A bunch of Bunchberries. These are very pretty litle flowers. I think they're related to dogwoods, based on the shape of their leaves. The flowers turn into pretty little red berries. They're low to the ground and are prolific here.
My friends bought a camp with a few buildings, a beautiful and wonderful camp that belonged to other friends of mine. The new owners named one of the buildings Bunchberry. The main building is Birchwood. The previous owners named the main building Robinswood and the other building Wendy. I always thought Robinswood was named after the Pooh character Christopher Robin, but who was Wendy? Anyway, Wendy is a stupid name for a building. So is Bunchberry. Better than naming a child Trillium, which is what a (distant) friend of mine did.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Clintonia
This is Clintonia, named after Governor DeWitt Clinton of NY. I forget why it was named after him. Some special reason.
The blossoms are very pretty. They become blue berries, a very true and pretty blue, big and tempting to children. But STAY AWAY, CHILDREN--the berries are poisonous. First that was just family lore, but when I got older and read about wildflowers, I read that this is true.
When I was a curious kid I of course opened up the berry. Inside it's white and like cotton/popcorn. Oh, so tempting--must be very sweet. Like those orange carnival peanuts that are revolting to adults but irrestible to kids. yummmm.
The blossoms are very pretty. They become blue berries, a very true and pretty blue, big and tempting to children. But STAY AWAY, CHILDREN--the berries are poisonous. First that was just family lore, but when I got older and read about wildflowers, I read that this is true.
When I was a curious kid I of course opened up the berry. Inside it's white and like cotton/popcorn. Oh, so tempting--must be very sweet. Like those orange carnival peanuts that are revolting to adults but irrestible to kids. yummmm.
Foamflower
First I identified this as Sarsparilla. Wishful thinking, my dear. It's Foamflower. Not nearly as exotic. This one was near the entry to the bog, one lonely plant.
Canada mayflower
These are really tiny flowers. When we were kids we played with tiny, flesh-colored baby like dolls. They were fully little things, in sitting positions, but they fit in the seats of our model cars.
We called them "Little Bills," and we'd have Little Bill Villages. We built a huge Little Bill Village in a pile of the nice, dark dirt/loam my father had to add to his garden. There was a winding road that went all the way to the top of the pile. The best ever LBV we had was in the bunch of lilies of the valley that grew next to the house in Rockford. We made driveways, had houses, it was a great LBV.
When I drive around and see houses nestled in the woods with nice driveways I think "what a great Little Bill Village." Anyway, these flowers would be like Giant Sequoias to Little Bills.
We called them "Little Bills," and we'd have Little Bill Villages. We built a huge Little Bill Village in a pile of the nice, dark dirt/loam my father had to add to his garden. There was a winding road that went all the way to the top of the pile. The best ever LBV we had was in the bunch of lilies of the valley that grew next to the house in Rockford. We made driveways, had houses, it was a great LBV.
When I drive around and see houses nestled in the woods with nice driveways I think "what a great Little Bill Village." Anyway, these flowers would be like Giant Sequoias to Little Bills.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
dorky but funny
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Back by popular demand
Popular or not, here I am. I've been busy and not motivated to blog--I always feel I have nothing to report, but people tell me my life is a tale to be told.
Hard to believe we're moving along through June. My good friend Linda arrived Memorial Day weekend and I've been spending many hours with her. I get in the habit of stopping at her camp on my way home just about every night, but this year I feel as if I'm using it as a shelter/sanctuary to avoid thinking about Ken. I also think I need to pay more attention to my house.
June is We Own the Forest month for black flies, mosquitoes and punkies (no-see-ums) and we're approaching the end (maybe?) of the season now. Except for the punkies, which are having a great time this year. They small enough to get through screens so there's really no stopping them. Tiny black things that have a mean, mean bite. ouch it hurts. They're easy to kill, though, apparently it takes them a long time to bite so they sit still, inviting you to pinch them to death.
I've been planting flowers regularly--annuals mostly, and I have all of them planted. I have a lot of perennials to plant and on Sunday I wrote down where I'm going to put them all. This was part of the delay--I couldn't make up my mind about that. My perennial garden was bulldozed by a friend to make a better place to park and turn around, which I really like. Anyway, I bought a ton of new plants and have to get them in the ground. Lots of lilies. I bought one of those things that you hang upside down to grow tomatoes in but stripped the screws when I tried to hang the hanger. That was the same day the lawn mower stopped working and something else went wrong (mercifully I can't remember what that was).
I've been taking time off because the weather's been great, off & on. Sunny and not too hot. I've been able to sit on my deck & read in the sun, until the black flies took over. I tried to do it on Sunday but it didn't take long for the flies to find me. You can't complain about them--like cold weather and snow, it's part of living here. This year everyone seems to be more frustrated than usual about the lack of good Internet connections. I keep saying that, when you live here you have to give up certain things. Yeah, sure, I can say that because I have this connection at work. Catch me again when I only have my dial access from home.
I had water problems again--no water for 3 weeks, but it was much easier this time. 2 water barrels full so I didn't begrudge the dogs their water (as in, "Do you HAVE to drink so much water?" from the winter) and could flush without counting the gallons. As always, Steve found the problem and fixed it in a matter of minutes. I said that pretty soon "we'll" have replaced the whole system. Not well received at all.
I stayed in the boat house quite a bit but then it got cold (40's) at night. I need to have it be at least 50, preferably 55, to spend the night there. One morning it was 48 when I woke up and I decided I was a fool for staying there when I have a nice warm house up the hill.
We have at least 4 loons on the lake this year and they're incredibly vocal. Loons have several calls, each meaning something specific, like Where are you? I'm right here. I'm horny. I'm right here. Let's play. Alarm!Alarm! etc. Anyway, these loons spend time at opposite ends of the lake, calling to each other. It's been nice to listen to (I can hear them from my house) but the other night it was a little annoying. I was sitting on the porch at a friend's camp--the porch is about 6' from the water, it was a silent night with a full moon making a beautiful path on the water. The loons wouldn't shut up. All right already! It was a pretty sound for the first half hour, but after an hour, really, we'd had enough. How snotty does that sound?
Dogs are fine. Chances has real vision problems, cataracts in both eyes and can't see distance very well but sees things close up. I can see her slowing down a bit but she's as happy as ever and I pay extra attention to her. Tess has mellowed just the tiniest bit. She spends too much time at the bog with people I don't know because I don't tie her up soon enough.
Not much else to say. I've been to a few libraries, weeding their collections (mostly adult non-fiction). The directors are wonderful and these trips are really nice. I've learned not to notice the junkiness of the collections and just enjoy being with the people. We're weeding our fiction here, not in alphabetical order, oh no--based on which parts of the alphabet are most crowed in the stacks. I let the clerk decide which areas to do, everyone needs to have some decision making power in the work place.
