Wednesday Rant

Nothing new on the spice saga.  Still waiting for the refund to land in my account. They said the money had already been released to my bank.  No update to the scathing review until then.  People can say anything.  It's what they do that counts.  

And now onto another saga--the mess next door.  Grrrr!!!  They are moving forward with it rather quickly now, unfortunately.  I'll soon be saying good bye to the sunlight the brightens my home. Scaffolding going up now. That will definitely darken my home and once that comes down, that ugly building will be there. Good bye sunshine. I need to find some good lamps to keep my plants alive.

Look how close they are. Actually building it on our property. The scaffolding will actually half cover my bedroom window. (Bottom window on the end.)

I guess I'm upset because I kept hoping that this would fall through.  Realistically, I knew that it wouldn't.  Even though they had several 'Stop Work Orders', I knew they would find a way to do this.  I'd hoped they be like some of the rest of the buildings and run out of money.  That happens quite frequently in this area.  They pay millions for a house that is worth far less, just to tear it down and build these huge monstrosities with glass fronts that look so out of place in this neighborhood.   Several of them ran out of money and these tall buildings stand with only outer shell.  

These are Chinese businessmen who are doing this.  They go door to door offering a huge amount of money hoping the owner can't refuse.  My friend at WW said they were driving she and her husband crazy, but she did not bend.  She was not going to give up her home.

I honestly don't know the purpose of all these buildings. They are NOT housing.  In fact, they tear down housing to build them.  And then they all sit empty, even those that are completed. This next door is supposedly going to be an 8 story service center....but they have a 6 story service center right next door to it and another down the block.  Meanwhile, housing is at a shortage here in the city and so many families are ending up in shelters.  It just doesn't seem fair to me. There has to be another way.

Tuesday Ramble

Ah, Tuesday already.  Thank goodness tomorrow is check day for me.  This Covid has really wiped me out financially.  I am really check to check right now.  Even after the stimulus check which basically all went for food.  Hoping another one comes in soon. Food prices are rising and utilities offer no relief  aside from allowing you to pay late, something I wouldn't do.  I'll only have to pay it in the long run, so I'd rather get it over with instead of having my bill add up.  My neighbor learned that the hard way.  The first month she did not pay rent saying that it would leave her broke after paying the rest of her bills.  Now she is saying she wishes she had stayed broke because she is still trying to make up that month.

Now, hubby is back to work but not as he used to be.  Right now he is only doing vouchers, taking people back and forth to the dialysis clinic.  They are basically local calls....and we worry less about them having Covid than if he was taking on regular calls.  Yes, it is a cut in the salary he used to bring home prior to Covid, but I say rather safe than sorry.   

A few more pics from Sunday.

Thought the black sails were interesting.

Looking up from our bench.

Towing a huge barge in.

In early July I cleaned out my spice cupboard. Was surprised to find that many of my spices had expired so I tossed them. I then ordered a starter kit from Amazon: Cinnamon, Cumin, Ginger, Nutmeg, Turmeric, Mustard Seeds, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Tarragon, Rosemary, Parsley, Cayenne Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Chili Flakes, Italian aromatics, Provencal, Mexican, Seafood, Indian, Coriander, Smoked Chili, and Himalayan Pink. I wasn't too keen on the salts because I don't use them, but I figured what the heck, there is only two and it was a great bargain for $48.

Well, when I got the order, it wasn't as described. Many of the herbs were mixed withe the sea salt, only got two Italian aromatics and none of the others. So I wrote to the company via Amazon. No response. Wrote again. Meanwhile I had to spend more money to buy spices to replace those that I didn't get and needed. Wrote a 3rd time and no response. I chalked it up as a loss and gave a scathing review on the Amazon site.

Then yesterday I figured let me try again. This time I went to the company's website and wrote them directly. Before the day was out I received a reply and an apology for missing my messages. They say they are refunding my money. Awesome. They did try to partially blame Amazon by saying that Amazon does make mistakes, but the fact is, it was a set that came from them. Amazon does not put them together. But, I'm getting my money back so I am thankful. And I will make an addition to my scathing review.

