Well it's high summer in Hawkeye now. I had a busy weekend, following a busy week.
Friday was cocktails at another camp, followed by dessert at ANOTHER camp, then home. Saturday morning the contractor came for the energy audit. It was pretty much a disaster. I have a big condensation problem, especially upstairs. There's little that can be done other than ripping open the walls and addressing the problem, which would be prohibitively expensive. He's really wonderful and I liked him very much (but spending 2 hours with him was tiring). He finally came up with some ideas that will save money on my electric bills, mostly dealing with the cellar hole, improving the insulation down there. He also thinks buying a new refrigerator is a good idea. Well, heck, so do I but who's paying for THAT? Anyway, it was pretty depressing and discouraging but I'll muddle through. His ultimate conclusion: it's a good THREE SEASON house. I should rent an apartment in Plattsburgh for the winter, for what I'm paying in electricity. Yes, Barbie, that's what he said. No, Barbie, I'm not doing it. I thought that was pretty funny, though--I've been told by plenty of people that I should move to Plattsburgh. But I don't want to.
Sat. afternoon I had some dock time, which was wonderful. The lake was calm and sunny, and there was no boat traffic for an hour or so. YUM.
Sat. night I went out for dinner with Linda and her guests, which was nice but everyone was sort of tired so it was a pretty subdued group.
Sunday was Sunday dinner at J&M's, featuring their stew (which was grand). Lots of people coming and going, a nice chance to visit with all.
Sunday night was book group at the boat house. That went well. I bought pull-apart chicken (rotisserie) so it was easy to host. I made a flourless chocolate cake, which is very rich. Lots of other delicious food. We're a smaller group now that Martha's gone, and only 3 of the original group showed up--we had 2 summer guests (Linda and Judy) which was very nice. We'll read A widow of the South next, meeting in early Sept.
This week is a busy one. Molly & Paolo arrive today, having flown from Vancouver and made an emergency landing in Montreal but being unable to rent a car there, so flying to Boston (their original destination) and now driving north from there to arrive here later in the day. Whew! I moved out of the boat house and will stay at home, I think, instead of staying in camp. I'll cook something for dinner tonight and tomorrow night, I think, and we'll see what's up for Thursday. They leave on Friday. Our cousin John (my mother's sister's son--our only cousin on that side of the family) and his 2 sons are planning to visit camp on Thursday. I'm off tomorrow for dock time with M&P but have to work Thursday.
Saturday is our family gathering. And there's no water in camp. Something's wrong with the pump. I tried to fix it but had no luck. Prime prime prime. Won't hold it's prime.
I had dinner with my cousins last week, which ended on a strange note. One of them got angry because she felt we weren't paying enough attention to her. Oh, that's ok, she's ONLY 70. And still having snit fits. Oh well.
Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm. Let's hope so.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Week's end
It's been a pretty good week. Maybe a little too much social life, but I did have some time alone at home. I stayed in the boat house at the beginning of the week, but switched to home when night temperatures went down to 44 (the last 2 nights). Not terribly warm now and the wind is cold so it feels a lot like September. Strange patch of weather.
Busy weekend coming up. Tonight is cocktails with Michael & Stephanie, a break, then dessert with the Nadals at 8. Yikes. Tomorrow the energy audit contractor says he's finally coming to my house in the morning, then I have NOTHING for the rest of the day. Maybe dinner at Rustique with Linda et al., but maybe not so much. I'm not sure about that one.
Sunday is dinner at J&M's--a big crowd this week. Then book group at the boat house in the evening.
Next week Molly & Paolo may come for a couple of days. That would be great. I may take a day off to spend with them.
I took yesterday afternoon off--had lunch with Linda + guests in downtown Plattsburgh, a nice small Greek restaurant. That was fun. Then I ran a few errands and on home I went. I cleaned a bit in prep. of the contractor's visit, but there is woefully much more that should be done. It won't get done in time. Some things just don't happen.
I work next week then am off for 2 weeks--my pilgrimage to Rhode Island. I'll stay here on Sat. for our family's annual meeting, ugh, then will most likely drive down on Sunday. Molly will be there, and we'll have our usual lobsterfests, corn celebrations and beach days. I'm looking forward to being there, of course.
