Not quite November weather

It's not quite what I like to have in November weather-wise.  I like 40 degree, sunny and windless days.  So far we haven't had that.  Today is gray and 32 but at least it's not windy so it's easy to get the house (too) warm with the fire.

It was 8 Sat. morning with plenty of wind to make it feel very very uncomfortable.  I can get the house warm enough but who wants to go outside in THAT??  Anyway it was fine and I went to the thrift store and did some work there.  I was promoted to bagger!   I had been working in the Christmas loft but was needed as backup at the checkout to bag.  Turns out I have a great talent for putting other people's treasures in bags.  Who knew?  It was nice and I did enjoy the interactions with lots of different people, all (mostly) cheery and happy.

Friday night I had dinner with friends from Albany who have a camp here.  They stayed in their cabin without heat or insulation but they do have a wood stove so insisted on staying there even though I invited them to stay here.  We had a lot of fun at dinner but man was it cold.

I did the boat house laundry at the laundromat on Friday.  Boy there were some odd folks there that day but it was all fine.  Now I have the bedding here--should I make up the bed down there so it would be all set in the spring?  or should I keep the bedding here, handy to be used if/when I have company?  I have enough for both but it's cold enough for me to want to spend as little time down there as possible.  I still have to bring in the porch furniture but did empty the fridge and take garbage to the dump.  I went to the dump yesterday, too, got rid of mass quantities of recyclables that I've neglected to take my last few trips.  Wow my kitchen seems almost empty!

Yesterday I was in Plattsburgh to have my snow tires put on.  Talk about being efficient--there's only a little snow on the ground now but there was black ice on Friday.  Of course snow tires don't do a thing on black ice, staying home is what I did in the early hours.

I had dinner with friends from across the lake on Sunday.  It's relatively rare to have the north shore and south shore mingle but these are long-time friends who are year-round residents so we try to keep in touch in the winter.  I realize I need to reciprocate and have them come to my house but oh boy that seems complicated and like a lot of work.  I will, though, I will.

This is a pretty quiet week for me, tomorrow I'll work at the thrift store in the morning then on Thursday I'll find something entertaining to do.  Friday I'm having lunch with a friend in Plattsburgh.  Saturday is the thrift store again and Sunday night is book group.  I'm making a squash dish for that, we have a Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of the hostess every November. 

Next week I'll be in RI, driving down on Tuesday and staying until the following Monday.  I bought the turkey yesterday (Have Turkey Will Travel), I think I've got pretty much everything I need to take there.  Got the wine Mark & I like yesterday.  Pie fixings all set.  We have our traditions, boy do we have our traditions for Thanksgiving.  It's just Liza, Mark and me but we do it up big and have a really nice time.

I've been taking the dogs for  bog walks every day. My walking partner is away while her husband has surgery in NYC so I'm on my own.  This means I don't go to the gym (except when Annie was here, we went together a few times) so the dogs get the benefit of that because I walk with them instead.

It's November.  I usually like November but this year it's been pretty dreary.  There's a bit of snow on the ground but there's no ice on the lake yet.  That will come.

Cold getting colder

I can't really claim it's COLD, it was 18 this morning and is now 27.  Never got to 40 today but it wasn't bad, a very still and sort of pretty day.  There was some sunshine but mostly not, just very still.  I like weather like that.  Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, in the 40's and sunny until late afternoon.  Temps then will plummet, down to low teens and maybe single digits.  Well hell it IS November.  I turned the heat on for a little while this morning but mostly I'm happy with the heat the wood stove shares in the living room.

I've had a good but pretty uneventful week so far.  A fair amount of gymming, that's always good.  My friend from DC was here and we spent a lot of time together.  I sped up the treadmill which felt great.  I conclude that our outside walks of the summer were better exercise than the treadmilling I was doing by spring.  Yesterday I voted (of course), proud to be number 31 at my polling place at noon.  My candidates won!  A bit of a surprise in one case but good news.  We had local races which I think are important when it's such a small town.  We know our local officials personally most of the time.

I walked the bog yesterday and today (though today's walk was brief, more of a boglet walk just done to entertain and run the dogs).  It's pretty unremarkable this time of year, no blossoms or fall color but it's a very very nice place and soooo handy for running Bear and Treasure.

Today I volunteered at the thrift store for a couple of hours in the morning, leaving early to run errands in Lake Placid before meeting my "exercise" partner for lunch.  The thrift store was busy and I did a lot of Christmas work.  Miraculously some of the things I put out and priced actually sold.  The small purple Barbie Christmas tree with light-up Barbie high heel ornaments sold because I lowered the price from $3 to $2.  SOLD!  That was a victory I savored.

Tomorrow is a Plattsburgh day, giving a friend a ride to pick up her truck.  What else will I do in town?  Not much, I got my errands taken care of today.  I didn't get to the dump so maybe I'll do that on my way home tomorrow.  The dump will be closed on Saturday and on Monday I go to Plattsburgh to have snow tires put on the car.  I'm quite pleased with myself for taking care of that before winter actually arrives.  Can't say before snow because we're supposed to have snow on Friday.  Cold.  Wind.  Snow.  I guess it's about time.

Warm but getting colder

It's still been warm here but now temps are dropping from 50's down to 30's today with a cold front coming in at the end of the week with highs in the 30's or 20's and lows in the teens.  Guess I should really really finish up my outdoor work and boat house chores!   I made an appointment to have my snow tires put on next week.  Yay for me, being prepared.

Today I had a silver filling replaced at the dentist's (as if I'd have it done somewhere else).  Of course I was hysterical, our childhood dentist was not kind and didn't believe in numbness.  Anyway this was PAINLESS and easy and quick and man was I relieved and surprised.  All was fine, a mere $283.  Again, preventive, the filling was cracked but not broken or missing.  Good girl, good girl.

It's been a pretty busy time for me.  I've been volunteering at the thrift store Weds. and Sat. mornings and that's going well.  I got promoted to the Christmas Loft where I get to be my own boss and work alone and it's not jam-packed with people.  On Saturday they bused in a minibus of senior citizens and man oh man was that insane.  I went upstairs to the loft, up steep stairs that the seniors couldn't climb.  Oh I'm mean, I am a senior citizen.

Yesterday I went to the movies with friends--we saw Victoria and Abdul.  That was fine and we all enjoyed it but wondered how much is true and how much was movie.  Not sure there's any way to know but there is a book written about it.  Doubt I'll read it.

I've started going to the gym again, it's too dark in the morning to walk outside and my walking friend has been sick so I missed a bunch of days.  We seem to be back to our routine, and Annie is here and has been treadmilling with me.  We just got back from a quick bog walk with our 3 dogs.  I was worried that Bear and her dog Milo might have some conflicts but the only problem was that Milo did NOT want to play run really fast and bark with Bear.  Bear minded that, he can't find anyone to play that game with him.

Tomorrow I'll vote.  We're electing Town Councilmen (no women of course) and a county legislator.  At least this election I have some idea of why I'll vote for the candidates I'm voting for.   That's my only plan for tomorrow but I need to finish closing the boat house so may work on that.  Wednesday is thrift store day, then lunch in Placid with a friend.  Thursday?  Nothing planned.  Friday?  Keep the fire going and warm up the house.  Sunday is dinner with neighbors across the lake, that will be very nice.

Life is good.  Retirement is fantastic.  I have to sign up for Medicare, well actually because I have the special state insurance I don't have to do anything, my signing up is automatic.  I'm extremely fortunate.  Excellent insurance all round.

I'll go to RI for Thanksgiving--can that really be 2 weeks from now?  I'm planning to go there on Tuesday, stay until Monday.  I'm foolish to think that will help with the traffic but at least I'm not traveling on Weds. or Sunday.  Will my pipes freeze while I'm gone?  Doubtful but not certain.  It has to get below zero really for that to happen.  That won't, absolutely will not happen.

Still October (barely)

Happy Halloween to us all.  I've done nothing to celebrate the holiday except eat a lot of chocolate pudding instead of candy.  I like to think I'm helping my body by eating pudding made with milk.  yeah, right.

I had my hair cut today, quite short and what Linda calls "sporty."  My hairdresser said it makes me look younger, I'll settle for that.  I visited P&J to show them, feeling that someone should see what it's supposed to look like but won't look like again after I wash it.  I have friends with straight hair, curly hair, fluffy hair and they don't have to do much to make it look good.  I have no such luck but refuse to put much effort into my appearance (as you all know).

On Sunday I went to a writing workshop at a local library.  WHY???  I was asked that by a couple of people.  I was curious and wanted to know what goes on at a writing workshop.  OK, now I know.  We had to write for 10 minutes using the prompt "meet me at 6:00."  I didn't play fair and didn't use the prompt.  Out of 12 people only one other person did that too.  We read what we wrote and the group and leader commented on it.  OOPS, we ran out of time before I read mind.  I wish I had the nerve to read mine, it would be interesting to hear what others have to say about what I wrote (and no, I'm not reproducing it here)(it was pretty stupid).  Well I was a big chicken and didn't offer up mine.  Some of the people wrote lovely things and almost everyone wrote something well worth hearing.  Guess I didn't feel that confident about mine.

