Treasure is just fine! I'm crazy about the vets at this place--I took her to a different, bigger vet here in Platts. and they were truly wonderful. She's doing very well. She still had a cough when I picked her up on Thursday afternoon and was a bit weak, but now she's pretty much back to normal. A slight hack now & then but she ran and ran this morning so I guess she's feeling pretty perky. She goes tomorrow for a follow-up visit, testing her clotting factor, which I expect will be just fine. YAY! Really, YAY! She's basking in the attention and affection she's been getting all week. Who learned anything from this? ME!!! Not Treasure, I'm sure. I'll never go near D-Con again.
Busy, busy time at the lake. Too many people, too many activities. I had 2 things last night, said no to all so I could visit with P&J. More invites for tonight but I have a late meeting here in Pbg so have said no to all again. I must be getting old, I used to try to make every social engagement but now feel OK saying no, I can't do it.
Have seen Duncan & Sue quite a bit, which has been great. They're going home today but will be back in Sept. for the month. Sue was at book group on Sunday. It was a funny time, just 4 of us (Sue, Lin, Linda, me). Pretty quiet but we did discuss the book quite a bit. We needed Marylou.
The lake has been quite populated with boats this week, more than the weeks around the 4th. I was on the dock on Sunday and it wasn't busy until late afternoon, then all hell broke loose. Saturday I went to the dump, then Fred came for a visit, followed by Bill & the PINS. The PINS moved old wood into the wood shed and stacked some of the new wood, then mowed the lawn (!). Nice, nice. I went to Big Daddy's with Fred for a snack before dinner with Duncan & Sue Sat. night.
Friday night Linda put on a Paella Party with great success. She's amazingly talented, and made paella over an open fire. It was delicious and we all had good visits and ate well. yum.
Molly flies to Boston, then RI today and will be here on Saturday. I'll go to Vt. to meet her train, then she'll be here for a week. It will be so nice to spend the time with her, though I have to work during the week. We have our family meeting on the 2nd, then Sunday dinner on the 3rd and off to RI the 4th or 5th for my 2 week vacation. Oh boy it's busy.
Sunday dinner is in the evening this weekend, at Bill's. Theme=Thanksgiving and I have to make a vegetable dish. The group had expanded to around 15 but is down a couple now. Big group.
All is well in Hawkeye. I need to get firewood for camp, have it delivered next week when the place will be full of people to stack it. I also need to get the water going--chronic problems with the prime-losing pump.
It never ends.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
July is going fast
I don't think summers usually fly by at this rate. This year it just seems as if there's not enough time to enjoy it. I have had my dock days, a few, and have seen plenty of summer people, but it just seems strange to have August breathing down my neck right now.
It's been an eventful time since I wrote anything, but the most pressing event is the trouble I have with my dog Treasure. Last week she ate D-Con that I didn't realize was in the car, and this week she's close to death from it. It's an anti-coagulant, so her chest filled with blood. I took her to a new vet, one with good emergency services, and she has been there since yesterday. I spoke to the vet this morning and Treasure lived through the night but there's still too much blood in her chest and she's having trouble breathing. They gave her a blood transfusion and massive doses of Vitamin K. At least she's still alive--I'm trying not to count on anything but now am cautiously hopeful. I feel terribly guilty, for keeping the poison where she could get to it, for not making her throw up when I realized she'd eaten it, for not taking her to the vet sooner--you name it, I feel guilty. I didn't realize it took a week for the poison to work so I thought she was in the clear. Well hopefully this will just be a learning experience and not a tragedy. Tess is mystified by Treasure's absence and just stares at me. She wants to go everywhere I go, more than usual. Anyway, I've found a good vet and I really like her so I may switch, after nearly 30 years with my other one.
I had nice visits with Duncan and Sue, dinner and random visits. We had dessert with the Camerons one night. The Camerons invited me for dessert another night but I just felt like being in the boat house by myself. Which didn't happen because my cousin came over and wanted to stay a long time. Well what can you do. Last night I was hysterical and in no shape to see anyone so I stayed home and didn't answer the phone.
Tonight I'll visit the same cousin because (I can't believe I did this) I offered to take care of her schnauzer while she goes to a funeral in NJ. What is wrong with me? She'd found a motel that would take the dog, but no, that wasn't good enough, I had to stick my nose in the whole thing and now I'm stuck with the dog for the weekend. Honestly I wonder about myself.
We had Sunday dinner last weekend at J&M's, which was nice. Too much food but it was all delicious. Next up is Bill, next weekend with a Thanksgiving theme. My sister will be here then (YAY) so I'm hoping she can join us. I have to take an appropriate vegetable dish.
Yes, Molly comes next weekend, taking the train from RI to Vt. All very cool. I have some things to get done in the boat house before she arrives but there are other things I need her help with. One more coat of paint on the counters, that shouldn't take long and it's supposed to be sunny and dry this weekend. It's been so humid that I hated to paint because I hate sticky, tacky surfaces.
I've stayed in the boat house a bit, when it's hot at night. Saturday I spent the day down there, reading on the dock and on the porch. The lake was really, really quiet during the day--that was a bonus, but at dinner time everyone with a boat decided to cruise by s l o w l y and look at each camp very carefully. Oh people, really, is that necessary?
