Look What I'm Up To Now!

Bike Riding on February 1st

2012-02-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

If I lived in Florida, that would be no big deal, but since I live in Connecticut it is practically unheard of!

The official temperature is 61°.

My ride was just over 8 miles…which isn’t much…but it’s been a while since I’ve ridden my bike so it was just enough. Plus, the sustained winds out of the west are about 15 mph with gusts to 20. I didn’t care. I was going to ride today in spite of the wind.

I went to the bank in the grocery store and then picked up 2 loaves of bread (BOGOF). Just the right amount to load into my panniers…one on each side keeps me balanced. At least my bike is balanced…not saying about me personally. ☺

This winter? I’m lovin’ it!

How to Keep the Economy from Declining

2012-01-31T14:31:00.001-05:00

It’s simple, folks. Just spend a whole lot of money you don’t have…yet. And I should add here, that you must believe the money will be there when the bills come in. Got that? That’s very important.

Last week I ordered some adjustable, pull-out drawers for the lower portion of my kitchen cabinets. I hate getting on my hands and knees just to pull something out from the back of the bottom shelf. These shelves are not cheap.

Then I contracted to have the ductwork of my condo’s heating system cleaned. The complex is 27 years old and my furnace ductwork had NEVER been cleaned. More importantly, the circulating fan had never been cleaned. The ducts weren’t too bad, but the fan was caked with greasy dust…you know the kind…like over your stove exhaust hood if you don’t clean it often. Just imagine 27 years worth of that! The dryer vent was also done. Now, this vent has about 12 feet of flex hose and who knows when that was last cleaned. The fluffy crud that came out of that was disgusting! After seeing all the crap that had never been taken care of, I’m glad I spent the money. At least I know my air is clean and healthy, the furnace will operate more efficiently, and the dryer is not going to burn down the house!

And for my finale, I went shopping for a small freezer. Found one! As much as I hate Sears, they had exactly what I wanted at the right price. A 5.1 cu. ft. freezer is perfect to take the overload from the refrigerator freezer. It also accommodates the wire baskets I had. So now everything is neatly contained and I can open my ‘fridge freezer door without fear of being attacked! ☺

That was all last week. For the next month I’m leaving my wallet and credit cards at home if I have to leave the house. And when leaving the house, it would be nice if the weather was mild enough for me to take my bicycle instead of my car…that happens to be my plan for tomorrow if it doesn’t rain.

For the next month, whenever I get the urge to buy something, I will ask myself this question: Do I absolutely need it right now? If the answer is no…. ☺

This has nothing to do with the economy…
And, lastly, I took a ride down to the river, to that special place opposite the eagles’ nest. It didn’t look like the eagles are making their home there. Much of the nest was damaged in the late October snowstorm, but they had been rebuilding. The eggs should be laid by now and I should have been able to see the female in the nest (it’s pretty shallow this year) and the male should have been in a nearby tree. Nothing.

Left in the Dust

2012-01-12T11:24:00.003-05:00

In this morning’s Hartford Courant, Robert Thorson (professor of geology at the University of Connecticut’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) wrote about the old technology he grew up with, and still uses, and today’s technology that does the same thing only differently and faster.

He wrote about using an “old fashioned” transit to map a given parcel of land as opposed to his son, and his son’s generation, who can do the same thing with their wristwatch. Pretty amazing.

He acknowledged the precision of the wristwatch GPS along side his transit. He also acknowledges that today’s generation would probably never use his generation’s tools.

But what he said toward the end of his column really resonated with me, and I quote: “That’s when I learned I had become, at age 60, old. The spark struck me that my students would probably never use the tool I showed them. Rather, they saw it as an out-of-date curiosity akin to a vintage record player. Conversely, it struck me that I had no desire to use the new-fangled watch like my son’s. …We live in different worlds now. And I’m okay with that.”

At age 75 I find myself looking at today’s computer software capability, iphones and tablets with a sense of awe. My cell phone makes calls and takes calls. That’s it. Nothing else because that’s the way I want it. Since I am no longer in the desktop publishing business, I don’t need fancy software. And I’m okay with that.

Tablets, however, are another matter. I am sorely tempted! It sure would be nice to have a Nook or Kindle or iPad at my elbow as I read the newspaper or watch TV so I could search for additional information about “whatever.” One thing I will always be is “curious.” And it would be nice if I could satisfy that curiosity right then and there…not wait until I can get to my computer (by then I’d have forgotten what I was curious about ☺). And, just think, the instant I think of something I want to impart to family or friends…the ability to immediately send an email.

I don’t think I would be interested in reading a book or magazine on a tablet. I want to hold that book. I want to feel the paper between my fingers as I turn the pages. I want to put it in a bookcase, to be referenced at a later date if necessary.

Yes, I’m sorely tempted. Most electronic technology has passed me by…and I’m okay with that. But, damn, I sure would love to have one of those tablets! ☺

Who Do I Write For (or For Whom Do I Write)?

2012-01-10T10:50:00.003-05:00

A poet friend sent around an email today asking this question. Following is my answer...which was pretty complete by the end of the third paragraph plus the last two. The rest of it was filler, explanation as it were. A lot of it echoed what I have already written in my last two posts about my end of year thoughts and my great, adventurous bike ride on the canal path. BUT, I'm posting my complete answer to Glyn...just because I wrote it and I love words...especially my own.JJJ

Glyn, that’s an interesting question and I’m glad you asked it at this moment in time. Following is probably a lot more than you ever cared to know. J

When I was writing, I wrote poetry for myself, and my memoirs for my children and grandchildren…much like you, wanting them to know, when I’m gone, just what it was that drove me.

Notice I wrote, “when I was writing?” I haven’t written a thing since the beginning of August 2011. There has been no inspiration or desire to write…anything. How do I feel about that? I have no problem with it, because I know that, if I am to continue writing anything in the future, my Muse will return and it will all be natural, not forced.

So what have I been doing? Let’s see: there was the wet, hot August culminating with Tropical Storm Irene, which caused minor flooding in my basement. Followed by Tropical Storm Lee, which caused minor-minor flooding in my basement. Picture me outside in the pouring rain, in a bathing suit, bailing out the window well at 5:30 in the morning…and the newspaper delivery guy shows up. So that takes care of floods.

In late September I took my usual vacation on Cape Cod. It continued to be monsoon-like and very warm. My new fireplace mantle and surround had been built and now it was my job to stain it. Since I had never done anything like this before, it was very stressful and scary. But I did it and I did a very good job!

October saw another vacation of sorts…five days in the Washington, D.C. area volunteering at the Next to New Sale at Sidwell Friends school. I work in the linens department until the sale begins…then I’m over in bicycles. It’s a lot of work, long days, but rewarding. I get to meet so many great people, both staff and customers.

Wasn’t home too many days from DC than our freak snowstorm hit and left the state of Connecticut out of power for as many as 10 days. I was fortunate to get power back after only 37 hours. My condo complex is on the same power line as the nursing homes up on the main drag or the sewer plant. Either way, I don’t care. Thirty-seven hours was long enough. Long enough for me to realize my next stove will be gas!

A week and a half after the snowstorm, when fallen trees and debris littered the landscape, I decided to ride my bike the 4.5 miles on the canal bike path just to see how bad it was. It was bad. I had to haul my bike over, under around and through some of the most incredible obstacles…at one point getting pinned among the branches by my bike, which was now up side down. Ah, but all is well that ends well. As I said in my end-of-year blog, “What doesn’t kill me only makes me look forward to another adventure!).”

And then it came to pass, the cooking bug bit me. I was thinking of making some tuna-noodle casserole, but, for some reason, did not want to use canned cream of mushroom soup. Well, then, I’ll make my own! Mushrooms just happened to be on sale so I went for it. I didn’t stop at cream of mushroom. I made cream of broccoli w/cheddar cheese (regular and gluten free), cream of asparagus (gluten free), home made spaghetti sauce (twice), and have added salads with my own newly created home-made salad dressing, and avocados to my diet.

In the meantime, I had my sewing machine cleaned and fixed. It hadn’t been used in almost 30 years, but I kept lugging it from domicile to domicile thinking some day I’d use it. I guess the day has come! I have plans to recover the seat of a bench I bought while on the Cape, as well as make a slip cover for a hassock that needs to be covered up. I have no idea how to do either of those projects, but I’ll figure it out.

Do you get the picture? Suddenly my creative self has chosen other methods of creativity. How long it will last, I have no idea.

Glyn, your suggestion of “becoming” something or someone else is the second time that theme has crossed my consciousness in the past week. Perhaps that is the direction in which I need to go in order to find my Muse. In the meantime, I’m letting my life flow to see what interesting place I might land on next. Aren’t you glad you asked? J

2011 — Another Year Over

2011-12-30T08:02:00.002-05:00

The finished basement finally was really finished with the books and bookcases brought down in January. Then the furnace and water heater venting problems were addressed resulting in replacing the water heater and the vent. The new tank has electric ignition (instead of a pilot light) so it will NEVER go out!

Also had an energy audit that reduced air leaks A LOT! From 1250 cfm to just over 300. The fireplace had to be sealed up in order to achieve that. Fireplace looks good…just can’t use it.

2011 was a brutal year for weather. We had record-breaking snow and by the end of the winter I was really, really glad that all I had to do was shovel off the deck and my car. The rest was taken care of. One benefit of condo living!

In April my mother passed. She was 5 months short of her 99th birthday.

The end of June I went to Maryland. Anne gave me a birthday present of a day at Sandy Spring Adventure Park. I kept thinking it was just zip lining, but what it turned out to be was a rope course. Long story short…after the 2nd zip and in the middle of the 3rd set of challenges I froze in fear. I could not get myself to go over the slack cable. Yes I was hooked in. Yes I had two slack cables to hold on to. But fear is fear and I aborted. It wasn’t until after that I got mad at myself. So I’m doing a lot of visualization (and not enough balance work) and in June of 2012 I will go back and I WILL COMPLETE that run. If I don’t do any more than that one, its OK. But I will do that one!

Summer saw record high temps and lots of rain…notably tropical storms Irene and Lee. Each of them dropped enough rain to fill the basement window well causing minor water issues. Irene was worse than Lee for window well flooding. The condo association is working on the “why” it happened in hopes of preventing it from happening again.

September saw me on Cape Cod at the same cottage I’ve been going to for 22 yrs. In October I went to Maryland to work as a volunteer at the Next To New Sale at Sidwell Friends school in D.C. Exhausting but fun.

On October 29th, Connecticut was treated to a major snowstorm while the trees were still in full leaf. I went to bed that Saturday night with my bedroom window open and listened to the snap, crack and hiss of trees breaking and falling. While most of the state was without electricity for up to 10 days, I did without for 37 hours. I don’t know how others did without for 10 days!

A week and a half after the snowstorm I rode my bike the length of the “impassable” Windsor Locks/Suffield Canal path. It was blocked every few feet with downed trees, but I managed to go over, under, around and through all obstacles. At one point I was pinned by my upside-down bike to a limb that had me snagged and my cell phone was on the ground six feet behind me. Obviously I got out of this jam unscathed. (What doesn’t kill me only makes me look forward to another adventure!)

Now winter is here, the end of another year, and the weather has been unbelievably mild so far. We have set records for high temps in the summer and precipitation for the year…warm and wet! My creative urges have been satisfied with cooking (most unlike me!) and, now that my sewing machine is up and running, probably some sewing. I haven’t written any poetry since August.

Since it’s the end of the year I feel I should have some words of Wisdom to offer. I don’t think I can do any better than what I wrote in my May 3, 2011 posting:

We can’t keep throwing hate at hate and expect our problems to be solved. Only Light dispels the darkness and only Love will replace hate.

I ask you to pray that Love and Light replace negativity on the planet.
I ask you to pray that all negativity be transmuted back to the Light.
I ask you to pray for Peace.
I ask you to Love one another.
I ask you to try really, really hard.

Happy New Year, everyone. May Peace be the theme of 2012!

Impassable Canal Path – or so they said!

2011-11-08T18:16:00.002-05:00

Today was an absolutely beautiful day…deep blue sky, not a cloud in sight, temps around 70°. How could I resist taking a bike ride…especially since I had not ridden since Sept. 22nd, when I was on Cape Cod.

I went down River Road in Enfield. The damage from the snowstorm was pretty much cleaned up. At the East Windsor town line it becomes North Water Street, and was open all the way to Bridge Street. The transformer and pole that had been blocking the road is now repaired.

I crossed the bridge to Windsor Locks and made a right onto the access road to the canal path. Already I could see trees down and lots of debris, and the entrance to the path was bridged by a small partially fallen tree. Two young men were fishing in the canal (are you kidding me?) and I asked them about the path. They said it was pretty bad and I wouldn’t get very far. That’s like showing me a sign that says “Do Not Touch - Wet Paint.”

Within a quarter of a mile from the entrance I encountered the first of many obstacles…some were not so bad and others were very challenging!

Photos of canal blockages

If you go to the link posted above you will see the pictures I took.

All the photos were taken in the first mile. When I got to the railroad bridge, my camera battery gave out. There was only one horrendous hurdle after that and a lot of little stuff. But this last big blockage was a quadruple branch over which I had to lift my bike from branch to branch. At one point my bike was practically upside down. It had me pinned to one branch while my shorts were caught on a snag and the handle of my bike was caught under part of the limb. I will admit I was a little concerned at that point. The way I was pinned, if I moved the wrong way the next snap I heard would have no doubt been a leg bone. But I managed brute strength and got the bike up and over and out. Then I went back and retrieved everything that had fallen out of my bike bag. ☺

I tried very hard to locate the eagle nest. From the Enfield end of the railroad bridge I scanned the canal bank with binoculars, but saw nothing. I was told this was the spot to see the nest. Could be there’s still too many leaves on the trees. Once on the canal path and right at the railroad bridge I scanned the trees…no nest. Either I missed it or the nest came down in the storm. Probably won’t know until they open the path next April (or not). Eagles nesting will keep the path closed until July 1st.

Riding Route 5 south to my street was a challenge. People have shoved the fallen tree branches out onto the shoulder where I ride. I had to dismount and walk around these obstacles a couple of times. At one point, I had to divert to the sidewalk.

All in all, it was an exhausting 12.44-mile ride. Normally it’s a piece of cake. Today I had to climb over more trees in one 4.5-mile stretch than I’ve climbed over in a lifetime of walking/hiking in the woods! ☺

I invite you to check out the photo album indicated above and marvel at how, if there was a Badge for Lack of Good Sense, I earned one!

