Happy New Year . . .

Had a busy Thursday off. Thought I was going to work on the puzzle most of the day but Puppy's Pop thought a movie was in order. I had been thinking the same thing so we went to see True Grit at Lisbon Landing. We both liked the movie. It was a good, plain story, well written, acted and directed. When a movie is good it is really great to go to the theatre rather than wait for the DVD. I think we'll also go to see The Transformers when it comes out. Even Rango previews looked pretty interesting! After our matinee performance we went to the Sterling School to fly and walk. The flying field (soccer field) was in good shape because the wind had swept it pretty clean! I just walked around the parking lot as my regular sidewalks were snow covered. To top off the day's low key events I found crunchy ice going down the entire length of the driveway! What a neat sounding walk coming up from putting out the mail. That would make a super video; bright blue sky, sighing wind in the trees, snot nosed kid stomping crunchy, clear ice rivulets in New England on the last day of the year.

Will be off soon to pick up our Kiddo. Wonder if he'll want to make a video or just slide down the partially snow covered hill?

Quote: What is time? --The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock, the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months, years, centuries --these are but the arbitrary and outward signs --the measure of time, not time itself. Time is the life of the soul. __Longfellow

Clio re...re...re...redux . . .

Got our morning call from the youngest that the Clio should be ready to be picked up this afternoon. She is apprehensive about driving it to work tomorrow but will just have to give it a go. Always the Maman, I told her to make sure she had warm clothes; gloves, heavy coat, toque, scarves, boots, double socks, triple shirts and double sweaters just in case she had another breakdown on the frigid, unplowed roads and she had to wait for RAC (her version of AAA) to come out to the rescue for the umpteenth time. The dealership replaced a fuel injector on the misfiring cylinder. We can only hope they have finally found the real problem! How disconcerting. Daughter explained that her "handler" will not get in touch with her until after the new year to explain in depth what has been done to cure the very sick Renault. I was surprised at the word "handler" as I explained that I thought handlers were used to control mad dogs. She admitted that might be how they consider her!

Had a good day with the kids yesterday. Our trip to Chucky Cheese in Groton was fun. The boys managed to share their tokens and earn enough tickets to each get about four pieces of junk. Nephew was hungry for pizza but grandson was hungry for a hamburger. Problem easily solved. I got nephew a personal pepperoni pizza and juice at Chucky Cheese and bought Kiddo a Happy Meal at McD's. Now, since you get a Bakugan toy at McD's nephew also needed a McNugget Happy Meal! I know I'm getting daft but I get such a kick out of these boys. We went to daughter's home and the kids played the rest of the afternoon. Only a few very minor glitches that the kids managed to almost work out by themselves. A good time was had by all. Kiddo's older brother made the paper yesterday because he attained honors at Grasso Tech. I really am proud of him. He'll be starting Driver's Ed after the first of the year at a cost to him of $500. His folks helped out by giving him lots of Christmas money. He's also been taking care of his kid brother during the holiday vacation so I've got today off! I'm planning to put at least 200 pieces into my puzzle today and perhaps go for a walk outside. It is cold and the snow cover is still present but a brisk walk in the bright sunshine will be healthy.

Received at least three singing birthday calls yesterday; two in person, one duet recorded while I was out playing with the kids. Makes you smile and appreciate the good people on this, God's white earth! My mixed bouquet was awaiting me, all well arranged and displayed in the center of the puzzle when I returned in the early evening. Heard from the three kids and so it's onward and upward into 2011.

Quote: Commonly they whose tongue is their weapon, use their feet for defense. ___Sir P. Sidney

Truly blown away . . .

Back to Gold Dredge No. 8

Puppy's Pop has been out to check up on my spinner and nary a trace could he find. I'm somewhat bitter about this disappearance because that means I have to get through the entire winter and most of the spring before I can get a new one. Believe it or not it's hard to find the right one on line. They have so many look a likes but most are garbage ( pronounced in the manner of the French.) So I shall suffer mightily for too many months and therefore have time to reflect on the cost of a new one which may make me decide to be economical! ! ! Doubtful.

