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January, 2021: Check

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January plans are always ambitious.  I was careful to rein in my enthusiasm so I could start the year with a win.

  1. Get my watch fixed and start wearing it. My old band was broken — I remember getting it in Florence, Italy in 2005.  It was lovely. The battery was easy and cost under $10 to have replaced.  Replacing the old band was a bigger deal than I thought it would be.  The watchband is a very particular size, 11mm,  and I couldn’t find one I liked at the store that changed the battery so 2 more trips to local jewelry stores convinced me to order online. 

    My watch runs and has a new strap.

    I have been wearing it every day.

  2. Organize and remove 2 blue bins from back bedroom. I organized and moved 3 bins from the bedroom to the attic.

    Only one more partially filled bin in the back bedroom.

  3. Contact friend or family each week. 5 contacts made and enjoyed. 
  4. Read a book:  Pirates on the Chesapeake by Donald G. Shomette.  To quote another reviewer: “Fascinating story unartfully told.”  Frankly, I thought I’d never get through this book.  While the subject should be engaging the text was difficult to navigate.  

    The notorious Blackbeard — Captain Teach.

  5. Take down, organize, and store Christmas decorations. 

    Ready for next year.

  6. Remove 5 items from clothing closet. I made a small dent with 6 items I haven’t worn in years.  I also decided to remove the rolling hanging rack that I kept on my side of the closet for added space.

    Before

    After

    That decision alone was a big improvement.

  7. Make a cover for my sewing machine.  I made a padded cover entirely with fabric and supplies I had on hand.

    Sewing machine cover for my new machine.

  8. See a movie. Since our theatres are still closed I decided to watch a movie on video I had never seen: Amelie.  It is a quirky little film that takes place in Paris.  The language of the film is French so it has English subtitles.  The front of the DVD jacket said it is a feel-good movie so I’m not giving anything away by saying it has a happy ending. I enjoyed it; Charlie would not have.
  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SIMPLIFY.
  10. Write a goal list for February.

Jo

My Bucket List 2021

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Most of my bucket list involves travel which we have been unable to do for about the past 9 months since the Covid virus came to the US.

We are planning a lot of travel.

While we have completed a few items I have also added some new ones to the lsit.

To that end here is my Bucket List: Items in grey have been on the list for awhile; items in blue have been accomplished.

  1. See the pyramids in Egypt –  hoping also to cruise on the Nile and ride a camel.  Planned  for  2023.

    I’d like to visit Egypt.

  2. Inspire somebody to do something great.  I have a friend who credits me with her impetus to do mission work which I think is great. 

    Sug travels to a school in Guatemala twice a year.

  3. Own my house.

    The Glade is our home.

  4. Write a book and have it published — I don’t know what the actual subject might be but I think I would write a fictional story about life among the very wealthy.
  5. Visit the Louvre in France — I have been to the Louvre and have seen the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. 

    I’ve seen the Mona Lisa.

  6. Ride in a hot air balloon.

    Our hot air balloon ride was magical.

    We enjoyed this sunrise trip on a glorious day in Maryland.

  7. Take a ride in a gondola in Venice.  We visited Venice in September, 2019.

    I have taken a gondola ride in Venice, Italy at sunset.

  8. Go on a cruise — Our cruise was canceled twice in 2020.  We will reschedule when the world gets back to normal.
  9. Audition for a movie — I would have to check the local casting calls.  Getting the part is not as important as auditioning.
  10. Own a beach house.

    The shore house.

    It’s not exactly a beach house but we’re fixing it up and it’s 2 miles from the beach.