Until next time…

Historic Snow Storm – October 29 – 30, 2011

2011-11-02T12:32:00.004-04:00

For pictures go to:
What it looked like at my house

North Water Street in Warehouse Point

And best of all…Andy’s house in Warehouse Point

This storm was no surprise…it had been forecasted for days, and because all the trees still had leaves it was a disaster waiting to happen. AND happen it did!

I can speak only for the towns of East Windsor, Windsor Locks and Enfield, Connecticut.

I lost power at 11 p.m. on the 29th here in Enfield. I went to bed with my windows open a bit and listened to the trees in the woods booming, cracking, snapping and wooshing and they snapped and fell. Eventually I feel asleep until about 7 a.m.

Sunday, October 30th
Once I was up, I didn’t know what to do. Because of no power, my morning routine did not exist, so I walked around the house in a lack-of-caffeine fuzzy haze. I got dressed by flashlight but was unsure what to do next. No coffee, no morning news on TV, no catching up with email or Facebook. I was very concerned about what I was going to do for food…I had plenty, but I couldn’t cook it. And, how was I going to keep warm. If there were any warming centers in town how could I find out about them? Even my cell phone service was down.

I shoveled out the car and went to Friendly’s restaurant down at Sophia’s Plaza in Warehouse Point. Closed. Noticed I had a call from my daughter, Anne, in Maryland on my cell. I was able to call her back with false reassurance that I’d be just fine. At least it was warm in the car from a combination of sun and heater.

I spent a lot of time looking for coffee, food, and my lost wallet (yes, lost wallet).

Headache over no coffee and distress about the wallet. ☹

By noon I was getting very hungry…no breakfast. I opened a can of tuna and ate just a little with crackers…had to conserve…don’t know when I’ll get real food.

Threw my sleeping bag into the back of my car thinking I would go to Barbara’s (friend) because I knew she would have the wood stove going and had a gas cook top. But went to Pat’s (another friend) instead hoping their generator would be working. Not!

Still no coffee!

I went back home and put on three layers of clothing, wrapped up in my sleeping bag and sat in a rocking chair in my living room. The temperature inside was down to 55°, no TV, radio, phones…I felt so isolated.

THEN, the light must have hit it just right because I suddenly saw MY WALLET! It was on the TV stand next to the sliders to my deck. I must have walked past it a dozen times…why didn’t I ever see it? So grateful. Tears even.

Now I needed real food. Hot food. But how do I find out what’s open and serving food? Go to the Enfield PD, of course. The dispatcher didn’t have a clue, but a gentleman in the lobby directed me to the Red Rose restaurant in Springfield, MA.

There was a wait of 1½ hours, but it was warm and the food, once I got a seat, would be hot. I eventually got a seat in the waiting area and checked my cell phone to see if I had service. I had a missed call from my daughter, Kathy. I looked up and saw her. There she was in front of me. I had to call her name twice before she realized it was me calling her. Too funny. She and Lou were there for dinner. I joined their reservation and within 20 minutes or so we were seated.

Coffee…three cups later I was finally headache free.

Monday, October 31st
Kathy and I wound up in Springfield on Riverdale Road at a Burger King for breakfast. We were also able to stop at a gas station that had gas and no line.

We then made the rounds…Paul, Andy, then Kathy booked a room at the Clarion Motel in Warehouse Point. From here I let Kathy off at her house and I went to see Pat in Windsor Locks just as she was leaving for a motel. I was at Alice’s checking up on how she was doing when the power came on. It was 11:55 a.m. Thirty-seven hours without power. Since we both live in the same condo complex I knew I had power too! We jumped up and hugged each other we were so happy.

Since then I have opened my home to family and friends needing a shower and BYOF for a hot meal. I have had takers…my pleasure!

We have lost our ability to live as our pioneers did. We’ve grown soft because of all our technology…and happily so until something like this happens!

One thing I noticed is that people at intersections with or without non-working traffic signals were very good about stopping and taking turns going through. People I saw were very patient. The one place where I suspect patience was worn thin was the gas station on Route 5 at Exit 46 off I-91. They had two Enfield cops there to keep things moving in an orderly fashion. You could tell which neighborhoods had power because the gas stations were pumping and the lines were long.

So, all in all, my life is slowly returning to normal. Please keep a good thought for those who are still waiting.

What I Did On My Fall Vacation ☺

2011-10-24T13:41:00.015-04:00

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5 a.m. Groan! Are you kidding me? Why am I up at this gawdawful hour? Oh, yah. I have a flight at 8 this morning to Baltimore. I’m going to DC to work on the Next-to-New Sale. The sale benefits the scholarship fund, so it’s a very important event. This was my second year and I’ll be back next year!

Coffee pot started; ran up stairs to get dressed; finished packing; lugged everything downstairs; drank coffee, downed two pieces of toast; lugged everything (very heavy suitcase, very heavy backpack, purse) out to the car.

Back in the house to double check:
drapes, blinds, curtains closed…check;
clock alarm shut off so it won’t go off at 5 a.m. every morning while I’m gone…check;
garbage taken out…check;
water heater turned down to “vacation” mode…check;
make sure thermostat is OFF…check. Well, I guess it’s time to go.

I drove to the home of my friend, Pat, and she took me the final 1+ miles to Southwest Airlines Departures.

Anne picked me up at BWI and we headed straight for Sidwell. Once we got in the gym I went straight to “textiles” where I spent the next 5 hours sorting and pricing bedding, table cloths, etc.

At 3:30 I went over to the bicycle section where I would stay for the remainder of the sale. At 4 p.m. the doors were opened.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were each designated for different groups of the Sidwell “family”. On Friday and Saturday the doors opened to the public. Also on Saturday, it was homecoming day so we had a lot of alumni and parents of alumni as well as the general public.

Each day started with my needing to get up no later than 7. It was easier if I waited until Rick and Jacob were out of the house…fewer people to deal with. After coffee and getting dressed it was a quick breakfast and off to the sale with Anne. We would get there around 8:30ish…after leaving Andrew off at his school.

The doors opened 9:30 and closed at 9 each night except Saturday when they closed at 4. Anne would try to get me home at some point during the very late afternoon, then she would go back.

On Thursday night, Anne and I went to a Celebration at The Sienna School, where Andrew goes to school. There should be more schools like that!

Anne was co-chair of the entire event this year and she, her co-chairs and her entire core committee did a magnificent job! Plus, congratulations to ALL the volunteers.

On Sunday morning Anne and several volunteers went back to finish cleaning up. A lot of packing up of left over clothing, textiles, etc., was done Saturday night after the sale was over, but there was still a lot to do. I stayed home and had a late breakfast, packed up my stuff and waited for Anne to get back so I could get to the airport to come home. By the time she got back she was so exhausted Rick volunteered to drive me to BWI.

Different charities came Sunday morning to pick up the left-overs!

My day-to-day in the bicycle department was to sell the bikes that were donated. We had everything from the sublime…the highest priced was $175…to the sad little Mongoose kids bike with the front tire off the rim, lots of rust, needed a new seat, but the frame was good…priced at $5. We also had trail-alongs and trikes and biking shirts and shorts. Also in our section were the strollers. I never did count how many bikes we had, but it was a lot as you can see from one of the pictures. As for the bikes: we sold all but one of the trail-alongs. I learned last night that the bike sales were record-breaking. The entire sale came in at a couple hundred dollars short of an all time record high.

I flew out of BWI for BDL at 6 last night (Oct. 23rd) and was picked up by Pat. We sat at her house drinking coffee for a while, catching up on our respective weeks.

I slept until almost 8 a.m. this morning and plan to do nothing for the rest of the day. Starting tomorrow it’s back to the dust cloth, vacuum and window cleaner. Yes! I have to finish my fall cleaning before it all needs to be done again! ☺

I have two weeks to get my Christmas book to Staples for printing. I’m early this year because I have a 30% off coupon. That will make a big difference in the cost to produce 12 books.

So, there you have it. I'm sure I forgot some of the things that happened during the week, but, until next year…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

There’s a First Time for Everything!

2011-10-13T14:09:00.007-04:00

My Beautiful New Mantle
A few months after I settled into my condo, I was in Goodwill looking for something…don’t remember what. However, I did find these beautiful candle holders. Perfect. Well, guess again. When I put them on the mantle they were too wide! My bargain $4 each candle holders would not fit on my mantle…for a year they sat on the hearth. There was a solution…but it cost me!

After a year of planning and saving, my bargain candle holders have a brand new mantle to sit on. The old mantle was very narrow and painted. When I taped up Christmas decorations the tape pulled the paint off. Ooops! ☺

I had never stained anything before and here I was faced with this super important focal point in my living room. I took more than one deep breath before I started. I consulted my son, Paul, since he had done an entire floor and knew more than me. His advice was priceless!

(exhale! ☺☺)

Spaghetti Sauce
This I don’t have any pictures of…just use your imagination. ☺

I had the opportunity to get a lot more tomatoes than I could use right away at the end of the tomato season. I had never prepared tomatoes for freezing before but I knew you should blanch them first to take the peels off. With one batch I tried squeezing the water out of them before freezing and decided that was not my method of choice. The next couple of batches were frozen whole (after blanching) and I’ll poke holes in the freezer bag when I defrost them for sauce. The liquid can drain out the holes and save me the squishy job.

Even though the seeds are not an issue, I think next year I’ll de-seed the tomatoes in addition to blanching.

Doing things you’ve never done before…that’s what keeps life interesting. ☺

Cape Cod 2011

2011-09-26T10:44:00.001-04:00

Saturday, September 17 – travel day
Up at 5 a.m. Yuck! Coffee was the first order of business, then get dressed and start finishing packing. Suitcases (yes plural…one summer clothes and one winter clothes) and box of bathroom stuff brought down to the front door. Then all bedding put into one of those bags you vacuum the air out and it compresses to almost nothing. Bedding is kept clean and takes up hardly any room in the car.

Sunday, September 18 – Day 1
Breakfast out and then beach hopping. It was very windy and off and on showers. Good day to just go looking.

2011-09-26T10:38:00.002-04:00

Stopped at Billingsgate Art and Antiques on Route 6 in Wellfleet (next to Dunkin' Donuts) just to see if they might have some sort of bench I can put in my bathroom. I've been looking for cane or rattan or just anything! Found this bench. Has the ugliest hand painted oil cloth cover on the seat. Seat cover will be replaced and the bench will be painted. I think I'm happy!

2011-09-26T10:34:00.003-04:00

Monday, September 19 – Day 2
As I was huffing and puffing up this one never-ending curving hill this panorama opened up before me once I reached the top. Made all the agony worth it.

Rode the killer Province Lands dune trail. Walked only one hill. One of these years… ☺

2011-09-26T10:32:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, September 20 – Day 3
Made my annual visit to the Birdwatcher’s Store in Orleans then walked Coast Guard Beach out to Nauset inlet. The beach has been terribly eroded by Irene and Lee. Nauset inlet is no more than a mile down the beach. Usually I plan on 1.5 miles one way…not this year.

Went to Provincetown for my annual visit there. Maybe it was because it was raining, but I just wasn’t feeling the good vibes.

Wednesday, September 21 – Day 4
Rode the Cape Cod Rail Trail from the cottage to Nickerson Park. Round trip mileage, 20 mi. Haven’t ridden that many miles in a long time.

2011-09-26T10:20:00.002-04:00

Thursday, September 22 – Day 5

Two videos: I bet you will remember this one every time you go to buy fish! ☺
One video of the catch of the day being dumped and the other video of a seal swimming next to the pier.

For the rest of the pictures from the fish pier go to this link
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2574000469680.2154293.1244354945&l=99d0df9eb5&type=1

Chatham Fish Pier on the agenda today. Watched boats come in with the catch of the day and dump the catch down a slide into waiting containers to be transported to market. The seals were pretty cute. Thanks goodness, the waters are cooling off and (hopefully) the great whites are gone. I understand they did come into the harbor…followed the fishing boats…and attacked the seals. Glad I didn’t see anything like that.

Friday, September 23 – Day 6
Decided to pack up and come home a day early. Weather today not so good, and forecasted to be worse tomorrow. After visiting friends in Provincetown, I headed for home…white knuckle for the last 2 hours of the trip. Got home around 5:30 in the pouring rain, but happy as all get out to be here…safe and sound…well sound of body anyway! ☺

To My Followers

2011-09-11T07:50:00.004-04:00

I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but since I am a Certified, Champion Procrastinator...

Welcome to my blog!

Of the eight followers I know only two of you, so I'm curious how you found out about my blog and how often do you visit?

Best way to answer my questions is to email me...go to "view my complete profile" and click on "email." Looking forward to hearing from you.

Before and After (flooding) on the Canal Bike Path

2011-09-10T19:36:00.001-04:00

As I started on the canal path this morning I was taken by the water looking cleaner. It’s still dirty, but compared to August 31st it’s clean.

2011-09-10T19:28:00.005-04:00

In these pictures you can see how much the canal water has receded…in spite of the deluge we received from Tropical Storm Lee...the bottom picture shows the brown foliage left from receding water.

2011-09-10T19:25:00.004-04:00

This picture shows a substantial sand bar being created in the middle of the neglected canal. It doubled in size with the run-off of Hurricane Irene and TS Lee. If something isn’t done, the canal will be dammed up. Maybe that’s what Ahlstrom (sp) is waiting for. Ahlstrom is the company that bought Dexter Paper Co. The Dexter family owned the canal and every year they would drain it, make repairs and dredge if necessary. Ahlstrom refuses to do it and refuses to allow anyone else do it. Since the canal is on the National Historic Register, this is pretty sad.

2011-09-10T19:16:00.009-04:00

One of my favorite spots along the path is where the water flows under the railroad bridge…especially when the water is high and swift. The top picture is from Aug. 31. The bottom two taken today.

2011-09-10T19:08:00.007-04:00

The river giveth…look at all the junk left at the base of the canal wall. The top picture shows what it looked like flooded.

2011-09-10T19:06:00.004-04:00

And the river taketh away…there used to be a pile of trees and other river debris piled on the right...toward the open river. This flood took it all away.

2011-09-10T19:03:00.002-04:00

I call this picture Reflections. It shows the trees, a beautiful cloud, and the sun reflected in Stony Brook where it flows beneath the canal to the Connecticut River.

Another Storm…More Flooding

2011-09-08T09:36:00.002-04:00

After the clean up following Irene I called the condo management people and asked for help in preventing the window well flooding. They said someone would be over to caulk the window AND the well.

Well.

I popped out of bed this morning at 5:30 (having been awakened by something) and ran down to the basement just in time to see the first trickle of water come over the window sill. I stuffed towels everywhere I could and ran upstairs to gather umbrella, rain jacket, flashlight, shovel and small pan…and out I went in the torrential downpour wearing my nightgown and thin summer bathrobe.