Grampa used the Saturn to go to horseshoes in East Hartford today while I stayed home and luxuriated in the peace and quiet of a house all to myself! ( Wouldn't want that all the time but it is pleasant to be alone occasionally as I'm sure all can appreciate the calm and delight that reigns in solitude.) I did washes, walked to my audio book which I absolutely love, worked on my puzzle, read the horrid Bulletin in two minutes flat, completed the latest American Spectator and made out my shopping list. Therefore, 'twas a good day until I got the car back and went shopping. The check out girl was in never never land and over charged me for a twelve pack of Coke and the idiot at the package store never acknowledged my presence as I paid for the Cabernet Sauvignon. He continued to talk to someone, who was in front of me and then ceded her place to me, about his most stupid friend who insisted that he could order pizza by the piece not by the slice. As the young man at the checkout explained to the lady now behind me as he took my money and never even caught my eye, "John is so stupid. He won't admit that you order pizza by the slice not the piece. And I told him he was stupid . . ." I know. I should have told the clerk he was the ass and should pay attention to a good customer but I was so incensed I just fumed all the way home. Poor Grampa had to listen to my diatribe as I used the last of the roast beast to make soup for supper. I must be getting crotchety in my dotage. The neighbor kids asked me to borrow my sleds so they could slide on my hill! They can't find their sleds! Gee willikers, we let their two dogs run here and now we have to provide the sleds for their enjoyment. Oh well, and this too shall pass.

Just figured out a good puzzle for Springbok. I'll take a picture of my latest Lucky Roll, half completed, with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon also on the table. Grampa says the glass of wine should be within the frame of the puzzle. Bonne idée! Tomorrow should be a great day. I'm picking up 6 year old great nephew from the old homestead and bringing him to Groton to spend the day with Kiddo. Should be a blast.

Quote: Who makes quick use of the moment, is a genius of prudence. ___Lavater

And my beautiful spinner is ? ? ?

Out of order. This is the dock on the Chena River as we were coming in on the sternwheeler.

Probably the luck of the draw, not too much snow, perhaps 6 inches total so far but the winds have made drifts all over the yard. The entry way by the kitchen had no snow because the wind had blown right through from the North and made odd paths. In some places you can see the tips of the blades of grass and in others deep drifts. Puppy's Pop has already finished using the snow blowers. Yes, plural. He used the one from eldest kid, who has moved to warmer climes, to clear the upper yard and the old one, that is kept and started in the basement (had to air out before I was asphyxiated,) to clear out the roadside, mailbox etc. I dutifully cleared off the porch and the kitchen step that had been clear of snow until the snowblower person completed his rounds and I had to sweep that clean too! I am distressed because my beautiful, colorful, 3 circled spinner is no where to be seen. It will probably show up in the Spring in the woods all tattered and torn so I will have to go to the Kite Store in Mystic for a newbie. Damn, that'll be a pain because the proprietor doesn't keep the one I like in stock. Most people don't want a top of the line spinner with 3 gorgeous wheels and a delightful tail. It is a bit costly but lots of fun to see the effects of the wind as it whips the spinner 'round and about as I laze in my swing or look out on the yard from the window as I do those dishes.

In any case Grampa is out and about in the Dodge and I've decided to start a puzzle, Coup de dés (Lucky Roll), very colorful made up of dice in all configurations. Who knows when it will be completed but I just feel like having some bright colorful pieces spread out on the kitchen table so when the spirit moves me I'll be ready to act.

Quote: The best throw with the dice, is to throw them away. __Old Proverb

Waiting on the blizzard . . .

Gold Dredge No. 8

Just returned from Sunday Mass, having already breakfasted at LizzyB's, and was surprised that there were only about 30 people in the church. All Hallows looks so nice in its Christmas finery. The lay people decorate with just the right beauty and simplicity. With our Polish priest the old statues are reappearing, cleanly restored and in their old places. I like it. Two ladies who harmonize very well were our choir and I felt so at home and comfortable. I had gone to the children's Mass on Christmas Eve and the church was packed; that was a good thing. Since we no longer have a Catholic school in the entire town of Plainfield it amazes me to see so many young families with at least 2 or 3 children. Volunteers run the religious education programs on Sunday mornings before and after the 9:15 Mass. I'm impressed with the work they do. It truly is a labor of love although some of the kids could use a scolding. (I don't think that word exists anymore!)

Our Christmas Day was warm, comfortable and relaxing. For once dinner was late instead of early so I am making progress! Kiddo ate his entire hamburger and a rack of grapes without even a slight complaint. Some how or other I made the best Gram's Cheesecake ever. We were all suitably impressed. I think it came out so well because I fortuitously came upon medium eggs and while I was preparing the cake son called so I just put the batter aside while we all talked for a bit. Whatever the case may be there's not much left and I know that I shall indulge in a slice for lunch with homemade raspberry sauce and fresh whipped cream.