Hard to believe we're moving along through June. My good friend Linda arrived Memorial Day weekend and I've been spending many hours with her. I get in the habit of stopping at her camp on my way home just about every night, but this year I feel as if I'm using it as a shelter/sanctuary to avoid thinking about Ken. I also think I need to pay more attention to my house.
June is We Own the Forest month for black flies, mosquitoes and punkies (no-see-ums) and we're approaching the end (maybe?) of the season now. Except for the punkies, which are having a great time this year. They small enough to get through screens so there's really no stopping them. Tiny black things that have a mean, mean bite. ouch it hurts. They're easy to kill, though, apparently it takes them a long time to bite so they sit still, inviting you to pinch them to death.
I've been planting flowers regularly--annuals mostly, and I have all of them planted. I have a lot of perennials to plant and on Sunday I wrote down where I'm going to put them all. This was part of the delay--I couldn't make up my mind about that. My perennial garden was bulldozed by a friend to make a better place to park and turn around, which I really like. Anyway, I bought a ton of new plants and have to get them in the ground. Lots of lilies. I bought one of those things that you hang upside down to grow tomatoes in but stripped the screws when I tried to hang the hanger. That was the same day the lawn mower stopped working and something else went wrong (mercifully I can't remember what that was).
I've been taking time off because the weather's been great, off & on. Sunny and not too hot. I've been able to sit on my deck & read in the sun, until the black flies took over. I tried to do it on Sunday but it didn't take long for the flies to find me. You can't complain about them--like cold weather and snow, it's part of living here. This year everyone seems to be more frustrated than usual about the lack of good Internet connections. I keep saying that, when you live here you have to give up certain things. Yeah, sure, I can say that because I have this connection at work. Catch me again when I only have my dial access from home.
I had water problems again--no water for 3 weeks, but it was much easier this time. 2 water barrels full so I didn't begrudge the dogs their water (as in, "Do you HAVE to drink so much water?" from the winter) and could flush without counting the gallons. As always, Steve found the problem and fixed it in a matter of minutes. I said that pretty soon "we'll" have replaced the whole system. Not well received at all.
I stayed in the boat house quite a bit but then it got cold (40's) at night. I need to have it be at least 50, preferably 55, to spend the night there. One morning it was 48 when I woke up and I decided I was a fool for staying there when I have a nice warm house up the hill.
We have at least 4 loons on the lake this year and they're incredibly vocal. Loons have several calls, each meaning something specific, like Where are you? I'm right here. I'm horny. I'm right here. Let's play. Alarm!Alarm! etc. Anyway, these loons spend time at opposite ends of the lake, calling to each other. It's been nice to listen to (I can hear them from my house) but the other night it was a little annoying. I was sitting on the porch at a friend's camp--the porch is about 6' from the water, it was a silent night with a full moon making a beautiful path on the water. The loons wouldn't shut up. All right already! It was a pretty sound for the first half hour, but after an hour, really, we'd had enough. How snotty does that sound?
Dogs are fine. Chances has real vision problems, cataracts in both eyes and can't see distance very well but sees things close up. I can see her slowing down a bit but she's as happy as ever and I pay extra attention to her. Tess has mellowed just the tiniest bit. She spends too much time at the bog with people I don't know because I don't tie her up soon enough.
Not much else to say. I've been to a few libraries, weeding their collections (mostly adult non-fiction). The directors are wonderful and these trips are really nice. I've learned not to notice the junkiness of the collections and just enjoy being with the people. We're weeding our fiction here, not in alphabetical order, oh no--based on which parts of the alphabet are most crowed in the stacks. I let the clerk decide which areas to do, everyone needs to have some decision making power in the work place.
bog mem day 009
This reminds me of a song we used to sing (in our family? in Sunday school?)--"happy am I with my Redeemer." These dogs love our bog walks. At the end of the boardwalk is a trail that continues to the top of the bluffs. I don't go on that trail, I turn around and walk out of the bog. Tess runs up the trail; that's the way she goes with her Bog Friends when she's Tess the Bog Dog.
ladies 001
I had a Ladies of Hawkeye Luncheon on Saturday. There were 6 of us. Linda doubted my ability to fit us all on the b.house porch, but my sister has served dinner to at least 5 of us before so I knew I could do it. It was crowded but it was fun. Everyone brought a salad of some sort--I brought a terragon chicken salad, Pat brought a BLT salad, Martha brought tortellini salad, Brooke brought a broccoli salad, Linda brought dessert. Judy was a surprise visitor.
The luncheon has become part of Hawkeye lore now--lots of people asked how it went and have heard full descriptions of the whole thing. It was fun and I'm lucky to have such great friends.
The luncheon has become part of Hawkeye lore now--lots of people asked how it went and have heard full descriptions of the whole thing. It was fun and I'm lucky to have such great friends.
ladies 002
Things you can see in the background: the peace (pace) flag my sister brought from Italy during the war before this one. I found mine while I was "cleaning" (moving things around). I'm really happy we can hang it up--we kept the last one up until it was in shreds.
Inside you can see the vase that's a lady--that came from M., a book group member. We swap things at book group--you bring a couple of things and are supposed to take a couple of things home. It doesn't always work. Sometimes I feel like Tess, walking around the house looking for something to play with.
The bureau is one that's been in the boat house for as long as I can remember. I think it probably came from my parents' past. A few pieces on the porch are from their early days together.
There are a few candles--I put most of them away (I didn't want the Vase Lady to look like a shrine) but we have lots and lots of candles so we can sit on the porch after dark. Only one outlet in the building--it's impressive how resourceful we are with that one outlet.
Inside you can see the vase that's a lady--that came from M., a book group member. We swap things at book group--you bring a couple of things and are supposed to take a couple of things home. It doesn't always work. Sometimes I feel like Tess, walking around the house looking for something to play with.
The bureau is one that's been in the boat house for as long as I can remember. I think it probably came from my parents' past. A few pieces on the porch are from their early days together.
There are a few candles--I put most of them away (I didn't want the Vase Lady to look like a shrine) but we have lots and lots of candles so we can sit on the porch after dark. Only one outlet in the building--it's impressive how resourceful we are with that one outlet.
frost 004
We've had some heavy frosts lately--down to 29 a couple of times. Here's what we do to protect our little planties--we cover them with all sorts of things. I know someone who uses beach towels. I tried that but then all the plants ended up lying down. Some people use pillowcases and sheets, some use blankets. I told my container plants to huddle together for warmth and covered them with a flanned blanket. That worked well. I didn't lose anyone to frost. So far.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Obviosity
I'm sure most people were born knowing this, but it's taken me a lifetime to figure it out. And it's cost me a lot of grief, suffering, anxiety, misery, etc. So now I'm old and, like Sally Field, people like me. My psychiatrist told me that last week. I said
I wasn't sure I wanted to be liked for the reasons they liked me. Tough. I was working with a member director yesterday, weeding her collection and having a good time. She said that everyone likes it when I visit. puff, puff up my chest. I've been visiting several libraries lately and they all say things like that. I've changed a lot in the last few years. Changed the hard way, worked hard at it.