So what have I been doing?  Not blogging.  I wrote a lovely letter yesterday but my computer froze before I saved it and it was gone in a flash.  Poop.  I almost bought a new computer today but then decided I wasn't in the mood and will struggle along with this 5-yr-old HP for a while longer.  It has some serious problems and a dead battery and I was advised that soon the hard drive will die.  I've been backing up what's on this machine that's worth saving--letters and photos almost exclusively.  I'll empty this computer soon enough.

I work at the thrift store twice a week for a couple of hours each time.  They're open Weds. and Sat. from 9-2 but I can't stand to be there for 5 hours so I usually work 9-12 or so.  Am I an asset?  Some days, yes very much but other days I wander around with a book or two in my hand pretending to be busy.  I left early on Saturday because there wasn't much book stuff to do and I didn't feel like working in the Christmas loft, where there is REAL work to be done.  I had company for lunch, we assembled Reuben sandwiches provided by Linda via UPS and her favorite and wonderful deli.  It was warm enough to eat on the deck so I set up a table there and it was pleasant.  The sandwiches were great.

Sunday night we had a storm, as did most of the Northeast.  It winded and rained plenty and in the early hours of the morning we lost power.  Not too dramatic because it wasn't very cold and it was daylight.  My power came back on but there was a line down near here that caused some smoking on the ground.  I called the power company to report it, saying "The ground is smoking and there's a line down--is that an emergency?"  Oh yes, the woman assured me it was an emergency and shortly after that trucks, including a water tanker drove down N.Shore La. to remedy the situation.  High drama for Hawkeye.

Bear has been misbehaving, having been sighted in too many locations too far from home.  He's cabled during the day when he's allowed out but gets to roam free before bed and when we first get up.  He seems to not want to stray far at those times.  Ah, the wonder of dog biscuits!  They get a treat if they come in.  I've been trying to walk the bog every day and that gives Bear a good run.  Oops, I skipped today.  and yesterday.  My walking partner has been ill for a while so we haven't stuck to our morning routines. 

There is a bit of color in the bog but it's mostly gone now, especially after the winds of Sunday and today.  I need to adjust to a forest without color but it is nice to be able to see into the woods.

Still not winter

It's 57 this afternoon with very little wind or breeze, cloudy but with some sun.  Who can complain about this?

I worked at the thrift store this morning but left by noon.  We get things (books) pretty much under control by noon but the big donations come in after 1.  I just get tired by noon and feel like going home.  We got a lot done today.

I had a great time working with the cemetery people on Saturday, we're trying to update the maps of the cemetery.  They haven't been updated for decades so it's quite a project.  Each lot is numbered but no one knows which lots are not sold but numbered, or created but not numbered, and the maps don't show who's buried in each lot that's taken.  Fun fun fun.  It's a good project and I like the people I work with.  Not sure when we're doing out next installment but they have my number and I'm sure they'll call if they need me.

Went out for dinner Sat. night with summer friends, that was nice.  They're gone for the year and were pretty much the last of the summers.  Lunch yesterday with a friend at the new restaurant in Upper Jay.  That was our second visit there, the first time we tried breakfast.  The food is good but it's only been open for a few weeks and they're still "in process."  I hope they make it, there aren't many places around.

Not too much else going on.  I've been walking the bog with the dogs--my walking partner has been ill so I'm on my own and don't walk as far or for as long without her but I try to keep the dogs entertained.  We're supposed to walk tomorrow morning, then I'll head to Plattsburgh for errands, lunch with a friend and an appointment to have my car worked on.  The other rear hatch strut broke this week, I had one replaced a few weeks ago.  This car isn't old enough to be having things like this happen.

Most of the leaves are gone but the aspens are gold and the tamaracks are hanging on.  Just a bit of color out there, mostly bare naked woods.  That takes getting used to for me but what choice do I have?

What month is it?

We are having the most delicious stretch of weather!   I love this.  It's 60 and sunny right now, even with the stiff wind it's comfortable and pleasant and oh-so-nice.  Have I been taking advantage of this weather?  Of course not, I still have a zillion outdoor chores to do.  This is so typical of me, especially the retired version of me.  Why do today what you can do tomorrow?  oh dear soon I'll run out of this weather and will have to do things in cold weather.  I have to close the boat house, dump the deck pots, finish cleaning the car, put the mower away, on and on.

I didn't walk this morning (or afternoon, though it's not dark yet) because my friend is sick.  Instead I stripped my bed then went to the laundromat in Peru and used the nice big washer, my good friend.  Now I have clean and dog-hair-free bedding but that won't be true by morning I bet.  Anyway I had a beautiful drive to and from the 'mat even with the lessening of leaves and color.  It's still pretty, the oaks are dark red and pretty.

Tomorrow is a busy day for me.  I'm helping out in the cemetery in the morning (we're comparing gravesites with maps, HAH! that should be good for a laugh) then have made plans to walk with a friend in Keene in the afternoon, then have made dinner plans with summer friends who are coming to close their camp this weekend.  That's my pretend obligatory 3 things in one day.  I tried to make today's activities come out to 3 different things but that didn't work.  I should take the dogs for a walk but Bear already took himself to camp and was retrieved by someone who brought him home.

The sky is blue, very blue and cloudless.

Not even close to snow

This weather is absolutely superb.  It's 58 right now as the sun is going down with daily highs in the 60's.  Man I love this!  We're losing leaves but it's so warm I don't care.  What???

Had a good day today.  Met my friend at the gym but she isn't feeling well so instead of treading we went to Stewart's for coffee.  My but you see the Cream of the AuSable Forks Crop at that hour.  What a colorful group.  We had a good visit and I didn't mind skipping the gym.  I never really do.

I made up for the lack of morning exercise when I went to the thrift store.  It's open Wednesdays and Saturdays and I'm helping Fran the Book Woman there.  Today Fran felt like working with the massive fabric collection so I sorted children's books.  OMG did I sort children's books.  I know little about juvenile literature but had a fairly good and confident time sorting and pricing.  I saw 2 friends and had good visits with them.  The thrift store is the place to be for sure, it's the social hub in Wilmington.

I didn't stay until closing (2:00) but left at 12:30 because I was tired.  I don't know how those people work the full 5 hours the store is open.  I came home and walked the dogs, a really really nice bog walk.  The tamaracks are turning golden (pictures coming soon) and it's just beautiful.

I have 2 bird feeders up and NO birds.  Yesterday I saw nuthatches in the trees on the opposite side of the yard from the feeders.  It seems very very strange, the lack of birds but I guess I'm far from unique in this.  What that means is anyone's guess.

Tomorrow is a Plattsburgh day.  Looks as if we'll walk outside with the dogs then I'll take my friend to Plattsburgh to retrieve her truck, then I'll have lunch with another friend.  Will fit in some errands in Plattsburgh and maybe I'll take a side trip to get fresh cider.  It's supposed to be 70 tomorrow.  Man are we ever lucky, oh so lucky.

No snow (yet)

The weatherman predicted a little snow for this morning but nooooo nothing like that is happening.  It's cool, 39 and cloudy but there's no snow.  A bit of rain.  I just went to the dump with massive amounts of stuff but I forgot even more stuff so will go again on Weds. when the other dump is open.  They're not really dumps, they're convenience stations.  Dumpsters.

I had a good weekend, a busy Saturday.  Walked with my friends, coffee with a friend then breakfast at the new cafe/diner in Upper Jay.  It was good but we prefer the diner in Wilmington.  Maybe we'll get used to a new place, who knows.  Anyway the food is good but the atmosphere lacking.

After breakfast I went to the thrift store to volunteer for a couple of hours.  It was good, it's a very busy place on Saturday.  I worked with the book woman, sorted some books, did a little of this and a little of that.  Am going back on Weds.  Will this be a regular thing?  I have no idea.  They need someone to organize the Christmas loft but I don't want to do that.  So how good a volunteer am I if I don't want to do the jobs they need most?

I cleaned the house and made chili for book group, which was last night.  We read a book I didn't really like and didn't finish but we ended up having a good discussion.  Linda called and we had a nice chat with her--nice to hear her voice.  We do miss her.

Today I think I'll walk the dogs then sort clothes.  I don't see me wearing shorts again this year so I think I can put them away.  That means I have to take out my winter clothes to make room for the summer things.  Is it really time to wear corduroy pants?  Supposed to be warm this week, temps in the 60's and maybe even sunny.  That means I should close the boat house.  I will, I will.

No big plans for the rest of the week.  Treadmilled this morning.  Had a gorgeous drive home from the dump, went the long way.  So much color still and that surprised me.  We had heavy winds yesterday and last night with some heavy rain.  The hard maples are holding on to their yellow leaves and the aspens/poplars/birches are being nicely yellow as well.  It's a good show.

