I was reminded by someone tonight that it's been a long time since I posted anything (she sent me an email saying "Are you still alive?"). Well that's true, and it's not because I've been too busy. I fill the days but always have extra time.
I went to RI, came home last week. I went down on Thursday and came home Monday, had a really nice time with lots of good visiting. On Friday I drove Liza to town to take care of a bunch of errands. Saturday we went to Champlin's to get lobsters and clams, then sat on the beach there for a while, very nice. We went out for lunch then sat THERE on a bench looking at the boats for a while, also very nice. Sunday was a quiet day, we just spent time together. Mark & I walked the dogs on the URI campus in the morning. It's become a beautiful campus, doesn't look much the way it did when I was there. Lots of trees and lawns and new buildings.
The postmistress came to see me on Friday afternoon--we scoped out a new spot for my mailbox, out on the hardtop. My friend Duncan is going to help me put it up, maybe tomorrow or Weds. Meanwhile I still go to town for my mail. How embarrassing is it to have the sort and hold your mail when all it is is junk mail? Very embarrassing. They're very nice at the post office but I bet they wonder just exactly WHEN I'll have a mailbox again. Soon, folks, soon.
Northern NY has sure been in the news for the last 3 weeks. What drama! I wasn't afraid that the inmates would come here--they wouldn't want to head this way, in the opposite direction from Canada. We've been entertained daily by CNN and local reports. Now we just need to find out how it all happened. Everyone here is relieved, now we can get on with our lives.
We had a big storm last week, very heavy wind and hard rain. The lake level has risen, by one account it's risen 18" in the last month. That sure seems like a lot but my dock is under water right now, and Linda's dock came apart and the frame is at water level. Someone usually takes apart the beaver dams at the foot of the lake but that hasn't happened yet this year. That would make a huge difference.
I went to Plattsburgh today, had lunch with Julie, a nice visit. I bought too many things at Target and have to return some of them so will return to town on Weds. and have lunch with Barb then. Thai today, Greek on Weds. I picked up Duncan Sunday morning and we went to Plattsburgh for brunch, but the restaurant was closed so we ended up at Gus', with Bill and Fred. It was nice but no fancy brunch.
I bought more flowers on Sat., the nursery is having a big sale before they dump everything. I have to make up at least one more planter, will take that to the boat house. I brought back some plants from RI--physostegia, gooseneck loosestrife and a rose bush. The rose bush was part of a bush we took from the house I lived in more than 30 years ago in RI. I had a big one here but it has pretty much died, crowded by blackberry bushes. I'm hoping this new bush will like it here as much as the old one did before the blackberries came along. It's a tea rose, smells fantastic.
Tomorrow I go to Westport for Tess' medicine ($75 a month if I buy it at the vet's--I need to start buying it online), plus I need to get heartworm meds and flea repellent for both dogs. That will cost a LOT of money. The mosquitoes are pretty bad so I don't mind getting the heartworm med.
This Saturday is the Rogers family meeting and cousins are starting to arrive. I haven't been to camp since last week (these are not my favorite cousins) but will probably go down later this week to say hello. Too many people there for me, and one of them makes a huge fuss about keeping my dogs out of main camp. So much for "we all need to get along." I just avoid them.
The dogs are doing well. Tess limps sometimes but I took her down to Duncan's the other day and she was fine. I walked her on a leash, that's what I do with her now. She can almost run but not really--she tries sometimes, then sort of shrugs and starts walking instead.
There was a moose sighting between here and Saranac Lake--Linda saw one coming home one night at dusk. It ran across the road in front of her on the Alder Brook Road. Very exciting. We saw a blackburnian warbler at her camp the other day, a very pretty bird and fun to see. Mostly we have goldfinches and purple finches, with an occasional nuthatch. Linda had a cedar waxwing in her trees recently and today she saw a catbird. That's rare here. The robin who nests in my upstairs window has hatched 4 young ones and I can hear the peep peep peep when she shows up to feed them. Very noisy.
