Le Bel Abris - Now With Flamingos!

The Great Camp

2009-10-22T12:30:00.005-04:00

As it is that time of year where we consider the blessings that surround us, I submit this story written to commemorate The Great Camp. I usually send it in an email yearly to those who are familiar with the story's origins, but I thought this year I'd put it where others could read it too.

The Great Camp
A Legend Only in Vermont

In the time before the world as we now know it began, there was another world. This world started long ago with a great explosion of feathers.

You may well ask "feathers?, Are you sure?," but it is so, as surely as the great duck once lived in Vermont. It is written in the landscape, it comes forth still from the great cornucopia, and is evident in the composition of the great camp, formed long long after the great explosion.

This is the story of the Great Camp and how it was created during the events of that strange and wonderful time before there were any wristwatches.

After the Great Explosion of feathers, all things began to form from the settling and resettling of the feathers. After many less successful combinations had come and gone, there came the time when the Great Dear (which in that time was spelled with an A) and the Great Duck came to be. They lived together in Vermont in harmony and peace and shared the land that was different in appearance then, because the Great Camp and all of the Great Buildings and trees around it, weren't yet there. Still, how wonderful their coexistence was, for together, they watched as the rain of feathers from the sky continued to fall and change the land and the forms around them.

One day there came The Great Stillness and quiet. As the Dear and the Duck watched and listened, it became clear to them that the rain of feathers had stopped. It was a stillness that roared. This was especially disquieting to the Great Dear who had little memory of the past and no knowledge of the future unlike the Great Duck who had memory of past and future, but no present. Therefore, the Dear did not know that the roar portended a wondrous event. The very fear that engulfed them actually enabled the event to happen.

At that time, the Great Dear were amphibious creatures that enjoyed the Great Pond as much as the Great Duck. The Great Dear gathered together on the pond and chose amongst themselves a leader, that would go from the Great Pond and make an offering to the sky to make the roar of silence stop, in hopes of restoring calm to the Dears’ universe. They decided that an antler from the leader should be brought to rest between the place that the Dear lived and the place where the Great Duck lived to express a symbol of their wish for peace and quiet, for the Dear had not the wisdom of the future to come, and supposed that the Great Duck had the power to control the silence that roared.

The Great Dear Leader sped to the place where the antler would rest, but because he had so very little memory about the past, he forgot what he was doing and in the excitement of the moment, fumbled and crashed the antler to the ground, sending splinters flying to a field less than a mile away. The Great silence continued and the Dear feared all the more the roar of silence, for in not knowing much of the past or any future, they knew mostly the fear they felt presently. They flocked together on the pond and dove down to the bottom, where their great antlers began to grow and take root in the great pond. As they were large Dear (hence the name Great), their bodies were not completely covered by the great pond, and their tails stuck out of the water, and many a legend tells in vivid detail designed to put children and adults asleep - the story of the Great Dear's tails becoming the white birch we know now.

Meanwhile, a piece of the great antler that broke off and landed less than a mile away began to quiet the roar with sounds. From the tip of it started flowing strange and wonderful things. These things began to form other things, and before the Dear could know the silence, a different kind of peace had returned to the land.

The Great Duck saw all this, and knew now that the Great Cornucopia had landed and was changing the world much as the rain of feathers had done, except that now, the Dear could not see or hear the changes, since they too like the rain of feathers had become one with the land. The Great Duck knew all future and past and began to contemplate them, for now that the cornucopia had landed, things would be different.

The Great Duck watched patiently (for there was no time for impatience then) as the pond dried up. She saw the Great Cornucopia continue to pour forth great multitudes of pumpkins, water in bottles, mixes of all varieties, apples, and potatoes, maple sugar candy, canned fried potato sticks, chocolate semi-sweet chips, canoes, and water, and oars too, garlic, diapers, Toyotas, high paying jobs, tiny things of all kinds, beautiful but curious pillows that could not be used, free medical care, toothpicks, a different spelling for the word Dear, and more!

The Great Duck watched this and smiled. She thought about the future, and the past and how the land had changed, and she watched the tails of the Great Dear grow to become beautiful white birch trees. She thought about the buildings that would one day occupy the spot where she watched. She thought about the pump house near the pond that would one day fill with water again, and flow through the pump house to feed the great camp's water needs. She thought about the two neatly hung wrenches that would someday hang in the pump house and the gallon of water in the plastic container meant to prime the pump, and then - or maybe a little before then she grew weary indeed. She had just barely enough time to think about the fact that the Title GreatCamp.doc has too many letters and had to be shortened to Greatcam.wps to be acceptable to the wordprocessor available at the time in the future when this story was recorded (but a tiny miracle for another story). For now, the Great Duck was weary beyond measure, and knew that it was her time to take part in changing as well.

As she lay resting she noticed that her body was beginning to take on another form. She was aware from her knowledge of the future that this would be so, and she smiled and was not alarmed, especially since the Great Cornucopia had not as yet poured forth any wristwatches, much less alarms of any kind. She knew that her body was changing into the Great Camp itself. She felt her skin harden and thicken, and form into walls and a roof. Her eyes multiplied and spread out to form well-placed and easy to clean windows. Her feathers dropped from her and were drawn inside to make splendid camp beds and marvelous pillows, although some of them could not be used because of a need to sacrifice things of beauty to the Gods of Useless Beauty’s happiness. From her bones formed exquisite furniture and dazzling utensils for every taste. Her internal organs turned out and formed a refrigerator, range, and wood burning stove. Her Great webbed feet separated and formed the guest house and sauna hut, with its very own wood stove. Her teeth (in that time Great Ducks had great teeth) collected to provide a lustrous commode in both the kitchen and toiletry areas. All these things came to be in their proper times, and they were good. In time there would be creatures that would marvel at the bounty of the Camp and not know of whence they came. These creatures would need to create their own stories to explain from where the riches they harvested would come.

But, be that what it may,
let it not be forgot
that once there was a time when,
The Great Camp it was not.
The End.

Yes, But It Had To Be Done!

2009-07-24T18:47:00.008-04:00

On my way home from work today I stopped at the Blue Seal Feed and Needs store to get a pet clipper for Lola. Her fur had gotten quite matted underneath and she was getting hotspots way down deep in her felted fur. I have been unable to keep up with the brushing since she doesn't tolerate it.....who could blame her? She was surprisingly tolerant of the clipping....after a few minutes of wrestling. All five and one half pounds of Pahket would have shredded me and yet all I got from Lola was a pleading look.....There's more to do, but I thought I'd give us all (including the clipper) a break. The fur filled up a plastic grocery bag, and there's still more to go...I'd love a scarf made of it.

Muca had to check out the debris. I bet she's glad she has short fur. The rest of the job may require 2 people or tranquilizers or both. She won't really like having her hindquarters shaved (just guessing). I got some of the larger mats off her tummy, but there too it will need more work. The tail isn't matted so I'll try to work around that.

Just for being so good I gave her a delicious treat. I think she ate it all by herself and if she gets sick it won't mess up her fur too bad. I wonder if she'll be cold or hot tonight?

Oh No! Not Again!

2009-06-21T18:05:00.005-04:00

Why, why why? Once again a nasty wasp had it's way with me. This time I was trying to mow the lawn, and apparently disturbed one.....
After going right inside and taking Benedryl and putting ice on it I waited a few minutes to see if anything else was going to happen.....soon enough I started to get itchy and red all over (and
not in a good way) and decided to go visit the local emergency room where I got some Epinephrine and other stuff to lessen the itchiness and swelling. They also gave me a prescription in case of future attacks.

It was a pretty itchy and sleep deprived night. I spent most of today alternately soaking the foot/keeping it up and watching golf. Tomorrow I guess I'll go visit my Dr. to get something so that I may wear shoes again sometime soon. Right now, only the slipper fits. Did I say I don't like this very much? I meant to.

Just Doing My Part

2009-06-16T18:04:00.004-04:00

For many years now I've admired the dedication and devotion that S.P.A.W (Society for the Preservation of Artificial Wildlife) has exhibited - specifically at Exit 19 off of Rt. 93. I've long wanted to contribute to their efforts in my own small way, but always had the steadfast belief that artificial wildlife should always be either given to you as a gift, or stolen from another's lawn....In fact I had been admiring a beautifully cast cement Flamingo that one of my neighbors have, but I feared they would perhaps not share my conviction or see the humor in finding it relocated to my yard.

This morning as I approached my desk at work I spotted the package there addressed to me.....What's this? I haven't ordered anything....? No, I hadn't indeed.....it was a gift!

You may well imagine my joy and amusement at finding these two fine fellows carefully packaged and safely delivered by the USPS.

So now....I have a start (Thank you Chris Daley!) and am looking forward to many happy years with these and any others that may find their happiness in my gardens.

Really Bad Minton

2009-06-15T18:07:00.017-04:00

Hannah came down for her father's 50th birthday party this weekend and the birthday festivities went happily without a hitch, except for me - during a semi-serious game of Badminton I managed to injure my shoulder all while giving the opposing team critical points. It's a little hard to pick up a coffee cup.....but I managed that ever critical task too....