Not much going on at work. Buying & cataloging e-books. Weeding adult fiction. Cataloging junky stuff for member libraries.
I'm still reading a lot. There's something wrong with the dish reception so I can't always watch TV, which is great. I'm almost finished with "Before I go to sleep" (I think that's the title). I'm pretty sure the husband did it. I have a lot of books to read after that one.
Dogs are doing well. Tess got a ride home last night at 9. Late for the dogs to be out. I had been at my cousin's camp for dinner so I guess the dogs felt neglected and bolted when I got home at 8. Tess found some very nice bogwalkers and they brought her home. I'm always embarrassed when that happens. But grateful, very grateful.
Busy weekend coming up. Tonight is cocktails with Michael & Stephanie, a break, then dessert with the Nadals at 8. Yikes. Tomorrow the energy audit contractor says he's finally coming to my house in the morning, then I have NOTHING for the rest of the day. Maybe dinner at Rustique with Linda et al., but maybe not so much. I'm not sure about that one.
Sunday is dinner at J&M's--a big crowd this week. Then book group at the boat house in the evening.
Next week Molly & Paolo may come for a couple of days. That would be great. I may take a day off to spend with them.
I took yesterday afternoon off--had lunch with Linda + guests in downtown Plattsburgh, a nice small Greek restaurant. That was fun. Then I ran a few errands and on home I went. I cleaned a bit in prep. of the contractor's visit, but there is woefully much more that should be done. It won't get done in time. Some things just don't happen.
I work next week then am off for 2 weeks--my pilgrimage to Rhode Island. I'll stay here on Sat. for our family's annual meeting, ugh, then will most likely drive down on Sunday. Molly will be there, and we'll have our usual lobsterfests, corn celebrations and beach days. I'm looking forward to being there, of course.
Not much going on at work. Buying & cataloging e-books. Weeding adult fiction. Cataloging junky stuff for member libraries.
I'm still reading a lot. There's something wrong with the dish reception so I can't always watch TV, which is great. I'm almost finished with "Before I go to sleep" (I think that's the title). I'm pretty sure the husband did it. I have a lot of books to read after that one.
Dogs are doing well. Tess got a ride home last night at 9. Late for the dogs to be out. I had been at my cousin's camp for dinner so I guess the dogs felt neglected and bolted when I got home at 8. Tess found some very nice bogwalkers and they brought her home. I'm always embarrassed when that happens. But grateful, very grateful.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Burned meatloaf
It was my turn to cook for the neighborhood group that gathers on Sunday afternoon for dinners together, and I was pretty reckless. I tried a new recipe for meatloaf, which was dumb because my recipe is just fine. I tried a new recipe for potato salad and another new recipe for vegetables that was called (according to Martha Stewart) tian. That was the most successful part of the dinner. The meatloaf recipe was very complicated and involved prunes, bacon and a food processor. There were a lot of other ingredients but they didn't really have much of an impact. I overcooked the meatloaf--I made 2, one regular size and another smaller one (because the dogs ate about a pound of the meat before I mixed it in). The smaller one was burned but everyone ate it anyway. All the meatloaf got eaten, the vegetables were a hit, the potatoes were undercooked and the dressing for the pot. salad was not flavorful at all. I ended up going to town before the lunch to buy dessert because we had a power outage for 24 hours and my original dessert melted. So I bought a Marie Callendar coconut crème pie that turned out to be quite good. Even if 2 people in the group can't stand coconut. Oh well, I guess I learned not to try new complicated things when you're serving a group of 8. Stick to what you know how to do. Everyone was wonderful, said the food was good, and drank the 3 bottles of wine I'd brought. It was a success.
I stopped at Nadal's on Friday for a very nice visit sitting on their porch. We watched a very dramatic storm develop and blow through. The lake did amazing things. Everyone on OHR lost power because of the storm, though, and this caused quite a stir. I had been grocery shopping so had to open the refrigerator a bunch, but I was convinced the power would be back on in a matter of hours. Which it was, but the "matter of hours" turned out to be all night and all day Sat. So I read. And read. It was very hot so I didn't use my Coleman lantern (it gives off too much heat) and went to bed instead.
