9/8/2012 aft WV Comfy on top of the bed with my laptop. I feel like Meg, who writes the Princess Diaries, who told me she likes to write in bed , did she say in her PJ's? Maybe. Dan has managed to clear the valve on my air mattress and it seems to be holding air, though not to the max firm amount that I prefer. So, we've switched mattresses. He's happy, loves a squishy bed, and I'm happy, like a firm bed. Just as well as I couldn't find a replacement mattress in Spencer, my closest shopping town. Perhaps in Parkersburg, but who needs to run around town looking for a mattress. Do have to keep an eye out for Ozark Air double high though, these air mattresses only last so long. We've three years for these 2 so that seems like a good run. Good day for making soup. My bag of veggie ends in the freezer was full and the stock from that with a tin of tomatoes and whatever few veggies I have on hand seems to be adding up to a yummy smell coming from the stove. I do get into cooking here. Well, I've the time and really there's no alternative, unless you plan on sandwhiches and cereal, which isn't awful. I've gotten into my WV routine now that I've been back over a week. Make my coffee and read or do a crossword puzzle in the mornings. All the NY Sunday times ones that I didn't have time for that I ripped out and brought up in an envelop. Lately I've been feeling so decadent and having toast with jam as well. Then I dress and tidy up get organized for whatever the day holds. Try to practice the harp a bit. Then a light breakfast, yogurt lately. More practice, then reading, maybe work on a song. Then a mid aftenoon break, this week I've a basket of apples from Dan Brindo's house. He must have 10 different trees. I've been enjoying Irish cheddar and a Brindo apple every day. I take my shower around 4, it's still light and warm and we don't have company, which when you have an outdoor shower does make it simpler. Then I start dinner. Have to start the coals for my “oven” ( a 29.99 charcoal burner from Walmart that is holding up a way too surprisingly long time-- oh when do I get my Weber? ) Mostly I use the grill and the few gas burners. Occasionally, I use the crockpot ( makes a delicious tomato sauce with spicy sausage and bell peppers ) I've become quite the gourmet on my cheap little grill. Last night it was meatloaf, with homefried potatoes, steamed cauliflower and broccoli and coleslaw. We were celebrating the finishing of the floor laying up at Dan Brindo's. Tom and my Dan have been up there all week working on it. I've been making dinner for all of us. This week was grilled chicken , smashed potates and salad, beef stew ( love the mix of Hungarian and Spanish paprikas that I brought up and is sitting in my old wooden Coke crate spice rack ), burritos made with revamped version of my chicken with brown rice and veg- added black beans , fresh cilantro, lime and jalapenos and made a yummy fresh salsa. One night Tom donated some incredible sirloin steaks and Tammy also joined us for steak and salad and potatoes. Super good meat up here, both at Foodland, where they will grind it for you and Dick's Market which is always very, very fresh and fresh cut and ground as well. Met a woman named Pat ( O Boyle Boyd? ) at Dick's yesterday. We were at the meat counter and she was looking throught some little bottles of fancy mustard there. Cranberry, honey mustard, now what would you do with that? ( I love a challenge! ) hmm maybe as a glaze on ham? Awful small bottle, and $1.50 have to be single I guess. Well, everyone is always bringing a ham so I guess it's cool to have new ideas for one. She: Would you use it? Me: Probably not- if I wanted cranberries on something I'd probably just buy cranberries. She laughed. Well she says you grow up hard here, and you know a lot about deer. ( but I guess not much about cranberries ) Later at the counter she caught me spacing out and said probably dreaming of ways to use that mustard. I laughed. Then she started to tell me the recipe for cranberry relish that's in her family. It had cups of sugar and crushed pineapple and she couldn't remember the rest. Said she would write it down and leave it at Dick's for me. I must be the only one the peole who work at Dick's doesn't know in this area, so the cashier looked at me kinda strange, but I just smiled and said thanks. I'm not in there too often, mostly go to Elizabeth to drop off the recycling and use the internet at the library so maybe every other week or so and then we're only here a few months at best every summer. Most everyone who lives in Elizabeth is from there or close by and they all know each other. Well as Pat says you grow up hard here, and you know a lot about deer. And you all know and look out for each other . Got a message in my mailbox that I missed the delivery of my boots. Must of been the other postal person, the woman I met a few weeks back came back in here with my medicine. Course I signed the little card asking for it to be re delivered, so maybe that's what I need to do. That or go down to the Palestine Post Office on Monday. Too bad, I could have used those boots today! Our mailbox is too small for parcels, maybe Tom is right and we need a bigger one.