Yesterday morning, her friend Eric came down to pick her up at my house. So, while I was benched they were able to start a new Badminton game in the street before I made them come back in the yard. They put up a pioneer style net and played there after.

During the photodocumentation process I noticed that my Blackberry has a Sepia photo mode, so some of the rest of the pictures of the weekend show how food was prepared in the pioneer days. Back then you had to make neutral faces, or frown so as not to get too tired during the very long exposure, so I asked both of them to do just that. They both look remarkably angry with me.....no?

Hannah was very pleased that the Foxglove and Peonies bloomed this year. She also braved some weeding....very brave in that there was a rather large blackberry (not the phone) that was taking over one side of the walkway. Luckily she had her welding gloves in the car and yanked it up without injury to herself or others, but determined sadly - the gloves were nearly useless when playing frisby. Who knew? Another entry in the annals of scientific discovery.

Hannah glove-testing

A Garden Shot

A Gloved Porch Shot

Triple Exposure

2009-05-20T13:30:00.004-04:00

I didn't find any leeks....but I found a flowerbox. Lola likes it too.

Outside & Inside

Garden News

2009-05-20T10:55:00.009-04:00

Yesterday I put in most of my vegetables....planted lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, radishes and basil....and there's still some room left....I may attempt some leeks if there's any at the Agway....

But rather than post some rather uninspiring pictures of my little 4x4's filled with Moo-doo and peat moss, I decided to post the progress in the flower gardens....today's project...

The narcissus are in bloom in Booboo garden....and much new growth is apparent on the blue spruce there too.

A small Garter snake has made it's home amongst the Lupins. We surprised each other a little I guess.

Looks like the Lupins are about to Lupe....maybe even this weekend after tomorrow's predicted steamy weather.

Yesterday as I was watering the new vegetables after planting, a hummingbird started flying around me....seemingly interested in the watering can....or trying to remind me that the Hummingbird feeders STILL aren't up.....so I guess I'd better get some feeders for them today....The Honeysuckle isn't quite opened up enough for them yet.....but soon.

Back From VT

2009-05-18T17:03:00.005-04:00

I was spent this past weekend in Burlington VT with my daughter Hannah. I finnally got to go up and visit with her and her friends there and get a feel for how her life is away from NH. She seems happy, and indeed she says she is. I think it's really something to finally get a grip on life and start living on your own terms. For me this means not seeing her as often as I would like, but I feel better knowing (and having witnessed) how she makes her way in the world, and having spent some time with the friends she has there. Strangely enough, her friends are closer to my age than hers.....go figure....

Of course we made our way to some plant places where Hannah is pictured against a sea of Pansies. There was also a quick trip on and off the pier on Lake Champlain....it was windy and cold....and there was just enough time to snap a picture, then go back to the car and finish our coffee.

How Does My Garden Grow?

2009-05-09T14:20:00.004-04:00

Things are coming up crazy fast and soon there'll be flowers and flowers. This time of year, the very enthusiastic Violets are in full glory, and ever spreading too.

I have my Blackberry back! And that means I was able to take some pictures this morning of the small but satisfying changes going on outside.

Last year Sarah gave me some Solomon's seal and it seems to be very happy since it too is in full bloom. So are the Dandelions....the lawn is already begging to be mowed too.....

I'll be on vacation starting this coming Saturday and the vegetables will go in then....well, the other ones anyway....I've already got the peas and Bok Choy in and they're coming up just fine. All Veggies should be very happy since I've purchased lots of poop to fill their little boxes with.

Time for a Change

2009-05-03T12:19:00.004-04:00

Yesterday brought some heartbreak here to Le Bel Abris. As I reached for my beloved Blackberry, I instead sent it flying to the floor. It is quite busted, and keeps trying to reboot itself but can't. It was really pitiful, and finally the only thing I could do was remove its little battery, wipe my nose and move on. I had to run out and reactivate my old phone since I didn't buy the insurance for it.....and refuse to pay $400 for a new one. The cell phone is also the only connection with the outside world - you know, other than going outside and meeting up face to face....
Instead, I decided to drop the phone internet service and get cable internet - and a laptop with fullblown internet capabilities.
I haven't quite figured out what to do about pictures for the blog though.....not that I've taken any with my broken-ass phone.
The garden is coming along nicely. Yesterday my friend and co-worker Lori and friend Harry came and brought me to get bags-o-poop and peat moss for the upcoming vegetable garden. I have a week off coming up that I'll devote to that more rigorously, but in the meantime I'm pleased that at least the peas and bok choy are already coming up....oh, and the nasturtiums and sunflowers too!
Wow, it's such a shock to the system to be typing with all my fingers instead of just my thumbs....nice though.....
Looking forward to elaborating more when I can back it up with photo documentation.

Cookies Gone - Daffodils On The Rise!

2009-03-16T17:39:00.001-04:00

In fact, the Winter Scene Chocolate covere cookies are long gone....but I still have the tin box and I'm going to put something in it one day.
Despite the 50 degree waether over the weekend I didn't venture out, so I had a great surprise in finding that the Daffodils and some Iris are poking their way through so I think Spring is finally coming.
I hope it brings some spring to my joints which have been very sore lately....I think my mother is in better shape than me right now....but outside I think there's incentive if that has any bearing on the issue.

My Order

2009-02-22T09:55:00.001-05:00

This chick would like to place an order for an early Spring please....but it seems we're going to be dosed with another reality injection on the order of 6-10 inches of snow again starting this afternoon into tomorrow...
I don't know if this is the reason for my lethargy or not but I've found it close to impossible to muster much enthusiasm for indoor projects lately. The box of cookies is gone and still no Spring!
Today I find myself back at the Unitarian church hoping for some inspiration to get me a bit motivated. Or maybe it's just that I need a change in scenery....there's just so much talking to the kitties without getting answers...

Conference For The Study of Sunspots

2009-02-09T18:33:00.001-05:00

It was a really interesting session in that nobody seemed to want to make many bold statements about the spots - at least in any stretched out kind of way. There was however a brief mention about the predictability of the shapes and sizes of the spots studied today - shapes of the spots tend to be eerily related to the the objects they seem to emanate from. The sizes were almost always big enough to accommodate at least one cat-sized animal or object.
One member was absent due to a sleep study commitment.

There's a Bit o' Snow

2009-01-31T13:14:00.002-05:00

I started roof raking this morning and then my neighbor offered to do the whole roof for $35...Deal!
It really is a beautiful day out there even though It's in the teens...and yet the sun grows stronger every day and some of the snow is melting anyways.

The Task at Hand

2009-01-18T09:39:00.002-05:00

I brought the snow pup in the house to warm it up....no sense in having a heart attack trying to start the snow blower - just irony aye?
The cold has subsided a little, only to be replaced by what the weather people predict will be around 8 inches of snow....so far it looks like there's 4 or 5 inches out there.
I'm trying to motivate myself to start caulking and a little mudding but it doesn't seem to be taking....maybe after I go outside and clear the driveway?

Staying Warmish

2009-01-16T08:32:00.003-05:00

We're certainly enjoying a cold spell right now...if that's what you do for enjoyment. Here's a picture of my thermometer last night when I got home. It isn't accurate because I can't quite get the probe to go outside....instead this is a reading of the temp between the windows...still cold...this morning it read 5.6 and when I got to work 40 miles south of home the marquis read -9. There must be some kind of algorithym to figure out the real temperature at home, but I know by the squeaking of the snow underfoot and instant freeze of the nose......Sarah and Hannah - I hope you're soaking up that Florida sun.

I know I haven't posted in a while....I've sort of gone into hybernation I guess. There's a box of "winter scene" (cookies that have a chocolate top with different winter scenes pressed into them) cookies that my aunt Charlotte sent for my birthday. Although I'm really trying to lose weight, my calculations tell me that by the time the box is empty it'll be Spring. If the loosing weight goal remains true I should start inviting people over to eat them for me and just wait for an early Spring. Sarah would call this "Louise logic." Later on this Winter I'll give updates on how many cookies are left....

New Years Eve Feast

2009-01-01T14:23:00.002-05:00

Last night Sarah and I had a seafood themed Eve complete with Oysters with Mignonette sauce and caviar, Maine shrimp and coconut rice, green beans with smoked almonds, smoked salmon, and smoked oysters and jalapeno cheddar cheese. I think I covered it...besides the fine conversation and only 1 minor Oyster shucking injury to my right index finger. Fun was had by all including M. Henri.
Today was just a wee bit less fun since we woke up to no hot water....an hour and a half later it was back thanks to the hair dryer I keep under the house for just that purpose. It sure was cold last night but now it's warmed up to be in the balmy teens. Hope there's hot water in the morning.

This Year Let's Have Just a Small Tree

2008-12-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

A small Christmas tree shape has formed from snow and ice on my kitchen window. I think there was a sticker there at one time but appropriately enough it now looks quite festive in its own little way. It made me chuckle too so I thought I'd share it with you. Nature knows.....