I'm reading a new book, Friendship, by Emily Gould. It's quite nice. I have a mountain of books to read but am hoarding them for my August vacation. I've been listening to books a lot but none seem to be memorable. It's noise, just noise.
It's been an eventful time since I wrote anything, but the most pressing event is the trouble I have with my dog Treasure. Last week she ate D-Con that I didn't realize was in the car, and this week she's close to death from it. It's an anti-coagulant, so her chest filled with blood. I took her to a new vet, one with good emergency services, and she has been there since yesterday. I spoke to the vet this morning and Treasure lived through the night but there's still too much blood in her chest and she's having trouble breathing. They gave her a blood transfusion and massive doses of Vitamin K. At least she's still alive--I'm trying not to count on anything but now am cautiously hopeful. I feel terribly guilty, for keeping the poison where she could get to it, for not making her throw up when I realized she'd eaten it, for not taking her to the vet sooner--you name it, I feel guilty. I didn't realize it took a week for the poison to work so I thought she was in the clear. Well hopefully this will just be a learning experience and not a tragedy. Tess is mystified by Treasure's absence and just stares at me. She wants to go everywhere I go, more than usual. Anyway, I've found a good vet and I really like her so I may switch, after nearly 30 years with my other one.
I had nice visits with Duncan and Sue, dinner and random visits. We had dessert with the Camerons one night. The Camerons invited me for dessert another night but I just felt like being in the boat house by myself. Which didn't happen because my cousin came over and wanted to stay a long time. Well what can you do. Last night I was hysterical and in no shape to see anyone so I stayed home and didn't answer the phone.
Tonight I'll visit the same cousin because (I can't believe I did this) I offered to take care of her schnauzer while she goes to a funeral in NJ. What is wrong with me? She'd found a motel that would take the dog, but no, that wasn't good enough, I had to stick my nose in the whole thing and now I'm stuck with the dog for the weekend. Honestly I wonder about myself.
We had Sunday dinner last weekend at J&M's, which was nice. Too much food but it was all delicious. Next up is Bill, next weekend with a Thanksgiving theme. My sister will be here then (YAY) so I'm hoping she can join us. I have to take an appropriate vegetable dish.
Yes, Molly comes next weekend, taking the train from RI to Vt. All very cool. I have some things to get done in the boat house before she arrives but there are other things I need her help with. One more coat of paint on the counters, that shouldn't take long and it's supposed to be sunny and dry this weekend. It's been so humid that I hated to paint because I hate sticky, tacky surfaces.
I've stayed in the boat house a bit, when it's hot at night. Saturday I spent the day down there, reading on the dock and on the porch. The lake was really, really quiet during the day--that was a bonus, but at dinner time everyone with a boat decided to cruise by s l o w l y and look at each camp very carefully. Oh people, really, is that necessary?
I'm reading a new book, Friendship, by Emily Gould. It's quite nice. I have a mountain of books to read but am hoarding them for my August vacation. I've been listening to books a lot but none seem to be memorable. It's noise, just noise.
Thursday, July 03, 2014
Hot, so very hot
It's been hot all week, I guess this is our annual heat wave. I doesn't usually happen this early, mostly it comes later in July. But by has it been hot! 80's and 90's, with very high humidity and 70's at night. I've stayed in the boat house most nights. It's much cooler there but is still warm. I swam last night, briefly, because I kept dozing at 7:00 and wanted to stay awake AT LEAST until 8. duh. The water is lovely, not too cold but getting warmer.
Busy weekend ahead--tonight I'll stop briefly at Linda's, then it's on to get the dogs and go to camp. Jenica, Justin et al. are coming this afternoon so I'll have dinner with them. YAY. Justin is planning to do some work in the boat house (some welcome work) so they'll be here for a couple of days. Meanwhile I'll check out the cabin that's on the lake to see if anyone's using it, or maybe I'll just stay at home and maybe do some chores. I really need to mow--it's just too hot to do it now but I think it will be cooler this weekend.
Someone keeps peeing on the floor at home and I still haven't washed the floors so that's another "on my list" item. It's too humid for that now but should be better soon. I'll doubtless put in an appearance at the dump--I found out that Dump Man's name is Bob, so I'll see Bob on Sat.
Busy week, lots of good visits with people. Saw Rush, Annie, Duncan and David for dinner one night. Saw cousins a couple of other nights and Joe & Martha once. Stopped at P&J's last night for a quick visit, skipped my usual Tuesday visit to see Duncan & David before David left yesterday.
The lake has been busy with jet-skis and boats. Many jet-skis. This is the busiest week of the season so it's no surprise but HONESTLY, do jet-skis have to go round and round and round in front of camps? And what's up with kayakers who go so close to our dock that they could touch it, at 8:00 at night? Really? There was one fisherboy who was convinced the biggest fish in the lake were near the boat house, and he parked himself in his canoe in front of our other cabins each night at the beginning of the week. While I sat on the porch, near enough to hear him casting and reeling in...rock bass, just rock bass. I think he gave up, though because he wasn't there last night. Uh-oh, I may have spoken too soon.
Work has been busy--my co-worker took a couple of days off so I've been busy doing interlibrary loan. Bless those cute little inmates, they just like to read sooooo much. We've reached the point where we do more ILL for inmates than we do for patrons of our member libraries, which is not a good thing.