And the Saga of the Clio will go on into the New Year. Youngest called Christmas Day and the Clio has the dealership so distraught they asked if they could have one of their mechanics take it home and drive it so they can really figure out what's wrong with it. Grampa seems to think that they probably never had to put in the new wiring harness and there's some type of electrical problem. I wish they'd give youngest another vehicle and call it even. This is getting to be outrageous. She and G. are spending the holidays with his parents and had a White Christmas! So far we have a very light dusting of snow.

Quote: Neither piety, virtue, nor liberty can long flourish in a community where the education of youth is neglected. ___Cooper

Addenda . . .

The Clio Renault is back on the road! The coil pack did the trick and the mechanic even went so far as to clean out the windshield washer jets, no extra charge! Woot! And wonder of wonders a $450 charge on our credit card was removed very quickly, no fuss. Hometown Heating T&S Energy were so efficient they put the charge in on the computer and manually but fixed it. Phew, I almost had cardiac arrest when I saw the bill before I realized what had transpired. Oh well, back to breakfast and wishing the flurries would stop.

Yes indeedy . . . we are having fun . . .

Puppy's Pop needed lots of plane parts yesterday so we were off to Sturbridge, MA, always a beautiful ride up Route 169. While he was picking out all the odds and ends I was checking out a flight simulator for remote control air planes. A bit pricey but perhaps someday we'll breakdown and get it so Kiddo and I can learn to fly! Not sure if our present computer can handle the add on. But it's really neat because you get a radio control box just like the real radios. I've always been very nervous when I've handled the radios maybe this would help me to get over my fright! On the way home we stopped at our favorite spot for lunch, Java Jive, in Woodstock. Excellent sandwiches and coffee. We haven't gone there for breakfast yet but one of these days we'll have to make the trek.

Kiddo got out at 1pm today and then we spent 45 minutes at the school playground! It was cold as the devil but he wanted to run around with his friends and you can't say no to playing outside and having a ball. We hit McD's for a double hamburger Mighty Meal and my Southern Chicken. Excellent lunch! We were both starving. I was home a bit late tonight but just in time for Santa and his elf. They were out testing the sleigh and reindeer for Friday night. They even brought us some snow. How much more better could it get? Yes, life is just grand. But . . . the snow best be off of the roads by morning!

Quote: Babe . . . A sweet new blossom of humanity, fresh fallen from God's own home, to flower on earth. _____Massey

Making tracks . . .

Got up at 2:42am, put on my slippers and Puppy's Pop's flannel lined jean shirt so I could wander out side, make tracks in the light snow and see the lunar eclipse. It was dark, cold, windy, flurrying and a snow sky with a slight glow in the South. I guess that that's all I was supposed to see at that time. I was hoping to see the dark of the moon but instead I just saw a glow that may have been man made lights on the highway! Great disappointment. We're still getting some very light flurries and I've got Grampa out there doing his best Scrooge and Grinch impersonations! He is delivering Trappistine fudge to his siblings! Gotta love that man! He absolutely cracks me up. Besides I asked him to gas my poor little Saturn so he's got his hands full while I sip my coffee in the warmth and coziness of this old cottage home. Will watch UCONN women play tonight. What a lot of hype. Geno has it right when he says of the UCLA comparison, " They did it and we're doing it. Everything else to me is meaningless."

Just spoke with youngest and the saga of the Clio is ongoing. After she wasn't able to get them to take her continuing problems seriously and they said there was nothing they could do to help she emailed the parent company of the dealership and explained her woes. Within an hour she got a phone call and her poor little frenchie Renault is back at the dealership hopefully to be really fixed. ( Had to pause a minute because younger daughter just called again!) It seems that a coil pack is on the fritz and fouling the spark plugs. So . . . although they don't have a coil pack to replace the broken one they will have one tomorrow and she should get her car back tomorrow. She'll only have to pay for the coil pack. Woot! Let's hope this actually does the trick and she can finally trust her car in the freezing cold weather to get her to work safely.

Quote: They who have to educate children should keep in mind that boys are to become men, and that girls are to become women. The neglect of this momentous consideration gives us a race of moral hermaphrodites. ______Horace

Joyeux Noël et Bonne et Heureuse Année . . .

