A is for Apple

Winter weather is funny. Yesterday morning was a knock out, today was so-so. It's all in that white stuff that flutters down from the heavens covering us in either a thick blanket or a lacy coverlet. Or something in between. Nothing new appeared last night and much of yesterday's snow had already been disturbed. Narnia, in real life, doesn't last long. One has to be quick if it is to be thoroughly relished. (Yesterday was no Narnia, by the way, we had that on Monday.)

I caught sight of Little Red this morning as he ran up the tree with a rather large peanut in his mouth. I tried to capture the image but he would have none of it. Instead of sitting still, he took of running down a very narrow branch, hopped into the maple tree and was gone. What I'd really have liked to witness is the tiny creature hauling this apple up from ground level to the tree branch where it's been sitting for most of the day. He probably needed a nap after that workout!

I keep thinking maybe I will get down by the lake or out on a nature trail for a walk, but so far I haven't been that adventurous. Maybe next week... or maybe even tomorrow. You just never know what a day will bring. I can pretty much count on birds and squirrels if I stay home and so far they've been kind of fun.

A is for Apple, ABC Wednesday.

Frostnippered

"Cold day at the bus stop" is getting kind of redundant, so I'll just say... uh, yeah, it was an especially cold day at the bus stop. Emma even put her mittens on. If she puts her mittens on, you know it's got to be cold!

I almost always wear my mittens in the winter because I am not a big fan of chapped and bleeding hands. Today would have been a day to wear doubled-up mittens, if I had two pairs. I went across the street to find some morning snow shots after the bus left, but in no time at all my thumbs and fingers were aching with cold. I blame that on all the times when, as a child, I stayed out in the cold until my fingers and toes were numb. They itched and burned and turned all red while they struggled to warm up and thaw out. Sometimes we actually cried. I didn't cry today and they didn't need to thaw out because I never stay out that long anymore. Maybe because I outgrew my ice skates...

Squirrel tracks (cool, huh?)

Out my kitchen window this morning I saw Mr. Gray take a bite of an apple I'd left out under the weeping birch. He looked so cute that I grabbed my camera and headed upstairs where I could get a better shot at him, but no sooner had I gotten focused, then he moved. Little Red was on his way down the tree and off across the yard went Mr. Gray. Of course, that red squirrel never ate the apples today, but he couldn't possibly share either. (He doesn't know I could always find more.)

 Food for furry foragers (or big black birds)

 Junco on the woodpile
(They like to leave birdie tracks on my porch.)

Today

It was another cold day at the bus stop, but at least the wind wasn't blowing. I took my camera along on my travels today, but didn't take any pictures. I popped in Barnes and Noble on my way home (just a little detour), bought a copy of The Message; (The New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs in Contemporary Language) and two small clip-on lights, one for my computer and the other for reading my books. Honestly, my concentration hasn't taken my all the way through the last few books I've started, but I'm hoping to recover some of that soon.

For those who have questions about my brother Tim, I have a few links to old blog posts. You can find them in  these links, My Brother Tim, B is for Big Brothers, and My Brother's Guardian Angel.

I'm still enjoying the activity outside my kitchen and upstairs windows. Yesterday, after my walk around the back of barn 3, I sat on the woodpile to watch and photograph the birds.

Not only does a Red-bellied Woodpecker frequent my feeder, but Downy Woodpecker as well. Pretty cool. I'm not sure where last winter's bluejays went, and I haven't noticed any cardinals around, but there is still much to observe, and of course, there are the squirrels. They're typically pretty entertaining.

The Snowy Day

It was a good day for making snowballs, but somehow I never even thought of it. It was likely a wonderful day for building a snowman, but I didn't. I was too distracted by the nostalgia of the day. In days long past, when I was still a child in school, I would likely have headed for the woods on a day like this, a Narnia kind of day with snow stuck everywhere.

I am getting slightly attached to this longer, fancier lens...

Rachel and I went to visit Tim today. She had a quick phone call to make before going into the house, so I beat her inside this time. Tim was in the dining room sitting on a chair with his coat, hat, and gloves, waiting for our arrival. As soon as he saw me, he hoisted himself out of the chair and started slowly in my direction, hand outstretched. He was walking! He was slow and not quite steady, but I watched him get out of that chair and start walking to me all by himself. I was proud of my brother today.

We took our ride down those old country roads again, past farms, railroad tracks, a winding creek, and a pasture full of buffalo. Rachel was kind enough to pull over so I could moo at the buffalo and snap their photo.

I'm attempting to keep my days relaxed and at least semi-productive. Aside from a visit to  my brother, I cleared out the Grinch Corner, and baked a loaf of banana bread. Tim enjoyed a bit of homemade goodness today. I wonder if he thought it tasted just like Mom's?

