We have enough windup clucking, pooping chickens.
Friday, April 05, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Why do we like Easter?
I have some favorite holidays, others I'd just as soon skip. Easter is always a cheery time, regardless of the weather, the non-advancing of spring, etc. Why? I suppose it harkens back to my childhood, when we went to church and were very involved in our church's everything. Easter egg hunts, Sunday school (yes, I taught Sunday school--I don't remember just exactly WHAT I taught the little darlings...), Youth Group, Saturday classes. OMG we did it all. Anyway, Easter was a great time because of the spirit of the day. We were all happy, we sang cheerful hymns (oh yeah, I was in the choir, too)(even though I can't sing), we left church feeling cleansed and optimistic. So maybe that's why I like Easter. Aside from the church part, we always had really nice Easter egg hunts at home. My father could be playful (though that may be hard to believe) and liked hiding jelly beans around the house. Along the top of the doorjams, in the dial of the rotary phone, probably even in clean ashtrays (ashtrays were a big part of my childhood--every Saturday we cleaned them)(though, given the amount of smoking my parents did it must have been done more often than that). Each of us had a basket filled with special treats--and we had to divide the candy we found around the house so that each got an equal amount. Anyway, it was fun and we enjoyed it.
What do I do for Easter now? I visit my mother, in Rhode Island, where it's always warmer than it is at my house, and where there's usually BARE GROUND for me to walk on in bare feet. We dye eggs and have Easter baskets at the breakfast table on Easter morning. We have a lot of food--our standard special breakfast of lox & bagels (Mark works at a bagelry), sometimes (if Jenica's there) with bacon too. We sit in the sun (there always seems to be SOME sun during my visit). And then we go to the pansy place to pick out our pansies. Lots and lots of beautiful colors, always a hard decision to make: what color? Mix the colors or be monochromatic? Violas or pansies? But, like Easter itself, it's a happy time. I always have a pot of pansies on my deck railing. My aunt always had a dish of pansies next to her door, which is probably where I got the idea. Anyway, I usually stick to just one color, which is why it's so hard for me to make a decision when buying them. I like the effect of a mass of one color.
I usually buy Pat some yellow pansies as well--she likes yellow flowers from me because she says I'm her sunshine. Awwww.
On another note, Sunshine was the name of a horse that lived in Rockford & was in every parade. Sunshine lived in a residential neighborhood, on a large wooded lot. I don't know who owned the horse, but all the kids knew Sunshine. Again, a happy memory (oh my mother would be so proud--she frets that we don't have any happy memories of our childhoods).
What do I do for Easter now? I visit my mother, in Rhode Island, where it's always warmer than it is at my house, and where there's usually BARE GROUND for me to walk on in bare feet. We dye eggs and have Easter baskets at the breakfast table on Easter morning. We have a lot of food--our standard special breakfast of lox & bagels (Mark works at a bagelry), sometimes (if Jenica's there) with bacon too. We sit in the sun (there always seems to be SOME sun during my visit). And then we go to the pansy place to pick out our pansies. Lots and lots of beautiful colors, always a hard decision to make: what color? Mix the colors or be monochromatic? Violas or pansies? But, like Easter itself, it's a happy time. I always have a pot of pansies on my deck railing. My aunt always had a dish of pansies next to her door, which is probably where I got the idea. Anyway, I usually stick to just one color, which is why it's so hard for me to make a decision when buying them. I like the effect of a mass of one color.
I usually buy Pat some yellow pansies as well--she likes yellow flowers from me because she says I'm her sunshine. Awwww.
On another note, Sunshine was the name of a horse that lived in Rockford & was in every parade. Sunshine lived in a residential neighborhood, on a large wooded lot. I don't know who owned the horse, but all the kids knew Sunshine. Again, a happy memory (oh my mother would be so proud--she frets that we don't have any happy memories of our childhoods).
Monday, March 25, 2013
Being punished
I have to work late today to make up time. I was 1 1/2 hours late to work because MY DOGS RAN AWAY. They were gone for 2 hours, came home separately, which upset me. Treasure came home with a deer shin in her mouth. Tess had nothing, but I found an antler in the road. I guess the snow has melted enough to expose their fall project of dismantling a deer carcass. Swell. I fretted, worried, got irritated, honked the horn, yelled, drove around--all to no avail. They come home when they want to. Anyway, I feel as if I'm being punished for my bad dogs' bad deeds by having to work extra time.
It was a good weekend--especially good because now I can have hot wonderful fires. It's getting to that time when I don't have to keep the fire going 24 hours, I can let it go out at night because it's warmer. If 20 is warmer. Not so much today--part of my irritation at the dogs was that it was cold in the living room (55) and I had to sit there with my coat on waiting & watching the Today Show. Augh.
I watched some basketball over the weekend, only half paying attention, but enjoying the games. I wove 2 small baskets (thank you, Barb, for getting me to start weaving again). One was perfect, just perfect, but the second one was not. I got discouraged. I had fun making the first one, but kept saying "This is not fun" while struggling with the second one. How did I do that all those years ago? I haven't lost my touch in weaving, but shaping is a problem for me.
I went to the dump--again. This seems to be my Saturday activity. Which is great because it means I'm throwing things away. I sorted my sheets and found a big pile of white socks under them. Apparently I once thought that my white socks should all be stored together, in the laundry room. I put them in a garbage bag but didn't tie it shut. The dogs spent the week emptying the bag, sock by sock, parading around the house with socks in their mouths. Cute. Up to a point. PUT IT DOWN.
Weather is uneventful. We didn't get snow, which was a relief. But we didn't get sun, either. Or warm weather. There was some sun on Saturday, which was very cheery.
Yesterday I visited with Pat & Jim by myself--others were off doing other things. Pat is getting better but was in pain yesterday so she's still not great. I think they're both frustrated by her convalescence, and are shack wacky. Me? I just want to see some bare ground.
It was a good weekend--especially good because now I can have hot wonderful fires. It's getting to that time when I don't have to keep the fire going 24 hours, I can let it go out at night because it's warmer. If 20 is warmer. Not so much today--part of my irritation at the dogs was that it was cold in the living room (55) and I had to sit there with my coat on waiting & watching the Today Show. Augh.
I watched some basketball over the weekend, only half paying attention, but enjoying the games. I wove 2 small baskets (thank you, Barb, for getting me to start weaving again). One was perfect, just perfect, but the second one was not. I got discouraged. I had fun making the first one, but kept saying "This is not fun" while struggling with the second one. How did I do that all those years ago? I haven't lost my touch in weaving, but shaping is a problem for me.
I went to the dump--again. This seems to be my Saturday activity. Which is great because it means I'm throwing things away. I sorted my sheets and found a big pile of white socks under them. Apparently I once thought that my white socks should all be stored together, in the laundry room. I put them in a garbage bag but didn't tie it shut. The dogs spent the week emptying the bag, sock by sock, parading around the house with socks in their mouths. Cute. Up to a point. PUT IT DOWN.
Weather is uneventful. We didn't get snow, which was a relief. But we didn't get sun, either. Or warm weather. There was some sun on Saturday, which was very cheery.
Yesterday I visited with Pat & Jim by myself--others were off doing other things. Pat is getting better but was in pain yesterday so she's still not great. I think they're both frustrated by her convalescence, and are shack wacky. Me? I just want to see some bare ground.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Barely a space to work
I swore that I was going to spend part of every Friday clearing stuff off of my desk, which I did for a few weeks. Then, of course, I stopped. I think today I'll start up again. What a mess.
sunny nap
Tess likes the brown chair when it's sunny. My geraniums from last summer are finally blooming.
This chair is in the corner of the living room, where I've always had a place for people to sit. Ken used to sit there all the time, and most of the time he'd fall asleep in the sun. Not hanging over the arm of the chair, just dozing peacefully.
donuts tucked together--this is how they mostly sleep
This is how they like to sleep on the couch. They only do this in the living room, though--when bedtime comes they each have their own territory on the bed.
Snowy week
We had a big storm earlier this week, and now we're supposed to have "snow showers" every day until the 4th of July, as far as I can tell. Or maybe just for the next 4 days. We saw the sun briefly the other day but mostly it's cloudy and snowy. Most places got 10" or so from Tuesday's storm, but in Hawkeye we only got about 6". No, I did not feel slighted.
Someone saw moose tracks in the snow walking toward Linda's camp last weekend--big news in the neighborhood. Also one of the feral cats is pregnant. Again, big news. Which is bigger news? Hard to say.
The library was closed for the storm, which was a nice break. Daytime TV sure is boring. Even sorting my sheets was more interesting than televiewing. Is this what retirement is like? I sure have plenty of projects to work on, but lack the motivation to get started on them when I only have one or two days in a row free. I've got plans for my Memorial Day vacation--when I take time off and have 5 days in a row at home. I try to get projects done during those days, as opposed to sitting on the boat house porch or playing with friends. This year I hope to work on the junk in the master bedroom--the floor is covered with things--all sorts of things. That will involve a couple of trips to the dump, I think.
I had my chimney cleaned this week, which was great. It was plugged at the top, and there was a bunch of creosote flakes inside as well. Now the fire she's a-burning and the house is warm again. It was sure cold without a fire--I used a small electric heater, pointed at me on the couch, which was OK but barely got to 60. Which is actually pretty warm for my house in the winter.
The dogs are great, having a good time in the snow. They like to bound through big drifts into the woods. There are plenty of huge piles from the snowplow, which they like to climb on and play "I'm taller than you are." They're very dear and get along well.
What's up for the weekend? Well, book group meets on Sunday for a ham dinner at Marylou's. We read The memory thief, which was farily good but a bit predictable.
