Exploring Downtown Norwich, NY

Main & Broad Streets Intersection 

I spent the day recently with my boyfriend, Sonny, exploring Norwich (NY), the small city I live in. I was on "Jazzy" (my mobility chair) and he was on his scooter. If you live in a city and have physical limitations as far as walking goes, these mobility vehicles are helpful to go shopping or other places. In fact, I have fun on mine. I look forward to going out on it, even if I just go to the park across the street. Sonny's scooter can be taken apart to go inside his car. Jazzy is much heavier and bigger so I don't think it would be that easy to travel with. Since I don't have a car, I basically use Jazzy for my transportation during the nicer weather in the downtown area where I live.

A Crosswalk on N. Broad Street

Norwich recently put in these awesome crosswalks. I feel much safer as I cross where there is not a stop light. Press a button and the lights flash to let the cars know you are crossing. For a small city, Norwich, NY, gets quite busy and has a lot of traffic, as well as people on the street. The grocery store is a little farther away but if you can walk or use a mobile chair you can still go to it. There are a few stores, such as the drug store that sell food also. So in a pinch you can get something you need though they are more expensive. 

The Colonia

The Colonia movie theater, in which we have seen two movies so far is also within walking distance of my apartment. We first saw Bohemian Rhapsody there in 2018 and we loved it so much we went back and saw it again. Then we saw Cats, the movie. Now Cats had a lot of bad reviews online, but I read the book and saw the Broadway show twice so I understood it. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot is a book of poetry that he wrote back in 1939. I had this book for years and now I have it on my Kindle. I still read it. The Colonia is a vintage theater and is like stepping back in time. I love it!  Some people do not enjoy the vintage seating. Smaller and harder seats, but I like the atmosphere. Right now it is showing their movies at the fairgrounds like a drive-in due to the quarantine. Watching a movie in a car is not going to be fun for me so we won't be doing that.

Downtown

The businesses in downtown Norwich are attractive and inviting. That is why I always said if I had to move from the country to a city it would be to Norwich. I am still glad I did. My apartment is right behind these buildings you see in the photo. There are restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, stores, including a department store and a drug store. You will also find hair salons, barber shops, a jewelry store, a head shop, a bicycle shop and a leather and biker related gear store, among others I may have missed. A nice mix and on the surrounding streets there are more than a few churches within walking distance. Or at least within using a mobile chair distance.

McLaughlin's Department Store

If you do not own a car then choosing a downtown area to live in is a good idea. Taking your time to research the area of whatever city you choose is important. We cannot be too careful these days and nobody can be 100 percent safe. I feel safe here but I never leave my apartment after dark alone. Even walking out to the dumpster I am careful and always go earlier in the day. Do not put yourself at risk. One lady in my building scared someone who was inside our dumpster when she opened it to put her trash bag inside. He jumped out and he ran off. Maybe we was sleeping inside? With all that garbage? Yuck!

Arts Council Theater & Gallery sign

A sign on the street directs cars to the parking lot for the Chenango Arts Council, which is in the other half of my apartment building. The theater there provides entertainment in the form of plays and musicals, such as what you would see in a Broadway show. They sell out quite often. I have not been to one of those yet, but we have gone to the free movies they show about once a month (before the quarantine). They show older movies in the theater that are usually in black and white and give out free popcorn and water. We enjoyed those. The Arts Council also offers lessons in various arts and crafts and there is also a music instruction studio in the building. 

South Broad Street

I have only covered a small portion of what is available in Norwich, NY. I will be doing more posts about it in the future. 

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Wordless Wednesday at kat's Studio

 

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Limit Social Media To Start Living Life

Fall in New York State

 As I grow older life begins to become crystal clear to me. Things I didn't understand or pay attention to, now stand out to me in ways they never did before. My life has been a very rough road when I look back on it. From being a teen mother to a single woman at almost seventy years old..........wow, how did I survive it so far? Now I think, "I survived another night." Somewhere along the way within these last couple of years, I realize it is most important to focus on myself. Living alone makes that easier to do. I have heard from many women (some men too, they can end up in this situation also) how they are miserable where they are right now. Yet feel they are powerless to change it. Anyone can change it. If I could do it, you can do it.

Across the street from my home.