Squirrelly

A warmer than normal December, including a balmy, green Christmas, has given us a rather frigid start to January. Wind chill temperatures have been below zero degrees Fahrenheit all week, save Sunday, which was warm and rainy. It's been a good week for staying in and eating soup... and things smothered in red chile sauce, things like enchiladas, scrambled eggs, and chicken Alfredo.

On my way to the shower late yesterday morning, I stopped at the upstairs window with my camera, just in case my little Fairydiddle should chance to be hanging out in the weeping birch where I so often see him. I was surprised to see a gray squirrel instead, perched on a knothole, enjoying a black walnut breakfast.

I wondered where the usual tree resident was hiding, or whether the gray squirrel had taken over and chased the little red squirrel away. I gazed into the upper branches, not really expecting to see anything, but there he was, looking down on us, me, and the gray squirrel on the knothole below still munching his black walnut.

Red squirrels may be small but they are mighty and fearless. He didn't waste much time getting himself down to Mr. Gray's breakfast table. I couldn't keep up with him once he got running. He took off after the intruder, nipping at his heels and chasing him around the tree trunk until Gray gave up, scampered down the trunk, and took off running across the yard to the safety of an entirely different tree.

Once Mr. Gray was thoroughly banished, Little Red climbed back into his tree and out onto the look-out branch just to be sure. It's probably a good thing I don't speak "squirrel" or I might have been embarrassed at his scolding, (Perhaps it was a good thing window was closed and I couldn't hear a thing.)

When he was altogether satisfied that Mr. Gray wouldn't be making a comeback, Little Red climbed up to Gray's previous perch, had a look around, and then settled himself into the open knothole. I'm kind of curious what he's got stashed in there...

Today Little Red was out munching on a black walnut at Mr. Gray's previous breakfast table. I even opened the upstairs window to take his photograph this morning, not because it's any warmer out there, but because my windows are so dirty. He sat there nice while I was quiet, but as soon as I said, "Hello, Little squirrel!" he took off. Ha ha!

Oopsie...

Late Wednesday morning I left home in the cold and snow to take my son back to his place in Auburn, NY. Before leaving I remembered to take my allergy medicine. As I popped the little white pill into my mouth, I made the observation that it was smooth and round, rather than oblong like the last bottle I'd purchased.

Joe and I set off at about 11:18 am. Taking into account a stop for gasoline and some not-so-very-nice weather and road conditions, I told Hannah I'd see her in about 3 hours, grabbed my cup of coffee, and headed out the door. Joe and I chatted along the way and enjoyed our time together. When we got close to his residence, we decided to take a little detour through the old Fort Hill Cemetery before I dropped him off at home. I filled my gas tank there in the little city before getting on the road back home.

The roads were slick in some places and there were spots where blowing snow made visibility difficult. I considered stopping at Dunkin Donuts along the way but wasn't in dire need of a restroom (or a donut) so I kept going. I listened to the radio, turned the heat both up and down along the way, depending on how sleepy it was making me, and tried to focus on the road and those driving both ahead and behind me. As I drove along I got sleepier and sleepier.

I was about a half hour away from home and about to pass McDonalds when I very seriously considered a trip through the drive-thru for a cold drink. It was getting really hard to keep my eyes open, but not needing anymore sugar or extra fluid to fill up my bladder, I drove on past. Ten minutes from home the fight led me to make a phone call to My Darling in the hope that actually talking to someone would keep me focused until I arrived safely at home. I felt my mind clear as soon as he answered the phone.

Five minutes later I was safely in my driveway. It was 2:15pm. "How's that for 3 hours?" I asked Hannah. I found myself something to eat, sat down on the couch to check my computer, and soon found myself inextricably drawn to the pillow next to me. Soon I was falling asleep. It wasn't until I took my allergy medicine yesterday that I noticed my allergy pills really are white and oblong. I'd accidentally taken a melatonin before setting out on my midday journey Wednesday. No wonder I was feeling sleepy! (Did I tell you I am also blond?)

Little Bits of Living

I am at a cross roads and I know not which direction to travel. The email from the grocery store finally arrived. I have not been chosen, but that is okay. I wasn't really looking for a position on the floor anyway. I'd prefer to be behind the scenes. I've been asked about babysitting again too. There is a one year old whose parents need a sitter. I need to call the daddy back, but I honestly don't know what to tell him... I feel suddenly crippled. The thought of taking on any children almost makes me panic and yet I need to fill my days with something. *sigh*

 I took my new long camera lens with me yesterday when I headed south to return my son to Auburn, but I'd left my camera card at home in my computer. (I may never learn...) Braving the cold is not my strong suit but I did manage to catch a chickadee on my way back in from the bus stop this morning. I think I shall like my new lenses very much.

Bitter Cold and New Camera Lenses

It's cold outside, but as of this evening we have no snow. If the weather is kind tomorrow,  I will take a drive to return my son to his home away from home. If we have a blizzard... well, I might keep him a while longer.