  11. Invent something — I’m hoping I could invent something that would be useful and bring in some cash.
  12. Have a million dollars — working on it.
  13. Go whale watching.
  14. Buy a stranger a meal.  I’m not sure how to go about it except to just be brave and do it.
  15. Do something I know is reckless! I would love suggestions on what reckless thing other people would consider doing.  I’m thinking  of doing something like parasailing or paragliding. Charlie thinks I’m nuts.
  16. Fly in a helicopter. I think we could do this on a trip to Hawaii while seeing fantastic scenery.
  17. Read the Bible — I read the entire Bible in a year. Very inspirational and enlightening.
  18. Save somebody’s life.  Who knows how and when an opportunity might arise.  I pray I’m up to it.
  19. Fly 1st class.  Saving my money for an upscale trip.
  20. Make and sell a product.
  21. See the Southern Cross in person.  We  saw  it  in  Puerto  Rico.

    The Southern Cross.

  22. Visit Greece. 
  23. Visit London. We visited London in September, 2018.  It was a wonderful trip. 

    Tower Bridge over the Thames River.

  24. See the Northern Lights — I’d like to view the Northern Lights — the Aurora Borealis — from Iceland.  Planned for the October, 2021
  25. Visit New Orleans.  Planned for February, 2021.
  26. Learn to Tango.  Charlie and I have enjoyed a 6-week tango class.    Perhaps we’ll dance again in the future.

That’s 26 items.  I reserve the right to add more.

Jo

January, 2021: Plans

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January 2021 Plans

One of the strategic changes I’m making to my monthly goal lists is to go from a dozen items to 10 each month.  Every month last year I fulfilled the list set out before me.  In 2021 my lists will be shorter and perhaps have a new perspective.  I still plan to make progress on projects and plans.

  1. Get my watch fixed and start wearing it. 

    My gold watch needs a battery and a new band.

  2. Organize and remove 2 blue bins from back bedroom. 

    My bin collection needs to be sorted then stored.

  3. Contact friend or family each week.
  4. Read a book:  Pirates on the Chesapeake. 

    The notorious Blackbeard

  5. Take down, organize, and store Christmas decorations.
  6. Remove 5 items from clothing closet. 

    Surely I don’t need all these clothes.

  7. Make a cover for my sewing machine. 

    My new sewing machine needs a better cover than the paper one it came with.

  8. See a movie.
  9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SIMPLIFY.
  10. Write a goal list for February.

Jo

December 2020: Goals Finished

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In the month of December we strove to finish the year strong.  I’ve successfully completed a 12-task list of items every month with the help of family and friends.

In addition to the numbered list below we got a new bed to help with the theme word for the month:  DREAM.

New mattress.

I spruced up our welcome mats even though we didn’t have any visitors.

This is a really quick upgrade.

I finished a sewing project.

Six pillows are finished.

  1.  Sell Christmas decorations.

    I can’t even give these away.

    I listed baskets and serving pieces on marketplace but was unable to sell anything.

    I did sell this decorative Turkish saz.

  2. Read a book:  A Christmas Carol and The Day Christ Was Born.

    Scrooge’s 3rd visitor.

    It was fun to re-read the Dickens classic.

  3. Celebrate Christmas.

    Even in our quarantine we are grateful for an abundant life.

    It was a beautiful, unhurried day.

  4. Finish up and wrap all Christmas gifts.

    Charlie takes care of electric and I decorate the tree. I also wrap the presents.

  5.  Work on back bedroom door.

    While working on this projects I found a number of problems in the Treetops Bedroom.

    The door now closes and fully latches.

  6.  Empty a drawer.  I took all the sweaters and t-shirts out of one drawer and only returned the best sweaters.  The t-shirts are headed to the giveaway box.
  7.  Bake cookies.

    Almond Balls

    I tried a new-to-me recipe which was easy and tasted great.

  8.  Remove one item or box from attic.  This is old hat by now.  The attic is holding half the items it used to — light at the end of the tunnel.

    A big area of the attic has been cleared and cleaned. Ready for Christmas boxes.

    When I return the Christmas boxes to the attic next month they will be more organized and fewer in number than when we pulled them out last month.

  9. Work on kitchen at shore house.

    The kitchen ceiling at the shore house isn’t finished yet but a new lighting fixture has been installed.  (Compare it to the old light.)