As Easy As Falling Out of Bed

2008-12-14T14:15:00.003-05:00

Relatively easy this morning, but only because I couldn't sleep. I'm fighting a pretty bad cold amidst the trying weather we've had of late....work tomorrow - we'll play it by ear. It was helpful to take a hot steamy shower....a luxury many people don't have during this ice storm power recovery period. I'm really greatful to have gotten my power back quickly...a lot of people don't have power still.
What with having been home for almost four days by myself I'm starting to get an idea about what kind of old lady I'll be.....up and down at all hours of the night...napping a bit in the daytime, watching the sun come up - though it was a bit hard to tell since the moon was so bright and sparkly against the still very icy everything. I think I take after my aunty Anita sometimes in that respect...
I already have the requisite old lady number of cats...

How Do I Get Myself Into These Things?

2008-12-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

Here's Pakhet seemingly trapped within the plant fishtank planter. For those of us who understand the laws of reflectiveness there's little to worry about but....
Today's larger worries stem from New England's being currently covered in ice and for many there's no power or heat for that matter. I ventured down to the village to get candles and hot chicken - where every business seems to be lit up....but alas not here at home....it may be hours or days before power is restored. My house is currently still a balmy 59 degrees and I have the added benefit of multiple cats...still they can do little to keep the pipes from freezing (at least that I'm aware of).

Break Time

2008-11-30T16:34:00.003-05:00

Of course there were moments of rest interspersed between all the fine work done this weekend. Jimmy took time to play in the sink with Lola, and there was a fine lobster dinner preceded by crab cakes and salad.....and probably a little sawdust.....

Before and After

2008-11-30T10:48:00.001-05:00

It's been a very busy weekend so far....big renovations that started with new flooring in the livingroom and is still in progress. The chillins' have put down new laminate flooring (after removing the yucky blue pet hair inpacted carpet) then proceded to build columns that created a separation between the livingroom and a wonderful reading nook with bookcase that I'm sure would withstand a nuclear blast....not to mention the fine detail.
I am the luckyest Mom in the world yes?

The Pipes the Pipes Are Calling!

2008-11-23T18:33:00.001-05:00

I spent the best part of the day replacing the heat tape under my house. This morning I woke to marginal water flow and instantly realized the heat tape wasn't working. Well....I've been here 4 1/2 years so I figure I got my due. Still, I'm aching from working upside-down under the house with my arms above me....It took 2 hours under the house in 15 degree weather to get to whithin 5 feet of the end of the pipe. They only make 30 foot lengths of heat tape. Just doesn't seem right to have to do such things at my age....can't see myself doing it again in 3 years but...Wally came by toward the end of the bulk of it. Still there was a good 5 feet that wasn't wrapped....it took quite a while and one more trip to the store to buy another 12 foot length to get the water going again at full force....Wally cooked some steak on the grill and we had that with some mashed potatoes and gravy while watching the rest of the Pats game. I think I'll count this adventure as my trip to church for this week. It's time to start writing notes for that book about the joys of living alone.

Better In Yellow

2008-11-16T09:42:00.003-05:00

I'm quite happy with my effort at repainting the kitchen to yellow. Yesterday it was hard to see the true color since it was so gloomy outside and I was painting with all the lights on, but today it's a bit brighter out and I'm happy with the color choice - Thanks to Maggie and Pam for your color chosing help! I was considering several shades paler which would have looked white or worse - Cream! - that's enough to make you tired right when you get up!
It took me about 4 1/2 hrs to get it painted yesterday. People who know me will be surprised at how well it turned out and the lack of paint on unintended surfaces. That painter died of shame....

Priming The Kitchen

2008-11-11T15:01:00.002-05:00

Today being a bank holiday, I decided to prime the kitchen....not easy to cover up red. So for now I'm done with that and painting will have to wait for the weekend. I'm thinking of a pale yellow this time.
Lola was her usual helpful self and put her shoulder right into it. She's a little whiter than before....

New Special Feline Talent Discovered!

2008-11-01T10:11:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning I got up and glanced over at the table where our 1,000 piece puzzle had been assembled - to find it GONE!
It was then that you can well imagine, all manner of thoughts crossed my mind.....a quick call to Guiness to let them know that MY kitties were clearly geniuses for having dissassembled all 1,000 pieces so completely? Yes, that and much much more...
As I marveled at the efficiency they displayed in the utter completeness that they carried out their task, (all in their spare time between naps) shaking my head, trying to take it all in I was sure this diserved a post at least.

Nachos Night Out

2008-11-01T09:57:00.005-04:00

Last night was Nacho and beverage night at Hermanos in Concord. A good and much needed laugh was had by each and all. Sarah treated Melissa Miller and I to Nachos, Quesa Dillas, beer and wine. It was discovered that there actually IS something on the menu that Melissa will eat - the Amy's Quesadillas - although we devised a far better name for it - The Melissa's favorite Quesadillas better enyoyed without chicken that may have been cooked with yucky peppers and preferably not adorned with rabbit food although you can still include the sour cream.

Our charming and excedingly helpful server Lisa (aka Waldo) posed for photo documentation as did Sarah and Melissa with their beverages but I'm told by my phone that I've exceded my size limit for this post and will have to send those pictures later. All in all a good time was had then Sarah and Melissa went off to downtown Concord on a voluntary mission to move barriers for Howl a ween in Concord night. Melissa was also called to duty for the Obama campaign and Sarah too had other unspecified tasks to accomplish. I had but two things that needed doing - buy a big bag o' kitty litter. And make my way home to Tilton. Mission accomplished.

WalHan Unlimited

2008-10-30T15:49:00.026-04:00

The chillins' are putting a new roof on my brother Normand's house. It's been a might breezy and cold up there but they're making great progress and should be finished tomorrow. I've been to visit and offer support in the form of RedBull and cookies the last couple days. Today I took pictures since the light was nice and the weather was a bit more conducive to taking my hands out of my pockets.
And Yes, there was goofiness. Wally gave his belt to Hannah because she was inadvertently (or maybe not) mooning the street and there was potential for traffic mishaps. There were issues with that generous donation on Wally's part though:

The Belt Issue They've been working pretty fast and there was some time for occasional jollity though and some little dancing between hauling the bundles up the ladder.

Fine TuningIt's not as easy as it would seem......

When a good song comes on the construction radio....

A Little Dance

A Little Nailgunning When everything's in the right place....

A Little 80lb Bundle When you get tired of dancing......

Another Thursday

2008-10-30T13:27:00.002-04:00

Two-Headed Same-coat Wearing Monster

Hey, it's just me trying again to post mobile. This kind of problem has become a long technical journey that I'm still determined to get to the end of. Please bear with my attempts to put things right.

Chipping away at The to-do List

2008-10-27T18:32:00.001-04:00

The Finished Puzzle w/Flashglare!

The Raked Lawn

It was a relatively quiet weekend including some raking on Sunday and some cleaning and puzzle finishing on Saturday.
The rest of this week promises to be somewhat bleaker than today's Indian summer like weather. There might even be a few snowflakes...oh please not yet!
Today I'm planning a little for next weekend's chores and hoping

too to fit in a little fun while I'm at it. The whole process of getting ready for winter is a bit daunting but chip away at the list I will...

Two Spooky Puzzleguards
There's going under the house and doing a little more insulating, hot water pipe wrapping (that had me under the house with a hair dryer last year) and of course plugging in the heat tape (electric bill goes up 20 dollars a month)....sigh, summer living is easier I think....I have to find something fun to do in winter....maybe snowshoing....maybe if I get some it won't snow?

Today's View

2008-10-21T11:25:00.001-04:00

Well, really this is yet another attempt at getting my post-by-mobile phone abilities back. If you can see the not-so-remarkable picture of the view outside my window that means I've found a work around for my mobile photo to blog posting issues. It's the main reason I haven't posted much lately.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

This is the view that would have published if I could send via my phone again.....

Amusing Weekend

2008-10-20T08:14:00.006-04:00

As of about 2 weeks ago, I suddenly can't post images from my phone. I've tried all the suggestions, and even rebuilt my phone, but still can't......Anyway....

It was an amusing weekend....the chillins' were up for a nice Cornish Game hen dinner on Friday night. Saturday we went to Portsmouth and on the way home, stopped at a puzzle store (all puzzles of all kinds) on Rte. 4......and bought a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. Upon getting home around 7:30 Saturday evening we worked on the puzzle until 11 pm and got about 1/4 of the way done. By Sunday at 4pm we had it about 1/2 done. I always loved jigsaw puzzles and did so many while growing up...it's a lot like being a kid again....but the chillins' always have that effect on me anyways.....

Sunday night we played Wii Tiger Woods golf while listening/peeking in on the Redsox/Tampa Bay game. Although the Redsox lost, team Wally-Lulu beat team Beardsly-Hannah soundly 5up.....thanks to some heavy coaching from pro Wally.