Frosty morning but beautiful day

Temp was 30 this morning but it's now 52 and sunny.  What a gorgeous day.  I didn't get up at the crack of dawn--or maybe it was the crack of dawn, but dawn comes late these days.  Anyway, I had a very nice walk with friends, through the woods on an old road, doing a loop that ends up in the bog.  The dogs adored it and ran three times as far as we walked.  That should make them sleep all day but right now Bear is off somewhere doing something.  Treasure at least has the good sense to lie on the couch with me.

I put up my new bird feeder (I had to do some assembly work, impressed myself with my ability to find the pipe that converts the pole already in the ground to the right size for the new feeder's pole).  OK, swell, another feeder for the birds to ignore.  I've heard from others (and NPR) that it's a big problem this fall, no birds at home feeders.  Although I generally believe that misery loves company, this is of no comfort to me.

I registered for a writing workshop in Port Henry at the end of the month.  Why did I do that?  I just felt like it--the presenter teaches at Dartmouth and will ask participants to write something to share.  OH NO!!!   And I registered anyway?  We'll see if I actually go.  I'm feeling more like actually DOING things these days, hence the volunteering at the thrift store.  I may get back to the Historical Association with Bill, I haven't decided about that yet.  That's solitary work, scanning slides or photos.  It's fun to see the images but maybe it's the monotony of the work that I don't really care for.  We'll see.

Lunch with a friend in Plattsburgh tomorrow plus a few errands.  Have to get some stuff for book group on Sunday plus some other items at Target I guess.  I would love to buy a new computer but that has to wait.  Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be as good as today's.  Wow what a bonus.  Saturday may bring rain but will be warmer.  What will I find for an excuse to avoid closing the boat house? 

Zero population

Linda left today.  Now it's just one other person and me (in my circle that is--there are others in the neighborhood but we don't count them).  It's a cool night with frost warnings, down to 44 right now.  It was cool all day, never really got out of the 40's.  I have a hot fire in the stove so my living room is approaching "too hot."  Bedroom is quite cool and Bear is warming the bed for me.

I had a good day, short time at the gym due to scheduling issues but that was OK.  I said farewell to Linda then went to the thrift store to volunteer for a couple of hours.  What did they think I should do?  Sort books, of course!  Who wouldn't want a retired librarian to do something with books?  It was a good time and they sure have plenty of books, some very good.  Of course the woman who does the book sorting wanted me to work with young adult books, an area I am historically and woefully ignorant of.  Oh well I faked it.  I spent time shelving books--when I was employed that was one task I steadfastly refused to do. 

I got home in the late afternoon and didn't do much except get the fire going and do a little (very little) housekeeping.  I'm hosting book group on Sunday and should be focusing more on a clean living room.  I also have a lot of cleaning to do in the boat house, the combination of a strong wind and a renegade Bear have resulted in quite a messy floor.  Paper plates all over the porch floor.  Remnants of my recent party throughout the place (thank you Bear).  I need to close the place soon but historically wait until it's cold, quite cold.  Maybe that helps me speed up the process.  This weekend would be a good time for closing up.  I should remember that.  I'm going back to the thrift store on Saturday, maybe after coffee with Julie in the morning.   or a walk with my walking partner.  or what?  Oh hell why decide that now, it's only Weds. night.

Still no birds at the feeder!   I don't know how to woo them.  There was a flock of low-flying geese flying over the woods today making their lovely sound.  We haven't had any of the usual huge flocks and in fact have only had a few smaller flocks though someone did report seeing geese landing on Silver Lake.  That's unusual, we don't usually have many geese here, they seem to go to neighboring bodies of water.  Climate change?  No, just a change.

The dogs are doing well though I did get a report of a Bear sighting too far down OHR from the other day.  Rat pig.  He wasn't out for long today, let's hope that's a new pattern for him.  Some have suggested a shock collar and maybe I should look into that.  It's not that I think it's cruel, I just hate to do that to the poor boy.  And I like to have him poop far into the woods.  Oh the torture of making such a decision.

Waiting. and waiting

I put seed in my bird feeder almost 2 weeks ago and NO ONE has shown up to eat it.  I finally have some blue jays flying in the woods around the house but there are no chickadees, finches, woodpeckers, nuthatches--or anything.  What's up with that?  I bought a new feeder this year but haven't put it up yet, I'm just using the one that was always a big hit with lots of birds.  Come on, guys, it's time to eat!

I'm having  quiet and lovely day.  It's sunny and almost 70 with a breeze that's not too cool.  We're losing leaves fast fast fast but there's still plenty of color.  Soon it will just be the yellows and golds then life will go on without leaves on trees.  That's always a shocker for me but then I remember how nice it is to look deep into the woods without leaves.  Can't say I really look forward to it but the seasons move along, don't they.

I'm helping Linda today, she's on her final approach to leaving.  She's waiting for the dock people to come to take out her dock and hopefully move the chairs and canoe that are still on the dock.  We've put away some stuff and I've brought home my usual stuff but tomorrow we'll take the furniture off the porch and tuck it in the living room just before she leaves.

Am I sad to see her go?  Yes, yes I am but my life must go on.  The weather this week is supposed to be good, at least on Thursday and Friday, so maybe I'll actually do something productive outside without friends to distract me.

Holiday (from what?)

Late sun on the far shore from the boat house, a pretty night spent with friends.  This is a busy weekend but now it's Monday and the busy-ness is pretty much over.  Just Linda left and she's leaves on Weds. so is very busy closing her camp and getting ready to head back to Ann Arbor.

Meanwhile I'm having a Day of Nothing.  I was up early in case we were meeting at the gym but that didn't happen (which sure was fine with me).  I've been doing pretty much nothing at all except I did go to the boat house to retrieve  Bear.  When will I remember to lock the screen door so he can't get in?  He loves to go down there and poke around, the door opens in so he can't get out.  That's about the most I've done today except I did measure some of the pieces of fabric I brought home from the thrift store where (it turns out) I'm going to volunteer.  maybe.  They need volunteers badly, it's a very busy place and favorite destination by a lot of people.  I went in on Friday and came home with 3 batches of donated fabric to measure and label.  That's pretty ironic, I haven't really sewn anything since Home Ec. in 7th grade.  All the class had to make the same jumper, and we were required to wear the god-awful thing at least once. 

Anyway I think I'll be working with donated books, sorting them by author and sale-worthiness.  Of  course they want the retired librarian to work with books.  But that's OK.

Yesterday I spent time with Pat & Jim, talked to the Holts, had dinner at Linda's and didn't really do much else.  It turns out that the ex-husband closed main camp so that's a great help, I don't really mind doing it but it's hard to move all the furniture alone so I need help with it.  What a bonus to have that done.  I have to close the boat house but it's too warm and nice still. There may still be a morning coffee with friends on the porch there.  Not today, it's raining endlessly.

We sill have color but we're losing leaves.  This is time time I sort of dread but also sort of welcome as the moving along to the next season.  Soon the trees will be bare and the woods will be brown and gray but we'll be able to see deep into the woods.  We don't have the yellows yet or the tamaracks, they'll be the last to show.

Going out for dinner with Linda tonight, our next-to-last chance for this year.  It's been a good year, plenty of good visits with good friends and lots (AND LOTS) of dock time with Linda.  Her dock is coming out tomorrow wow that's a sad moment but the timing is perfect.  My cousins were here this weekend and took out the camp docks.

The dogs are fine, even with Bear's wanderings.  Some people think I should get a shock collar for him but I hate to do that.  A friend saw a black dog at his camp down the lake recently--I don't know if it was Bear but he does sometimes disappear for long periods of time and that's not good.  He and Treasure are friends but not close friends.  They do sometimes run into the woods together but aren't gone long together.

I put up my bird feeder more than a week ago and NO ONE has shown up.  Where are the birds???  I've had blue jays in the yard but not at the feeder.  I have a new feeder this year in addition to the squirrel and blue jay proof one that hangs.  Have I put up the new one yet?  Of course not, that would be productive.

Colors, we have colors

I drove around a bit today and saw a lot of fall color.  That was a surprise, we were thinking there wouldn't be any oranges or reds this year but we were wrong.  It's not stunning the way it is most years but it's very very pretty.

I treadmilled with my friend this morning at the gym.  Ugh, I'd much rather walk in the woods but it's too dark at 6:30 and she has to go to work (well someone has to).  There's a man who treadmills at the same time and he missed us all summer so was happy to have us back.  We're quite a trio.

Linda and I went to the BIG dump this afternoon, it's the only one open on Fridays.  That's when I had my pretty foliage drive.  I stopped to see other friends who are here for the holiday weekend and to invite them to the boat house tomorrow.  I've invited 8 or so people for wine and snacks tomorrow.  I used to throw big cocktail parties but this year I've scaled back to a quieter gathering.  The far shore, which is the view from the porch there is glowing and gorgeous.  I think I'm having coffee there with my walking friend and her husband--we're planning to take a long walk in the bog then sit on the porch with coffee.  We did that one morning this week and it was lovely.