Dogs are fine. Treasure is convinced each morning that there's something worth investigating/eating on the back porch at camp so she shuts herself in there at 6 a.m. I suppose I don't discourage this because I rescue her each time. Well who's the dumb one here?
Busy weekend ahead--tonight I'll stop briefly at Linda's, then it's on to get the dogs and go to camp. Jenica, Justin et al. are coming this afternoon so I'll have dinner with them. YAY. Justin is planning to do some work in the boat house (some welcome work) so they'll be here for a couple of days. Meanwhile I'll check out the cabin that's on the lake to see if anyone's using it, or maybe I'll just stay at home and maybe do some chores. I really need to mow--it's just too hot to do it now but I think it will be cooler this weekend.
Someone keeps peeing on the floor at home and I still haven't washed the floors so that's another "on my list" item. It's too humid for that now but should be better soon. I'll doubtless put in an appearance at the dump--I found out that Dump Man's name is Bob, so I'll see Bob on Sat.
Busy week, lots of good visits with people. Saw Rush, Annie, Duncan and David for dinner one night. Saw cousins a couple of other nights and Joe & Martha once. Stopped at P&J's last night for a quick visit, skipped my usual Tuesday visit to see Duncan & David before David left yesterday.
The lake has been busy with jet-skis and boats. Many jet-skis. This is the busiest week of the season so it's no surprise but HONESTLY, do jet-skis have to go round and round and round in front of camps? And what's up with kayakers who go so close to our dock that they could touch it, at 8:00 at night? Really? There was one fisherboy who was convinced the biggest fish in the lake were near the boat house, and he parked himself in his canoe in front of our other cabins each night at the beginning of the week. While I sat on the porch, near enough to hear him casting and reeling in...rock bass, just rock bass. I think he gave up, though because he wasn't there last night. Uh-oh, I may have spoken too soon.
Work has been busy--my co-worker took a couple of days off so I've been busy doing interlibrary loan. Bless those cute little inmates, they just like to read sooooo much. We've reached the point where we do more ILL for inmates than we do for patrons of our member libraries, which is not a good thing.
Dogs are fine. Treasure is convinced each morning that there's something worth investigating/eating on the back porch at camp so she shuts herself in there at 6 a.m. I suppose I don't discourage this because I rescue her each time. Well who's the dumb one here?
Friday, June 27, 2014
Friday
A nice man told me a vaguely funny joke while we were both pumping gas this morning. He was a stranger who thought it was a good thing to have it be Friday. It's a beautiful morning--who could argue with him. I won't repeat the joke, it wasn't that funny, but it was a nice exchange on my way to work.
I stayed in the boat house last night, at Linda's urging. It wasn't as warm as I like to have it but neither was it cold, temp in the 50's. I walked down with the dogs in an attempt to give all of us a little exercise. I finished reading Jewelweed, by David Rhodes and I liked the ending very much (it's a happy ending, which my friend Barb always likes). The lake was quiet EXCEPT for one jet-ski that kept going round and round the lake. Well, the view doesn't change from one pass to the next, but this person was having a grand time annoying everyone on the lake. He finally had some engine trouble and went home. Then the loons started...they were really loud, very close to the boat house right when I was trying to go to sleep. Not really a bad sound to doze off to.
I had a nice week, good visits with people. I saw the Kokosing boys on Monday after they arrived (as opposed to what--BEFORE they arrived?) and again on Tuesday when I delivered a UPS package for them. They took me out to dinner and we had a nice time. They were tired from a hard day's working on the dock but we were all cheery.
Weds. I went with Linda to talk about the Conservationists, our lake organization, with the woman who's treasurer and has been involved for a long time. We were wondering what to do about the lack of participation and apparent interest on the part of our members. She was encouraging and gave us good ideas for a newsletter, a pamphlet, and mostly just gave us a good pep talk. She's a very nice woman--she & her husband live on the lake year-round and I see them from time to time.
Work was quiet this week, not much going on. We did have a union meeting the other day, to get negotiations started. Although I'm serving on the team (all full-time unit members are, since there are only 6 of us) I don't know if I'll be here by the time the new contract is settled. Our current contract is a good one to retire under, but this week I feel more like sticking around. People tell me that, if I can't make up my mind about retiring, it isn't the right time. Well, some days it sure feels like the right time, but this week not so much. I don't know. I do enjoy what I do but I am tired of working and especially of driving to Pbg every day. Is that a good enough reason to leave?
Dogs are fine. They sure thought something interesting was in the woods this morning and ran off a couple of times on the way home from camp. I was smart (finally) and didn't feed them before we walked home so they were very interested in sticking close to me.
Tonight I'll stop at P&J's after doing some shopping. I have to take a salad to a meeting on Monday in Keene Valley so will get supplies for that. I think I'll make a quinoa salad, which may or may not be a good thing. It'll be different at least.
No big plans for the weekend but that doesn't mean much. I'll try to get the final bags of insulation to the dump and hope to do some cleaning at the boat house. There's pine pollen all over and is garbage that needs attending to. It's supposed to be a beautiful, warm and sunny weekend so that may slow me down. The dock calls...