A Spot in the Sun

2008-10-12T09:46:00.002-04:00

Ahh Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and a sunny spot on the floor. What could be better? One more day off and more beautiful weather in store for tomorrow.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Last Blasts

2008-10-11T12:38:00.002-04:00

It's a really beautiful day here in NH and promises to be throughout the long weekend too! I was pleased to see the monk's hood saved its blooming effort until now and also managed to attract a chubby bumblebee.

Looking around I'm seeing enough leaves on the ground but still enough left in the trees that would make raking a pointless task at least for a couple more weeks. I'm sitting on the screen porch enjoying one of the last bouts of warmish weather too. I always miss sitting out here in the winter and so do the kitties. They're excited about all the falling and blowing leaves and the few brave bugs still flying around.
I should head outside and start clipping back the garden myself. It's too nice out to stay indoors.
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Enchanted Forest

2008-10-06T13:53:00.015-04:00

I had a lovely weekend in Calais Vermont at Sarah's family camp. Although it was a short stay - Saturday morning through Sunday morning, we got a lot of walking and talking in. It was a rare chance to spend some time with friends and family that I don't get to see very often, and much fun and food was enjoyed by all.

There was a forest walk taken that included trees with faces on one stretch. For those with less energy there were strategically placed benches for resting along the way. The fall colors are really starting to take hold there too.

My daughter Hannah and I slept in the outside building with lots and lots of blankets since there was no heat in there. We also managed to fit in two walks to the store and a crossword puzzle, and of course - pictures.

Hannah and I pictures taken by each other.

The whole group

Cammy, Louise and Sarah practicing our over-the-glasses stern librarian look.

Hannah and Lilly working on their coloring.

Reta and a slowly waking Annah.

Abbie and Sarah in deep discussion.

Looking Forward

2008-09-29T17:54:00.002-04:00

At last glance the big budget bail out had not passed and the stock market made a historically deep plunge. I'm not unhappy that it didn't pass since I don't believe anyone would have learned anything from yet another bail out. I'm just not sure Americans are ready to make the sacrifices that they're about to have to make. It's scary to think about the people who will really suffer because of all this....and yet that's what comes of not asking questions and making assumptions. We've been like children dependent on parents that weren't really paying attention to our future. Then again we should have been paying more attention ourselves....there's an adage about if it sounds too good to be true?
Well, appropriately enough it's officially fall and it'll get colder before it get's warmer again. True enough for what's coming for all of us here in the US as well as the rest of the world. But the seasons pass and so shall this. I'd like to just hear one admission that perhaps someone who should have known better didn't think really hard about how we're going to make it through this winter.

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The View

2008-09-29T08:41:00.003-04:00

It's Monday again and I know I haven't posted in a while....seems as though the combination of worries about the economy, impending menopause, Autumn with its shortening days, and if that isn't enough - It's Monday....here's my view from my cube here in the basement....

This seems to happen most every year, and for the most part I'm able to change my perspective merely by making myself aware - Oh yeah, this again.....but this year is a little tougher....I guess I need to get out of the basement and see some sun a bit more often.

EOD and E0S

2008-09-17T18:21:00.002-04:00

Yup, I think it's time to admit the gardening season's over. It's also end of day too but that's more of a relief. I know there's still cleanup and putting to bed of the garden to do but there isn't anything left to harvest save the lettuce cilantro and dill. It's a little sad and I'll have to find a cold weather activity to get me through.
I got just two peppers from the two plant I put in. I may rethink planting them next year. Lettuce, tomatoes and broccoli did well so they're keeper crops. So are all the flowers. We made lots of improvements this year and hope to do more next year as money permits....it's sooooo worth it.
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Visit De Monsieur Henri

2008-09-13T10:39:00.001-04:00

A most frustrated (that he can't get anywhere near any kitties) and worried (that his Sarah has left him forever) Henri is here with me waiting for Sarah's return. They spent the night here last night since Sarah had a show to judge in Laconia this morning. It was a somewhat fitful sleep we all had due to the reluctance of kitties to allow any contact with Henry...and yet....he is not a boy to give up easily and just doesn't understand my flavor of kitties. Here it is going on 10:30 and he hasn't even touched his breakfast. Sarah treated me to breakfast at the Tilton diner. We had perfect timing this morning - got in just before the race weekend crowd came pouring in. There was a long line at the door as we were leaving. Henry was oh so happy to see us as he waited patiently (we think, but we're not sure as we were sitting a strategically comfortable distance from earshot of any potentially mournful howling that may have ensued). There was a happy reunion with minimal complaint from Henry at the end of breakfast. He's bearing up bravely and doesn't know just how soon Sarah will be back (in about an hour). It's really amazing how far he's come in the past year - from a terribly insecure pup to the much calmer young blend of a young dog he is now. Love and attention is miraculous.
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The To-Do List

2008-09-08T18:22:00.001-04:00

Wally dropped by on Saturday and we knocked a couple things off the list....or at least he did. I now have a functional (and tested) gas grill and we fixed a drill that was rusted up that I need to continue the arbor project. I know, I know....this has been a very protracted project aye?
I also just finished mowing the lawn and picking up the house from this weekend's mess making as there was football, tennis and chicken wings that were also on the list. I was great full to have someone to ask football questions to about the finer points and terminology. Still a very mixed bag given the outlook for the rest of the season. We also got in a bucket of golf balls at the nearby range. We were not allowed to play a round of nine since neither of us had collared shirts on....so we picked ourselves up and went on to the range. It was the first trip there this year for me so I guess I'm going to count that as checked off the list as well.
I'm feeling as though fall and winter are coming too fast - the days getting much shorter on both ends. I must try and remember that this vague sense of dread comes every year around this time and try and keep my chin up. It's good to have friends and kitties for that purpose. Tomorrow I'm stopping into Sarah's gallery for a visit, nachos and with any luck a boost in spirits. I sometimes wish it was as easy as finding a nice red gym bag to fall asleep on.....maybe it is?
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Sometimes It's Better That Way.....

2008-09-05T14:03:00.005-04:00

I just noticed that Sarah had renamed her link to this site to: My Friend Louise and her mysterious thinking process. We've been discussing Truth and Beauty - a book by Ann Patchett that she's read and recently commented on through her blog . I haven't yet read the book but the subject of inner/outer beauty is intriguing to me and last time I visited with Sarah at the gallery I jumped right into the discussion. I'm not a linear thinker.... mostly I think of things in convoluted ways (at least from others' perspectives - really, I'm comfortable with it myself) because it's more amusing for me that way, and I hope it is for other people on occasion. Apparently it amuses Sarah from time to time. My thought process sometimes allows me to come to conclusions that don't always make immediate sense about the subject at hand, but sometimes answer different questions at different times. We are after all programmed to recognize patterns.....some call it serendipity, or intuition....I just think that we mark the things that make impressions on us for when we need them....to answer questions later on. I placed a few mental markers about the subject during our discussion the other day. It's refreshing to check life through a different set of filters sometimes. I'll let you know if I come to any interesting conclusions about Truth and Beauty - or something else altogether.

Back From Canada

2008-08-31T20:36:00.004-04:00

Well, my brother Normand and I made it back from Canada about 5 this afternoon.
We got around to seeing a whole lot of people in a pretty short time. My mother's birthday was Friday and we had a lovely dinner of mussels in a wine and garlicky sauce with jullienned zucchini and some chanterelle mushrooms served over cappellini spaghetti. Normand also made a very technically constructed angel food cake that looked very much like a bee hive. Friends and neighbors came over to wish my mother a happy birtday and have cake and a glass of wine.
Saturday morning we headed to Quebec city for my cousin Sarah's wedding. The couple had a small civil ceremony and everyone met at a bring-your-own-wine restaurant that served very good food at a very reasonable price. It was great to see everyone....I met lots of new to the family children that I hadn't seen yet. Sarah herself is expecting in October and although tired and achy-backed she was positively glowing.
My mother stayed at my aunt Charlotte and uncle Christian's house. Normand and I stayed with my cousin Linda and Yvon's house. Linda and I stayed up yacking and emptying Molson Dry bottles until 4:30 this morning. It was a little rough waking at 8:30 this morning but we got underway and stopped over to say bye to my mother and aunt and uncle who were going to tour the city a little today as it's Quebec's 400th anniversary this year and there's a lot going on about the city to see.
Still - I'm glad to be home again with my cats who did seem to miss me and my feeding and petting abilities.
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2008-08-24T14:32:00.001-04:00

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'73BuickCentury

2008-08-24T14:25:00.002-04:00

When Hannah was little she always got a little sad and upset when we got a new car. I think she worried about the old car (I always felt sad for yellow lollipops and always volunteered that I wanted them as we pulled away from the drive-thru teller at the bank). We had a '73 Buick Century that was bequeathed to Reta (Sarah's sister) who I lived with for a year during a bout with searching for independence. We made good use of the Buick for a couple of years.
This weekend Hannah has brought the new boyfriend over (a newer model) He seems nice enough and it's pleasant to have company for a change. But.....wouldn't you rather have a Buick?

