Another gorgeous day. Bright yellow leaves dominate.

It came as a surprise, our writing sessions ended last evening.

We had a very small group. Feedback was limited to praise which is nice but not as helpful as suggestions for improvement.

I did some fall cleanup in the middle garden yesterday. Worked on the side today.

The shadberry is a gorgeous red. Too late to trim the longer shoots back, though. Neighbors’ burning bush plants are spectacular, as always.

We did a road trip to Lady Killigrew Cafe and the Montague Bookmill. This was a rare trip to Franklin County and we drove through a number of towns we’ve either never visited or not visited for a very long time.

We took the Mohawk Trail, Route 2, over mountains on the way. We avoided the climb on the way back by traveling a route further south of the Trail.

We enjoyed sandwiches for lunch. Since we were al fresco Jett kept us company.

I decided to visit the bookstore before we left and was directed to the “Writing” section. A helpful person pointed out the location and asked what I was looking for. When I told her Stephen King’s On Writing, she was astonished: she was holding it in her hand!

“This hasn’t happened to me before.”

“‘Me, neither!”

Nice country between here and Montague. I’m sorry we didn’t do this when the foliage peaked, although it was a treat to actually see the mountains there and back.

Sick as a dog last night, nothing helped, not omeprazole, Pepto, apple cider vinegar, ginger, simethicone, shower.

Got up early to start laundry. Took meds, had breakfast. Lightheaded, went back to bed; Jett kept me company. Did two loads plus bedding, changed the sheets. Emptied the dishwasher.

Brush fire that started in Berlin NY came across a mountain to South Williamstown.

Put up the MacLean plaque in my office.

Vacuumed the stairs and hallway.

Ron had a post-laser op checkup with the eye doctor but missed it.

Quick run for coffee and TUMS.

Got word that our new insurance company changed their records and rolled back the overcharge for the roof. They also agreed to refund $60 in overdraft charges!

We got more good financial news: we’ve been approved for the LEAP program which will pay for part of our heating costs this winter. We’ve failed to qualify up to now so this was very exciting. Won’t know for another week or so how much of an allowance we’ll receive, but it will be welcome and a help as oil costs continue to climb.

I made a cake this morning from pantry goods: box of vanilla cake mix, can of mandarin oranges, applesauce instead of oil and eggs.

Made a vegetable stew with vegetables, mostly from the pantries: potatoes, carrots, a leak, garlic, onions and two heads of chopped lettuce seasoned with “warming spices”: turmeric, coriander, smoked paprika and because we seem to be out of cumin, baharat.

I did get part of the frig cleaned and spot-painted a chip in one of the living room windowsills.

30 degrees when we woke up. Pretty day, though.

Disinfected the green machine water collection tank with the rubber insert.

Vacuumed the carpet but it still looks terrible.

Ron raked leaves again and filled five bags; back yard looks good.

Hung the MacInnis and MacIsaac fake coats of arms and histories in Ron’s “tiny room”.

Made a quiche for supper with leftover kale, onions, eggs and cheese.

Didn’t do much today. I’d hoped to get out of the house but it’s family and friends weekend for Williams so couldn’t come up with an activity that didn’t involve money and crowds.

I did vacuum and spot clean the living room carpet. Worked on getting out old coffee stains. Will see how it looks tomorrow.

Sat outside for a while with Ron and Jett.

Helped Ron with paying bills online.

Potato for breakfast, cereal for supper. Upside down day menu-wise.

Starting with good news first, we had the truck inspected today at a repair shop that had a Lamborghini parked in front.

The shop thinks they can replace the differential/rear axle with a used one and offered to find the part. Everything else looked good to them. They even replaced a brake light bulb, no charge.

We went to North Adams so I could drop off paperwork to BCAC. Their office was closed. Our new insurance agent has an office in the same building so I stopped by.

We had lunch at the Food Factory, pizza and salad. Did a shop afterwards at BigY. Got bread at Wild Oats Market and rolls we found we didn’t like at Great Falls.

The underwriters at Nationwide increased our premium based on false information about when the house was sold and when the roof was replaced.

I wouldn’t have minded except that one of the local agents took them at their word without asking me if this was correct. I had to send them a receipt to prove that I was telling the truth.

Gee, thanks for your support, Chazzerim.

Meanwhile, with new artwork and the giant bulletin board gone, the upstairs hallway is actually beautiful.

Ron did a run to Stop & Shop and lost his wallet. Great news: the cashier turned it in!

I put up the bulletin board. Measured numerous times. Attached the hardware on both the bulletin board and the wall. Installed the bulletin board. Relieved to have it done.

Added up our income for 2027 and it looks like we are over the limit for fuel assistance, once again. Turns out we are better off with the 3.6% Social Security increase than we would have been with LEAP. I will drop off the paperwork anyway so they can qualify us for the Good Neighbor Fund and possibly the Governor’s winter energy relief plan.

Ron took Jett out for the second time today.

Yesterday Ron had three appointments: surgeon (cyst was bleeding), teeth cleaning (me, too) and neurologist. All went well.

Today I went to two food pantries. Soup, salad and baked potatoes for lunch.

Got Ron assigned to a new primary doc at Williamstown Medical. The Doc has good reviews on WebMD and Vitals.

BCAC called for documentation to accompany our application for fuel assistance.

Had to correct bank account info on the Nationwide insurance accounts. Off by one digit.

Skipped the writing group tonight, minor intestinal distress.

Did very little yard work this week. Cleaned out the deck planters and raked the lawnmower leavings. Picked up trumps.

Speaking of shit, today’s political dog excrement was deposited by the Ramaswamy campaign’s latest campaign ad which achieved a new depth of depravity.

I promised myself that I’d make a big salad today. Served it for lunch along with corn and sweet potatoes.

Ron is worried about the cyst in his groin which started bleeding so we made an appointment for him to be seen tomorrow. I set up the little clock radio to wake him up at 7.

We also have dental appointments late morning and a check-in with Ron’s neurologist tomorrow afternoon.

Changed the sheets today.

Canceled Spot pet insurance.

Finally received an invoice from Reynolds Plumbing. It was overstated for materials which we’d provided so I paid just for labor, which was very well deserved.

Refilled the Dawn Powerwash container with 2 Tbl Dawn, 1 Tbl alcohol and 16 oz distilled water.

Boiled eggs, made oatmeal, roasted delicata squash but forgot the final ingredients.

Binged a Netflix film “The Menu” and a series, “Fauda”.

Did a small shop mainly for neufchatel. I was lucky enough to encounter a kind person at the Catholic church who unloaded the Brien Center carrots and onions from the trunk for this week’s food pantry.

Ron must have taken Jett out a half dozen times today.

Ordered Sumac and Za’atar from Walmart.

Ron was able to mow the lawn yesterday.