Monday Morning This and That

It's Monday after an uneventful weekend.  Seems they are all like this since Covid.  Not much to do here in the city.  We did go to my favorite spot by the water yesterday and was it ever hot.  Yikes!!!  The summer was slow to come, but now the heat is upon us. We're heading into the Dog Days of summer.  I remember when I was a little girl, we couldn't go to the lake for a swim because of polio fears.  (The vaccine wasn't out yet).  But our parents listened, and we all took it seriously.

Times are so different now, and far too many people feel their having a good time is more important than protecting their fellow man.  They are so fond of saying it is probably fake news, a hoax, or it's nothing more than a flu.    No one is going to take away my freedom. The old people should just stay in the house.  Oh, that one made me mad.  My reply to this one was, "Don't forget.  You are going to be old one day, too, and I pray they have no pandemic during your senior years. "I won't die from it," they say. Well, shame on you.  Maybe a parent or a grandparent will.  It's me, me, me.  It sickens me to no end how selfish people have become.  

Was singing a Christmas carol yesterday morning, and it hit me that I won't ever have my baby here for Christmas again.  I just couldn't stop the tears. I miss him so much.

My peaceful place.  I look forward to this each week. Spent Sunday afternoon here, then went to pick up my meds and do a little food shopping.  

Snapped this pic of hubby yesterday.  He doesn't even know I took it.  Too bad the face is so dark.

Well, I was able to start reading again this weekend.  Dug out an old book that I had really enjoyed when I first read it.   

This book is arranged in hours of the night, starting with 6 PM and ending at 5 AM.  Each chapter corresponds to an hour of the night and has its own theme.  Within each hour, there's a focus on one part of night, such as sunsets, mythology, astronomy, the graveyard shift. nocturnal creatures, sleep and dreams, nightclubs, festivals of the night, stars, children's view of night and bedtime stories.  Each section is informative and entertaining.  

I adore the night, the darkness, the quiet, watching as lights turn off in the residences around me.  It's always been my time.  When I had my garden, night was my favorite time to visit. It was an entirely different world, so silent, so serene.  Unfortunately though, as I grow older I'm not able to enjoy it as I once did.  Now I am ready for bed between 8 and 9 pm.  I've become what we used to call an old fogey.  Try as I might, my eyes just won't stay open.  I've tried afternoon naps, but my body rhythm still says hit the bed at a certain time.

'Acquainted With the Night' is also a poem by Robert Frost that was first published in 1927.  Thought it was quite appropriate for this post.

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

Subscription Box

I've gotten a few boxes from my Witchy One subscription.  Will try to catch you up.  This is a great box for $20.  Never disappoints.  I've gotten so much pretty little jewelry pieces that I've had no place to wear since I only go out once a week, and that's to spend time in the sun.  I'm thinking that some of this stuff might make nice little Christmas gifts.

The unveiling.  Love the boxes they send this in.  Great for my Christmas jewelry gifts.

Empress magnet.  Represents the creative power of the feminine.  Let her remind you to birth new ideas and creative endeavors.  She has joined my other special little magnets on my refrigerator......

Bloodstone Skeleton Key Pendulum.  Bloodstone is a talisman of good health and has been revered as a healing crystal throughout history.

Infinity Heart Earrings.  A symbol of love.  These earrings carry the energy of a universal love that transcends all disharmony that might surface between friends and family.  

Double Point Quartz and Rhodonite Necklace.  Rhodonite comes from Rhodon, which means 'rose'.  A crystal of love.  Quartz works to amplify properties of accompanying crystals.  This necklace was created to drawn all forms of love into your life.  Valued at $26.

Friday Roundup

Boy, what a week it was!  Three special people had surgeries this week.  My daughter had her bariatric surgery and is doing well.  My friend, Jack, had surgery to remove the cancer from around his kidneys, and the doctor feels that he got it all.  And then on Wednesday night my granddaughter was taken to the hospital to have emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. I'm so relieved that that surgery went well, too, so as I sit here writing this, all are on the mend.

On Tuesday Isaias hit us and hit us hard. Trees down all over the place.  Was sitting in my rocker and heard a loud crash.  Looked out the window and this is what I saw.

Well, nosey as I am, it gives me a good view of what is going on...

but, on the other hand it takes away all my privacy.  I don't feel comfortable in my own home. Remember, my bedroom window is right next to that makeshift wall they set up.