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Spider Deluxe Weather Report

2008-08-24T08:11:00.001-04:00

My friend Mary told me years ago that if the spiders hung out their sheets in the morning it won't rain that day. I seem to remember having seen these sheets out to dry yesterday morning too but we'll see if it holds true for today as well.
It's quiet this morning. Hannah and her friend are sleeping in the living room and I'm enjoying my coffee and the late summer garden. The sunflowers look like a group of gossiping school girls. Perhaps comparing themselves to the shorter plants' much less elegant blooms. Good thing they're far enough apart.
I have to go to the store and get the fixings for the Coq au Vin that Hannah requested. Then maybe we'll work on the arbor project. It would be a fine fine thing to have done on this vacation week.
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Standing Watch

2008-08-20T18:35:00.002-04:00

If you've ever experienced a broken heart yourself you might well have almost as much pain watching someone you care about who's having the same experience. You want them to feel better, to help them realize they have to find a way to move forward - and try not to discourage them when you see them taking backwards steps. It's part of a process you know, but still there's the ache of remembrance of your own experiences. Is it all you can say - It will get better?
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Fist Ripe Red Tomato

2008-08-18T18:08:00.002-04:00

It looks like most of the tomatoes will be ripe around the same time within the next couple weeks. This one was under some greener ones. My complexion will be irritated the next couple weeks too but I can't resist a tomato sandwich with mayo, salt and onion powder....wah! Other things are doing well too but it looks like I'll have to thin the chinese cabbage more. Lettuce round two will be starting probably next week just in time for tomatoes and any other veggies from kind hearted people who have too many.
There's four days left of the work week then I'm off for ten days - four of which I'll be heading to Riviere Ouelle Canada with my brother Normand and possibly my daughter. It's going to be my mother's 84th birthday on the 29th, so we'll be there for that and the wedding of cousin Sarah too.
I didn't get the arbor project completed, though I did buy the wood and started trying to pre-drill and screw it together. Alas, I found I was about two hands short of able. I later called on friend Wally to come with a nail gun later this week so we can tack it together, then drill and screw it solidly....there're other projects to do during my time off but I figure it's worth doing the outside ones while there's good weather.
I'm getting a call in from a Tom A. To - gotta go now.....
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Morning's Glory

2008-08-16T08:07:00.001-04:00

I just realized why they're called morning glories when I came home from work yesterday and found the bloom I wanted to get a picture of "closed for business" that had been open when I left in the morning. Some connections aren't automatic but with a little thought - there they are!

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Still Gardening

2008-08-13T18:13:00.002-04:00

I didn't get much done over the weekend but somehow the garden is still thriving without my attention. These are the lettuce and chinese cabbage plants coming right along. I'm still waiting for some of the big tomatoes to even start ripening although the little yellow plums are going pretty strong as are the blackberries.
Things have been rather quiet around here and although I didn't buy wood for the future arbor I did go investigate the possibilities over the last weekend. I'm pretty sure it'll be this weekend's project besides doing the general cleaning and mowing stuff.
Today was the first all sunny day we've had in a long time. It's not humid and the evenings have been very sleep worthy. You can almost feel a touch of fall coming dare I say? I don't really look forward much to winter but having been a New Englander all my life I feel it's necessary and right that there be some time to contemplate the next gardening season to really appreciate it when it's here. I couldn't happily live anywhere else really - It's all here for me. For you? It's all wherever you are or you'd be somewhere else no? Although I sometimes think more money or a new relationship would make me happier, I don't feel driven to strive for either thing because at the end of the day I'm just happy to be home with what I have. It has been always been the seasons and the goodness of people that has made me feel most alive....it's hard to say if our lives are any easier than they were 100 years ago....we support so many things they didn't have to then but we want all those things....things that make us feel connected, important parts of the society we live in. But is the end result better for us than our predecessors? Another evolutionary turn that has yet to produce a definitive answer....still gardening though.
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I'm Stuck In a Loop Lola! Help Me!

2008-08-09T11:31:00.002-04:00

Sorry Moos, I'm busy looking outside right now. Another busy day today at the Tilton Hilton. No, not really or the shop vac would be on and removing the fur from everywhere.
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Black Fly

2008-08-08T14:16:00.003-04:00

I think this is a White Admiral Butterfly and how is it they are so beautiful and still an insect? We generally don't care for insects but I'm sort of partial to the pretty ones. And I find even the less spectacular ones are often little jewels when you look more closely. It' just the stinging and biting ones I find less attractive... And still - I look forward to seeing the bumblebees in the flowers every day. Flowers need the attention.
There is now another Sunflower to keep the orange one company. It's a wine red color but the back of it looks like the puffy pants that the Swiss Guards wear - orange and red. I wonder if that will earn me any Papal indulgences - whatever that means.
I have the afternoon off - what a wonderful thing! I stopped in on Sarah at McGowan Fine Art in Concord on the way home and we decided to take Monsieur Henri for a walk about town. Much to our delight there was a Joy fm van parked in front of the State House and some very nice young ladies offered us FREE ice cream. Being a warm and muggy day it only made sense to accept so we enjoyed the peanut butter cup ice cream there on the State House lawn. It's been a days of being in the right place at the right time - both ice cream and butterfly-wise.
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Enough For a Tiny Salad

2008-08-06T08:41:00.002-04:00

I found a few golden plum tomatoes that were ripe for a salad when I got home. The lettuce has a couple more weeks before it's big enough but I have some other lettuce in the interim as well as a couple cukes.
I hope I didn't plant the fall veggie seeds too early - they sure are coming up fast! It's been so rainy this summer and the gardens seem happy but there's a point when things will just start rotting. I noticed the tomato plants sent their branches out into the grass and took root there too. I had to pull them back to mulch between the 4x4s because it's impossible to mow there now that there's a plum tree in the middle.
Everything else is so lush including the crab grass. There were a few taking hold in the new fall veggie garden but they had a little "falling out" with me.
I think the happiest things are the bumblebees. They love the bee balm and veronica and I find them sleeping there in the morning as I'm leaving for work.
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Hummingbird Quickshot

2008-08-04T08:49:00.004-04:00

Well, I managed a quick glimpse of the female hummingbird with the camera. It's not a great picture, but you can see her. They apparently didn't like me sitting so closeby. After I moved my chair further away and put the camera away, the little female came by and hovered a couple feet away looking at me. I said hello and she flew off. As I watched them I noticed that whenever the female came to the feeder, the male would come and divebomb her away from it....wonder why that is? You can tell the male from the female by the bright red throat on the male, and the female is mostly just green.

Other than the big mulching project this weekend there wasn't much else that got done, other than laundry which didn't have much opportunity to dry. Maybe today if I make it home before the daily thundershowers I may have some mostly dry laundry.

The Sunflowers in Booboo gardens have started opening and look spectacular (albeit wet). They are of course, a good bit taller than me. I hope all this rain doesn't shorten their flowering life, but it seems there are several flower buds on each stalk so there'll be more chances for flowers. Keep blooming and growing...good thoughts for us all.

Mulching Prophecy Holds True

2008-08-02T11:52:00.000-04:00

This morning I went and got 5 bags of cedar mulch then came home and started laying out the weed guard. So far it looks like I'm about halfway done and it looks and smells good too.
Right now I'm taking a little break before I go back to the store. This time I'm going to try and fit eight bags of mulch in my Civic. Two of them will probably have to ride shotgun. Does that all sound like great fun? I'm also thinking about eating sometime today.
The pictures are before during and after the mulch. Big improvement aye?
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I See More Mulching In My Near Future

2008-08-01T20:21:00.000-04:00

Today I bought a big roll of lanscaping weed guard and a bunch of stakes. Four years ago I got 20 very small Blue Spruce and Cedar trees and although they've grown some, I think they'd do much better if they didn't have all the crabgrass and blackberry bush wannabees to contend with. I had in mind to make some sort of privacy hedge with them and want to see if they'll be a bit happier with a little blanketing. At any rate they'll certainly look a lot neater and be easier to mow around. I've also been so impressed with what a difference the mulching made for the other gardens so...
It's been sort of a long week, made longer by having to close up at work which made for a twelve hour day. Sure am glad to be home with the kitties and a baseball game on the radio. Really, Friday night is my favorite.

Butterflies, Bees and the Like

2008-07-28T08:03:00.006-04:00

I had some luck with my camera this weekend since I managed to get a couple good shots of a swallowtail butterfly in the lilies. All the flowers are attracting lots of bees and butterflies and moths.

The Honeysuckle has bloomed again and drawing in the hummingbirds more than the feeder is right now. The problem with the feeders is that all the hornets have also found out there's sugar in there and are probably keeping the hummingbirds away - at least from the larger feeder. The large feeder is also right at face level when I hang out the laundry on the line and the squealing of the pulleys seems to annoy the bees.....probably would be better to move the feeder aye? Right now though, there's plenty of flowering plants for the birds and bees alike.

