HIGH BUTTON SHOE

January 2, 2007

RE: January release of Ranting Raven

High Button Shoe

and the farm update

... I do not make new year resolutions. If you knew me, you would know all the reasons why. Discipline is not my forte. Along with several other 'nots'. I have been on a diet for 30 years, so that shows you how strong that resolve lasts. Much too fond of chocolate and red licorice. And cookies. And flavored coffeemate in my coffee. Sometimes achieving some success, I inevitably gain it back after a while. In my life time I think probably I have gained and lost 3 people.

Having said I make no resolutions, I do admit to making a couple of mental challenges to myself. Not written in stone or blood, but still in my thought process, just the same. I am not divulging them to anyone, as I fear with my normal success rate, I will probably fail mid way thru January, but then again, I may make it to April. Who knows? Neither has to do with diet.

Organization, whether I resolve to it or not, is definitely in my future! My closet cleaning of a couple weeks ago came to a halt as other things took precedent over that. But it too, still looms ahead of me. I am finding that out of necessity, I am willing to rid the house of things, I had previously deemed of great importance. Others I am more reluctant to let go of, but as the end of 3 months speeds closer, I probably will come to the same conclusion. Probably spurred on by Ronnie, who is much better at disposing of things than I am. Apparently.

Steadily, he is working on 'his' rooms in the basement to clear them out. While my part, the bigger part, hasn't been touched. I must find a day that I take a BIG pot of coffee with me, and make the decisions of what to do with what. For someone who resists change, is not focused, has no discipline, and is a pack rat, I may put this off as late as I can. However, common sense, tells me I better get started. The move is tentatively planned for April and May, as soon as the spring weather breaks.

Speaking of which, we have no snow at all on the ground, it is sunny, 42 degrees, and if I didn't have clean feet, I would probably walk barefoot over to the shop to take Ronnie some coffee. Clean feet aside, I may just do that anyway, as I love the feel of grass on bare feet. Even if it is winter!! in Michigan, no less! This is supposed to last thru this weekend. Our Christmas was not white. But I loved it just the same. But with no snow now and mild weather, we will undoubtedly end up with piles of it in April. It often happens that way. Given my 'rethers", I guess I would rather have it now.

Although not mad, sad, or depressed, or any of the many emotions that go with the holidays, I took down all my Christmas decorations the Wednesday BEFORE Christmas. I was simply tired of it all. And needed the house to be 'more empty'. The kids came for Christmas and wondered where it was! Accustomed as they are, to my having Christmas decorations from Thanksgiving to the end of January, I suppose it was a departure of tradition.

This will be MY year of CHANGE! Rather than my usual reluctance, I am embracing this and looking forward to it. (Except for all this cleaning, of course)

Last month I had to buy a new stove. A cook stove. After a probable 30 years, the oven quit in August. Thinking no big deal, I could do without an oven until we move and get a new stove, I found I couldn't. The old stove was a big 30 inch double oven. The new house kitchen ( the old farmhouse kitchen) will allow me a stove and refrigerator OR the round old painted pumpkin and black table I bought in Alabama years ago. (The one you see in my living room pictures on our house tour). While I was pondering on that, thinking appliances OR table, Ronnie made the decision we would have appliances! But the stove could not be big. So I started looking at apartment size (20") stoves. Good grief! Scarce as hens teeth, in stores, I didn't have much to look at if at all. No color choice at the big boxes. Finally although I paid $200 more (special order) for it, I was able to get a almond colored one with black accents at a local mom and pop type place that has been in business for 100 years and actually offers service! But it looks very smmmalllllllllllllll in the hole of the big double oven stove for the moment.

We are buying shelving, boxes, paint, grout, etc on the many trips to town. I did not KNOW there were like 50 shades of grout available. I changed my mind only this past week, 2 days before I was going to start painting the bathroom vanity to look old and nasty, and went with shades of pumpkin and dark sage green paint (but still nasty..), after seeing an old peely paint stepback cupboard in a Mary Emmerling book with those colors. Immediately taken with the combination, I will start painting soon. The shop is continually changing these days. The house is starting to emerge, and each change brightens my heart. I will find another place for my table!

The wild turkey herd visits nearly every day for their bowls of corn broadcast out on the yard to them. They run close, to the sound of the garage door opening. And run up to me clucking and talking and vie-ing for position for the first handfuls. They continue to bring me smiles. Remind me of that in the spring, when my boots will be evident of turkey poop!

The rosemary plant continues to thrive in its place by the east french doors. I know. I can't believe it either! But perhaps I should tone down my being so smug about this success story, as the winter is far from over. But I have made it way past October and that's a first I think!

Update of hair cut. While it crosses my mind nearly every day I haven't made the appointment yet. One day I was tempted to have Ronnie cut it off again, in a moment of weakness, but quickly remembered THE haircut of a few winters ago and quickly put that out of my mind.

A couple weeks ago, after I had been particularly busy with closet cleaning, so wasn't really giving my hair any special thought (apparently), he looks at me one evening and questions does he, "when are you going to color your hair?" Looking across the room at him, he continues, " it's starting to look a little trashy". Rather than killing him on the spot, I laughed and we both sat there laughing like idiots. The next day, I colored my hair! But I do think at least a hair trim is in the future.......soon.

Ranting Raven was released yesterday. We are at www.rantingraven.com/Exhibit95.php

We have new pinkeeps, a journal, an old carpenters apron with aged writing papers. Also we have begun a cleaning out process of stock. You will see on the website ***SALE**** which will explain what we are doing. We will be showing one of a kinds and some items that we are greatly reducing in price to empty the shelves. First come, first serve! We accept paypal and checks. We no longer are taking credit cards. It is a good sale, and will continue with new things added as I can get them unpacked and camera ready.

As I have pondered on how to change over this entire newsletter list to triton, our new ISP, I got the answer this week from Frannie from KY, who is doing the same. Later in the week, or first of next week, I will send all of you a note, asking that you reply back TO THE TRITON address, advising if you would like to continue to be on our mailing list. Otherwise, trying to change over all these addresses when some are not valid, absolutely has boggled my mind. Which has been boggled enough, as for some reason, known only to the digital camera gods, my camera was switched from English to Japanese!! I have found it impossible to get this fixed, when the instructions are in Japanese on the camera. Several derogatory words and 4 days later, with me still fuming about it, Ronnie monkeys with the camera until he comes up with English. So back in business, temporarily, at least in English, this time, I can't make it do anything else. It is no wonder my hair gets trashy!

Update of Mrs Seeley and the red mittens. I have had some requests for her mittens in ivory or white. She is obliging you and knitted some. If you have thought of ordering mittens and didn't for the Christmas season, please be aware I may not have these next fall.(She is 80 years old) She plans to continue knitting this spring and into summer. But don't wait, thinking they may be available next Christmas, as I may not have them!

Thank you for asking to be a part of our farm!

If you decide not to subscribe to this newsletter, simply email me with remove and your name, and I will oblige your request.

In fond regard,

Tilda, owner of a bezerk camera

keeper of rosemary and tender to wild turkeys