I haven't been doing much lately, just keeping warm and entertaining the dogs. I have lunch with Barb today, which will be nice. I've been visiting Pat & Jim a lot--Pat is having bad back problems so hasn't been out and about all week. They're planning a trip to Pbg today because Jim said he has to get out of the house. I was going to do their grocery shopping for them, but they're a bit shack wacky so want to do their own.
We had a staff luncheon yesterday--the theme was green food for St. Patrick's Day. Lots of spinach and broccoli dishes. I'm not sure anyone really enjoys those lunches, but like most work sites we feel obligated to be nice to each other. Which isn't really very hard, we're a good group.
Someone saw moose tracks in the snow walking toward Linda's camp last weekend--big news in the neighborhood. Also one of the feral cats is pregnant. Again, big news. Which is bigger news? Hard to say.
The library was closed for the storm, which was a nice break. Daytime TV sure is boring. Even sorting my sheets was more interesting than televiewing. Is this what retirement is like? I sure have plenty of projects to work on, but lack the motivation to get started on them when I only have one or two days in a row free. I've got plans for my Memorial Day vacation--when I take time off and have 5 days in a row at home. I try to get projects done during those days, as opposed to sitting on the boat house porch or playing with friends. This year I hope to work on the junk in the master bedroom--the floor is covered with things--all sorts of things. That will involve a couple of trips to the dump, I think.
I had my chimney cleaned this week, which was great. It was plugged at the top, and there was a bunch of creosote flakes inside as well. Now the fire she's a-burning and the house is warm again. It was sure cold without a fire--I used a small electric heater, pointed at me on the couch, which was OK but barely got to 60. Which is actually pretty warm for my house in the winter.
The dogs are great, having a good time in the snow. They like to bound through big drifts into the woods. There are plenty of huge piles from the snowplow, which they like to climb on and play "I'm taller than you are." They're very dear and get along well.
What's up for the weekend? Well, book group meets on Sunday for a ham dinner at Marylou's. We read The memory thief, which was farily good but a bit predictable.
I haven't been doing much lately, just keeping warm and entertaining the dogs. I have lunch with Barb today, which will be nice. I've been visiting Pat & Jim a lot--Pat is having bad back problems so hasn't been out and about all week. They're planning a trip to Pbg today because Jim said he has to get out of the house. I was going to do their grocery shopping for them, but they're a bit shack wacky so want to do their own.
We had a staff luncheon yesterday--the theme was green food for St. Patrick's Day. Lots of spinach and broccoli dishes. I'm not sure anyone really enjoys those lunches, but like most work sites we feel obligated to be nice to each other. Which isn't really very hard, we're a good group.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Double bonus day
It's not just Friday--it's pay day. YIPPEE. I sent some money to the electric company, though only a quarter of what I owe them. Enough to convince them that I do intend to pay my bill (I hope). I went grocery shopping last night and was very conservative and frugal. And proud of myself. I still haven't lost weight, and am tired of the mentality that says "at least you're not gaining." I know how to not gain, it's losing that I'm having trouble with. I see my doctor in about 3 weeks so should be walking like mad to get my cholesterol level down before then. Coulda shoulda woulda.
It was a good week, though the weather today really sucks. It was 9 this morning, after several days of 30's and 40's. My morning coffee friend said that our blood has started to thin because of the warm weather and that's why it felt more like -20 than merely 9. It's not supposed to be very warm for a while, and I think we're supposed to have snow next week. At least the sun is supposed to shine tomorrow. a little. maybe.
I spent one day on the road this week, always a nice change. I weeded the collection in Tupper Lake for most of the day, then stopped in AuSable Forks to pick up some paperwork from the director there. That's a long trip. Much discussion with Jimmy about which way is the fastest to get from Tupper to AuSable. I went through Saranac Lake/Lake Placid; he thought it would have been better to cut through Hawkeye. Doesn't really matter which way you go--it takes an hour.
We had a lot of rain early in the week, which was wonderful. We lost at least 5" of snow at home, and in some places in the neighborhood there's bare ground. Not near my house, not even close, but there are patches along the roadside, on southern facing areas. Nice.
Dogs are fine but seem to have a bit of wanderlust. They take themselves for long walks, which is OK but a bit worrisome. Then Treasure returns without her sister, so I worry more. Do I do anything to keep them close to home? Heck no. I would like to know where they go. I don't think there's much left of the dead deer they were feasting on in the fall.
I had a quiet weekend--didn't do much of anything. Organized my thoughts. Went to the dump. I did go to the Wellness Center on Friday afternoon, but decided not to join right now. I have a treadmill here at work; it was just the pool I wanted to use there and I think I should save for a new wood stove instead of swim. If I actually swam.
Went to the dump, which has been a weekly chore lately. I like that--it means I'm throwing things away. I may even go back this weekend. Mr. Dump Man and I are becoming good friends. He even comes out of his hut to greet me now.
It was my mother's birthday this week--she's now 87. If my father were alive he'd be 101, so my mother has stopped wishing her were still alive. "He wouldn't have liked being so old," she says. Can't argue with that.
It was a good week, though the weather today really sucks. It was 9 this morning, after several days of 30's and 40's. My morning coffee friend said that our blood has started to thin because of the warm weather and that's why it felt more like -20 than merely 9. It's not supposed to be very warm for a while, and I think we're supposed to have snow next week. At least the sun is supposed to shine tomorrow. a little. maybe.
I spent one day on the road this week, always a nice change. I weeded the collection in Tupper Lake for most of the day, then stopped in AuSable Forks to pick up some paperwork from the director there. That's a long trip. Much discussion with Jimmy about which way is the fastest to get from Tupper to AuSable. I went through Saranac Lake/Lake Placid; he thought it would have been better to cut through Hawkeye. Doesn't really matter which way you go--it takes an hour.
We had a lot of rain early in the week, which was wonderful. We lost at least 5" of snow at home, and in some places in the neighborhood there's bare ground. Not near my house, not even close, but there are patches along the roadside, on southern facing areas. Nice.
Dogs are fine but seem to have a bit of wanderlust. They take themselves for long walks, which is OK but a bit worrisome. Then Treasure returns without her sister, so I worry more. Do I do anything to keep them close to home? Heck no. I would like to know where they go. I don't think there's much left of the dead deer they were feasting on in the fall.
I had a quiet weekend--didn't do much of anything. Organized my thoughts. Went to the dump. I did go to the Wellness Center on Friday afternoon, but decided not to join right now. I have a treadmill here at work; it was just the pool I wanted to use there and I think I should save for a new wood stove instead of swim. If I actually swam.
Went to the dump, which has been a weekly chore lately. I like that--it means I'm throwing things away. I may even go back this weekend. Mr. Dump Man and I are becoming good friends. He even comes out of his hut to greet me now.
It was my mother's birthday this week--she's now 87. If my father were alive he'd be 101, so my mother has stopped wishing her were still alive. "He wouldn't have liked being so old," she says. Can't argue with that.
Gosh, think I need to clean my cubicle?
It's such a mess. I promised myself that, this year, every Friday I would spend some time cleaning & throwing things out. I did that for a month or so...guess it's time to get back into the habit.
Barely a space to work
Mr. Fish doesn't show in this--he's on the shelf next to the calendar. I have a friend who sends me a chocolate Lab calendar every year for my birthday. Sometimes the dogs look just like mine.
Stubby little amaryllis blooming at home
This one was funny--it had started to grow in the box so was all bent over. It never straighetned out or grew UP. So now it's just a cute little thing.
Monday, March 11, 2013
What a weekend. What, a weekend?
It was a wonderful weekend in Hawkeye, weather-wise. Saturday was warm and sunny--bright spring sun, so different from a winter sun that hangs low in the sky. I walked to the mailbox with the dogs, who definitely had spring on their minds. I didn't wear a coat, they trotted along. Very, very nice. I watched Argo, which was good but made me feel old. When an event is treated as history and you remember when it happened, you're not young.
Sunday was a regular Sunday, with treats and company at Pat & Jim's. Nice time and good visits. Remembered to set the clocks ahead, which means it's really dark when I get up in the morning. Yes, I know it's lighter longer at the other end of the day, but I sure prefer getting up in the daylight.
Traveling this week--Tupper Lake tomorrow, Dannemora on Weds. Always nice to be out & about. It's supposed to RAIN tomorrow, then snow in Hawkeye at the end of the week. But spring, well, spring is in the air.
Sunday was a regular Sunday, with treats and company at Pat & Jim's. Nice time and good visits. Remembered to set the clocks ahead, which means it's really dark when I get up in the morning. Yes, I know it's lighter longer at the other end of the day, but I sure prefer getting up in the daylight.
Traveling this week--Tupper Lake tomorrow, Dannemora on Weds. Always nice to be out & about. It's supposed to RAIN tomorrow, then snow in Hawkeye at the end of the week. But spring, well, spring is in the air.
Something interesting on the other side of the snowbank
They both thought something good must be happening on the other side of the snowbank--like maybe a deer carcass or something tasty
The end of a very nice day
They always sleep on top of each other--except in bed, when they sleep on top of me.
Friday, March 08, 2013
Happy (really happy) Friday
I only have to work 1/2 a day today, which makes it almost a perfect Friday. It is NOT, however, pay day, which would make it perfect. And also if the sun were to shine. We haven't really seen sun for a long, long time. It's rumored to be shining in Hawkeye this weekend, with temps in the 40's. Maybe that will get rid of the ice that coats my deck stairs. At least this year I shoveled the stairs (most of the time)--some years I just don't do that & it's like a bobsled run on the stairs.