    I personally have not been working on the shore house but the residents have come to pick up the large cabinet (that has been stored on my side porch) and new lighting fixtures.

  10. Plan trip to New Orleans.

    The French Quarter of New Orleans.

  11. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: DREAM.
  12. Write a goal list for January, 2021.

Jo

Bucket List Trip: NOLA

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Ever since my mother told me about her pleasant trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, I have had it on my bucket list to go there.

We’ll be staying near the French Quarter.

To tat end, I have made plane and hotel reservations for February, 2021, providing the Covid-19 virus is under control by then.  New Orleans was also hit again in 2020 with a hurricane which our constituency can help support rebuilding.

Charlie and I have used public transportation is plenty of cities.

We plan to get around using streetcars and public transportation so we won’t be renting a car.  It’s always a challenge but we’ve heard that because it was created in a car-less world and designed for pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages,  New Orleans remains compact and highly walkable, especially in its older neighborhoods.

I plan to eat as many beignets with coffee as possible.

Here’s the itinerary:

Day 1 

The Canal/Algiers Ferry will give a a good view of the city on our first day there.

5 a.m. leave for airport and fly non-stop to New Orleans arriving just after 9 a.m.
Canal/Algiers Ferry    —     Some of the best views of the city are from the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry in the middle of the Mississippi River.   Since 1827, the ferry has traveled across the Mississippi River to Algiers Point, a historic neighborhood with loads of 19th century village charm. Ride the ferry from the French Quarter and stroll the Jazz Walk of Fame in Algiers. We want to discover Confetti Park, a whimsical playground for kids. Grab a bite at any of the nearby cafes and pubs.

Evening – walk around French Quarter

Day 2 

A river cruise helps us get our bearings in an unfamiliar place.

Take a cruise on the steamboat Natchez–a characteristic paddleboat that cruises down the Mississippi and back. Its great narration explains the importance of the river historically as well as pointing out interesting sights along the way.

Day 3 

Saint Louis Cathedral flanked by museums left and right.

French Market,  Frenchmen Street, Saint Louis Cathedral.  Flanking the Saint Louis Cathedral are two historic buildings–the Cabildo and the Presbytere–now housing the city’s top museums.

Day 4 

We’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Garden District

Day 5

Wander around the city.

Day 6

12 noon check out of hotel and fly back home.

Needless to say we’ll be spending a lot of time seeking out cafes and restaurants in search of the famous cuisine of Louisiana.  If you have a favorite haunt don’t hesitate to suggest something to us; that’s why we leave plenty of open time on our schedule.

Jo

December 2020: Goals

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In the month of December we’re looking to finish the year strong.  I’ve successfully completed a 12-task list of items every month and plan to finish this month and this year the same way.

  1.  Sell Christmas decorations.

    I got rid of many Christmas items last December in the Holiday Swap.

  2. Read a book:  A Christmas Carol and The Day Christ Was Born.
  3. Celebrate Christmas.

    This year I’ll feature my crèche collection.

  4.  Finish up and wrap all handmade Christmas gifts.

    I’ve made multiple versions of this prototype.

  5.  Work on back bedroom door.
  6.  Empty a drawer.

    My grandmother’s dresser which I have stuffed to the gills over the decades.

  7.  Bake cookies.
  8.  Remove one item or box from attic.
  9. Work on kitchen at shore house.
  10. Plan trip to New Orleans.

    Planning to stay in the city of jazz.

  11. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: DREAM.
  12. Write a goal list for January, 2021.

Jo

November 2020: Accomplished Goals

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In the month of November I kept busy with various projects and tasks and at the same time happy to have time to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Keeping moderation (the word of the month) in mind I stayed relaxed about progressing at a leisurely pace, yet everything on the list has been completed.

  1. Bring Christmas decorations out of attic.

    Simple lights on a dark stretch of country road.

    My son got a head start by lighting up the shore house for the first time.