I've not had the chance to try out my new camera lenses. I'm a little bit wimpy when it comes to bitter wind chills, but I did point it out the door and grab a shot of those dried out sunflowers just off the back porch. I think I'm going to have some fun once I get used to it. And once I learn how to change lenses without struggling to get the next one on again.


If only I could get my driveway side of the house windows crystal clear and clean, the maybe I could get a good shot of that little red squirrel who's been scampering around in my weeping birch. By the time I got my long lens on the camera, he had found cover and was nowhere to be seen. He has to live in that tree somewhere, maybe in one of the big knotholes.


I'm liking the look of the woodpile. If only someone would poke their head up in there instead of on my counter in the dark of night. I wouldn't mind so much having little friends out there.

Put That Back

The couch is back in place now and my pink (mauve) recliner has a new home in "Grinch Corner." I decided not to haul it all the way across the room to it's previous spot just yet. Maybe I like it right where it is instead.

On our way home from picking our boy up one hour away on Saturday evening, we stopped at the little Mexican market one town over. I had enchiladas and tamales on my mind but no dried red chiles with which to make that sauce that makes them so special. We were in luck finding them open. The people there are always friendly and helpful and we soon left with a bag of dried red chile pods, two packages of corn tortillas, and some dried hominy with which to make posole' at a later date. Yesterday we cooked up a batch of pork enchiladas and I am finding myself hungry for them all over again today. sigh (I'd post a photo but we ate them all up before I thought to take a picture.)


It was a quiet kind of day here, aside from the wind outside and the dog who decided to bark out the window at nothing while I had my eyes closed for ten minutes. ha ha!

Back to Work?

Back. Back to...? Back to putting one girl on the school bus in the morning, and back to getting one or two off in the afternoon. Back to not being entirely sure what to do with my days. I've heard nothing from the grocery store bakery, not even an email telling me the position has been filled, though I'm not feeling disappointed. I've been asked about watching another small child, and I've tossed another job application out into cyberspace.

I feel somewhat like I am playing "Blind Man's Bluff." Remember that game? It's the one where you tie a scarf around your eyes, your friends spin you around in circles, and then let you go wandering off in an unknown direction. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the game.

My "Grinch Corner" is looking empty once again and my Christmas tree, which I dismantled on Saturday, is standing outside the front door, still in the stand.  It's time to put the furniture back in order, even if I'm not absolutely certain what order I want it in. Guess I should make up my mind on that one and today would probably be a good day to do that.

Help Me, Obi Wan Kenobi!

The noise is thunderous! But, I suppose that's the way it goes with spaceships. And explosions.

The guys are watching Star Wars. It's their marathon weekend; James (My Darling), Joe, and Ben. We've eaten our chips and chili, I munched on some apple slices, and now we're just chilling out with the movie. Maybe I'll even take a nap.
:0)

Splishin' and a Splashin"

One last shebang! (Don't think I believe that for a second.)

My sweet daughter called yesterday morning to see if her family might come over for dinner last night. I asked James what she was bringing for supper... :0)  Since we'd had a reduced  number of guests on Christmas Day, I'd made just one lasagna and still had most of the ingredients for a second. We decided to make it a small party (just 10 of us this time) and send out an invite or two.

We sat cozy-style with all of us around the dining room table, jostling elbows, each getting in other's space. Bethany brought salad and we cut up the loaf of Italian bread James picked up earlier in the day. I stirred up a boxed gingerbread mix and we topped it with whipped cream for dessert. It was perfect, even if I had intended to start the year gluten-free. (I'm starting over again today...)

After the presents had been presented, we decided to play the new Apples to Apples game James bought Hannah. It's a kid's Disney version that he thought she could play sometime with the kids at Sergio's house. We had seven adults playing along with Josh who happened to notice the box said it was for ages 7+. He did a good job and was quite pleased to play, especially when he chose Grandpa's answer (money) when it was his turn to be the judge for the word "useful." He got a high-five from Grandpa, and Grandpa got an award-winning smile from Josh.

The Christmas gatherings are now over and we are on to gatherings of another kind. My Daring is hoping for a Star Wars weekend and Joe is turning 27 on Sunday, so we'll see how it goes.

New Year Stuff (and such)

 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 
2 Corinthians 5:17

I'm vacillating when it comes to writing an actual New Year's post. Do I or don't I? For one reason or another I've just not taken the time to really think it all through this time around and feel totally unprepared for all the "newness." However, that does not mean I don't have any thoughts or ideas at all. It only means the thoughts and ideas are not quite firmly set. One year I resolved to give up coffee. Ha ha! I'm not making that mistake twice There are always the old standby resolutions to lose weight, eat healthy and exercise more... (sigh) I do want that and January is a great time to start those things all over again, but I'm looking for something else this year.