I stayed in the boat house last night, at Linda's urging. It wasn't as warm as I like to have it but neither was it cold, temp in the 50's. I walked down with the dogs in an attempt to give all of us a little exercise. I finished reading Jewelweed, by David Rhodes and I liked the ending very much (it's a happy ending, which my friend Barb always likes). The lake was quiet EXCEPT for one jet-ski that kept going round and round the lake. Well, the view doesn't change from one pass to the next, but this person was having a grand time annoying everyone on the lake. He finally had some engine trouble and went home. Then the loons started...they were really loud, very close to the boat house right when I was trying to go to sleep. Not really a bad sound to doze off to.
I had a nice week, good visits with people. I saw the Kokosing boys on Monday after they arrived (as opposed to what--BEFORE they arrived?) and again on Tuesday when I delivered a UPS package for them. They took me out to dinner and we had a nice time. They were tired from a hard day's working on the dock but we were all cheery.
Weds. I went with Linda to talk about the Conservationists, our lake organization, with the woman who's treasurer and has been involved for a long time. We were wondering what to do about the lack of participation and apparent interest on the part of our members. She was encouraging and gave us good ideas for a newsletter, a pamphlet, and mostly just gave us a good pep talk. She's a very nice woman--she & her husband live on the lake year-round and I see them from time to time.
Work was quiet this week, not much going on. We did have a union meeting the other day, to get negotiations started. Although I'm serving on the team (all full-time unit members are, since there are only 6 of us) I don't know if I'll be here by the time the new contract is settled. Our current contract is a good one to retire under, but this week I feel more like sticking around. People tell me that, if I can't make up my mind about retiring, it isn't the right time. Well, some days it sure feels like the right time, but this week not so much. I don't know. I do enjoy what I do but I am tired of working and especially of driving to Pbg every day. Is that a good enough reason to leave?
Dogs are fine. They sure thought something interesting was in the woods this morning and ran off a couple of times on the way home from camp. I was smart (finally) and didn't feed them before we walked home so they were very interested in sticking close to me.
Tonight I'll stop at P&J's after doing some shopping. I have to take a salad to a meeting on Monday in Keene Valley so will get supplies for that. I think I'll make a quinoa salad, which may or may not be a good thing. It'll be different at least.
No big plans for the weekend but that doesn't mean much. I'll try to get the final bags of insulation to the dump and hope to do some cleaning at the boat house. There's pine pollen all over and is garbage that needs attending to. It's supposed to be a beautiful, warm and sunny weekend so that may slow me down. The dock calls...
Monday, June 23, 2014
Favorites
It's one of my favorite times of year in the North Country, clear sunny June weather. The black flies have been bad in Hawkeye but seem to be dying off (slowly). I spent some time yesterday sitting on my deck reading (a perennial favorite activity) and the bugs only got bad later in the afternoon.
I had a good, productive weekend. I went to the dump with a big load, mowed my lawn (again, not as well as Ravi used to) and swept up a bunch of dog hair on Saturday. Went to Linda's for a nice visit and docktails in the evening. The lake was peaceful at 5:30 and the sun was out. It was lovely.
Sunday I met Lin & Ralph to go to the movies (Jersey Boys) but it turned out the matinee we thought was showing wasn't showing in the morning (as advertised) so we went out for a nice breakfast and visit instead. I had a grand tour of Ralph's impressive garden. Boy it would be nice to be that motivated! He has everything neatly growing with wide spaces between rows so he can till. We had a great garden when we lived on Green Street and Jamie would till it every year. Tilling makes all the difference. I quit growing vegetables except for feeble attempts at tomatoes & cukes in containers. It was Jamie who did the vegetables, I've always done flowers, herbs and perennials. Except not so much perennials now. I'm killing off the spot where I had my annual garden because it's been taken over by grass and is worthless. I'll add dirt next year and try to start all over.
I spent time reading in a quiet living room yesterday afternoon, which was very nice. I'm reading Jewelweed, a lesser-known book, which is about people in rural Wisconsin. I'm sure I picked it because I thought "Wisconsin? That's near Illinois, I bet I'll be able to relate to these people." Well, not so much, one is an ex-convict, another is his father, and there are 2 very strange boys in the story. I'm halfway through and am waiting for the point. All too often I wonder why the author wrote the book. Oh I'm a harsh critic.
I didn't get to camp during the last week. It's been chilly at night (too cold to sleep in the boat house) and have been busy after work. I went shopping Friday after work, made a big mistake and went to Walmart (had to pick up some prints and needed dirt so I figured I'd get groceries there, too). Today, I guess, is a Canadian holiday, and half of Quebec came to Plattsburgh to celebrate. Wow it was a mess in that store. Wow I really can't stand that store.
The Blue Heron boys arrive today. JK called me last night, Duncan has been emailing, got an email from David over the weekend--geez, they're not TOO excited! It will be great fun to have them here and they're staying longer than usual, which is a real treat.
I had a good, productive weekend. I went to the dump with a big load, mowed my lawn (again, not as well as Ravi used to) and swept up a bunch of dog hair on Saturday. Went to Linda's for a nice visit and docktails in the evening. The lake was peaceful at 5:30 and the sun was out. It was lovely.