I bailed and bailed until I almost reached bottom. In the meantime, I was able to figure out why my window well floods. As water pours off the entryway roof (no gutter) it digs a channel in the soil. This is, in essence, a long narrow pond that empties right into the window well. AH HA!

That’s where the shovel came in. After getting out of my soaked clothes, I put on my bathing suit and boots so I could dig a ditch out to the sidewalk. It is obvious the lay of the land is all wrong! It dips in the wrong direction. (Can’t you just see this crazy lady out in the dark and pouring rain in a bathing suit and boots wielding a shovel and bailing pan?)

You can’t tell me the young couple who lived here before me didn’t have the same problem. Because the basement was not finished at that time, I guess they didn’t care and just let it flood. There were a lot of things they apparently let go…I would love to see their new house.

Another call to condo management and I told them I want someone out here TODAY! Actually they have been very nice and understanding. I expect a crew here sometime this morning and I’ll show them the problem and let them solve it. Actually I have already solved it, but they need to re-dig my ditch and caulk the well and window.

Then I’m going to take them around out back and show them the standing water there. My neighbor has at least 3” of water at her back door…always…whenever it rains.

I don’t want to be on vacation in a couple of weeks and have to worry about my basement flooding.

My problem is minuscule compared to what others are going through…but to me it’s huge.

Post Irene Bike Ride Pictures

2011-08-31T12:25:00.004-04:00

Go to this public link to see the pictures I posted on Facebook this morning. You don't have to be on fb to look at this link.

I took these pictures on my bike ride this morning to look at the CT river and any storm damage I might find. Check out the link of barrels (?) floating in the river.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2478580164232.2151119.1244354945&l=411408a761&type=1

Raging River of Mud

2011-08-30T14:33:00.003-04:00

I went out of my way to go to the Suffield end of the Canal path just to get a look at the river. I was speechless!

I've seen the river higher. I've seen more debris floating down the swollen river. But I've never seen it look like mud. It looks like a slurry.

People were standing in the observation area just looking. No one was talking. Like attending a funeral. Very surreal.

And, darn it, I had neither binoculars nor camera. Grrrrrr!

BTW...both North and South Water Streets are closed. And there is a huge tree split and laying across one of the side streets from Main St to South Water (I think it's next to the police station). Try as I might, I could not get down to the river. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll walk down to the boat launch...with binoculars and camera. This isn't going away any time soon.

After the Storm

2011-08-29T08:50:00.006-04:00

Getting these pictures loaded is giving me fits...but here they are.

Now that Hurricane Irene is over I have some cleaning up to do.

When I came down to my Mom Cave yesterday morning, I thought it smelled damp, so I checked the utility room. Water was just beginning to run down the wall from the window well. YIKES! I raced up two flights of stairs to get dressed then grabbed a small pan to bail the water. Of course I got soaking wet, but at least the water stopped coming in. But, before it stopped, the damage was done.

I bailed the window well twice more before the rain stopped! I have a well cover, but the water was seeping in from the soil into the well along the foundation.

Because the window well filled up and spilled into the basement I had to pick up the pieces of vinyl on the floor. They were just set aside so I could put towels down on the floor to absorb water. Once that was done the towels went into the washer to spin then into the dryer…then back on the floor.

That vinyl has to be brought outside today so I can wash the backside with a bleach solution to prevent mould. Once the sun and wind dries the backside, I can put the pieces back on the utility room floor. Piece by piece the topside will have to be washed down also, but not until they are on the floor.

The big job is in my office area. Water seeped under the partition and under the vinyl. However, there is a lot of furniture on top of that vinyl! Another job today will be to move my couch forward so I can move some of my furniture onto the carpet. I unloaded both file cabinets yesterday just so I could move them…but they need to be moved off the vinyl in order for me to be able to take it up and outside for cleaning. Then the floor underneath has to be completely dried before the vinyl can go back down.

I have informed the management company and have requested someone come over and caulk the window. Little by little I’m fixing things. If I hadn’t finished the basement it wouldn’t have mattered. I need to get a small pallet to get a couple of heavy things up off the floor…even a few 2x4’s would do.

Yep. Little by little. A lot of work to be done!

Zip Lining Adventure

2011-07-02T20:16:00.004-04:00

If you think Zip Lining is hooking onto a cable and flying from treetop to treetop, let me tell you it is not that simple/easy!

Yes, there is sliding from one tree to another, but in-between, there are obstacles. At Sandy Spring Adventure Park, there could be two or three obstacles before you Zip.

The trails are set up similar to skiing: yellow trails are beginners; green trails and blue trails are, each, more advanced; then there are the black diamond and double black diamond.

You will see in some of the pictures the many levels on the trees. The higher the platform, the more difficult the trail. Any platform with a downward lip is the end of a Zip. Make sure you click in each picture to get the full effect.

NOTE: This is a lengthy post so you will have to click on "older posts" at some point in order to get all of it.

Our group: Barbara (blue shirt) a good friend of mine; Terry (orange shirt), Barbara’s daughter; Anne (white shirt and grey pants) my daughter; Jacob (black shirt) Anne’s oldest son; Andrew (red shirt), Anne’s youngest son. Oh, and me, of course. I’m the reason we are all here. Anne gave me the present of Zip Lining for my 75th birthday.

Terry has lots of rock climbing experience, so she was really looking forward to doing this course.

2011-07-02T20:14:00.003-04:00

We registered and paid then picked up our harnesses and gloves. In the picture is Terry, Jacob, and Andrew.

2011-07-02T20:13:00.002-04:00

We were assisted in putting on our harness if we didn’t know how. I sure needed help! ☺ We picked out our gloves from a bin then proceeded to the instruction area. We were shown how to use the carabiners (how to lock and unlock using the tweezlers) and the proper way to use the gizmo that is used for zipping. Then we were turned loose to enjoy ourselves. There is staff on the ground, but no staff on the platforms.

2011-07-02T20:11:00.002-04:00

In order to get to the first platform where all the trails begin, you must hook in with the carabiners and ascend the log steps. This is the first time where you must hook in and use the tweezlers… it’s to give you practice. Right off the bat I’m out of my comfort zone because of how far apart each “step” is and the slant of the whole thing. The entire park is set up to get you out of your comfort zone. What I call obstacles, the park calls challenges. ☺

In this picture on the right: Jacob, Anne, and Andrew. On the left me and Terry.

2011-07-02T20:10:00.002-04:00

Barbara and me hauling ourselves up the log steps.

2011-07-02T20:05:00.004-04:00

There I am on one of the obstacles. Next is Anne then Barbara. Barbara, Terry and I were on one beginner course and Anne chose a different one. There were three different beginners courses…I’m not sure about how many each of the others have.

I was very tense and hesitant on the planks. They were like swings and when stepped on they moved. I got through the first set of obstacles and zipped to the next platform. Then I got through the next set and zipped to the next platform.

A word about these platforms…there was not a lot of room on any of them and you most likely have to duck under cables to get to the next obstacle.

The next obstacle was two iron hoops with three narrow slats on the bottom and I had to get from one platform, through the hoops onto the next platform. It took me about 5 minutes to figure out how I was going to do it. I decided to go sitting down, feet first and haul myself through the hoops and up onto the platform.

The next test was a single cable that I would have to walk on while being hooked in and holding onto two cables for support. I put my foot on the cable a couple of times. It had a lot of play/dip/give and I decided that was not going to work for me.

2011-07-02T19:57:00.006-04:00

These pictures show a staff member coming up a ladder to rescue me. You see Barbara but it was me he was coming to help. I’m on the other side of the tree. Once I was securely locked in, I climbed down the ladder to solid ground that wasn’t going to move crazily and make me dizzy. In the pictures you can see the metal hoops.

Also notice in the top picture there is a cable that goes out from the platform to a piece of wood (which was actually a wooden triangle with the apex at the bottom). You can also see above that, two cables which would be all I would have to hold on to. If I had gotten to the triangle, I would have had to reposition my carabiners to the other side using the red tweezler to unlock/lock them to move to the other side and continue to the next platform.

In the last photo you can see Anne waiting for me to climb down. She had already finished her trail and was ready for more.

As for me, I was happy to be on solid ground and I was done for the day. I had no problem calling it quits.

2011-07-02T19:45:00.014-04:00

In the pictures you can see Anne, Terry and Andrew doing more trails. Andrew was so happy that Terry would go with him on the harder trails. I think there was a restriction that under a certain age you had to have an adult with you. That definitely was not going to be me and Anne was happy Terry was willing.

Look closely at these pictures and you’ll spot members of our group in the trees. Just look for the color of the clothes. Try as I might, I can’t find Jacob in any of these pictures. He must have been on some of the more difficult courses further back in the trees. I do remember we lost track of him for quite some time.

2011-07-02T19:44:00.002-04:00

Everything was going very well until Andrew got to one obstacle where he wasn’t tall enough to get from one rung of the log ladder to the next. He exhausted himself trying. We had another rescue, but this time from a much higher platform.

2011-07-02T19:41:00.002-04:00

Andrew was attached to a belaying line and lowered to the ground. I was so proud of him! He did a great job. Next year he’ll have no problem on this one.

Thanks, Terry, for being there with him.

2011-07-02T19:36:00.005-04:00

Terry on one of her climbs.

2011-07-02T19:34:00.002-04:00

The whole group left to right in back: Terry, Barbara, me, Anne. Front: Andrew and Jacob.

Barbara did at least a couple of trails (maybe more). She was absolutely fearless! She and Anne are my new heroes. Neither one of them had ever done anything like this before!

2011-07-02T19:33:00.002-04:00

My problem was my poor sense of balance, but that can, hopefully, be improved. It is my plan (hope) to go back next year and ace that same course. If I do, I may call it a day or I might do another yellow trail just to prove to myself I can. It’s an option I’ll hold open.

Initially I was okay with aborting my adventure. I still am, but… It really ticks me off that my poor balance could cause such fear (terror?) resulting in an aborted climb. I’m disappointed in myself for not finishing. I didn’t finish the Erie Canal bike ride, either, but that was different. I was physically exhausted. I know I could go back and complete it by allowing more time.

The adventure park is different. I’m not done yet! ☺

A Beautiful Morning for a Walk

2011-06-16T14:22:00.001-04:00

I have so many options when it comes to taking a walk. I can go around the block for 3 miles; or I can go around a different block for 2 miles. Then I could just cross the street and walk forever. I’m not into forever. After 3 ½ miles I begin to stagger! ☺

I start at my front door and walk east up to Route 5. Turn north and walk a half mile to Bridge Lane. Left on Bridge Lane and I’m heading west, toward the river. About half way between Rt. 5 and the river is this lovely gazebo and pond.

NOTE: Click on pictures to enlarge.

2011-06-16T14:21:00.003-04:00

Continuing west, I come to the railroad tracks. This house sits between the tracks and the river. The best of both worlds!

2011-06-16T14:18:00.004-04:00

Here the tracks are shown going north and south. I’m going south, too, so for the next mile I’ll be walking along the river.

2011-06-16T14:15:00.004-04:00

Tracks looking north.

Tracks looking south.

With all the vegetation leafed out, I can’t see much of the water, but I can hear it roaring and hissing over the rapids. Once in a while, I will come upon a pretty patch of flowers.

2011-06-16T14:13:00.003-04:00

At the 2 ½ mile mark I come to the town boat launch and it’s a good excuse for me to sit on a boulder for a while and watch for eagles. If they don’t show up I know the Canada geese will.

2011-06-16T14:11:00.002-04:00

While I’m sitting and watching, I hear the train whistle as it comes across Hayden Station in Windsor. Then I hear it come into Windsor Locks. I’m moving now with camera at the ready and catch the gate down and the train barreling through. I don’t know how I got such a clear picture of the train…he was going fast.

2011-06-16T14:09:00.003-04:00

With nothing else exciting happening, I finished the final ½ mile home.

A morning well spent. ☺

Am I Responsible?

2011-06-09T11:11:00.001-04:00

Last week as I was riding home on my bike I spotted a good size snapping turtle coming out of a swamp and would eventually cross the road. I took notice and rode on.

About a half mile down the road I saw a man out for his morning walk and I mentioned the turtle as a point of interest in nature. He smiled a very big smile and said something that sounded like he was very happy to hear that.

Today I rode past the same spot and I saw the smashed shell of a turtle in the grass where I had seen the live snapper. Just the shell, no flesh.

Did that man kill the turtle and take the flesh home for soup? There are people who do that. I felt so bad…to think that I might have been responsible because I mentioned it to that man.

He probably would have seen it anyway, but next time…if similar circumstances present themselves…I’ll keep my mouth shut.

I Surrender! ☺

2011-06-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

When I went to bed last night I was not expecting any more storms. The line that went through earlier in the evening had some brilliant lightening…cloud-to-cloud and ground to cloud streaks that we so seldom see.

I left windows open and fans on thinking I would cool the house down over night then close it up this morning. I really didn’t want to turn the C/A on.

At 1:30 am I was rudely awakened by thunder and realized the rain was coming in my bedroom windows. I flew out of bed, whacked my right shin in the oscillating fan that was on the floor knocking the cage off the front. I frantically closed the windows and unplugged the fan. Then I ran downstairs to close the living room sliders and the kitchen window.

I limped back upstairs and inspected my leg. Ugh. I found the Neosporin and a large bandaid and patched my self up.

This morning I decided to go out early on my bike to get a few groceries before it got hot. At least that was successful! When I returned home I discovered I had left my car windows open last night. I…don’t…believe…it!

As for the C/A, I turned it on…I caved in…I ran up the flag of surrender. The weather is going to be threatening all day into the night and the temps are going to be up near 99. I’ll cool the house off all right! I’ll turn the C/A on forget the whole thing.

Check back with me tomorrow when the weather is cooler and drier. I’ll be in a better mood. ☹

I'm Addicted!

2011-05-27T19:10:00.002-04:00

Last night I went to a poetry reading and when I got up to read for open mic I said, "Good evening, everyone. My name is Beverly and I'm an addict." Everyone did a deep breath suck-in and then I said, "I am addicted to my computer. It has been in for an upgrade since Tuesday and I'm having terrible withdrawal pains." With that everyone laughed and exhaled.

It wasn't funny. I got it back today and couldn't wait to get to work. However, I had to do over all my settings, all my bookmarks, all my everythings!

I have an upgraded OS, larger hard drive and more RAM. Everything looks different, but I'm slowly but surely making it the way I want it. I'm just glad to have it back! :)

One thing I need to work on is the memorial book I did for my mother. I printed 25 copies for family and close friends. But others, once they see it, want a copy. It has been very well received. This weekend I need to produce 10 more copies.

Tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. there will be a ceremony at the Mark Twain ball fields here in town. The fields will be renamed Veteran's Memorial Park and the two fields will be individually named for Gunnery Sgt. Philip Jordan and LCpl Philip Johnson (my grandson). This is quite an honor and I'm sure Phil is pleased. Joe (my other Marine grandson) will throw out the first ball at the field named for Phil...how fitting is that.

Don't know what else is going on this weekend, but it's sure to be busy.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend and don't forget what the holiday is all about...those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can live free. Semper Fi.

When Looking for Envelopes… ☺

2011-05-14T11:25:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesday I finished putting together a book of poems and essays in memory of my mother. I needed 6x9 envelopes to mail some of them to out-of-town family and friends. So I start looking. I knew I’d seen them since I moved in here. But where?

I didn’t stop looking until I had gone through every box on the shelves in the back storage area, repacking some of them, relabeling all of them, and trashing some stuff. I was able to empty 4 boxes in the process (and throw them out).

No envelopes.

In the meantime, I contracted to have my water heater replaced, and assured Patrick (from the company doing the replacing) that I would have all the stuff in the area of the existing water heater cleared and cleaned. That meant calling in the reserves. I called Andy (my youngest) and asked him to come over Friday night to help me take a big load of stuff to the dumpster.

(Note: the condo association has a huge dumpster down by the pool house for the owners to do their spring cleaning throw away. I made two trips!)

I hung up with Andy and went to start clearing off the table back there so the table could be thrown out. I picked up a box of front door wreath type thingies, and, would you believe…there were the envelopes I’d been looking for. Now why didn’t I think to look there first? ☺ Isn’t that where you’d expect to find envelopes?

Andy came over last night after work and helped me move some heavy boxes…some staying and some being trashed. I was able to vacuum and make the floor presentable.

Once the new water heater is in, I will put leftover vinyl down in that back area, which will make it so much easier to keep clean.

Oh! Yes, I did mail the books…in new envelopes I had bought. As it turned out I would not have had enough so would have had to buy more anyway.

Beware the next time you go looking for envelopes (or anything else, for that matter)! ☺

Lovely Morning for a Walk

2011-05-10T12:55:00.002-04:00

I took advantage of this morning’s beautiful weather to go for a walk around the block. Where I live, that means 3 miles.

The sun was shining, the air filled with the scent of spring flowers and flowering trees. The shadblow is blooming, so I guess the shad are running.

I stopped to talk with a young man getting ready to go fishing for stripers. I didn’t know they were in the CT River. A little further down the road I chatted with an elderly lady sitting out in front of her riverside home warming herself in the sun. She was so delightful. At the 2 mile mark I was at the boat launch and stopped for a while to enjoy the river (and rest ☺).

None of the geese or ducks showed up, but the trees were filled with birds singing their hearts out. I saw an eagle across the river, high above the trees. The man I talked to earlier told me kids are going down the bike path to the barricade and putting their bikes up and over which amounts to harassing the breeding pair of eagles nesting between Stony Brook and the railroad trestle. He called the cops and the DEP. I hope these kids got caught. I’d love to ride the canal pathway, too, but KEEP OUT means just that. Once the eaglets are fledged, the path will reopen.

From the boat launch the next .25 mi is a steep hill (huff, puff, groan), but the reward is that the last .25 is flat and heading home.

After a shower and some lunch, my quads are barking (especially the right side). By tomorrow everything will feel fine, but, no bike ride this afternoon. That’s pushing it a little! ☺

Two Summer Looks

2011-05-07T12:53:00.005-04:00

Last summer's look, the white bed spread and naked windows (except those horrible wooden blinds), really didn’t do much for me as you can see by the bottom pictures. Blah. Bland.

I like this summer’s look a lot better…sage. The sheers were up over the winter and just needed to be freshened up a bit. This looks so much better. Cooler. And the drapes will keep out the summer heat during the day.

I should have taken a picture of the winter look, but thought of it too late. Don’t worry, another winter will come! ☹

Osama bin Ladin is Dead

2011-05-03T20:07:00.001-04:00

I reacted to the news in two ways:
1) Good! They got the bastard!
2) This isn’t going to bring Phil back (or any of our troops who have died in combat), and the safety of the world just went down the drain.

The feeling that stays with me is that his death has solved nothing, and in fact has made a bad situation worse.

So I’m of two minds: I’m glad we finally got him and I don’t see that this has solved anything.

We can’t keep throwing hate at hate and expect our problems to be solved. Only Light dispels the darkness and only Love will replace hate.

I ask you to pray that Love and Light replace negativity on the planet.
I ask you to pray that all negativity be transmuted back to the Light.
I ask you to pray for Peace.
I ask you to Love one another.
I ask you to try really, really hard.

09/16/1912 - 04/14/2011

2011-04-20T12:30:00.002-04:00

My mom passed last Thursday.

I thank my family for their strong support during that time...they held me up.

I also want to thank Hartford Hospital for their caring and sensitivity to her situation, and their guidance.

The Hospice team was there when the family needed them...someone to talk to and confide in.

As the family went through a sad series of events, it was good to be surrounded by such caring people.

My Florida Vacation

2011-04-10T20:37:00.001-04:00

Yes! I actually went to Florida for 5 days from March 29 to April 2nd. The last time I was in Florida I was on my honeymoon.

The first two days we had overcast skies. That’s OK because I don’t lie on the beach sun burning anyway. At least, I don’t do that any more! ☺

The third day we had torrential downpours, high winds and tornado warnings and watches. No tornado came very close.

Day four was beautifully sunny. We went to Washington Oaks Gardens State park in Palm Coast. The gardens were very nice and the history quite interesting. On the ocean side I was fascinated by the coquina rock formations.

Flights down and back were uneventful. The flight from Atlanta to Bradley got in 40 min. early due to a tail wind.

Lots of Poetry Going On.

2011-04-10T20:33:00.006-04:00

The day after I got back from Florida there was a reading at Hall Memorial Library in Ellington. This reading was accompanied by music on dulcimer and guitar.

Then it was off to Broad Street Books in Middletown two days later. A good venue, but the poets have to compete with the compressors and smoothie makers in the food court.

Upcoming on April 17th, there will be an Ekphrastic Poetry event at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Poetry written about a work of art is called Ekphrastic. I will be one of many poets reading on that day. I chose "Midwinter Moonlight" by Regis-Francois Cignoux.

Thank Goodness I Went to Florida That Week and Not This Week.

2011-04-10T20:31:00.001-04:00

My mother suffered a stroke yesterday (Saturday) and is in ICU at a Hartford hospital. She is unable to talk; has fluid in her lungs and an occasional tremor in one hand. There is no prognosis…yet. Had she had the stroke one week earlier, I would have been in Florida preparing to come home. Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster I would have been on?

Beyond the Mists

2011-03-19T08:36:00.002-04:00

This is a video of me reading the title poem from my book, "Beyond the Mists", at the Russell Library in Middletown last week. The feature reader was Glyn Dowden who read in the persona of Dylan Thomas.

March 13 through 19

2011-03-18T20:35:00.004-04:00

Another week. This one didn’t have a lot of stuff going on, but some things were time consuming, so it feels like a lot.

Andy’s birthday
The week started with my youngest and youngest son’s birthday…a magical 44. Yep, my ‘baby’ is 44. I always refer to him as ‘my youngest’ because he never really had a chance to be a baby.

Poetry Workshop
Monday night was poetry workshop night. I brought my Ekphrastic poem for critique. As often (always?) happens some people don’t understand what I’m getting at and make suggestions for changes that are absolutely not going to be made. ☺ However, some suggestions were valuable. I haven’t looked at all the comments yet. I’ve had other things on my mind.

Ekphrastic Poetry
An Ekphrastic poem is a poem about any work of art, usually a painting. I chose Mid Winter Moonlight by Regis-Francois Cignoux. This painting hangs in the New Britain Museum of Modern Art. On April 17th, over 20 poets will be at the Museum reading their Ekphrastic poems. Mark your calendars…12:30 to 4 pm. You’ll hear fantastic poetry and view beautiful paintings. It’s a 2-fer! ☺ I do believe the usual admission fee will be charged.

Meeting at nursing home
For starters I received 2 notices about this meeting for two different days and my mother’s name was spelled wrong both times. Having straightened that out, only one meeting was held. On one level it was very productive. I posed the question about the level of caring (not care…caring). I asked if it was too much to expect the aides (in particular) to treat the residents as if they were their parent. Sounds so simple doesn’t it?

More poetry
On Thursday night, I went over to the Wintonbury Branch library in Bloomfield to hear Stephanie Elliott and Susan Deer Cloud read what I thought was going to be native American poetry. There was a little of that, but the rest got very political. After the readings, one of the poets was discussing a rally coming up this weekend in New Haven to have our troops pulled out of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I had to leave. I have one grandson who gave his life in Iraq and another who has been fighting in Afghanistan preserving the right of others to disagree and protest.

I can't emphasize enough, I may not like war (who does?), but I am in full support of our troops. God Bless and Protect every one of them.

First bike ride of the season
Thursday of this week was the best for a bike ride…close to 60° and very little wind…not like today’s gusty winds. I took a short 11.5 mile ride. It felt good to be on two wheels.

I finally got around to naming my bike. It’s a Raleigh so I thought naming it after Sir Walter’s wife (if he had one) would be appropriate. I Googled and found out he married Elizabeth Throckmorton. So my bike has become Lizzie Throckmorton. What a silly name for a bike! I have to laugh every time I think of that name. And, if you’re looking for a good story read the history of Walter and Elizabeth. My kind of people (rebellious). ☺

Basketball
Of course I’m watching the NCAA basketball tournaments. It’s the men right now. The women won’t start playing until Sunday. The guys are wearing so much ink you could fill a swimming pool. Why do they need all those tattoos? Probably could take their clothes off and you wouldn’t even notice.

Is it just me or do people just not think any more?
Lets start at the nursing home. I had to request they do a throat culture because my mother has had a very sore throat for about a week and a half now. They thought that was a really good idea. Ya think?

Then they were having trouble with their suppliers and their own pharmacy getting Cepecol lozenges to ease my mom’s sore throat. They kept telling me they were readily available over the counter. Today I took the initiative and went to the drug store myself and bought some. That wasn’t such a good idea after all. They gave her a lozenge and it numbed her throat and her whole mouth to the point she no longer could feel where the lozenge was in her mouth and it slid down her throat. I yelled for nurses STAT and had two within seconds. The potential disaster was averted and I took the rest of the lozenges home with me.

They are supposed to have a throat spray delivered late Friday afternoon. I’ll go back Saturday to check…and I’ll have a bottle of spray with me just in case.

Lets talk about the temperature of the pool here at the condo complex. It’s been COLD for about a month now. Alice is the leader of the water aerobics group and she is on the Board of Directors. She has complained to the management group to no avail. So I emailed the MG and told them how uncomfortable is was to workout in cold water as well as dangerous to be stretching cold muscles.

Today they sent someone in to check it. So what did they do? They checked the thermostat in the control room. They always check the thermostat. It was reading 92°. Therefore, Alice and I are crazy. Right? Wrong. Today Alice brought a thermometer to the pool and we proved the water IN THE POOL was 76°. Oh! I think the problem will be solved and we will have warmer water. No one thought to check the water in the pool. Oy!

As I check my calendar, it looks like (outside of going to the nursing home) I have nothing going on tomorrow (Saturday). And that’s probably what I will do. ☺

Have a good week and Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy 89th Birthday to Jack Kerouac...

2011-03-12T12:05:00.002-05:00

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!’" (Kerouac)

Kerouac was/is one of the prominent poets of the beat generation. There are, currently, a few poets who apparently think they are equal to the originals and do their best to emulate the lifestyle and bravado.

My advice is: you and your poetry were better when you were being yourself, and, if you keep up this contrived, beat generation thing, you will end up destroying yourself and your poetry.

Have at it.

March 6 through 12 Summary

2011-03-11T19:51:00.010-05:00

Photos
Clockwise starting at top left: pairing up; shimmer; feed me; everybody up

Felt like I caught it
Back on the 4th I had gone to the nursing home to see my mother knowing they were having a GI event on a rampage throughout the facility. On the 6th I thought I was coming down with the grumblies. I was scheduled to attend a poetry reading featuring my good friend, Colin Haskins, in Willimantic, but canceled it not knowing if I was going to be sick. Got up the next morning feeling fine. I guess had a touch of it. My mother, it seems, was probably not a victim of the “bug” after all. It was another problem that has since been taken care of.

Beautiful day for a walk
On Tuesday, I took a walk down to the boat launch. I had a bag of old bread for the ducks and geese and I wanted to see how high the river had come up. The river, as you can see in the pictures, wasn’t very high and the geese were demanding. It is a nice walk…about half a mile. I need to do more walking and probably will now that I’m working on my exercise regimen. More on that later.

Alliance for Wholistic Living
Thursday I was scheduled for an orientation meeting with The Alliance for Wholistic Living (… a group of centers, practitioners and interested community members, focused East of the Connecticut River with the mission of promoting holistic living in our communities through collaborative ventures.) I was on time, but I was in the wrong place. I’ll try again next month.

Earthquake and tsunami
We live in such an incredible time of instant communication. To think we were able to see the totality of the earthquake and resulting tsunami as it was happening. I’m get so excited about that, but it still boggles my mind.

Welsh poetry
Saturday, the 12th, I will be at a poetry reading at Russell Library in Middletown (2 pm). Friends, Glyn Dowden and Stephanie Elliott, will be celebrating Welsh poets. Glyn, a genuine Welshman, will read as the persona of Dylan Thomas. Stephanie will read the poetry of Welsh women. There will be an open mic and I will read my poem, “Beyond the Mists,” which has Celtic roots and is the title of my first chap book.

Working out
Starting this week I have forced myself to workout every day. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it is The Core Program as outlined by Peggy Brill, P.T. in her book by the same name. I don’t know if the book is still in print. The Core Program is strictly for women and works on strengthening the back, abdomen and hips. The first couple of days my right hip flexor was really barking, but today it was good. AND I was able to walk normally because the flexor doesn’t hurt like it used to. The Program also works on the legs by virtue of their connection to the hips.

On Tuesday and Thursday I start out in the morning with water aerobics (sometimes Saturday, too) and later in the day I work with free weights.

I need a strong body for bike riding season and for walking and running up and down two flights of stairs. In other words, I need a strong body because I have plans. ☺ ☺ Can you say zip-line?

So that’s it for now. Hopefully we’ll get together again next week.