For far too long I have been "Last-Minute Martha". This year I would like to make a more concerted effort to be ahead of the eight-ball instead of behind it. By the time December comes back around, I want to have all of my shopping and gift wrapping done so I can enjoy a more stress free Christmas. (I might need a reminder of this halfway through the year...Joeks, are you there?) I'm going to practice by being ready for birthdays ahead of time. Let's see... Joe's is in just a few days. Guess I'd better get hopping.

Being more thankful, counting more blessings, and seeing the joy in little everyday things is something I could work on too. I've made some improvements, but more progress would be helpful. Maybe I'll find a fancy jar in which to keep little notes of thankfulness. A pretty jar and some Post-It notes. That doesn't sound too difficult.

And finally, I'd like to push myself a little farther, take a few more risks, and do things I find just a little bit intimidating. Never get too deeply entrenched in a rut. (Try flying cross-country to visit some folks you've never met in person before. It might just turn out to be one of the highlights of your year!) It's going to be a great adventure.

PS. We made a new treat this Christmas. "Coal- for naughty children". It was a big hit. Good thing Christmas only comes once a year or I'd be tempted to mix up another batch just for me.
:0)

Oh yes, and our mouse? He had friends, at least three of them. Snap! Snap! Snap! and they were taken care of too. I hope that's all for a while.

Little Butterball

No, not me. I was referring to the mouse in our cupboard, the one who got into the butter we left out on the counter. (Yes, we do know better...)

Someone has been eating in our kitchen uninvited. We know because, aside from nose prints in the butter,  he left some "surprises" scattered across the counter top and throughout the cabinets where I keep the dishes. Since My Darling captured at least one critter, I decided to get to work cleaning out the cupboard.

I removed all the dishes and cups, every last one, and there were at least a bazillion, and proceeded to wash them by hand. It took F O R E V E R. I have way too many dishes now that most of my kids have grown up and moved out. My thumbs hurt and my shoulders ache, but the cupboard is clean, the dishes have been washed, and the rodent is expired. I hope he didn't have friends.

My Darling bought two Christmas presents that will be keeping me busy learning and trying new things. I have two new lenses for my camera. Now I have a new reason to learn how to use the camera's manual settings and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to catch my bird friends and that little red squirrel who hops about in the weeping birch outside my kitchen window every day. (I took a practice shot. Now all I need is for him to show up and sit in that spot while I'm ready.) If I appear to be missing in action here, I just might be out shooting squirrels.

PS. I couldn't help but think, as I cleaned the cupboard, "out with the old, in with the new."

Christmas Party 2014

Saturday. It feels like Saturday, but then every day for the past week has felt pretty much like a Saturday. I've heard the expression "a week of Sundays" but never Saturdays... (or was that "a month of Sundays?" Whatever it was (or is) it seems like there have been an awful lot of them lately.)

Our Minnesota family has come and gone. Yesterday we had 27 in the house for our Christmas party gathering. It was a little bit crazy here!

I absolutely loved having my little grandson here to visit, along with his mommy and daddy. We were disappointed to have Bethany sick with the flu not only on Christmas day, but on our party day as well. With a 103 degree temperature the previous night, there was no way she was going to make it. We were thankful to bring her in on Skype (on my new laptop) along with Gramanita who came in on Skype from Nova Scotia, Canada on Jim's Mac. Perhaps I do love modern technology.

Several of us took a turn holding our newest baby. He was passed from family member to family member and although Spencer didn't appear to mind the transfers, another small child was not pleased at all to find a strange baby on his daddy's lap. He toddled around the end of the couch to find his daddy snuggling his little cousin and burst into tears.

Gramanita stayed with us (on Skype) for almost 3 hours, taking in conversations, watching our gift exchange, and visiting with various family members. She was even taking pictures on her end. Austin tried on a bag hat while she amused him with antics all her own on the other side of the computer screen. I'm told Austin enjoyed the entire conversation and I think she did too.



I was lucky enough to sneak in a little snuggle with my faraway grandson. He is a busy little guy with a grand repertoire of facial expressions and a thirst to explore. He prefers toys and books scattered across the floor rather than put neatly in their places. He doesn't sit still for more than five minutes, and prefers to keep his daddy within eye shot. He's adorable, funny, and super smart, just like all my other grandchildren. (I think I know who they take after.)

This holiday didn't find us taking the group photos we'd anticipated. We were missing an entire family due to illness and I didn't want another incomplete group photo. Instead I am looking forward to Jim and Michele's return trip when the weather warms up (providing it ever cools off....) and we can gather everyone for a grand reunion. I smiled to see my middle son willing to humor me (and his grandma) by throwing Gramanita a kiss before she signed off the computer for the evening. I'm pretty sure she was smiling too.
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