Tonight is dinner with the Holts, Sunday is dinner with Linda and other friends at Linda's camp.  What's happening in my spare moments?  I'll help Linda close her camp, maybe do some work at our camp (but I bet not) and maybe visit with the cousins who are rumored to be coming to take out the docks.  Oh it's a busy weekend all right, it always is, full of people I really enjoy being with.  Lucky me!

Holy October!

Well September came and went, I must have been busy, too busy to post.  Some of my friends who read this blog agree with me that posting to my blog is a winter-type activity.  Summer is busy with dock time and visiting.  September was like the summer we didn't have as far as weather went.  It started cold and rainy but man oh man was it a lovely month.  I went to the Midwest at the beginning of the month, met up with 17 friends from Rockford.  We get together every 2 or 3 years and this was truly one of the most fun trips I've made.  It was just a nice gathering of interesting and wonderful women.  We didn't have a lot of activities--some years we do more, but this year was about visiting and spending time together.  I totally enjoyed it all and found myself surprisingly cheerful at being back in the middle of the country.  That was a treat.  I'm looking forward to our next gathering 2 years from now.

Linda and I had 3 fantastic weeks of docksitting and swimming.  Her dock is great for sitting and swimming so that's what we did.  And boy did we.  We were still doing it last week during a heat wave.  I did swim day before yesterday but that was cold, very cold.  Her thermometer measured 67 but that was close to the surface.  We noodled our way out into the lake and just had a wonderful month together.  She leaves next week and I'll have my annual post-summer, pre-winter adjustment period.  This weekend is the neighborhood's swan song, there will be many visitors for Columbus Day.  Some summer friends have left already, some will be closing their camps this weekend.  I have done nothing at all about closing our camp or even the boat house.  Yesterday I had a lovely time with friends on the boat house porch--we walked the bog then walked to camp and had coffee and pumpkin cake together.  Man was that nice.

Today I helped Linda a bit, mostly we just visited but did get some camp closing tasks done.  It's hard for both of us to have her leave.  Life goes on.

The dogs are great.  Bear is loud and enthusiastic about having visitors.  TOO enthusiastic.  I had a long visit with the breeder the other day and said he and I need work at my getting control over him.  Man do I love talking with her, she knows SO much about dogs it's just a joy.  Bear had a bad cough after I got home from Wisconsin and I freaked right out, rushed him to the vet.  X-rays and exam, antibiotics, no big crisis after all.  That was huge for me.  Now he's fine and Treasure never did catch the cough.

Life is good, very good.  I have lunch with friends in Plattsburgh, I have book group, I have morning visits and coffee with friends.  I've been walking nearly every morning--we switched from treadmills at the gym to outside walks and man has that been wonderful.  Sometimes we've walked the bog and I get to include the dogs, other times we walk on a dirt road into the woods near my friend's house so the dogs can join us there.  This morning we started treadmilling again--its too dark in the morning to walk outside now so we'll be hitting the gym.  It sure seems to take longer to walk the same amount of time on a treadmill!

No big plans for me other than busy socializing this weekend.  I have a couple of volunteer things I might get involved with.  I have weekly lunch with friends.  I have a good life.

Now September

WHERE HAVE I BEEN???
Not really been anywhere, just going along.  August went by quickly without any significant events or drama.  I spent time with Linda on her dock, that was always a treat.  We watched the loons--the young loon now has a white breast and is diving along with the parents though they seem to still be feeding him the fish they catch.

I'm still walking with Carol, we walk outside in good weather.  We have our favorite routes, either the bog boardwalk here by my house or the road near hers or old logging roads in both places.  We try to take Bear and sometimes Treasure along but he is bad bad bad on a leash so when we walk roads with cars on them he stays home or in the car.  One morning I left him in the car with Treasure and they both howled and screamed as Carol & I walked away.  OMG they sounded like a pack of coyotes wailing away.  Luckily we don't go places where there are other people.  What a racket they made!  We could hear them far far away.

My college friend Ted came to visit in August, that was a treat.  He lives in Conn. and came last year.  We laugh a lot and talked very little about the past so that was nice.  Last year was his first visit to my house and mostly we only relived the past.  We went to Lake Placid, he likes to go there, and we sat on the boat house porch, I like to sit there, and we went out for dinner one night and breakfast one morning.  It was a nice time.

There are still summer friends here so I've been visiting.  It was a fairly quiet summer as summers in Hawkeye go, not as much socializing as some years.  That's OK, we know we all care about each other and are happy to be together.  Duncan and Sue will arrive this week and stay through the month (I hope).  Others have left or will leave soon but there will be friends here into October.

My big excitement is my trip to my Homeland--I'm going to the Midwest this week to visit with my Rockford friends.  We'll stay in Lake Geneva, Wisc. and have a good time being old friends.  I fly out from Burlington on Weds., return on Sunday.  Some years there are 15 of us, some years more and some years fewer.  I'm looking forward to being with these women, although our lives are very different and we've taken different paths into adulthood we care about each other and have fun together.  These are friends from elementary school, junior high school and high school, all of us turning 65 this year.  What a surprise I found in my mail the other day: my Medicare card!  Boy did that make me feel old!  Anyway, this group of women gets together every few years and it's a joy to be with them.

I'm boarding the dogs while I'm gone.  It's Bear's first time at this kennel and I hope he does well.  He's a sweet boy but does NOT like other male dogs, plus he barks some times.  Treasure is a perfect lady and has been to the kennel several times so I know she'll be just fine.  Bear is a good dog but I'm a little nervous about kenneling him.  He's crate trained so should be fine.  Oh yes, just fine.

The weather has been up and down, cold and warm (not really hot).  We had temps in the 30's the other night, now it's 62 with some sun.  The fall color is coming fast, whatever that means.  We always try to guess how the color will be--will it be a brilliant year?  Will there be much color?  Any reds?  Mostly yellows?  We're not good at predicting and no matter what we hope for it's always beautiful.  I do love this time of year.

Still August

August is moving right along.  I've been busy but not overwhelmed.  Right now I'm waiting for my friend from college to arrive--he's driving from Conn., was here last year and we had a good time.  He'll be here this afternoon and we'll maybe go to the boat house to sit on the porch and visit a while.  I have no plans beyond that, he likes Lake Placid so we may go there tomorrow in the rain.  Today is a nice sunny day, temp is 62.  It was 52 earlier but is sizing up to be a great day.  I should be mowing the lawn and pulling weeds but nooooo I'm hanging out.

I've spent most of this week cleaning my house because I did no cleaning all summer.  The dust!  The cobwebs!  The dog hair!  My oh my what a messy house I had/have.  It's cleaner now but still cluttered.

I've been having a busy time, lots of dinners with good friends.  I was visiting with friends who have a porch right on the water the other night and we had a huge, huge storm.  It poured so hard that we had to shout to hear each other, but it was just wonderful and of course after that there was a rainbow on the far shore.  Very pretty.

I've been walking with Carol pretty regularly.  We either walk from my house down the hardtop or we walk from her driveway down another road.  That road is tough walking though because it's uphill all the way home.  Great exercise.

I took my contractor friend down to camp to look over the situation with the main building, which seems to be leaning.  No, not SEEMS to be, IS leaning.  One of my cousins was there so that was a relief for me, he could ask the questions and listen to the answers.  My assignment was to find a contractor to submit a bit for the work.  Whew, I did that.  This is the woman who built the boat house and does wonderful work so I'm totally pleased to have her look it over.  She's not sure she'll put in a bid but it's so nice to have that task taken care of.

I've had a couple of nice dock days with Linda but none of our perfect dock days when it's hot, calm and quiet.  Those come in September.

The dogs are fine but yesterday Bear found his way to some children renting a camp down the hill from my house.  He had a great time and they walked him home, very nice kids.  I made brownies and took them to the kids and Bear was thrilled to see them again.

Not much else going on.  Life is good.  I have no big plans for the rest of August but in September I head back to the Homeland--visits with my Rockford friends.  I'm looking forward to that.

Busy time

I'd forgotten that August is such a busy time in Hawkeye.  I always consider July's weather to be the best of the summer but I often forget that it's August that is hot and humid and escapable elsewhere.  We had a fairly miserable bunch of weather in July and August seems to be sort of variable but mostly days with sun, no, rain, no, sun, no drizzle, no, hot.  On it goes.  I guess I missed one of the best dock days of the year yesterday--I went to the boat house (I've been staying at home) to enjoy the day but then it clouded over and was windy so I came home.  As soon as I got home it got sunny, still and hot (too hot to enjoy my deck) so I did indoor chores.  But not very many of them, it would seem when I look around my house.  I have company coming next week so I'd better hustle and do some serious cleaning and straightening up.  I haven't had a very industrious summer AT ALL and things are out of control.

I had dinner with friends the other night, made a delicious vegetable tian--verified delicious by others so I didn't have to rely on my own evaluation.  Tonight I had dinner with other friends and took a good salad, verified by my own evaluation.  Tomorrow I'm dining with other friends (I guess that would really be tonight, since it's 1:30 now) and Monday dining with other friends.  What's up with that???  I've had a fairly quiet summer socially but all hell seems to be breaking loose now.  I have a friend coming to visit from Conn. on Thursday.  I don't know how long he'll stay for but I do know that I have some real work to do to get ready.  I don't even know where to begin!