Meet Mason

2011-03-07T20:28:00.006-05:00

Top Photo: Look at those paws! (no, not Lou's hand, the puppy's)
Middle Photo: Mason and me.
Bottom Photo: (from left to right) part of Lou, Jake, Layla, Mason and half of Jessica

Mason is Jessica and Matt's new bull mastiff puppy. When he is full grown he will outweigh Jack and Layla; probably be taller at the shoulder; will also have a massive head; but will not have the long-hair coat.

Mason is well behaved and has already been trained to 'sit.' He has a sweet disposition, loves his Leonberger cousins and is loved in return. Could not believe how well they all played together.

Back on Schedule?

2011-03-07T20:25:00.002-05:00

It’s been a long time since I did any regular exercise. I’ve been doing water aerobics since I moved into the condo, but that’s not enough. I need strength training and exercises that target my core.

I started today. So on MWF I will do core strengthening exercises and T & T I will do water aerobics followed by weight resistant strength training alternating upper body and lower body.

If I don’t start now, I’m going to have a tough time bike riding this year. I know my right hip flexor needs attention. As I started my core workout this morning one of the exercises addresses tight hip flexor. Mine started to bark. BUT, later on when I was out doing errands, I was walking a lot easier…once I stopped waiting for it to start hurting.

I have to start walking again, too. Of course that depends on whether or not I can stretch that pesky hip flexor. Everything is connected.

Shelburne Falls, MA

2011-02-27T18:11:00.004-05:00

The day started out with more snow. The wet, snowman making kind of snow. No time for making snowmen...Barbara and I were scheduled to go to Shelburne Falls, MA for a gathering of writers.

The drive up was most uneventful. Roads were clear and very wet. Thank goodness I topped off my window washer fluid before we left. It's an hour's drive, but it passes quickly as we find so many things to talk about. I bring my GPS just so we don't miss the exit...easy to do when the conversation gets so interesting! :)

We love Shelburne Falls. It's one of those old fashioned towns that time seems to have forgotten. However, there is so much going on in the cultural arts and civic pride. Makes one seriously consider moving there! :) (No, I think I'll stay right here where I am) I look forward to the reopening of the Flower Bridge...so pretty when everything on the bridge is in bloom. Then there are the glacial pot holes. Love this town.

On the way home the traffic became very slow and stop and go around Northampton. So I got off the interstate figuring I'd go home on Route 5. Interesting choice. I got into slow and stop and go traffic in Northampton. The scenery was more interesting than the highway, but I hopped back on 91 at the next opportunity. Slow on the interstate is faster than slow through every little town on Route 5.

Major Catch Up

2011-02-25T19:30:00.004-05:00

It has been brought to my attention (and I have been aware) that I haven’t been posting on my blog much lately. The culprit is FACEBOOK. Yes. I seem to be out on facebook several times a day and posting little tidbits here and there. So I owe it to my V A S T audience to bring you up to date as best as I can.

Let’s start with my Woman Cave

You can call it the basement, the den, family room or my cave. No matter what you call it…it’s cozy and comfortable…my cocoon. I don’t think I’ll come out as a butterfly, however. :)

The bookcases came down in mid-January and it took some doing to get all the books placed. They are in alpha order according to subject. I also have a database that tells me which bookcase and what shelf any given book is on. It should be much easier finding what I want from now on.

My office is fully functional and I’m super thrilled to have everything in its place!

This is where I create…write, think, then write some more. My muse has come out of hiding and I’m writing poetry again…and I’ll tell you more about that later.

Water Aerobics

Two to three times a week I go down to the pool house and join a group for water aerobics. It’s excellent exercise, low impact, and it has contributed, in part, to the weight I have lost since moving here. It’s been fun losing pound number 13…then it finds me and I have to lose it all over again. This has been going on for some time now.

This morning I got on the scale and saw I lost another half pound. Astonished, I got back on the scale and it said I had lost another pound. I got off and back on only to be told I had lost yet another pound. I really don’t want to replace the battery. I like it the way it is…malfunctioning. :)

Winter

What can I say that hasn’t been said already. This winter has been brutal. However, I don’t have to worry about snow removal. Well, that’s not completely true. I have to clean off my car and shovel enough to move it so the plowing can be done. And I have to shovel my deck each storm so it doesn’t collapse under the weight of feet of the white stuff. That’s it. It gets me outside doing something physical while doing a meet and greet with the neighbors. It’s a lot of fun as we shovel out our own cars and help others who have a tougher time with shoveling.

Furnace and water heater venting

Due to the snow there had been a problem with my water heater going out. Once the vent becomes blocked (with snow or ice), the pilot light goes out. I have a service contract with the gas company so a phone call takes care of that.

Then there was a problem with fumes…presumably from the furnace. The way the vent was positioned outside, it was thought the fumes were coming into the house along the foundation. The guys from the gas company cut the pipe so it is now a straight shot out (no longer curves down and against the foundation). This will have to be re-modified later, but for the moment, the problem seems remediated. It also helped that the snow has melted away from the building allowing better ventilation.

I will have my water heater replaced in a couple of months (to an “on demand” type) and will have the furnace vent properly reassembled. I’m hoping to hold off replacing the furnace. I’m also going to research having a pellet stove insert put in my fireplace. Not sure I can afford that just now.

Energy audit

The utility companies were offering free energy audits to senior citizens so I took them up on it. They completely taped up every inch of the exterior of my fireplace. The cold air coming through there was unbelievable! It is too dangerous to use anyway, because the flue/damper does not work properly. Thus the yearning for a pellet stove insert! :)

Poetry

Several poetry events are coming up…and I mean big and important.

1) On March 12^th, Russell Library on Broad Street in Middletown, Glyn Dowden and Stephanie Elliott will read Welsh poetry. Glynn (who is from Wales) will be reading the poetry of Dylan Thomas, and Stephanie (who lived in Wales for a time) will be reading from other Welsh poets. 2 pm, public invited.

2) March 27th will see the publication party for South Windsor Voices, an anthology of poetry written by South Windsor residents and former residents. I have two poems in the book as well as being on the Steering Committee. I was a resident when the assignment began and became a former resident as time went on. March 27^th at the South Windsor Public Library, 2-4 pm. Open to the public.

3) April 17^th, Ekphrastic Poetry event at the New Britain Museum of American Art, 1-3 pm. “Ekphrastic” is poetry written about a work of art…usually a painting. I have chosen “Midwinter Moonlight” by Regis-Francois Cignoux. Open to the public…should be a spectacular event. The lineup of poets alone makes this a stellar event.

And so it goes

There’s a lot more stuff going on, but this will give you an idea of how busy life can get. Sometimes I would like just one day where I didn’t have to go somewhere or do something. Where I could go out for a walk…down to the boat launch perhaps to feed the ducks.

Mom still doing well

Yep! My mother is still doing well. If she makes it to September she’ll be 99! I’ve tried to get her to consider transferring to a nursing home closer to me, but she’s content where she is and doesn’t mind that she sees me only twice a week now instead of almost every day. Two days of me is enough? :)

Well, there you have it. I will try to do better as far as posting more often.

The Office is Finished!

2011-01-22T21:44:00.010-05:00

Photos:

Top: Measured twice, cut once. Perfect fit.

Others: Different views of the office with the furniture. Check out all the orbs!

I worked all afternoon to achieve the finished office area. Andy and Paul came over, but they couldn't take all the cardboard I had for recycling...no room in the back of the truck. However, they loaded it in my car and I'll drop it off to Andy tomorrow.

I moved all the furniture myself with those "movers" thingies. You know, they go under the piece of furniture and make sliding easy.

Tomorrow I'll concentrate on filling my desk drawers and deciding on a lot of other stuff that I need to keep or toss...mostly toss, probably.

I'm ready to go buy my new flat screen TV for down here.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the Cave...it's coming along.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

2011-01-21T20:01:00.007-05:00

Photos: three of the top four show the bookcases loaded with books—finally—and my stuffed animals. Then, there is that lone box of books that needed to be cataloged. The last photo shows the finished floor covering.

I get so excited just looking at the progress. Orlando Rosario from The Carpet Gallery graciously agreed to put down the final row of carpet tiles and the transition piece to marry the tiles to the vinyl. It took more talent than I have that’s for sure. And he did a beautiful job.

The family Christmas was postponed from the day after Christmas to January 16^th. So, while I had all that muscle in the house I asked if we could possibly get the bookcases down the stairs. The easiest way, I thought, would be to take them out the front door, around the side of the building and in the back door into the Cave. Matt was certain they would go down the stairs and go down they did! Kathy and Lou had already helped me get all the boxes of books down there.

I put the shelves in and shelved the books. There were a lot of books that I had never cataloged, so that had to be done. Now I’m playing with spacing of the books according to category. This time, I’m including the location of each book in the listing. It’s one thing to know you have a book…it’s another thing to find the darn thing when you want it!

All my stuffies are so happy to be out of that box. I did have to put them in a trance in order to transport them here. They have been in that box since MAY! They were just waking up when I opened the box and started placing them on and in the bookcases. There is still rearranging to do.

I have a lot of vinyl left over, but I have plans for all of it. A piece will be put down in my office area and the rest will go on the floor in the laundry/storage/furnace space on the other side of the wall.

I have broken down 17 boxes and covers. All that cardboard will be recycled. Things are looking a lot cleaner.

Almost there. And, worth all the hard work!

First Snow

2010-12-27T19:15:00.002-05:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! I didn't have to worry about clearing any of it. That was a pleasure. Once the plow came into the parking area between the buildings, all I had to do was move my car to a designated place that had already been plowed. I only had to clean off one side of my car because of the way the fierce winds were blowing.

A crew of strong men cleared the parking lot, the sidewalks and my doorstep. How cool is that?

I used the basement door for coming and going and proved the wisdom of having that vinyl put along that wall in front of the slider and over to the stairs. It worked out perfectly...just as I knew it would.

It was so freakin' cold last night I wasn't able to sleep with my window open. Even open just a crack and the wind was howling. I did manage to cool the room off, but I didn't sleep well knowing the window was closed. I have a draft blocker under my bedroom door and weather stripping all around just so I can sleep with the window open. I know. Some of you think I'm nuts, but there is nothing like fresh air while sleeping under a pile of light-weight comforters...which I will do tonight!

Basement Update

2010-12-21T10:58:00.002-05:00

The boys (my two sons) put the vinyl down 2 or 3 weeks ago. The carpet tiles finally came in...only took 2 months.

I have started putting the tiles down and find it's a harder job than I thought. At the perimeter of the space it takes a partial tile and it's more than a half tile.

As I come to the end of carpet tiling, I can see I'm going to be about 12 tiles short. The section I will have to wait for will be where my office space will be, so I can afford to wait. I will be able to bring down the bookcases and all the books. It will feel so good to have that stuff out of my living room.

I'm having my carpet guy come in to do the transition from carpet to vinyl. He'll cut the last row of carpet and put down the transition piece. That way I know it's done correctly. I also want him to cut the two pieces that go around the door frame under the folding doors to the storage area.

The chair that is out for reupholstering is due to come home in a day or two. That chair goes in the living room upstairs. The chair that will stay in the basement and be reupholstered in denim, is the next chair to go.

Little by little it's getting done. It is taking far longer than I thought.

Let me take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with an Abundance of All Good Things!

The Vinyl is Down

2010-11-29T07:33:00.003-05:00

Yesterday morning Paul and Andy came over to put the vinyl down on the basement floor. As you see in the photo, it’s only along the short, back wall then “L’s” seamlessly to the bottom of the stairs. You can quite see the "L" in this pic, but it's there.

The rest of the floor will be carpet tiles. Yes! The elusive carpet tiles. Wouldn’t it be nice if they came in early so I could have this done before Anne comes on Dec. 10th?

There’s plenty of vinyl left over to completely cover the floor in the furnace/laundry room. That is going to be awesome!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T14:11:00.001-05:00

My grandson, Joe, is a United States Marine in Afghanistan. We’re so proud of him and all the men and women serving our country and insuring our safety.

Joe’s family (both sides) and many friends came together in Thankful Celebration yesterday at the Warehouse Point Fire Department meeting room. The WHPFD has a great kitchen with a stove with ovens galore. They also have a great TV, so we were able to watch the Patriots trample the Lions. The food was unbelievable and there was lots of it. It was comforting to have all that family around Andy, Lori and Jonathan, to let them know that they were not alone in their concern for Joe’s safety.

Joe wasn’t with us physically, but he was definitely there in our hearts and prayers.

I have so much to be thankful for. My life has truly been Blessed. I give my Thanks and Gratitude to God.

If the only prayer you say in your life is “Thank You”, that would suffice.
(Meister Eckart, 13th century German, Dominican mystic.)

Thank you.

The Basement Will Be Finished!

2010-11-26T14:05:00.003-05:00

Photos:
Left is the vinyl still on the roll.
Right...3 bookcases and 17 boxes of books that do not belong in my living room!

So I had to special order both the vinyl and the carpet tiles. The vinyl is in the house! The roll is downstairs waiting for Paul and Andy to have the time to put it down. It’s beautiful. I love it. Last I checked, the carpet tiles won’t be in until Dec. 9th! Nothing I can do about that. Anne will be here on Dec. 10th…so I guess I’ll have help putting the tiles down. ☺

Once all that is done, I’ll place the furniture. Almost everything is down there now. However, and this is a BIG however, what need to be brought down is not trivial…three bookcases and 17 boxes of books. That is going to take a good-sized work crew of very strong people. I’m buying the pizza and beer!

I recently put a thermometer in the basement and the temperature is two degrees cooler than the upstairs where the thermostat is set at 68°. I don’t think that will be comfortable. But, is not to worry, I have two electric radiators. I think one will do the trick. Come summer, that two degree difference will be wonderful. With the cooling set at 74°, the basement may be even more than two degrees lower.

Down to the Wire

2010-10-30T20:49:00.003-04:00

I was determined that today I would find and buy the carpet tiles and vinyl for the basement floor. The vinyl will be along the wall in front of the slider and over to the bottom of the stairs. That way, when I come in with wet shoes or bike tires, I won't be messing up carpeting. The excess vinyl will be put in front of the washer and dryer. That part of the floor is borderline disgusting.

The carpet tiles will be on the remainder of the floor. I intend to install the floor coverings without glue. That means double sided tape. I want to make it as easy as possible for the next owner, 20 or so years down the road, to be able to change the floor covering if they want. The house I just sold had carpet glued down to the cement floor in the basement. I pity the poor guy who wants to get that stuff up. It won't be easy.

What I bought today is custom order so I won't have it for another 2 weeks. I had hoped to have it all done in 2 weeks. Oh, well!

AND, it is also the end of my budget! Actually I went over by $200. If I hadn't taken a large chunk of $$ to pay moving bills I'd still have some left over, but those bills had to be paid. I'm satisfied that it has all worked out as well as it did.