With August right around the corner I was thinking there wouldn't be that much in bloom, but as I walked around Sunday, I saw that at least the Mums and Sunflowers would be coming around. Maybe there will be more surprises, but more likely I'll have to think about late summer blooming things for next year.

Morning Coffee With Moo

2008-07-27T10:25:00.003-04:00

Here's a shot of how the world is here this morning. It's cloudy here and comfortable on the screen porch with coffee #2. Moomoo has parked herself on my outstretched legs without a care.
After browsing the headlines this morning I'm reminded again of what a turbulent world we live in. If I was to dwell on that - life would be a fearsome ordeal.
For those who don't relate to the value of having animals - it is (at least for me) - that they show us we have only the present time. Try and relax, take care of ourselves and enjoy the moments. When times aren't as agreeable as we'd wish they were - with any luck we remember that everything passes and that helps carry us through....For the kitties - even the vacuum shuts off after a while and peace resumes
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Sphynx Moth in the Beebalm

2008-07-26T14:46:00.001-04:00

It's just about the next best thing to getting a picture of the rediculously camera shy hummingbird. I was almost positive it would have flown away by the time I got my camera out, but luck was with me today and here's the photo proof! Ok, so maybe it looks like a dead leaf or a finger with a bad infection, but it's really a moth out in the midday sun.
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Kittens Trying to Stay Cool

2008-07-26T11:45:00.002-04:00

Moo moo so cool

Pakhet the shy

Lola, it's so hard to keep cool with the entire state of NH on your nose aye?

Yes, Sid - sox can make you cool too.

The girls all have their own methods of keeping their cool as only cats can. After this morning's running around and chasing activities they're catching on that it's going to be a hot one....but they're ready, set....stay!
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WOW! Three days after planting the seeds...

2008-07-23T17:56:00.002-04:00

Chinese Cabbage on the right, Green Lettuce on the left.

Blackberries aplenty coming.

Veronica and Beebalm.

I have lettuce on the left and Chinese cabbage coming up after planting the seeds just before noon this past Sunday. I also planted cilantro, dill and cauliflower...but no sign of them as yet.

I'm so surprised how much I've enjoyed the vegetable garden this year especially since I wasn't even going to have vegetables this year but the chillins' wanted them. I was thinking of dismantling the four 4x4 veggie beds and make a rose garden in some kind of roundy shape to try to offset the whole linear quality of living in a mobile home.....but it's been very rewarding having food from my own garden with dinner almost every night....makes me want to put in a bit more lettuce in a couple weeks to extend the season into the fall.....also makes me think about cutting my meat intake a lot.

There's going to be a bumper crop of blackberries too which makes me wish I had a bigger freezer or something....I've also included part of the view looking back from my porch that shows the purple veronica with the decidedly pinky bee balm behind it. I like the way they look blending into each other and miss their tallness in the winter when there's nothing to define where the walkway to the shed unless I shovel....It'll be a happy thing to have these photos to look at then.

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Sarah's visit

2008-07-19T14:43:00.001-04:00

Sarah is visiting me since she has an exhibit at the Lake side Living Expo at Gunstock Recreation area nearby.
Last night I made Thai chicken with coconut rice, and

Cucumber & tomato salad. With that we had beer and wine.
Sarah is picured having coffee on the North-side porch and admiring the wasp nests and gardens.
Also pictured is Sarah with my gigantic Mullien plant and me too just for a size comparison. Sarah is 5'9" and clearly I am not.
Tonight we are having chicken livers and an assortment of olives and other antipasto type things. We're repeating the beverage selection since that was perfect.
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Week #4 Mileage Report

2008-07-15T07:46:00.002-04:00

Well, as I've suspected all week, this week's report isn't as good - 41.575 mpg. This morning I filled up with good 'ole non-ethanolized gas, so I'm hoping next week's report will be more interesting to write about. Still, it's not sooooooo bad.

I hope everyone had a very nice Bastille Day yesterday.....

Week #10 Porch Shot

2008-07-14T18:33:00.002-04:00

The changes are probably pretty subtle to most people these days but they're there...bee balm is beginning to open, lawn chairs have moved to accommodate the new blue Hosta that Sarah included with the gift of Solomon's Seal - and at no extra charge I might add...
There is the promise of tomatoes and peppers to come. I think from the looks of the small pepper it's a halapeno. The peas and broccoli and mixed salad greens have pretty well passed on. Yesterday I pulled out all the gigantic salad plants to prepare for a second salad planting. I'm intrigued with finding some Romanesque broccoli ( it has the most interesting growth pattern) to start since the Broc did so well much to my surprise. Broccoli will be much happier with cooler weather at the end of August into September right up until the first hard frost.

Globe Thistle, Delphinium & Civic Coupe

2008-07-10T18:03:00.000-04:00

It's not the most artistic composition but all have been a part of my day. Sarah was saying on her blog that she was a little discouraged with her delphiniums but I would say that there is a marked improvement with mine this year that I can mostly attribute to mulch and moo-doo. So - don't lose hope Sarah! The globe thistle is looking pretty spikey and ready to attack any accidental leaners too.
My car got a lot of my attention today too since she got new shoes, oil and an allignment....and a lot of money....I just introduced a third variable in the mileage equation for next report. She no longer sounds like a freight train going down the road - was badly in need of tires and allignment....and now? BUTTER! Wah! I could have heard the radio had it been on!
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Week #9 Porch & Week #3 Mileage Report

2008-07-08T18:19:00.003-04:00

The growth has continued throughout the gardens but is a bit more subtle from the porch shot view. There's still something new everyday though and it always makes me happy.

Another happy thought is continued good mileage reports. A little twist this week that might effect the next report is that I filled up in the morning and I filled up in Concord where they are required to add ethanol to the gas as opposed to Belknap county where I've been filling to date that has none. I'm told that ethanol decreases efficiency but like the junior scientist I am I'm going to test that. I realize I've introduced 2 variables into the equation by filling in the morning....but mystery's fun too. So this week was slightly less than last week's banner report, but still good: 45.444783 mpg. Also - I filled up last time on Friday before last and here it is Tuesday. I think I can attribute the slight decrease to increased use of tha AC if only in defrost mode. Otherwise I'm still very pleased and don't mind the extra couple minutes it takes because it's sort of like playing "eh leetell gam." I also appreciate not being so stressed driving. I know it's not for everyone, but it's something I've always felt strongly about - that America has wasted so much in so many ways and are just beginning to see what it costs. Whether the price of gas and other resources will force people to examine what they seem to think is entitlement? Time will tell. Evolution has always come from the need to change rather than whim hasn't it? I haven't run into another found face to add to the face place in the garden...I think they have to come to you on their own or from others, so I'm putting a drawing I did several years ago called Life's shavings....a mayonaise jar filled with pencil shavings as sort of a face to honor savings.
Oh... and the hand had swollen up to look like some kind of balloon animal by Monday morning so I went to the Dr. Who gave me 'roids and antibiotics and it's almost human looking now save the bruised look. I had a nice Monday afternoon and evening at home with Wally. It was really nice to have company and dinner with a friend.

Hornet Sting

2008-07-06T09:39:00.001-04:00

I did get the screen porch painted on Saturday. It started with a hornet sting almost immediately after I started. They've made a good size nest between the screen porch and the spare bedroom.
The sting was't too bad yesterday, but today it's really itchy and puffy too (but not in a good way). Still, I'd like to finish this project today and replace the screens except for the ones on the hornet nest side. I should have gone outside in the evening and given them a spray treat for them and their babies but forgot to. Maybe I can spray them right through the screen this morning. I know they will get pretty excited at that but I should be relatively safe behind the screen right?
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July 3rd

2008-07-03T18:18:00.000-04:00

I came home today to even more hollyhocks open - even the double fluffy yellow ones. I didn't even notice they were about to bloom so it was a nice surprise since I didn't know double ones exsisted. I am truly a greenhorn. I've been looking around and seeing how many things will need to be moved for next year since they're much taller than the plants behind them - at least from the street view - from my angle sitting in the scrren porch the shorter ones are just right. Who am I trying to please?
Maybe it's partly because I have a greater variety of plants now and it didn't really matter until this year that things were short or tall. I'll have to start thinking of shapes and sizes and move things accordingly. Gardening is satisfying if you enjoy controlling things and if you just like plants too.
There - it's raining again. Made it in from taking pictures just in time.
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Birds Gotta Nest and Cats Gotta....Sink?

2008-07-03T07:44:00.003-04:00

The ever helpful, considerate, and hopelessly cute Lola...this is one of her favorite sleeping places - wet or dry. She is waiting for me to get out of the shower so she can help with her next duty - laying down on the clothes that I'm going to wear that day. How lucky am I?

