Getting the Washer Fixed & Other Random Thoughts
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Today, I’m getting my washing machine fixed. The appliance technician called, saying he’s on his way. Funny how you kind of take those appliances for granted until they stop working!
I don’t recall a time when a whole week went by, and there was still snow on the ground.
I’m not going out until I look out my window and see no snow on the ground. Until it’s warm enough for the ice on the north side of my house to melt.
It’s in the thirties outside right now, but supposed to be climbing up to the sixties for the first time in a while.
The appliance technician is now in the laundry room with the expensive parts that were ordered. And I’m sitting here with the little electric stove humming and keeping the room warm. It is a great background noise, like the white noise meant to be calming; it’s a steady murmur.
I watched the last episode of Homeland last night. It’s the second time watching it. Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin were excellent in it. And in the last season, Claire Danes’ real husband was introduced: Hugh Dancy. The couple has two boys and a girl.
The Lake House:
Kasi and her husband’s lake house is supposed to be finished up this week, and they’re planning to move things in next weekend. Apparently, they’ve done well buying things off Facebook Marketplace to furnish it.
They have cement floors in the lakehouse, which are easy to keep clean and are nice for wet feet. She said she found quite a few area rugs, two sectionals, and other things. I’ve never bought anything off FB Marketplace, have you?
I imagine I’ll go to see the new lakehouse at some point when it’s warmer outside.
It’s Still & Quiet Outside:
It is still outside. Not a thing is stirring, not even a mouse, as the saying goes. Looking out the window on my right, I can see one branchlet moving slightly, as though it’s a rocking chair that’s almost come to a full stop.
It will be nice, in a few months, to look out and see those branchlets start to emerge with green leaves. I always enjoy that first week when trees and plants begin to wake up from their winter sleep.
Sitting here, the empty wall is to my right. I keep looking at it and imagining what I’ve come to think of as my birthday bookshelves back there. Then I can bring books from hither and yon wherever they’re stacked and get things more organized around here.
I’m looking forward to seeing my books sitting in fine rows, waiting to be reopened and read again. Some books will just be sitting there as a friendly reminder that I’ve read them.
My Tabletop Tree:
My tabletop Christmas tree is still a delight. This morning, the battery-powered lights suddenly came on and began blinking in a kind of Morse code. I hadn’t plugged in the tree lights yet.
Morse code is a method of visual communication that encodes text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations. These are called dots and dashes, or dits and dahs. Maybe you know all this.
Speaking of the tree, I’ve been trying to decide how I want to decorate it for springtime. I have a few ideas forming in my mind.
The theme will be something green, to signify nature. The time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings.
Did you know that some researchers believe the positive association with green is hardwired in our brains by evolution? Early humans knew that green in nature signaled food, water, and shelter.
Research also shows that creativity tends to increase when people are surrounded by green plants and have access to green views of nature.
To me, green is a calming color. I look at the color green and feel something in me relax, a letting go of my shoulders as they settle downward.
My Neighbor’s House:
Looking out the west window from where I sit, I see the neighbor’s green-painted house. I’m not sure what shade of green you’d call it. It’s a soft green that seems to blend into its surroundings.
Daisy likes to sit on that cupboard with the quilts inside, watching the birds in the neighbor’s bushes. I often call my sweet, ginger-colored cat Daisy Mae. Mae is my middle name. She has the prettiest copper-colored eyes.
I learned that ginger cats have their own holiday. Ginger Cat Appreciation Day falls on the first of September each year. And, 80% of ginger cats are male, so my Daisy is kind of special.
To be ginger, a male kitten only needs to inherit the “orange” gene from his mother. Females, however, need to receive copies of the gene from both parents. The more copies of the gene she inherits, the more ginger she will be.
I’ve purchased a number of things from Facebook Marketplace but only from local ads. Two years ago I found a teal leather Lane recliner which was exactly what I wanted for $35 — almost new condition. This year I found the exact same chair for sale again by someone else for $75 and purchased that one also. Now I have two “favorite” chairs, one in my guest bedroom where I read and contemplate the world and one in the living room where we watch TV and spend our evenings.