It was a good week in spite of the lack of sun. Well, actually, we saw sun in Albany on Tuesday. It was Library Legis. Day, so 4 of us drove down from Pbg to beg our legislators for money. Did we make any progress? Who knows, but we did make the point that some libraries have to pay for Internet access, while most get it for free. One of our libraries pays $400 a month. And of course there are those of us who have dial access...but I digress. We had a good trip, lots of nice and cheerful conversation in the car, and a good time in the capital. I did get stopped by security, however, for having a pair of scissors in my purse. I didn't know they were there--as one friend wrote, "Oh, so you're one of those people who don't know what's in the huge bag you have on your shoulder." Well I guess I am. Only now I don't have a pair of scissors in it.
I got up early today to wrap my mother's birthday presents. Sort of a pathetic offering this year, but it will be something for her to open. Mostly seeds and bulbs for the garden. I'll mail it today and hope it gets there by Weds., when she turns 87. Wow. My mother is 87. So amazing. Anyway, it was a nice morning at home. Of course the dogs disappeared as I was getting ready to leave for work--it wouldn't be a weekday morning unless I had to wait for their return before heading out. They're so cheerful these days, it's really nice. This morning they had Milk Bones for breakfast because I was too lazy to bring the dog food in from the car. They thought it was odd, but sure enjoyed the meal.
What are my plans for the weekend? DUMP, as usual. I threw away a bunch of stuff in prep. of last weekend's visitors, and plan to clean out the fridge. I'd love to go to the movies--I want to see Silver Linings Playbook but have yet to drag myself into town for that. I had an appointment with my psychiatrist this week & we agreed we should both see the film.
My weekend was great last week. Michael & Stephanie had a good time (I think) and we had a good visit. Dinner with Annie at her house, with Bill. Nice breakfast on Sunday at Big Daddy's, then they left. Was it worthy of the pre-visit hysteria? Absolutely not. My house is still not in great shape for company, but they at least didn't complain and were cheerful. Dogs almost behaved well--too much nudging and begging for attention, but they were good. What do people with grumpy dogs do when company comes? I wouldn't know. I love those "Don't pet him, he doesn't like it" critters.
Today I'm hoping to drag my ass to the Wellness Center, which is like the YMCA here in Plattsburgh, with a pool & exercise stuff. Depending on the membership fee, I may join up to use the pool. I truly need to make myself do something in the way of exercise and this might be a good option. Or not. Won't know if you don't try. When it's lighter when I get home I might walk the dogs, but that's doubtful. Hell, they walk themselves, they don't need me to keep them company.
It was a good week in spite of the lack of sun. Well, actually, we saw sun in Albany on Tuesday. It was Library Legis. Day, so 4 of us drove down from Pbg to beg our legislators for money. Did we make any progress? Who knows, but we did make the point that some libraries have to pay for Internet access, while most get it for free. One of our libraries pays $400 a month. And of course there are those of us who have dial access...but I digress. We had a good trip, lots of nice and cheerful conversation in the car, and a good time in the capital. I did get stopped by security, however, for having a pair of scissors in my purse. I didn't know they were there--as one friend wrote, "Oh, so you're one of those people who don't know what's in the huge bag you have on your shoulder." Well I guess I am. Only now I don't have a pair of scissors in it.
I got up early today to wrap my mother's birthday presents. Sort of a pathetic offering this year, but it will be something for her to open. Mostly seeds and bulbs for the garden. I'll mail it today and hope it gets there by Weds., when she turns 87. Wow. My mother is 87. So amazing. Anyway, it was a nice morning at home. Of course the dogs disappeared as I was getting ready to leave for work--it wouldn't be a weekday morning unless I had to wait for their return before heading out. They're so cheerful these days, it's really nice. This morning they had Milk Bones for breakfast because I was too lazy to bring the dog food in from the car. They thought it was odd, but sure enjoyed the meal.
What are my plans for the weekend? DUMP, as usual. I threw away a bunch of stuff in prep. of last weekend's visitors, and plan to clean out the fridge. I'd love to go to the movies--I want to see Silver Linings Playbook but have yet to drag myself into town for that. I had an appointment with my psychiatrist this week & we agreed we should both see the film.
My weekend was great last week. Michael & Stephanie had a good time (I think) and we had a good visit. Dinner with Annie at her house, with Bill. Nice breakfast on Sunday at Big Daddy's, then they left. Was it worthy of the pre-visit hysteria? Absolutely not. My house is still not in great shape for company, but they at least didn't complain and were cheerful. Dogs almost behaved well--too much nudging and begging for attention, but they were good. What do people with grumpy dogs do when company comes? I wouldn't know. I love those "Don't pet him, he doesn't like it" critters.
Today I'm hoping to drag my ass to the Wellness Center, which is like the YMCA here in Plattsburgh, with a pool & exercise stuff. Depending on the membership fee, I may join up to use the pool. I truly need to make myself do something in the way of exercise and this might be a good option. Or not. Won't know if you don't try. When it's lighter when I get home I might walk the dogs, but that's doubtful. Hell, they walk themselves, they don't need me to keep them company.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
It's the first of March, and my father used to say that the first words you speak on March 1 should be "rabbit rabbit rabbit" to bring good luck. Well, I thought of that this morning while lying in bed, but then I realized that my first words had been "No, not yet," spoken to the dogs to get them to stop thinking that 3:00 a.m. is a good time to get up. So rats, I missed it. One year my father typed the word rabbit a zillion times on a piece of paper & left it next to my bed so I'd see it when I first woke up. He did some cute things for his little girls. Someone else told me that you should say "rabbit, etc." on the first of EVERY month. That's a bit much.
I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Company coming tomorrow, early afternoon. Michael & Stephanie, who own a camp near my house, are coming from Boston to see their camp in the winter. They're staying with me. Yikes. I spent last weekend cleaning the house (more or less), getting things in presentable shape. Also hosted book group Sunday eve, another good reason to get the house in shape. I still have some work to do upstairs but I've managed to keep the downstairs in pretty good shape. A little tidying up is needed. The kitchen is a mess, beyond anything I can fix. I seldom look at my house through someone else's eyes, but when I do it's a rude awakening. My fridge is dirty inside and out. My stove is dirty and won't come clean. My pantry is a mess--you can't really walk into it right now, there's too much stuff on the floor. The biggest problem I have is TOO MUCH STUFF. I have furniture upstairs that I'd like to use but it's full of crap. I need to clean out the bureaus (there are 3, full of old clothes and mouse nests). I need to clear the floors of the master bedroom and the mud room. These are projects I hope to attack in May, when I take my big 5-day break and stay home. Let's see how it goes.
The weather finally broke--no more sub-zeros for a while. It's been in the 30's, which feels spring-like and balmy. Snowed this week, and because it was so warm the snow was heavy (I'd call it heavy & wet, but isn't snow always wet?). We got about 6" in Hawkeye, and I think we're supposed to get about 6 more during the weekend. It doesn't bother me as much as it does some years--I guess I used up my tolerance for the cold before my tolerance for snow.
Tomorrow night is dinner at Annie Holt's--Michael, Stephanie, Bill and I will go there. She likes to cook and have company for dinner, so we're all going. Rush couldn't come this weekend so it's just Annie.
Our book group read Billy Lynn's long halftime walk last month and no one really liked it. We must be poor judges of literature, though, because it just won the National Book Critics Award for fiction. Harumph.
Dogs are doing well. Treasure brought home another deer leg (how many legs does this deer have?) but I took it to the dump. Poor T., she looked very disappointed. If dogs can look disappointed.
She & Tess are having a good time these days, lots of running around & chasing each other. Tess is thrilled to have a dog to play with--Chances used to play with her but got too old to be interested in it. They used to play Mean Fighting Dogs a lot, lots of snarling and jumping on each other. I loved it when they did that but Ken hated it so I stopped taking them to his house. In hindsight I can't believe I took them in the first place, but that was then. They don't get out much anymore--trips to the dump and to RI, that's about it.
I've got a busy weekend ahead of me. Company coming tomorrow, early afternoon. Michael & Stephanie, who own a camp near my house, are coming from Boston to see their camp in the winter. They're staying with me. Yikes. I spent last weekend cleaning the house (more or less), getting things in presentable shape. Also hosted book group Sunday eve, another good reason to get the house in shape. I still have some work to do upstairs but I've managed to keep the downstairs in pretty good shape. A little tidying up is needed. The kitchen is a mess, beyond anything I can fix. I seldom look at my house through someone else's eyes, but when I do it's a rude awakening. My fridge is dirty inside and out. My stove is dirty and won't come clean. My pantry is a mess--you can't really walk into it right now, there's too much stuff on the floor. The biggest problem I have is TOO MUCH STUFF. I have furniture upstairs that I'd like to use but it's full of crap. I need to clean out the bureaus (there are 3, full of old clothes and mouse nests). I need to clear the floors of the master bedroom and the mud room. These are projects I hope to attack in May, when I take my big 5-day break and stay home. Let's see how it goes.
The weather finally broke--no more sub-zeros for a while. It's been in the 30's, which feels spring-like and balmy. Snowed this week, and because it was so warm the snow was heavy (I'd call it heavy & wet, but isn't snow always wet?). We got about 6" in Hawkeye, and I think we're supposed to get about 6 more during the weekend. It doesn't bother me as much as it does some years--I guess I used up my tolerance for the cold before my tolerance for snow.
Tomorrow night is dinner at Annie Holt's--Michael, Stephanie, Bill and I will go there. She likes to cook and have company for dinner, so we're all going. Rush couldn't come this weekend so it's just Annie.
Our book group read Billy Lynn's long halftime walk last month and no one really liked it. We must be poor judges of literature, though, because it just won the National Book Critics Award for fiction. Harumph.
Dogs are doing well. Treasure brought home another deer leg (how many legs does this deer have?) but I took it to the dump. Poor T., she looked very disappointed. If dogs can look disappointed.
