Spring NOT

Although it was -6 yesterday morning, today it was +3.  Yeah, that's spring all right.  We do have bright warm sunshine with a sun that's remarkably higher in the sky, yeah that's spring for real.  There is just a whole lot of snow here.  Life is good anyway but I got a report from Michigan that crocuses are blooming there, and in RI the daffodils were up and snowdrops were blooming.  Hard to imagine that happening here but then I do have a good imagination...

I've been getting to the gym but with mixed results.  This morning we did an honest 30 minutes, other days we've stopped at 15 minutes for various reasons.  My friend will be out of town tomorrow morning so I'll need to decide whether to go alone or bag it.  Gee, I wonder which I'll do.  Oh I may surprise myself (but I doubt it).

I worked this morning in Keene Valley, that was good.  Lots of scanning old photos with a smattering of being charming to board members and patrons.  My colleague and I have a good time, a very good time together and it's always a treat to see her smile.  She has a great sense of humor (which matches mine nicely).  I've registered for a workshop on metadata in early April to see if I'm entering the metadata I'm entering correctly or not.  Since I've only entered data for 200 images it's a good time to look into this.  The other, really important thing I need to do is write instructions and descriptions for what I'm doing.  When I started there was no one who knew how to scan or what the scanning project was (the previous archivist died suddenly last summer).  Now, swell, there is someone who knows how to do it but once again there is only ONE person with the knowledge.   I'm not irreplaceable, I've proven that, but I do believe in manuals and handbooks.

I hosted book group (The tea girl of Hummingbird Lane)(at least I think that was the title) on Sunday.  We had a good time, one of us had ordered a cake of tea to go with our discussion, I cooked shrimp and broccoli that was supposed to be Chinese-ish (but wasn't, ultimately) and we had a good time.  Lots of food and good conversation (some of it about the book, even).  Next up is a Brunonia Barry book, title of which I can't remember.

I'm not going to RI for Easter this year.  The first time in modern history I won't be spending the holiday weekend with my mother.  or anyone.  How will that be? 

Snow but a winning team

I was in Rhode Island for my mother's birthday last week--she turned 92 on 3/13, and we had a really lovely time together.  We always enjoy being together and I don't know what was so special about this visit but it was just extremely pleasant.  There was BARE GROUND when I got there and stayed that way for the next 3 days.  Day number 4, however, my mother's actual birthday brought a snow storm and power outage.  I was glad to be there when the power went out, that is one of my mother's greatest fears, lack of power.  She has no heat or water without electricity so I sure do understand her fear.  Anyway the power was out for most of the day but came back on in late afternoon so Mark and I could cook her birthday dinner and celebrate.  It was a nice time. 

Before the storm Mark and I took the dogs to the beach and had a really nice walk.  Bear romped in the water and tried (several times) to drink it.  No, Bear, it's salt water everywhere, no matter how far down the beach you go.

My trip coming home was uneventful until I got to Wilmington when the roads turned suspiciously crappy.  There had been a storm here too and we ended up with more than 23" of snow.  What a struggle getting up my stairs and into the house.  Road and driveway had been plowed so that was no problem.  I hate shoveling snow but did shovel a path to the steps and most of the steps.  It snowed some more that night and the next day.  Yesterday and today were beautiful sunny days--warm sun high in the sky but the temperature this morning was -4 and the high was 16.  Not a nice day, really but not the cold winds of previous days.  Another cold night tonight but not sub-zero.

We're trying to get back into our gym routine, both of us had scheduling issues last week but went this morning and are meeting tomorrow morning at 6:30.  I need to get back to regular treadmilling.

I watched the Syracuse basketball game this afternoon--I've enjoyed watching college basketball's March Madness for a long time.  I have 2 good friends who are avid (rabid) SU fans so I'm interested in the games.  What a great game today's game was!   Wow, a real nail-biter but Syracuse won by 3 so all is well.  On they go to the Sweet Sixteen.

I'm back!

Not sure why I haven't been here.  I've been busy but is that an excuse?  Not really.

There have been many visitors to Hawkeye, that's been nice rather un-winterlike.  Some friends with a camp here came up from Albany and we went out for dinner and had a good visit.  Other friends from Scarsdale were here at their house/camp and had other friends and me come for dinner.  The Holts were here and had friends and me come for dinner.  Joe was here for The Burn (we went out for lunch but skipped dinner).  It has been a busy time.  Nice.

I'm still going to the gym most mornings followed by coffee at Stewarts.  Yes, we're regulars there and see other regulars regularly.  It's a regular thing.

I'm still working in Keene Valley at the Archives.  Scanning photos and entering metadata about the images.  The other woman who works in the Archives makes me laugh, and I make her laugh and we have a good time working together.  The work sometimes gets a little monotonous but it's only 3 hours twice a week and I am very enthusiastic about the project and about the Archives in general so all is good.

I haven't spent much time at the thrift store, other things have been taking my time.  Doctor's appointment (I'm healthy), trip to Burlington to buy a new car (2018 Subaru Crosstrek), trips to Plattsburgh to get the car inspected and registered and next a trip to RI for my mother's 92nd birthday.  I leave tomorrow morning, return on Wednesday.

We've been hit by both nor'easters but nothing overly dramatic.  We got snow last weekend and more snow last night and all day today.  It's hard to believe we had bare ground recently, there's at least a foot of snow on the ground now and it's still snowing.  No power issues here but my poor mother lost power for more than 2 days--which is a long time for someone her age with electric heat.  My sump pump is running often so I know winter is moving along and the ground is thawing.

Dogs are fine, they think the new car is hard to jump into but don't really seem to care much about it otherwise.  I like it a lot but it doesn't have snow tires and that makes me nervous so I drive slowly.  It had a "break-in period" of the first 1000 miles.  I knocked that off, no problem.  It doesn't have a CD player and I've almost figured out how to load music from my phone.  I have a lot of CDs so getting this set would be way cool.  I've got music loaded to my computer.  I've almost got the music loaded to my phone.  What comes next?  Hello YouTube...