The sun is supposed to shine tomorrow morning so maybe I'll mow the lawn. Maybe.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Even more rain
We have had some good days but we have had a huge amount of rain. The lake is very high--maybe it's time to tear apart the beaver dam at the foot of the lake.
It's been a busy time but far from hectic. We've had a few group dinners, culminating in today's Thanksgiving dinner at J&M's. Joe fried a turkey, which was delicious. Everyone brought something and because there were a lot of people there sure was a lot of food. Yum. We had sauerkraut, furnished by Linda as part of a Baltimore tradition. It's very good with turkey.
We had book group at Linda's and that was good. Everyone liked the book and we're reading The orchardist next. I started it and really like it. Good story, great characters. I took it to Linda's dock yesterday afternoon but we just sat there and I didn't read a sentence. We like to sit on her dock with binoculars and keep track of what's going on around the lake. So watch out, anyone at the foot of the lake, we can see you.
I've stayed in the boat house a few nights. When it's in the 50's I usually stay at home. I like being at home, I like being in the boat house. Oh what a lucky girl!
Lin & I opened main camp on Thursday. It was a lot of work, more maybe than other years because of the influx of furniture. We found places for things, vacuumed, washed, arranged, and it's ready to go. Most people are coming 4th of July weekend so I hope the pine pollen won't be too bad. It's supposed to rain this week, which should help wash it out of the trees.
This week I'm taking the car in for an oil change and will hopefully have lunch with Julie afterward. That's Tuesday. Thursday I'm going to RI, after coffee in the morning with the Nadals. I'm staying in RI until Monday, not planning anything specific for the visit, it's just time to be there.
The mailbox saga continues, and I continue to go to town for my mail a few times a week. Big sigh. The postmistress is hot to have my mailbox returned to it's rightful place but it's a big fight. I said I'd move my mailbox but she said "No, don't do that, we're winning." OK, I won't do anything but keep driving 15 miles to get my mail.
Oh, has anyone heard about the escaped inmates near here? Ha! They won't come to Hawkeye but they're about 20 miles away, or so people seem to think. I woke last night, convinced they were coming to my house but of course I talked myself out of that quickly--they wouldn't walk down a dirt road looking for a place to hide. I don't know if they're still in the area but it would be nice if they were caught. 900 law enforcement officials is a lot of people for this area. Lots of roadblocks but nothing very close.
Weather has been OK but as I said, lots of rain. Yesterday and today I spent some time reading on the deck and the black flies weren't bad--there was a breeze yesterday and that kept them away. I mowed the lawn this morning and the deer flies were worse than the black flies. Nothing unbearable and nothing like it used to be. Tonight I'll sleep in the boat house, it's pretty hot and humid here at home.
Dogs are doing well. Tess limps sometimes, and she doesn't really run, she sort of hops with her hind legs. She snores a lot, and Treasure has started snoring too. Do I snore?
It's been a busy time but far from hectic. We've had a few group dinners, culminating in today's Thanksgiving dinner at J&M's. Joe fried a turkey, which was delicious. Everyone brought something and because there were a lot of people there sure was a lot of food. Yum. We had sauerkraut, furnished by Linda as part of a Baltimore tradition. It's very good with turkey.
We had book group at Linda's and that was good. Everyone liked the book and we're reading The orchardist next. I started it and really like it. Good story, great characters. I took it to Linda's dock yesterday afternoon but we just sat there and I didn't read a sentence. We like to sit on her dock with binoculars and keep track of what's going on around the lake. So watch out, anyone at the foot of the lake, we can see you.
I've stayed in the boat house a few nights. When it's in the 50's I usually stay at home. I like being at home, I like being in the boat house. Oh what a lucky girl!
Lin & I opened main camp on Thursday. It was a lot of work, more maybe than other years because of the influx of furniture. We found places for things, vacuumed, washed, arranged, and it's ready to go. Most people are coming 4th of July weekend so I hope the pine pollen won't be too bad. It's supposed to rain this week, which should help wash it out of the trees.
This week I'm taking the car in for an oil change and will hopefully have lunch with Julie afterward. That's Tuesday. Thursday I'm going to RI, after coffee in the morning with the Nadals. I'm staying in RI until Monday, not planning anything specific for the visit, it's just time to be there.