She & Tess are having a good time these days, lots of running around & chasing each other. Tess is thrilled to have a dog to play with--Chances used to play with her but got too old to be interested in it. They used to play Mean Fighting Dogs a lot, lots of snarling and jumping on each other. I loved it when they did that but Ken hated it so I stopped taking them to his house. In hindsight I can't believe I took them in the first place, but that was then. They don't get out much anymore--trips to the dump and to RI, that's about it.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
SOOOO many stones on the beach!
There were a ton of stones on the beach, with little bare sand. Lucky thing we'll get our sand back by summer.
Town beach pavillion, now abbreviated
There used to be a big front to the building with nice places to sit in the shade. That all got taken down after the last storm, it was losing ground.
Will it never end?
It was 3 degrees this morning, but I guess, on the bright side, that was ABOVE zero. While I was gone it was -5 and the house got down into the low 40's. I'm getting pretty tired of cold weather. Will soon be tired of snow. We have more than a foot on the ground, with more due soon. I know I always say "that's what it's like to live in the North Country," but every year around this time I have the same reaction to the weather: WHEN WILL IT END? The frost heaves on the Clayburg Road are out, which is a good sign that winter is moving right along. We've had some ice jams on the rivers (like, where else would they be?) but nothing too serious yet. When I drove through Upper Jay there were chunks of ice on the other side of the road from the AuSable River, which is pretty dramatic.
I had a good trip to RI. The driving was uneventful, which is what we like. The trip down is boring, probably because I'm really sick of the trip to Albany, and after that the ride is broken into different legs.
My mother is fine but has slowed down a lot in the last couple of years. She turns 87 next month. I'm just used to having a YOUNG mother, so it's an adjustment to be with her at this age. She moves more slowly and is very careful, as well as being fairly forgetful. But she's a peach and I enjoy being with her. I took her grocery shopping because she won't drive in the snow and hates to go out if there's any ice at all. I wish I lived nearer so I could take her more often. She doesn't like to ask Mark to take her, but does that often enough. I don't really wish I lived nearer--I wish SHE lived nearer. I like where I live. Even in the winter.
Mark & I walked on the beach one day with the dogs. Not many people there (3) because it was a cold day. We didn't go back because it was snowing hard the next day, and the next day I left. What did I do while I was there? Not much. Read quite a bit of the book group book (Billy Lynn's long halftime walk), which I'm not really enjoying. I have hopes that it will become a better book in the second half. Rather pointless right now.
Not sure when I'll read it--I often read the book group book the weekend of book group, but I have a lot to do this weekend so may not get to it. I have to clean clean clean my house. That will include dusting and getting rid of cobwebs, straightening the pictures, tidying up the piles of reed upstairs, cleaning the bathroom upstairs, making the bed in the guest bedroom upstairs, and oh, so many other things. I'm hosting book group on Sunday, which is nice, but have company coming next weekend, which is more complicated. I've only had my family stay at my house in recent years, so it will be interesting to have friends instead. These are people from Boston who own a camp down the road from my house--they want to be here in the winter. They'll arrive Saturday & leave Sunday, so I just have to figure out a few meals. We'll go out for dinner Sat. night. Someone suggested I feed them whatever it is that I eat, but I don't think frozen Weight Watchers dinners and yogurt will really do.
The dogs had a good time in RI, and it was good for Treasure to be quieter than she is at home. She's stopped limping, which is a big relief. I guess she sprained a toe or something, and resting while we were there did the trick. They run around a lot at home--chasing squirrels and each other. This morning they trotted to the bog to check it out. Why do they always leave just as I'm getting ready to leave for work? Well that's a stupid question--they can tell when I stoke the stove and put on my coat that I'm getting ready to leave, usually without them. Anyway, they were gone for a few minutes but came home, out of breath and happy.
I had a good trip to RI. The driving was uneventful, which is what we like. The trip down is boring, probably because I'm really sick of the trip to Albany, and after that the ride is broken into different legs.
My mother is fine but has slowed down a lot in the last couple of years. She turns 87 next month. I'm just used to having a YOUNG mother, so it's an adjustment to be with her at this age. She moves more slowly and is very careful, as well as being fairly forgetful. But she's a peach and I enjoy being with her. I took her grocery shopping because she won't drive in the snow and hates to go out if there's any ice at all. I wish I lived nearer so I could take her more often. She doesn't like to ask Mark to take her, but does that often enough. I don't really wish I lived nearer--I wish SHE lived nearer. I like where I live. Even in the winter.
Mark & I walked on the beach one day with the dogs. Not many people there (3) because it was a cold day. We didn't go back because it was snowing hard the next day, and the next day I left. What did I do while I was there? Not much. Read quite a bit of the book group book (Billy Lynn's long halftime walk), which I'm not really enjoying. I have hopes that it will become a better book in the second half. Rather pointless right now.
Not sure when I'll read it--I often read the book group book the weekend of book group, but I have a lot to do this weekend so may not get to it. I have to clean clean clean my house. That will include dusting and getting rid of cobwebs, straightening the pictures, tidying up the piles of reed upstairs, cleaning the bathroom upstairs, making the bed in the guest bedroom upstairs, and oh, so many other things. I'm hosting book group on Sunday, which is nice, but have company coming next weekend, which is more complicated. I've only had my family stay at my house in recent years, so it will be interesting to have friends instead. These are people from Boston who own a camp down the road from my house--they want to be here in the winter. They'll arrive Saturday & leave Sunday, so I just have to figure out a few meals. We'll go out for dinner Sat. night. Someone suggested I feed them whatever it is that I eat, but I don't think frozen Weight Watchers dinners and yogurt will really do.
The dogs had a good time in RI, and it was good for Treasure to be quieter than she is at home. She's stopped limping, which is a big relief. I guess she sprained a toe or something, and resting while we were there did the trick. They run around a lot at home--chasing squirrels and each other. This morning they trotted to the bog to check it out. Why do they always leave just as I'm getting ready to leave for work? Well that's a stupid question--they can tell when I stoke the stove and put on my coat that I'm getting ready to leave, usually without them. Anyway, they were gone for a few minutes but came home, out of breath and happy.
Looking through Dannemora
This is the town of Dannemora, not far from Plattsburgh. The wall on the left is the prison--Clinton Corr. Fac., a maximum security prison. It's imposing and intimidating, and I know quite a few people who work there as corrections officers. That's a preferred job here in the North Country--good pay, good benefits, job security. It's not a nice job, and lots of the CO's don't talk much about work. I know some very gentle, kind men who've turned into cross people because of what they've experienced in their jobs.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Going away
I'm heading out tomorrow morning, off to RI for a long weekend. My mother had no power for several days, and often gets the blues this time of year, so I figured I'd give her a break and visit. "Do you take your dogs?" people ask. Well, so far, yes, but I'm wondering if maybe it isn't time to start thinking about going without them. It would be simpler--for my mother and for me. Well, not this trip.
It's been a pretty good couple of weeks. I got to spend time with Duncan & David while they were here for their winter visit. Dinner one night, dessert another, and lots of email & some phone conversations. Duncan is at home in Minn. now, after being stuck in Burlington for a few days due to last week's storm.
We had a storm, but escaped pretty much unscathed. We got about a foot of snow, which isn't that hard for us to handle. Our snow was light and fluffy, easy to shovel. Unlike the snow in New England, which was wetter and thus much less pleasant. And there was more of it. We've had a couple of inches since then, nothing "measurable," as they say. Not sure if we're planning to have more snow soon or not. It is warm, 30's, but due to get cold again while I'm gone. This means I MUST REMEMBER to shut off my pump & hot water, and turn up the heat when I leave.
I haven't really been doing much. Lots of time spent on the couch with the dogs, watching TV and catching up on reading. Lots of New Yorkers to read. Now I'm caught up and where I should be. For now. I subscribe to a lot of magazines--something I got from my father, I think. When I was growing up we subscribed to 3 newspapers, a zillion magazines of all sorts--Life and Look, Time and Newsweek, American horticulture, Punch (which was a huge puzzle to me--I couldn't figure out what was funny about the cartoons, not really realizing that it was a British magazine) and others. My father was pretty good about reading them as they came in, or at least that's what I remember. I don't remember the huge piles of magazines I now have at my house in my childhood homes.
The dogs are doing all right. They like the snow a lot and have been romping and running all over. Treasure has some ailment that's making her limp and I can't figure out what's up with that. I was going to take her to the vet in Keeseville last night but just couldn't bear to drive half an hour when I got home. Bad dog owner. It might be related to her toe injury, when she got her toe stuck in a trap n the fall. But it could be something else. I'll deal with it NEXT week. She doesn't always limp, which is one of the reasons I haven't taken her in--with my luck she wouldn't be limping at the vet's.
There's not much going on, just work, home, fires, television, reading, dogs, phone calls. Book group is next weekend and so far pretty much no one is very fond of the book. Maybe it'll get better if I read more. Let's hope so.
It's been a pretty good couple of weeks. I got to spend time with Duncan & David while they were here for their winter visit. Dinner one night, dessert another, and lots of email & some phone conversations. Duncan is at home in Minn. now, after being stuck in Burlington for a few days due to last week's storm.
We had a storm, but escaped pretty much unscathed. We got about a foot of snow, which isn't that hard for us to handle. Our snow was light and fluffy, easy to shovel. Unlike the snow in New England, which was wetter and thus much less pleasant. And there was more of it. We've had a couple of inches since then, nothing "measurable," as they say. Not sure if we're planning to have more snow soon or not. It is warm, 30's, but due to get cold again while I'm gone. This means I MUST REMEMBER to shut off my pump & hot water, and turn up the heat when I leave.