I'm worrying a lot about what someone thinks about me. Not just anyone, but a someone. At least it gives me something to think about.
Another water crisis. This time it barely bothers me. There's water everywhere--2 rain barrels full, a lake full, Holt's shower and washing machine, water in at camp, unlimited access to Ken's and Linda soon to arrive. I would like water this weekend, though, as I have a long list of things I'm hoping to clean. Many of which require water. But I'm a resourceful Little House on the Prairie girl. As opposed to a Donner Party girl. Anyway, here's my lesson for today
I wasn't sure I wanted to be liked for the reasons they liked me. Tough. I was working with a member director yesterday, weeding her collection and having a good time. She said that everyone likes it when I visit. puff, puff up my chest. I've been visiting several libraries lately and they all say things like that. I've changed a lot in the last few years. Changed the hard way, worked hard at it.
I'm worrying a lot about what someone thinks about me. Not just anyone, but a someone. At least it gives me something to think about.
Another water crisis. This time it barely bothers me. There's water everywhere--2 rain barrels full, a lake full, Holt's shower and washing machine, water in at camp, unlimited access to Ken's and Linda soon to arrive. I would like water this weekend, though, as I have a long list of things I'm hoping to clean. Many of which require water. But I'm a resourceful Little House on the Prairie girl. As opposed to a Donner Party girl. Anyway, here's my lesson for today
You get more of what you have.
When you feel friendly, people want to be your friend. When you feel sexy, people are attracted to you. When you feel confident, others have confidence in you.
This truth is cruel because so often, you want others to give you what you feel you’re lacking. It’s when you’re feeling isolated and awkward that you want people to be friendly. When you’re feeling ugly, you want someone to tell you how sexy you are. When you’re feeling insecure, you wish someone would express confidence in you.
First, although we think we act because of the way we feel, often we feel because of the way we act. So by acting the way we wish we felt, we can change our emotions – a strategy that is uncannily effective.
Second, the world’s reaction to us is quite influenced by the way we act toward the world. For example, in situation evocation, we spark a response from people that reinforces a tendency we already have — for example, if I act irritable all the time, the people around me are going to treat me with less patience and helpfulness, which will, in turn, stoke my irritability. If I can manage to joke around, I’ll evoke a situation in which the people around me were more likely to joke around, too.
Goethe wrote: “I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather.”
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
may bog 011
We went for a bog walk Sunday morning at 7. Peaceful but, to some quadrapeds it could have been daunting.
dot the bear
She only ever climbs about 5' up, but she does it really, really fast, then jumps down.
may bog 016
Dewey Clark was the uncle of a friend of mine. Dottie didn't know that but she was willing to be his friend anyway.
exhaustion
a trip like that--leading, waiting, climbing, being someone's friend, can just wear you right out.
stinking benjamin
The purple trillium is in bloom. well, in one place.
It's also called stinking benjamin, by a very few people
It's also called stinking benjamin, by a very few people
Friday, May 01, 2009
What a difference a day makes
Yes, I'm better today. A miserable ride home yesterday, but cleansing, I guess. There are some things making me sad besides the absence of Ken, but I miss him and when I think of him I cry. I know I'll get through this, but realizing that I do this alone (but then we're all alone, aren't we) is both empowering and daunting. I'm up to it, don't worry. Anyway, when I got home I finally perked up enough to wash the HUGE piled high sink full of dishes before going to the lake. The dogs like it there. It was windy enough so the black flies, in evidence at home, weren't there. The lake was quiet, only a looning loon making noise. I got cheerful and tried to read but the breeze kept blowing out the candles. I always go to sleep early there, very therapeutic.
Monday we're putting Ken in the ground. We have to wait until the ground thaws here, and Bill was able to convince the priest to put if off a bit. I'm taking the day off and expect to shed lots of tears. It's supposed to be 60 and sunny, which should be a little cheery. Maybe it won't be as bad as I fear, and I'll have the afternoon to do whatever I want. I'm sure I'll have recovered by then.
Today I'm ready to face the world. I was supposed to go to E'town to weed the oversized non-fiction but I called in short-handed in the department (one person isn't here) because I just didn't feel like going. BAD LIBRARIAN. I rescheduled, leaving a message on the machine. let's see if she listens to her messages. Instead I'll do some peaceful cataloging. I have to catalog a ton of complicated RLStevenson stuff but at least I'll be sitting at my desk instead of crawling around on the floor with my sinus headache. I'm going to get my shy and fearful goldfish (Flip) a companion, hoping that will help him relax. Misery loves company, eh Flip? He hides behind a picture nearly all day and hasn't figured out that food falls on top of the water. Easily intimidated. Not my kind of pet. yes, I miss Leroy. he was my pal--we understood each other for sure.
What's up this weekend? I posted a computer desk on Freecycle and got an answer from someone who turned out to be the daughter of the man who worked for my grandfather. She wants it for her grandchildren. She and I talk to each other every few years. We had a nice conversation last night, arranging for her to pick the desk up Sat. morning. Her life hasn't turned out very well lately--terribly bad back problems, several surgeries. A daughter addicted to painkillers who keeps having surgeries that require follow up treatment with painkillers every time she gets straight. I remember how much Eugene (Rikki's father) adored his granddaughter and know he'd be so troubled by her life now. He died shortly after my grandfather did--he was totally devoted to my grandfather. Much the way Steve was to Ken, but for decades instead of months. Anyway, I've know Rikki for a long, long time. Funny how these things work out.
Other things--maybe garden work, but if the black flies are out that will be a challenge. Soon I'll have to mow my lawn. Rush & Annie will be here so there will be an evening with them. Sunday my book group meets. I have Rachel Getting Married to watch. I have The Beet Queen to read. I have lots of gardening to do. I have morning glory seeds to plant. indoors. laundry. So there's enough to keep me distracted and happy. Or cheerful. Interacting with other people. I'll just warn R & A that I cry a lot. But I always laugh a lot with them. We have really nice visits.
It would be good to walk the dogs in the bog. bog dogs. Again, depends on black flies. bf's.
On to The Spiderwick Chronicles Goblins attack, then Troll Trouble.
Monday we're putting Ken in the ground. We have to wait until the ground thaws here, and Bill was able to convince the priest to put if off a bit. I'm taking the day off and expect to shed lots of tears. It's supposed to be 60 and sunny, which should be a little cheery. Maybe it won't be as bad as I fear, and I'll have the afternoon to do whatever I want. I'm sure I'll have recovered by then.
