skip to main |
skip to sidebar
PhotosOn the left is the before and after is on the right—like you couldn't tell. This is Thursday's storm.Storm Alexander
The snow started before 11 a.m. Thursday. Before 11:30, the state snowplows were plowing the state highway that runs past one side of my property. Took a while before we saw the town plows, but I thought the state trucks jumped the gun somewhat. The snow covered all surfaces rapidly and visibility was not good. It looked like all towns across the state wisely canceled school and other events for today. I ran out early to refill a prescription for my mother and then all we had to do was hunker down and enjoy the first BIG storm of the season. By 1 p.m. we had 2” on the ground and lots more to come. WFSB, Channel 3 has been naming winter storms since the 1970s. This one was Alexander. Early on I kept hearing emergency vehicles, but they didn’t come past my house, which was odd. Then I realized they were going into the housing development behind me. It was snowing so hard I couldn’t see what kind of emergency vehicles they were.
A case of the Yuckies
After lunch I picked up a book hoping to get in some reading and immediately took my nap instead! ☺ When I woke up, I was coming down with “something”—my skin hurt, I felt warm and achy. Started taking Coldcalm® right away. Friday morning I woke up feeling tip top.
All I need is Big Red
Tip top on Friday morning was good since I had 10 inches of snow in my driveway that needed to be dealt with. And deal I did. See today’s photos. Big Red is the snow blower. Who needs youth when you have a Honda (snow blower)!
My three Angels
Friday night, Dec. 14, I was on my way to the Portland, CT Middle School for an event, “One Soldier, One Poet”. Several poets from all around CT, including several students, picked the name of a CT Iraq or Afghanistan fallen Hero and wrote a poem or essay about that person. A friend of my, Dolores, was going to read the poem I wrote about my grandson, Philip. As I traveled down I-91, an overhead sign indicated a traffic backup further south of Hartford. A whisper (inside my head) told me how to get around the traffic snarl. That was Angel #1.
When I came over the Arrigoni Bridge, I missed Spring St. and fearing I was lost, stopped at the post office where a woman was dropping letters into the outside mailbox. I asked for directions to the Middle School on High Street. She started giving me directions then said, “Follow me. I’ll take you there.” She went out of her way to make sure I arrived safely and on time. I can’t thank her enough. She’s my Angel #2.
Angel #3 is Dolores for reading the poem for me. I never could have read it out loud in public. Several students performed music or dance. All in all, it was a very emotional evening for the public in attendance, the families and the poets.
Last of Toys for TotsKathy and I went down to Plainville again this morning to help with Toys for Tots. Kathy brought a young friend of hers, Natalie. We worked for an hour and the announcement was made that they were closing down operations for an hour for lunch. Everyone out. Last week lunch was served but we worked right through since we had just finished breakfast. We expected to do the same this week. Not to be. So we came home. By the time they were going to let us back in, we would have only one more hour to work. Not worth sticking around doing nothing. We’ll wait ‘til next year.
Photo
Earlier this year Kathy, Lou, Jess and I went swimming with a Beluga whale in Mystic Seaquarium. The day was a gift from Jess. We had such a good time.
By now you have noticed that the pictures I post don't usually have anything to do with the content of my blog. Did you really think I was that clever?
Wicked weather
Our weather is going from bad to horrible. Right now the predictions are: 1) starting Thursday afternoon we could have 3 to 6 inches of snow. Then, 2) Sunday, we could have our first nor’easter. Plus, 3) our temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits by the weekend.
Please refer to my weather predictions on September 7th and October 10th right here in my on-line journal.
Important events and the weather
It looks like the “One Soldier, One Poem” event in Portland, CT on Friday night will be OK. I will be going to that. I know the Patriots will probably play Sunday regardless of the weather. I have concerns for all the fans who will go to the game.
“One Soldier, One Poem”
Friday, December 15th, many of Connecticut’s poets will gather at Portland (CT) Middle School to read poems they have written to memorialize service personnel from CT who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had already written a poem for my grandson, Philip, but there is no way I could ever read that out loud in public. A poet friend of mine, Dolores, offered to read it for me. I can’t thank her enough. It will be a very emotional evening, and I have already told the organizers that I’m not sure how long I will be able to stay.
Patriots and JetsSunday’s game will be against the Jets. The last time they played was the SpyGate incident. Because this rivalry is heating up I’m sure every Patriots fan who has a ticket is going to make darn sure they are in the stands to harass the Jets, regardless of the weather.Mom’s MRI
Last Friday evening, my mom lost her balance and fell into the living room from the kitchen. Once I got her up off the floor my assessment was that she was OK. Bruised and sore, but OK. Today she had a routine appointment with her doctor and to be on the safe side he ordered an MRI on her head. The results came back negative. No injury and no evidence of anything that could have caused her to topple over. Good news. Just knowing nothing is wrong has made her feel much better.
Photo
In the spring of 2006 the pair of osprey on the CT shoreline snagged some poor kid's blue teddy bear. The bear stayed in the nest until early Sept. when the remnants of Hurricane Oscar blew it off - never to be seen again. This photo was captured from the Audubon osprey cam web site.
Toys for Tots
Today Kathy and I went to Plainville, CT to help the Marine Corps do Toys for Tots. Our job was to fill “orders” from the bins, which have toys according to gender and age. A good friend, Jim, (a Marine of course) is in charge of the program. After I saw him interviewed on TV and knowing the urgent need for volunteers, how could I not respond!Kathy and I put in a full 4 hours before we had to leave. Some of the bags were quite heavy by the time we filled them, so Kathy would help me drag them to where they needed to be. At different times we worked as a team: I would hold the bag and she would fill. She became the “Dragin Lady” and I was the “Bag Lady”. We’ll go back again next Saturday to help finish the job. Thanks to me, Jim’s parents were able to surprise him by showing up ready to help. I emailed them with the info. Since they live in way upstate NY that was quite a surprise!