Birthday Eve for my sister

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday.  How did we get to be so old????  She'll be 67, entering the time of year when she's 2 years ahead of me.  This morning my friend asked me how old my brother would be if he were still alive.  Wow I had to stop and count on my fingers.  He was born in 1949 so wouldn't he just be pushing 70!  He was 54 when he died.  And we miss him every single day, as my mother and I agreed on the phone this morning.  We had a long, long conversation, very nice and interesting. 

We went to the gym most days this week, missed a couple but mostly we were there at 6:30 or 7.  Tomorrow is a late day, we're meeting at 7:30.  Tomorrow is also The Burn--all summer neighbors and friends take brush and wood scraps to the site and in February Joe flies up from his winter home in Georgia and lights the fire.  Last year they burned a boat, this year I don't think there's anything as dramatic.  I have plenty of brush to contribute but no way to get it up there.

Sunday my gym friend and I are meeting other friends in Plattsburgh to walk before having breakfast together.  Monday I have a hair appointment and lunch in Plattsburgh then dinner with friends.  So many of my socializations are food-centered!  Better than alcohol that's for sure but not so easy for me to control how and what I eat.  I'm trying to take control of my food intake, I only eat for 6-hour periods during the day (that made my doctor smile/almost laugh--his advice was "Get back on Weight Watchers," which is sound advice for sure).  Mostly it just means I eat less.  It's a slow process, losing weight at 65.

What the...?

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted anything.  Oops.  It's true I had a busy week last week but not THAT busy.  Keene Valley two mornings, did more work on data entry for posting to the website.  I was there again this morning but had too many problems to get much done.  Rats.

I cooked dinner for friends one night, that was fine and the house was clean (enough).  Lots of visits with the neighbors, lots of gym time followed by coffee at Stewarts.

The weather has been variable.  It's been zero, it's been 50.  Right now we're having heavy fog because it's 52 and the snow is far from gone.  Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow.  That would be good except all that's happening in my driveway is that more and more ice is being exposed.  Man it's slippery.

I went to Potsdam on the weekend, visited my niece and celebrated her daughter's 4th birthday at a party.  What a wonderful person the little darling is.  She's very polite and considerate, listens to what adults say to her (more important than listening, she HEARS and takes it all in).  She was thrilled to have lit candles on her cupcakes and cake, what joy I saw.  It was a nice evening.

But wait, there's more: yesterday I went to Burlington and bought a new car.  It's a Crosstrek (Subaru), which is just a fancified Impreza.  I traded in my 2014 Impreza (on a bad deal)(but what the heck) and got a good deal on the new car.  Am I thrilled?  No, not thrilled but happy with the new car.  It's familiar enough for me to be very comfortable driving it but different enough for me to be pleased with the purchase.  It's an elevated Impreza so is nothing fancy.  The dogs haven't been in it yet, I have some covering of upholstery to do before that happens much.  I miss the snow tires my Impreza had but will wait until fall to buy those for this car.

Tomorrow is Wednesday.  I'm meeting my friend at the gym at 7 but have no plans beyond that (and the coffee that follows).  Will I get to the thrift store?  Anybody's guess.

More Snow?

There's usually a time in winter where it snows every day, just an inch or two (or three).  Apparently that time is now.  We got 3 inches last night, nice fluffy stuff, and it's snowing again.  How much will we get?  Who knows, 6 inches?   7 inches?   4 inches?  My mother always asks me how much snow we have on the ground.  It's impossible to tell but there's at least a foot and probably closer to a foot & a half or something.  Does it matter?

I've been busy, not extra-busy but keeping busy.  This morning I went to the gym then to coffee, then to the thrift store for a couple of hours, then had lunch at the diner in Upper Jay with friends.  Then I came home, lay down and dozed.  Whew that was a lot.  My horoscope said something about being charming.  I was charming.

So now it's night time and I was watching the Olympics, men's single luge but the locals weren't doing too well.  I like watching the downhill skiing, not much else.  I know everyone loves the figure skating but that just doesn't do much for me.  Well call me a bitch.

Tomorrow I have to clean clean clean and cook.  I'm having friends come for dinner (I resist the urge to say "I'm having friends for dinner" because, well really, just because).  The dinner is no big deal but the cleaning is daunting.  Always.  I never clean the whole house, just the places people will see (and even those only get a cursory treatment).  Vacuuming is almost my least-favorite thing.  Topped by cleaning the bathroom.

The dogs are doing well.  They were alone in the house for a long time today but did nothing wrong.  They nag and nag at me when I come home, first for food then for ATTENTION.  They are very dear and are both good dogs.  Although somebody threw up on the bed the other night (it wasn't me) and of course Bear has a tendency to eat whatever he finds appealing.

Not too much going on this week, a doctor's appointment and lunch with a friend.  Of course there will be gymming and coffee at Stewart's, plus the Archives (I got a raise!) but I guess I'll have to skip the thrift store on Weds. because that's the doctor time.

Snow, lots of it

The predictors couldn't decide how much snow we would get today and into tonight.  I think they finally settled on 8-14 inches.   I love these spreads--like, do we get to choose something between 8 and 14?   I choose 8 1/2.  No, wait, that's about what we have right now and it's still snowing. 

It's a powdery snow, not bad for moving around but I'll do no moving of it until tomorrow morning.  or maybe afternoon.  but not tonight.  My plow man just came so I can get out.  They've been plowing OHR off and on for much of the day.  I don't need to go anywhere until tomorrow morning, it's a Keene Valley day tomorrow.  Today was supposed to be a thrift store day but that didn't work out (to my embarrassment, because I haven't been there for 2 weeks).  I went to Plattsburgh early to have blood drawn but there was a 1-hour wait because of a computer problem so I went for groceries (NOT to Hannaford...).  That was fine but I ran into Mr. Smith and he wanted to have coffee.  We had an extra-nice visit but that put me way behind.  I finished shopping and went back to the blood place.  No problem there but it took a little too long, long enough for Bear to eat: 2 chunks of cheese, 1 bag of frozen broccoli and some deli turkey.  Thankfully he didn't find the chicken and grapes (more likely he ran out of time).  He stared at me all the way home--why?  Because I interrupted him?  Because he knew he was a BAD dog (not)?  Anyway so far no ill effects of his marauding.  I have a cover I can put back in the car to cover what's in the back, I just don't like to have the bar there but it's either that or never take Bear grocery shopping again.