Today I'm ready to face the world. I was supposed to go to E'town to weed the oversized non-fiction but I called in short-handed in the department (one person isn't here) because I just didn't feel like going. BAD LIBRARIAN. I rescheduled, leaving a message on the machine. let's see if she listens to her messages. Instead I'll do some peaceful cataloging. I have to catalog a ton of complicated RLStevenson stuff but at least I'll be sitting at my desk instead of crawling around on the floor with my sinus headache. I'm going to get my shy and fearful goldfish (Flip) a companion, hoping that will help him relax. Misery loves company, eh Flip? He hides behind a picture nearly all day and hasn't figured out that food falls on top of the water. Easily intimidated. Not my kind of pet. yes, I miss Leroy. he was my pal--we understood each other for sure.
What's up this weekend? I posted a computer desk on Freecycle and got an answer from someone who turned out to be the daughter of the man who worked for my grandfather. She wants it for her grandchildren. She and I talk to each other every few years. We had a nice conversation last night, arranging for her to pick the desk up Sat. morning. Her life hasn't turned out very well lately--terribly bad back problems, several surgeries. A daughter addicted to painkillers who keeps having surgeries that require follow up treatment with painkillers every time she gets straight. I remember how much Eugene (Rikki's father) adored his granddaughter and know he'd be so troubled by her life now. He died shortly after my grandfather did--he was totally devoted to my grandfather. Much the way Steve was to Ken, but for decades instead of months. Anyway, I've know Rikki for a long, long time. Funny how these things work out.
Other things--maybe garden work, but if the black flies are out that will be a challenge. Soon I'll have to mow my lawn. Rush & Annie will be here so there will be an evening with them. Sunday my book group meets. I have Rachel Getting Married to watch. I have The Beet Queen to read. I have lots of gardening to do. I have morning glory seeds to plant. indoors. laundry. So there's enough to keep me distracted and happy. Or cheerful. Interacting with other people. I'll just warn R & A that I cry a lot. But I always laugh a lot with them. We have really nice visits.
It would be good to walk the dogs in the bog. bog dogs. Again, depends on black flies. bf's.
On to The Spiderwick Chronicles Goblins attack, then Troll Trouble.
dawn 0428 014
I've been spending time in the boat house. Like last night--just wanted not to be at home. Home seemed like a sad environment and it was warm enough to be by the water. I was right, I cheered up, all bundled up and looking at the lake.
This was the beginning of the sunrise Tues. morning. I spent Monday night there, too. When it's warm enough (like, say 60) I stay there--to get out of the house, to feel lucky that I can be there, to enjoy being there, to feel nested.
Anyway, first it was blue.
This was the beginning of the sunrise Tues. morning. I spent Monday night there, too. When it's warm enough (like, say 60) I stay there--to get out of the house, to feel lucky that I can be there, to enjoy being there, to feel nested.
Anyway, first it was blue.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
I'm not having a good day--and it has nothing to do with cataloging 20,001 food facts, chefs secrets & household hints. It doesn't take much to make me feel very, very sad. I made a big mistake yesterday and went to our sawmill. The building is there, but of course it's empty. I must be a glutton for punishment. The site is beautiful and I can still appreciate that but I had an empty, sad and hollow feeling standing there. It was a lifetime ago and an entirely different life. Oh, what I didn't know then.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
strange things
My father liked things British. He (we) listened to a lot of comedy stuff, people no one's heard of now (Stanley Holloway, Bea Lillie, and, it turns out, Gracie Fields). It was funny and we got a lot of family catch phrases out of the recordings.
Here's the complete text from where we got "the biggest aspidistra in the world--" for my sister
For years we had an aspidistra in a flower pot
On the whatnot, near the 'atstand in the 'all
It didn't seem to grow 'til one day our brother Joe
Had a notion that he'd make it strong and tall
So he's crossed it with an acorn from an oak tree
And he's planted it against the garden wall
It shot up like a rocket, 'til it's nearly reached the sky
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
We couldn't see the top of it, it got so bloomin' high
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
When father's had a snoot full at his pub, 'The Bunch of Grapes'
He doesn't go all fighting mad and getting into scrapes
No, you'll find him in his bear-skin playing Tarzan of the apes
Off the biggest aspidistra in the world
We have to get it watered by the local fire brigade
So they put the water rates up half a crown
The roots stuff up the drains, grow along the country lanes
And they came up half a mile outside the town
Once we hired an auditorium for a hot house
But a jealous rival went and burnt it down
The tom cats and their sweethearts love to spend their evenings out
Up the biggest aspidistra in the world
They all begin meowing when the buds begin to sprout
From the biggest aspidistra in the world
The dogs all come around for miles, a lovely sight to see
They sniff around for hours and hours and wag their tails with glee
So I've had to put a notice up to say it's not a tree
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
Here's the complete text from where we got "the biggest aspidistra in the world--" for my sister
For years we had an aspidistra in a flower pot
On the whatnot, near the 'atstand in the 'all
It didn't seem to grow 'til one day our brother Joe
Had a notion that he'd make it strong and tall
So he's crossed it with an acorn from an oak tree
And he's planted it against the garden wall
It shot up like a rocket, 'til it's nearly reached the sky
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
We couldn't see the top of it, it got so bloomin' high
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
When father's had a snoot full at his pub, 'The Bunch of Grapes'
He doesn't go all fighting mad and getting into scrapes
No, you'll find him in his bear-skin playing Tarzan of the apes
Off the biggest aspidistra in the world
We have to get it watered by the local fire brigade
So they put the water rates up half a crown
The roots stuff up the drains, grow along the country lanes
And they came up half a mile outside the town
Once we hired an auditorium for a hot house
But a jealous rival went and burnt it down
The tom cats and their sweethearts love to spend their evenings out
Up the biggest aspidistra in the world
They all begin meowing when the buds begin to sprout
From the biggest aspidistra in the world
The dogs all come around for miles, a lovely sight to see
They sniff around for hours and hours and wag their tails with glee
So I've had to put a notice up to say it's not a tree
It's the biggest aspidistra in the world
Sometimes people do things
I've had this big booger goldfish at my desk since last Easter and, as you know, he and I have spent many hours staring at and entertaining each other.
Over the weekend he apparently jumped his fence (tank) and landed on the floor. He was known for jumping high enough to make loud splashes so, although this was an extreme jump, no one was toooooo surprised. I was at a meeting all morning yesterday so the other dept. members discovered him when they came to feed him. His eyes was all blunk in so it was obvious he'd been dead for a long time. One staffer furnished a box and they saved the corpse for me. They were nervous about how upset I'd be when I found out--no, seriously, they thought I'd be upset. Turns out they are concerned about my emotional state after all.
