Le soixante-neuvième . . .

Sacré bleu, j'ai déjà commencé mon soixante-dixième année sur cette planète, la Terre. C'est vraiment ridicule! And in honor of this day in history 69 years ago yesterday I was notified by the Social Security Administration that I would receive a whopping $5 a month raise starting in January 2012. I also received notification from the Connecticut Teachers' Retirement board that I would now lose $2 a month from my pension to pay for medical insurance. That means I get a $36 a year raise. I will be able to buy an extra tank of gas for the Élantra. Woot! The government is taking care of me in marvelous, superior ways.

Spent a great day with Kiddo yesterday freezing to death while he and big brother played basketball in the yard. I am really impressed by how well he and J. play together. It's great fun to watch them bounce pass to each other and drive into the paint for close shots for the Kiddo while the big Kiddo takes the outside shots. I also got a chance to follow Kiddo's Skylander, Spyro, around the crazy Wii world trying to be careful not to attack him. I was supposed to help him but I just kept dying all over the place. He finally ran out of live Skylanders for me to use when we called it quits. I think I did win a game of indoor hallway soccer so the day was not a loss. Won't see the kids until next year as they are going to a party today at their Aunt's house to celebrate, Christmas, J's seventeenth birthday and the New Year. Tomorrow night Richoni's will have their gala and the big kid will keep the little kid company at home. Good way to welcome 2012. They'd better spend as much time together as they can. Seems impossible that they are 7 and 17 years old. Time keeps moving on.

Speaking of time I believe I have found a New Year's Resolution that is in keeping with my now older self. I shall really attempt to stop being critical of myself, others and life. I shall accept my lack of perfection and enjoy others as they are. Ditto for accepting what life has in store for us. Feels good already!

Quote: Time was, is past; thou canst not it recall: time is, thou hast; employ the portion small; time future, is not; and may never be: time present, is the only time for thee. __Mrs. Sigourney

Now, that was fun . . .

We went to the 11:20am showing of The Adventures of Tintin in Lisbon. Wow, it was a lot of fun. We ended up at the 3D version at $10 a pop. I don't particularly care for 3D but this was fantastic. For once we saw a movie that was not preachy and full of modern day silliness. It was a good story with good characters and wonderful tech effects. I could watch this one again. Since the movie is based on a Belgian French speaking comic book character I hope the sequels keep coming. Saw the advert for the The Hobbit which will be out a year from now. Looking forward to seeing it. Must admit that there is nothing like seeing a good movie on the big screen with the surround sound.

Not up to much today. Will walk indoors, work on my horrible puzzle and cross stitch embroidery before I take time to read more of John Derbyshire's free novel about China. It is very interesting yet I don't think it ever made it to the New York Times book list. I'm guessing that the author self-published because regular publishing houses probably were unwilling to face Chinese condemnation.

Quote: The morning steals upon the night, melting the darkness. _____Shakespeare

All warmed up . . .

Just returned from a walk up to Church Street and through the Little League Park. Believe you me I am thoroughly warmed up. It was 37 degrees when I left and it is already 43, so what looked like a possible snow day looks like a rainy day. Kiddo called yesterday to see if I would stop by his home so he could show me his Christmas things. I couldn't refuse the invitation since he had tried twice to call and Grampa and I had been out for a walk. We had stopped for coffee at Johnny's therefore not home for the calls. It seems that his best present is Skylanders, little creatures that have their own portal and work with the Wii. Amazing electronic devices. He'll bring it here someday so Grampa and I can be taught how it all works. He did let me take home my favorite Hess truck to keep under the tree until he gets here to retrieve it.

Christmas Dinner was just about perfect if I do say so myself. Today I'll make soup with the roast beast bones. It'll smell so nice in this old house as it cooks up. I still have some cheese cake but I will not indulge because it really doesn't like me too much.

Came home one day last week and there was a monster box for me. I was blown away when I opened the outer box and there was an early birthday present from my friend Sue G, Godiva Chocolates in a sweet basket with a puppy! I've been very good and not opened the beautiful arrangement yet but I may dive in today. I've also gotten permission from Puppy's Pop to start a puzzle in the kitchen. We've decided that before we tackle the 2000 piece puzzle from Oneco friends we might as well warm up with the 1500 piece Santa puzzle given to us a year or so ago by local nephew and his wife. I sent part of last night setting out the pieces and putting together the borders. Now set to start work in earnest.