I went to see the neighbors today, it's Jim's 83rd birthday.  We had a nice visit and they are just fine.  We'll celebrate his birthday on Friday over lunch in Plattsburgh.

Now I'm home, in for the night.  It's very pretty outside and has warmed up to 17 (from 2 this morning, no wonder I was cold).  The birds need to be fed but will have to wait.  The dogs wanted to see the plow man but I wouldn't let them get plowed.

Tomorrow is a scanning day in Keene Valley.  We've scanned 514 images so far and it's time for me to figure out how to get them to the network in Canton so they can be posted on the NY State website.  I'll contact the people at the network for instructions and hope all images are in the right format and with the right amount of description.  Perhaps I could have done that BEFORE there were 514 images to deal with but noooooo, that's not my style.

Of COURSE it's cold: it's February

It was nice early this morning, temps in the 20's, almost 30 but now it's 11 and not nice.  It was a beautiful day if you looked out the window, not so nice to be out in it.  There's a very cold and "brisk" wind.  Even Dump Bob commented on it.  So did the man at Stewart's.  And the woman who sold me coffee this morning.  I guess we're all in agreement, then: it's cold and it's winter.

I've just been doing my usual things, working in Keene Valley (we've scanned more than 500 images), it's time for me to figure out how to dump the scanned images on a drive and ship them out to be posted.  I've skipped the thrift store 3 times, that's not good.  One day I just didn't feel like going and then it felt like a holiday not to go, another time I had to take the car to be fixed from being fixed and on Saturday I had coffee with a friend instead.  Wednesday I will return and decorate the Holiday Loft for Easter.

I've been to the gym almost every day with my friend though we did skip a couple of days last week because of her schedule (heaven forbid I go without Carol!).  This morning I was up before 5, which is way too early to meet her at 6:15.  My poor car was bumped hard by a deer who ran alongside of me just outside of Black Brook in the dark this morning.  Luckily I wasn't going fast, the roads are pretty slick these days.  Neither deer nor car was injured.  I think.

I had lunch with a good friend (do I have any friends who AREN'T good ones?  I don't think so) in Plattsburgh today, she retired last week so we could spend as much time together as we could stand.  She's only 55 but has 5 grandchildren.  Yikes.

Got some errands taken care of but didn't leave enough time before lunch for groceries and sure didn't feel like doing that after lunch.  Hit the dump, liquor store, gas station, bank and drug store, oh, yeah, got eggs at the Farmhouse too.  Most of those errands weren't for me (like, do I buy chewing tobacco and cheap whiskey for MYSELF?  I think not).  I can't believe I used to go to Plattsburgh often, now it seems far far away.  I'll go again on Friday though to celebrate Jim B.'s 83rd birthday at the lobster restaurant.

We had some snow last night, probably 4 inches and I guess we're getting more in a couple of days.  SO much that they can't even predict how much it will be.  And a cold night tonight.  Yes, that is winter isn't it.  My summer friends all tell me this is God's country, which of course it is for most of the year.  January and February not so much.

I'm feeding the birds but have a limited selection of visitors this year.  Many many blue jays, some chickadees and some juncos.  Where are the woodpeckers?  I put out suet but only the blue jays are enjoying it.  And hogging it.  There are a lot of grouse around in the woods, and turkeys along the road but that's about it for birds.

Life continues to entertain and please me.  I'm lucky.

Oh dear, too long

What happened?   Well I am busy but shouldn't be too busy to write a few words now and then.  Anyway I'm back.  It's a cold, miserably cold day.  Temp is 1 but there's a huge wind so we're having wind chills (if you believe in them) in the teens below zero.  And due to drop to sub-zero temps tonight.  My house is warm, my fire is hot and I'm just fine.

I went to the laundromat this morning, washed bedding that was covered with dog hair.  It will be hairless for about 2 hours until tonight.  Treasure is shedding, Bear holding on to his hair.  I've been cutting Bear's nails but have to do it one at a time and quickly.  I don't know the story of his past, I don't know if someone tortured him by cutting his nails, but he sure acts like a big big baby when I cut a nail.  And they need to be cut.  He gets a treat for every nail I cut--to this Treasure says she has to have ALL of her nails cut to earn a treat so what's up with this? 

I had a car-centered week.  Took my car to the Platts. Sube dealer on Monday for oil change, tire rotation and to have the broken rear wiper fixed.   All went well until I drove the car on Tuesday when the lug nuts on one wheel were loose.  Man what a horrible noise and what a terrifying thing!   I was very very upset.  Stopped at Fred Drake's in AuSable and he was a real peach and helped me right out.  Yes, he said, that front wheel is very very loose, shaking his head.  Today I took him some brownies because he wouldn't let me pay him on Tuesday.  He said to call any time for anything and he'd help.  HOW WONDERFUL!!!   Weds. I went back to the dealer (after telling them I would never never go back--they wooed me with promises of checking all wheels).  They really couldn't find a reason for the loose lug nuts except for dealer error so they fixed my rear wiper for free (worth nearly $400 and interpreted by me as an admission of guilt).  OK, I did all right but it sure was a lucky thing that wheel didn't fall off.  I had ambivalent feelings about that dealer anyway, I usually go to the Burlington dealer (where I bought the car).  So I guess I'll keep doing that.

Aside from that I've had a quiet time.  Thrift store, Archives, gym.  All good.  No gym today or tomorrow, my friend has conflicts.  Heaven forbid I go by myself, that wouldn't be fair to her!  Tomorrow I'm going to Keene for coffee with my friend who still works at the library system.  We see each other pretty much every week but don't talk about her work much, I think maybe she knows I'm not really that interested in what's happening where I no longer work.

We had an actual patron at the Archives this week.  Not my favorite part of the job but the woman who works with me is a gem and she helped.  It was a request for an image we had already scanned so I found it and printed out a good (surprisingly good) copy for the patron, who left with a smile on her face.  Margaret (my "assistant") found additional information for her and boy did we look good!

