Hope springs eternal.
It's 57 degrees on 13 February! I love it. Is it possible that Spring has sprung? I doubt it but I'll take it. The sun was peeking out from behind a gauzy cloud cover but eventually even that burned off. Now (17:48) our skies are clear and the sun is low on the western horizon. This week's forecast points toward continuing and welcome warmth. We can only hope.
This morning Linda, Charie and I walked at Giles Conrad Park along the Ohio River in Hebron, KY. It was a magical morning of sun and wind. We love walking there for the quiet and isolation. Very few folks, ever, even during the summer. As we drove past McGlasson's Farm we reminisced about the fantastic peaches we ate last summer. Could we be lucky enough to have more again this summer? An untimely frost can destroy this ever so fragile crop. There have been many years that we've had a mild February and March only to be blasted with a deep and lasting cold spell in April. So my hope is that we won't have that this year.
Chicken marinating in mushroom soup with sweet onions and celery ever so ready to be eaten with broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. The only thing missing is a hardy red wine. In celebration of St. Valentine's day tomorrow we'll wrap things up with organic strawberries and dark chocolate (70%).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Not Quite the White Death (ReDux)
Once again the weather people have gotten us all jacked up for death by white and nothing could be further from the truth. We awakened this morning to a wet dust of snow and temperatures in the low 30s. I think my car thermometer on the way to Mass said it was 31. True, temperatures are expected to plummet as the day progresses and I guess the winds are supposed to pick-up but that's nothing given the hysteria the media promotes. In fact as I write this it's just your run of the mill winter day. Much ado about nothing... Now north of here in Minnesota and Wisconsin, they have something to be concerned about!
Hard to believe we're less than two weeks away from Christmas. Next Saturday Matt, Ciara and Aiden will arrive. Fred, Gail and Zoe will follow on Friday. Christmas Eve will be at Thom and Karen's house and then we'll have Christmas Day. In the meantime I hope to get Aiden up to the Behringer Crawford Museum to take in the trains; that will probably have to be Wednesday; he visits Grandma Jan on Thursday and I work M,T and F.
Hard to believe we're less than two weeks away from Christmas. Next Saturday Matt, Ciara and Aiden will arrive. Fred, Gail and Zoe will follow on Friday. Christmas Eve will be at Thom and Karen's house and then we'll have Christmas Day. In the meantime I hope to get Aiden up to the Behringer Crawford Museum to take in the trains; that will probably have to be Wednesday; he visits Grandma Jan on Thursday and I work M,T and F.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Not Quite the White Death
It's snowing this morning. There's an inch on the ground. The first real snow of the season. Maybe we'll get it out of the system early. Then we can endure the cold without the hassle that snow brings.
There are benefits to snow. I like the quiet especially on a weekend morning; the snow muffles all the ambient noise. The glaring white paints the landscape with a uniform sterility as far as the eye can see. The air is crisp and clean and still...It's the stillness like the quiet that conjures up snow's magical qualities.
Today's snow is a fitting end to a 2 week vacation. Stayed in town. Christmas shopped. Puttered around the house. Caught up on recreational reading. Otherwise didn't do much. The batteries are recharged but now have a cold to soldier through. Few plans today, maybe some grocery shopping, perhaps a little catching up before the grind of work to come tomorrow.
Christmas is a short 3 weeks from today. As always, anticipation is more enjoyable than the actual event. I'm looking forward most to friends and family; our time together will be busy and too short. We can only hope to live in the moment and enjoy the experience as it unfolds.
Of course December is also a time to take stock, reflect on the year that's winding up and look toward the year that is yet to unfold. There are many things that can be improved, little that can or should be changed but much that can be remembered.
There are benefits to snow. I like the quiet especially on a weekend morning; the snow muffles all the ambient noise. The glaring white paints the landscape with a uniform sterility as far as the eye can see. The air is crisp and clean and still...It's the stillness like the quiet that conjures up snow's magical qualities.