Saturday Bill and the PINS came to stack firewood. They did a wonderful job and I enjoyed being with them. They stacked probably 6 cords, leaving 2 more to stack and no place to put them. I have to figure out where the last of the firewood will go--the wood shed is full and the "good" places have been used. A tree fell on the spot where I used to put wood so that's out. It rained off & on and was still pretty warm but not too bad.
I haven't been to the boat house (cousins in camp) and now that it's quite cool at night I probably won't be down there, either. It was 56 this morning--very comfortable. Now it's sunny and clear and a perfect day here in Platts but I bet it's cool at the lake with a cold wind blowing. 70 or so degrees. Ahhhh, weather I really like.
The dogs are fine and have been sticking around mostly. The did take a long walk one day last week which resulted in my getting to work an hour late. I don't know where they were but they weren't in any of the usual places--I looked everywhere. Anyway, they're having a good summer and are very happy dogs. I need to make reservations at the kennel for the 2 wedding weekends in August but keep forgetting to.
I GOT A DRESS. I ordered a not-very-fancy dress online and it arrived last week. It fits and looks OK but not great. It's not terribly pretty but has pockets so I think I'll wear it. My cousin's daughter is having a wedding and it turns out that it's a formal wedding with 7 attendants and an expensive wedding dress. Yikes. I have to wear a dress. The only dresses I have don't fit very well and so old and out of fashion that they're long and make me look Amish. I need to throw them out.
I've been busy seeing summer people, had dinner with a couple last night, went to a program of our shoreowners' association on Sat. and saw some people there. Tonight I might stop at Linda's but we have a board meeting so I won't get out of Platts. until 5 or so. That makes it a little late.
I cataloged about 100 music CDs for Saranac Lake. Yikes it took a long time and was a good typing exercise. They got a gift of 1000 CDs and want them all cataloged and put in the data base. So away I go. I'll do them in batches. That will keep me very, very busy.
I stopped at Nadal's on Friday for a very nice visit sitting on their porch. We watched a very dramatic storm develop and blow through. The lake did amazing things. Everyone on OHR lost power because of the storm, though, and this caused quite a stir. I had been grocery shopping so had to open the refrigerator a bunch, but I was convinced the power would be back on in a matter of hours. Which it was, but the "matter of hours" turned out to be all night and all day Sat. So I read. And read. It was very hot so I didn't use my Coleman lantern (it gives off too much heat) and went to bed instead.
Saturday Bill and the PINS came to stack firewood. They did a wonderful job and I enjoyed being with them. They stacked probably 6 cords, leaving 2 more to stack and no place to put them. I have to figure out where the last of the firewood will go--the wood shed is full and the "good" places have been used. A tree fell on the spot where I used to put wood so that's out. It rained off & on and was still pretty warm but not too bad.
I haven't been to the boat house (cousins in camp) and now that it's quite cool at night I probably won't be down there, either. It was 56 this morning--very comfortable. Now it's sunny and clear and a perfect day here in Platts but I bet it's cool at the lake with a cold wind blowing. 70 or so degrees. Ahhhh, weather I really like.
The dogs are fine and have been sticking around mostly. The did take a long walk one day last week which resulted in my getting to work an hour late. I don't know where they were but they weren't in any of the usual places--I looked everywhere. Anyway, they're having a good summer and are very happy dogs. I need to make reservations at the kennel for the 2 wedding weekends in August but keep forgetting to.
I GOT A DRESS. I ordered a not-very-fancy dress online and it arrived last week. It fits and looks OK but not great. It's not terribly pretty but has pockets so I think I'll wear it. My cousin's daughter is having a wedding and it turns out that it's a formal wedding with 7 attendants and an expensive wedding dress. Yikes. I have to wear a dress. The only dresses I have don't fit very well and so old and out of fashion that they're long and make me look Amish. I need to throw them out.