I watch people tearing each other down. Arguing and fighting. Lying. Beating each other up. Full of anger and hatred.This is what our world around us has become. All I have to do is to look at comments on any social media page and I get disgusted with those people. I admit these people trigger my anger and I end up posting on my own social media page the aftereffect of it all. I do not want to do that. I believe that is what they want you to do. Make us hate each other. The best thing I can do for my own self is to limit social media. Keep trimming my friends list. Limit my own posts from certain people that I want to keep as a friend for some reason.

Busy corner a block away.

My life goes on with less social media just fine. I go to a couple groups I belong to and instead of using the news feed, I now go to specific friends' timelines. Much better that way! More personal since I see everything they have posted. If I work on other things through out my day, I do not miss the social media. It is a habit. Like hanging out somewhere. Once you skip going for a week or so, it is not a habit anymore. I have liked staying in contact with my family and friends there. The biggest challenge is maintaining that connection which you can only do by being on Facebook. It is something I keep thinking about but there seems to be no other way. Facebook is the only way people want to interact with each other. Not sure why they got so powerful. Even on forums though everyone fights. I guess that is life.

Some shops and restaurants.

I have watched a number of videos on YouTube about people who quit social media and some left for good. They seem pleased with that choice. It is a choice they made for various reasons. One being that their life became more productive and peaceful. Some found they were exercising more and getting out of their house. Doing things instead of posting on various social media sites. I envy them in a way, but I would miss my online friends a lot. Many of them live in different states and some in different countries. So I an not going to be closing my accounts any time soon, but I am spending less time on it. 

Norwich homes on N. Broad St.

What I have been doing lately on Facebook, is to spend my time in a few groups I enjoy (no politics or religion). I often share my own life or what is on my mind on my timeline. Though even if someone's post is not political or religious........it can start an argument. Even my genealogy group on Facebook gets into big fights over the fact that some Ancestry members have "private" trees and some have "public". Good grief, just do what you want and don't worry so much about what someone else is doing. That is what is wrong with this world today. Probably always been that way, but I didn't know it before I started living on the internet. 

 

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

  

Food Saver Vacuum Sealing Meat For One

Food Saver Vacuum Sealer

 Don't make the mistake of buying small packages of meat because you think you won't use it all.  It is usually much cheaper to buy the larger packages. Using the vacuum sealer made by Food Saver makes it easy for me to freeze meat and vegetables. I started out using the plastic freezer bags. Honestly, I became quite frustrated with those bags. I was careful to get all the air out of the bag. Yet every time, ice crystals built up inside the bags. In fact, ice crystals will build up inside frozen vegetables in bags that have never been opened too. 

Pull the bag down to cut size needed.

I was given my Food Saver by my boyfriend. He had one that he did not use anymore. Figuring I'd give it a try and see if I could freeze the meat without having ice crystals build up. I ordered the bags from Amazon and started watching YouTube videos on how to do it. I was doubtful at first. After a couple of times I found it very easy to do. Now I vacuum seal at least once a month. The Food Saver gives me the opportunity to purchase bulk packages of meat when on sale. So far I have not wasted any at all. I have not tried other types of food yet but plan on doing so in the future.  

Seal the bag with Food - Dry - Seal.

The first time I bought the bags they were wider. The next time those exact bags were not available so I bought ones that were not as wide by mistake. I was disappointed when they were delivered. But.......now that I am using those, I am glad they are this size. A lot less waste of the bags. I can still fit the amount of meat needed in each bag. Perfect size for one person! I did not buy the Food Saver brand bags, but the vacuum sealing bags I bought both times were off brands and worked great. 

In the bag and ready to vacuum seal.

First thing you do is to pull the bag down and slide the cutter across to make it the size you need. Now you need to seal it on one end, which you do by putting it inside the bottom door. That is where I had some difficulty at first. You need a good seal, yet you need room in the bag. Learning how much length you need is the trick, but you will learn. There is a knob on the side that you need to push down so it closes the door tightly. Wait for the light to go out on the control panel. It is done.

The ground beef being vacuum sealed.