Today's snow is a fitting end to a 2 week vacation. Stayed in town. Christmas shopped. Puttered around the house. Caught up on recreational reading. Otherwise didn't do much. The batteries are recharged but now have a cold to soldier through. Few plans today, maybe some grocery shopping, perhaps a little catching up before the grind of work to come tomorrow.
Christmas is a short 3 weeks from today. As always, anticipation is more enjoyable than the actual event. I'm looking forward most to friends and family; our time together will be busy and too short. We can only hope to live in the moment and enjoy the experience as it unfolds.
Of course December is also a time to take stock, reflect on the year that's winding up and look toward the year that is yet to unfold. There are many things that can be improved, little that can or should be changed but much that can be remembered.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Cold and Damp
Cold and damp this morning, the first day of December, a Wednesday at that. Hint of snow in the air and weather forecast. Yesterday's relentless and at times, heavy, rain has given the landscape a worn and droopy composure. I walked yesterday for about an hour and as per usual the rain held off until I was 30 minutes away from the house. The walk was finished in a downpour and strong headwind. I was cold and soggy by the time I got back to the house.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Remembering JFK
47 years ago. Wow!
Read an interesting opinion piece in the NYT this morning by Jackie's personal Secret Service Agent/Escort. Hard to believe she was just 31 years old when she became First Lady. That's amazing.
A period of promise shuttered by JFK's assassination. Presaged perhaps the most turbulent period of our history since the Civil War. I suspect we're still feeling it's affects in many ways and our current political impasse is a reflection of the conflict of rapid and relentless change that started during that long ago period.
Anyway, I'll think about this today. Hope you will too.
Read an interesting opinion piece in the NYT this morning by Jackie's personal Secret Service Agent/Escort. Hard to believe she was just 31 years old when she became First Lady. That's amazing.
A period of promise shuttered by JFK's assassination. Presaged perhaps the most turbulent period of our history since the Civil War. I suspect we're still feeling it's affects in many ways and our current political impasse is a reflection of the conflict of rapid and relentless change that started during that long ago period.
Anyway, I'll think about this today. Hope you will too.
First Week of Vacation
On vacation for a few days. The original plan (way back in March or April) was to go to Dallas for Thanksgiving and visit my sister JoAnn and her clan while spending some time with Matt's clan for their annual holiday event. Unfortunately life intervened. What did John Lennon say? "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.." I think that's the line from his song "Beautiful Boy." Anyway we're staying here in Independence and will celebrate Thanksgiving with Colin here at the house. It's probably a good thing that I have the free time because there are a number of little projects that need to be finished up after the major floor renovations made this past winter, spring and summer; just little touch-up jobs.
So anyway, as I write this entry the sun's shining there are some wispy clouds but otherwise blue skies; there's a light breeze and it's 63 degrees. I know, I know it's late November what's going on here? Don't know but I'll take it. It will change. Matt, Ciara and Aiden are in Dallas with family. They'll be there the rest of the week catching up with extended family. Aiden will get to know his cousins and play, play, play with some children his own age. I think Ian, Rieko and Rosemary plan on driving over from Little Rock to spend this coming weekend in Dallas.
Linda and I are looking forward to the holidays but will miss having Ian, Rieko and Rosemary visit. It's a long drive or a short, expensive flight so we understand. More importantly we're looking forward to the two new grandchildren (boys) due in March. We can't wait. That will bring us the blessings of 4 grandchildren. Aiden will be the "big cheese" and I'm sure he'll love that and Rosemary will have the status of reigning princess a title that she'll wear proudly I'm sure.
Enough for now.
So anyway, as I write this entry the sun's shining there are some wispy clouds but otherwise blue skies; there's a light breeze and it's 63 degrees. I know, I know it's late November what's going on here? Don't know but I'll take it. It will change. Matt, Ciara and Aiden are in Dallas with family. They'll be there the rest of the week catching up with extended family. Aiden will get to know his cousins and play, play, play with some children his own age. I think Ian, Rieko and Rosemary plan on driving over from Little Rock to spend this coming weekend in Dallas.