It snows often, typical for winter but only a couple of inches at a time.  It's just miserable cold today mostly due to the wind.  Temp is 0 and dropping, will be well below zero tonight.  I feel lucky to have a warm living room with a good stove and plenty of firewood.  I have the best ever kindling, a friend's cousin is a woodworker and gives us kiln-dried pieces of kindling that lights like magic.

Will I watch the Super Bowl?  Probably.  I don't care what people say, I LIKE Tom Brady.  I do not like the violence of football but enjoy watching it anyway.

Cold again

So much for my efforts at keeping this blog current.  Time gets away from me--I've been going to the gym in the early mornings, to the thrift store on Weds. and Sat. mornings and to the Archives on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  Yikes that's 4 days a week I've committed myself to something.  It's only mornings, though, and it does feel good to be doing something (and even getting paid for some of it).

It's 7 right now and due to drop below zero tonight.  Today was sunny and in the teens with a very cold and strong wind.  Not very pleasant.  I walked with the dogs to the Holts' house to check on a furnace issue.  That was nice but chilly.  When I went back to see if my "fix" worked I drove even though it felt sort of silly. 

I went to the movies on the weekend and on Monday.  I have 2 friends who are movie buddies, we see films together in the winter.  On Sunday we saw The Post, which was excellent but amazingly moving for me.  Reminders of those times affect me pretty strongly.  It was very very good.  On Monday we saw Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, which is also excellent but in very different ways.  It's a disturbing film but boy the acting is wonderful.  I don't like violence on the big screen so there were some scenes I didn't like but mostly I just thought it was really good.

Whew!  2 films in 2 days, that really threw me off.  I thought Monday was Sunday and that threw me off for the whole week.  Now I'm ready to have tomorrow be Thursday.  I'm meeting my friend at the gym at 6:45 (we'll go to Stewarts for coffee afterward, we are officially regulars there now).  After that it's off to the Archives, where we'll scan old photographs.  That's an entertaining undertaking, we laugh a lot and puzzle over the significance of portraits of individuals who are just named with no descriptors or dates.  "It must be important, it's in the Archives" is our joke.

The dogs are just fine but I'm irritated with Bear because I fed the birds today and he will NOT stop eating the seed that fell on the ground.  Big PIG.  They ate a lot of frozen rotten apples today and I wondered if there would be any effects, like maybe drunkenness but no, they're stone cold sober.  I had a dog who ate something that had fermented once and she got very drunk.  I didn't realize that's what it was--she wagged her tail and staggered around a bit, then fell into a deep and snoring sleep.  I asked the vet about it later and he diagnosed it easily: she was drunk. 

So we're heading back into the cold weather after a lot of rain yesterday.  There wasn't as much ice as I expected so that was a relief.  We still have plenty of snow--I always say "there must be at least a foot" but I never measure it.  I just know there's a lot on the ground and big piles where it's been plowed.  And it's winter.

I

WARM and plenty of it

Temps in the 20's these days and boy does that feel good!  We've been having a little snow every day, a couple of inches but that's pretty standard for winter.

I've had a good week, did my stints at the thrift store and Archives.  Hit the gym every day (!) and we're extending our treadmill times slowly.  We're hoping to make February a productive month both in exercise and weight loss.

Tonight I'm going to a dinner honoring the thrift store volunteers.  Am I a thrift store volunteer?   I guess I qualify but it doesn't seem that way.  I was invited (twice) so they think of me as a helper I guess.  I started in October and have missed a few weeks but mostly do show up on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  The people who are always there are remarkable and reliable.  I don't feel that I'm reliable but they do count on me a bit.

My work at the Archives continues to be fun (fun?) and rewarding.  There's a group who are enthusiastically establishing a Town of Keene Historical Society and I've been marginally involved with that.  I'm not enthusiastic or in the Town of Keene so am a peripheral figure but am there because I'm the Archivist.  It's a nice and interesting group but I can't seem to muster the enthusiasm they have.  Oh well.  Not my town, not my people.

This weekend I'll work in the Easter Loft at the thrift store then maybe get to the dump.  Sunday is a Movie Day, plans are to go with R & L to see The Post.  All of a sudden there are films worth seeing in Plattsburgh, that happens once in a while.

Life continues to be full of good friends and nice times.

COLD and plenty of it!

Boy this is getting tiresome.  Temp this morning was -15, right now it's up to 5.  At least the sun was out and warm today and there wasn't any wind.  My house would NOT warm up until I figured out that I'd shut the heat off in the kitchen when it got too warm and had turned down the heat in the living room then as well.  Duh.   I knew when I did that that I would forget to readjust the heat.  Sometimes I wonder how I find my way home.

Anyway it's been a good couple of days.  I cleaned my downstairs (well most of it anyway) and cooked for book group last night.  We had a good visit with each other and a nice discussion about reincarnation and afterlife.  Interesting what people believe, isn't it?

Today I went to the gym, that was fine and we've decided to extend our treadmilling time and REALLY extend it in February.  Can't argue with that.  I had coffee with another friend in Keene later in the morning and that was fine but I got chilled.  I came home, did last night's dishes and took down my Christmas tree.  So proud of myself!  Now I just have to take the boxes of Christmas stuff upstairs and put them away.  OK, that's for another day.  Why rush everything?  It was a good tree this year but it was looking pretty bad.  My book group friend liked seeing it and looked at all my ornaments so it was good to keep it up.

Tomorrow we're hitting the gym at 6:30 in the morning.  Today I got up at 5:30, tomorrow I'll be up at 5.  After gym and coffee I'll head to Keene Valley to edit and crop the images we scanned last week.  Much work to be done with them.  I usually work only 3 hours but was thinking maybe I'd stay longer tomorrow (bet that doesn't happen).  Wednesday is the thrift store (I have 2 boxes of donations from friends--I'm getting more and more popular as people declutter and divest).

It's supposed to warm up a bit and snow tomorrow and Wednesday.  That's OK, now that I've got my heaters turned on.  I amaze myself sometimes with my ability to forget things.

SNOW!!! and lots of it

We had rain and 50 degrees yesterday, got rid of a lot of snow but today we're correcting that.  It's snowing hard, about 7 inches so far with 6-12" predicted.  I'm voting for the 12 (not because I want it but because it seems likely).

