Mixed Bag

First of all, my eye is still giving me grief. No matter what regimen I have tried, none has helped much. In spite of this, every day I aim to accomplish at least one project, be it large or small. Today was James 2 and the removal of his autumn leaf garland. My daughter found a piney one with cones and red berries at a garage sale and it has been attached. It was a finger-freezing. 'do not fall' project and I am on the lookout for a large red plastic ribbon to complete the job. James #1 is not decorated at all - at least at this point. No good pictures of James 2 yet, road too muddy to go out there to snap 'em.

Two days ago I kept busy cooking down the Thanksgiving ham bone and then freezing the works so I could skim off the fat that accumulates on the top before adding the split peas. Then yesterday the peas were added and the brew kept on low for many hours with frequent stirs. Two quarts were the final yield and they are in the freezer.

The ice covered the lake for only one day and then it warmed up and melted. I hoped the geese were gone, but they still remain. 

Today I will do some upgrading of paperwork and 2024 clendar marking with birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  I'm seriously considering to not create or buy and send holiday cards this year via USPS. 

Pretty soon the daily sunset will be coming later and I look forward to that.  The good thing is that everyday the view through my windows is changing. Can you see how beautiful it is through the image my neighbor took?

Oh, yes I am only a little crazy with my computer creations. I like to escape once in a while.

Spring Ahead!

As I look out the windows I see a fisherman who surely is dedicated to this sport! He has been out there for many cold hours. His little blue tent is set up and he keeps on fishing, though alone as there are no others so far. 

I'm waiting to hear from a friend in FL who has had a rough day I'm sure, due to a surgery in her family. Surely it will be OK. Tomorrow I shall know the good news.

The sun is shining and, though it is cold outside, the colors of the spectrum are now sparkling on my ceiling, floors and cabinets in the kitchen area. YAY! The sun is moving back for these to sparkle and make many rainbows. The orchid is very happy and will be more so during this transitional month. 

The only "chore" I completed today is refilling the moth ball hangers in the linen closet and one of the clothing closets. 

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. It is also and more importantly the 38th wedding anniversary of my daughter and her husband. Through thick and thin they've stuck together and are beautiful, caring and loving people.

First Ice & Other

Yes the temperature was +10° this morning at 7am. I should have trickled water in the sink overnight but the heat tape on the outdoor pipes did its job.

I expect that we'll be really socked in after the snow that is predicted for Thursday and Friday.

 

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

The cabin holds sturdy arms around me.

It is permanence.

It is safety.

It is sanctuary.

It is Tranquillity.

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

One of my long ago writings....

Survival or defeat? 

I wish I could remember what prompted this one!

Finale - Complete Piece

In tattered sweater with holes and pins, she hobbles

   from her bed,
The fire is low, she must get coal, it’s out there in the shed.
Her eyes peep through the crusty glass, they see 

   their distant goal…
It once was near but now it’s far, offends her weary soul.
Her man is gone, a fine man too, he used to gather wood.
She does her best to carry on, for once, her life was good.
The milk was sweet, the sun was warm, her children —

  how they grew!
They’ve left her now, the fondest things, she’s bid them all adieu.
But back to now—with daily chores to wear her strength away,
She must get coal to warm her bones, to live another day.
With strong determination to reach her destination,
The woman struggles on with legs of lead
Through ice and snow, Oh! Lord! the coal is gone!
Her muddled mind can’t comprehend that the final hour’s near.
It just can’t be! She’s ready though…
She’s waited all this year.

By Geraldine, November 1977

Almost March..

Each day brings us closer to less snow, more mud, but it's OK, it's nature's way.  We got out this morning to pick up Ed's meds and to get our two week laundry done. The driveway was a sheet of ice here and we were lucky enough to be able to find an 8 lb. container of snow melt stuff; wouldn't want to have the Schwan's delivery guy fall when bring our frozen foods next Tuesday! Also it will be safer taking our trash to the curb on Tuesday as well. The Mister takes the car to the mailbox instead of tempting fate! He did loose his balance in the parking lot of the hardware store today, fell right down and cut his finger and bruised hand but otherwise not hurt. Guess having a cane in one hand and the snow melt in the other when trying to open the back door of the car was just too much. There goes my dishwasher for another week or so!!

