Home-bodying and being thrifty--




We have had a little refresher of rain over the last couple of days, and believe me, the plants and animals --humans included-- have welcomed it. For the first time in weeks, rivers are actually moving. Things are nowhere near where they need to be, and folks are still out of/ conserving water (dug wells are still dry, dry, dry), but maybe we'll get through the worst of this drought soon. Although, the forecast doesn't show much in the way of wet for at least a week again. It's puzzling. 

We went out for dinner to our favorite go-to place last night, and there was live music. So many people (many tourists) were sitting out under the oak trees on the lawn, and it was warm and pleasant. We chose indoors; there was a gathering of darker clouds that looked like a promise of some rain. And lo and behold, in they all scampered once the rains began. We left promptly after we ate, since so many people were going to need a table. It was just as well-- we got home relatively early, into pajamas before 8pm, and it was a quiet evening. I watched Britbox until 9:30 and went to bed. That all felt pretty successful. 

Today, I have a short to-do list that runs the gamut from errands/groceries to changing bed linens and making a big batch of applesauce. I need to process the rest of the apples (fruit flies are gross). I'm also making a lasagna and trying my hand at tiramisu-- wish me luck! I love that dessert, but I've never attempted to make it. So, here we go. 

That all said, I'm pleased to have a home-body day. And likely tomorrow, too-- the green tomatoes must be brought in, I should check on the last of the squash, and so on. There will be paper grading and football and more mild weather. I don't mind that, either. The longer we can go without turning on the oil heat and using pellets, the better. Things are not getting cheaper (duh, we knew that was coming), and I feel a real parsimonious streak coming on. 

I've bought a few items of clothing that I didn't need yet, but the promised spike in costs is already here-- I certainly would never pay 40.00 for a toddler's pair of pants. And I've gotten a few books (no surprise). Things I need/ would like to have must be purchased sooner to beat the constant price increases. That said, we have gotten so used to instant gratification in our country that planning for a purchase, or stocking things ahead, or even doing without are all unfamiliar to many people. I can guarantee you that hitting thrift shops is no longer just a trendy thing. It's going to be very hard to plan for big purchases, or even medications, what with newer, higher tariffs going into effect on what looks like a capricious whim. And Holly is growing like a weed, so keeping her in clothing is not easy. We'll have to figure that out as we go, but for the rest of us, mending things, keeping things orderly, and so on will be the order of the day, at least for the foreseeable future. I grew up that way, so it's not a huge stretch, but seriously-- buying hamburger should not be a difficult decision. At 8.00/lb, it's become one. And it just doesn't have to be this way, but it is, and so on...

I hope you have a good day, and please, hold your loved ones close. Watching the news makes me cry. We need to take care of each other.

C

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