Anyway, Kim went to PetSmart and got me another goldfish, who is now swimming around in a confused state, in need of basic workplace training. When they told me about fishie's death I laughed. They were sooo relieved. When they showed me the smelly body I laughed harder. When I saw my new fish I was deeply, deeply touched. Of course it would be Kim, the sweet one, who would think of getting a new one. Anyway, both were very concerned and nice about it. Just goes to show you, huh. New fish is Flipper. AKA Flip.
Over the weekend he apparently jumped his fence (tank) and landed on the floor. He was known for jumping high enough to make loud splashes so, although this was an extreme jump, no one was toooooo surprised. I was at a meeting all morning yesterday so the other dept. members discovered him when they came to feed him. His eyes was all blunk in so it was obvious he'd been dead for a long time. One staffer furnished a box and they saved the corpse for me. They were nervous about how upset I'd be when I found out--no, seriously, they thought I'd be upset. Turns out they are concerned about my emotional state after all.
Anyway, Kim went to PetSmart and got me another goldfish, who is now swimming around in a confused state, in need of basic workplace training. When they told me about fishie's death I laughed. They were sooo relieved. When they showed me the smelly body I laughed harder. When I saw my new fish I was deeply, deeply touched. Of course it would be Kim, the sweet one, who would think of getting a new one. Anyway, both were very concerned and nice about it. Just goes to show you, huh. New fish is Flipper. AKA Flip.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
This is some of the scenery I saw yesterday on my trip to Potsdam. I went to a workshop on cataloging Web resources. Only a cataloger--a TRUE, DEDICATED cataloger would have been able to stand 2 minutes of the workshop. My friend Donna and I spent so much time leaning in toward each other, rolling our eyes and trying not to whisper funny comments. I finally said "This woman is obsessed with fixed fields." OK, all catalogers in the group laugh now. Her mantra was "Content, not format." So remember that, children: Content, not format. Streaming video or DVD, it's all the same. duh.Anyway, there's this stretch of road, some call it 9 mile wood because it's just a bunch of road with nothing but woods, some murky ponds and dirt roads into conservation easements. I used to drive this road with member library directors often, and every time--no, really every time we got to this part they would start talking about their sex lives. Except for the one who told me about the huge polyp she had in her sinuses. Anyway, I figured it must be the pointed firs that made them think of sex. I got tired of collecting these details. Not to mention trying to pretend I was interested. Most of those directors are long gone and have been replaced by more sensible and discreet people.
Tonight I'm having dinner with my friend Barb and her family. I don't even have to take a shower there, I'm just going to enjoy their company. Great to see people I miss being with, to be part of a group. Well, I'm part of a group all day every day, but tonight's group is one I PICKED to be part of.
I'm having a bit of my Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder, spring version. I have it every spring, get depressed and distracted, unable to care about much. I'm trying to get into gardening stuff, but I planted a bunch of nifty cosmos seeds and only half came up and lots of them are dying of damping off. piss on my foot. I'll get more seeds and try again. And buy seedlings when I can. My violas look pretty perky, though. And crocuses are blooming. And daffs are coming along nicely. And primroses are spreading. And I'm parking on top of the horseradish--evil horseradish--so maybe it won't be so ugly this year. Wish I could remember who wanted it.
I'm supposed to be doing a bunch of other tasks, a long list I wrote in my book of tricks, but I can't manage to function that well. I started working on the lib.'s blog, listing sites our lib's could use to sell their books, but they never read the blog anyway, so I stopped when I got bored. Didn't take long.
warm weather a'comin'. Boat house nights this weekend?
um, not
From the Happiness Project, which sometimes has grains of truth to offer. However, not this time--
"Surely every one realizes, at some point along the way, that he is capable of living a far better life than the one he has chosen."
"Surely every one realizes, at some point along the way, that he is capable of living a far better life than the one he has chosen."
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
here she is
The tiny white spot is snow--the last on the mountain. I went to camp on Sunday. Temp was around 50 so it was chilly but the sun was bright and convincing.
I opened the boat house. Silly to do so this early, but I wanted to DO something, and I like having it done. Yeah SR Family, always the first to get the season going.
I may stay there Friday night (either foolish or brave, or maybe just dumb) because it's supposed to be mid-70's on Saturday. Plus my Friday nights aren't turning out very well lately. They're Ken-less.
I opened the boat house. Silly to do so this early, but I wanted to DO something, and I like having it done. Yeah SR Family, always the first to get the season going.
I may stay there Friday night (either foolish or brave, or maybe just dumb) because it's supposed to be mid-70's on Saturday. Plus my Friday nights aren't turning out very well lately. They're Ken-less.
first real swim
Chances wins the prize. Tess ran to water's edge and dipped, but I'm not sure she paddled even one stroke. This is Chances, though--she swam out and back. They do like it when the ice goes out and they get their lake back.
Tess looked into the boat slip. She likes to run around the edge of the slip, where there's a shelf just wide enough for a person to walk or a dog to run really, really fast without falling in.
Tess looked into the boat slip. She likes to run around the edge of the slip, where there's a shelf just wide enough for a person to walk or a dog to run really, really fast without falling in.
have a seat
Got it set up, pretty much. Jenica and I often open it together, putting chairs and tables in places we think they usually go. No one in the family really cares how the furniture is arranged (as opposed to the people in main camp) so it sort of floats around during the summer. Oh--and the water looks much warmer than it is.
ready and waiting
All set now. It's too cold, really, but I like the idea of having a place to go when I want to be somewhere other than my house.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
good/bad happy/sad who wins?
Back from RI, where daffodils and forsythia were blooming. I brought back pansies and violas as souvenirs. funny, but the violas I got are the same as the ones that are really expensive from Burpee. Not so expensive in Wakefld, RI. I bought sunshine yellow pansies for Pat, who's been wonderful to me the past few weeks. I show up at her house in tears half the time, bawling that I'm lonely and I miss Ken.
The trip was good. Nice to be with Liza and Mark, who really liked having me there. I got to sleep on the front porch, not insulated so it was grand to keep warm with 2 dogs and an electric blanket and be almost outdoors. Library director Jenica and librarian Drew were there too, another treat. We celebrated Easter in good pagan style. Mark and I went for early morning walks with my dogs, something we started doing last summer. I ate too much and now my pants are tighter. Time to pedal harder, faster. And sit up straighter on my big purple core-strengthening ball. And walk, yes, walk.
Last night I watched Slumdog Mill$$ It was good; very clever film. I'm enjoying it more today than I did last night. I also watched episodes of HBO's In Treatment, a series about (fictional) patients in therapy. Each half hour is a session with Gabriel Byrne, the hair-dying, too-smooth skinned for his age therapist. Naturally, anyone who's been in therapy would find this entertaining. And he actually says "and how did that make you feel?" I sometimes say this to people, too. as a joke. but also because I want to know.
