Category: My Life

Way back, in 1989, Hubby and I were living in Germany. Berlin, Germany to be exact. We had leased a flat from another pilot, and I went about keeping house, while Hubby flew his day charters out of West Berlin. Yes, this was before the Berlin Wall fell, and living in West Berlin, was like living in an Island. The Wall surrounded our part of the city, and going in or out required a plane ticket or going through the East German Check points.

Anyway, I often wrote during this time, and since I did not have a laptop computer, I wrote in my notebook, with a pen.

I wasn’t there too long before my Bic ran out of ink. (Yes, I was doing a lot of writing.) So, I went down to the KaDeWe, and went to their stationary department to get a pen.

KaDeWe, the amazing German Department Store in the heart of the city, was close to our apartment. I looked around the department and my eyes fixed on the most beautiful of pens!

The Lamy Econ ballpoint pen.

Yes, I was in love. The pen fit my hand just right, and my fingers never spasmed, as the shaft was thicker and more comfortable.

I loved my Lamy pen, and I never went anywhere without it.

Then in 1999, we were building this house, and one day I must have tucked the pen into the notebook I was using, because, my Lamy became lost.

Flash forward to 2015. I was cleaning out a closet, and there was a notebook I had often used, way back when. I opened the binding, and there, carefully placed, was my Lamy pen!

It still worked, and I went online to see if i could get refills, and sure enough, I can, through Amazon.com!

I am once again a happy lady, with my sweet pen!

Did you ever have something like this happen?

I have so many pears, and so many peaches, that I have been trying to use them in cooking. The peaches, I have already made into four batches of Jam, and today I made Peach Muffins. I thought they came out well, but Hubby said that they had something missing. Perhaps more Peaches? I do not know. I’m thinking of making a peach pie, but again, I shall see where the spirit moves me.

The pears are a different story. Tomorrow I have to use them up, and right now I am thinking about making Pear Jam. I found this great old recipe for that and I think I am game! The pears are all set to go, all I have to do is cook the Jam up and then can it.

Today we reached an uncomfortable 94 degrees! The humidity was also high, reminding me, why I left Florida and moved back home to New England, except this kind of weather, really reminds me of my time there.

For some unknown reason, my hand has been bothering me. It woke me in the night and I had to use a heating pad wrapped around my hand to ease the pain. I’ve also used ice, but it seems swollen to me, and I am slightly worried about it. Perhaps I will leave a message for my doctor about it tomorrow.

Today was Heartworm and Flea and Tick day. Lili was the only one who was reluctant, but in the end, the job was done. The dackels are quite good, but then again, they are older and know that their cooperation is always rewarded with a cookie!

I have a turkey thawing in the fridge, and after I cook it, I will make soup, and also freeze up some sliced turkey. That makes for quick meals!

Life can sometimes be a little crazy. Today was one of those days. It wasn’t that it was bad, it was more that I was really busy from the moment my feet hit the floor until, well, I sat down to write this post.

I made the third (and thankfully better) batch of Heavenly Jam. It took quite a bit of cooking time, which meant standing over a hot stove. But this batch seemed to come out better.

After that I began the rather arduous task of peeling and cutting up the cucumbers, onions and peppers for a half batch of Moon Glow Pickles. Tomorrow I will can it.

I then pronounced that dinner would be leftovers, as I simply couldn’t face preparing another meal tonight.

Yesterday I tried a new recipe for Wiener Schnitzel and it was less than great. It was edible, but that was about all you could say about it.

I have also been trying to get the house whipped into shape, and I am failing miserably. I need about three days of doing nothing but making trips to the recycling center with JUNK! Maybe that should be a week! But I think sometimes, just getting started is the hardest part.

Although the garden did not live up to my expectations, it has produced a fair number of cukes and beans. Oh yes, and also eggplant. The tomatoes are starting to come in, and spaghetti sauces will be made.

Tuesday afternoon, I get my stitches out. Two neat stitches just under my middle finger on the right hand. I had the bandage off to shower, and it looks great. I expect that once the stitches are out, it will be easier to do my physical therapy.

As it is, I have really come a long way. I can almost open my fingers up perfectly straight, and I no longer wake with that finger locked. Really, the hand isn’t just good, but great!

I managed to can 9 half pints of Heavenly Peach Jam! It tasted so good! After that I sat down and did half of the prep work for another batch.

I cooked  our meals, hand washed a ton of pots and pans, and got it all done by 7:30. But, I do admit to being tired tonight.

We’re having a tremendous heat-wave here in New Hampshire. Actually I think it is all over the USA. And currently, there is no end in sight.

I love the new vacuum and plan to get it out on Wednesday and completely do the house. Miss Lili is just one giant shedding machine!

So, I am doing pretty well. I  am finding it inconvenient more than anything. As long as I keep the hand quiet and not used, it’s okay. One thing is for sure, I am glad it’s over.

Today I actually walked Lili, made my coffee and got refills, dressed myself, answered email, and made my own lunch. All with my left hand, but still I am proud.

I am so happy that the surgery is over and from here on out, it’s only going to get better!

Friday found my hand going under the knife. Since I know my doctor well (she did both my Carpal Tunnels), I was actually relaxed and calm before. She is such a gifted lady.

My neighbor drove me, and this was nice. It gave us time to chit chat and get to know each other better. I cannot begin to tell her how much I appreciate her taking such good care of me.

The numbing agent took a very short time to work and then she lay me down, draped my arm and twenty minutes later, the surgery was over, the hand wrapped, and off I went with a pain prescription, and instructions.

I felt a little light headed, but okay. We drove back, got my prescription, and then home. I grabbed a pillow to rest my arm, and relaxed.

I fell asleep after lunch, and when I woke, all the Novocaine had worn off. Oh my gosh, the pain was so bad! I took the medication, sat down and did some deep breathing.

I slept some in the night, but this morning, I still have quite a bit of pain. But it is over and will only get better from here.

I was just hanging up the phone, this morning,  when my hand gave out, and I dropped the phone and it hit my coffee cup, which went airborne, and splattered half a cup of coffee around the table, the floor and worst of all,  across my laptop.

I sprang into action, unplugging the machine  unplugging the battery, and then I began praying.

Good thing I did. My computer is up and running and I am heaving a sigh of relief! Let’s just hope my hand surgery goes as well.

Wish  me luck!

The weekend went by far too fast, and this actually extended into Monday, as well. I’ve been trying to get caught up with miscellaneous cleaning jobs before Friday, and yet, I am saving the thorough vacuuming until Thursday.

Why, you might ask? Because all I have to do is vacuum the house, Lili will come into the room, sneeze and it seems all her hair comes flying out of her body and covers the floor.

The other last minute item, is the changing of our sheets. I want to do it on Thursday because it will be a bit until I can do it again.

Last night was a celebration at my neighbors. One of her daughters had a birthday, and the other leaves for Dhaka, Bangladesh to teach for the next year. She has been doing this for some time, and has been to Turkey, India, China and now Bangladesh. Quite a resume.

Anyway, cake was eaten, champagne drunk, and great talking! I love these types of events.

Today I dip my head, in the fountain of youth, and afterward stop at the dollar store to buy paper products, so Hubby isn’t overwhelmed with clean-up while my hand recovers.

So, off I go to start the day!