I just did an extremely stupid thing and cleared off my car (no small task--coated in ice covered with snow) and drove to the neighbors' to see if the newspaper had been delivered (it had not).  Driveway not plowed.  Roads not plowed.  Visibility limited.  I'm a doofus.  I drove until there was a place to turn around (a mile) then came home, shrugged my shoulders and marveled at my stupidity.  I just like to know if I can get out.  Well yes I can but WHY would I want to?   I should be volunteering at the thrift store this morning but no, that's not going to happen.  We didn't go to the gym this morning because no, that would be a complicated trip to town.

Nice lunch in Plattsburgh with friends yesterday, driving in the rain and heavy fog.  A nice change from driving in frozen slush and slick roads.  Stopped at the dump on my way home.  That makes it a productive trip.

Today my tasks are cleaning tasks in prep. of book group hosting tomorrow.  We read The forgetting time, which is a novel about reincarnation.  I really liked it but Marylou hated it.  That usually leads to a good discussion so at least we'll spend some time talking about the book.  I've left my Christmas tree up for M'lou to look at but it sure looks droopy and it's definitely time for it to come down.

I worked in Keene Valley on Thursday--we scanned more than 100 photos, now I have to crop and label them.  That takes longer than I thought it would, I did half of the ones we scanned last week and didn't get that finished.  And I still have grave concerns about how exactly we're going to get these images onto the Internet.  That part is not my job, I just send the files to a library network who will facilitate the posting.  This is what wakes me in the middle of the night, HOW WILL THIS WORK?

Dogs are fine.  Treasure is a hardy soul, not stopped by cold air or snow but Bear is a wuss and doesn't like to stay out long when it's below zero.  What a baby!  I think I'M hardier than her is and I don't have a fur coat.

SUNSHINE

Oh dear I've neglected this blog.  I had intended to be a regular contributor but somehow it just doesn't happen.  Try harder!

It's a gorgeous sunny day with blue blue skies and white white snow.  Temps in the 20's, approaching freezing, really lovely.  I went to the thrift store for the morning then came home to hack away at the packed snow on my steps.  It gets more like a bobsled run if I don't keep up with the shoveling (which I rarely do).  I got the steps cleared but didn't work on the path from the door to the steps, that's a well-packed down walkway about 2" high.  I'll wait to see if the predicted rain makes it easier to clear.  If not, then what?

I've been doing my usual things--working in Keene Valley Tuesday and Thursday.  Yesterday was a long day because there was a meeting at 4 that I was asked to attend.  Man I was tired last night!  Pretty funny.  I left the dogs at home, taking a chance with Bear because he hasn't spent much unchaperoned time in the house.  They were fine but certainly happy to see me.

This morning I went to the thrift store but we couldn't open for 2 hours because of a propane problem.  That meant we sat in the basement of the church drinking coffee and visiting.  I didn't have the nerve to leave so waited until we opened, then worked a bit before leaving at my usual time.  Boy it's amazing how busy that thrift store ALWAYS is.

Tomorrow is a Keene Valley day.  May go to the gym at 6:45, may skip it.  Temps are supposed to be obscenely high and it's supposed to rain Friday just before temps drop and it all freezes.  Donny wasn't able to plow my driveway because of a truck problem so I push it in my car coming and going.  Not good but he guarantees me that he'll have it plowed by tomorrow night even if he has to use his tractor.  That would be good.

Life continues to be good, very good.  I have massive housecleaning chores to get done by Sunday when I host book group.  Uh-oh--can't do it too far in advance because then it will just get dirty so I have to wait until Friday at the earliest.  Yeah, that's right.

Last Beatles song

My favorite New Year's Day activity is to listen to "The Beatles A to Z" on a Vt. radio station.  I missed the first song but stayed until the last at 8 p.m. (it takes at least 8 hours for them to play all the songs--a very impressive catalog of recordings).  What was it?   Your Mother Should Know.  I took care of cleaning tasks, wrote some stuff, balanced bank accounts, did odds and ends of things until I ran out of things to do while listening to the radio.  You can't just sit on the couch and listen to the radio, you have to be DOING something, right?  Anyway I listened to probably 80-85% of the songs with great joy.

I've had a cold for the last few (several?) days.  I don't know where it came from but my doctor friend tells me that a cold virus can live a long time on various surfaces so that must be the ticket for me.  I don't mind colds, this one was not bad either but viruses always settle in my asthmatic lungs and I cough and cough and cough.  And now I'm out of Robitussen.  I'll get some in the morning and hope for a peaceful night.

It was -12 this morning (oh how tiresome, these temperature reports) but got up to 12 by afternoon.  It snowed for most of the day and we ended up with a couple of inches.  We're entering the Snow Zone, when it snows an inch or two or three every day.  There is more than a foot of snow on the ground now.

Friends stopped by yesterday, they were up from Albany for the day and skied on the lake.  They had an auger and drilled a hole in the 14-inch thick ice 10 feet from shore.  Some people say it's thickest next to shore and that's still not thick enough to go out very far.  I have no idea--I'm wary and just follow other people's footprints onto the ice.  It's too cold now anyway, I'm not even tempted to head out there.

It's been a busy time since I got back from RI but things have quieted down.  Today I went to Keene Val. to work in the Archives there.  There's a wonderful patron who comes in with his toddler on Tuesdays who helps me figure out how to get the scanning program to work and today he showed me how to access and edit the images we scanned when I was last there.  Thank goodness for good neighbors!  It was great to get so much done.  I'll be back there Thursday to scan more photos and the routine begins.

Tomorrow I'm heading to the gym at 7:30 then will go to the thrift store in Wilmington to volunteer.  I haven't been there in a while, since before Christmas.  Not sure what they'll need to have me do, the Christmas Loft may need some packing up or maybe there are a lot of donations that need to be stored for next year.  Who knows.  I'm less enthusiastic about working there now that I've made the commitment to work Tues. and Thursday mornings.  Maybe I'll cut back to one day a week.  Who knows.

The dogs don't mind the sub-zeros too much--Treasure wanders easily in the cold but Bear doesn't stay out long before he starts to suffer and play the "I can't put all 4 paws on the ground at once" game.  Funny boy.