I've been busy seeing summer people, had dinner with a couple last night, went to a program of our shoreowners' association on Sat. and saw some people there. Tonight I might stop at Linda's but we have a board meeting so I won't get out of Platts. until 5 or so. That makes it a little late.
I cataloged about 100 music CDs for Saranac Lake. Yikes it took a long time and was a good typing exercise. They got a gift of 1000 CDs and want them all cataloged and put in the data base. So away I go. I'll do them in batches. That will keep me very, very busy.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Wow
And wow, what a nice weekend I had. I did get some cleaning done at home (long overdue) but also spent a lot of time on the boat house porch and even some time on the dock in the sun. I swam briefly, but swam nevertheless. The water is great.
Now I just have to figure out how to get the water to work in camp so I can host our neighborhood Sunday dinner there. I have instructions on how to prime the pump but they don't quite make sense to me. Apparently the only real problem is that the pump loses its prime. Don't we all. Anyway, I'll work on that either tonight or later in the week. Not a lot of fun to do, especially when there's no one else around to help. But then, I'd rather not have any cousins around while I'm in camp anyway, so who's complaining?
I read In the shad of the banyan, which had been recommended by a few people. It's about Cambodia in the '70's, and is pretty grim but nicely written and a good read. The author went through an experience pretty much like the one the main character goes through--I like fiction that makes sense and teaches me something. So why don't I read non-fiction? Because I can't remember things after I read them! It would be too frustrating to read about the Civil War and remember next to nothing after finishing a book. This way I get entertained and pretend to be educated.
It's hot and sunny today, a perfect dock day. But I'm at work.
I had a doctor's appointment this morning, getting ready to have a colonoscopy in August. This is the same doctor who's performed 2 procedures on me, 7 years ago. He of course didn't remember any of it, but is set to repeat his performance. Polyps, it's all about polyps. My mother always has polyps, so he feels it would be wise for me to be checked for them every 5 years. The only interesting thing about the visit was that the nurse was fascinated by the gold puzzle ring my sister gave me. "Do you know how to put it back together?" yes, I do. "Could I try?" So she spent at least 10 minutes trying to put it back together because she had a puzzle ring in the 70's and wanted to show herself that she still knew how to do it. Which she did not. Almost, but not quite. I sat there, watching and waiting, waiting and watching while she tried several times. She finally gave up & watched me do it. Then she wanted to show it to the other nurses, who weren't born in the 70's so didn't know what a puzzle ring was. Well, at least I can entertain people.
Tonight I should visit with some summer people who are leaving tomorrow. I tried to see them last night but they weren't home. They've called me 3 times asking me to visit, so it sure would be the polite thing to do to stop by. I guess I'll do that on my way home. But what I really want to do is pick up my dogs & go to camp.
I've been staying in the boat house still, though I did stay at home Sat. night. I get up very early, by 5:30, and have coffee with the dogs on the porch for an hour before leaving for work. Just about perfect. The dogs are much better behaved at camp and don't wander off. Last night Treasure didn't come back, and I went through the woods towards the neighbors, calling her. A dog kept barking when I called her name, so I thought it was her. Well, no, it was the neighbor's dog, who thought it was very strange that I appeared out of the woods. Treasure, meanwhile, had shut herself on the back porch at camp, yet again. I think Tess might have learned that the door opens IN, so once she's on the porch she can't get out. Treasure doesn't seem to have had such good luck. Trainable but not educable. Anyway I was relieved that she was on our property and not stuck in the woods or making the neighbor's dogs bark.
Tomorrow I have to attend a fundraiser at the Keene Valley Country Club--it's for the library and the director would like it if I went (for free). Expensive tickets, fancy food, expensive silent auction items, 200 people of whom I may know 5. Well I don't have to stay long, and the food will be good.
Now I just have to figure out how to get the water to work in camp so I can host our neighborhood Sunday dinner there. I have instructions on how to prime the pump but they don't quite make sense to me. Apparently the only real problem is that the pump loses its prime. Don't we all. Anyway, I'll work on that either tonight or later in the week. Not a lot of fun to do, especially when there's no one else around to help. But then, I'd rather not have any cousins around while I'm in camp anyway, so who's complaining?