I can't wait to post photos of the completed basement!!!!!!

Critters!

2010-10-28T10:53:00.001-04:00

If there’s anything that will set me off, it’s critters. Specifically, critters in my space.

Yesterday afternoon I started hearing a noise coming from behind my fireplace. Then it was on the left side, then the right. What? This kept on for quite a while before I realized it wasn’t my neighbor doing something to her fireplace. The two do not occupy common space.

What ever it was, it was clawing on sheet metal. At one point, I swear I saw the mesh material on the left side of the fireplace bulge out. IT was pushing.

Finally I called the management company and they called an animal control person who called me. Don’t you know this guy knows my kids!

Anyway, I didn’t sleep a wink last night even though Critter Thing hadn’t made any noise since around 9 pm. But it was on my mind and in my fitful dreams. Plus, I knew Frank was going to be here at 6:30. I usually get up at 6, but set the alarm for 5 to be sure I would be up and dressed.

Frank showed up on time and looked around. His inspection of the fireplace showed the flue was open…he closed it…manually. Apparently there is no handle. Hmmm. Anyway, he couldn’t find any way anything could had gotten in, but when it comes to squirrels and chipmunks, they are stealthy!

I have Frank’s card. Should the noise come back all I have to do is call him.

Please. Please. Don’t come back! ☺

Fall Foliage

2010-10-11T14:50:00.004-04:00

Photo: Windsor Locks Canal bike path.

Yesterday, Sunday, I was able to get out for a bike ride. Hadn’t been out on the bike in quite a few days.

The day was perfect for a bike ride. And just look at that foliage! I have heard reports that say the colors won’t be as good this year because of the hot, dry summer we’ve had. If this was any more beautiful, I don’t think I could stand it! ☺

Playing Catch-up

2010-10-08T10:14:00.003-04:00

Vacation Pictures
When in the world am I ever going to get my Cape Cod vacation pictures posted? That's a good question. Soon, I hope. How did I ever get so darned busy? ☺

Basement
The walls and trim in the basement are all painted and look beautiful. Kurt stopped by Wednesday to install the lock on the slider. Now I can walk out the door with my bike and lock the door with a key…instead of having to run up and down stairs like a crazy person to lock up.

Free Chair
The chair Kathy gave me will soon be reupholstered in denim and will go in the “library” area of my Woman's Cave. I bought the fabric yesterday. I tried going to Affordable Fabrics again, but they didn’t have any denim. So I Googled and started calling around. The cheapest denim I could find was $6.99 a yard, AND, I told everyone I was looking for upholstery weight denim. For $6.99 you can make blue jeans…not the same. I found myself back at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics where they had both kinds of denim, but once I saw the upholstery weight I knew nothing less would do. Yes, it cost more, but it was on sale. This chair will cost me under $300 to reupholster and you can’t get this same chair new for that price.

I bought a couple yards extra because I’m foolish enough to think I can make a slipcover for an old hassock I have and love, although it has seen better days. I’m thinking it must be in the neighborhood of 40-50 years old.

Home and Auto Insurance
I have had my insurance with The Hartford, through AARP, for years. Last year, when I bought the Honda Fit, my insurance increased $200. I wasn’t very happy with that, but, it was a newer car than my ’97 Saturn. This year I get my auto renewal and they have gone up another $400! What? They think I’m going to pay $1500 to insure my Fit. Sure I just had an accident, but it was not my fault and the other guy’s insurance eventually paid.

My son, Paul, kept telling me I needed to talk to his insurance broker…and I did. He saved me in the neighborhood of $1000, total, on both home and auto. When I call The Hartford and tell them to cancel my two policies, I hope they ask me why.

I have immediate needs for the $ I just saved. ☺

The Painting Has Begun!

2010-09-30T10:07:00.002-04:00

Photo: Walls primed. Looks darker in photo than it really is.

The painter, Jeff, started yesterday. All the walls and wood was primed and today the paint goes on. I’ve had four guys working in my basement at one time or another, and even the paint color is a guy’s name…Tony Taupe!

Here’s to Kurt, Jimmy, Matt, Jeff and Tony!

Homeward Bound

2010-09-25T17:30:00.002-04:00

There’s no place like home, Toto.

Up at 6:30. Very warm and humid, cloudy and windy. By 9 temp was 72° with dew point of 67°…that’s humid!

I had my breakfast at the counter at The Fairway restaurant. Then I gassed up for the trip home. On the road at 10:09. I took the scenic routes: 28 to 39 to 28 to 151 to 28 to the Bourne Bridge. Didn’t take any more time and was approximately the same mileage…maybe 6 miles longer.

In no time the car was unpacked and I was off to the grocery store for a few necessary provisions. After a much needed shower, I’m finally settling in and basking in the memories of another Cape Cod vacation.

Till next year.

BTW: give me some time to get the pictures in order so I can post my vacation pics!

Day Seven

2010-09-25T17:16:00.002-04:00

After a skunky night I was up by 6:45. Once the smell of skunk #1 was gone, and I went back to bed, skunk #2 let go. Grrrrrrr!

Right now it’s 8:45 and breakfast and the dishes are done. What I’m going to carry on my walk will be gathered and I’ll head for Coast Guard Beach.

Once I’m there, I’ll determine whether I leave my shoes and socks at the foot of the ramp or I keep them on. The main reason for wearing my shoes (bike riding Keene Commuters) and socks (Smartwool®) would be if the area right at the water line is sloped toward the water. Walking any distance on that kind of slant is difficult to begin with; being barefoot would make it painful. Plus these shoes are meant to get wet and dry quickly; same for the socks.

The weather is cool, breezy (winds S at 10-20). I will be walking into the wind on my way to Nauset Inlet and it will be at my back when I return. I hope Paul D is right about it being less than a mile! ☺

Here I go. See you later!
*******

I’m back! The walk was perfect…closer to 1 mile out. Nauset Inlet is wider than I’ve ever seen it and more north than I’ve ever seen it. But the Cape beaches are changing all the time. When I post my pictures, you will see how the beach has been cut in layers.

As predicted the wind was in my face as I walked at the water line, south, toward the Inlet. I decided to keep my shoes on to make it easier to walk. Good decision. There were so many things to watch out for: where I was walking, so I wouldn’t trip over a rock or my own feet; where the surf was as it continued rushing at me on the incoming tide; and where was the seal that kept poking it’s head out of the water just to tease me. I’m pleased to report that my feet stayed dry (although it was tempting to walk closer to the water) and I avoided any ass slapping waves sneaking up behind me.

Later this afternoon my plan is to go to Napi’s for my splurge dinner out. I have decided against having lobster because that species is being over fished. Scallops or shrimp will be my choice this evening.

And now, I guess, it’s time to start thinking about going home and getting back into some semblance of a routine. My friend, Dolores, called to ask about going to Shelburne Falls on Sunday, which caused me to call Barbara to see if she was planning on going. This is where I start letting go of My Cape Cod and begin gearing up for My Home Sweet Home. ☺

I did indeed go to Napi’s and had Scallops Provincal. Very good. Would you believe 10 large scallops? I divided the contents of my plate in half…ate half and brought home half. That will be a meal for me tomorrow when I get home. On the way home I noticed it was getting a little foggy. We have warm temps and high dew points, no wonder.

This is the conclusion of my 2010 Cape Cod vacation. It’s been a good week in spite of the high winds all week and inconvenient times for high tides. I was forced to become creative. The only thing I didn’t get to do was ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Wellfleet to Dennis. Usually I take two days to do that one. Here’s to next year!

Day Six

2010-09-24T18:32:00.000-04:00

I woke up early enough but just couldn’t (didn’t want to) get out of bed. Finally made it at 6:45. I have big plans for today and need to get a move on. Nothing to hurry over…just keep focused.

The winds have been unmerciful this week. I saw a lot of people bike riding yesterday (all week, actually) in the most unbelievably strong winds. That’s a judgment call based on my ability and willingness to ride in high winds. Yesterday we had 20 mph sustained with gusts to 30+ mph. I saw people of all ages pedaling away. Some looked my age or older. Well, I guess they are either stronger or crazier than I am. I had to be careful not to get blown over the edge of wherever I was standing to take pictures. I could have easily wound up in P’town Harbor or into the waters off Morris Island.

While I’m at it, I want to mention the surf. Was it heavy? Yes. Was it bad? No. It wasn’t the kind of surf that ate away at the dunes (not on the beaches I visited). I have seen worse, where the breakers were crashing right at the base of the dunes and spraying up to the top of Coast Guard Beach observation deck. In that storm, I had to brace myself in order not to be blown into the roiling water. I’ll have to see if I can find those pictures. They were taken with a regular film camera, but I think I have every picture I have ever taken on Cape Cod. ☺

OK. It’s now almost 8 am and I’d better get a move on if I’m going to get ahead of today’s winds…predicted to be 10-20 mph today. I want to be out there while they are 10! ☺

I treated myself to breakfast at van Rensselaer’s restaurant. Then it was on to the challenge of the week. I headed for the Province Lands Bike Trail. I have probably attempted this trail at least 5 times and it has defeated me every time. And every time I was defeated I vowed to never ride this trail again. But of course I did.

There has been a hiatus of five years since I have been to the Cape, and, in that time the bike trail has undergone vast upgrades. Some of the hills were made less severe and some of the curves were re-worked. The trail was widened to 10 feet and sand containment was added where needed.

Well, the trail may be new and improved, but I’m not! ☺☺☺

To make a long ride a short story…I aced it! I had to stop and rest at the top of some hills and stop and rest between some hills. BUT I NEVER WALKED MY BIKE UP ANY HILL!!!!! I met a couple along the way and she was walking her bike up a hill. She said that there was no embarrassment for her to walk a hill. Then I explained that this trail was my nemesis and not walking hills was part of the challenge! Nine and a half miles later I feel that I never need ride this trail again…but, of course I will.

After stopping at Dunkin’ Donuts to post yesterday’s journal I went back to the cottage and showered and snacked. Paul D came by to mow the lawn. I mentioned I hadn’t walked out to Nauset inlet because of the high winds, rough surf and inconvenient tides. Mostly the winds. He told me that the inlet is only about a half to three quarters of a mile from Coast Guard Beach. It has migrated about as far north as it ever does. Even if the winds are a little gusty I can do that! Now I have a plan for tomorrow…my last day here. My goodness the week has gone by fast!

When I came onto the Cape, I bought a cooked ½ chicken, 2 medium potatoes and half a butternut squash. I got four meals out of that…finishing all of it tonight. And it was soooo good!

Day Five

2010-09-23T13:08:00.003-04:00

Up at a little before 7. I had high hopes I would be able to either ride a trail or maybe walk Coast Guard Beach today. Forget it. Right now (8 am) winds at 20 mph with gusts (already) to 30 mph out of the SSW. It looks like I won’t be able to do much until maybe tomorrow.

(OMG…I saw something out of the corner of my eye and when I focused, here was a spider coming down from the ceiling. I’m not a screamer…I’m a mover. Out of my chair, grab my computer because it was about to be the landing strip, and grab a magazine. No more problem.)

As I was about to say, I’ve about had it with this wind. I guess this will be a day of driving around from Stage Harbor to Provincetown. Now that’s a hunk of real estate! I guess this is the day (maybe) I have my splurge dinner at Napi’s. I have to manage my time well today in order to be hungry in P’town around 5 pm.

While in P’town I want to go to Cuffy’s to see what I can find in the way of cold weather wear. The last time I was there (the weekend I came for poetry last year) I picked up a set (sweats and a matching hooded top) for a total of $19. I wore it a lot last winter. Lord knows I don’t need any more sweatshirts! You never know what I’ll find.

So it’s on to breakfast…I think I will be good this morning and have hot quinoa with sliced apple. I did find some sugar so that is a GO!

Note: quinoa with sugar not as good as quinoa with honey.
Note: just took a good look at my face. Oh, yes. I did get sun warmed yesterday. I wasn’t in the sun that much. Most of my time yesterday was spent on shaded pathways. I guess I’ll put a thin film of sunscreen on today.

As I head out today, I plan to stop at the Sparrow Espresso in Orleans. I understand they are a wi-fi hot spot. Maybe I can connect from the parking lot. I don’t want to go inside because I feel obligated to buy something, and espresso coffee is not what I want or need! ☺

Gassed up: 317.7 miles ÷ 8.453 gal. = 37.584 mpg. I love my Fit Sport!

Did not connect with a hot spot. I guess you have to go inside.

Chatham Light: the cut in the barrier beach is huge. It looks like the surf is breaking out where the barrier used to be. Way to the left (north) there seems to be two houses on the barrier beach still hanging on.

Stage Harbor: I love going up to Stage Harbor. This day I came in on the west end (never did that before) and thus saw homes I had never seen before. These are $2-$5 million homes. Mammoth in size. Breathtaking. Then I went around to the east end…the one that has the sign Private Property. I always seem to get lost trying to find something else and wind up in this private area. Beautiful homes, but none that can compare to the west end.

Monomoy: If you don’t get lost in Stage Harbor you were probably looking for Morris Island and the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. There is a wooden staircase leading to the beach, but when the tide is high and the surf rough, it’s a bit of a challenge. Going down these steps I realized there was a rhythm: step, step, step...one, two, three. It was a waltz! On the way back from the stairs, I spotted a squirrel, upside down, on the bird feeder (picture will be posted after I get home). Reminded me of that Grey Marauder/Damned Squirrel that was the subject of one of my poems.

Feels like my hair is getting shellacked again! ☺

Back to cottage for lunch: I got back here around 1ish. Had a light lunch and tried to draw up a plan for the afternoon.

My plans are changing as fast as the winds are blowing. I decided to go into P’town this afternoon for shopping (Cabot’s Fudge and Cuffy’s my prime objectives) and save Napi’s for Thursday or Friday night. Winds are currently 22 mph out of the SW in P’town. I’ll try hard not to get blown away. ☺

Can you believe it? I didn’t find anything at Cuffy’s. Last year at this time they had some really great fitted jackets. This year they had more coffee and soup mugs. Well, that saved me some money!

Cabot’s Fudge never fails to satisfy. I have a pound of fudge in the fridge with no intention to even open the bag until I get home. Wish me luck on that one! ☺

Found a hot spot in the parking lot of Dunkin’ Donuts. All I did was post yesterday’s journal. Didn’t check email or fb. I’ll do that tomorrow when I post this one. At least now I don’t have to go in and buy something. Working in the car is a little cramped, though…not the most comfortable.

It’s going to be a warmer night than we’ve had up until now…this week anyway. I’ll leave more windows open tonight, but have my quilt nearby just in case.