Sunday I met Lin & Ralph to go to the movies (Jersey Boys) but it turned out the matinee we thought was showing wasn't showing in the morning (as advertised) so we went out for a nice breakfast and visit instead. I had a grand tour of Ralph's impressive garden. Boy it would be nice to be that motivated! He has everything neatly growing with wide spaces between rows so he can till. We had a great garden when we lived on Green Street and Jamie would till it every year. Tilling makes all the difference. I quit growing vegetables except for feeble attempts at tomatoes & cukes in containers. It was Jamie who did the vegetables, I've always done flowers, herbs and perennials. Except not so much perennials now. I'm killing off the spot where I had my annual garden because it's been taken over by grass and is worthless. I'll add dirt next year and try to start all over.
I spent time reading in a quiet living room yesterday afternoon, which was very nice. I'm reading Jewelweed, a lesser-known book, which is about people in rural Wisconsin. I'm sure I picked it because I thought "Wisconsin? That's near Illinois, I bet I'll be able to relate to these people." Well, not so much, one is an ex-convict, another is his father, and there are 2 very strange boys in the story. I'm halfway through and am waiting for the point. All too often I wonder why the author wrote the book. Oh I'm a harsh critic.
I didn't get to camp during the last week. It's been chilly at night (too cold to sleep in the boat house) and have been busy after work. I went shopping Friday after work, made a big mistake and went to Walmart (had to pick up some prints and needed dirt so I figured I'd get groceries there, too). Today, I guess, is a Canadian holiday, and half of Quebec came to Plattsburgh to celebrate. Wow it was a mess in that store. Wow I really can't stand that store.
The Blue Heron boys arrive today. JK called me last night, Duncan has been emailing, got an email from David over the weekend--geez, they're not TOO excited! It will be great fun to have them here and they're staying longer than usual, which is a real treat.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Laurel trip
I spent the weekend in Rhode Island, with a side trip to Lexington Mass for my uncle's memorial service. I went down on a rainy Friday, trip not great, but had left early so I got there mid-afternoon. The trip to Lexington was fine but boy is there a lot of traffic in northern RI and southern Mass! Wow I was impressed, especially for a Saturday morning.
The service was fine. I did fine until they started talking about Dead Ted, my cousin who died in his 30's, and how my uncle helped him through that. I used to cry a LOT at funerals and memorial services but thought I'd got past that. As Jenica said, though, these things always make us think of other dead people. So there was Henry, there was Ted, there was Ken, on and on. Liza spent most of the time with her sister, which was what she wanted to do. My aunt has Alzheimers so needs someone with her always and my mother is wonderful at dealing with her. The sisters get along well and Louise is always very cheerful.
When we got home from Mass. we sat on the back deck at my mother's house and reviewed the day, a nice visit and good time. Sunday we went plant shopping, which is a favorite activity for Mark, Liza and me. We had a good time and I couldn't stop myself from buying a few plants that they don't have in the North Country. Annuals, not perennials--I learned long ago not to buy perennials in places like RI. They never ever survive in the North Country. Anyway, it was nice to have that outing together. In the afternoon Liza & I went to get lobsters and look at the ocean. We weren't the only ones who had that idea. The parking lots for the Block Island ferry were FULL and the traffic was obnoxious. Wow, what a mess for June, but it was the first really summer-like weekend day there so everyone was out & about. I cooked the lobsters for dinner and they were delicious. yum.
My trip home on Monday was fine. I left early, there was no traffic, weather was good, so it was an easy trip. I got home early enough to have time at my house, which was just as messy as it was when I left. Rats. I went to camp for the evening & spent the night. The lake was really peaceful--no boats, just loons. A nice quiet night. I read on the porch till dark then went to bed. Good night's sleep though it was a bit cold.
Back to work yesterday. I must admit I enjoy coming to work less and less as the idea of retirement keeps creeping into my feeble mind. I still like my job a lot and believe in what I do (which is really important to me) but I would like to be at home.
Last night I saw the Nadals, having nice visit at their camp. They were here for a few days to open their camp and will return later in July. In time for book group, so Judy can join us at the boat house.
Tonight I'll stop at Linda's to catch up on anything I missed while I was away. I think I've pretty much got it all already--the dead porcupine in the water by Nadals, what Ann served for dinner Monday night, what's up with Pat & Jim, how the Nadals dog behaves at Silver Lake. I'm sure I've missed something, though.
The service was fine. I did fine until they started talking about Dead Ted, my cousin who died in his 30's, and how my uncle helped him through that. I used to cry a LOT at funerals and memorial services but thought I'd got past that. As Jenica said, though, these things always make us think of other dead people. So there was Henry, there was Ted, there was Ken, on and on. Liza spent most of the time with her sister, which was what she wanted to do. My aunt has Alzheimers so needs someone with her always and my mother is wonderful at dealing with her. The sisters get along well and Louise is always very cheerful.
When we got home from Mass. we sat on the back deck at my mother's house and reviewed the day, a nice visit and good time. Sunday we went plant shopping, which is a favorite activity for Mark, Liza and me. We had a good time and I couldn't stop myself from buying a few plants that they don't have in the North Country. Annuals, not perennials--I learned long ago not to buy perennials in places like RI. They never ever survive in the North Country. Anyway, it was nice to have that outing together. In the afternoon Liza & I went to get lobsters and look at the ocean. We weren't the only ones who had that idea. The parking lots for the Block Island ferry were FULL and the traffic was obnoxious. Wow, what a mess for June, but it was the first really summer-like weekend day there so everyone was out & about. I cooked the lobsters for dinner and they were delicious. yum.
