Winterizing

The upsides of living in the farm house I was raised in are too numerous to list. The downside is minimal. In summer the home's high ceilings and open grounds leave the rooms lovely and cool. In winter, however, the dwelling is drafty and a challenge to keep warm. Last night was cold and stormy with a gale force wind out of the east. The doors on the east side of the house have no wind breaks and are susceptible to drafts. Since I only use the west door, the east ones are really only fire exits and each winter I chink them and tape over the jambs with painter's tape. (The doors remain escapable.)

This morning, I tried something different in the kitchen. I covered the east door's window and the top half of the kitchen sink's window with plastic sheeting. To add a bit of colour, I drew geometric designs with coloured sharpie pens. Sort of a poor man's version of stained glass.

As for winterizing my body, I'm trying hard to pack on healthy calories to add under-skin insulation. I'm eating at least 2,500 calories a day but so far have only managed to not lose any more weight. My doctor has arranged an appointment for me with a dietitian in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to that. 

The plastic film's opaqueness helps add a bit of privacy.

A dark, windy and very damp day. Rained for most of it.

A mourning dove sitting out the rain.

 

And to keep myself amused this winter, I bought a ukulele. Never played a stringed instrument before but it sure is fun learning something completely new. Along with the Martisan 21 inch soprano ukulele, I bought two books. They are 'Ukulele, A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners' and '30 Fun and Easy Ukulele Tunes For Beginners'. 

Been having fun picking out little tunes. Fretting three strings at a time for certain chords are a bit of an acrobatic challenge for my fingers though. So glad that I have no neighbours within earshot of me playing songs like 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' over and over and over ... My murder surely would be justifiable homicide.

My first stringed instrument. Solar owl looks a bit skeptical.

Forming an 'F' note as Ellie Mae snoozes in the background.

Unseasoned fingers showing string marks on their tips.

Part of my interest in the ukulele is thanks to YouTube videos by the Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain.

I love the appearance of the two cats in different homes of the musicians. Especially the young ginger sneakily nipping at the daffodils while his owner plays on. The black cat shows how used to show business he is.