Got a look at the full Harvest moon as the season changed from Summer to Fall (on the calendar). The moon was big and beautiful and Jupiter was below it.

DAY FOUR

2010-09-22T15:35:00.001-04:00

It’s Tuesday, already!

Here’s a little gem from the (Cape Cod) September Nature Calendar: “The first snow comes 6 weeks after the last T-storm in Sept.” What if there aren’t any thunderstorms in Sept.? ☺

Up at 7:30! What? I did go to bed late last night…11:30. Stayed up to watch The Event and The Chase (NBC). The Event is a keeper. Not sure I’d watch Chase again. It’s a formula story: bad guy kills someone; good guys chase bad guy while blowing up and shooting up everything in sight along the way. Good guys catch bad guys after chase and fight. In this one, the primary good guys is a gal.

The morning is chilly and sunny with not much wind. What to do. The forecast says the winds will pick up later today and switch to the SW at 15 -20 mph. Too much for riding. Hmmm.

Maybe I can wait until almost low tide this afternoon and walk Coast Guard Beach. If the winds are from the SW, then I should be sheltered by the dunes. If I walk, it has to be close to the surf where the sand is more hard-packed. If I have to walk in the soft sand…forget it. It’s a good theory. How many of my ‘good theories’ have gotten me into trouble? ☺

So, if I chug down to Chatham then dance up to Dunkin’ Donuts then hang around until it’s time to walk Coast Guard Beach…sounds like a plan to me. Low tide is at 5ish so, if I go down around 3, I’ll be able to determine what I can do. I would be walking into the wind going out to Nauset Inlet and have the wind at my back on the return trip.

By 8 am I decide it’s time to get dressed and start making some decisions here!

Left on my bike at 9 to go get the paper and some AA batteries for the kitchen clock. I got to the store at 9:30 after a pleasant ride. Back home at 10. Now that I have a newspaper, I should have breakfast…2 sausage, home fries, an egg. Yes!

I guess the day has decided to be lazy. I’m OK with that. The last 3 days have been very busy. What I actually did was: spend some time down at South Sunken Meadow Beach on the Bay side. Off with the shoes and socks. The soft, warm sand between my toes feels so good! ☺ I walked along the edge of the water feeling the sand scouring the bottom of my feet. ☺

Next I went over to the Audubon Center and walk the Silver Spring trail. I particularly wanted to go out to the Marsh Cabin to take a picture of it for a friend of mine who used to vacation there as a kid. I missed the shortcut and walked farther than I originally planned. It was worth the mistake. How beautiful the ponds with their lily pads and unseen chug-a-rums. The marsh is ablaze with all the colors of fall beginning to appear. The grasses are brown, yellow, green, while the scrub brush is beginning to show orange and red. AND the poison ivy is all over the place…it too is colorful, anywhere from glossy green to shiny red.

Then I popped over to Dunkin’ Donuts to check email and fb, then post Day Three to my blog. Scratched Coast Guard Beach. I’ve walked enough today and the wind is still up.

6:15. Just took my shower…my face is feeling a little sun-warmed. Settled in for the night. Not even going down to South Sunken Meadow Beach for sunset. Some of my favorite shows are premiering tonight…another late night.

Day Three

2010-09-21T15:34:00.003-04:00

Day Three

Monday. A comfortable night’s sleep. Up at 6:30 to a very windy, cool and sunny start of the day.

Breakfast at 8 then off to Orleans Friends Market for specials and a stop at the Birdwatchers’ Store

At the BWS they will give you a free pencil if you tell them a good joke. I asked them if it could be a regional joke. Yes, that would be ok. I told them I was from Connecticut and my joke was: Hurricane Earl. That rang the bell and I got my free pencil.

Then it was off to survey MY Cape Cod…beach by beach.

Rock Harbor: Fleet’s in. The fishing fleet that is. Conditions way too dangerous to be out fishing.
Fort Hill: An artist was setting up his easel and I told him his paint was going to dry before he could get it on the canvas. ☺
Coast Guard Beach: Surf is really up and the tide is still coming in. Almost dead high. I stopped at the visitors’ center and bought two books.
Nauset Beach: Heavy surf. Up and over the berm. A woman was way to close to the surf and turned her back to the ocean. I cringed as she got ass-slapped by a breaking wave. She was lucky it didn’t drag her out to sea. She was soaking wet from head to foot. Not a smart thing to do.

At noon I stop at the cottage for some food and a potty break.

Marconi Beach: The sand is blowing something fierce and sand blasting everyone who has the courage to stand there. This was not happening on the other beaches. It’s probably the way the land curves and presents a different angle to the wind.
Marconi Site: The dunes have been eaten away to an extreme. Pretty soon they will have to move the diorama of Marconi’s telegraph station. I don’t remember it being this close to the edge…like maybe 5 ft.
LeCount Hollow: Spent lots of time on this beach many years ago. Today I took note of the sign that indicated the dunes were sliding.
Beachcomber at Cahoon Hollow: This isn’t the official beach, it’s a parking lot overlooking the ocean. The Beachcomber is a joint, club, tavern, bar…take your pick. It is now closed for the season.
Newcomb Hollow: High tide was 2 hours ago at 11 am, so the surf is not as impressive. However, with that gale force north wind, all the sand from Race Point is on its way to Chatham.
Ballston Beach: A steep climb to the top of the dune then a steep drop to the beach. I did the climb, took pictures, declined the drop to the beach.
Herring Cove Beach: What surf? Calm as could be.

Finally in Provincetown. This is just a reconnaissance tour. I’ll be back another day to get my fudge at Cabot’s and my lobster at Napi’s. The first thing I did when I got into town was find a bathroom where I could wash my sunglasses and glasses. They were coated with a fine, greasy, sticky film of salt and sand. Sat in Lopes Square while ate a cheeseburger and did some people watching,

Stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts to get my email and send replies. Replies have to be sent using my Yahoo! account. That’s ok. As long as it works. Caught up on fb.

As I came out of DD’s, two ladies were unloading antiques from a pick-up. There was a delicate rocking chair with a caned seat. I could not resist the temptation to go in. My goodness. It was like being in my mother-in-law’s house again. Caned shaker chairs, Hitchcock chairs, tables, etc. I spotted a lovely little “cabinet”. It was no more than 24” high, 18” wide, and about 6” deep. It was painted a cream color with floral stencil on the doors and the small drawer below. Price: $40. Hmmmm. I looked at the drawer…no dovetailing; the bottom was of a modern material (don’t remember what it’s called but it’s some kind of fiber on the back and smooth on the front…is it called ‘masonite’). The door panels were of the same material…painted and stenciled. The back was broken clear across the back so that it was two pieces held in place by nails. It was beat up, but it had charm. We negotiated. He would not take $25 or $30. I would not pay $35. It probably wasn’t worth the $25 I initially offered. Oh, well. Either some sucker will pay full price or I’ll be back and get it for $10. Billingsgate Art and Antiques…will eventually have a web site. I’m thinking they are a new storefront. Sure have a great location…between the post office and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Then it was home and into the shower. My hair was sticking out all over the place and felt like it was shellacked. Felt good to be clean again.

Day Two

2010-09-20T16:18:00.002-04:00

After a terrible night’s sleep I woke up just before 6 am.

As feared, the mattress was not good. I woke up several times with my back stiff and hurting. At times, during the night, I contemplated leaving early to go home. Yes. For the first time in my life, I was homesick. Is it because I’m getting older? or is it because I love my new home and surroundings so much? Either way, I’d better get over it. ☺

Back to the mattress problem…I have stripped the bed I slept in last night and made up one of the twins. Considering how the other mattresses looked and felt to the hand, this is my last option.

The day is starting sunny and chilly. I am about to get dressed and ride my bike over to the Eastham Superette, about 4 miles from here, to get the Sunday paper.

Right now, it’s 7:20 am and I put the little space heater in the livingroom/diningroom/kitchen area and it has warmed up nicely. This is where I will get dressed.

While riding to get the Sunday paper Paul D called (he owns the cottage) to let me know the Dunkin’ Donut in Wellfleet (new…on Rt. 6 next to the Post Office) was a wi-fi hot spot. I will check them out tonight and post yesterday’s journal. Will also take care of email and FB.

That was a round trip of 8.59 miles. Once I got out on my bike my feelings of homesick vanished. Ah! The freedom of the open road! ☺

While riding on the Rail Trail back to the cottage, I was thinking about the lousy mattress I slept on last night, when it occurred to me that our service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan (including my grandson, Joe) probably would welcome that mattress. Who knows what they have to sleep on. I guess I won’t be complaining about my lack of creature comforts.

By 9:30 I was having breakfast. No toaster, so I used the toaster oven. It made better toast than the toaster I have at home. Maybe I should try my toaster oven! Breakfast was toast, 2 eggs over easy, and 3 heat ‘n serve sausages (that I bought at the Superette).

At 11 am I left on my bike and rode to Nauset Light Beach. Just like yesterday there was a line of cars moving slowly, but there was no one on the bike path. Ha, ha! You can’t stop me.

The surf was up, but I’ve seen it worse. If the outer beaches are going to have anything from Hurricane Igor, it will have to be tomorrow.

From Nauset, I went back to the rail trail and rode over to the National Seashore Visitors’ Center and picked up the bike path that goes to Coast Guard Beach. Today, just like yesterday parking was for handicapped only. But, here again, the bike path could not be stopped. Of course, bikes did not take up parking spaces.

I took pictures at both beaches, but will have to wait to post them…probably on face book.

I took the rail trail back to the cottage. 15.4 miles. Add that to the 8.59 I did earlier and I put some nice mileage on my bike…to say nothing of my body! ☺

Some frozen yogurt, a shower (outside shower), and a nap and I’m ready to go again. Found the Dunkin’ Donuts with no problem and posted yesterday’s journal. Because I was dropping battery power something fierce, I opted not to post pictures. Tomorrow I will bring my power cord. Also was not able to send emails. I received fine, but could not send. I have two in the hopper waiting. I’ll see if they go tomorrow. I may have to use my Yahoo email account to see if that will send.

And another day is coming to an end. I hope I sleep better tonight!

(I will post a photo narrative after I get home. You will just have to wait! ☺☺)

Day One

2010-09-19T17:01:00.003-04:00

And so it begins
Up at 5 a.m. with the alarm clock. (And I remembered to shut it off so it won’t go off at 5 a.m. every morning I’m gone.)

It is now 8:15 and almost everything is packed. I have to make one more sweep around the house to make sure everything is as it should be…the ‘on’ things are on and the ‘off’ things are really off. My bike still has to be racked, but that’s minor.

I expect I will leave here in about 15-20 minutes and be on my way. I haven’t been to the cottage since 2005 and I’m looking forward to the quiet and serenity. Hopefully I will get inspiration for some new poems.

And away I go………

8:40 am
30,857 beginning mileage

I start out by bringing my potted strawflowers to Alice to take care of…just needs water every couple of days or so.

9:20 am … on I-84

9:50 am…stop at Charlton rest stop. Exactly 50 miles.

10:02 am…back on the road.

No problem going over the Bourne Bridge or going around the rotary.

Getting closer
11:40 am…stopped at the Midway Recreational Area on the road that connects the two bridges (runs along the canal itself). Wanted to check the bike. I don’t like the way it’s riding on the rack. This is the 3rd time I’ve checked all the bungies. This time I did some rearranging and that did the trick. While I was there I used the facilities. I thought the toilet was never going to stop flushing. I thought I broke it. I’m not even on the mid-Cape Highway yet. Very S L O W. Why? Traffic is heavy and I decided to ease up on the gas pedal.

12:30 pm…at the Stop & Shop in Orleans. Wow! Has that place changed since the last time I was here. I used to be the first store; now it’s at the other end where either Caldor’s or K-Mart used to be. I can’t remember which. There is a TJ Maxx where the S&S used to be.

31,042 on the odometer…185 miles

Almost there
After leaving the S&S, I went to Coast Guard beach (as I always do), but today I could not get in. Weekends are for handicapped parking, only. I was welcome to go back to where the shuttle run begins or try Nauset Light parking lot…which I did. There was a long line at the gate house. What? It’s after Labor Day and they are charging? Huh! They finally figured it out…people don’t stop coming after Labor Day. The season really doesn’t end until mid to late October. I had my Golden Ages Pass so I wouldn’t have to have paid anyway, but… I decided to forget it for the weekend and I went to the cottage.

Hi Cottage! I’m here!
1:16 pm and 193.9 miles.

Unloaded the car, put some stuff away and made lunch. I bought a cooked ½ chicken, half a butternut squash already pealed and a potato. Once the chicken was warmed in the counter top oven and the veggies were cooked, dinner was served!

While the veggies were cooking I checked the coffee pot. Thank goodness I did. The last time it was used, Whoever forgot to take out the filter. Gross is all I’ll say. You don’t want any description.

Got that all cleaned and sterilized and I’m ready for my morning and afternoon coffee.

Now I really need to go make my bed and put my clothes away. I brought warm weather and cool weather clothes…that’s a lot of clothes.

As soon as I can find an internet connection I’ll post.

Bed making
Making my bed was exciting. The room I always choose is the one with two windows. As I prepared to put the sheets on, I noticed the mattress looked a bit lumpy. I tested it…and it was.

So I went from bed to bed (2 full size and 2 twins) trying the mattresses. I ended up choosing the smallest room with one window. I never liked this room because it was small and had only one window. But this bed had the best mattress. At home I have a memory foam mattress, so this will be a great adventure.

But I’m not a big person
It’s a good thing I’m here alone. The two-windowed bedroom has all my clothes. The other room with the twin beds has my bike, biking gear and empty bags and boxes. The small bedroom has me. So that means I take up as much room as 6 people. Hmmmmm.

An old friend stops by
The owner of the cottage stopped by to catch up on what’s been happening in both our lives in the last five years. We both worked for the same utility company years ago. He stayed a couple of hours and I bet he really hadn’t run out of stories to tell. ☺

Another beautiful sunset
Once he left I hustled down to South Sunken Meadow Beach to watch the sunset. It did not disappoint.

Basic Cable!
Back at the cottage, I try to get the Red Sox game. Bummer. The cottage has only basic cable…and I didn’t bring a radio. I think I’ll be doing a lot of reading this week. ☺☺☺

And so ends Day One.

I am in a Dunkin Donuts wi-fi in Wellfleet. Pictures will follow. I just hope this will post. My emails did not send.

Happy Day

2010-09-13T12:06:00.003-04:00

While I was checking things out on Facebook, I got a chat message from my grandson, Joe, serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. How sweet is that?! It didn’t last long…but long enough for me to tell him I had brought stuff over to his mom and dad for a future care package. He wanted to know if it contained any tobacco. I told him that it was all stuff to keep him clean and smelling good! ☺☺☺

The Universe must have approved too, because after we finished our chat the sun came out. ☺☺☺

After exchanging 'I love you's' he signed off.

