Monday Morning Sighting

As I was dunking my almond toast while sipping my coffee at 7:30am I looked up and saw a fast moving glare far out on the lake's surface. With more concentration I watched this movement and finally determined that it was a very large beaver swimming smoothly along the rocks at the dam's water edge. It finally climbed up on the grassy bank and waddled over the dirt road and disappeared over the far side down into the wet meadow below. We are very aware that this trail is used many times by the resident beavers. About two early evenings ago we watched one cross the road and go down the bank into the lake in that same area.

About 15 minutes later as I was cutting my banana into sections, a second and smaller one swam along and then up and over the bank and road it went. In the past years the Mister had permission from the game warden to take care of the beaver problem here and he did - for many years. Personally, we now don't have trees on our property that are of interest to these critters, but others do. It can be a problem, but is out of our hands now. 

We wonder how many there really are that live nearby. In warm weather the far end of the lake contains water lilies, cattails and other aquatic plants that are the favorite foods of the beaver. Birch, alder, maple, willow and cherry trees all have tasty wood parts for meals as well. Beaver don't eat fish.

Monday morning lesson OVER!

Photo from internet

Fixin' For Spring

The Mister has called an outfit in Binghamton NY to come and pick up his Yamaha ATV because something in the shifting mechanism is malfunctioning. Hopefully, it won't cost an arm or a leg. The pickup and delivery fee was pricey but he definitely wanted a business that has been long established and reputable and that's where it went for a diagnosis and estimate. This cycle center has been in business since 1975 and we have had service by them before. A friendly and knowledgable staff and good business was what we remembered. Hopefully the problem will be corrected and the Mister can ride the trails soon. He bought this 1994 machine in 1996 USED and has had lots of rides on it since then. In 1999 he had to have a brake cable installed. It had a new battery put in year 2000 and another in 2014. Keeping fingers crossed that all will be fixed and we can handle the expense!

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Cleaning

I'm referring to interior house cleaning. Now the Mister does a really good job with the vacuuming but the "down on your knees" cleaning in here has been neglected for too long. Neither one of us is up to it now, due to aging and when we were able, something always happened that interfered. I shattered my shoulder six years ago. That was the start of letting things go. I've had to hire a lady to perform the job and she had her work cut out for her.

I provided several cleaners. I got out the ammonia, white vinegar, 409, Awesome, Clorox, Lysol, and Voom. There were gloves, bucket, rags, scrub brushes, and other utensils.  She got into the job in my bedroom first. Would you be surprised that she is accustomed to using a cleaner that I didn't have! She ran to town to get Mr. Clean. OK with me. After all, she is doing the work.

It's a jungle in that bedroom. So much has to be pulled away from the walls to get at the edge of the floor by the log walls. There is a molding there and dampness from summertime pipe-sweating through the years has always been a problem. The bed is on wheels and that is a really good thing for cleaning nooks and crannies.

She then did the bathroom floor edges next to the back log wall AND the shower stall interior! All of her work took a total of 2 1/2 hours. The story will continue, but maybe not here. There is a lot more detailed cleaning to be accomplished. Her rates were reasonable and she has agreed to come again one morning next month. How lucky can we be?

Let's Eat CAKE!

The cake I baked yesterday was sooooo light, sooooo fluffy, sooooo delicious that I KNOW I'll bake it again. We not only had one piece after dinner, we each had TWO!  Today our weekly trash pick up fellow got a large piece and we were so glad to share. I know already that his wife will want this simple recipe. I used the "Extra Creamy" Cool Whip and not the regular, sugar free or the light.

I am keeping the pan in the refrigerator even though it didn't say to because I want the topping to stay firm. 

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RECIPE - Pineapple Sunshine Cake

1 box yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 C oil

1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

Topping:

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray or line with "Release" foil. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil and one can of crushed pineapple with juice. Mix well. Pour into prepared baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. In a medium size bowl, fold together the whipped topping, box of vanilla pudding and one can crushed pineapple with juice. Spread over top of cooled cake.  Recipe complements of "Yummy Stuff."