  2. Read a book:  Papa’s Table d’Hote.  An interesting read about an Italian immigrant family in New York City at the turn of the last century.

    My November reading project.

    Their celebrations through limitations and obstacles were encouraging.  It’s clear that a generous and gregarious spirit can change people’s lives.

  3. Celebrate Thanksgiving .

    I stuffed a large bunch of flowers into a small basket for the dining room table.

    This year was a small but grateful celebration.

    We ate and ate.

  4.  Work on sewing projects.  Unfortunately my sewing machine broke beyond repair before I was completely finished.

    My sewing project will be revealed next month after I give it as a gift.

    I’m hoping for a replacement machine very soon.

  5. Organize office supplies.

    The first batch of office supplies we no longer need.

    This was a much bigger project than I had imagined but the office supplies are listed for sale with a few key items ready for use in our home office.

  6.  Empty 5 items from conservatory closet. We keep entertaining supplies like tablecloths, card, tables, TV trays, and extra chairs in this closet.  I pulled some unnecessary items from the closet: board game, lace tablecloth, plug strips, scrapbook, flat tire sealant.
  7.  Sell or give away musical instruments:  recorders, drumsticks, lute. All listed on Facebook Marketplace.

    Siamese recorder with a carved dragon motif

    Unfortunately FB would not allow me to list this Thai flute.  They insist it is a weapon!!

  8.  Get rid of 11 books. I sorted through my books again and reached my goal of 11 this month and 50 in 1001 days. All have been donated to worthy causes.
  9. Choose kitchen lighting for shore house.  I ordered 2 pewter-finish flush ceiling lights for the shore house kitchen.

    A sleek new 14-inch diameter light with a retro vibe for the 1930s shore house.

  10. Wash kitchen windows.  The last windows on my list.  Now the whole house is done.
  11. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: MODERATION.
  12. Write a goal list for December.

Jo

November 2020: Goals

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In the month of November we’re looking to keep busy, make progress, but also take time to appreciate and relax — everything in moderation.

  1. Bring Christmas decorations out of attic.

    I decided to stick with a polar bear theme again this year for the winter holidays.

  2. Read a book:  Papa’s Table d’Hote.
  3. Celebrate Thanksgiving . This year will be a small but grateful celebration.

    It’s time to locate and feature the Redwing Stag.

  4.  Work on sewing projects. I’m planning to make Christmas gifts from my deep trunk of supplies and whip up something for myself.

    I have DIY refurbishing planned for this FB Marketplace buy.

  5. Organize office supplies.

    We have a pile of office supplies that needs to be organized and stored. How many staplers does one couple need?

  6.  Empty 5 items from conservatory closet.

    The conservatory closet houses tablecloths and other items we rarely use.

  7.  Sell or give away musical instruments:  recorders, drums, lute.  Who wouldn’t like to have some noise makers for the upcoming holidays?
  8.  Get rid of 11 books. I’m almost to my goal of 50 books.  Thus far all have been donated to worthy causes.
  9. Choose kitchen lighting for shore house.

    I’m thinking of replacing the fluorescent tube fixture and hanging light with 2 of these simple flush mounts in a pewter finish.

  10. Wash kitchen windows.

    The bump-out and ground floor window with shutters are the only ones remaining to be washed before the entire house can be declared “finished”.

  11. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: MODERATION.
  12. Write a goal list for December.

Jo

October, 2020: Goals Satisfied

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I can hardly believe October, 2020 is over.  Here’s what we planned and accomplished at The Glade.

  1. Install threshold in laundry.  This was an inexpensive project that improved the look of the laundry room.

    The laundry threshold made a neat transition from the hall to the laundry and covered an unsightly hole in the floor.

    Ultimately I gave the threshold and surrounding floor 3 coats of urethane applied with a sponge brush.

  2. Read a book: Misty of Chincoteague.  I was excited to read this youth book after our trip to Assateague Island last month.