Interesting note: my mother’s middle name was Mae as well. Never hear that name any more. Brought back a bit of nostalgia.’
That’s interesting about the ginger cats. I didn’t know that.
Glad you finally got your washer fixed. You don’t realize how much you depend on your appliances until they break! I’m happy for Kasi’s family. I’m sure they are really going to enjoy their lake house, and it’s great that she found some good deals to furnish it. I hope she’ll let you take some pictures to show us. And, I agree… green is good! I think I read somewhere that it’s the easiest color for our eyes to see.
One good thing about being a renter is that you don’t have to pay for the washing machine repairs! Appliance repairs cost a fortune now. Between the parts and labor, it probably cost as much to repair the washing machine as the original purchase price.
I love the red stool, red picnic basket, and the basket on top next to your fireplace. Really stands out and looks so nice.
I had to laugh when I read that you couldn’t recall a time when there was snow on the ground for over a week. Pretty much the opposite here in IL – I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen the ground in the winter in over a week! We usually have at least a small covering of snow because it stays so darn cold. However, I just saw on the latest weather forecast that it will be warming up into the 30’s and 40’s – might even hit 50 – in the next week or so. We shall see. I know it’ll be what we call a false spring. Happens every year. Then goes back to frigidly cold.
I’ve purchased things on Marketplace. My best purchase of all was the gorgeous white vintage cabinet for my kitchen. I’d been looking for something like that for my kitchen for YEARS and so when I found this – and for only $100 – I was so happy. I’ve also sold things on Marketplace, too.
Green is indeed a beautiful, calming color. My mom has a lot of green in her house. Right now, my house has a lot of blue. In fact, I’m getting a little tired of that color. I’m wanting to change things up, starting with the kitchen. I’ve been looking for a new rug to go under the table and chairs, but haven’t found anything that’s “just right”. I’ll keep looking. Then in the spring, I’ll take down the navy blue velvet curtains in the living room and replace them with a more suitable pair of curtains in a different color. Again, something I’m looking for. And…same with my bedroom. The current quilt is a smoky bluish-gray and I’m tired of that, too.
We had two ginger cats when I was a teenager. They were brother and sister. They were both so incredibly sweet, though the female sometimes could be a little spicy. 😉
Too bad she rents from her daughter and her daughter has to pay for the expenses for the washer repair. They don’t make appliances that last more than 5 years.
Speaking of green…one of my fav colors…But having lived in both desert and mountains…I so prefer the mountains, or at least lots of trees. I feel most people are happier there…even in hardship like deep snow and less money. At least the most beautiful mountain town I lived in for 1 year (in N. Idaho as a teen) was Paradise to me…in every possible way. Happiest 1 year ever. So blessed and fortunate to have had that one year as it made all the difference in a lot of the hardships faced elsewhere in my life. Years later, in an awful town, THE WORST, of my life…was in the desert. My theory?? Most people became angry in the desert. Or did in that town. One of the best days in my life was moving away from there!! So when we moved to NC, people asked how we liked it there? Heh, I said, “Well, its green!!! THAT is a good thing!!” I wish it was not so hot here for over half the year, but we have AC so tis ok. Were I younger, and outside a lot, the amount of dangerous snakes here would be an issue (6 poisonous types, some can kill quickly). But living among all the trees is a joy!! GREEN IS GOOD!!
I agree! I don’t think I’d like to live in the desert. I have to have green.
That’s so funny! Our cat is named Daisy and I often call her Daisy Mae……actually I call her Daisy Mae Tinklepants. lol. I don’t know why it just seems to roll right off my tongue.
I like that name!
We just got our dishwasher fixed by the nicest technician, he even said nice to meet you both as he left! Usually we get grumpy ones so this guy was a lovely surprise. So thankful I don’t have to wash dishes etc any more! Call me lazy but that is a chore I hate doing and it means I can spend more time in my craft area.
I have never bought anything from FB marketplace but have sold a few things on there.
Interesting about ginger cats.
The technician I had was very nice and polite.