I haven't really been doing much. Lots of time spent on the couch with the dogs, watching TV and catching up on reading. Lots of New Yorkers to read. Now I'm caught up and where I should be. For now. I subscribe to a lot of magazines--something I got from my father, I think. When I was growing up we subscribed to 3 newspapers, a zillion magazines of all sorts--Life and Look, Time and Newsweek, American horticulture, Punch (which was a huge puzzle to me--I couldn't figure out what was funny about the cartoons, not really realizing that it was a British magazine) and others. My father was pretty good about reading them as they came in, or at least that's what I remember. I don't remember the huge piles of magazines I now have at my house in my childhood homes.
The dogs are doing all right. They like the snow a lot and have been romping and running all over. Treasure has some ailment that's making her limp and I can't figure out what's up with that. I was going to take her to the vet in Keeseville last night but just couldn't bear to drive half an hour when I got home. Bad dog owner. It might be related to her toe injury, when she got her toe stuck in a trap n the fall. But it could be something else. I'll deal with it NEXT week. She doesn't always limp, which is one of the reasons I haven't taken her in--with my luck she wouldn't be limping at the vet's.
There's not much going on, just work, home, fires, television, reading, dogs, phone calls. Book group is next weekend and so far pretty much no one is very fond of the book. Maybe it'll get better if I read more. Let's hope so.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
RAIN? in January?
There's bare ground in Plattsburgh after the unusually warm spell we just had. It's only lasted about 24 hours, but the change is dramatic. We still have plenty of snow in Hawkeye, but I noticed on the way to work this morning that there's plenty of snow-free land in the Champlain Valley. This used to be a big deal to me, seeing bare ground in January and February. One year we drove through Vermont, getting to Rutland before we saw bare ground. Now I rely on winter trips to Rhode Island for my "bare ground fix." I'm off to RI in 2 weeks--let's hope there's no snow there, just to make me feel better.
The trip to Tupper Lake was uneventful. I did go the long way around out of the neighborhood, thinking I might have trouble getting up hills down the road in the next county. They're notoriously poor at road maintenance, and I didn't want to risk getting stuck. So I took a little longer (what? getting wise in my 60's?) but got there without incident. I weeded all day, which is a lot of work. Their collection needs attention but isn't as bad as I'd expected it to be.
Yesterday I didn't make it to work until nearly 11:00. I got to the end of my road and encountered my plow man and a county snowplow, both stopped there. Donny (plowman) told me the road was all glare ice--he had just fallen down trying to walk across the road--what Ken used to call "like a bottle." Donny said there were cars all over the place and people couldn't make it up the smallest hills. Say no more! I turned around & stayed at home until the temperature rose above freezing. It got to 40 by 10:00, so I left for Plattsburgh. Trip was fine though the first 7 miles--which are always a winter issue--were slushy and icy. My intrepid Civic with it's expensive snow tires, coupled with what I like to think is maturity on my part, does amazingly well in the winter. So no incidents or scares.
It rained during the night, clearing up my deck stairs nicely. Bare wood. Ah, the luxury. We had had some snow earlier in the week and I (lazily) didn't shovel, expecting the miracle of rain in January. Was not disappointed. It's now very windy and temps are dropping dramatically. This should make things interesting--wet surfaces will freeze by the time I have to go home.
Treasure has some sort of problem with one of her legs--she won't use it most of the time, but because every now & then she puts weight on it I'm not worrying. Concerned, yes, but not really worried. She jumps on the furniture easily, runs on 3 legs apparently without minding. I tried to find out where the problem was, but she made no sound when I explored her toes, paw, leg and shoulder. So she remains a Drama Queen and I leave her alone. Let's hope that's the right approach.
The trip to Tupper Lake was uneventful. I did go the long way around out of the neighborhood, thinking I might have trouble getting up hills down the road in the next county. They're notoriously poor at road maintenance, and I didn't want to risk getting stuck. So I took a little longer (what? getting wise in my 60's?) but got there without incident. I weeded all day, which is a lot of work. Their collection needs attention but isn't as bad as I'd expected it to be.
Yesterday I didn't make it to work until nearly 11:00. I got to the end of my road and encountered my plow man and a county snowplow, both stopped there. Donny (plowman) told me the road was all glare ice--he had just fallen down trying to walk across the road--what Ken used to call "like a bottle." Donny said there were cars all over the place and people couldn't make it up the smallest hills. Say no more! I turned around & stayed at home until the temperature rose above freezing. It got to 40 by 10:00, so I left for Plattsburgh. Trip was fine though the first 7 miles--which are always a winter issue--were slushy and icy. My intrepid Civic with it's expensive snow tires, coupled with what I like to think is maturity on my part, does amazingly well in the winter. So no incidents or scares.
It rained during the night, clearing up my deck stairs nicely. Bare wood. Ah, the luxury. We had had some snow earlier in the week and I (lazily) didn't shovel, expecting the miracle of rain in January. Was not disappointed. It's now very windy and temps are dropping dramatically. This should make things interesting--wet surfaces will freeze by the time I have to go home.
Treasure has some sort of problem with one of her legs--she won't use it most of the time, but because every now & then she puts weight on it I'm not worrying. Concerned, yes, but not really worried. She jumps on the furniture easily, runs on 3 legs apparently without minding. I tried to find out where the problem was, but she made no sound when I explored her toes, paw, leg and shoulder. So she remains a Drama Queen and I leave her alone. Let's hope that's the right approach.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Hot, sooooo hot
I have hot water--when I got home Friday night & turned on the faucet, amazing of all amazing things, hot water came out. So that's settled. Guess turning up the ($$) heater in the cellar hole did the trick. That was a relief.
It's warm today, +10 this morning, which feels great. Due to get snow/ice tonight & tomorrow, which may impinge on my trip to Tupper Lake, scheduled for 9 tomorrow morning. I don't like driving in ice. Or on ice, or however it is.
Had a good weekend--Saturday was the Big Burn in the neighborhood, which I attended for the first time. Big brush pile reduced to ashes in 5 or so hours. I only lasted about 4, then the sun disappeared and I got cold. Wussed right out. Went home, got under my down throw & shivered until I dozed.
I got to see Annie over the weekend, but Rush had some flu-like malady so we agreed I didn't want to go to their house. She came yesterday afternoon & we had a good visit. That's about all I did over the weekend--Friday I stopped at Pat & Jim's to visit with Joe, who was up from Georgia for the burn. Yesterday at noon I returned to P&J's and visited with the crowd there. Really nice to be with everyone. I thought it would warm up over the weekend, which it sort of did--it was -7 Sat. morning and -4 Sunday morning, but with bright sunlight during the day it warmed considerably.
And for now it's work. I'm slightly anxious about the weather but don't want to worry about that over which I have no control. There's not much I DO have control over.
Dogs are fine, had a good weekend, too.
It's warm today, +10 this morning, which feels great. Due to get snow/ice tonight & tomorrow, which may impinge on my trip to Tupper Lake, scheduled for 9 tomorrow morning. I don't like driving in ice. Or on ice, or however it is.
Had a good weekend--Saturday was the Big Burn in the neighborhood, which I attended for the first time. Big brush pile reduced to ashes in 5 or so hours. I only lasted about 4, then the sun disappeared and I got cold. Wussed right out. Went home, got under my down throw & shivered until I dozed.
I got to see Annie over the weekend, but Rush had some flu-like malady so we agreed I didn't want to go to their house. She came yesterday afternoon & we had a good visit. That's about all I did over the weekend--Friday I stopped at Pat & Jim's to visit with Joe, who was up from Georgia for the burn. Yesterday at noon I returned to P&J's and visited with the crowd there. Really nice to be with everyone. I thought it would warm up over the weekend, which it sort of did--it was -7 Sat. morning and -4 Sunday morning, but with bright sunlight during the day it warmed considerably.
And for now it's work. I'm slightly anxious about the weather but don't want to worry about that over which I have no control. There's not much I DO have control over.
Dogs are fine, had a good weekend, too.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Things could be worse
I have no hot water right now, but I DO HAVE WATER. This is crucial. I can sure handle the absence of hot water, but I'm hoping that's as far as it goes. I have no idea where the freeze is--could be between the hot water heater & the faucet, could be between the line from the pump to the hot water heater. Oh, I just realized I should have turned off the hot water heater this morning. As well as the pump. Too late now and I refuse to worry about things I can't control. Well, this one anyway. I worry about things all the time, often to no avail.
Anyway, last night I had to go to Holts because the alarm they have that notifies them by phone when the temperature in their house drops did not work. The temp inside their lovely Hawkeye house was 30. Big emergency, try to keep pipes from freezing. The caretaker showed up, too, and he took care of things. Problem with the furnace but he solved that (tripped breaker) and got it started again. Who knows what happened, but sometimes when there's a power outage their furnace doesn't start up again. Which means I feel as if I should have been checking the house more often. Oh well, can't do anything about that now. They're planning to come up today and I think things will be OK--ice in the toilet but no busted pipes, apparently.
This cold snap, tiring as it is, hasn't been unbearable. I can go out in -15, get wood, entertain the dogs (briefly) but haven't been able to drag myself to the bird feeder. Poor birdies, just when they need energy the most I neglect them. Call the ASPCA.
This weekend is The Burn, when people gather to burn the huge brush pile that's been set up behind Ken's house. Joe comes from Georgia just for this. I actually was invited last year (a first) but didn't go--too much snow to slog through. Doubt that I'll make it this year, either, but you never know. I think it's supposed to be sunny and cold but above zero and maybe even double digits. I'm planning to go to the movies with Lin in the afternoon--I'd like to see Silver Linings Playbook, in spite of the fact that it's about a bipolar man having problems. Not sure why this film appeals to me but I really want to see it in the theater. So maybe we'll go. I'll shower at Lin's house--went to Barb's last night. I do know how to accommodate my house issues, don't I.