    Wild ponies still roam the marshes of Assateague Island.

    It doesn’t disappoint in describing the aura of the area more than 70 years after the book was written.  We will definitely head to Chincoteague for the pony swim some day.

  3. Day trip to view bald eagles.

    The roiling water neath Conowingo Dam attracts eagles and other fish-eating birds.

    Charlie and I visited Conowingo Dam in northern Maryland to catch a view of bald eagles.

  4.  Check old computers for available files then get rid of them.

    The computers are gone; I retained the hard drives.

  5.  Frame some paintings.  I framed 3 paintings that had been lying around the house waiting for an upgrade.

    Both paintings went back to the shore house from whence they came.

    Each took just a little different method.

  6.  Empty desk in pink bedroom. This desk has been totally emptied and now moved out of the pink bedroom which is due for a major cleaning including old files from the file cabinet.

    Before

    After

  7.  Remove one item or box from attic.

    I went through a box of board games to make sure all pieces were in tact before dispersing the games.

    This month the box was full of board games the best of which have been listed/sold on Facebook Marketplace.  Others are trashed.

  8.  File financial papers. I saved this task until everything else was finished in October. With 10 days remaining in the month I filed all bank statements and bills.  First I just made piles.  Then I went to appropriate storage area and filed the paperwork.  Additionally I removed from storage about 5 years of old documents which were then burned.  Whew! Not my favorite task.
  9. Work on  kitchen at shore house.  We have finally finished painting the cabinets in the kitchen.

    Everyone loves the new kitchen color.

    Now it’s up to my son to work on the floor, the ceiling, the walls.

  10. Wash treetops bedroom windows. This bedroom has 3 windows each of which looks out in a different direction.

    A bright and shiny window.

    I washed all the storm windows and the sash windows from the inside.  The ones I could reach from the porch I also washed outside.

    This room is bright with a triple aspect.

    One of my favorite rooms because the treetops are visible from every window.

  11. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SATISFACTION.
  12. Write a goal list for November.

I also made reservations for an out-of-state trip early next year.  I’m hoping managing Covid will become less restrictive by then — we’ll see.

Jo

Learning to Forage

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Sug and I have been getting more and more interested in foraging wild plants to eat.

A fresh “chicken” about the size of my fist.

We started in August by eating a Chicken of the Woods mushroom growing in the front yard near the stump of an old oak tree.

Hen of the Woods flourishes in our oak tree mulch.

More recently we found the less colorful version of a similar mushroom called Hen of the Woods.  It has a rubbery, almost plastic touch.  Sug also tried this one and pronounced it delicious.

We also found an outcropping of Hen (maitake) near the location of our original Chicken discovery.

We probably had 30 pounds growing under the trees near our outdoor chapel.  We left most of it for the deer who seemed to enjoy it.

I noticed a white growth on a piece of oak tree that had been cut down about a year ago.

We harvested the Lion’s Mane while it was still very young.

But the pièce de résistance was surely the Lion’s Mane.

Lion’s Mane is extraordinarily like crab meat in both appearance and texture.

Sug cleaned it only to discover it looks like crab meat.

Wild mushrooms should be cooked before being eaten.

It works in recipes that call for crab.  Sug sauteed it with onions and peppers from the garden.  She added Old Bay seasoning for some authentic Maryland flavor.

If I didn’t know it wasnt crab meat I would have been fooled.

I ate her concoction with orzo.  It was yummy.

Chickweed has a fresh taste.

We are also foraging salad greens which grow as weeds in the vegetable garden over the winter:  chickweed and bittercress.

The cress (left side of the photo) is plentiful and growing alongside the chickweed.

Bittercress is not bitter but it is slightly peppery like watercress.  These two plants grow all winter long in our area.

We also found a tiny bit of Turkey Tail mushroom but have not tried to eat it since there are a number of look-alikes.  It is subtly and incredibly beautiful.

We’re just getting started.

Jo