Farewell to 2017

I'm home in Hawkeye, the holidays were good and all is well at -6 here.  This morning's early temp was -13.  This weather is almost enough to be depressing but I'm just happy my house is operational and not freezing or having a problem.  I have a cold and am spending the day watching 80's music videos from the couch with my dogs in front of a warm fire.  Nothing seems to help ease the symptoms of this head cold but I feel fortunate that it's only a head cold and not even a very bad one.  Geez I sound goofy, my glass is always half full isn't it.

I went to the neighborhood holiday party last night, that was lovely.  I didn't stay long but did visit with everyone there.  There were probably 35 or so people, people I like and am happy to see.  We are neighbors, after all, and we need to keep each other in mind.

The Holts have been here since Christmas and Annie and I have been to the gym every morning.  You'd think that would have some impact on my weight but apparently I eat enough to keep it in balance.  I don't do resolutions, really, but am hoping to get back to my Weight Watchers routine in January. 

It's sunny and bright outside.  Soon I'll go out for more wood but that's about it.  I'm drinking hot lemon-honey water (blech) because that's what 2 friends told me to do.  Mostly I'm just doing nothing and that feels so good!  I didn't go to the thrift store yesterday and will have another idle day tomorrow I hope, but return to my routines after that.  Work Tuesday and Thursday mornings, thrift store Weds. and Sat. mornings.  A good life.

I think 2018 will bring good things.  A girl can dream.

Holiday time

I guess I've been busy!   My intent was to post to this blog regularly but I see I've neglected to do that.  Must do better.

I am busy, I volunteer at the thrift store 2 mornings a week and I work in the Keene Valley Archives 2 other mornings a week.  That doesn't sound like much but somehow the days get away from me.  No, the weeks get away from me.

Now it's almost Christmas.  I'm leaving in the morning for RI, will be there from Thursday to Thursday.  I'm hoping I've found a house-sitter for that week because it's tradition that my pipes or pump or SOMETHING freezes while I'm away in the winter. 

The lake has frozen over, sometimes that happens before Christmas but not always.  It's been cold although yesterday was LOVELY and rainy.  We lost some snow but have plenty left.  I liked the brief thaw because it gave me a good chance to shovel my steps and a path on the deck.  I'm notorious for neglecting that until there's a thick hard pile of snow in a path from the stairs to the door.  One year I had to slide down the pile of snow to get inside the door.  That made me feel as if maybe regular shoveling would be wise.  And now that I'm retired, do I really have an excuse?  I can't say "I don't like shoveling in the dark" because I have plenty of daylight hours at home.  Geez I do love this life.

I'm still hitting the gym most mornings.  My friend and I have been having a great time doing our treadmill half hour then visiting over coffee at Stewart's.  That will come to an end soon though because she'll have to go back to full-time work.  Rats.  There was a strange man at the gym this morning (!) but we included him in our chatter and found him to be politically sympathetic so that was a relief.  No, we don't like the tax game being played in Washington.

The dogs are doing well but maybe they think they spend too much time in the car.  I usually take them with me wherever I go but Bear starts whining on the way home.  Sometimes I stop at a trail in Wilmington on the way home and let them run but I tire of that walk long before they do so it's not a great success.  Haven't walked the bog in weeks, it's covered with snow now.

Life continues to be wonderful for me.  I'll have a good Christmas with my mother and Mark, then more company arrives on the 26th so it will continue to be festive.  If I can get this man to stay in my house while I'm gone I will really enjoy the trip.  If not I'll worry about my house too much.  But I'm happy either way and feeling very lucky.

What did I say about December?

OK, after much declaring that I like November and December weather because there are no extremes we got 6" of snow last week and temps are supposed to be in single digits this week.  Actually it must have been 5 1/2 inches of snow because my plowman plows at 6" and he didn't plow.  It's surprisingly fluffy snow so getting around is no problem.  Also no problem because no one else got this much snow.  I bundled and booted up to go to Keene yesterday and was surprised to see bare ground when I got there.  Felt way overdressed. 

I've been my normal kind of busy, volunteering at the thrift store and working part-time in Keene Valley.  Yesterday I helped stuff envelopes for the Adk Land Trust.  How did I get roped into that, I wonder.  Someone asked me if I would help and I don't know how to say no.  It was fine, I enjoyed being with the people there and it felt like something worth doing.  And how else would I spend my Friday?

Untangled about 20 strands of Christmas lights at the thrift store this morning, they sold as quickly as I labeled them and put them out.  Quite a bargain for 50 cents.  But really, who gives strands of lights that do NOT light up to a thrift store?  There were only about 6 or 7 of those.

I met a friend for coffee in Keene after thrifting, that was nice and we had a good visit but I was happy to be home (so was Bear, he only whined from around Upper Jay to home.  OK, OK, so you have to pee, zip it and be patient).  Tonight is dinner with Annie, she's here for a few days.

There was ice on the lake this morning, not all the way across but along the shore at the foot of the lake by the Beach House.  The lake used to freeze over by Christmas but not lately.  Maybe this year will be different.

Things are moving along Christmas-ly.  I don't have my tree yet but have scouted out a few possibilities.  Buying one, not cutting one this year.  I'm hoping to get one tomorrow morning.  I have 2 free days, tomorrow and Monday so maybe I'll get a tree up and decorated.

We're having a semi-storm, not like the rest of the East.  I talked to my mother this morning and she refused to believe they would get much in coastal Rhode Island.  I hope she's right.  Our snow is here to stay, no warm weather in sight.  We might get an inch or two tonight, so they say.

Dogs are fine.  They like the snow just fine, it doesn't seem to excite them or bother them.  Bear does do some snowplowing with his snout but Treasure just walks around.  It's nice to be able to track them in the snow.  They don't seem to wander too far from the house, just down the driveway and sometimes all the way to the bog.  They don't seem to like a bog walk without me.  Unless there are strangers there to walk with.

Liking December so far

I'm reminded that I always say how much I like November and December weather, today it was in the 30's and sunny in Hawkeye.  Bright sun here but clouds and fog in the Champlain Valley.  That was pretty strange.