Trying to get ready for Christmas Day. Went food shopping and flower shopping today. Will pick up the Roast Beast Friday morning along with Kiddo's hamburger and rolls! I know I shouldn't indulge him but he likes my hamburgers so that'll be my present to him on Christmas Day while the rest of us eat Prime Rib, turnips, broccoli, mashed potatoes, gravy, home made bread and Gram's cheesecake along with a few other odd and ends, wines, candies et cetera. There will be eight us and we'll all be thinking happy thoughts of those who are celebrating in distant places. I do like the holidays. It really is relaxing to sit around and enjoy the passing years. Many more good times than bad. Have to appreciate all we have; each other, our families and friends. Looks like a snowy day but there is no snow and that's OK I want the roads to stay clear all week because I've got to get to Groton every day but the weekend!

Had fun company yesterday after lunch when Moosup nephew, his wife and kiddos came for a visit. The kids kept busy playing while we chatted for a bit. Nephew, wife and his parents were going to the Patriots vs Greenbay last night. I even stayed up to watch the goofy Packers get beat. Long night! Before the game daughter and her family came and took us out to Riverview for dinner. That was excellent, especially the company, but the food was good too. It's always great when I don't have to cook! Puppy's Pop sold two of his old remote control planes yesterday and made $60! Not bad! I have also sold some of my audio books for about $60 total. Not so good as I paid quite a bit for them but better to sell than just hang on to them for no good reason. I really don't want to listen to Moby Dick again!

Finally have caught up with my magazines. Now if I can only get ahead of them I can start making the puzzles I've received for Christmas!

Quote: There is a God in science, a God in history, and a God in conscience, and these three are one. ____Joseph Cook

Where to begin?

Guess I'll start with a cup of French Vanilla tea and some home made Oneco Christmas cookies. Just got back from walking and flying at the Sterling School where Grampa was able to strut his stuff for two fourth grade ladies and their Corgi, Cinnamon. What a cold but beautiful, crisp almost winter day. Had trouble finding some crunchy ice to crack. It's been so cold that the puddles are still frozen solid. Before flying we stopped to bring a little gift to friends and marvel at their fantastical old Shell gas pump. I hope to be able to get a picture of it after it snows. It will show up so well. R. is also working on another old gas pump that looks as if it dates from the 1930's. ( mmmmm. . . nothing like really delicious, pretty, friend made Christmas cookies.)

I've got to brag that I'm finally back to drinking my post prandial wine and able to eat real whole meals again. Have no clue what was bothering me but as soon as I made an appointment with my primary care nurse I seemed to feel better. She did give me something for my stomach called Dexilant and it seems to be a wonder drug! Still not back on Oscal or vitamins but "feeling groovy." Grampa has made the big time. He sent in an article to Control Line Flying, a magazine from Brodak in Pennsylvania and they are going to publish it along with his picture, email address and photo of the plane he wrote about. That is just so cool. Kiddo and I almost finished decorating the tree last night so I'll finish up this afternoon while Grampa works on the El Camino. It's running rough, so rough that after dropping off the little Christmas gift in Oneco we came right home and switched vehicles to go flying! Now that's pretty darned rough, don'tcha know!

OK. I'm on my sixth cookie and everyone was different, looked scrumptious and was out of this world delicious. I only mention this because I have been given cookies that looked wonderful and were beautifully decorated but all tasted the same . . . wet cardboard yuck. I'm so fortunate that I can eat all these wonders and enjoy them. Woot! On a lower note, not happy that youngest child's car is still broken after it had been repaired. Hope she can get that straightened out. This was at a dealership too! It seems England and the USA have a lot in common! But, after all, it is a French car and I can't imagine the French making a good automobile, the Germans, yes, not the French.

Quote: Presents which our love for the donor has rendered precious are ever the most acceptable. ____Ovid

Still numb . . .

It was so neat to see planes on people's front lawns.

Yes, I'm still numb up to the left side of my nose but if you ever need a root canal I know just the perfect lady to do the trick. Dr. Amy Amaro of East Lyme and Norwich is unbelievable. She is thorough, neat, sweet, strong and humorous. Dental work is never pleasant but she used a rubber like dam that is placed over your mouth and the tooth they're working on sticks out of it which means they don't have to keep suctioning your mouth. It works like a charm once you get used to it. Wouldn't want it any other way. The wonders of the modern age. She and her assistant are good. She speculated that Dr. C. couldn't get to the roots on this tooth so he just did the bottom part, filled it, and called it a day. He probably didn't have the right sized tools because she said there were two very tiny long roots which she made one after she cleaned out the old mess. In any case the job is done and in January Dr. Mackey will fix the cavity and filling before it gets capped. Wow, glad that's almost taken care of! It really seems crazy but it feels good to have someone know what the heck they're doing and perhaps I'll get to save all of my teeth. Ma must be loving it! Very cold and windy today even with the sunshine so I walked in the house while Puppy's Pop worked on his latest plane renovation. He's got some very nice looking color schemes. The planes look so good when they're being flown or just standing in their allotted positions in the basement. They would make a beautiful puzzle. I'll have to see if Springbok would like a puzzle suggestion! Maybe I can send them a few photos. That might be neat.