I'll stop at Pat & Jim's tonight to see Joe, then go home for the weekend. I had Monday off and spent hours watching the inauguration while I finished a gift (basket). It turned out well and I'm pleased with it. I should be making baskets more often--obviously, the more I make the better I get.
This week seems to have taken a month to get through, but I'm sure that's just because of the weather. I'm looking forward to seeing some sunshine and having a warmer house.
Anyway, last night I had to go to Holts because the alarm they have that notifies them by phone when the temperature in their house drops did not work. The temp inside their lovely Hawkeye house was 30. Big emergency, try to keep pipes from freezing. The caretaker showed up, too, and he took care of things. Problem with the furnace but he solved that (tripped breaker) and got it started again. Who knows what happened, but sometimes when there's a power outage their furnace doesn't start up again. Which means I feel as if I should have been checking the house more often. Oh well, can't do anything about that now. They're planning to come up today and I think things will be OK--ice in the toilet but no busted pipes, apparently.
This cold snap, tiring as it is, hasn't been unbearable. I can go out in -15, get wood, entertain the dogs (briefly) but haven't been able to drag myself to the bird feeder. Poor birdies, just when they need energy the most I neglect them. Call the ASPCA.
This weekend is The Burn, when people gather to burn the huge brush pile that's been set up behind Ken's house. Joe comes from Georgia just for this. I actually was invited last year (a first) but didn't go--too much snow to slog through. Doubt that I'll make it this year, either, but you never know. I think it's supposed to be sunny and cold but above zero and maybe even double digits. I'm planning to go to the movies with Lin in the afternoon--I'd like to see Silver Linings Playbook, in spite of the fact that it's about a bipolar man having problems. Not sure why this film appeals to me but I really want to see it in the theater. So maybe we'll go. I'll shower at Lin's house--went to Barb's last night. I do know how to accommodate my house issues, don't I.
I'll stop at Pat & Jim's tonight to see Joe, then go home for the weekend. I had Monday off and spent hours watching the inauguration while I finished a gift (basket). It turned out well and I'm pleased with it. I should be making baskets more often--obviously, the more I make the better I get.
This week seems to have taken a month to get through, but I'm sure that's just because of the weather. I'm looking forward to seeing some sunshine and having a warmer house.
Cold morning at 58 OHR
Well, it's been cold all right. Only down to 0 tonight, then back to sub-zeros, but single digits. I can stand that. I think.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Life goes on
Well, it's been -18 and -16 yesterday and today. I slept on the couch last night ("slept" is a generous term--the dogs hated it and wouldn't be still). There's a problem with my hot water--ice blocking the pipe somewhere but I don't know where to begin looking for it. I still have cold water, which seems like a luxury. But boy is it COLD water! I'll shower at a friend's house tonight after work, then maybe use the Holts' facilities if this goes on. Why don't I call someone for help? Because I don't like to ask for help, even if I'm paying for it. This doesn't make sense, but it's how I've always been.
This morning, when the living room temp was 49 and I was listening for the gushing of burst pipes (which, thankfully, never came) I thought..."Why do I live this way?" I often feel I don't deserve to own a house because I'm so bad at basic maintenance. If I lived my life in a different way I'd have good insulation and a new wood stove. This wood stove is more than 30 years old. It's a good one and I like it, but my chimney man says it's inefficient and should be replaced. Well, I guess my philosophy has always been "If it's not doing any damage, don't bother with it." Not a good life philosophy, but it's what I do. I'm feeling discouraged (oh, can you tell?) and unhappy about myself and my dealing with tough situations. I can function, but at my age shouldn't I be doing more than just functioning? I was out & about in the yard this morning, getting wood and chasing the dogs. I can stand the cold (in fact, I've always said I prefer cold to snow--maybe I'm changing my mind about that--let's wait until we have another foot or two of snow) and don't feel particularly proud of my ability to be out in it. But I just wonder how I let things get this bad. The insulation under the house is falling down. I can't afford to hire someone--or even buy the insulation and do it myself--to put in new insulation. This comes up every winter, then spring & summer come along and I forget about the urgency of the situation. I'm a procrastinator. I may apply for a special energy loan thing (I got information from Ex-husband) but hate to take on any more debt. And of course there's the embarrassment factor of having someone come to my house to do an energy audit. Well, get over that, girlie.
Other than the cold, life is fine. Lunch with Barb today, which will be nice. I finally finished the presents for her daughter's children and even managed to wrap them this morning so I can give them to her today. That feels like a big accomplishment.
The dogs don't seem to mind the sub-zero weather much. They've taken themselves for long walks the last 2 mornings, waiting until I'm ready to leave for work before disappearing. Honestly!
This morning, when the living room temp was 49 and I was listening for the gushing of burst pipes (which, thankfully, never came) I thought..."Why do I live this way?" I often feel I don't deserve to own a house because I'm so bad at basic maintenance. If I lived my life in a different way I'd have good insulation and a new wood stove. This wood stove is more than 30 years old. It's a good one and I like it, but my chimney man says it's inefficient and should be replaced. Well, I guess my philosophy has always been "If it's not doing any damage, don't bother with it." Not a good life philosophy, but it's what I do. I'm feeling discouraged (oh, can you tell?) and unhappy about myself and my dealing with tough situations. I can function, but at my age shouldn't I be doing more than just functioning? I was out & about in the yard this morning, getting wood and chasing the dogs. I can stand the cold (in fact, I've always said I prefer cold to snow--maybe I'm changing my mind about that--let's wait until we have another foot or two of snow) and don't feel particularly proud of my ability to be out in it. But I just wonder how I let things get this bad. The insulation under the house is falling down. I can't afford to hire someone--or even buy the insulation and do it myself--to put in new insulation. This comes up every winter, then spring & summer come along and I forget about the urgency of the situation. I'm a procrastinator. I may apply for a special energy loan thing (I got information from Ex-husband) but hate to take on any more debt. And of course there's the embarrassment factor of having someone come to my house to do an energy audit. Well, get over that, girlie.
Other than the cold, life is fine. Lunch with Barb today, which will be nice. I finally finished the presents for her daughter's children and even managed to wrap them this morning so I can give them to her today. That feels like a big accomplishment.
The dogs don't seem to mind the sub-zero weather much. They've taken themselves for long walks the last 2 mornings, waiting until I'm ready to leave for work before disappearing. Honestly!
Friday, January 18, 2013
-18 or so
I have 3 thermometers to measure the outdoor temperature and they recorded different temps this morning. Two were -9 and one was -18. I pick -18 because I get extra credit for having it be so cold. I'm not sure that was right, though, because I was outside for a little while and it didn't feel that cold. More like -9. Anyway, I was going to take a picture of the thermometer but the battery in my camera died because I left it in the car and it got too cold. When will I learn? My good boots are also in the car, which is great when I'm traveling, but sucks when I need to get to the car from the house and there's fresh powder on the ground. When will I learn? I'm hoping to empty the car tomorrow, when temps are supposed to be in the 30's. I have 35 lbs of birdseed in the back seat (in a bag, not to worry) that I need to put in the bin so I can actually feed the poor birds. It's been there for days. It's just hard to get motivated to do much in the dark when it's cold. So I leave things in the car. I did remove the soda, though, before it froze. Yay me.
We have a 3-day weekend, which is great. I'll finish the presents for my friend's grandchildren so I can finally pass them along. Almost, almost done with them. Why has it taken me so long?
I'll go to the dump, I hope. I'm thinking of going to the movies on Sat., to see something dumb. I went last Saturday to a matinee with Lin & Ralph. We saw Lincoln, which was great but a tad long, I thought. Very interesting, though, and the acting was great. There were 7 of us in the theater, and Lin pointed out that I was the youngest, which meant there was no one under 60. Ah, some people can be so cruel.
It's been a pretty quiet week, I've worked 9-5 for 3 days running, which is fine--I enjoy the time in the morning, especially when it's as cold as it was today. I like having the extra time to warm the house--it was 53 at 5:30 when I got up and didn't get much warmer but at least I had time to get a decent fire going. The sun should make a difference in warming the living room.
I had dinner with Fred & Bill one night--the beginning of fried perch season at our favorite restaurant. Yum. I ate plenty but have been really careful about counting points all week. Lost 2 pounds, which is a good start. I gained 10 pounds last year, after having lost nearly 30 the year before. Up and down, isn't that the way. So now I'm dedicated to losing weight this winter. I know it's not really hard to lose weight--knowing how to do it isn't the challenge. It's changing your behavior that's the trick.
I had a great time listening to Jenica's webinar during the day. People kept interrupting me and I wanted to say "Shhhh--can't you hear: it's JENICA!" She did a great job and it was a good webinar.
Book group is Sunday. I'm not getting any books ready because Martha says she's got one for us to read. I usually spend time poking around, looking for books on the Friday before book group. Rats--what will I do instead?
I just finished listening to Richard Russo's latest work, which is a memoir. It's nicely done but is pretty much depressing because it's about growing up and dealing with his mother's mental illnesses, as well as his helping her when he grew up & had his own family. I'd recommend it to my mother, who loves Russo, but I don't think she'd like it much. Barb and Steve might enjoy it, but should know in advance that it's not a Gloversville story the way his others are. He does go into some detail about writing his books, which is nice.
Now I'm moving on to Barbara Kingsolver's latest, which is long so will take me a long time to listen to. I just picked up CBC on the radio this morning, between books, so will have to choose: literature or interesting Canadian news and music?
Dogs are doing well. They like our mornings together and are pretty tired when evening comes. They're full of energy when I get home but crash pretty early, which is a blessing. I mostly just watch TV these nights. Watched some of Lance Armstrong last night. I'm such a sucker, I thought he was likable. A cheater and liar, but likable anyway.