Looking  back, what  was the thing to do when driveways and walkways were slippery? Wood ashes were spread. Not anymore.

Friends in Barre, Ontario Canada sent pictures today. The images below show what they have there.

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Eagle Feast

Some don't believe or have never heard of geese getting stuck in icy slush. We saw it happen on November 29, 2014 and when it died, the opportunist predators came to eat it. I took many photos, but none were very sharp. Here are a couple to show you an eagle enjoying its dinner. Other birds of prey came when he wasn't there and they ate the goose too. Soon there was nothing left but a pile of feathers. 

At least the small flock I observed yesterday was finally able to get free or it would have been a tragedy, even though we are not fond of geese on our grassy banks in the summer!

Stuck

A very unusual sight this morning made me stop in awe. I called the mister out of the back room to come see what was occurring. 

Seven Canada geese flew over and then landed on the lake. They sat where they landed in a complete mentally frozen state as the lake has started to freeze over and I imagine the slush was very deep. 

I grabbed the camera and went out on the porch after fifteen minutes of watching them just sit there in a paralyzed position not even moving their heads. They were in some kind of shock after landing and not being able to move. 

Then one, the "leader" I think struggled to paddle its body around a bit and the others tried to do it too. VERY slowly the leader moved a little forward, the others following. It took about an hour for them to all gather in one cluster, stirring the slush and - suddenly they all in unison flapped their wings, and lifted off. Whew! That was a close one.

One year a goose was stuck and the eagles ate him. I took pictures. Sad sight. 

Yes, we had our first snow yesterday. Greasy mess. 'Tis the Season...

Clean Out - Update!

A few days ago I hung out my "wind ribbons," just because I like to see things moving and I also wanted to finish off the bits and pieces of old ribbons from my craft container.  

James finally got his last photo of 2018 on December 31. Then it rained and it rained..... did I say it rained?

When I looked out the window this morning, even it was only 22° the ice on the lake has completely disappeared. I looked back at last year's photos and saw that many ice fishermen were out there on January 11 and we had our first significant snow on January 18. Wow is this a different year!

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Today the paper shredder is going full blast. It is very old and has jammed several times. We hope to get through this annual paperwork project. I keep all medical paperwork for two years and each year destroy the oldest ones. We have to do the updates and upkeep on address lists, and bank statements so there won't be such an accumulation that it becomes overwhelming. Does anyone else do this? You often hear "Out with the old, in with the new."   That is all it really is. 

I guess the next project will be to to remove holiday decorations and try out my new air frier. Let the fun begin!

A Good Day!

By a good day, I mean it isn't snowing, the roads are not treacherous by weather conditions for those who chose to travel and our home is warm, we have food, we have comfort and our health seems to be in the "well" section of the dial.  It is an unusual Thanksgiving that we have this year as we did last. We stay home. We don't have family for meals. This year we didn't have turkey. We are content. We agree that it is time to slooooowwwww down!

The main thing is that we are thankful for multiple reasons and celebrate this day our own way. Did you watch the Parade in NYC this morning? It was impressive. Did your meal and your relatives, friends, and others eat well and have very happy visits? We hope so. There are so many people suffering emotionally, physically, financially...many are having an awful week and a bad year. Our hearts go out to them. Be sure to find one little nugget of goodness, something to be thankful for and then you too will have had a happy thanksgiving. We did.

8:00 AM 12°

 The ice is beginning to form on the lake.

 Before baking the ham...

 We shared some good stuff...

 We ate simple...

... and have leftovers to share!

Tonight it will be sandwiches with lemon cake and ice cream dessert. 

Winter Woes

For 16 years we traveled to our place in SC three times a year. Our beach campground has seen snow and ice before. We know how it can be and weren't really in awe as some visitors and residents are today. Currently the southern visitors and residents are having winter woes again.  I dug out a few of my photos to show you my memories. I have many more pictures of these two events which we experienced when there during the month of February.

February 13, 2010

February 12, 2014

The Day After

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