I'm trying to keep the little gray cells (as Hercule Poirot called the brain) nourished and stimulated by reading and doing crossword puzzles and painting now and then. But the little gray cells would rather be left alone, so I find I must keep a To-Do list on the table, a written reminder of what needs to be done, otherwise it's too easy to forget.

Right now my To-Do list heads up with "Get new windshield wipers." Followed by "Wash Rugs." I go to the washateria to launder rugs so the stuff that flakes off the bottom won't clog up my plumbing. Followed by "See About Income Tax." And "Buy milk and eggs."
Sometimes a thought of what needs to be done occurs as I'm dropping off to sleep, or in the bathroom, on the throne. Ergo, I keep pen and tablets in those places to write it down, or if I'm somewhere else I write a note on the back of my hand. A few days ago I wrote something on back of my hand and couldn't decipher it later. It started with "C" then an "O" then several letters smudged out and ended with "LK."

After perusing the Rosetta Stone on the back of my hand with a magnifying glass I finally remembered I had written "condensed milk." I wanted to make some rice pudding I had seen The Barefoot Contessa make, and this was one of the ingredients. Well, thank goodness it wasn't important!

susil