I came home Monday night, got to 58OHR in good time, before 5 I guess. I'd left the cat inside but she wasn't there. I searched everywhere for a body when she didn't come to my cootchie-coos. Worse than missing cat was a pump that wouldn't come up to pressure, wouldn't shut off, and wouldn't pump water when I turned it back on. And worst of all was no Ken to check in with or visit once I got unpacked. Of course I sobbed. and sobbed. Then I solved my problem: I went to Pat's. Cried to her. She didn't say "And how did that make you feel?" she said "Want some whiskey?" perfect. I stayed there a while and felt better. Got home, cat came in from OUTSIDE. How do they do that? Sort of common, people tell me, for cats to find a way out of houses when people go away. Anyway, that was good but there was still no water and no Ken.
Water problem was solved by the time I got home from work the next day--Magic Steve found a loose clamp and fixed it. I think everyone should try going without running water for a while, just to experience the joy and relief the moment you turn on your faucet and water comes out.
Now if only someone could figure out how to raise the dead. I miss Ken as much as ever. I didn't get to stop to say goodbye when I left for RI, I couldn't stop to check in when I got back. I can't tell him my daffodils are coming up and my crocuses are in bloom. I can't tell him my rain barrels are half full. Or that I've planted some flower seeds and they're germinating. or that my guppies need vasectomies. He always wanted to know what kind of trip the dogs had when we went to RI. And "How was your ma?" Yes, there's a void. I spent every evening with him for the last 3 1/2 months of his life. every evening. Dinner with Steve and Ken. So now, not only do I not get to eat Steve's cooking, or watch Jeopardy with Steve and (sometimes) Bill, or read the pet ads to Ken ("For sale: Cockatoo. Doesn't get along with people and is mean"), but I don't get to play "guess how hot it is in here" at Ken's. The record, of course, belongs to Steve, for the day he arrived and it was 102 degrees. I usually only sat through 88-90 degrees, with an occasional dip to 84 or so.
I'm lucky, though--very lucky. I live where I've always wanted to. I get to have 2 dogs. My sister and I recently discussed the possibility that an owner and a dog share similar personality traits (this, preferable to the dumb idea that they look alike--so, I look like the tubby one? do my eyelids droop? or do I look like the small one who's obsessed with Kleenex and will beg for it when I blow my nose?). Of course a dog would absorb some of the owner's karma. So I suggested that maybe I was doing all right because, although both dogs are neurotic, one is calm and mellow, the other is hyper, busy and has trouble controlling herself. I figure they balance each other out. My sister's response? "I'd better get another dog." She only has one and it's sort of a jumpy dog. Yes, I think she should get another dog, but I think everyone should give their dog a dog of its own.
The 40-volume set of Harvard classics (registered edition) awaits. after Mummy Math. And Onenhakenra (the video)(in Mohawk) by White Seed. but after that Silver Lake awaits. The juncos are back. Poplars starting to bloom. achoo.
The trip was good. Nice to be with Liza and Mark, who really liked having me there. I got to sleep on the front porch, not insulated so it was grand to keep warm with 2 dogs and an electric blanket and be almost outdoors. Library director Jenica and librarian Drew were there too, another treat. We celebrated Easter in good pagan style. Mark and I went for early morning walks with my dogs, something we started doing last summer. I ate too much and now my pants are tighter. Time to pedal harder, faster. And sit up straighter on my big purple core-strengthening ball. And walk, yes, walk.
Last night I watched Slumdog Mill$$ It was good; very clever film. I'm enjoying it more today than I did last night. I also watched episodes of HBO's In Treatment, a series about (fictional) patients in therapy. Each half hour is a session with Gabriel Byrne, the hair-dying, too-smooth skinned for his age therapist. Naturally, anyone who's been in therapy would find this entertaining. And he actually says "and how did that make you feel?" I sometimes say this to people, too. as a joke. but also because I want to know.
I came home Monday night, got to 58OHR in good time, before 5 I guess. I'd left the cat inside but she wasn't there. I searched everywhere for a body when she didn't come to my cootchie-coos. Worse than missing cat was a pump that wouldn't come up to pressure, wouldn't shut off, and wouldn't pump water when I turned it back on. And worst of all was no Ken to check in with or visit once I got unpacked. Of course I sobbed. and sobbed. Then I solved my problem: I went to Pat's. Cried to her. She didn't say "And how did that make you feel?" she said "Want some whiskey?" perfect. I stayed there a while and felt better. Got home, cat came in from OUTSIDE. How do they do that? Sort of common, people tell me, for cats to find a way out of houses when people go away. Anyway, that was good but there was still no water and no Ken.
Water problem was solved by the time I got home from work the next day--Magic Steve found a loose clamp and fixed it. I think everyone should try going without running water for a while, just to experience the joy and relief the moment you turn on your faucet and water comes out.
Now if only someone could figure out how to raise the dead. I miss Ken as much as ever. I didn't get to stop to say goodbye when I left for RI, I couldn't stop to check in when I got back. I can't tell him my daffodils are coming up and my crocuses are in bloom. I can't tell him my rain barrels are half full. Or that I've planted some flower seeds and they're germinating. or that my guppies need vasectomies. He always wanted to know what kind of trip the dogs had when we went to RI. And "How was your ma?" Yes, there's a void. I spent every evening with him for the last 3 1/2 months of his life. every evening. Dinner with Steve and Ken. So now, not only do I not get to eat Steve's cooking, or watch Jeopardy with Steve and (sometimes) Bill, or read the pet ads to Ken ("For sale: Cockatoo. Doesn't get along with people and is mean"), but I don't get to play "guess how hot it is in here" at Ken's. The record, of course, belongs to Steve, for the day he arrived and it was 102 degrees. I usually only sat through 88-90 degrees, with an occasional dip to 84 or so.
I'm lucky, though--very lucky. I live where I've always wanted to. I get to have 2 dogs. My sister and I recently discussed the possibility that an owner and a dog share similar personality traits (this, preferable to the dumb idea that they look alike--so, I look like the tubby one? do my eyelids droop? or do I look like the small one who's obsessed with Kleenex and will beg for it when I blow my nose?). Of course a dog would absorb some of the owner's karma. So I suggested that maybe I was doing all right because, although both dogs are neurotic, one is calm and mellow, the other is hyper, busy and has trouble controlling herself. I figure they balance each other out. My sister's response? "I'd better get another dog." She only has one and it's sort of a jumpy dog. Yes, I think she should get another dog, but I think everyone should give their dog a dog of its own.