Quote: Pardon others often, thyself never. ___Publius Syrus

Nor'easter . . .

I guess the weather could be worse than raining, windy, dark, 53 degrees. Yep, it could be snow. It did cause problems last night and early this morning as the roads did ice up but it's just a mess now. Hope it clears for tomorrow and Tuesday. I'm supposed to visit older brother and wife to bring them some Penuche and some letters I found that date back to his military service in Germany. Tuesday I have a root canal in East Lyme and I definitely want to get that out of the way. Getting sick of going to the dentist's office. I just get more angry at the dentist that helped cause the problems. Oh well, I'll get over it. Kiddo had a great visit this weekend. We hardly had time for any TV. He helped decorate the house for Christmas and we've been warned to put only one decoration on the tree when Grampa gets it this week because when he comes Friday he's going to be in charge. Sacred Heart's Christmas Concert is Wednesday. I'm looking forward to it but there will be a slight glitch. Kiddo's older brother's first basketball game is also Wednesday and he's on Varsity as a Sophomore. J. is all pumped up. Daughter is going to try to make both. It'll be interesting. I've found my old French Canadian records and set up the Sony record player up stairs so I can listen to all of our old 78's and 33's. Not too many 45's. We've got so many good albums. It seems that some people are buying new versions of the vinyl record albums because they sound better than the CD's. I was surprised at that. Kiddo and I play the oldies sometimes. I think that he's the only kid that knows how to play CD's, records and tapes! He gets a kick out of them. This darned Northeaster is rocking my outdoor glider that's on the porch for the winter. It sounds a bit like a hurricane. Went out to dinner with Oneco friends last night. My stomach is still acting up but not quite as much. We had a wonderful evening and as we sat talking in their living room, appreciating their Christmas Tree and their very beautiful old house they gave us a box of caramels and a 1000 piece puzzle. The puzzle should be a lot of fun and somewhat difficult. It's an enormous pile of cars of every sort called 50's Junk Pile. Will have much to do when and if we do get snowed in! Bad stomach or not I'm eating the chocolates. One or two a day will be delicious.

Quote: A good dinner sharpens wit, while it softens the heart. __Doran

Comfortable here . . .

At daughter's home after a very thorough teeth cleaning. Am waiting for Kiddo to get out of school at 1pm, half day for parent teacher conferences. He told his Mom this morning that she shouldn't go! But she has her appointment for 4:45. I'm sure it will be interesting. He also has a half day tomorrow so we'll spend a lot of time together! I hope he doesn't get sick of me. They have put up a very beautiful blue spruce Christmas tree and it really looks a lot like Christmas. We've got the cold and wind but it's very sunny and no snow. No snow, that's a good thing or I'd have problems getting here. Went to younger brother's yesterday to bring the Christmas penuche. We had a wonderful time just chatting and then the three of us played cribbage. Last time J. won and this time his neato wife came from behind and won. I'm certain that it's a conspiracy. I haven't won any games in so long but at least the people I play are happy! Had a wonderful time and came home with a bottle of red wine and some beautiful winter sweaters and pants. Can't wait to show up for lunch duty with my pretty red cardigan.The kids will love it. S.G. and I enjoyed our French Canadian Chrismas Concert and Sing-a-long. Met a young fiddler from Connecticut who is on FB as Jam Français. He's trying to get younger people interested in their Canadian heritage, especially the music. I told him about the old 78's I have and he's very interested in them. Naturally when I got home and looked for them I couldn't find them anywhere. So I have to find the time to search them out or at least try to remember if I gave them away. I doubt I gave them away. But I just recalled that some of the old very dilapidated records from Ma's house were in the milk room and we threw them away because they had been sitting in water on the floor of the damp basement for years. I hated to discard them but I couldn't see any way to save them. They were not only warped but covered with moss and mildew. The good news is that the records I'm looking for were originally in our house and belonged to MaTante. Hope I locate them. Wonder if Saint Anthony is still working?