The dogs are fine, getting along and settled in.  Bear still wants Treasure to play with him A LOT and very roughly but she prefers a quiet approach to entertainment.  They do run around the yard together from time to time but mostly she just makes unpleasant noises at him and he leaves her alone.  So maybe it wasn't the wisest thing for me to get another dog after Tess died, and maybe I would be better off with only one dog, but this is the balance I've achieved for now.

I'm still walking in the mornings with a friend.  We walk outside now that it's summer, either down the road near my house or down the road near her house.  I saw my doctor recently and yes, my cholesterol levels are very good, and my lung capacity has improved a lot but no I haven't lost weight since I last saw him.  boo.

August already

 Loon baby (we call him Fluffy) with a parent, probably the mother, off of the boat house.  They're very vocal this year.  Fluffy makes some pretty funny sounds attempting to warble or yodel.

OK, to be truthful this picture was taken in July, but it suits August as well.  This is the view from the boat house.  Very, very pretty.

I've been busy but not too busy.  Lots of time spent with Linda sunning on her dock and swimming together.  Plenty of trips to Plattsburgh for lunches with good friends.  Walking with Carol outside on beautiful summer mornings.  Visits with summer friends aplenty, all really nice.

Today I walked with Carol, then talked to my mother for an hour.  She's fine but (as always) minds very much being so old.  She doesn't have the energy of, say, an 80-year-old and she minds this.  At 91 she's most impressive and doing very well.

I'm having lunch with a friend in Plattsburgh today, then will get some groceries and supplies.  Tomorrow morning is a walk with Carol then coffee with friends then in the afternoon a meeting of the shoreowners' association.  A chance to visit with lake neighbors and work on some of the things that concern us.  This organization is nearly 50-years-old and has accomplished a lot in its history.  I hope to write a comprehensive history of it, I'm the keeper of many of the old papers and archives and sorted through them recently.  It's a most impressive history, I think.

Sunday I'm hosting book group and will roast a big fat chicken to serve in the boat house.  There will be people in camp so I'll do most of the dinner prep at my house.  That's easy.

The dogs are just fine.  Bear love love loves to launch himself off the dock to retrieve sticks.  He's a great swimmer and I love that because it's a good way to wear him out in the evening.  That means, of course a wet bed but it's worth it I think.  Treasure is doing well and sometimes even allows herself to enjoy running around with Bear.

My sister made it safely home to Naples.  I miss her, what a really nice 3 weeks we had together.

Summer marches on.  Fall approaches.  I have cucumbers on my deck and have even eaten a few.  They're tasty all right.

My thoughts are with my Midwestern friends as one undergoes surgery for a brain tumor today.  I'll be visiting with them in September.  Another friend was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Life is complicated but I am a very lucky woman.

Post Vacation Post

This was my sister on the beach in RI. 

I've had a busy and wonderful last 3 weeks.  Lucky me!  I picked up my sister in Montreal on the 29th of June (she flew in from Naples) and we got to spend three uninterrupted weeks together.  I took her back to Montreal on Friday (7/21) so she could fly to Vancouver to be with her husband and daughter.  How did we spend all those days together?  With cousins, then with my niece and her family and my mother, then alone here at Silver Lake.  What a grand time it all was.  I had the dogs with me the whole time and Bear bonded with Molly (who is a great dog trainer, which is what he responds to).  Our 10 days in RI were great with much visiting and some taking care of motherly business.  We got to the beach a few times but the waves were mostly too big for me to swim comfortably so I mostly just jumped in the waves and waded.  My mother is wonderful and in great health but it was hard to say goodbye.

Meanwhile back in Hawkeye we spent a week in the boat house together.  Actually the first 2 nights we were back we stayed at my house because it was rainy and cold.  Then we settled right in at the lake.  We visited with lots of my friends, hosted some, had morning coffee with people.  Lots of swimming--and I discovered that Bear is indeed a retrieving retriever.  He loves to jump off the dock into water to chase tennis balls or sticks.  He's a bit weak on delivering them back to me but he drops them nearby.  Molly and I had lots of gorgeous sunrises together and took turns cooking dinners.  It was all grand.

Now I'm alone, the last cousin left today so camp is empty.  I was very sad after taking Molly to Montreal, stayed at home that night but then returned to the boat house.  Today I visited with the neighbors and then mowed my lawn.  YIKES!  I actually mowed my lawn.  I didn't do a very thorough job but it sure looks better.  In need of more attention for sure but an improvement.  What's next?  I think I'll head back to the boat house for the night.  Tomorrow is a dump day, I have the fridge in the boat house and the one here at home to clean out.  Lots of dump material.  One day this week I think I'll have lunch with Julie, maybe.  Carol is out of town until Thursday so I'll not be walking with her mornings.  We did pick up walking last week and did pretty well.  I may walk without her but that's not historically what I do.  Who knows.

Silver Lake is in full summer season swing.  Yesterday afternoon there were many, many, many jet skis and boats in the afternoon.  We have a pair of parental loons that spend a lot of time in front of our camp with their young 'un.  Lots of fun to keep track of them.

FAT dog

I took the dogs to the vet this afternoon, time for their annual visits.  It was Bear's grand opening at this vet's and he was a big hit.  Very well behaved and charming so he got lots of treats.  Treasure was less enthusiastic about being there and I found out why when she was weighed: she's gained SEVEN pounds in the last year.  Wow, for a 50-pound-dog that is a lot, a whole lot.  I was giving Tess a lot of treats and extra food at the end of her life and I guess I hated to leave Treasure out so she puffed right up.  No more of that!  I'll cut back on her food and give her half a treat instead of a whole one.  She won't notice.

The vet told me of a study that found that Labs are lacking the part of the brain that humans have to let us know when we've had enough to eat and feel full.  HAH, who didn't know that?  These 2 dogs are the piggiest eaters I've ever had but they're wonderful.

Other than the vet visit there's not much to report.  I've been busy and visiting a lot with friends.  Still going to the gym at 6:30 in the mornings with Carol.  Actually we've been walking outside quite a bit, just recently returning to the gym.  We've walked around AuSable and around Carol's driveway, which is near here.  The other day we had a great walk on an old logging road through the woods on Carol's property.  It was wonderful.  Bear joined us and was good about being off the leash.  He stuck around for the most part and came when he was called.

It's been very hot and humid, too hot to do much.  Now it's cooler and less humid but is rainy.  Some real downpours today, a thunderstorm the other day.  I have good friends and one fixed my lawn mower then mowed most of my lawn when it was returned.  Wow, how lucky can a girl get?  I've been waiting to finish the mowing, it was too hot and now it's too rainy.  Thursday is the designated "nice day" this week so hopefully I'll get that taken care of.

I had a nice time in the boat house during the hot days.  Bear loves to swim and has convinced Treasure to go further into the water than she used to.  Sometimes she actually swims but then she acts as if that was a terrible mistake.

Book group is at the boat house on Sunday.  We're reading a Liane Moriarty book about triplets that's enjoyable.  More summer people arrive this week and it will be fun to see them.  MY SISTER comes next week!  That's very exciting.  Our family's annual gathering is on the 1st of July and we're hosting this year so Jenica, Molly and I will be busy.   Not sure how many people we'll feed lunch to but I figure maybe 20-25.  Hard to tell but not a big deal.

Life is good, very good.  I have my flowers, cukes and tomatoes planted and they all look pretty good.

Summer at last

We've had sooooo much rain (I heard recently that we've had 18", double our usual amount) but yesterday and today were marvelous summer (or pre-summer) days.  I spent time sitting on my deck reading in the sun yesterday morning--that's a very favorite pastime.  The black flies were in evidence but the swarming didn't happen.  Deer flies were out, though, and when I did some actual gardening they were biting like mad.  I planted flowers in the ground, weeded a fair amount and transplanted the overbearing globe thistle plant so the snakeroot/cohosh/whatever it is could get more sun and have more room to grow.  That was successful.  I tried to mow the lawn but dinged the deck of the mower getting it out of the shed so the blade won't turn.  Today I dropped it off at a friend's house--he fixed it masterfully for me in the fall and I'm embarrassed to have trouble with it again but maybe he can work his magic again.

Today I went to Plattsburgh--haircut, groceries, liquor store, lunch and bought some dirt.  It IS pretty funny to pay money for dirt but I'm covering the grass-filled area that used to be a garden and am planting some annuals as well as tomatoes and cukes there.  So I buy dirt.