We have a 3-day weekend, which is great. I'll finish the presents for my friend's grandchildren so I can finally pass them along. Almost, almost done with them. Why has it taken me so long?
I'll go to the dump, I hope. I'm thinking of going to the movies on Sat., to see something dumb. I went last Saturday to a matinee with Lin & Ralph. We saw Lincoln, which was great but a tad long, I thought. Very interesting, though, and the acting was great. There were 7 of us in the theater, and Lin pointed out that I was the youngest, which meant there was no one under 60. Ah, some people can be so cruel.
It's been a pretty quiet week, I've worked 9-5 for 3 days running, which is fine--I enjoy the time in the morning, especially when it's as cold as it was today. I like having the extra time to warm the house--it was 53 at 5:30 when I got up and didn't get much warmer but at least I had time to get a decent fire going. The sun should make a difference in warming the living room.
I had dinner with Fred & Bill one night--the beginning of fried perch season at our favorite restaurant. Yum. I ate plenty but have been really careful about counting points all week. Lost 2 pounds, which is a good start. I gained 10 pounds last year, after having lost nearly 30 the year before. Up and down, isn't that the way. So now I'm dedicated to losing weight this winter. I know it's not really hard to lose weight--knowing how to do it isn't the challenge. It's changing your behavior that's the trick.
I had a great time listening to Jenica's webinar during the day. People kept interrupting me and I wanted to say "Shhhh--can't you hear: it's JENICA!" She did a great job and it was a good webinar.
Book group is Sunday. I'm not getting any books ready because Martha says she's got one for us to read. I usually spend time poking around, looking for books on the Friday before book group. Rats--what will I do instead?
I just finished listening to Richard Russo's latest work, which is a memoir. It's nicely done but is pretty much depressing because it's about growing up and dealing with his mother's mental illnesses, as well as his helping her when he grew up & had his own family. I'd recommend it to my mother, who loves Russo, but I don't think she'd like it much. Barb and Steve might enjoy it, but should know in advance that it's not a Gloversville story the way his others are. He does go into some detail about writing his books, which is nice.
Now I'm moving on to Barbara Kingsolver's latest, which is long so will take me a long time to listen to. I just picked up CBC on the radio this morning, between books, so will have to choose: literature or interesting Canadian news and music?
Dogs are doing well. They like our mornings together and are pretty tired when evening comes. They're full of energy when I get home but crash pretty early, which is a blessing. I mostly just watch TV these nights. Watched some of Lance Armstrong last night. I'm such a sucker, I thought he was likable. A cheater and liar, but likable anyway.
It's almost DOG SHOW TIME
American Kennel Club Invites Two New Breeds to the Litter
Getty Images
A Chinook dog sled team
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is the smallest of three sizes of the Portuguese Podengo breed. The dogs have either smooth or wire-haired coats, upright ears and an independent streak. Though new to the AKC, the Podengo breed has a history that goes back to their arrival on the Iberian Peninsula with the Phoenicians from Asia Minor, more than 2,000 years ago. Podengo Pequenos traveled with Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Magellan and others, eating shipboard rodents to protect food and sailors from vermin-borne disease.
The Lagotto Romagnolo and Berger Picard also joined the AKC this year, both as part of the Miscellaneous Class. The AKC requires a certain number of dogs geographically distributed throughout the U.S. and an established breed club of responsible owners and breeders for a breed to become AKC-recognized. After these new additions, the AKC boasts 177 breeds.
Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/01/12/american-kennel-club-invites-two-new-breeds-to-the-litter/#ixzz2IL2LupZv
Monday, January 14, 2013
A true thaw--when the snow melts at the bases of trees
If you didn't know it was January you'd think it was spring in Hawkeye. Usually this doesn't happen until the sap thaws and warms the tree, but this was on a south-facing slope. The sap must be frozen by now, and I hope it wasn't fooled by the warm breeze and high temps into thinking it was spring. It was just a really nice thaw with warm breezes. Now it's back to reality, temps in single digits later this week. At least I got my roof cleared off--huge icicles fell (ka-thump!), startling the dogs and making me laugh.
Barn Swallow with 2 dogs
This is my friends' house, which was built on the site of a camp building named Barn Swallow. All the buildings at the boys/girls camps were named after birds. I think even my mother now identifies buildings she's never seen by their bird names. Well, all buildings in the North Country should have names. My house is named Woods Run but I rarely call it that.
Rattle Brook aka Coca-Cola Creek
This is the brook that's my boundary, down below my land, near the Holts'. Brooks are pretty in the snow.
OHR below my house during the thaw
Yesterday it was slushy and messy, today it was muddy & messier. Very slippery going out to the hardtop this morning, made me a little nervous about getting stuck.
One of my favorite views--Whiteface from Union Falls
I almost always stop on my way to Route 3 through Alder Book to take this picture. It's from the dam at Union Falls, always a pretty site.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
January thaw
Well, it's supposed to be happening, anyway. Warm temps have been predicted for this week but it was 11 at my house yesterday morning. Warmer today, 20's, but not much melting going on. Except INSIDE my house, where there's a leak in the kitchen. I don't know if the water is coming down the outside of the house or inside the wall. I like to think it's coming in from outside. I have 2 dripping leaks above the kitchen sink. Ugh. I always have leaks in the living room--there's one spot on the roof that gets really iced over and when we have our thaw, or when the sun shines it leaks onto the couch. Every year. I think it might be time for me to address some of these house issues--like, it's past saying "Oh, that's just the way it is." I need insulation under the house in the worst way. Can't do it now, there's too much snow. The floor is cold, and that's where the thermostats for the electric heaters are, so I just throw money at the electric company every year. A new stove--there's another thing I need. Money--another thing I need.
It was a pretty quiet weekend last weekend. I saw 2 people on Saturday, my plowman's substitute and the dump man. I got my car stuck in the snow near the house but fortunately the plowman came by to clean up the driveway, and he could push it out easily. So much for a clean record this winter, but so far that's the only time I've been stuck. I always used to get stuck 3 times a year. Sounds as if I did it deliberately, but that's not really true. Or so I like to think.
Tess disappeared for hours on Sunday, skiing and walking with bog people. I had 2 calls reporting my lost dog, when I wasn't home, so I was a little concerned, but she came home later in the afternoon, tired but happy. She'd had her social needs satisfied. Treasure worries when Tess does that, the way Chances used to worry. But Treasure differs in that she takes advantage of the time she gets to be the Only Dog, and nuzzles and licks and begs for attention.
The dogs showed up with a whole grouse this morning. It was dead, but I don't know if they killed it or found it already dead. Hard to imagine they could catch it, but who knows. Treasure tried to bring half the chewed-on bird into the house but I got it away from her. Tess refused to come inside until she'd pretty much finished her half. Now the driveway looks like a butcher's shop. Feathers & blood all over. Wish I knew how they got the body.
My friend Lin is having a hard time--her father died in December, and her mother died shortly after. They were not in good shape, and Lin says she feels comforted thinking they're in a better place, and are together. I can't imagine losing both parents like that. We all know how much I adore and enjoy my mother.
I went to Chateaugay this week, spent an hour at the library there. That's where the picture of wind turbines was taken. I really like seeing the wind farms, the turbines are very, very graceful. I went up the back way to Chat., through High Banks and Standish. That's where I figure I'll live if my neighborhood gets too populated. It's crowded this year--there's another person spending most of his winter in one of the camps below my house. I try to find it comforting to have someone near, but mostly I just resent the intrusion into "my world" in the winter.
Lots of snow still, with rain predicted. Or snow in higher elevations. Which is me.
Turns out I was supposed to be in Keene this morning, but I crossed out the note on my calendar because I thought the director there wouldn't be around. WRONG. How embarrassing! She called me an hour after I was supposed to be there to see if she had the wrong date. No, I did. I rescheduled for next week, will go there from home in the morning. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get to Saranac Lake in the morning for a quick training session. I'm doing the training, not getting trained. I'm beyond trainable.
It was a pretty quiet weekend last weekend. I saw 2 people on Saturday, my plowman's substitute and the dump man. I got my car stuck in the snow near the house but fortunately the plowman came by to clean up the driveway, and he could push it out easily. So much for a clean record this winter, but so far that's the only time I've been stuck. I always used to get stuck 3 times a year. Sounds as if I did it deliberately, but that's not really true. Or so I like to think.
Tess disappeared for hours on Sunday, skiing and walking with bog people. I had 2 calls reporting my lost dog, when I wasn't home, so I was a little concerned, but she came home later in the afternoon, tired but happy. She'd had her social needs satisfied. Treasure worries when Tess does that, the way Chances used to worry. But Treasure differs in that she takes advantage of the time she gets to be the Only Dog, and nuzzles and licks and begs for attention.
The dogs showed up with a whole grouse this morning. It was dead, but I don't know if they killed it or found it already dead. Hard to imagine they could catch it, but who knows. Treasure tried to bring half the chewed-on bird into the house but I got it away from her. Tess refused to come inside until she'd pretty much finished her half. Now the driveway looks like a butcher's shop. Feathers & blood all over. Wish I knew how they got the body.
My friend Lin is having a hard time--her father died in December, and her mother died shortly after. They were not in good shape, and Lin says she feels comforted thinking they're in a better place, and are together. I can't imagine losing both parents like that. We all know how much I adore and enjoy my mother.
I went to Chateaugay this week, spent an hour at the library there. That's where the picture of wind turbines was taken. I really like seeing the wind farms, the turbines are very, very graceful. I went up the back way to Chat., through High Banks and Standish. That's where I figure I'll live if my neighborhood gets too populated. It's crowded this year--there's another person spending most of his winter in one of the camps below my house. I try to find it comforting to have someone near, but mostly I just resent the intrusion into "my world" in the winter.