Now you can put the meat in the bag. Careful with beef as it might have some blood dripping. There is a little tray that is inside the bottom door that catches any blood or juice that squeezes out. It is removable so you can wash it. Place the unsealed end of the bag which has the meat inside over that little tray and close the door and push the knob that tightens the door. Now on the control panel push Food - Moist - Vacuum & Seal. If it does not do anything or it does not sound normal, cancel and check the bag. Make sure it is positioned right and try again. When it is finished, I always wipe the top of the bag where it sealed as sometimes there is blood or juice in between the edges. 

A month's supply

This is a good way to save money at the store. If you have a larger freezer you can buy larger amounts of meat for several months. My freezer, which is in the top of my refrigerator is big enough for me. I know of two neighbors here who have freezers in their apartments. I could do that but would have to take out my bookcase to do so. I don't feel like I really need it since I live downtown and can always get food. Since I moved here not having a budget for groceries is a thing of the past. Sometimes I buy extra food to share with my son who lives just down the street. 

Small, but full freezer.

The final thought here is that I started using a vacuum sealer so I could buy those large packages of chicken and ground beef at good prices in the store. I hated opening a freezer bag and having it full of ice crystals. I just don't like that. Now I have all the ingredients, including meat and vegetables for putting together meals for one or two. I like to have leftovers for the next day because it gives me a rest from cooking. I like to cook again! Something I had grown to hate to do. I recommend the Food Saver vacuum sealer because it works for me. Hopefully it will for you too and save you money. 

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Scheduling My Cleaning Routine

kat's Studio

I qualified due to my age and physical condition to having an aide come in to clean for three hours a week. As soon as I knew this I applied immediately! Several of my neighbors in my building have them and I see the aides coming and going to their apartments. Thinking it would be great! My friend who lives in the country has one too. She comes in and just goes to work and cleans his home whether he is there or not. He does not have to tell her what to do and she even organized his pantry (which was badly in need of that). It did not work that well with me. I was not comfortable with someone else doing my cleaning. Not that I am overly picky, but after she left I still had to clean what she cleaned. Let's just leave it at that. There were other issues too.

Weekly & monthly chores.

My apartment is very small, a small space needs constant attention or it will get out of control very fast. I knew that the key to keeping up with it is to develop a cleaning routine. One that you do on certain days and times. There are some jobs that need to be done daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. If you let things go, over time it will become a big job. When you have physical disabilities you need to do it while it is easy. I find that I do my best work in the mornings, always have. So I start my day tackling those chores. I strive to be finished with them by noon. Noon is when I start preparing my breakfast and so after I eat and clean up I done till supper.

Keeping my chore list in sight!

One job I struggled with was vacuuming the floor. I recently replaced the old used vacuum I had been given when I moved in with a new one. What a difference it made! The first time it was used (by the aide) she had to empty it twice! It was like this apartment had never been vacuumed. I suppose it hadn't since I had to monkey around with it every time I used it. Plus it was a very heavy cleaner. Probably better quality than the new one which is very light. They are both the same brand though, Bissell. I realize it is not usually my fault I can't do something. Sometimes it is the quality of the equipment or the product I am using. My advice is to experiment with changing products or equipment and see if it works better. Or is easier to use.

Small kitchen floor.

Mopping the floor is not a job I can't do. I can do it. I think I put it off longer than I should. Now that I have a scheduled routine, I promise myself I will stick to it. I love cleaning an area and then looking at it later and thinking how great it looks. I am keeping that thought in my head so I don't skip it. The kitchen and bathroom floors are small and only take ten minutes at the most to mop. When I lived in the house I had before moving here, I had no floors that I could clean. They were dusty from firewood, carrying in water and dirt being tracked in constantly. There was no way anyone could have kept up with it. Sweeping was a constant job. This apartment is so easy after that!

A stool nearby is essential for me.

If you have limitations like I do, you have to figure out other methods to do what needs to be done. It is not impossible for me. Depends on what is wrong with you.. Standing for long periods of time is something I cannot do. I have learned to sit down before it hurts. Stand at the counter or sink doing whatever and then sit down. Then stand back up and continue. You won't get done fast, but if you stick with it the job will be done. I use a rolling walker for carrying things in and out of my apartment. I keep a tray on it when I am using it this way. I can take my garbage out or do my laundry with it making these chores easier. There is always a way but sometimes you need to think outside of the box. 

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021