Today is virtual Friday since we have tomorrow off for the 4th. I'm looking forward to the long weekend to finish up the screen porch painting/rescreening and start on the arbor project. I've looked at some arbor plans and found one that very closely resembles the one I had in mind. It's got 2x2 posts on the corners and bracing connecting the corners, and 1x1 slatting everywhere else. I saw a few plans that called for 4x4 posts - but they also had benches built in which would be a bit over the top for the entryway (as if you'd get tired and have to sit after getting out of your car before making it the last 15 feet to the door - I hope it never comes to that)....maybe just right for the side yard by the vegetable garden. I'm sort of excited about it and hoping I may be able to at least get started on it this weekend.

I know they're weeds but....

2008-07-01T18:20:00.000-04:00

They're fine for shed purposes I think...and they're sort of happy looking in a puppydog way. They do have to be kept in check I know...that's one of the reaons I have a lawnmower. I just got done mowing which got me surprisingly hot...but that's summer for you.
One day later and the hollyhock has started blooming. The one in front of the shed is almost black - no girlyhocks for this shed! I don't know what color the others will be but one of them looks pretty red-pink. They're so dramatic!
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Week #8 Porch Shot

2008-06-30T18:18:00.002-04:00

Porch Shot

Hollyhocks

Mallow

Week 8 already...I planted a walking stick that got me home on a very icy road when my car couldn't one night a few years ago. It's where I want the left side of the arbor to be. The rose is already reaching out for its support. Maybe it's a climbing rose after all. Hannah is coming down for the 4th and will be here just in time for the Hollyhock bloomation. The Mallow has also decided to bloom today in all its pinkness. A little steamy sunshine always seems to bring out more flowers. I noticed that there are no honey bees around for polination and that hornets and ants seem to be doing their best at filling in. I hope the bees can make a comeback one of these years for the love of honey!

Smiling Metal Face and Mr. Blblblble

2008-06-27T17:56:00.001-04:00

These two just seemed to belong together. They seem to enjoy each others' company. Maybe there'll be fireworks tonight? I'll be looking for faces to add to this garden wall....

Mileage Report Week #2

2008-06-27T17:35:00.000-04:00

Another really good report - 515.2 miles from 11.279 gallons. Once again I'm really thrilled....45.677808 mpg. This is a very satisfying experiment fellow scientists!

Root Canal - Where does it hurt most?

2008-06-27T07:43:00.005-04:00

Although the jaw is still pretty sore from 2+ hours in the chair, my wallet will be hurting a lot longer..... Still, at least it's over with and time to go on to happier things. I'm still happy about the arbor idea and have been designing in my head for the last day or so....I wonder if the tooth thing will work it's way into the design? It just might.

Last night.

Today.

Budding Gardener

2008-06-26T08:18:00.004-04:00

Sarah's blog discusses the conversation we had yesterday about my feeling like a garden neophite after looking at her site and Black Swamp girl's.
Well, I still feel that way but in a good way. One of the problems we talked about was the fact that my yard is relatively small, and that I live in a trailer, so I worry a bit about going over the top sometimes....you know....bronze lions, pillars, fountains and the like.
I've been thinking about making an arbor where the porch shots were taken, but I was a little worried that it may too much or something, but Sarah assured me it would be ok. I had an arbor in the entryway of the house I grew up in and it just feels so inviting....
We looked at some natural arbors woven from twigs and sticks, driftwood etc....not sure what I'll do but now I think it's my next project....I'll leave the gilding off...or maybe I should just go all out and make it really fantastic....

The Kitties Profile

2008-06-25T10:05:00.006-04:00

This is the first time I got somewhat good pictures of all my girls. They don't really like to be photographed - most likely because of the flash....but it's difficult to get any picture at all without the flash when you're indoors.....

This is Sid, the eldest cat....though only 6. She's a pretty good catcher if you throw her a ball but loses interest rather quickly. She has better concentration skills with Tuna juice. Sid is very friendly and would meow in agreement, but she only has a high pitched and barely audible meow, so you might miss it.

This is a double-decker shot of Lola and Sid. You've seen Lola before...she showed up at that same door last fall as a very small ball of fur that decided she wanted to live here...and decided not to be one of the many stray cats around here that struggle through the year. She's well cared for and well loved now, and is a constant source of amusement. Lola is a very devoted fetcher of a particulary ratty looking stuffed mouse.

This is Pakhet, the very small, but 4 year old adult cat. She is named after an Egyptian half-lion, half woman goddess who guards, rips and shreds, and balls up carpets - but no matter - Pakhet is my favorite small grey cat. She, like Moo below is also very shy except with me.....

So here's Muca (most often referred to as Moomoo). She was a bit more willing to pose for pictures when I was outside looking in. Moo is 1 year old this month and is very shy. You can't see it, but she has a small white bib. She is very vocal and seems to have to stretch more than any cat in the world....

STELLAAAAAH!

2008-06-24T19:23:00.006-04:00

Stella can't run but she's pretty.

Trumpet vine, also loved by humming birds.

Broccoli, loved by me, leaves and all.

I waited and waited to catch a shot of the humming birds at the feeders but wasn't quick enough. Then, after snapping a couple defenseless plants, the mosquitos and some bees that are trying to make a home of my unscreened porch came and drove me indoors to the screenporch and the ballgame on the radio. Poor Stella couldn't fly so I snapped her. But heck....she's beautiful too...
I was wondering if broccoli leaves were edible and sure enough they are hardly distinguishable from kale or collards, but more bitter as they grow larger, and as an added bonus have more beta carotene than the fleurets. I had two big bowls of salad with mixed greens to try to make up for the effects of the antibiotics taken for the upcoming root canal. There's nothing quite like fresh greens from your own little garden....except maybe getting a good picture of the humming birds at your own feeder perhaps?

The broccoli will be ready to pick soon if it isn't already, and peas too. Small comforts are sometimes just enough when things don't exactly go your way aren't they? Humming birds will have to wait another day I 'spose.

Week #7 Porch Shot

2008-06-23T17:59:00.005-04:00

It's a little damp out there but there's still a porch shot...the bee balm is getting in the way of the full view but - in a good way. Herbs seem quite content with the moisture and the peas are happily pea-ing away....ah so satisfying to be a very small farmer....heh heh heh.

Lamb's Ear

2008-06-23T08:53:00.005-04:00

The Lamb's ear is looking sooooo large - almost large enough to support a heavy fruit. It's getting this little pineappley thing that will probably be some kind of flower, but I'll let you know if it does indeed turn into a pineapple instead. It's not that I really want my name in the paper for being (probably) the first person to get a pineapple from a Lamb's Ear, but I think I'd prefer pineapple to a silk purse say.....

Done Priming - Long List

2008-06-21T10:29:00.002-04:00

It's 10:30 am and I've already gone to the recycling center, Lowe's for paint and screening. Now the lawn, more painting, and maybe some weedwacking. Tomorrow will be an inside day since there's rain on the way....I hope it all works out.
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Smiling Metal Face

2008-06-19T17:58:00.005-04:00

Well....Hannah didn't know how well this would go with the mileage report when she made it in welding class.....small things mean a lot.

Mileage Report

2008-06-19T17:30:00.004-04:00

I'm really pleased with the outcome of the experiment this week...42.743056 mpg!!!!! I could have easily gotten over 500 miles out of this tank but I wanted to be true to science and fill up at the same time of day, and I was quite excited to know the results. I noticed that my gas guage always registers higher in the afternoon when temps are higher, so I went with the same reading...That means the experiment will continue and I'll try to repeat or better the outcome. Some days are just better than others aye?

Well, There's Always the Garden

2008-06-17T18:26:00.004-04:00

No lying - it really did turn out RED!

Flashy snap pea blossoms aye?

Arugula has bolted.

Nasturtiums being Nasturtiums as only they can.

Lola - The rice and Bonita tuna flake carpet spreader....welcome home Mommy!

I went to the dentist today thinking I'd be getting a root canal but got some antibiotics and confirmation that I need a root canal that has been scheduled for next Thursday. The interesting part came when I was informed it would cost $671 out of pocket.
When I got home there was about 3/4 cup of Batsmati rice and Bonita Tuna flakes scattered in the kitchen and hall - I'm certain it was intended to represent some kind of welcome-home-you've-had-a-bit-of-a-dissapointing-day sort of gesture. Nevertheless, after thanking the thoughtful kitty for her efforts I felt inclined to review today's garden progress rather than express my full appreciation at that moment. Just as in human life there's always something new in the garden, which is always a comfort and a reminder that all things pass. It's not always exactly what you want but as they say - It's the thought that counts aye?

Week 6 Porch Shot

2008-06-16T08:15:00.013-04:00

Well, here it is....already week #6. I spent all of Saturday working on scraping and priming the screen porch on the other side of the house....it was very pealy...seems as though the previous owner painted it without priming it first. I got most of the priming done, but as you can see there's some left to do. The weather was not good for painting on Sunday so other projects called. I hope to finish it up sometime this week and perhaps put actual paint on it next weekend, replace the screens and perhaps replace the rotton step that I removed.

Before......

Post Scraping.....

As far as I got....

Do you know what this is?