Linda and I are looking forward to the holidays but will miss having Ian, Rieko and Rosemary visit. It's a long drive or a short, expensive flight so we understand. More importantly we're looking forward to the two new grandchildren (boys) due in March. We can't wait. That will bring us the blessings of 4 grandchildren. Aiden will be the "big cheese" and I'm sure he'll love that and Rosemary will have the status of reigning princess a title that she'll wear proudly I'm sure.
Enough for now.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Back Home in Independence
Linda and I had a wonderful time in Charlotte. The best weather imaginable, good company, good food and lots of fun!
Friday I did buy my rain barrel (just one); they only had two left and I didn't like the way the 2nd one looked, pretty beat up. Getting it into the car for the drive home was no problem. I just used it as a "capsule" and filled the inside with other things. Friday afternoon I picked Aiden up from school and we pretty much just hung out until Fred arrived from Greenville, SC. I fixed dinner of Grilled Grassfed burgers with lots of cheese, tomatoes, onion and salad. It was devine. Of course it was a little bit of a chore keeping Marley the black lab from eating with us also; you can't turn your back on anything or it's gone. Of course Aiden thinks that's great.
Saturday was our big adventure. We rented a 22ft pontoon boat and spent the day on Lake Norman. It was spectacular: hot and sunny with a stiff breeze and crystal blue skies. Boats, personal watercraft and all manner of sailboats were out throughout the day. There was even some sort of sailboat race; very colorful. Aiden had a ball despite being somewhat laid low by a "cold." He loves to swim with the "fishies;" climbing up and jumping off the boat. We ate lunch at the Rusty Rudder in one of the numerous coves and had an adventure getting in and out of our berth; I'm just glad Matt was driving!
We laid low on Sunday. Ate lunch at the Olive Garden and sent Gail and Fred back to SC. I do have a great 2 minute video on my I-Phone of Aiden playing with Marley and a young chocolate lab called "Hershey." I'd like to post it but haven't figured out how to edit it yet.
Monday we drove home: 503.8 miles, 8 hours, average speed 67 mph and 1 speeding ticket (doing 75 in a 55....motorcycle cop knocked it down to 65, don't know the cost yet). No complaints, only 2nd ticket in 39 years!
Now, back to the world...
Friday I did buy my rain barrel (just one); they only had two left and I didn't like the way the 2nd one looked, pretty beat up. Getting it into the car for the drive home was no problem. I just used it as a "capsule" and filled the inside with other things. Friday afternoon I picked Aiden up from school and we pretty much just hung out until Fred arrived from Greenville, SC. I fixed dinner of Grilled Grassfed burgers with lots of cheese, tomatoes, onion and salad. It was devine. Of course it was a little bit of a chore keeping Marley the black lab from eating with us also; you can't turn your back on anything or it's gone. Of course Aiden thinks that's great.
Saturday was our big adventure. We rented a 22ft pontoon boat and spent the day on Lake Norman. It was spectacular: hot and sunny with a stiff breeze and crystal blue skies. Boats, personal watercraft and all manner of sailboats were out throughout the day. There was even some sort of sailboat race; very colorful. Aiden had a ball despite being somewhat laid low by a "cold." He loves to swim with the "fishies;" climbing up and jumping off the boat. We ate lunch at the Rusty Rudder in one of the numerous coves and had an adventure getting in and out of our berth; I'm just glad Matt was driving!
We laid low on Sunday. Ate lunch at the Olive Garden and sent Gail and Fred back to SC. I do have a great 2 minute video on my I-Phone of Aiden playing with Marley and a young chocolate lab called "Hershey." I'd like to post it but haven't figured out how to edit it yet.
Monday we drove home: 503.8 miles, 8 hours, average speed 67 mph and 1 speeding ticket (doing 75 in a 55....motorcycle cop knocked it down to 65, don't know the cost yet). No complaints, only 2nd ticket in 39 years!
Now, back to the world...
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