The 40-volume set of Harvard classics (registered edition) awaits. after Mummy Math. And Onenhakenra (the video)(in Mohawk) by White Seed. but after that Silver Lake awaits. The juncos are back. Poplars starting to bloom. achoo.
pretty enough to eat
It's important to have pictures of the flowers. by Mark. Here's our Easter table. Yes, the meal was as good as the table was pretty.
pre-easter
Here's the view from the B.House on Fri., 4/10. What I thought was one last look at that white stuff.
um ... duh
from today's Washington Post:
THE INTERIOR Department has until Monday to decide whether to defend or discard a federal rule passed late in the Bush administration to allow visitors to national parks and refuges to carry loaded and concealed weapons. A federal judge found last month that the Bush administration had acted rashly in its zeal to enact the gun provision and temporarily put the rule on hold. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar should permanently reject the initiative.
from today's Washington Post:
THE INTERIOR Department has until Monday to decide whether to defend or discard a federal rule passed late in the Bush administration to allow visitors to national parks and refuges to carry loaded and concealed weapons. A federal judge found last month that the Bush administration had acted rashly in its zeal to enact the gun provision and temporarily put the rule on hold. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar should permanently reject the initiative.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
sisters
I like this picture of my sister. Doesn't she look great? I like the way her hair is blowing in the wind. She's always had great hair--nice color, and she can grow it long. My hair stops growing at a certain length now, most unattractive. Right now I'm wearing it in a pretty icky way, haven't found anything I like to do with it. What I really want to do is shave my head.
When we were little--and into our pre-teens (or 'tweens, in libspeak) people would ask if we were twins. duh. We NEVER looked much alike. She looks like our father, I look like our mother. or sort of.
I had beautiful long silky light blonde wavy hair when I was very young, like 2-3. Once, in Turkey, we were playing beauty parlor with friends. My friend cut my wonderful hair off. My sister's friend used pretend scissors, my friend (a realist) used real ones. I remember what happened when my mother came home that afternoon: she screamed when she saw me. She had been very proud of my beautiful hair. She said this: "Do you know what I have to do? I have to cut it to even it out. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO CUT!" She was actually quite nice about it. All the pictures of me after that show a big chunk taken out of the front, where most people have bangs. But I'm always smiling, a big goofy grin.
I think my parents were happy when we lived in Turkey. I don't think their children were. I remember dark haired, dark-skinned men grabbing for me (and my sister) because they never saw blue-eyed, blonde haired little girls. They liked to touch us. And they loved to jump on our car because they had NEVER seen an automobile, out in the villages where my father loved to go. Molly and I begged to ride in our friends' VW bug because the men couldn't grab onto it, the way they could our '49 Plymouth station wagon. Which was a beautiful car, by the way.
I wish I had nicer memories of Turkey.
When we were little--and into our pre-teens (or 'tweens, in libspeak) people would ask if we were twins. duh. We NEVER looked much alike. She looks like our father, I look like our mother. or sort of.
I had beautiful long silky light blonde wavy hair when I was very young, like 2-3. Once, in Turkey, we were playing beauty parlor with friends. My friend cut my wonderful hair off. My sister's friend used pretend scissors, my friend (a realist) used real ones. I remember what happened when my mother came home that afternoon: she screamed when she saw me. She had been very proud of my beautiful hair. She said this: "Do you know what I have to do? I have to cut it to even it out. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO CUT!" She was actually quite nice about it. All the pictures of me after that show a big chunk taken out of the front, where most people have bangs. But I'm always smiling, a big goofy grin.
I think my parents were happy when we lived in Turkey. I don't think their children were. I remember dark haired, dark-skinned men grabbing for me (and my sister) because they never saw blue-eyed, blonde haired little girls. They liked to touch us. And they loved to jump on our car because they had NEVER seen an automobile, out in the villages where my father loved to go. Molly and I begged to ride in our friends' VW bug because the men couldn't grab onto it, the way they could our '49 Plymouth station wagon. Which was a beautiful car, by the way.
I wish I had nicer memories of Turkey.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
neopolitan dog
There are healthy, happy stray dogs in my sister's neighborhood in Naples. This is one of them, taking a nap. She hangs out in front of the pastry shop. Sometimes she takes the train to another neighborhood, stays there a few hours, gets back on the train & gets off at her regular stop. I think she's a great dog.
The caption on Molly's Flickr says that this is Nerina, and the people in the neighborhood call her The Walrus. What a cutie. Nerina, not Molly. Although Molly is pretty cute, too.
The caption on Molly's Flickr says that this is Nerina, and the people in the neighborhood call her The Walrus. What a cutie. Nerina, not Molly. Although Molly is pretty cute, too.
"It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak."
PRESIDENT OBAMA, defending his decision to wait a few days before expressing anger over bonuses paid to executives of the insurance giant A.I.G.
What's wrong with this picture? How do we know this man is our president? America wants someone who wants to know what he's talking about? Since when? Oh, wait, THAT one's not president any more.
PRESIDENT OBAMA, defending his decision to wait a few days before expressing anger over bonuses paid to executives of the insurance giant A.I.G.
What's wrong with this picture? How do we know this man is our president? America wants someone who wants to know what he's talking about? Since when? Oh, wait, THAT one's not president any more.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ice sounds
ice sounds
Originally uploaded by woodsrun
Friday, March 20, 2009
driveway mar 09 004
This is the view my brother wanted me to have from my house. Except he would have cut down the lone pine blocking the view of the summit of the mountain (Silver Lake Mtn.) This is the end of my driveway, complete with my car. The neighborhood bully (named for my fish) has sort of clear cut the huge lot across from my land. Rumors run rampant about his plans--a trailer park, one acre lots, etc.
Anyway, I'm parking at the end of the driveway because it's mud season. Early mud season. And I need an early mud season this year. I even saw a flock of geese flying over my house yesterday.
I've had a bad morning. While Patty was helping me get my coffee I said, "You take such good care of me," then I cried because Ken would answer that with "If I don't, who will?" I cried all the way to work, knowing that of course I take care of myself, but Ken helped me in so many ways. He taught me things about life, about how to fix things, about work ethic, about how to behave (like, tact), about how to enjoy what you have ("There's people who'd pay a lot of money to have what we have here"), about caring for your tools (and belongings), about NOT procrastinating, about my neighborhood, about poverty, about how things work--it's a long list. I miss him more than I could have imagined.
Anyway, I'm parking at the end of the driveway because it's mud season. Early mud season. And I need an early mud season this year. I even saw a flock of geese flying over my house yesterday.
