These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What's new and different ....

I've had some changes, some planned, others just have happened. And it is all good.

My diet has changed, not as a purposeful thing, but I've been trying to respond to my body's signals. As a result, my diet is what I'm calling "near vegetarian." I wasn't intending to eliminate or even reduce meat intake, but I've just been craving veggies and fruits. As a result, I'm eating probably just six to eight ounces of meat in a week. I am eating cheeses and drinking soy and other sources of protein. I'm feeling very well.

I've also been eating "Breakfast Cookies" every morning. the recipe was on FB, and it sounded good, so I made a batch, added my own touches, and I'm really enjoying them. No sugar is added to the oats, dried fruits, nuts, applesauce, etc., and it makes for a nice start of the day. I hate fixing breakfast during the week, because it is so much trouble to cook and clean up before I leave, so these are a godsend. I don't eat cereal. I'm hungry an hour after eating it. This change seems to be a good thing. I feel really good, and this morning, I got on the scales, something I rarely do, and discovered I've lost a few pounds. Since I don't weigh often, I'm not sure how much but it is somewhere between five and eight pounds.  I'll take it!

Second change is a thoughtful, planned one. I have turned off my satellite TV. That might not sound like a big deal, but we get zero reception in these mountains, so it means I'm without TV now. I thought I was going to miss it, but I'm not, at all! I bought a Roku, so I have access to a lot of entertainment with that. I will later get access to streamed TV shows at a very small cost, so I can watch the five or six shows I actually like, but for now, I'm OK with movie channels and music, all free. I spend a lot of time listening to music on my iPod through the sound system or via Pandora. I haven't tried the other music stations in Roku just yet, but I will soon.

This all came about when I realized that I had the TV on a lot without really watching it. It was just a "filler" for the stillness of living alone. Then I made a list of what I actually watch, and I was startled at how few I have a real interest in. With Roku I can watch those few, waiting 24 hours after they are aired. Heck, half the time I record things and watch them later, anyway, so this is a great solution, I believe. I'm saving a bundle!

One of my worries about shutting off the dish was getting weather information, but I get that from the internet. The "local" stations are out of Albuquerque, three hours away, and their weather is often much different than ours. We are such a small, somewhat isolated community that the details given from those stations was usually less than five to ten seconds in length. No, I'm not kidding. If I hadn't had the DVR to back up and see it again, I would have missed it most of the time. And the content of that few seconds was very poor, not giving us much to go on, even to know how to dress the next day. I haven't watched those sources for more than a year!

Isn't it interesting how we get into habits, eating, TV, whatever, and we don't even think about changing until something jumps up in our faces and says, "Hey you!"

I talked with friends today and learned that several of them have made the move to Roku, too. And all had the same basic story .... got into the habit of whatever was on TV without much thought. And they all agreed that they are interested in just five or six programs. Man, we humans can be sold lots of "stuff," can't we? I had access to  something over 200 channels, but actually attended to less than 5 hours a week!  Crazy! I've had the attitude for a long time that I had to have the full range of programs, in part so guests would be able to have choices. Guess what? My guests have almost never watched TV in my house, but I continued to pay for it! Whew! Nice change!

Soooo .... is there anything new in your life? 


14 comments:

  1. We haven't had TV at our house for three years. I missed it at first, but am OK with it now. Actually I am more at peace without all the News stations running all of the time. If anything important happens I hear about it.

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    1. Merikay, I haven't watched news more than 15-20 minutes in the last year. It really gets under my skin. I pick and choose my news exposure here on the internet to avoid angst. I think I will agree with you down the road. I don't see myself missing it.

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  2. I would do this, but I think my husband would miss the news. He watches it for a while each morning at breakfast and sometimes when he comes in a noon. I dropped all the premium channels months ago, but still get the 'basic' which is about 100 channels and I only watch two or three!

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    1. News and sports are the two main reasons to keep it, for most people. I like watching football, but I no longer follow a particular team. And, as I mentioned, I get what news I care to watch on the internet. If I decide later, I will get only the basic package, probably what you have. I'm doubting I'll miss it, however!

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  3. Great choice! We do not have the option to have cable or satellite at our new house, so Roku (or similar) is the only way to get any TV. We can enjoy the couple of shows we watch, find old series, and have movies, and there is plenty for the kids, with the bonus of no commercials! As you have mentioned, we have only missed sports (Vicki is a Packers fan), and news, such as the elections and debates, or storm watches. Still, most everything worth knowing about can be found on the internet, as well as TONS not worth knowing about. :)

    Enjoy your new freedom!

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  4. Dakota, the weather thing .... I actually get better, more accurate info on the internet. It's odd. After living in KC for so many years, the Albuquerque for years before that, I didn't realize the problems with that for folks in the out-lying areas "assigned" to a metro source for info.

    Yes, I'm liking Roku. When there are commercials, on a few of the stations, there aren't many. It's a good way to go!

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  5. We have the most basic cable - not many channels. We rarely watch TV. Did keep track of the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bomber, but otherwise we're good with Netflex where we can watch the TV shows we like a season after they come out.

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    1. I thought about doing that, but decided to try the "no TV' route first. I may go back to basic service at some time. We'll see.

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  6. You are so right about the TV news, it can be so intrusive. Still, we don't often have the TV on during the day so that is not so bad. Our mountains mean we have to rely on sky tv and it is filled with too much rubbish, so I still watch a lot of BBC TV (via the same satellite) www.freda.org.uk

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    1. Where I live is also mountainous and rural, and when I recently checked, the only thing possible is satellite TV. Cable has not been run out here and as I said, open broadcast doesn't get over the mountains to my spot. However, now that I am about 3 weeks into this, I am quite happy with my choice. I'm watching very little, but what I watch is truly my choice and good quality. I've enjoyed some things I never thought to watch on broadcast or cable channels, and enjoying every bit of it. I usually watch a couple hours in the evening, I guess, movies and documentaries for the most part. When I do house work, I very much enjoy the music channels! Yes, it has been a great choice for me!

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  7. Great changes. I've had to make big changes to my diet too since I've been sick. It isn't all bad. I'll have to look for the cookie recipe.

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  8. Nice to hear spoken (written) what I have thought surely to be the case.
    Nobody watches tv anymore, not even the grandkids.
    The internet has taken over...and soon more advanced technology will take over that!
    TV is like the railroads....history. A few small lines that function, but GONE ARE THE DAYS!!!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!