Time to go get Kiddo. We'll stop at Richoni's for lunch. The garage is sold. The young man got the full loan. That is so wonderful with the economy the way it is. Not sure when the final papers will be signed but I think he's already at work

Beautiful time of the year . . .

Busy Friday. Kiddo had no school so I picked him up around 11am and after lunch at McD's in Groton he had time to plan his day on the drive home. Walked in the house and asked Grampa if they could go fishing. They dug up some worms, dressed warmly and took off in the Dodge Ram, just the two of them. It's really nice to be left behind and I'm not being facetious. I enjoy seeing Kiddo putting Grampa through his paces! They got skunked, naturally, because, as Kiddo told me "The fish were way down at the bottom of Porter Pond so they could stay warm. We didn't catch any." When they returned he and I took a hike into the woods around the property where we found green tea berry plants peeping out through the scrunchy russet leaves, princess pine and Christmas wreath runners. Really nice time following the little guy as we warded off the bad guys with his spy watch. After we finally came in he grabbed his books of mazes and joined Grampa downstairs at his special place so they could do their work together. We appreciate the time he spends with us. Grampa had a VA appointment for noon Saturday to have his hearing rechecked and he and his aids passed with flying colors. After I dropped Kiddo off in Groton I returned to clean the house. Grampa and I also went for our two mile walk at the Yankee Flyers field. We were asked out to dinner with the W's of Oneco but my stomach is on the fritz. Believe it or not I think I'm allergic to turkey! Or perhaps it's only the turkey soup. O,
que ça fait mal à l'estomac quand je la mange! So no more turkey for me. I hated to say no to the invite but I certainly would not have been very good company. I borrowed some of Puppy's Pop's Zantac and Tums and finally did get a decent night's sleep. Today I'm going to
Woonsocket, pronounced woon-sau-kette, accent on the last syllable, with my friend S. from Killingly. We're going to hear Josée Vachon, chanteuse Canadienne, in a Christmas Concert. S. and I love the old Canadian chansons de Noël.

Time for a little snack before I leave. Interestingly I saw Saint Nicolas at Mass today, not Santa, the real Saint Nicolas, in his beautiful priestly robes.

Quote: The saints are God's jewels, highly esteemed by and dear to him; they are a royal diadem in his hand. ___M. Henry

Because I like it . . .

Let Spring Be Spring

Something waiting to be born,
The oak tree folded in the acorn,
We might say, the felicity
Of potential: an embarassment of riches
Takes a chance at life in ditches,
A miracle that's hard to beat.
Squirrels never grow to what they eat
And acorns never penetrate concrete
On which I've heard them bounce on windy nights,
Landing loud as bottle caps
After the shortest and straightest flights---
Without even the hint of a somersault.
Where you land is sometimes the wind's fault.

___Lawrence Dugan (borrowed from Nationl Review)

Pasticceria Italia . . .

Another restful, peaceful visit with younger sister. It revives the soul to be with someone who knows you inside out. No pretense, no faking just plain getting along and enjoying the company. We started out at our usual spot and had the best grinder ever. No kidding. It was a pepper and egg grinder. I figured it was going to be egg salad but R. explained that it was a pepper and egg omelet with cheese on a grinder roll. We could have had sauce too but we just went plain. Oh my, home cooking à l'italien is superior. It may not sound like much but the simplicity is probably what makes it so delicious. It didn't need any seasoning and the bread was perfectly heated and just crispy enough. Along with a cup of thé and we were comfortably fed before the "suits", "military" and peons stopped for lunch. We left for desert in Southwick, MA at the Italian Pastry and Coffee Shop. R. had the tiramisu and I the Italian fruit cake. Gee, life is grand with the right company. Even the ride is pretty up in those parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts. I had brought R. her Christmas fudge from the Trappistines, a few Peter Mayle travel books that are hilarious, and some more of her things, PCA diploma, First Communion certificate, Mother's Day heart from long ago. I keep finding stuff in this old house that must have been in the other old house and it doesn't belong to me. I always seem to find these treasures when I'm searching for something else I've lost. Still a fun place to roam around in. Even Kiddo likes to go upstairs and wander and then down to the basement. I came home with a Kozy Blanket that R. and S. gave me. I used it last night and it is just perfect for wrapping myself up at night when I sit down to read or watch my Huskies win. The weekly shopping is done so I've a bit of time before I'm off to Groton.

Quote: If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. _____Thoreau