My trip home on Monday was fine. I left early, there was no traffic, weather was good, so it was an easy trip. I got home early enough to have time at my house, which was just as messy as it was when I left. Rats. I went to camp for the evening & spent the night. The lake was really peaceful--no boats, just loons. A nice quiet night. I read on the porch till dark then went to bed. Good night's sleep though it was a bit cold.
Back to work yesterday. I must admit I enjoy coming to work less and less as the idea of retirement keeps creeping into my feeble mind. I still like my job a lot and believe in what I do (which is really important to me) but I would like to be at home.
Last night I saw the Nadals, having nice visit at their camp. They were here for a few days to open their camp and will return later in July. In time for book group, so Judy can join us at the boat house.
Tonight I'll stop at Linda's to catch up on anything I missed while I was away. I think I've pretty much got it all already--the dead porcupine in the water by Nadals, what Ann served for dinner Monday night, what's up with Pat & Jim, how the Nadals dog behaves at Silver Lake. I'm sure I've missed something, though.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Mid-week missive
Had a good weekend, the weather was grand. I got some dock time in, finished the book group book, mowed the lawn, went to the dump and saw friends. I'm entertaining myself with the lawn mowing--I haven't done it in years, paying someone to do it--I watch the grass carefully, hoping it doesn't need attention. Spring/early summer grass is easier to mow, tender shoots, I guess.
The Belmont party was fine but of course I was right--there was no Triple Crown winner. I didn't think Chrome could do it, that's just asking a lot of a horse. We all had a good time watching the race and drinking the Belmont Breeze cocktail, then we had a nice dinner together.
I was at camp both days for some dock time and that was grand. I did go in the water and it was cold but it's not unbearable, which is sort of unusual for this time of year. I slept there Sun. and Monday nights and it was a bit chilly in the morning. Last night I went to the boat house, sat on the porch a bit and decided it was too windy and cold and I did not want to be cold, so I went home. Very satisfactory. The dogs are flexible and don't seem to question my decisions about sleeping quarters.
Sunday Linda hosted a wonderful Adirondack Brunch, to kick off our Sunday dining season. We ate on her porch and boy did we eat. It was all delicious, and local fare.
Sunday at 5 I had cocktails with friends + Linda & Erd., tasting different gins. These friends went to Spain, where apparently having a gin & tonic is quite the experience. You have to establish what type of gin you like, then it's determined which type of tonic goes best with that gin. Linda & I tasted about 5 or 6 gins, then Stephanie made us delicious drinks. Wow what a production.
I just took my car to be inspected and got a call from the mechanic that of course it won't pass. One of the tires is too beat to pass, so I'm having them put 4 new tires on the car. Those are my winter tires and they're pretty shot, so it's a good thing to get done. I guess this means I'm keeping the car a while longer, which I think I'd already decided to do anyway.
I'm going to RI on Friday (with my new tires) and on Saturday I'll go with my mother and Mark to my uncle's memorial service in Lexington. We'll meet up with Jenica there and my mother will have a chance to visit with her sister. We'll get home in the evening, and Sunday we'll relax. I come home on Monday. What am I going to miss at home? That's always the summer question. Not much, just the usual activities.
The Belmont party was fine but of course I was right--there was no Triple Crown winner. I didn't think Chrome could do it, that's just asking a lot of a horse. We all had a good time watching the race and drinking the Belmont Breeze cocktail, then we had a nice dinner together.
I was at camp both days for some dock time and that was grand. I did go in the water and it was cold but it's not unbearable, which is sort of unusual for this time of year. I slept there Sun. and Monday nights and it was a bit chilly in the morning. Last night I went to the boat house, sat on the porch a bit and decided it was too windy and cold and I did not want to be cold, so I went home. Very satisfactory. The dogs are flexible and don't seem to question my decisions about sleeping quarters.
Sunday Linda hosted a wonderful Adirondack Brunch, to kick off our Sunday dining season. We ate on her porch and boy did we eat. It was all delicious, and local fare.
Sunday at 5 I had cocktails with friends + Linda & Erd., tasting different gins. These friends went to Spain, where apparently having a gin & tonic is quite the experience. You have to establish what type of gin you like, then it's determined which type of tonic goes best with that gin. Linda & I tasted about 5 or 6 gins, then Stephanie made us delicious drinks. Wow what a production.
I just took my car to be inspected and got a call from the mechanic that of course it won't pass. One of the tires is too beat to pass, so I'm having them put 4 new tires on the car. Those are my winter tires and they're pretty shot, so it's a good thing to get done. I guess this means I'm keeping the car a while longer, which I think I'd already decided to do anyway.
I'm going to RI on Friday (with my new tires) and on Saturday I'll go with my mother and Mark to my uncle's memorial service in Lexington. We'll meet up with Jenica there and my mother will have a chance to visit with her sister. We'll get home in the evening, and Sunday we'll relax. I come home on Monday. What am I going to miss at home? That's always the summer question. Not much, just the usual activities.