Where Were You on 9/11?

2010-09-11T09:54:00.003-04:00

The day those planes flew into the Twin Towers in New York City is imprinted on humanity’s Soul Memory. It’s a day like the day President John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas. Events so unthinkable, so horrifying, that it took days or weeks to assimilate.

The Monday morning that will live forever as 9/11, was a sparkling, blue sky, upbeat feeling day. I came in from hanging a load of laundry to see, over the shoulder of Greg Gumbel on TV, the first plane crash into the World Trade Center building.

As I screamed for my mother to… “come quickly, a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center…” I watched in horror as the second plane approached and crashed. It all happened in what seemed like slow motion. I spoke softly, “Oh my God! This is a terrorist attack!”

We watched in numb disbelief as news coverage became totally the attack on America. We watched as those on the ground tried to get away, or tried to help those at, what will forever be known as, Ground Zero. The smoky images of building parts and rescuers, ash covered fire and rescue trucks. Firemen coming out of the haze of ash, and when they spoke, ash being exhaled from their lungs. We watched as the smoke and flames began consuming the buildings; watched as large objects fell from the upper floors…learning later that these were people who opted to jump to their death rather than be burned alive. Oh my God! This can’t be happening.

But it did happen.

Now what?

During the 9th Anniversary of this tragedy, there are factions in these United States who have forgotten, that our country was founded on a principle of religious freedom. It seems some Americans are hell-bent on punishing an entire religious body for the acts of a few radical militants who claim to be part of that religious body.

This is wrong. We can condemn the act. We can condemn the people involved in that act. We can condemn the people who are still involved in terrorism around the globe. But we must not condemn all Muslims.

This raises the question: how do we tell the good Muslims from the bad ones? I’m sure they asked the same question during the Crusades: how do you tell a good Christian from a bad one?

The simplistic answer is: all of us need to be a ‘good’ member of whatever religious group we belong to.

I pray to God, please let this insanity end.

The Day of the Chairs

2010-09-09T18:28:00.009-04:00

Chair on the left is the one being reupholstered now in the fabric I posted a few days ago. The chair on the right is the one I picked up today at Kathy's and will eventually have reupholstered in denim. This chair may wind up costing me the least...which makes it the biggest bargain.

This morning I took a pleasant ride down to the shoreline to see a good friend who will reupholster my delicate wing chair. I missed her house on the first pass and got all the way to the river. Thanks goodness for cell phones! I had been to her house only once before and I was riding a bike that time. Found her driveway on the second try…with good directions on the cell.

Once I got home it was time for lunch and a nap. The nap was only a ‘half-cat’ so I guess I’ll be going to bed early tonight. ☺

When I awoke, it was cold. I mean COLD. I had doors and windows open and the wind coming in off the river was COLD. Do you get my meaning here? I was COLD. So I put on long pants (hadn’t done that in 4 months) and a turtleneck. A cup of coffee was welcomed.

Then it was time to hustle up the road to Kathy’s to pick up another chair…this one is FREE. Now we’re talking Bargain. I will go back to Affordable Fabrics to see if they have any dark blue denim…that’s my choice for this one. It will go downstairs in the ‘library’ area.

Speaking of the downstairs, I do believe I’m going to wimp out and have someone do the painting. Yah, yah, yah! I know, but I can use my time for other things like getting ready to go on vacation and thinking about what I want to put on the floor…carpet squares or a large area rug that will essentially go wall to wall. I’m a long way from finished, so if I can get out of doing the painting and concentrate on other things, I’m good with that.

A Busy Week Ahead

2010-09-07T09:28:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a quiet holiday. I walked in the morning, tore the living room and dining room apart and cleaned. Visited my mother and gathered her laundry.

Today the central air people have already been here to replace my crazy, 25 year old thermostat. Now maybe the temperature in the house will show correctly on the thermostat, and not 6 degrees off. Basically I can set what I want for cooling and heating temps and forget it. Down the road, when the current central air system gives up, I’ll have another zone put downstairs, which will create greater savings.

The insurance adjuster is also due sometime today between 9 and 1. Another thing I want over with, so I can get on with my life! I really don’t want to go on vacation with a torn up bumper. The guy who hit me finally reported the accident to his insurance company. This afternoon, I’ll go visit my mother again and bring her clean laundry back.

Wednesday the decorating consultant from Sherwin-Williams comes to help me decide on a color for the basement. I can see the colors I want in every other room in the house…but not the basement. Once I have chosen the color then I get the paint and primer tinted and away I go…probably won’t paint until after the weekend. Maybe, just maybe, the painting will be done before I go on vacation.

Thursday I take my bargain (not so bargain any more) chair down to Deep River to be reupholstered. Now all I have to do is remember to get the chair out of Paul’s garage. ☺

Hopefully, somewhere in between I’ll be able to get in some bike riding and/or walking. Probably won’t get to the pool for water aerobics until Saturday.

Chair/Hissy/Paint

2010-09-03T11:24:00.005-04:00

My Wingback Chair
This is the fabric I picked out for my bargain chair. First I went to a store where the fabrics are only $1.99 a yard. Do you think I could find something there? NO!

Then I went to another store and thank goodness they were having a 50% off sale. Did I find anything there? OF COURSE! Now my bargain chair is becoming less of a bargain. By the time I have it reupholstered I probably could have bought one new. HOWEVER, something new didn’t have the pattern fabric I wanted. By reupholstering I will have what I want!

I’ll take a couple of the pillows that came with my couch and have them covered in the chair fabric. NICE! Covering them will be doing them a favor.

Hissy’s Hit and the Insurance Company
Last I heard the other guy had not reported the accident to his insurance company yet AND they have been unable to reach him by phone. Hmmmmm. I immediately called my insurance company and gave them a heads-up. I just want my car fixed before I go on vacation. The adjuster is coming on Tuesday.

Painting the basement
Since I can’t make up my mind what color to paint the basement, I’m going to rip it all out and say to hell with it! NO, NO. I’M JUST KIDDING!!!!! ☺ ☺

Because I got Sherwin-Williams paint, a decorating consultant comes with it…free. She will be here next Wednesday to help me out of this dilemma. I bought the base paint while it is on sale and if I ever make up my mind on color they will tint it at no extra charge.

Paint Samples

2010-08-31T20:21:00.002-04:00

I hate making decisions
Today I was supposed to tape the basement…never got to it. I did go to Sherwin-Williams to look at paint samples, though. They are having a sale…30% off. Picked out Wool Skein. It’s a light beige, and, depending on how the light hits it, it has undertones of either gray-green, pale yellow, gray, or no undertone at all. I don’t know if I would like a whole room done in that color. I had planned to do the wall with the slider in chocolate brown with the other walls in a tan/beige. Now, I’m not sure. Aaaaarrrrgggggghhhh! Don’t know what to do! I guess I’ll go with my original plan and if I don’t like it when the whole room is finished…I’ll repaint it. ☺☺☺

My couch has a similar color thread running through it (and it also has dark blue and maroon). So if I slip cover the lounge chair in maroon, and have the chair Kathy wants to give me reupholstered in denim…that could pull the whole room together. On the slider I would like to put drapes in a stripe incorporating all the aforementioned colors.

I tried to take pictures of the paint sample on the walls, but it just does not photograph well.

My bargain chair
Now that I have found someone to re-upholster my bargain chair for a reasonable price, I will go fabric shopping at some point during the next two days. Of course that will put me out on the road during another wicked heat wave.

So, when will I get around to taping the basement? At this point, it’s anybody’s guess.

Insurance adjuster
I had to leave two messages with the insurance adjuster head honcho trying to get it across to him that I needed my car fixed before I leave for vacation. My car has a hitch for a bike rack on it and when I leave for vacation my bike will be on my rack on the back of my car. And hopefully the bumper will be a new one. If not, then I go away with a damaged bumper and hope it stays on.

Anyway, when does the local adjuster call me? Four fifteen this afternoon to get a statement from me…to gather all the information I already gave to their office when I reported the accident on SUNDAY! The interview was going to take 20 minutes or so and all I had was 15 minutes because I had to pick up a friend at the airport. Now I won’t talk to her until tomorrow and I can’t go anywhere until I do. Trapped!

Hissy is a Hit Fit

2010-08-30T09:30:00.004-04:00

FIRST: no one got hurt.

I was on I-91 south, coming back from Shelburne Falls, MA yesterday, and a guy in a big 2004 Chevy pick-up rear ended me not once but twice. Traffic was heavy and slow so he didn’t hit me that hard. He claims something went wrong with his transmission. Personally, I think he hit the gas instead of the brake.

I don’t know the exit number but it was just before the exit for Route 141 to East Hampton, right around the Holyoke area.

My friend, Barbara, was with me, but like I said, no one was hurt (except Hissy, and she’ll be fine).

☺☺☺

Another Great Bargain

2010-08-22T11:12:00.006-04:00

The latest additions to my Woman's Cave!
I have been looking for two lateral files to replace the 4-drawer and 2-drawer metal cabinets I had. My son, Paul, suggested I go to Value Office Furniture in West Hartford. He had heard their ads on the radio and thought I might have some luck there.

For those who don't know, I'm finishing my basement where I will have an office, library and sitting area.

Luck indeed!
My friend, Barbara, and I were at a CAPA meeting in Avon, and in order to get to VOF before they closed, we had to leave the meeting before it was over. The featured speaker was very interesting, but she had not covered a tenth of her intended material because she had so much information to convey. I was getting bored because she kept getting off track...besides, I had to get to VOF. I know Barbara wanted to stay, but since she was with me...

VOFs's used furniture is in two different back rooms...one for wood, the other for metal. I found these two cabinets for $50 each. SOLD. Others I had seen elsewhere were $300 for one 6 foot file. I ended up paying $95, tax included...discounted because of my cheerful attitude they told me.

Paul and Andy came over this morning to take these out of my car (YES, they both fit in the back of my Honda Fit.) I LOVE MY HONDA FIT SPORT!!!!! After I unloaded the contents of the metal cabinets into the new laterals, Andy took the old cabinets away in his truck.

I am a very happy cave dweller. ☺☺☺

Recent Bargains

2010-08-16T19:20:00.002-04:00

Let me begin by saying I hate to shop. If I didn’t need to eat I would never go into a grocery store! Now that I’m sorting things out in my condo, I need to hunt down those little things that will make a difference (to me) décor wise. I find myself having to shop.

Pillows
The pillows that came with the couch are really bland. I found these pillows at Pier 1…on sale. They pick up the colors in the area rug in the dining area.

2010-08-16T19:19:00.003-04:00

Candle Holders
While in Goodwill looking for a wingback chair and/or a 2-drawer lateral file, I spotted these candle holders. Perfect for my mantle and only $4 each. Unfortunately, the 'feet' are a tad wider than my mantle is deep. No problem…this winter I’ll have a deeper mantle built. Not a bargain any more, I'm thinking!

2010-08-16T19:16:00.004-04:00

Wingback Chair
So that leaves me still in the hunt for a wingback. I saw a couple at a consignment shop but they were in beautiful shape, too high-backed, and too much $$. In order to have the fabric I want (picking up the colors of the pillows on a light background) I need something in bad shape that I can reupholster.

Sunday, as I was heading to Stop & Shop, I saw a tag sale, and contrary to my usual habit, I screeched to a stop and asked if they had any wingbacks. It was obvious they didn’t, but I asked anyway. The lady had a cellar full of them. I found this darling little chair. It’s delicate, not high backed, and it needs reupholstering. When she said $25 I said SOLD! She also goes to upholstering classes here in town and, even though she herself doesn’t want to do the job, she is going to inquire among her classmates to see if one of them wants to take on the task. It sounded like it would be this person’s class project. This chair may turn out to be my biggest bargain yet! ☺☺☺

Canal Ride — 8/13/10

2010-08-13T19:47:00.003-04:00

This was a ride on the Windsor Locks/Suffield Canal, not the Erie. Although I have to admit I was thinking about riding the Erie Canal. As crazy as it sounds I want to ride it again…taking more time and riding fewer miles each day. I’d like to accomplish this before I turn 80, so the clock is ticking.

But, getting back to the Windsor Locks Canal, I could not get over how many trees along the entire canal are standing up dead, fallen over dead into the canal or dying. What is going on?

I heard some birds but didn't see very many. Saw a couple of komikaze chipmunks and one rabbit. Even though I was out early, I got to the canal before 8:30 this morning, there was precious little in the way of wild life.

Viewing of the river and the canal was difficult because of the vegetation in full summer foliage. Once the leaves fall off, the views will be uninhibited. Since the leaves are starting to turn now due to stress (not the season) they might fall early.

The bike path over the Route 190 bridge is open for business. It's about time! You can't access the bridge from the parking lot of the canal yet...that's still under construction. For now, one has to ride up Canal St. to Route 159 and cross over where all the traffic is coming off the 190 bridge and turning onto the bridge. A little hairy, but with a little caution it can be done.

2010-08-13T19:44:00.005-04:00

When I got to the railroad bridge, I was amazed at the tree damage (photo on left).

Notice the ‘plank’ (right photo) that goes from one pier to the other goes from about 15 feet above the water (near end) to just inches above water. That had to be some high water!

2010-08-13T19:39:00.002-04:00

This is all that’s left of the Enfield Dam. People used to walk out on the dam, when it was whole, to go fishing. It was also a popular site for those wanting to commit suicide. Anyone who went into the water here, above the rapids, would surface 3 days later either in South Windsor or Middletown...depending on the time of year and the temperature and depth of the water. I bet you didn't need to know all that.

2010-08-13T19:37:00.004-04:00

The condition of the canal lock distresses me. The entire canal is in very bad shape. It needs to be dredged and the invasive weeds dealt with. The walls need to be repaired as well as the lock itself. AND they need to allow more water to flow through the canal. It’s getting very stagnant! Next thing you know the snapping turtles will refuse to live there.

The canal is a historic site; this lock should be considered historic and probably is. How is it that it is being allowed to crumble like this? When the Dexter family owned the paper mills in Windsor Locks they drained the canal ever year, cleaned it out, made repairs, then filled it up again. Since they sold it to Alhstrom (I believe that is spelled correctly) nothing has been done. A group called Friends of the Canal has been negotiating with Alstrom to let the Friends take care of draining and repairing. Alstrom is hung up on ‘liability’. True, when the Dexter family ran the canal, there were boats up and down the canal on a seasonal schedule, and I believe Connecticut Light and Power controlled the lock at the Windsor Locks end. Now the boats up stream go down to Long Island Sound on wheels.