I had a good weekend, treadmilled and walked with my friend, worked at the thrift store, went to book group, talked to my mother, all good things.  The bog walk yesterday afternoon wasn't great, it was icy and slick so we walked a little too slowly for it to count as exercise.  My friend MADE me carry in some of the last of the firewood that didn't get stacked in the wood shed this fall.  She made me by carrying in a bunch of it herself--I hate, really hate watching people do things to help me.  She knows me well and knew that would work.  There are still maybe 15 pieces of wood on the ground.  They must be moved before it snows, Donny will not like hitting frozen firewood with his plow.

The thrift store was busy.  A good friend was volunteering there too and we had a quick visit.  I spent most of my time in the Christmas Loft and finished putting out all the stuff that's in storage.  There is NO MORE Christmas stuff in the storage bins.  Valentine's Day yes.  Easter yes.  Leftover Halloween and Thanksgiving yes.  But Christmas no.

Book group was nice, we always have a good visit and delicious meal.  I was going to try stuffing acorn squash but ended up just slicing it thinly and roasting it.  Lazy girl I am.

Today was  Plattsburgh day, I had a haircut and ran errands.  I got some Christmas shopping done but did not get a Christmas tree.  It seems early but most of my friends have already got theirs.  Oh woe is me I feel so left out!

I saw a dear friend at the hairdressers', it was lovely to visit with her.  We worked together at the library system many many years ago and her daughter was a very close friend of mine when I first moved here.  Brook died 3 years ago, a sadness I still feel.  Her mother is older now, much older and that's a shock.

Tomorrow is a library day after a 7:15 meet at the gym with my friend, followed by coffee at Stewart's.  We're becoming regulars there and that makes us both laugh a lot.  She is home from work for a month to care for her husband as he recovers from surgery.  Boy have we made the most of that time!  We spent the winter and summer meeting at 6:30 or 7:00 each morning to walk or treadmill.  Now we've backed it up and are used to later times.  That will have to change when she goes back to work next week.  YIKES, it's so dark at 6:30!

I bought some outdoor lights today (WHY???) but of course haven't put them up yet.  I always used to have lights in the woods but that sort of went by the wayside.  I thought I'd like to see that again (in a weak moment).  Let's see if I do anything about this...

Dreary but warm out

It's sort of sleet-y and rainy today but it's not cold, temp is 33.  Too warm for snow.  I need to lose that notion because yes, it will snow and yes, it will get cold.  And yes, no doubt I will have frozen pipes some time this winter.  Just because it's already happened does not mean I'm now immune.

I've had a good week, my time in Keene Valley was good and productive.  It's very intimidating because the woman who knows most about the Archives had her last day there yesterday so now I'm on my own.  There is another part-timer there but Anna (who left) was the Assistant Archivist and was a wonder.  So now I dig in and figure out what to do and how to do it.  It's a fantastic resource.  There is a great vertical file (outdated library thing--I LOVE vertical files) and a card catalog for the collection, both of which need updating but not digitizing (at this point)(maybe ever).  The subject headings are NOT those that I'm used to but I should be able to figure things out.  We don't know how to generate catalog cards so adding new things to the collection is a problem.  Meanwhile we clip relevant articles from the newspapers (sports team reports only get clipped if there's a picture; obituaries must be closely read to see if there's any geographical connection).  I like clipping articles (duh) and there's another woman who makes copies and files them.  Not the most challenging work I've ever done but then I'm RETIRED so I don't want challenging.

I promised the dogs I would give them a long walk today.  They got cheated out of 2 long walks this week, I shortened the walks dramatically because I got bored.  I've been to the gym with my friend 3 days so far (and have plans to go again tomorrow) and that makes me less inclined to go for a long dog bog walk.  Not fair to the poor critters, is it.

Christmas seems to be coming.  A friend and I agreed that some people seem to be rushing the season a bit this year.  I got my first Christmas card in the mail the other day, making me think "uh-oh, there's something I'll have to get going on."  But wait, today is only the 1st of December so there's time, yes plenty of time.

Nearly all of the snow has melted and I'm enjoying the view of bare ground.  Again, don't get used to it, girlie, it's not lasting, although weather predictions look pretty darn fine for the next several days.

Snow, no wait, rain, no wait, sun

I went to the thrift store this morning, leaving the car windows down because the dogs were in the car.  It rained really really hard for a long time, then sleeted, then hailed--what a mess and the car was soaked when I left.  Poor Bear got wet.  I stopped on the way home to walk the dogs a bit on a trail in the woods but I got pretty bored so it was a short walk.  Much to Bear's disappointment.  I went grocery shopping in AuSable, I seem to be kind of out of food and am not planning a Plattsburgh trip until probably next week.

Yesterday was quite a day--it was 3 degrees when I got up and I had stupidly forgotten/neglected to turn on the cellar heater so of course the pump froze.  There's nothing more disappointing than turning on the faucet at 6 a.m. to make coffee and having nothing come out.  Rats.  I knew what to do, it's easy to warm up the cellar except when it's cold for long periods of time and I'm not home.  It only took a couple of hours to "unthaw" the pump and now all is well.  Laundry has been done, I have been showered, dogs have water and I have filled jugs with water for my next mistake.

I had my first day in the archives yesterday.  There's a wonderful--REALLY wonderful woman who works there but her last day is tomorrow.  Rats, oh really rats.  She is a goldmine of information about the contents of the archives and I'm afraid no one else is.  The previous Archivist died suddenly recently so there seems to be a vacuum and I guess that's why I've been brought in.  I'm still pretty unsure what I'm supposed to do but I think I can figure it out and make it up as I go along.  I'm working again tomorrow morning, looks as if Tuesday and Thursday mornings will be spent in Keene Valley and Weds. and Sat. mornings will be at the Wilmington thrift store.  That should keep me feeling productive for the winter at least.  Of course I'm going back to RI in 3 weeks for a week of Christmas.  Then we have a long dry spell of January and February.

It was a warm morning, 40 degrees but now it's windy and 32 with temps dropping to teens tonight.  I got my first Christmas card in today's mail.  Oh dear, that's something I'll get to soon enough.  I have to make a basket for Mark's Christmas too.  Did not get Barb's baskets made.  Those baskets are complicated and don't look like fun to make but I'll take a stab at it some time this winter.

