, and it is very educational.  The doctors say that when they perform autopsies, they are finding that the virus is very much like cancer.  It is fascinating.  I have always been interested in biology, dissection, and the body.  

Are you still able to get outside where you are?  I hope that you have friends and family that you can communicate with, and that you don't feel isolated.  I am so thankful for my close friends and co-workers.  I also greatly appreciate you, my blogging buddies and readers.  My phone calls my friends and neighbors are really comforting.  Do you have support?

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Grave News

 

 I just found out today that a close friend of mine and her husband are in the hospital with Covid-19.  She is too weak to talk.  I got tears in my eyes as I was reading the email about it.  She is young...in her fifties.  She was always healthy, strong, fit and beautiful.  

I spoke with her on the phone for a long time about a month ago.  She told me sadly that she had lost several friends and family members to this virus. At the time she hadn't contacted it.  Her show business pals and I are praying for her.  It's scary how hard and fast Covid hits people.  It reminds me of the 80's, when we lost so many close tribe members who were dancers to AIDS.  They were the last people you ever thought would get ill.  They   died so young.  There was so much that we didn't understand about its transmission at the time.  People would get horribly thin, and then they'd be gone.

I hope you are all safe and well.  Suze Orman had an excellent podcast on her website today.  It was very eye opening.  You can listen to it at https:suzeorman.com.  Just look for the most recent podcast with today's date.  She talks about all of the fast food that she ate, and how she wishes that she had made healthier dietary choices and had done yoga.  Those habits really do make a difference, and the effect is cumulative, like saving money. I hope you are all in good heath and high spirits.

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Antique Lamps

Today I fell in love with a stunning 1920's lamp at our local vintage shop here in Wrightwood.  I am going home to get some blankets to wrap it in, and will pick it up this afternoon.  I don't have space right now on my mini ipad  to take a photo. Once I delete some of the current ones, I will take a picture and post it here.  

Antique lamps add so much art and beauty to a home.  This one is hand painted with feminine pink flowers.  It's large, and looks brand new.  My mom used to have some gorgeous lamps like these in our home on Edinburgh Street.  I felt like she was whispering in my ear to go stop inside the shop  and see them.  They are rare and spectacular!

I also bought an antique  manual coffee grinder in case we lose power again, and replaced the smoke detector/carbon monoxide alarms.  It's important to keep all of those things up to date.  My old ones were chirping, and the batteries in storage didn't work when I replaced them.  These will last for ten years.  Fire safety is so critical.

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No Power On Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving  our power was shut off from 1:00 p.m.  until 3:00 p.m. the following day.  Fortunately, my neighbor had warned me the previous afternoon that the power company was concerned about high winds and fire danger.  She suspected we might lose power.   So, I made all of the side dishes a day early.  She had her whole meal finished, including the turkey.  I put my stuffed chicken in the oven at 9:00 a.m. and it was fully cooked by 11:00 a.m.  I ate at noon.  

Thank goodness my neighbor had seen the notice on our local radio station's website. The power company sent me a warning call  at 12:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving day.   Many families were right in the middle of their preparations.  I feel so badly for them.  The expense, the time, energy, and excitement had really built.  (Especially during Covid-19.)  What a shame for all of those people who lost their food.

I drove to the gas station to buy more candles at 5:00 p.m.  I tripped in the dark kitchen when I got home, and broke half of them.  It was hard to sweep up the glass with just a small flashlight.   I had a hurricane lamp, but the oil must have evaporated since the last time I used it.  It flickered enough for me to take a bath, and then the flame died.  I thought I had some extra lamp oil in the cupboard, but I don't.

I ended up going to bed at 7:00 p.m.  because it was so dark.  There was nothing else to do.  You couldn't use your computer or Kindle.  It's hard to read at this age by candlelight.

The next morning, I packed up my freezer contents and Thanksgiving feast, and brought everything up to the cabin.  I had phoned my neighbor to make sure there was power up here.  I carried all of my perishables in cloth shopping bags and unloaded them into the fridge once I arrived.  I was so grateful to have a place to go, and a working fridge and freezer.