I slept in the boat house last night and it was wonderful.  The moon was incredibly bright.  It was a tad chilly but mostly it was just lovely.  Bear is now mine, the AKC transfer has taken place and his microchip has been re-registered to me.  He is wonderful and is very happy here.  He doesn't roam, not even when he and Treasure are out together.  He didn't much like sleeping in the boat house, yet another change of scene for the poor boy.  He whined a while but once he realized that Treasure was sleeping on the bed he settled down near her.  They get along but she hasn't endorsed him yet.  He is very fond of her and they do run around together a bit.  He's a swimmer (a REAL Lab!) and insisted of cuddling up against me in all his wetness last night in bed, to make sure I didn't sneak out while he wasn't paying attention.

I've left them together in the house unchaperoned for 7 hours at one spell and they were just fine.  I never did crate him, didn't put the crate together and he's been happy and well.  He did get into the back of the car the other day and ate a package of cube steak.  I worried that he had eaten the styrofoam so peroxided him royally and he (poor boy) had to relinquish his special treat.  I later found the styrofoam intact, he didn't eat any of it after all.  Oh well, I was pissed that he ate what was going to be my dinner that night.

Linda's docks have gone in and she had a dock day today while I was in Plattsburgh.  We had porch coffee this morning and that was nice.  I'll head down there in a little while for either docktails or maybe just porchtails if it rains, as it might.

I'm back into the gym routine now that Carol has returned from her vacation.  Man does that feel good!  We meet at 6:30 and treadmill away.  It hasn't really been nice enough to walk outside and we also know that we get better exercise on treadmills than walking.

Life is good.  Summer might come after all.

2 dogs yet again

Yes, I went to see Bear the Big Black Dog and he came home with me on a trial basis.  He is a sweet, sweet thing and is fitting in beautifully here at 58OHR so I think he's found a permanent home.  He seems to love it here (why wouldn't he?  He hopped on the bed the first night and slept all night there).  I was cabling him outside but today he got to go out unchaperoned and he didn't wander or leave the yard.  No, I'm sure that will come later.  I haven't walked him around the neighborhood yet, or taken him to the water.  As far as he knows our world consists of the house, the yard and the car.  He's excellent in the car but insists on sitting in the front seat (that's where Tess always sat).  Treasure does not approve of him much but she's a good girl and hasn't objected too strenuously.  She did growl (quietly) at him twice and pretend-snapped at him once (a snap in slow motion) but mostly she just ignores him and when he gets on the couch she mostly gets down with a heavy sigh.  It will work out.  He is not a brown girl but he is a very nice dog.

This weather is so very tiresome!  It's raining again.  We had a nice day yesterday, sunny and comfortable.  I didn't really take advantage of that.  I did get to the gym with Annie yesterday, then went to visit with the neighbors then went to Plattsburgh to get a collar and ID tag for Bear, then picked up Marylou at the Pbg airport and took her home to Wilmington.  That was all fine.  Bear was an excellent passenger.

Today I went to Fred's for coffee, then Bill, Linda, Fred and I went out for breakfast and had a really nice time.  I love going out for breakfast.  Don't bother ordering the pancakes at the former Pancake Haven in Wilmington, but the eggs are consistently good and L. reports that the sausage gravy is tasty.

I did what I rarely do this afternoon: I napped.  A long, deep sleep.  Wow that was something, but what else could I do on a rainy day like this?  Tomorrow I absolutely have to clean my house, and hopefully will do some planting in the morning.  I have to drag the mower out of the shed and at least start to think about mowing the lawn.  It's not very long yet, fortunately.

Tonight is dinner with Annie, her brother and his wife.  That will be nice.  I think tomorrow I'll hit the gym  with Annie in the morning, then I will be productive oh yes I will.

Nattering at night

I'm up at 11:00, went to sleep earlier but woke and now am perky and full of (not-quite) energy.  OK, not perky, either, but wide awake.

The black flies are bad this year, even this early.  I remember years ago when they were so thick you really couldn't be outside, even to walk to your car, and they're not that bad yet but man are they thick and hungry.  I did some outside planting today and had to take breaks to come in for relief.  We had some very hot days last week (wow, was that just last week?  seems long ago) and that really revved them up.  It's cool in the morning and they're not too bad (maybe).

I have a busy morning, meeting Carol to walk at 6:30, phone call to my mother after that, then coffee with Linda and Fred, then my friend the potter is coming to pick up a couple of bicycles so she can use the gears for an art project in Plattsburgh.  I have 3 bicycles in my shed--1 was my sister's when she lived in Colorado in the 70's, 2 are more than 25 years old and were hardly ever used.  Boy wouldn't it be nice to get rid of them, or at least one of them!  We'll see.

I called my dog breeder today, which took courage.  I wanted to know if she has any dogs to place and yes, indeed she does.  She has a 3-year-old black male she needs to find a home for, plus she has a litter of pups born today.  I don't really want a male and I don't really want a puppy so I'm wondering.  I'm going to meet the male on Saturday afternoon.  I won't know if I want this dog until I get to know him so I need to RELAX about the whole thing.  As soon as I hung up the phone I started to cry--no, I don't want a different dog, male or female, I want my brown dog back.  Too bad for me.  That does NOT mean it's too soon to get another dog, it just means I miss Tess.  Treasure and I are doing well but we tend to cling to each other.

I was thinking of sleeping in the boat house tonight but it's chilly so I stayed home.  I think I'll sleep there tomorrow night, that would be nice.  The woods are intensely green, a very bright green, one of my favorite things.  The far shore practically glows.

Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow, have errands to run and may meet Julie in the afternoon.  or not meet her, she doesn't know what she's doing.  I'm going to town anyway, have to pick up meds and get DEET, lots and lots of DEET.  Plus more geraniums.  I've been plant shopping 3 times so far and have all I need for my deck but I still need a few more geraniums for the cemetery.  3 for my father, 3 for my brother, 2 for my grandparents and 2 for my favorite cousin.  I hogged some of the ones I already bought for my deck planters.

Life is good.  I'm slowly adjusting to summer pace with summer friends.  Better speed up the process--all hell breaks loose this weekend. 

Springing fast

Wow what a difference 2 days make.  I spent yesterday in the 1000 Islands region with Julie.  It was gorgeous there, the hotel was right on the St. Lawrence and we had a lovely little balcony overlooking the river.  I had my morning coffee on the balcony yesterday, then went to the fitness center and did 20 minutes on the treadmill.  I would have done more (wuddashuddacuda) but I couldn't get the TV on the treadmill to work right so I got bored.

I went to the meeting and 2 presentations but did I really care?  Is it possible to remove yourself completely from a profession you were proudly a member of for almost 40 years?  Apparently.  Or else maybe I'm just so self-centered that I'm not interested in anything that doesn't relate to or have to do with me.  At any rate it was an OK day and I saw some good people, it was nice to see them.  We had and OK drive there and back but it's 3 1/2 hours no matter which way you go.

Treasure boarded well and was happy to see me.  I wondered if she expected to find Tess at the kennel but who knows what dogs think and she was fine.  I asked Deb (kennel owner and dog breeder) if Treasure was, perhaps a little fat: YES she said without hesitation.  I realize I've been over-feeding her especially with doggie junk food because I was trying to get Tess to eat and you can't feed one dog without feeding the other, right?  Anyway now poor Treasure has to deal with dietary restrictions.  This will not be easy.

Today I met Carol in AuSable at 6:45 and we had a really nice walk around town.  It's warm (too warm, at 81) so we walked outside.  Tomorrow we'll go back to the treadmills if it's as cool as predicted.  I took some things to Linda's this morning.  She arrives this afternoon.  YIKES.  This afternoon I think I'll go to the boat house, put the furniture on the porch then sit there in the cool breeze off the lake and maybe read a while.  or nap.  I was up at 4 this morning, felt troubled and couldn't sleep.

Busy time here, this weekend.  There will be much greeting and happy times.  To celebrate we have leaves on trees.

Long week

It's been a hard week.  Tess' cough was terrible and getting worse so I took her to the vet on Weds.  He xrayed her lungs and found a large mass so I had her put to sleep.  It wasn't  hard decision, she clearly was suffering.  It was a hard thing to do but it's such a peaceful procedure and the vet is a compassionate and gentle man so it was I suppose as easy as it could be.  Anyway it's over.  I'm cried out (well, almost) and moving on.  What does Treasure think?  who knows what dogs think but she stays pretty close to me and stares at me ALL the time.  I've been giving her lots of affection and attention.  We're a good team I think and I do know that all will be fine.  I don't know when or if I'll get another dog.  I may contact my breeder to see if she has any adult dogs she's looking to place--that's how I got Treasure, and Chances Are.  I've had 4 of her dogs, all sweet.

So that was last week.  The weekend was all right.  I went to the gym twice--Carol was out of town so I went by myself but there were people there I knew so time didn't drag (too much).  I had lunch with Barb on Friday, she's a great comfort to me so that was good.  Saturday I had coffee and a long visit with Julie.  Tomorrow Julie and I are going to the 1000 Islands for an overnight.  We'll have a good time together and doubtless it will be an adventure of sorts.  It's a library thing.  I don't belong at library things any more.

Today I went to the dump and had to tell Bob the Dump Man that I only need one biscuit for my dog, not two any more.  He was sweet, gave Treasure an extra one and told me how sorry he was for my loss.  People are good.