Friday, June 06, 2014
Friday, and I even get paid
The weather is good now, after some rain and cloudy, cool days. It's supposed to be 80 and sunny this weekend, which is certainly perfect for reading on the dock. I have chores to do and hopefully will get up early enough to finish in the morning. Mostly it's 3 things: mow the lawn, go to the dump and plant a bunch of flowers in pots on my deck. Mowing and planting need to be done in the early morning because the black flies are out in full now and it's not pleasant. I did spend some nice time on Linda's dock, where there was a bit of an evening breeze that kept the bugs at bay (mostly). That was nice.
Fairly busy weekend, neighborhood events. Tomorrow is the Belmont and we're all hoping for a Triple Crown winner. There's lots of doubt about Calif. Chrome, though, and whether he'll be able to go the distance. I have come to hate horse racing for the cruelty and horrible treatment of the horses, but the animals are truly beautiful so I watch these 3 races. There's a Belmont party at J&M's, which will be fun.
Sunday is the start of our Sunday dining season and we'll be at Linda's for a locavore brunch. I have to pick up some NY State wine on my way home tonight to complete the meal.
I may stay in the boat house, but it's still sort of cool at night so it's not as pleasant. Still great, just a tad cool.
Fairly busy weekend, neighborhood events. Tomorrow is the Belmont and we're all hoping for a Triple Crown winner. There's lots of doubt about Calif. Chrome, though, and whether he'll be able to go the distance. I have come to hate horse racing for the cruelty and horrible treatment of the horses, but the animals are truly beautiful so I watch these 3 races. There's a Belmont party at J&M's, which will be fun.
Sunday is the start of our Sunday dining season and we'll be at Linda's for a locavore brunch. I have to pick up some NY State wine on my way home tonight to complete the meal.
I may stay in the boat house, but it's still sort of cool at night so it's not as pleasant. Still great, just a tad cool.
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
And what a week it was
Boy did I have a grand time last week! I was on vacation and got to spend the entire time at home doing whatever I felt like doing. I can't remember every doing that before, I always have traveled or entertained family during vacations. This was really wonderful. I got a lot of projects done, including painting the kitchen cupboards (black--Linda said "Didn't you just paint them?" and yes, I did, I painted them white and they looked awful), clearing out stuff from the library, moving the dog cage, planting lots of flowers, opening the boat house, filling the car for the dump 3 times, and more. It was grand.
Jenica, Justin, Gwyn and Malcolm came Memorial Day Sunday and we had a good time on the boat house porch. The baby is very cute and smiles a lot. She looks like Jenica, who looks like my brother, so it's very sweet to see her.
I spent quite a bit of time with Linda and that was nice. We ran the roads a couple of times, and went to a favorite small greenhouse for a few things. I went to the big nursery and bought not too many flower plants for my deck. I've planted almost half of them but had to buy a new container. Now I should be able to finish the planting. I planted morning glory seeds and they're up. I bought bigger geraniums for the cemetery this year and what a difference that made! The graves usually look as if someone remembered to plant something but didn't really feel committed to the project. This year they look as if someone actually cares. It's very sad for me to see my brother's grave, it always makes me say "Oh Henry, why did you die?" I dreamed about him last night, he was in a wheelchair. He sure wouldn't have liked that. He's always cheerful in my dreams (I dream of him often) and sometimes I know he's going to die, other times he's just fine. I like having good dreams about him.
Now I'm back at work (and writing my personal blog on company time? Oh the shame). It was hard to start up at my desk yesterday after being so free from the workplace for so many days, but today it's a normal thing. The usual tasks and requests and chores. I'll place a big book order tomorrow, which will be entertaining and challenging. A favorite part of every librarian's job.
I'll go to RI in 2 weeks for a memorial service for my uncle. The service is in Lexington, Mass.--this was my mother's brother-in-law, my last surviving uncle. My aunt has Alzheimer's and my mother is always saying "I miss my sister." I refrain from saying "At least she's not dead."
My poor mother had water issues over the weekend and ended up having plumbers install a new pump yesterday. There was a wiring issue in her pump and apparently the plumbers felt the best thing to do was replace the whole pump. That was a surprise but my mother could pay for it and now feels secure in her ability to provide water when company comes.
The dogs are great although Tess is really showing her age. She's 12 and now moves more slowly and sometimes needs a boost getting in the car or onto the bed. I try to imagine life without her, and think I won't get another dog when she dies. WHAT? Only have one dog? Yes, that would be simpler. And cheaper.
Jenica, Justin, Gwyn and Malcolm came Memorial Day Sunday and we had a good time on the boat house porch. The baby is very cute and smiles a lot. She looks like Jenica, who looks like my brother, so it's very sweet to see her.
I spent quite a bit of time with Linda and that was nice. We ran the roads a couple of times, and went to a favorite small greenhouse for a few things. I went to the big nursery and bought not too many flower plants for my deck. I've planted almost half of them but had to buy a new container. Now I should be able to finish the planting. I planted morning glory seeds and they're up. I bought bigger geraniums for the cemetery this year and what a difference that made! The graves usually look as if someone remembered to plant something but didn't really feel committed to the project. This year they look as if someone actually cares. It's very sad for me to see my brother's grave, it always makes me say "Oh Henry, why did you die?" I dreamed about him last night, he was in a wheelchair. He sure wouldn't have liked that. He's always cheerful in my dreams (I dream of him often) and sometimes I know he's going to die, other times he's just fine. I like having good dreams about him.