I've been trying to get a morning walk in every day.  It not only helps with my weight gain, but also helps to keep my legs moving.  Walking has become difficult, and I know it comes from too much sitting.  But, it's so hard.  I try, but I just can't get myself motivated.  I know I have to pull myself out of this rut, but it's so hard...and really my grief counselor is no help.  But, maybe that's because I don't tell her things.  I don't want to prolong this any longer than I have to.  I do much better in a group setting.  My Wednesday evening group has been so helpful to me.  In fact, taking care of ourselves was our topic this past Wednesday, and I got quite a few suggestions.   

The weather doesn't help either.  Perhaps if it was cooler and more brisk I would feel like it.  But it's been so darn hot and humid here....and I've never dealt well with that.  I am pretty sure when the cool down comes it will be much easier to get out of the house.  

Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Thursday

Took a few pictures of the front of my building yesterday when I went for my morning walk. It's so pretty and green. Hope it stays like this.  Our old super walked out during the height of our Covid outbreak.  His mother used to take such good care of the plants.  Our new super doesn't seem that interested.  We will see.

 This bush flowered earlier in the season.  It was so pretty.

Had my 5th 'Grieving in a World of Loss' class last night. One more to go and then it is finished. I hope they come up with some kind of Part 2 because I sure will miss everyone there. We've not become close enough with each other to stay in contact when the class ends, but there is a kind of structure in seeing and talking to these 6 faces each week. And I do love the leader. He's brought me more comfort with his teachings than my grief counselor has. 

One thing I just have to mention. The class is a small group of women some from different parts of California where the class is located (that's why zoom class is not until 9 pm), one from the midwest, myself from the East coast, and one from Taiwan. I find it so interesting that for her it's actually Thursday morning while we are still on Wednesday evening. Why I chose to focus on that I'll never know.

A Few Updates

You may be wondering what's been happening with my niece.  The answer is nothing.  The saga continues.  My son's death certificate did not arrive until early July,  immediately did all the paperwork and sent it off to Surrogate Court, but now the problem is the courts have been closed here in NYC so everything is taking forever.  As I sit here typing this post, I still have no control over my son's estate, and by now we know my niece has totally stolen all his money from his accounts. She is sitting pretty smug right now thinking she got away with it, but little does she know what is in store for her.  What she has done, the things she has said, are unforgiveable, and I will prosecute her to the fullest.  She WILL NOT walk away from this unscathed.  

The other night in my grief class we were discussing forgiveness and handling our loved ones belongings.    I HAVE NONE OF MY loved ones belongings, and I probably never will. I cannot believe that, as a mother,  I have no rights and by the time I do become his administrator, his belongings will surely have been tossed. It makes me so angry.  

The storm is long gone but has left its mess behind. Trees down all over the place. And just wait until the guys next door come to work. Boy, are they in for a surprise. I'm glad we didn't lose power yesterday. A few times the lights flickered and I thought 'here we go' but fortunately we never lost power.

And the walls came tumbling down.  From yesterday's storm.

We have not yet had Christmas with the family.  I fear my great grands will be too old for the gifts I have for them by the time we get together.   First I got sick at Christmas (not with the virus), then my great grand got very sick, then my granddaughter had her stroke, my daughter got Covid, then my two grands who are nurses had to work extra hours, and finally Covid put us all on shelter in place.  On a positive side, it looks as if I am not going to have to spend  much on Christmas this year.

On another note, I have continued getting my little subscription boxes.  I got the following one from Inked Goddess Creations a month or so ago. 

Celtic Knot Aromatherapy Necklace.  
 

Celtic Tree Box.  Inside was a mini cedar bundle.
 

This was the entire box.  The candle is a blend of lavendar, oak moss, and black pepper.  I used it already.  Smelled wonderful.  May be ordering more if she has them.

Wooden tile.

Celtic Blessings Oil for use in necklace. 
 

I love this beautiful cloth. 

Also included was three expansion card about Celtic Knots, the Celtic Tree of Life, Cedar, Celtic Goddesses, and Celtic Gods. 

There have been a few other boxes that I will share with you.  They bring me a little joy each month.