The weather has been rotten but right now it's 59 and the sun is out.  We've had cold and rain for a long time but it's due to warm up this week.  This is a big week in Hawkeye, summer people start arriving on Thursday.  Soon enough it will be Memorial Day weekend an then all hell will break loose.

I have a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks at my feeder, a trio actually, 2 males and a female.  That's pretty cool.

BIG feet, REALLY BIG feet

This is what the snowshoe hares look like these days.  They're really called varying hares because they change their colors with the seasons, but we call them snowshoes because, really, look at the size of that hind foot!

Treasure remains unimpressed, however.  She chases the bun-buns but never even gets close.  Turns out those huge feet make for massive speed.

Midnight musings

Haven't done this in a long time, but I'm up (I'M UP!!) and wide awake and it's not quite midnight.  Tess has been coughing and hacking ceaselessly so it's hard to get back to sleep.  I'm wondering if this behavior has become as much a habit as a symptom, but that's probably not right and a mean thought.

I've been reading The stranger in the forest, about a man who lived hidden in the Maine woods for 27 years with no human contact.  It's supposed to be a true story but man is it suspiciously like a made-up story.  It's interesting but worth a whole book?  I'm not sure.  Anyway the author posits that some people have a predisposition to living a solitary lifestyle.  It makes me wonder about myself--although sometimes I feel I'm swimming in social contacts, I spend a lot of time by myself with just 2 dogs to keep me company.  And they are great company, but they are not human.  I don't mind being alone, fer shure, mostly when I spend a day without human contact it makes me feel as if there's almost something wrong with me.  Not so much that something's missing from my life, but more that there must be something missing from ME.  I don't think I've ever spent more than 2 days without seeing anyone, and I almost always talk to someone on the phone.  I certainly email my friends and sister every day at least once so I guess in modern days I'm never without human contact of some sort.  Does email count?  I think it does.

Anyway I have my daily fix of human contact at the gym most mornings now.  That can do it for the day.  Carol and I talk for the half hour we're treadmilling, rarely do we run out of conversation (though that does happen sometimes).

It was Derby Day and my horse didn't win, or even come close to winning.  I wonder if the winner (whose name escapes me) will end up being a Superhorse this year.  Seems doubtful.  I didn't really enjoy watching the race, I'm always nervous that something bad will happen, especially in mud.  How can they not slip and slide in that stuff?

Sunday looks quiet.  Gym time is 8:00, then I'll come home, read the paper and watch Sunday morning television (thank you, Jane Pauley), visit with the neighbors around 11 or so, be home by 1:30 or 2 and most likely call that a full day.  What I hope I'll do is take my winter clothes, now nicely packed in bins upstairs and out of sight, which means I'll need to do some work in the master bedroom to make room for the bins.  As my grandmother used to say "Horrors!"

It always snows in May

So it was no real surprise that we had snow this morning.  Nothing really worth reporting, just splashes of white on windows.  What we mostly have now is mud, even though I'd call "official" mud season over.  It's just rained and rained, and with the exception of tomorrow is supposed to rain more.  There are signs of spring for sure and the poplars continue to green up the hills.  This afternoon I watched an ermine (weasel) climb trees and run along the edge of the woods on my lawn.  It was still almost totally white except for the black tip of its tail.  Where was my camera?  In the car of course, so I retrieved it and later took this shot of a varying/snowshoe hare.  Very different from the ermine, the hares have almost turned into their summer fur of brown.  They have white footies and underbellies but are hard to see against the dead leaves on the lawn.  Hard for me, maybe, but Treasure and Tess have no problems spotting them.  Treasure is convinced that someday, just maybe someday she'll catch one but she never returns with rabbit's feet in her mouth.  When I was growing up we had a female dachshund that was the greatest huntress.  Once we found her with several baby bunny feet sticking out of her mouth ("They're MINE, I found them, I get to keep them.").  She was a sweet dog but incorrigible about running off.

Anyway here's the hare of the day:

Green! I see green!

You could almost watch the poplar leaves pop out today.  After some very nice, very warm weather spring has busted out all over.  I drove to Keene today and there were teeny tiny but green leaves and some shad was in bloom.  Very exciting!   I heard a loon the other day.  Very exciting!   My daffodils are blooming like crazy.  Very exciting!  Goldfinches are bright yellow and at my feeder.  Very exciting! 

Oh I'm so easily entertained.  But really this spring stuff is very exciting to me.  I realize that it's almost May (very exciting) but still it just feels as if it's been a long, long time coming.

I had a good week but spent a fortune on my car.  Spent much of Friday at the car place having my winter tires switched out, oil changed and brakes fixed.  What a relief that was, the brakes were making an incredible and embarrassing noise.

Today I went to  neighborhood yard sale in Upper Jay and found a grand wicker rocking chair for the boat house porch for $25.  Very pleased with myself, I motored on to Keene to have coffee and a nice visit with Julie.  Home after that, then to the boat house to drop off the chair--there I realized that I left the cushion to the chair on the ground in Upper Jay.  duh.  Oh was I pissed at myself.  Back to UJ I drove and the nice woman had put my cushion aside so it was still there.  On the way home from that trip I stopped at another sale and bought a perfectly respectable $10 dresser (50% off), which is now in my living room waiting to be filled with...oh whatever things I need places to hide.  It wasn't easy getting it into the house but I'm proud to have managed that.  Next I need to empty the dresser upstairs and bring it to my bedroom to replace the bookcase I store my clothes in.  Not attractive, a bookcase full of clothes.  I have 4 dressers upstairs and another in my bedroom already.  Does this mean I collect dressers?

I went to the gym most days this week, but didn't go yesterday or today.  Carol is out of town and apparently I'm incapable of going by myself.  My goal=going there tomorrow morning.  Since I have no other plans (aside from the Brousseau visit at noon) for the day I think I can manage it.

Cleaning day

It's been raining for 3 days but now it's clearing a bit and warmer (64) so I have the front door wide open and ahhhhhh spring air!  I have on patch of daffodils blooming with a lot, no, really a LOT more to come.

I had a good weekend, spent nice time with Julie on Saturday, then had a busy Sunday.  Went to the gym, went to P&J's, then had a very nice visit with Fred at his camp.  Boy it was good to be there with him.  Book group was that night, I made delicious scalloped potatoes but am a fool and filled the casserole too full so now I have cream and potato juice all over the bottom of the oven.  What a doofus I am.  Anyway book group was nice but Marylou gave us too much chocolate and I ate like a pig.  I froze some of the chocolate, hoping what? that I'd forget about it and never eat it?  No, that won't happen.

Monday was Windshield Day and Mr. Fix-it came in the afternoon.  For some reason I got hysterical while waiting for him (he was 2 hours late but what difference does that make?).  I do not, do NOT like having people come work on my house.  Anyway he was fine and I now have the cleanest best windshield in Hawkeye.  Bad brakes on the damn car, but a clear windshield.  I went to Plattsburgh yesterday, ran errands, got groceries (at Hannaford, Joe), and had lunch with Julie.  The brakes are grinding like crazy so I went to the car place but they couldn't fix them yesterday--I have an appointment with them Friday to switch my tires anyway, so I'm grounding the car until then.  It freaks me out to drive it like this so I skipped the gym this morning.  Tomorrow Carol will come here and we'll either walk around Hawkeye or she'll drive us to the gym. 

So what did I do this morning?  I got up at 5:30, waited until 7:15 to call my mother, had a nice long talk with her, then slept for nearly 2 hours.  I do enjoy a good nap.  Anyway, I'm slowly cleaning the living room, bathroom and kitchen now, have dusted and relieved the floor of its dog hair burden.  Still have to vacuum the rug.  Oh how I hate to vacuum.

I got some of Tess' pills yesterday but of course they didn't have the full number I need for a week so I'll have to go back for more.  How is she?  I think she's marginally better but that could just be wishful thinking and fantasy on my part.  She's old and both she and I are tired of her hacking.  But she's a sweet thing.

Sunday I tried to watch the horrible and stupid TV movie about the prison breakout of 2015--it was mostly about the woman who helped the inmates escape and boy oh boy was it a bad show.  I didn't watch the whole show.

Linda called last night and we talked and talked.  It's hard to believe that in 3 weeks the neighborhood will be buzzing.  MAY is coming!  Amazing.

Yesterday was my brother's birthday.  How old would he be?  Does it matter?  He died and we all miss him terribly.

OK, back to work.  My latest music crush is Elvis Costello so I'll crank him up and finish the downstairs.  Except for the bedroom, that's just too big a project to start.

What happened to spring?

OK, so it's not snowing, and it's above freezing but really, what's up with this weather?  It's rainy and in the 40's every day, which isn't really miserable but it's pretty close.  I long to see sunshine!  Tomorrow is predicted to be almost better than today, Sunday for sure is supposed to be warmer and maybe even sunny. 