Post-Thanksgiving post

I got home this afternoon, an uneventful trip from Rhode Island.  Not much traffic, clear roads, all was fine.  Four inches of snow when I got here and a temp of 15--sooo different from the 40- and 50-degree days of RI.  My house was warm and all is just fine (always a relief).  I had laid a fire before I left so that was pretty nifty.

Bear is so so very happy to be home!  He sat on my lap for a long time on the couch but now is curled up at the other end of the couch.  I fear that every time I take him somewhere he wonders if we're moving, or he's moving, or whatever.  He likes it at my mothers (got to swim in the ocean on Thanksgiving) but he is always so surprised and pleased when we get home.  Poor boy.  But now we are home and all is just fine.

Thanksgiving was very nice but we had a plumbing crisis that wasn't resolved until Saturday when the plumber came to find the clog in the kitchen drain (at the septic tank, meaning the tank had to be pumped today).  That had minimal impact on our holiday but it was a little too traumatic for my mother.

Mark and I took the dogs to the beach on Thanksgiving, a sunny warm day perfect for a short walk.  Big loud surf and very high tide.  We bought lobsters on Saturday and looked at the ocean again.  I cooked the lobsters, clams and mussels which were delicious.  We sure did eat turkey a lot of times.  My Martha Stewart pumpkin pie was as good as ever though slightly undercooked this year.  oops.  Mark called it pumpkin pudding.

I did a little Christmas shopping on the way to RI and a little more while I was there.  We went to the art sale we always go to by URI but it wasn't very good this year.  We usually go on Friday or Sat. and this year we didn't get there until Sunday, maybe that was the problem.  It was too much for my poor mother though and she declared that we don't need to go next year.  She's old.

Tomorrow I'm going to the library in Keene Valley, I've agreed to try being the Archivist there part-time.  VERY part-time, I'm hoping.  There are 2 staffers who work there so I don't have to do much.  I'm still unsure just exactly what I'll be doing but I guess I'll supervise projects and get the archives organized or something.  I'll find out tomorrow.  And Wednesday I'll volunteer at the thrift store.  Is that too much?  Time will tell.

Travel eve

It was 14 this morning with a hard cold wind.  Now we have about 3 inches of snow and the temp is 22.  Supposed to be 40 tomorrow but I won't be here to enjoy that, I'm leaving for Rhode Island in the morning.  Going to my mother's for the week, Thanksgiving visit.  I've got the turkey (as long as I don't forget it) and the fixings for pumpkin pie (Martha Stewart's recipe).  I have the car partially packed but haven't packed my clothes yet.  It's too hard for me to pack any time before the morning of my trips, it's just a thing about me.  I have packed most of the other stuff though.

I've been getting to the gym every morning, doing a brisk 30 minutes.  So far so good but now I'll be gone for a week so my friend will have to treadmill without me.  We're planning a morning bog walk before I leave, that will be good for us (humans) and the dogs.  It's a 6-hour ride to RI and the dogs have always been good but Bear has only been on the trip once, long ago and he talks a lot in the car so I'm anticipating some stress for me.

I'm still volunteering at the thrift store and am about to look into a part-time position at the Keene Valley library as archivist.  I'm stopping there on my way out of town tomorrow to talk it over with the director, who's a friend from my working days.  Do I want to do this?  I don't know but will talk it over, it's a possibility.

What will RI be like?  Same as ever I suppose, warmer than here with no snow or ice.  We'll go to the market, drug store, bank, wherever my mother needs or wants to.  Mark and I may take the dogs to the beach.  We'll eat a lot.

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.  I'm looking forward to mine, I enjoy my mother's company very much.

New machine

I just bought a new laptop (not enthusiastically), the old one was have dying hard drive issues.  I haven't emptied the old one yet (yuck) and am still installing and learning about this one.  It's Windows10, swell, just swell.  I was assured that this OS is easier to use than the 8 I have on my other machine.  Geez I hope that's true.

Anyway it's a cold wintry day, temp at 3:00 is 24.  It's been a windy day but seems quieter now.  I went to Plattsburgh this morning, errands and lunch.  Boy did I have a lot of errands, yikes.  Anyway now I'm home and my house is so very warm.  I finally talked to the man who installed my new electrical panel in the spring and we worked out that the breaker he had noted as "untested" was only untested because he didn't know which heater it was connected to.  Well wowie jet am I thrilled to have heat at the back of the house now!   For the first time in years because I live in misery before asking for help.  What a huge difference (duh) and great comfort now.

It's been a fairly busy time for me.  I still work at the thrift store on Wednesdays and Saturdays, only in the morning though.  Yesterday I took a bunch of Christmas ornaments to the Upper Jay library for their holiday sale.  I got rid of 2 boxes and am thrilled.  None of the ornaments would embarrass me if they knew they were mine.  I only have tabletop trees these days so don't need as many ornaments.  I'll get that master bedroom in better shape yet, now there are 2 fewer boxes there.

I got a collar for Bear that glows neon green.  Man is it ever cool but he of course doesn't like it--it tattles on him.  I put it on him at night and all you can see out the window is a bright green circle moving around the yard and into the woods.  Hysterically funny.

Haven't been to the gym lately but I have been walking the bog pretty much every day with the dogs.  Not today, though.  They're both exhausted from our trip to town and are snoring peacefully at the moment.

I finished closing the boat house.  All that needed doing was to bring in the porch furniture.  WHY oh why do I put things off? 

Hard to believe next week is Thanksgiving.  I'm off to RI on Tuesday, looking forward to seeing the people there.  Not a great time for the dogs because they're confined to the pen but maybe Mark and I will go for a beach walk.  I don't think Bear has been to the ocean.  But of course I don't know that, there are 4 years of his life unknown to me.

Not quite November weather

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cold getting colder

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

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

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

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

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

Warm but getting colder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still October (barely)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still not winter

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

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

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

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

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

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

What month is it?

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

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

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

The sky is blue, very blue and cloudless.

Not even close to snow

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

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

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

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

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

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

No snow (yet)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frosty morning but beautiful day

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

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

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

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

Zero population

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting. and waiting

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

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

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

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

Holiday (from what?)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colors, we have colors

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

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

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

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

Holy October!

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

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

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

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

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

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