After morning errands (delivered Jett’s trumps to the transfer station), we took in the Hilltown Open Studio Tour.

Worthington and its neighboring towns are home to a number of artists, including some who are internationally recognized. Worthington may be the coldest town in Massachusetts, but from what we experienced, it has a generous and welcoming heart.

We were treated to mile after mile of gorgeous foliage, brighter than we’ve seen around here. It was explained that this is due to the higher altitude of the Hill Towns which have lower winter temperatures and more snowfall than we do.

We saw examples of wood collage, coiled basketry, amulet jewelry, ceramics, printmaking, painting and watercolor.

On the way back home we stopped at Red Shirt Farm for produce.

The trip was made more complicated when map apps failed in both the Corolla and my iPhone. With no maps, I relied on what I remembered of route numbers. I kept us headed north by routing us so the sun was mostly on our left. It helped that I was familiar with towns we’ve driven through for Jett’s grooming.

When we got home I fed myself with whatever wasn’t nailed down, fed Jett and cooked two ears of corn in the microwave for Ron.

We really maximized our driving today: senior center for Covid shots and a wellness fair, library to drop off books, transfer station for paper recycling, art shop and pit stop at the Bennington library, deli in Pownal.

Made our way from Bennington to Pownal via South Stream Road. Gorgeous road, a couple of beautiful mountain and valley views. Well worth the unintended detour.

The deli, which is under new ownership, has glorious cookies from a bakery in New York. We’ll be back.

Overcast today.

Trying to estimate what our heating costs will be. I think we used 500 gallons of oil last winter. That’s substantially less than the average of 700-900 for a single family house in Massachusetts.

Disgusted with Spot pet insurance, I signed Jett up for our old homeowners insurance company Lemonade, which has great reviews. As soon as the waiting periods are over, I’ll cancel Spot. Premiums will be similar with lower ($250) deductible.

Asked our furnace company for the location of the filter and if it’s really where I’ve been told it is.

I need to get going with selling the Blue Hills Cemetery plot.

Ron brought the compost to the transfer station and washed the bucket.

I cooked the 6 onions that have been sitting in the sunroom over low heat while I made mac and cheese and greens for supper. Soup tomorrow.

Blood draw results. Several measurements are high, a couple are low. Should be an interesting conversation with the doc tomorrow.

It’s still raining but the trees have kept their leaves and more are starting to turn.

We didn’t get out of bed until after 10. Jett, too.

I’ve needed to have fasting bloodwork done before my last appointment with my Pakistani doc this Wednesday (sniff). So, Jett and I went to the North Adams hospital blood drawing place. The phlebotomists must have been on break because I waited a long while but got it done

I went to North Adams because the Williamstown Medical blood draw service is now under the auspices of the Urgent Care clinic and they weren’t answering their phone this morning. Also I needed to pick up Jett’s dry food at Tractor Supply before they return it to stock.

Got a notice that my Medicare Advantage plan will not be offered next year. Must wait until October to see what options Cal will provide. I would love it if they offered Fallon.

Ron has been cold in bed for a while. Since it’s sheet changing day, I removed the light summer spread and dragged out our faithful winter blanket which we have named “Ralph” because it has a Ralph Lauren monogram.

Went to Dollar General. Brought home bathroom cleaner and a new scrub brush for Ron the Pearl Diver.

Made a big salad. That and a cheese sandwich was Ron’s lunch. Might be supper, too.

Today’s laundry was a career. Multiple washes and drying cycles. I was folding clothes until quarter of ten (pm).

Heard from Peter. Poor Beau was sick but is recuperating. As he said, we do worry about our furry friends.

A bit of wind and rain this morning from the Nor’easter that’s been pounding the coast.

I put up a couple of pieces of artwork this afternoon.

We brought the big box of unwanted clothes to the Goodwill truck at the library this afternoon. I didn’t think we’d make it but the rain turned to light showers by the time we got the truck loaded.

I watched a couple of YouTube videos about serious renovations of primitive properties. Very impressive and if I were a different person, maybe even inspiring.

Ron took Jett out for fetch a couple of times. Jett was “off” this morning, wouldn’t eat, even his egg, but he perked up by evening.

I debated about going to a Greek festival but Ron wasn’t really feeling it. We stopped for baked goods at Tunnel Coffee. More reasonable prices than the new bakery and a gigantic selection. We’d have gone to A-Frame but I figured she’d be pretty much sold out by then.

Started watching the Patriots game and gave up after the first half. 35-6, Jaguars. Glad we didn’t waste any more of our time.

It started around 11 and is expected to continue through tomorrow.

I spent several hours going through a giant box of clothing that has been sitting in our bedroom since we moved here almost four years ago.

As far as I can tell, these must have been dumped from bureaus; most are fine. I hope to bring a box of items we can’t use to the Goodwill truck that visits the library every Sunday.

I found some rear differentials online with the correct part number. Messaged Jess at the dealership.

Also messaged Priscilla about visiting this weekend or next.

This was a chunk of my afternoon today:

I found a company in Connecticut that does car and truck frame repairs. Then our mechanic said she thinks the frame is okay after all.

She’s trying to find a used distributor aka “rear end”. Toyota claimed they couldn’t find a new one and wouldn’t install a used one, so it would be outstanding if our other mechanic could pull it off.

Once the new distributor is installed, I plan to bring the truck to enfield so the frame can be checked out by a specialist.

Yesterday I tore myself away from the house for a couple of hours to watch a splendid short film series at the library, the Manhattan Short Film Festival.

House was very cold, started burning oil.

Feeling better, getting more sorting done in the office. Still visiting the throne room from time to time, hesitant to leave the house, although it is quite a pretty day. Am enjoying it from a bedroom window.

Splendid YouTube post by a Canadian couple on Trump’s visit to the UN and Carney’s brilliant moves at the same meeting.

Booked appointment for Ron’s implant. It had not been scheduled. Got an estimate of his OOP cost. Meanwhile, no time for transfer station today.

Made a stir fry of beans, onions, garlic and squash,pasta and Rao sauce for supper. Well received.

Ron had another accident and I’ve been back and forth to the throne rooms a couple of times myself. Maybe from overextended canned pears? Haven’t felt like doing anything today. Hungry but nothing sounds good, even dessert.

Jett seems to be “off” a bit, too. He snuck a big chunk of jack cheese the other day, can’t remember exactly when.

Trump TV is on the air. It was broadcasting boring clips from his speeches.

We pried ourselves out of the house long enough to bring the truck to Carpinello’s for tomorrow’s appointment. Jett went with Ron in the Corolla. It was nice for me to be back in the Tacoma driver’s seat again.

Change in SVMC Cardiology appointment, moved to late December.

I’ve hardly moved today. Ron’s been out with Jett and the two of them are off to Stop & Shop.

Ron thought his new glasses were falling apart. Turns out it was one of his readers. He discovered this at the optician’s office. He is embarrassed.

I discovered that we may be able to buy pet insurance through Cal for a little less than what we’re paying and with a lower deductible. By coincidence it’s offered through Nationwide, our new homeowners/auto company.

I’m still working on bringing order to the piles of paper and random stuff in the bedroom and my den/office. Some things find their place easily, most do not. Did find a good one, the Keeper of Time’s datebook, which 26 years later is still very useful.

I did pry myself away from the computer and/or tv long enough to make lunch. Doctored up yesterday’s stew and made a cobbler from canned pears, flavored oatmeal packets and a little butter and sugar.

We did laundry and changed the sheets.