Tomorrow morning I'll meet Carol at the gym at 8:15, meet Julie for coffee at 9:30 in Keene, then at some point take my garbage to the dump.  Oh, first I'll call my mother in the early morning.  OMG that's 4 things in one day.  We'll see if I can really pull it off.

Monday I'm supposed to get my new windshield.  A passing truck sent a rock/stone flying into my windshield on my way to RI and now the crack has spread two-thirds of the way across the windshield.  I have visions of the window breaking in half, flying into the car and decapitating me as I drive merrily along listening to Elvis Costello.  No, I've been assured this will not happen, they don't call it safety glass because it's dangerous.  Oh I just don't know.

Tess is not doing well and will soon start her anti-fungal med. once again.  I talked to the vet this afternoon and he's phoning in a prescription which I'll drive to Plattsburgh to pick up.  But probably not until Tuesday.  Oh the poor dog is coughing sooooo much.  Then she looks at me.  We don't know what they're saying, our animals, but is she pissed off because I haven't solved her problem yet?  or is she sorry to be making such horrible sounds?  or is there something going on that I can't even imagine--  I don't know what to think.  I'm really tired of listening to her all day and all night but I feel so bad for her, so very very bad for her.  This is a dangerous fungal infection, blastomycosis, and the treatment is expensive and also dangerous.  Liver failure.  Loss of appetite.  Inability to eat.  Blood tests.  It just goes on and on.

My daffodils are up but they're stalled at about 4" high.  Who can blame them?

Easter came, Easter went

Just home from Little Rhody, went there on Thursday and drove home this morning.  Had an easy trip home, trip driving there wasn't so sweet--my windshield was hit with a rock and how has a big crack in it.  When I checked my banking from RI I found that someone had charged a bunch of stuff from online dating sites to my account.  Fortunately my bank KNOWS I have no need of such help so denied the charges.  Unfortunately they also canceled my debit card and are sending me a new one with a different number.  I'll have to update online accounts as I think of them.  Oh well whatever happens happens.  The irony of someone cheating on a Christian online dating site is not lost on me.

We had a happy time visiting, Mark, Liza and I.  Easter was a good day, we had our ceremonial lox and bagels breakfast (huge) then Mark & I went to the beach with Treasure for a nice long walk in the fog.  We had a lamb dinner at the end of a nice day.  We dyed eggs on Saturday--

(there are only 11 because one was too cracked to dye)

It was a pretty quiet visit, a couple of trips to town, mostly a lot of reading and visiting and resting.

Tess is not great, she's still coughing.  I thought she was better but maybe the trip home was hard on her because she's been coughing a lot since we got home.  I talked to the vet--Tess has lost her appetite, which is upsetting.  The vet recommended we stop her med., which is fine with me because it's getting harder to get her to eat the pills.  Oh dear.  I'm not feeling optimistic about this.

Treasure is exhausted and passed out cold on the living room floor.

The ice is out of Silver Lake.  I don't know when that happened but it happened while I was away.

The fog was thick at the beach in RI.

The dogs exhausted themselves playing with the Easter toys.

Spring has arrived

It was 70 yesterday, 67 right now and some of my daffodils are up (though only a few inches).  I even have a few crocuses showing (but no blooms yet).  There's still snow but there is also bare ground in spots and the driveway is muddy but not sloppy.  I drive to the house once in a while and am very proud of the lack of ruts this year.  I'm not usually so careful.

Tess has been maybe a little better but she's still hacking away.  This is the 4th day of her meds and I had a conversation with the vet last night--he said it could take a week before a dramatic change would be seen.  Oh boy I hope he's right.  Today Tess seems to be hacking a little less but she's still sounding too human in her coughing.  She's hard to have in the bedroom at night, I wake up several times to her noises and she seems to be worse in the night.  She's a trooper, though, and is very perky and active.  We walked to the mailbox the other day, which is nearly a mile and she went along but oh my goodness is she ever slow.

I went to the gym Sat., Sunday and yesterday but we skipped today.  Tomorrow we meet at 6:15.  We agreed that soon we have to pick up the pace, increase speed and/or incline.  I'm winded at my present pace but still able to talk fairly easily.  I've lost 14 pounds, coming along, coming along.

I had a fairly uneventful weekend, saw the neighbors on Sunday.  Had to go to Plattsburgh too many times last week.  Went yesterday to have lunch with Barb and deliver her Easter basket.  I made 2 baskets handily and was pleased to find that I enjoyed the weaving and that the baskets turned out well.  I'd make more but what for?  I may weave a few to have on hand, I don't know.

Going to Plattsburgh tomorrow to pick up more meds for Tess and have lunch with Julie.  She's returning from DC today so we can compare notes on our travels.

Thursday I drive to RI for my Easter visit.  I'm looking forward to being there.  We'll do our usual visiting and maybe hit the beach.  It's pansy time in southern New England so I'm hoping we get to buy some.  It feels early for pansies here but I think we're past the worst of hard frosts so they should be all right on my deck.  Color!  Flowers!  I didn't plant any seeds this year, deciding to wait until the ground thaws and direct sow the seeds. 

Treasure is just fine.  I try to give her lots of attention and affection to make up for the extra time spent with Tess and worrying about Tess.  Dogs don't measure how much time you spend with the others, I know that. 

Fungus dog

Tess' test came back positive, a little ambiguous but positive so she's taking an anti-fungal med. as of today.  The vet, who is wonderful called last night with the results of the urinalysis and then called in the prescription to the drug store I use in Plattsburgh.  This morning I went to the pharmacy and got the 10 pills, a 5-day supply for $150.  Honestly, America is a wonderful place but there are things about it that are just unacceptable.  The vet called me this afternoon and told me how to order the same drug from a Canadian firm for 1/7th the price.  Now we'll see how she responds to this med.  I sure hope it works, I feel so sorry for the poor girl.  She hacks and coughs and sputters so much, then looks at me with such a sorry look in her eyes.  I have faith in this vet so I have hope that Tess will be OK.  If left untreated blastomycosis can be fatal.  Does this treatment make sense for a 14-year-old dog?  Well now that I know how to get the drug at a lower price, yes I think it does.

Yesterday I went to Plattsburgh, too just to get a few things.  I made a couple of baskets this week (!) and needed some supplies to finish them.  Both baskets turned out well but they are simple designs.  I don't seem to be able to do anything fancy and I don't seem to remember how to shape baskets except in squares and rectangles.  At any rate I really did enjoy making these baskets and it was nice to be good at it.

Skipped the gym this morning but will meet Carol there tomorrow morning.  Let's get back to the routine!  We skipped Monday this week, too.  I do know that I can go there alone, duh, but we have a good time there together. 

It's snowing right now.  Been spitting all day and my house is so no-warm.  I can't seem to get my fires hot lately and boy is that frustrating.  We may get a few inches of snow overnight tonight, then Sunday is supposed to maybe, just maybe be sunny and 50.  Right now it's 37 and gray.  Been gray all week. 

D.C. travelogue

 A familiar sight.  Always impressive, I think.

At the FDR Memorial.  Very moving memorial.

The guitar Eric Clapton played in the Concert for Bangla Desh, seen at the Newseum.  Way cool.  Way, way cool.

FDR quote from the Memorial.

"when doing the dishes is the highlight of your day you have to laugh"

So says my friend Carol.  That's because doing the dishes in hot water WAS the highlight of my day.  Because the water came out of my own faucet.  yes, it's true, I have indoor plumbing again.  I turned on the pump tonight and it came up to pressure just the way it was supposed to.  Boy was I relieved, I was worried that the frozen line (if that's what it was) had burst somewhere between the house and the well.  I like to think I'm an optimist but sometimes I just feel the worst will happen.  Anyway it's all good.  I just took a shower in my very own shower, first time in more than 3 weeks.  So now I'm back to what passes for normal at 58OHR.

I'm still going to the gym in the morning, this week we meet at 6 a.m. because of my friend's work schedule.  That means I'm up at 5 and out of the house by 5:30.  This morning that meant walking down the driveway.  in the mud.  in the rain.  in the dark.  Oh I was thrilled.  But I did it--we agree that our dedication to treadmills is mostly due to our allegiance to each other and our promises of showing up.  Whatever works, and this works very well.

I made a basket this week, not something I do often any more.  It's an Easter basket for my friend's grandchild and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  It only took 2 hours to make, the large baskets tend to take less time because there's less weaving involved if you use big weavers.  I never used to time myself making baskets but I was curious yesterday so kept track.  Will I make more baskets?  I was tempted to make another one yesterday but decided not to.

Tess is still hacking and a mess.  She's good during the day but nights are worse.  It's hard to get a good night's sleep with her coughing and hacking so much.  I shouldn't complain, I feel really sorry for the poor dear.  I did finally collect enough urine for a sample, which I delivered to the vet on Saturday.  They had to mail it out (postage included in the $180 charge) so I won't hear the results until the end of the week apparently.  I just feel bad for Tess, she's tired of this. (so am I, but then I'm not the one with the problem)

Next week I head to RI for an Easter visit.  I'll get pansies, that will be nice.