Lots of snow still, with rain predicted. Or snow in higher elevations. Which is me.
Turns out I was supposed to be in Keene this morning, but I crossed out the note on my calendar because I thought the director there wouldn't be around. WRONG. How embarrassing! She called me an hour after I was supposed to be there to see if she had the wrong date. No, I did. I rescheduled for next week, will go there from home in the morning. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get to Saranac Lake in the morning for a quick training session. I'm doing the training, not getting trained. I'm beyond trainable.
Plenty of snow at 58 OHR
That's a garbage can in the lower right corner, filled with birdseed. I have to bend over to get the seed. This morning I noticed that the birdfeeder is getting lower. or no, the snow is getting deeper.
You have snow on your nose and you look stoopid
We got more snow over the weekend, which makes at least 2 1/2 feet on the ground. Doesn't even really slow them down.
She looks like a puppy, not a 9 year old
Not a very good picture--I'm having problems with my camera. But you get the idea--she's cute as cute can be. Tired after all the socializing and skiing she did.
Let them lie
She looks more like a dead dog than a sleeping one...
My father had a great time training the dogs we growing up. He trained his favorite dog to roll over clockwise, counterclockwise, shake hands, sneeze when he wanted to go out, and (instead of "lie down") be a DEAAAAAAD DOG.
I think he would have trained us to do similar tricks, if my mother would have allowed it.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Turbines on wind farm--they look like synchronized swimmers
I always feel guilty when I think that these turbines are pretty--they really are magnificent, but how would I feel if they were central to my vista? I like to think I'd appreciate them (but I doubt it, really).
I went through an amazing wind farm on my way to Plattsburgh from Chateaugay, and when I got out to take pictures the wind was howling.
We're having our January thaw, which is always a nice treat. I'm not sure how much snow will melt, but I'm hoping I'll be able to expose my deck stairs, which are more like a bobsled run than stairs right now, with snow packed on them.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Christmas morning--stockings/baskets. I was the first one up
What I saw when I got up Christmas morning. Mark makes Christmas magic.
Beach walkers in cold wind
That's Anna and Mark. The house in the background was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy and may be torn down.
Angel the horse
This is the coolest Christmas toy. My sister sent it from Italy. It's a battery-operated horse, which trots across the floor to a certain rhythm, then whinnies convincingly. We named the horse Angel and the cowboy Brokeback. It was just too much fun to play with. My mother wanted me to bring it home but I thought it should stay with the ceramic Italian villagers, whose numbers have grown impressively.
Nice one of Anna
That's my girl. She's a sweetheart. Hope she doesn't mind that I posted her picture...
Looking across a barely-frozen lake
The lake froze over while we were in RI--around Christmas Eve, according to one report. It will be a long time before the ice is strong enough to hold even a dog--a blanket of snow keeps it just warm enough to prevent convincing freezing.
Boathouse
I like this picture, which Anna took. Always good to know the building is still standing and waiting for us.
Boathouse porch looking very different from what we're used to
Looks as if the chairs are waiting for a bus.
What it's like at 58 OHR right now
It's amazing how monochromatic it gets in winter--dark green conifers, white snow, black & dark brown trees.
Better picture of a nice looking tree
Here's how my tree ended up. I bought a not-too-tall tree & cut off about a foot to make a nice tabletop tree. I tried to find something on my land but I guess the balsams have been pretty well picked over because I found nothing that was good enough. I'm happy with this one.
I found winter in Hawkeye
It was -13 this morning, which is sure cold enough, but not as cold as it was elsewhere around here: -23 iin lake Placid, -21 in Saranac Lake. I can handle the -13 all right, it's the -20 that gets me nervous. I took the morning off, however, because the temperature in the living room was 44. I stoked the fire, turned up the heat in the kitchen, and finally got it up to 54 before leaving for work. The sun came out, which really makes a big difference because of the big windows in the living room. So I'm confident the house will be warm when I get home tonight at 6 (I have to work until 5). Not supposed to be as cold again in the predictable future. Whew. Dodged that bullet (no frozen pipes). I fed the birds this morning, following the beaten-down path the dogs and I have made to the feeder--they make a path to chase squirrels, I follow their path to feed the birds. The dogs can't put all 4 paws on the ground at the same time when it's this cold, so they stopped in the middle of the path at -12, lifting different paws at different times. MOVE IT!!! I said, but they both claimed they couldn't move. GET IN THE HOUSE I suggested, bumping them in the butts. They finally hobbled to the front door, slowly, ever so slowly. Honestly, sometimes I wonder what their brains are made of.
I got home from RI on Friday (12/28) with Anna. We had a nice Christmas, all went well. Mark & Liza gave me a remote car starter, which is oh-so-handy these days. It's set to keep the car running for 15 minutes, which I discovered isn't quite long enough for defrosting or warming the car, but it sure beats nothing. So I'm playing with the starter any chance I get.
RI was nice, much warmer than Hawkeye, whre temps got down to single digits while I was gone. It rained in RI as it snowed in Hawkeye--we now have at least 24" of snow (more, if you talk to different people). It's cold enough to keep it fluffy, which makes a big difference. My driveway has been plowed 3 times so far. Ca-ching. I don't even know how much it costs for him to plow, I just pay the bill at the end of the season.
We had lobsters Christmas Eve, as is MY tradition. Roast beef on Christmas, as is our tradition. Mark decided we should cook the beef at low temps for hours, which we tried. Unsuccessfully. It was raw, barely warm in the center, so we put it back in the oven & raised the temp. Made the beef a bit tough but it was good. Anna the Vegetarian didn't complain or fuss, just ate her veggie burgers and burrito. She's a peach. I really had a fantastic time with her.
My 2 trips to Montreal (one to pick up Anna, one to drop her off at the airport) were fine, though the roads were messy for both. I can handle bad roads, have driven in far worse than those trips were. I did miss the turn for the right bridge coming home Sat. night, though, which meant I went into the city and took a different bridge home. Oh well, not a problem. I just felt stoopid.
We had a nice beach walk in RI and the dogs loved it. They ran full bore until they got tired, then Tess assumed her usual Official Greeter role and ran to the few other beach walkers who were there. Treasure did get her feet wet but didn't do it on purpose--she was just chasing Tess (who is NOT afraid of the water).
I spent New Year's Eve with friends, having a nice dinner and good visit with them, their son & daughter-in-law and 5-month-old very vocal granddaughter. The son has a dog from the same breeder I use, that looks just like Treasure but is better behaved, I think. I only stayed there until 9, then went home & was in bed by 9:30. Seems pretty typical of my friends and family. Well, except for my sister, who stayed up for the fireworks that are part of Italy's celebration.
This weekend I have some paperwork to take care of, a dump run to make, and mittens to knit for my mother. It's not going to be as cold (I'm SURE of that) so I can do some outdoor stuff. I should walk the dogs--Anna walked to camp from my house through thing-deep drifts, a most admirable undertaking. She liked seeing the white snow (as opposed to the brown snow she saw when living in Milwaukee). Though I find snow to be really inconvenient, it was beautiful. Guess it still is.
I got home from RI on Friday (12/28) with Anna. We had a nice Christmas, all went well. Mark & Liza gave me a remote car starter, which is oh-so-handy these days. It's set to keep the car running for 15 minutes, which I discovered isn't quite long enough for defrosting or warming the car, but it sure beats nothing. So I'm playing with the starter any chance I get.
RI was nice, much warmer than Hawkeye, whre temps got down to single digits while I was gone. It rained in RI as it snowed in Hawkeye--we now have at least 24" of snow (more, if you talk to different people). It's cold enough to keep it fluffy, which makes a big difference. My driveway has been plowed 3 times so far. Ca-ching. I don't even know how much it costs for him to plow, I just pay the bill at the end of the season.
We had lobsters Christmas Eve, as is MY tradition. Roast beef on Christmas, as is our tradition. Mark decided we should cook the beef at low temps for hours, which we tried. Unsuccessfully. It was raw, barely warm in the center, so we put it back in the oven & raised the temp. Made the beef a bit tough but it was good. Anna the Vegetarian didn't complain or fuss, just ate her veggie burgers and burrito. She's a peach. I really had a fantastic time with her.
My 2 trips to Montreal (one to pick up Anna, one to drop her off at the airport) were fine, though the roads were messy for both. I can handle bad roads, have driven in far worse than those trips were. I did miss the turn for the right bridge coming home Sat. night, though, which meant I went into the city and took a different bridge home. Oh well, not a problem. I just felt stoopid.
We had a nice beach walk in RI and the dogs loved it. They ran full bore until they got tired, then Tess assumed her usual Official Greeter role and ran to the few other beach walkers who were there. Treasure did get her feet wet but didn't do it on purpose--she was just chasing Tess (who is NOT afraid of the water).
I spent New Year's Eve with friends, having a nice dinner and good visit with them, their son & daughter-in-law and 5-month-old very vocal granddaughter. The son has a dog from the same breeder I use, that looks just like Treasure but is better behaved, I think. I only stayed there until 9, then went home & was in bed by 9:30. Seems pretty typical of my friends and family. Well, except for my sister, who stayed up for the fireworks that are part of Italy's celebration.
This weekend I have some paperwork to take care of, a dump run to make, and mittens to knit for my mother. It's not going to be as cold (I'm SURE of that) so I can do some outdoor stuff. I should walk the dogs--Anna walked to camp from my house through thing-deep drifts, a most admirable undertaking. She liked seeing the white snow (as opposed to the brown snow she saw when living in Milwaukee). Though I find snow to be really inconvenient, it was beautiful. Guess it still is.
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