I read In the shad of the banyan, which had been recommended by a few people. It's about Cambodia in the '70's, and is pretty grim but nicely written and a good read. The author went through an experience pretty much like the one the main character goes through--I like fiction that makes sense and teaches me something. So why don't I read non-fiction? Because I can't remember things after I read them! It would be too frustrating to read about the Civil War and remember next to nothing after finishing a book. This way I get entertained and pretend to be educated.
It's hot and sunny today, a perfect dock day. But I'm at work.
I had a doctor's appointment this morning, getting ready to have a colonoscopy in August. This is the same doctor who's performed 2 procedures on me, 7 years ago. He of course didn't remember any of it, but is set to repeat his performance. Polyps, it's all about polyps. My mother always has polyps, so he feels it would be wise for me to be checked for them every 5 years. The only interesting thing about the visit was that the nurse was fascinated by the gold puzzle ring my sister gave me. "Do you know how to put it back together?" yes, I do. "Could I try?" So she spent at least 10 minutes trying to put it back together because she had a puzzle ring in the 70's and wanted to show herself that she still knew how to do it. Which she did not. Almost, but not quite. I sat there, watching and waiting, waiting and watching while she tried several times. She finally gave up & watched me do it. Then she wanted to show it to the other nurses, who weren't born in the 70's so didn't know what a puzzle ring was. Well, at least I can entertain people.
Tonight I should visit with some summer people who are leaving tomorrow. I tried to see them last night but they weren't home. They've called me 3 times asking me to visit, so it sure would be the polite thing to do to stop by. I guess I'll do that on my way home. But what I really want to do is pick up my dogs & go to camp.
I've been staying in the boat house still, though I did stay at home Sat. night. I get up very early, by 5:30, and have coffee with the dogs on the porch for an hour before leaving for work. Just about perfect. The dogs are much better behaved at camp and don't wander off. Last night Treasure didn't come back, and I went through the woods towards the neighbors, calling her. A dog kept barking when I called her name, so I thought it was her. Well, no, it was the neighbor's dog, who thought it was very strange that I appeared out of the woods. Treasure, meanwhile, had shut herself on the back porch at camp, yet again. I think Tess might have learned that the door opens IN, so once she's on the porch she can't get out. Treasure doesn't seem to have had such good luck. Trainable but not educable. Anyway I was relieved that she was on our property and not stuck in the woods or making the neighbor's dogs bark.
Tomorrow I have to attend a fundraiser at the Keene Valley Country Club--it's for the library and the director would like it if I went (for free). Expensive tickets, fancy food, expensive silent auction items, 200 people of whom I may know 5. Well I don't have to stay long, and the food will be good.
Friday, July 12, 2013
She's back
Sorry for the long absence. I ended up having a big asthma event, which dragged on and on (and is still dragging on but is much better). Lots of coughing, three trips to the doctor, plenty of meds, and now I'm better. I was very tired, which a lack of oxygen will do to you, and spent many evenings on the boat house porch reading. I read 4 books, I think, which was very nice. I've been staying at the boat house for about 2 weeks, now have camp to myself. The dogs seem to like the dual-household life--they're eager to get in the car to head to the boat house in the evening, don't seem to wander as much.
Although it's been a while, there's not much to report. I visited with my cousin early this week--her daughter is getting married in August and I found out that it's a very formal wedding (even though they've already been married for a year...) and I HAVE TO WEAR A DRESS. So I must buy a dress. Well I guess there are worse things.
I've seen Linda and her guests a few times and am having dinner with them tonight to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of the couple's wedding. They got married at Linda's so it's a special thing. I really like them--they're friends from Michigan, the woman used to work with Linda. They come every year and I enjoy being with them.
I've seen Pat & Jim a few times, but haven't ventured much further than that. I guess I really didn't feel well--all I wanted to do was be on the boat house porch. Now that there's a porch light I can read into the evening, which is really grand.
Work has been fine, a bit busy because my co-worker was on vacation this week. Lots of interlibrary loan traffic with the summer people now in residence. It's amazing how much business some of our libraries do in the summer. 126 books going from other libraries to Saranac Lake today.