The mailbox saga continues, and I continue to go to town for my mail a few times a week. Big sigh. The postmistress is hot to have my mailbox returned to it's rightful place but it's a big fight. I said I'd move my mailbox but she said "No, don't do that, we're winning." OK, I won't do anything but keep driving 15 miles to get my mail.
Oh, has anyone heard about the escaped inmates near here? Ha! They won't come to Hawkeye but they're about 20 miles away, or so people seem to think. I woke last night, convinced they were coming to my house but of course I talked myself out of that quickly--they wouldn't walk down a dirt road looking for a place to hide. I don't know if they're still in the area but it would be nice if they were caught. 900 law enforcement officials is a lot of people for this area. Lots of roadblocks but nothing very close.
Weather has been OK but as I said, lots of rain. Yesterday and today I spent some time reading on the deck and the black flies weren't bad--there was a breeze yesterday and that kept them away. I mowed the lawn this morning and the deer flies were worse than the black flies. Nothing unbearable and nothing like it used to be. Tonight I'll sleep in the boat house, it's pretty hot and humid here at home.
Dogs are doing well. Tess limps sometimes, and she doesn't really run, she sort of hops with her hind legs. She snores a lot, and Treasure has started snoring too. Do I snore?
Monday, June 01, 2015
Rain, rain and more rain
I know we needed rain, but if we could just have a brief break I could walk (instead of drive) to camp to fill the hummingbird feeder at the boat house. Although I suppose I could wear a raincoat. I'll look into that.
I got the boat house opened and ready for occupants. There are still things in need of attention, mostly things we need to dispose of but that can wait until I have help. Lin is going to open main camp with me so maybe when that happens we can deal with some of the boat house stuff.
I had a nice week, no complaints. Lots of social contact even though we haven't had the official arrival of summer yet. I did travel a bit more than maybe I should have, but I got things accomplished. I only went to Plattsburgh once, on Friday, when I had lunch with Barb and ran many errands. That's the way to do it, save your errands up. It was very hot during the week so I stayed in the boat house two nights, very pleasant. Always a nice breeze so it was good sleeping weather.
I got all of my flower plants put in containers. I think I bought too many plants because I think I have too many containers. I took 2 to the boat house and have a deckfull here at home. They're all getting a good soaking, that's for sure.
I spent one day traveling to Westport, needed to get more of Tess' meds. They're expensive at $5 per pill, though she only takes half a pill a day. The vet's assistant suggested I look online, which is a good plan. The med. is just an anti-inflammatory and it seems to be working well. Tess limps sometimes, and definitely doesn't rely on her bad leg, but she's game and happy.
It got very cold yesterday, the temp was 45 when I got up, and it wasn't much warmer today. I had a fire in the wood stove and now the house is too hot. I've been doing a few things in the kitchen--cleaned out old pots & pans & lids that I don't use, washed the windows, made iced tea. I have a long list of things to get done in the house and should be focusing on what's listed instead of making up new chores just because I don't feel like cleaning out the closets upstairs.
I called my insurance agent today, prompted by a note from someone at the agency. Embarrassing enough, I still have my ex-husband's name on the homeowner's insurance policy. This is bad, very bad and I'm having that changed. I have to go to the office, though, with a full folder of documents. She just said to bring anything that would be relevant or prove he's no longer involved. I have the deed in my name, our divorce decree, tax receipts, 1040, mortgage papers. I couldn't think of anything else and I really don't believe it should be so complicated. The agent said it's much harder to take someone's name off a policy than it is to add one. Well hell, am I the first person to get divorced? I'm hoping this won't be as complicated as she made it sound.
This morning I drove to get the paper, then had a hankering for a Maplefield's cup of coffee, so I drove 10 miles to get one. I visited with a man I used to see every day there, when I was on my way to work. He's retired and spends early mornings at a table there. Everyone knows him, he's a retired Forest Ranger, and is pleasant. He laughed--hard--when he saw me there, joining in the routine. I won't make that a habit, but it was nice and the coffee was good.
