Thursday, March 8 - Massachusetts

Winter refuses to relinquish her cold grasp on this part of the country. Yesterday and through part of this morning she unleashed a Nor'Easter that dumped about 10 or so inches of snow. Sigh. After several weeks of unseasonably warm weather in February, Winter has made it clear she is not done with us yet!

A "cyclone bomb" as they call them now (when did that term start? I must have been sleeping) of torrential rain and high winds hit us late last Thursday into Friday. Survived intact; no flooding or unwanted water :) Then this. On Tuesday (and for several weeks prior) the ground was bare. Not even any leftover lumps of snow. I even had a few early plants in my garden tentatively pushing their way toward the sun. Then Pow!

I feel very fortunate as I have made some friends here in the Park, and a few of them take care of things I can no longer physically do - shovel the driveway, dig out the car. It is nice to know they watch out for me, and I am sure it eases my siblngs' minds a bit. Here are a few pix from after the storm.

After the storm

Nick & Ghiselle in the snow

I did not tread too far outside today. Tomorrow will be a different story. Since my car is all dug out I will venture to the local hardware store. I have engaged a young man to finally paint these hideous tropical green colored walls that are driving me to distraction. I have lived with these colors far too long!

If I could paint it all myself I would, but I cannot. Went to the hardware store Tuesday and got a ton of paint chips. Winnowed it down. The living room will be a calming grey and the kitchen a greyish-blue. Also picked one to replace the pink in the laundry area and bathroom.

Hideous tropical L.R. green

Hideos tropical  blue kitchen

What I found odd was - the paint I chose for the living room is the same paint I chose in my prior light-washed apartment. Not purposely - the color names are on the back of the chips. More on that later.

Had yet another plumbing issue to deal with last week. Long story short - plumber told me the pipes underneath had not been hooked up correctly. After scrutinizing it, my awesome Brother thinks the last time they came out to snake the pipes they were a little too vigorous and I am inclined to agree with him. Plumber's quote to fix the issue bordered on thievery in my opinion. For what they quoted I could buy several new appliances.

Going out to pick up paint tomorrow after almost a foot of snow reminds me of the funny story I want to share. I mentioned it a few months ago in the midst of the fuel pump / etc. stuff.

My mechanic puts snow tires on the 'Stang in late Fall, as you recall from previous posts. This enables me to drive her rear-wheel drive through Winter without getting stuck. (That and years of driving Mustang GTs in the Winter.)

When I retired and moved to the Ayer apartment, I also had a small F150 truck. Used it for a lot of winter driving to work. As I did not really need it any more, and with no room to park it, I sold it. Bought some excellent snow tires for the 'Stang with the proceeds.

Firestone WinterForce tread pattern

A few months ago I gave my Brother a ride to pick up his car from the shop (we use the same one) and the head mechanic came outside - they know me very well there. I opened the window. Made small talk, then he gestured at the (summer) tires still in my back seat.

"The guys still talk about putting snow tires on a 5.0 GT that has a Hurst shifter," gesturing towards my Hurst shifter. (Yes. yes I do have one.) he said with a smile... "Then I told them, you won't believe it but a little old lady drives this car."

Yup...that's mine

I busted out laughing so hard tears rolled down. The image was so extraordinarily hilarious I could not help it. Spot on. My Brother looked at me anxiously for a moment; I think he was worried about my reaction. It was so funny, and so true. Every time I think of it I laugh :)

Yeah, it is a heavy duty Hurst shifter (attached to a heavy duty clutch). I do not think about either when I drive. I just do. I love it. Glad I am one of the 18% of the US population who is able to drive one... (that cannot possibly be real!). Nor do I think of myself as a "little old lady".

Here is my singular response.

Stay tuned my friends!

Tuesday, March 6 - Massachusetts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."

          -- Dalai Lama

~ ~ ~

Good evening, friends! Much has happened in the past few weeks, which I will elaborate on in another post. It is late, but the subject has been on my mind for awhile. This is one of my "getting on my soapbox" for a bit posts. I will try to keep it brief, knowing it will likely not be. It is a subject that sticks in my craw. Body shaming. Apologies to the men upfront; this one is geared more for women.

I read a ton of news online. Did not watch the Oscars but read the highlights yesterday. Many articles (too many) were critical of who wore what/looked good or did not. "Oh look, this actress lost all her baby weight in two weeks". "What happened to that one, is she wearing a mumu?" Do not even get me started on Fashion Week.

Really? Who decides what is OK and what is not? I say - enough.

As one who has struggled with weight issues for years (to put more on) I have had it. What message does that send to young girls? I do not want to see another generation growing up with body issues.

Most are familiar with what is called "fat shaming". It is hideous and cruel, not to mention very ill-mannered. Speaking for myself, so is "skinny shaming". I am so very tired of it. It hurts just as much to be told "you need to eat more", "finish your meal", "I can fold you into my suitcase". Even worse - "I wish I was your weight." No. No you do not.

I eat more than anyone realizes. My doctor would love nothing more than if I gained even 5 pounds. So would I. My metabolism is unfortunately much faster than my appetite.

Truth? I am 5'7" and wear like a size 0 or 2 at most. It is as hard to find clothes that fit well & look good as it is for much larger women. And I take umbrage at the number. Size 0 - that is like... size... nothing. And they have clothes that come in 00. Just in case you do not look enough like a coat hanger. Seriously.

When I was younger I was chubby for a few years. Subject to the cruelties of pre-teens. So I do know what it is like from both sides of the fence.

It would be nice to be curvy, to be able to sit in seats without padding and be comfortable. To fit nicely into clothes. To be able to buy them at a regular price at a regular store whose sizes start smaller than 8 (looking at you, WalMart & Burlington). I am way, way past 14 and do not wish to buy my clothes at Abercrombie & Fitch.

On the up-side, many agencies do not use models who resemble coat-racks anymore. 'Bout time! Normal people do not look like walking skeletons.

Read an article today that rather summed it up. The lady was fat-shamed on the subway because she was bringing home a few cookies to share with her roomie. She is a bit curvy and very pretty. The intruder tapped her on the shouler & said "it must be nice to eat what you want & not worry about it. I can't - I'm a dancer." How rude! That is not cool. I cannot post the lady's response. Suffice it to say it was 2 words and began with an "F". Fortunately iit did not ruin the lady's day. You go, girl!

Her after comments:

"It doesn't matter what weight I am. It doesn't matter what weight you are. What matters is how we treat each other... Let's remove shame from the equation... Let's use some of that rightgeous indignation for good. Let's stop apologizing for our bodies and start defending them". - Rebecca Jane Stokes

Your body type does not define you as a human being. Be healthy. Be happy with who you are and embrace the body you are in.

Dish out compliments instead of insults. Insults can be incredibly hurtful on a bad day.