PhotoLittle girl sitting on a teddy bear (speaking of Toys for Tots).TOYS FOR TOTS
This program is in need of volunteers. Every incoming toy has to be checked against a list of Recalled Toys. Imagine how time consuming and tedious this is. The Marine Corps could use some help here in Connecticut. If you can volunteer some of your time call 1-860-747-1643 ext 4 to find out what days and times the facility will be open. The location is 1 Linsley Dr in Plainville. If you go to volunteer you will have to bring valid ID to sign in. I plan to be there Saturday, Dec. 8th from 11-ish to 2-ish. Hope to see you there.
GO HUSKIES!Last night I met Leslie for supper and we went to a Lady Huskies basketball game. My goodness those young women are good! This year they seem to be playing effortlessly. Their passing game, in particular is so much better, sharper, crisper. Foul shooting is sub-lousy although they did start making them late in the game. Congratulations to Mel Thomas on getting to the 1000 point mark. Way to go!
Photo
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail looking north toward Mt. Greylock. The trail starts at the entrance of the Berkshire Mall and runs north for 11 miles on a 10 ft. wide paved surface and ends in Adams, MA. You will find food and drink at a pub/café right at the end of the trail or swing around the corner to the left and eat at the Adams Diner. There is also a large information station at trail's end. All three locations have restrooms. The scenery on this trail is beautiful. And best of all, the trail is flat except for the beginning downhill that poses no problem on the return trip. On the way back, stop at Diane's Twist at 13 Main St. in Cheshire. She serves great frozen yogurt as well as over-stuffed sandwiches and shakes, etc.
Sleepless over a football game!
Refer to what I wrote on Nov. 26th. I said the Patriots should have an easy win over the Ravens, but this could be a dangerous game if the Pats took the Ravens too lightly. Boy oh boy was I right. I stayed up into the 3rd Q and went to bed only after the Pats tied it at 17. Once in bed, I turned on the radio to listen to the game and the Ravens scored to make it 24-17. I turned the radio off. No way was I going to listen to any more of that! And so I slept in fits and starts all night. My dreams were filled with the final score of Ravens 39, Pats 38, and saying over and over again it’s only a game. The first thing I saw when I turned the TV on this morning was the crawl at the bottom of the screen about the Pats winning 27-24. What a relief. The teams on the remainder of their schedule should have a pretty good idea from the Eagles and Ravens games just how to possibly beat the Patriots: play physical, run the ball hard and pressure Brady. Hopefully, by the time they play their next game the Brady bunch will have figured out how to counter this new attack. It’s only a game. Yah. Right!
PhotoAn icy Scantic River in Enfield.Surprise emailThe day started with an email from my friend Leslie. It was an invitation to use a spare ticket to the UConn Lady Husky’s basketball game on Wednesday at the Civic Center. What a treat—supper with a good friend and a basketball game. Makes the whole week special!Icy conditionsThe storm we were expecting arrived over night. Not much snow where I am, but a thin coat of ice on trees, roadways and driveways makes getting around a bit treacherous. All over the state there are thousands without power. We are thankful we still have ours. The Universe always welcomes a prayer of Thanks. It likes to be thanked as much as we do – if not more. I expect the temperature to go up enough by lunchtime that I can get to the post office. I need stamps to mail my Christmas cards. I also need more cards. I didn’t create my list first, so I fell short. However, compared to other years, I’m early and have plenty of time.Mailing Christmas presentsI still have to mail gifts for Jacob and Andrew. They will not be joining us this Christmas season since they will be going to Chicago to visit their other grandparents. I would like to get those mailed by today or tomorrow. Santa became confused by their change in plans and left some of their gifts here. Santa takes care of the “off site” gifts early in the season, that way he can concentrate on accurate “on site” deliveries on Christmas Eve. Bet you didn’t know that!
Photo
Since today wants to be unusual I thought this tree fit the mood. It's located deep in the Dunhamville Forest. I just take pictures, I can't always explain 'em.☺☺
Not my usual wake-up call
My Sunday morning started at 6:43 with a rumble and a boom and a flash of light. I jumped out of bed thinking the transformer directly across the street had blown (again), but all was quiet. Hmmmmm. Since I was up, I might as well stay up. Out to the kitchen to turn on my coffee pot. There’s my mother all a twitter about the leaves on the corner being on fire. I looked and sure enough they were. 911. They already knew about it. Then I saw the guy from across the intersection coming over with a rake. I called out to him to let him know the fire department was on their way. He said it was a squirrel that got itself fried and proceeded to snuff out the flames by raking the burning leaves onto the road. It’s a good thing he was out there because it took the fire department at least 20 minutes to show up. I’m hoping the response would have been faster had it been a house fire.
A gang of crows
About an hour later, there were six crows surveying my back yard in the vicinity of the bird feeder. After they finished fighting over all the bread crusts they started on the dropped seeds on the ground. The seed-eating was most unusual. They don’t normally bother with seeds. Bread crumbs and crusts is their usual interest and road kill, of course. Hey, guys! I know where there’s some fried squirrel! They can’t hear me. Crows are so difficult to communicate with. It’s the attitude they strut around with. They intimidate by size alone, not like the blue jays who attack and screech at all the smaller feathered ones.
Another year
Here it is, December. Where did this year go? As of this moment (early Sunday morning) we are expecting some messy weather between now and tomorrow morning. Yesterday I made sure we had all the essentials in case the roads get bad. I think I’ll go out to Agway this morning to get more thistle for the birds and top off the gas can in case I need to use the snow blower. Other than that, it’s college basketball and pro football for the remainder of the day.