Now I'm back at work (and writing my personal blog on company time? Oh the shame). It was hard to start up at my desk yesterday after being so free from the workplace for so many days, but today it's a normal thing. The usual tasks and requests and chores. I'll place a big book order tomorrow, which will be entertaining and challenging. A favorite part of every librarian's job.
I'll go to RI in 2 weeks for a memorial service for my uncle. The service is in Lexington, Mass.--this was my mother's brother-in-law, my last surviving uncle. My aunt has Alzheimer's and my mother is always saying "I miss my sister." I refrain from saying "At least she's not dead."
My poor mother had water issues over the weekend and ended up having plumbers install a new pump yesterday. There was a wiring issue in her pump and apparently the plumbers felt the best thing to do was replace the whole pump. That was a surprise but my mother could pay for it and now feels secure in her ability to provide water when company comes.
The dogs are great although Tess is really showing her age. She's 12 and now moves more slowly and sometimes needs a boost getting in the car or onto the bed. I try to imagine life without her, and think I won't get another dog when she dies. WHAT? Only have one dog? Yes, that would be simpler. And cheaper.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Spring forward
Busy time in Hawkeye. Summer people are arriving, camps are being opened, docks put in. I'm excited because I'm taking all of next week off and am not going anywhere except the dump and maybe Plattsburgh. This is the first time I've ever vacationed at home so it will be grand. I have a long list of projects and chores, but what gets done is OK and what doesn't get done is OK too. Some of the things really need doing. I need to get the contractors' garbage bags that are full of insulation from last fall and look like alien pods at the foot of my deck stairs to the dump. Annie is bringing her truck today, though, so maybe we can kill that with her help. I would love to do a major truck dump run but need a BIG truck for that.
Celebrated Linda's birthday on Weds. night, a delicious pork roast. She knows how to cook a pork shoulder, boy howdy. It was really good. Nice company--J&M, Bill too. It was a nice evening.
It's been rainy lately and feels cold today. We needed the rain. I need to plant my flowers, bought last weekend with Lin, in pots on the deck. I bought dirt (how stupid is it to have to buy dirt?) and think I have enough big pots to use. There's only one way to find out...
Nice meeting in Lake Placid yesterday, the annual meeting of our umbrella library system. A good friend won a special award, which was a surprise to her so that was fun. The lunch was not very good, a disappointment because it was at a fancy place. Even the soda was flat. REALLY!!! Shame on them.
It feels very strange not to have specific plans for next week. I guess it's good practice for retirement. I'm so undecided about retiring--it's a hard decision to make. One day I can't see doing anything but retire, another day I don't have the courage and am sure I can't afford it anyway and I like my job and what would I do? On it goes.
Family coming to camp this weekend, though camp is not yet opened. My cousins will no doubt put the furniture out on the porch, and my other cousin's wife will complain that they did it too soon and it will all be covered with pine pollen. I just listen. People do what they do.
Dogs are still restless, apparently. They find something to mess with every day. Yesterday they turned the oven on. I think I have to resume caging Treasure. She figured out how to get out of the Veri-Kennel but I have a wire cage that should work. She won't like it but isn't that just a shame. Oh poor girl. I don't think Tess gets into as much trouble without Treasure's help. I'll switch the cages next week and see how it goes.
I'll stop at P&J's tonight--it IS Friday, after all. Saw them earlier in the week but didn't go there Sunday. Now that I have good Internet at home I can blog more often. Oh boy!
Celebrated Linda's birthday on Weds. night, a delicious pork roast. She knows how to cook a pork shoulder, boy howdy. It was really good. Nice company--J&M, Bill too. It was a nice evening.
It's been rainy lately and feels cold today. We needed the rain. I need to plant my flowers, bought last weekend with Lin, in pots on the deck. I bought dirt (how stupid is it to have to buy dirt?) and think I have enough big pots to use. There's only one way to find out...
Nice meeting in Lake Placid yesterday, the annual meeting of our umbrella library system. A good friend won a special award, which was a surprise to her so that was fun. The lunch was not very good, a disappointment because it was at a fancy place. Even the soda was flat. REALLY!!! Shame on them.
It feels very strange not to have specific plans for next week. I guess it's good practice for retirement. I'm so undecided about retiring--it's a hard decision to make. One day I can't see doing anything but retire, another day I don't have the courage and am sure I can't afford it anyway and I like my job and what would I do? On it goes.
Family coming to camp this weekend, though camp is not yet opened. My cousins will no doubt put the furniture out on the porch, and my other cousin's wife will complain that they did it too soon and it will all be covered with pine pollen. I just listen. People do what they do.
Dogs are still restless, apparently. They find something to mess with every day. Yesterday they turned the oven on. I think I have to resume caging Treasure. She figured out how to get out of the Veri-Kennel but I have a wire cage that should work. She won't like it but isn't that just a shame. Oh poor girl. I don't think Tess gets into as much trouble without Treasure's help. I'll switch the cages next week and see how it goes.
I'll stop at P&J's tonight--it IS Friday, after all. Saw them earlier in the week but didn't go there Sunday. Now that I have good Internet at home I can blog more often. Oh boy!
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