Had a quiet 4th of July, didn't do much. I missed Linda's fete, had dinner with Annie, her brother and his wife. That was very nice, a quiet evening. They were here for a week getting things ready for renters. My relatives were here and I saw them one day but didn't visit much. I must sound anti-social--I just wanted to be alone and heal, I guess.
We had a meeting of the shoreowners' association, with a picnic at one of the camps. I'm the president, until August I think. I really like the people in this group and am happy to have them as neighbors. It's mostly a social club these days, though the lawsuit we were involved in brought people together. We've been dropped from the suit (not a surprise).
The lake is incredibly high, maybe 5-6" above normal. The boat house dock has been pretty much under water all along, though now it's at water level. The constant rain has kept the lake level up. I only swam twice, and even those couldn't really be called "swimming." Just a quick dip. The water is very nice and maybe this weekend I'll do some real swimming.
I stayed at home last night, which seemed strange. It was a little chilly at the boat house and I thought it might be colder in the morning so I went there for a while but then went home. Quiet night.
No big plans for the weekend. I have to go to the dump with house and boat house garbage. There must be 12 empty wine bottles at the b.house that need to disappear. I had a small cocktail party the other night, which was nice but I was tired. Only 8 people and myself. I think everyone enjoyed it.
Today I'll try to clear some of the detritus off of my desk and move forward with my work. It's a sunny day, not humid, looks like a good dock day. I'm hoping the weekend will be like that, too. The humid weather made breathing hard. And summer continues
Although it's been a while, there's not much to report. I visited with my cousin early this week--her daughter is getting married in August and I found out that it's a very formal wedding (even though they've already been married for a year...) and I HAVE TO WEAR A DRESS. So I must buy a dress. Well I guess there are worse things.
I've seen Linda and her guests a few times and am having dinner with them tonight to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of the couple's wedding. They got married at Linda's so it's a special thing. I really like them--they're friends from Michigan, the woman used to work with Linda. They come every year and I enjoy being with them.
I've seen Pat & Jim a few times, but haven't ventured much further than that. I guess I really didn't feel well--all I wanted to do was be on the boat house porch. Now that there's a porch light I can read into the evening, which is really grand.
Work has been fine, a bit busy because my co-worker was on vacation this week. Lots of interlibrary loan traffic with the summer people now in residence. It's amazing how much business some of our libraries do in the summer. 126 books going from other libraries to Saranac Lake today.
Had a quiet 4th of July, didn't do much. I missed Linda's fete, had dinner with Annie, her brother and his wife. That was very nice, a quiet evening. They were here for a week getting things ready for renters. My relatives were here and I saw them one day but didn't visit much. I must sound anti-social--I just wanted to be alone and heal, I guess.
We had a meeting of the shoreowners' association, with a picnic at one of the camps. I'm the president, until August I think. I really like the people in this group and am happy to have them as neighbors. It's mostly a social club these days, though the lawsuit we were involved in brought people together. We've been dropped from the suit (not a surprise).
The lake is incredibly high, maybe 5-6" above normal. The boat house dock has been pretty much under water all along, though now it's at water level. The constant rain has kept the lake level up. I only swam twice, and even those couldn't really be called "swimming." Just a quick dip. The water is very nice and maybe this weekend I'll do some real swimming.
I stayed at home last night, which seemed strange. It was a little chilly at the boat house and I thought it might be colder in the morning so I went there for a while but then went home. Quiet night.
No big plans for the weekend. I have to go to the dump with house and boat house garbage. There must be 12 empty wine bottles at the b.house that need to disappear. I had a small cocktail party the other night, which was nice but I was tired. Only 8 people and myself. I think everyone enjoyed it.
Today I'll try to clear some of the detritus off of my desk and move forward with my work. It's a sunny day, not humid, looks like a good dock day. I'm hoping the weekend will be like that, too. The humid weather made breathing hard. And summer continues
Pretty sunrise
Very peaceful, very nice. There's been a lot of wind and rain so this was an especially nice morning.
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