Big news in dogs is that Treasure decided she likes being wet. She has always avoided the water, although I know she can swim (I made her do that once). Last week during the heat she walked right into the water and splashed around for a pretty long time, got out, got back in, etc. My sister has spent a huge amount of time trying to convince Treasure that getting wet is a good thing, all to no avail until it was Treasure's idea.
Not much going on this week. Tomorrow I think I'll go to town and maybe have lunch with a friend, will visit the insurance agent. Friday night I'm having dinner with friends here at the lake. The weather is supposed to be nice starting on Weds. and I hope to mow my lawn then. Grass is long and the driveway needs mowing.
Last year's robin is back and has built a nest in the same bathroom window as she did last year. I assume it's the same one, but who knows, really. She hates it when I take a shower. Too bad.
I got the boat house opened and ready for occupants. There are still things in need of attention, mostly things we need to dispose of but that can wait until I have help. Lin is going to open main camp with me so maybe when that happens we can deal with some of the boat house stuff.
I had a nice week, no complaints. Lots of social contact even though we haven't had the official arrival of summer yet. I did travel a bit more than maybe I should have, but I got things accomplished. I only went to Plattsburgh once, on Friday, when I had lunch with Barb and ran many errands. That's the way to do it, save your errands up. It was very hot during the week so I stayed in the boat house two nights, very pleasant. Always a nice breeze so it was good sleeping weather.
I got all of my flower plants put in containers. I think I bought too many plants because I think I have too many containers. I took 2 to the boat house and have a deckfull here at home. They're all getting a good soaking, that's for sure.
I spent one day traveling to Westport, needed to get more of Tess' meds. They're expensive at $5 per pill, though she only takes half a pill a day. The vet's assistant suggested I look online, which is a good plan. The med. is just an anti-inflammatory and it seems to be working well. Tess limps sometimes, and definitely doesn't rely on her bad leg, but she's game and happy.
It got very cold yesterday, the temp was 45 when I got up, and it wasn't much warmer today. I had a fire in the wood stove and now the house is too hot. I've been doing a few things in the kitchen--cleaned out old pots & pans & lids that I don't use, washed the windows, made iced tea. I have a long list of things to get done in the house and should be focusing on what's listed instead of making up new chores just because I don't feel like cleaning out the closets upstairs.
I called my insurance agent today, prompted by a note from someone at the agency. Embarrassing enough, I still have my ex-husband's name on the homeowner's insurance policy. This is bad, very bad and I'm having that changed. I have to go to the office, though, with a full folder of documents. She just said to bring anything that would be relevant or prove he's no longer involved. I have the deed in my name, our divorce decree, tax receipts, 1040, mortgage papers. I couldn't think of anything else and I really don't believe it should be so complicated. The agent said it's much harder to take someone's name off a policy than it is to add one. Well hell, am I the first person to get divorced? I'm hoping this won't be as complicated as she made it sound.
This morning I drove to get the paper, then had a hankering for a Maplefield's cup of coffee, so I drove 10 miles to get one. I visited with a man I used to see every day there, when I was on my way to work. He's retired and spends early mornings at a table there. Everyone knows him, he's a retired Forest Ranger, and is pleasant. He laughed--hard--when he saw me there, joining in the routine. I won't make that a habit, but it was nice and the coffee was good.
Big news in dogs is that Treasure decided she likes being wet. She has always avoided the water, although I know she can swim (I made her do that once). Last week during the heat she walked right into the water and splashed around for a pretty long time, got out, got back in, etc. My sister has spent a huge amount of time trying to convince Treasure that getting wet is a good thing, all to no avail until it was Treasure's idea.
Not much going on this week. Tomorrow I think I'll go to town and maybe have lunch with a friend, will visit the insurance agent. Friday night I'm having dinner with friends here at the lake. The weather is supposed to be nice starting on Weds. and I hope to mow my lawn then. Grass is long and the driveway needs mowing.
Last year's robin is back and has built a nest in the same bathroom window as she did last year. I assume it's the same one, but who knows, really. She hates it when I take a shower. Too bad.
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