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Out, In, Over

207 million eggs have been recalled in nine states including Pennsylvania over salmonella fears. I bought some at Walmart last Sunday, April 8, and these eggs are on the recall list. The UPC code matches, The Mister had one yesterday morning, the first out of the box. I have now thrown away the entire box with eleven others. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't throw food away - ever, but this is an exception for sure.

It is a good thing I have a backup of eggs that came from my brother's chickens. Today I baked a new cake recipe that calls for 4 eggs. I'll need another dozen very soon. The recipe will be displayed after we have a sample just in case it isn't up to par or what I expected. Sounds good on paper, but you never know. "Try before you buy." I get a kick seeing how many pictures of good looking foods are posted on friend's Facebook pages and I'll just bet they have never even made them.

Cake is called "Pineapple Sunshine"

The wind is beating the bushes and trees and the rain has started. I had to bring in my spider web creation because I was afraid it would catch into the pine cone mobil and be ripped apart. I then moved the pine cone mobil further down the beam as it was getting entangled in the wind chimes! I saw the power company truck pass by both ways and then the road department did the same. There must be a problem somewhere but not here...yet.

Our youngest granddaughter (14) is doing very well with her equestrian efforts. Nice horse, new saddle, new horse boots, Reserve Champion at recent show and moving on to the next level jumping timed courses of very high fences. At 14 I had a donated 26 year old retired hunter-jumper and rode through cut hayfields over sticks and stone hand-built jumps, no horse or any other boots, hand-me down saddle, never competing. WOW how times have changed. She may not have any idea of how lucky she is. Then again, she may. I hope so.

We know we can jump higher now

Next level?
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Remembering...

The death of very nice friend during this past week has impacted us strongly and brought forth so many memories of those who also have gone on before. At least thirty of those have been brought to mind and I think of many of these friends very often.

Our SC "beach" friends who are not now here on earth include Charlie H., Cliff W., Doug M., Howard S., Joe B., John B., Keith G., Max C., Morris M., Odeen F., Ray V.,  "Snooky," Ginny S., Joan M., and Mary D. All of these friends have died during only the past ten years.

Some of our PA friends and nearby neighbors who have died throughout the past ten years include Alvin S., Bernie Z., Bill M., Floyd W., Gordon S., Harold E., Jack W., Joe C., Larry C., Paul K., Rich C., Rolly L., Jan L., Jane C., Joan W., and Nancy B.

Dean B., Marion L., Doyle T., Thelma H., Beverly S., Marge, Bill and Dave R., Millie and John Y., Joe and Betty G., Elmer, Harriet H. and Lola W., "Papa," Bill and John D., died earlier. There are more. Their memories remain very strong in our hearts.

To most of you who will read this, they are just names. To some of you they are also in your own memories. This list doesn't include any relatives or family members. I'm not going there today.

Tranquil Transition

You can take all of your memories with you and you can leave memories for others. Memories don't die.

The Card Saver

Yes, I save greeting cards, and some invitations, thank you notes and letters from special friends.

Today I tore apart the box I keep these in and reorganized the collection. It took me ALL morning. I can't remember when I started saving these and it has not been very long, except for the thank you notes - I have always saved them.

I divided them into sections in a file box. Some categories are: "Friends," Thank You's," then one for each of my living offspring, "Close Relatives," "Wedding, shower, and birth notifications."

After I'm gone I hope someone will enjoy seeing these beautiful and very decorative and/or simple cards that friends and family have sent. There is something very special when the time is taken to buy or make a missal, sit down and sign it, sometimes with a nice note, and address the envelope and get it to the mailbox. If someone doesn't look at them in years later, well at least I had a wonderful time this morning reviewing and enjoying the thoughts of them all! PLUS, some are either too pretty or too funny or too inspirational to throw away. I couldn't do it.

by Tyler Spangler