2008-06-15T11:35:00.001-04:00

It came up last year and I'm not sure if I should leave it or pull it up.
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What a Difference a Couple Days Make

2008-06-13T18:33:00.002-04:00

Whew! Things are blooming and growing like crazy plants! I didn't take any photos yesterday, so the garden monitor has some breaking news.
There are so many parallels with life for all of us who garden. Plants do what they are meant to do and look beautiful doing it.
Why is it that for all our intelligence that the drive to bloom and grow eludes so many people? We too are at our best when we do what we do best. Why are we so hobbled? I told you I have a lot of questions....

Science Experiment

2008-06-12T20:05:00.005-04:00

My father was a science teacher at West High School from 1958-1962 until he died. I know he was always interested about how things work and that he'd be amazed at how much things have changed. Me too, both because whenever we wondered about something my mother always sent us to the encyclopedia (that my father sold to make a living and to supplement his meager teacher's salary) and because I just have a lot of questions.

I came home tonight to a bill tacked to my door for the kerosene fill-up I ordered earlier this week. $1,100.78 for 220 gallons that I hope will get me through next winter. I have a very strong aversion to putting things on my charge card, but I don't think I'm alone in feeling uncertain about how ends will meet. I'm gambling that prices will not go down so.... Still, I'm grateful that I'm able to take what I hope is an advantage of being able to do this. So, for now, swallow and schedule weekly tranfers to my credit card.

The science part comes in with the not so new realization that savings have to be found somewhere between lobster and ramen noodles because neither diet works for me.....

Last night I filled my gas tank. I'm getting 36.98 mpg with my Honda Civic since I mostly drive on the highway. I decided to try a small change in my driving habits - going 60 mph instead of my usual 65-70 on the highway for this tank just to see what kind of mileage I'll get. I also shut off my car if I have to wait long for a light. By now I know the light patterns, take advantage of coasting, and try to time my approach to city lights when I do drive there.

Sarah came to the same conclusion independently this past weekend while driving to Beverly MA in her Honda Element, and was pleased to get 30mpg. So we'll be giving the results of the experiment as we go. We both have relatively long comutes, so it doesn't take that long to go through a tank of gas.

Already on my first day I noticed one unexpected benefit: I had a much calmer trip because almost everyone was passing me and I pretty much had the road to myself. On the way home tonight I noticed other people going as slow as me - or even slower....could it be a trend fellow scientists?....Happy father's day wherever you are....

Hannah's Iris

2008-06-11T07:40:00.003-04:00

As hoped for - the yellow Iris opened today. We didn't know what color they'd be since we picked them out of a bin at the Agway. They're still pretty, but not as fierce looking as the Blue Flags. Today was a pretty good day, but a lot of running around. It reached 100 in Manchester and the sign in Nashua read 103 around 3pm. I left the AC on for the kitties (and me for when I got home) and it was just 84 compared to 90 when I got home yesterday.
I called the oil company to have my tank filled now since I have no hope that the price will go down before winter. Today the price for kerosene was 4.99.9 up from 3.79.9 I paid last December. I wonder how people are going to stay warm next winter and why we can't have just half of this heat then? I hope that having these pictures will sustain me.

First Blue Flag!

2008-06-09T19:17:00.003-04:00

It was't open this morning but now? OPEN! They're so much more alert looking than the more domestc Iris. Probably because they're more wild and fierce.

First Rose Predicted to Be - Probably Redish

2008-06-09T18:39:00.005-04:00

This Rose has not bloomed for the four years I've been here - until this year, so we finally get to see what color it will most likely be - red, pink or redish pink perhaps. But if I'm wrong I'll probably have to go to someone else's garden and photograph their red roses to cover my tracks. Luckily photography can sometimes fill in the grey area, also photoshop can too. This is my second favorite time (to morning) to take pictures. Maybe I'll change porch shot #6's photo time to evening.
The yellow looking mystery Iris will probably open tomorrow. It's a little sad that the focus is already off the Lupines. Sarah informed me that I misspelled (previously sp. "Lupin" in previous posts) but - I think I still got my point across aye?
The last photo I think will most likely close the book on identifying the second horticultural mystery of the day posed on Sarah's blog. I think here we see a more mature phase of the weed in question only slightly different.

Painted Hallway by Louise

2008-06-08T20:39:00.002-04:00

OK here it is - The hallway with paint and virtuallly no damage to surrounding areas. Hannah describes my usual painting skills as like giving paintbrush to a seizure victim. Ah, to know one's limitations and still keep trying.

What I call Indian Paintbrush but....

2008-06-08T08:11:00.002-04:00

I don't think that's correct....Maybe Sarah will straighten me out on that since Hannah has borrowed my wildflower book.
Yesterday I mowed the lawn but didn't want to mow them down. I associate them with strawberries since they always come around the same time, although I haven't found any berries. Still, there'll be blackberries later on...right around when the Queen Ann's lace comes out.

Light of good favor

2008-06-08T08:04:00.001-04:00

This is week 5 porch shot. There was something on the lens like grease and lint I guess, but it made a sort of interestng effect that I prefer to consider a light of good favor for my gardens. The good favor extended to the house interior where I decided to finish painting the hallway that Hannah had started cutting in last week. Louise painting usually elicits frightened gasps, but in this case all turned out well, so perhaps I'm shaking off my handicap where painting is concerned.

Appease-eotomy?

2008-06-06T19:27:00.003-04:00

My friend Sarah volunteered: When a person feels that their life is spent ignoring their own wants and wishes in order to appease others' does it not warrant an?....

Salad Eaters

2008-06-06T11:06:00.003-04:00

Here is my daughter Hannah and Lola Tobitah in the foreground here doing her favorite helpful thing - crossword puzzle holding down.

Well, we finally had some salad from the garden last night. There was lots of Rocket(Arugula) in the mix, which always seems sort of Peanutty to me so I made a little peanutty dressing to go with.

I wished and hoped for rain really hard the last couple weeks and it continues to rain.....but that's still a good thing.

June 4th

2008-06-04T19:25:00.001-04:00

Today was a pretty good day - busy, yet without crisis...except maybe for getting the Oompa Loompa song stuck in my head...It's usually not so much the song as not knowing the words and having to say in my head "Oompa Loompa doom-pe-de-doo, I've got another puzzle for you etc...then getting to the next line to the parts where you don't know the words. I'm always tempted to look up the words...I think it's a little compulsive since it bothers me until I do, but I haven't as yet...Sometimes I feel as though knowing will make it worse.

In other news - the water collection system has been replenished! I have two 55 gallon barrels that are now full AND 2 other 55 gallon barrels that aren't yet connected for lack of effort in hunting down spigots and the like to connect them. That would make two sets of 110 gallons...one from the shed gutter and one from the porch gutter - both visable from the shed shot and porch shot. Aah, but that's sort of boring isn't it? But it's like having water in the bank! Didn't we all laugh at the suggestion that we'd pay money for bottled water about 15 years ago?

Ready for the salad bowl

2008-06-03T17:46:00.000-04:00

There's salad ready but the chillins haven't been here to share it. I wasn't going to plant veggies until they insisted so I feel as though they should be here for the first garden harvest. Shaw's and Market basket called twice but I said "You can't have my salad - It's for the chillins" and then hung up on them.

It rained a bit on my way home and I was hoping it would have rained in Tilton and so it had! The plants look so happy with water beaded up on them....especially the Lupins. I feel so pioneer-like praying for rain. I like having things be so basic as having rain, or having to water plants with the watering can, lugging water from the 55 gallon collection barrels...or the bathtub like Wally did last week.

Bejeweled Lupin

2008-06-03T17:43:00.000-04:00

DIAMONDS! I told you I was rich!

Week Four Porch Shot

2008-06-01T18:09:00.000-04:00

Well, here it is, week 4 already. It's a little darker than the rest because I took the picture in the evening....still there's always progress aye? Also, note the new lawnchair and webber grill bloom.

Lupin Ho!

2008-05-31T08:26:00.000-04:00

I'm rich! In Lupins anyway....they're such showy flowers it's just silly they aren't used as currency. Just goes to show how twisted a world this can be. Canada would be the most rich and powerful country in the world.

May 29th

2008-05-29T18:51:00.000-04:00

I've been needing a new weedwacker and after some talk with my boys the last couple days I stopped at Blowes on the way home and bought a Troy Built 4 cycle 28cc Super Bronco. Works great, quiet, takes attachments like brush hogs, blowers, chainsaws and the like and with a bit more use I'll be in shape enough to use it for more than ten minutes. I've done minimal damage to most desireable plants and NO personal injury other than a bit of rubbery feeling in the wrists.

I'm really praying for rain now.....water collection system empty...The weather people say rain on the weekend
I'm trying to figure out how to do this from my new Blackberry curve. The menus are all different from pc and I'm used to typing with all my fingers...still feels like my fingers are too fat.
Todays pictures are of new blooms on the silvermound (I'm now told by Sarah that it is Taurus Cerastium and not silvermound) and the soon-to-bloom purple Iris.