Now

A few years ago I read Shawn Blanc’s Now page, which refers to Derek Sivers Now page, so I’ll put mine up periodically.

I keep the old Now posts on a page called Then, they are all tagged as Now too.

This Now post is dated 24 January, 2026.

Inputs
Lots of mystery books and a little sci-fi.
"There is no antimemetics division" by qntm was fascinating
"The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" by C.L. Miller didn't grab me, I did not finish that one.

Currently reading:
"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks
"The Treasure Hunter's Club" by Tom Ryan

Trying out new teas from August Uncommon and Plum Deluxe, because my body has decided it no longer wants alcohol. When I drink alcohol, I sleep poorly, and sleep's too important to me. Coffee also doesn't taste as good, trying some alternatives like Rasa.

Learned about the winter simmer pot, a pot of water and spices, herbs, or fruit you keep on a low heat to impart both scent and humidity to the house in dry months.

Took a trip to Scotland in Sept/Oct 2025 with a friend, and it was delightful. Multiple years in the planning, with a travel agent doing a lot of the work of finding places and booking them, we explored, read, ate, shopped, and walked. We saw castles, a stone circle, a book festival, a distillery, gorgeous scenery, a kilt shop, we got rained on, I ate haggis and porridge every chance I got. The people were friendly and kind, especially Gerry at the Caerlaverock Castle gift shop. He showed us videos of him making tablet (a fudge-like dessert) and brought some to our hotel that evening.

Grateful
Both cats are healthy. The car, despite having both a dead battery and flat tire on the same day in January, continues to be a solid workhorse.

Craft and Creating
I have two knitted cardigans in progress. One from Missouri rambouillet yarn, I'm working on the first sleeve. The other from yarn I got at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival in 2015, so it's high time it got used. I've only been to Rhinebeck once and I remember the shocking neon of the leaves in upstate New York in October.

The House
I bought a house in March 2025. Since then I have:

Replaced all the carpets.
Turned the black sparkly textured wall into a normal flat wall.
Had the basement and main bedroom repainted.
Got the dryer vent and air ducts cleaned.
Replaced both sliding glass doors.
Replaced the kitchen and dining room lights.
Removed the TV mount in the living room and filled the holes.
Sanded and painted the margins on the stairs from replacing high-pile carpet with low-pile carpet.
Planted a small flower garden in the front of the house.
Got the deck power-washed and sealed.
Put up the prints and paintings I love.
Replaced the old giant fridge with a smaller, counter-depth one.
Replaced the Ring doorbell one from Lorex with local storage.
Put my bird feeder on the deck.
Cleaned out the ick from the two shower drains.
Hosted a housewarming party.
Removed a broken venetian blind.

Thinking about
I've been divorced since November 2024. I bought my house nearly a year ago. My mother died in December 2025 from multiple strokes. My father is now in a nursing home near my sister.