The first thing I did was to make a pot of coffee.  I had forgotten to replenish my emergency coffee supply at the cottage.  I used to keep a tin of ground coffee in the freezer for that very reason.  Without electricity, I couldn't use the coffee grinder or plug in my one cup coffee maker.  I need to leave my French press there.  I had relocated it to the cabin, because I love the flavor that it gives the coffee.  It reminds me of when I was working in Paris.  

Some people on our street had their generators running.  They are expensive and complicated to install.  I plan to buy more lamp oil, a lantern, several of those religious candles, and a huge flashlight.  My emergency radio/flashlight didn't work, because it is solar.  Live and learn.  We were very fortunate.  

All's well that ends well, as my dad used to say.  Have you ever experienced a power outage?  Were you prepared?   

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Living into your 90s

Would You Bake A Pie For One Person?

 

I met up with my neighbor this afternoon, and we were discussing what we were baking and preparing for Thanksgiving.  She enthusiastically told me that she was making her pumpkin pie with a butter pie crust, eggs, and whipped cream.  She looked so happy and excited that it made me go home and do the same thing. 

I used to make pumpkin pie for my mom, my brother, and I, when I was growing up.  Just a few of us in the family liked it.  I would make a fruit pie for everyone else, too.  (usually apple or berry.)  My mother was always so appreciative when I made them, telling me that my homemade crust was much better that the store bought pies.  It does make a difference.  So does the freshness.  She'd have me bake the pies the  day before Thanksgiving, , then on Thanksgiving morning, we would cook all day together.  My dad always helped.  ( and he did the shopping and dishes.)  We started early, chopping onions and celery for the stuffing.

I  baked an apple crisp yesterday, but decided to go ahead and make a pumpkin pie today, too.  Why not?  I had the ingredients. I whipped together the eggs, sugar, spices, pumpkin, and canned milk.  It brought back memories of making this dessert for so many years for my family.  I rolled out the homemade crust, and placed it in a beautiful hand painted pie dish from Poland that used to belong to my mom.  

 After placing the pie dish on the rack, I carefully poured the pumpkin mixture into the shell.  Ever so slowly, I inched the wire rack back into position, closed the door,  and let the pie bake for one hour.  I wish my mom was here to have a slice.  As I carefully removed it from the oven, I told her to help herself, if she was listening.  You never know, she might be around...  "It looks so pretty," I felt like she whispered back to me.  The filling had come together, and the top was lightly browned.  When you come in the front door the cottage smells buttery and delightful.

I'll enjoy it tomorrow, after the stuffed chicken with all the trimmings.  All of the side dishes are already made.  I may give some pie to some of the kids in the neighborhood, if they want it.  I will ask a couple of the women who live on my street.  It will last in the fridge.  How is your cooking going?

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A Bike Ride Along the Beach in Santa Monica

Yesterday morning after breakfast I packed up my backpack with some tortilla chips, a large  bottle of water, and a few pieces of Ghiradelli peppermint bark.  I followed Lula to  the car, (she couldn't wait to go on an adventure!) lifted my bicycle onto the bike rack, and drove down the uncrowded  405 freeway to Santa Monica.  

I parked carefully at the mall, and made a note on my ticket of my parking spot, the floor, and the color of the bulding.  Lula and I rode on the Colorado Street bike path to the pier.  She galloped along beside me as we both gazed at the ocean.  I loved her excited reaction.  The beach is so vast and expansive.  There were other people out walking and running, too, leaving plenty of space for everyone to socially distance.  Many of us were wearing masks.  The other dogs were well behaved and on leashes.  It was calm and peaceful. 

We stopped after turning around, and sat on an empty bench.  I gave Lula a bowl of water, and one of her dog biscuits.  I quietly munched on the chips, and watched the other passers by and their dogs.  Everyone seemed comfortable and relaxed.  The weather was sunny and warm, in the 70's.  It's heavenly here this time of year.  It is a pleasure to drive the thirty miles to the beach.  I didn't take advantage of it for decades when I was busy with my work.  Now I relish the time and the scenery. 