I've had a bad morning. While Patty was helping me get my coffee I said, "You take such good care of me," then I cried because Ken would answer that with "If I don't, who will?" I cried all the way to work, knowing that of course I take care of myself, but Ken helped me in so many ways. He taught me things about life, about how to fix things, about work ethic, about how to behave (like, tact), about how to enjoy what you have ("There's people who'd pay a lot of money to have what we have here"), about caring for your tools (and belongings), about NOT procrastinating, about my neighborhood, about poverty, about how things work--it's a long list. I miss him more than I could have imagined.
who wouldn't like it?
This is what I see from the desk where I work in Saranac Lake. It's the "research area" in the Adirondack Room. I can't let anyone know how nice it is, and I have to pretend to complain about the things I catalog--so no one will know how much I enjoy being there. Like, this week I cataloged about 15 editions of "The Adirondacks," covering the late 1800's through 1901. Monotonous, but I could always look up and see this.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
upstream
Looking upstream from the road. My brother took pictures from this spot. This is a sad time of year. Brother, father, Ken died around this time. swell--they all had to pick spring.
favorite view
As Martha says, here's a sign of spring. Ice is out, though this is a slow, shallow brook. Alder Brook. One of my favorite views, tells me what season we're in/approaching. On my way home from Saranac Lake. Yesterday. Not too bad, not to sad. Until I got home, then I hated it, but I was lonely. I'm soooo not used to being lonely.
catch it fast
All I see in these pictures is the space between my front teeth. And this is after I spent a lot of money having them bonded. Oh well, we all see things we don't like about ourselves. Figuratively and literally. I look as if I just woke up. I think I did. Messy bookcase behind me. Messy house surrounding me.
You have to be a proud citizen:
"Washington is all in a tizzy over who’s at fault. Some say it’s the Democrats’ fault, the Republicans’ fault. Listen, I’ll take responsibility, I’m the president."
PRESIDENT OBAMA, over executive bonuses at the American International Group.
"Washington is all in a tizzy over who’s at fault. Some say it’s the Democrats’ fault, the Republicans’ fault. Listen, I’ll take responsibility, I’m the president."
PRESIDENT OBAMA, over executive bonuses at the American International Group.
This earned me a free cup of coffee at my coffee place this morning:
From the Plattsburgh Press-Republican--
Challengers victorious
Placid, Port Henry mayors defeated in Wednesday's vote
From the Plattsburgh Press-Republican--
Challengers victorious
Placid, Port Henry mayors defeated in Wednesday's vote
LAKE PLACID — Incumbent mayors in Lake Placid and Port Henry were defeated in village elections Wednesday night.
LAKE PLACID
In Lake Placid village elections, the Republican trio on a slate ticket won by a comfortable margin.
Republican Craig Randall, a retired NBT Bank vice president, earned the mayor's seat with 463 votes, beating incumbent Jamie Rogers with 233 votes and Peter Roy with 192, both independents.
Randall celebrated with trustee winners Republicans Zay Curtis and Art Devlin as results came in.
"It's been a long day, but a good day. It's a good day for Lake Placid," Randall said.
"I think the voters came through with what they told us they wanted over the last several months. They're interested in new leadership, and we will bring a different style to the board."
Randall said Lake Placid could look forward to having a team with financial experience on the board at a time when taxpayers are concerned about the economic future.
"Our job is to help the village get through these difficult times. There is a lot of excitement in the people around us."
Rogers was grateful for the term spent as mayor of Lake Placid.
"The first thing I want to do is thank the residents of this community for providing me with one of the greatest opportunities of my life over the last four years."
He said municipal leadership in Lake Placid is top flight.
"What I'm really going to miss about this job is working with the department heads. They care about the community, they care about their department, and they care about the employees."
Rogers said he would work steadily with Randall over the next few weeks toward a smooth transition.
"We've got to sit down together and keep the ball rolling. It's about the community."
Am I a real bitch for being happy about this? But I mean really, if you had your choice between a banker and a forester for mayor, which would you choose? I always thought it was a fluke that he was elected in the first place.
Anyway, it's hard to believe any incumbent has much of a chance for relection these days. Except in my town, inhabited by moo-moos who support idiots.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
My friend
You can imagine the pain and sadness I feel when I see this. I'm having a hard time, but life goes on. As my mother says, I'm a strong person.
The weekend was full of wonderful people, all feeling the same loss. The funeral was miserable and I hated leaving him behind. He looked terrible, like an oil painting, but the undertaker had his work cut out for him. Ken looked horrible in his final weeks.
Anyway, I'll surviive and I'll be fine. Eventually.
Linda and I got to spend a lot of time together--she drove from Michigan and spent several days here. I look forward to summer, when we can spend more time together.
I'm not lonely, I just miss him. Very much.
The weekend was full of wonderful people, all feeling the same loss. The funeral was miserable and I hated leaving him behind. He looked terrible, like an oil painting, but the undertaker had his work cut out for him. Ken looked horrible in his final weeks.
Anyway, I'll surviive and I'll be fine. Eventually.
Linda and I got to spend a lot of time together--she drove from Michigan and spent several days here. I look forward to summer, when we can spend more time together.
I'm not lonely, I just miss him. Very much.
linda mar 09 004
We walked down to Linda's camp (Trail's End). The snow was granular and not too deep but still a little tricky to get through, fairly deep. That's Erdvilas, with Linda doing a little dance. And BARE GROUND behind them.
linda mar 09 009
Linda loves being at Silver Lake, and of course especially loves being on her shoreline. The sun was a little warm but it was a cold day.
After this we went to dinner at a fancy restaurant, our first time there. It was The Brown Dog, in Lake Placid. Very funny, Linda ordered from the part of the menu that had no prices next to the meals. She and I were the only ones who laughed at the price of her meal. Let's just say the first digit was higher than a 3. It was worth it, though, as a reward for a very rough weekend.
After this we went to dinner at a fancy restaurant, our first time there. It was The Brown Dog, in Lake Placid. Very funny, Linda ordered from the part of the menu that had no prices next to the meals. She and I were the only ones who laughed at the price of her meal. Let's just say the first digit was higher than a 3. It was worth it, though, as a reward for a very rough weekend.
silver lake mtn
It was worth the walk, though--the ice is getting dark. It was a nice "spring" day. HAH! Do not be fooled, oh grasshopper. Today it was 11 degrees, due to be -1 tonight. At least the mud froze, though spring will bring it back. Must take the good with the bad. What a beautiful day it was.
We went inside Trail's End (lower camp) and had a snort of rum, sitting in the living room. It was just like summer, as if we'd never left. Except it was 40 degrees inside. So nice to be there, sitting together and enjoying it.
We went inside Trail's End (lower camp) and had a snort of rum, sitting in the living room. It was just like summer, as if we'd never left. Except it was 40 degrees inside. So nice to be there, sitting together and enjoying it.
white moose
My friend Doug sent me some pictures of these two white moose, found in the Upper Penn. of Michigan. How cool is this?
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