We may be under lockdown again soon, so I wanted to take advantage of a short day trip while we could.  I drove home down San Vicente, passed through picturesque Brentwood, turned right on Wilshire,  and merged back onto the freeway, this time heading North.  There was very little traffic-one positive aspect of the pandemic.

I sang along to Christmas carols on the way home.  I love Holiday music.  Once home, Lula slept like a log for several hours.  I think the beach run exhausted her, but in a healthy way.  Where do you go to get your outdoor exercise?     

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Shopping at Cost Plus World Market Felt Like a Trip to Europe!

 Today I was researching prices for a Mamamango, an Italian moscato that I adore.  Cost Plus World Market came up on the search, and it showed an excellent price.  I decided to drive over there and see what they had.  I hadn't visited the store in nearly twenty years.  The last time I went I was with my parents.  I got my first loveseat for the cottage there.  It was so soft and comfortable.   

Boy was I in for a treat!  They had all kinds of Christmas goodies on display.  I bought a tin of award winning Swedish gingersnap cookies.  They are called Peppar Kakor.  They definitely deserve that award!  I had a few earlier this evening, (well, actually I had more than a few, but they are small wafers...)and they are addictive.   

I browsed through all of the gourmet foods; it brought back so many memories of when I was living in Europe as a professional dancer.   I splurged on a bag of Lavazza espresso, a bottle Torani vanilla syrup, and  several bottles of moscato in different flavors: mango, cranberry, and cherry.  The prices were better than I found at Target.  I really am turning into my mother.  I never thought I'd be one of those women with a shopping cart full of wine.  I also was given 15% off for joining their membership club, which was my excuse.

I plan to return and buy my Christmas gifts there.  It was so much fun to read the labels from all of the different countries where my friends and I toured together.  They had German cider and Christmas glog.  I got such a kick out of reading all of the festive labels.  One lady was trying to find something for a woman who she described as "a real snob."  I chuckled.    

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Enjoying Free Movies on Youtube

I have been happily watching documentaries and movies at home, since the virus hit.  (I never used to be a movie buff.)  I don't care for car chases or violence.  Last night I watched Hello Dolly, and absolutely loved it.  I was heart warming for me, because  both Tommy Tune and Michael Crawford became stars after filming it.  They each helped my career as a performer tremendously, giving me opportunities to break out of the chorus.  I just love seeing their early work.  How fortunate it  was to cross paths with them in my career.  They both were exciting, energetic, and outstanding in the film.

Yesterday I took a long walk with my neighbor.  Lula joined us.  The weather was spectacular!  It is so pretty up in the mountains with the sun is shining.  We meandered down the narrow streets returned along the Wrightwood Trail.  Our walk took an hour and a half.  I really enjoy living in such a walkable town.  It saves  so much money on gas, and it feels healthy to get out in the mountain air each day.

I just watched a fascinating documentary called The Hearst and Davies Affair.  Once it is safe to travel again, I want to visit Hearst Castle.  I am going to research the trip online.  It's a few hours drive from the cottage.  Cambria is supposed to be a gorgeous area.  I love that whole era: the glamour, furniture, clothing, and architecture... 

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I Hope I'm Not Turning Into a Wino

 When I visited Catalina Island for my birthday, I enjoyed a glass  of  sweet, sparkling wine out on the verandah at the Wrigley Mansion.  There were a few other guests attending Happy Hour, as well.  We had wine, cheese, crackers, cold cuts and fruit.  I loved chatting with them and enjoying the stunning view of the water.  Travelers are such fun people.  

When I arrived home, I decided to buy a bottle of the same wine and recreate the experience.  It really does seem to bring out the flavors of my meal.  I just have a small amount, but do enjoy it by the crackling  fire each evening.

The only problem is, it is upsetting my evening yoga routine.  I think I will have to do that in the afternoon, instead.  It's pretty dark and cold at night, anyway.  Not the most ideal time to be stretching on the floor...   

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