Puppy's Pop is off with the Élantra to play horseshoes in East Hartford so I'm indulging in loud music and maybe some piano!

Quote: I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit. ___Shakespeare

Gloria in excelsis Deo . . .

He is born . . . Merry Christmas.

The roast beast smells wonderful; the cheese cake is ready; dinner will be served at one o'clock. Spoke with the youngest who is spending a Happy Christmas with G's family in Bradford, England and the oldest who is celebrating with M's family in Dallas. It is a day full of blessings, peace and good will. Happy Birthday, Holy Child, gift of love to all nations.

Now that was fun . . .

Picked up Kiddo at 1pm yesterday and after we got to Moosup and he had shown Grampa a new Wii game he and I went out to play soccer. Pretty exhilarating and tiring in the cold and almost dark! But the best was after supper when he asked if we could set up the Lionel train. We dug out all of the tracks, cars, diner, traffic gate and siding plus the rail cars and set it up before we asked Grampa to wire it all together. What a good time he had. He had played with the train when he was younger and it was okay but now he really likes to go racing around the tracks. He and Grampa even have the smoke working again! And naturally the whistle must work every time you come to a crossing or Irene's Diner! He played for at least three hours last evening and went back upstairs after breakfast this morning to play again before we left for Groton. I'm glad he finally really likes it because it is so much fun to watch him run everything. He even wears his engineer hat.

Got the house in some semblance of order as we prepare for tomorrow's Christmas Dinner. I'm pretty tired today but I'll be off to the children's Christmas Mass soon.

Quote: Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven. By these tendrils we clasp it and climb thitherward. ___H. W. Beecher

Busy week . . .

Have been to Groton every day but Monday this week. Middle child needed help with Christmas shopping and wrapping. The wrapping was so much fun for me because I haven't had to wrap a lot of presents in years. Christmas is the best when you have lots of kiddos. Seeing their pleasure on Christmas morning makes having kids worth the sacrifice of time, hard work and watchfulness. They are the real Christmas gifts and as I ponder that statement I realize that our children are our gifts to the world and ourselves. Kids of all ages make our lives interesting.

The weather is a balmy 45 degrees and rainy. The only snow visible is on the HP home screen. That's okay by me. We'll have no slippery driving conditions for Christmas Day and the oil man will not have to come too often. The best thing that happened this week is I brought the Élantra for the 3000 mile check up. It had over 5000 miles on it but that was okay. They only did an oil change and rotated the tires which is on the 6000 mile checkup list. But . . . I bought the special USB cord from Hyundai and I can now listen to my iTunes albums through the speakers on the car. Wow, that is such a great idea. Not only can I listen to the iTunes library of music through the car speakers we can go to Pandora radio and play any kind of music we like without commercials or news breaks. I'm so impressed. I think I'm going to get a piece of Velcro so I can set the iPad right next to the left of the passenger seat leg space. The cord is not very long. While the music is playing it is also charging the iPad. Who knew that man was capable of such wonders and the cord only cost a measly $40. Oh well, one must pay for ones toys.

Will leave shortly for lunch duty and pick Kiddo up early. He has a half day and pajama day. Can't believe they really do go to school in pajamas. Seems foolish. Getting older and more Scrooge like every day I wouldn't dare question the asininity of school administrators. I'm certain he will have proper attire when we stop by Richoni's to say a quick good by to his folks. They are so busy with their regular Friday night gala and today there are quite a few private parties starting at noon. We shall certainly say a very fast good by.

Quote: It is not money, nor is it mere intellect, that governs the world; it is moral character, and intellect associated with moral excellence. ___T. D. Woolsey

Poor old house . . .

Eleven degrees outside today; the sun is bright, sparkling on the frosted grass and the poor, old homestead is having trouble warming up. But I guess in the grand scheme of life sixty-six degrees in the house is warm enough. I've put on my warm papates and the comfortable, wool sweater youngest child made for me, have had my breakfast and am on my second cup of coffee so all is well in Moosup. I can take the time to read the edifying Bulletin and get even warmer as I fume at the paucity of real news and the scarcity of well written articles.

Had such great pleasure yesterday when youngest sister-in-law and I had the good fortune to get tickets to the sold out last performance of Annie at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam. It really did bring tears to my eyes. Not because of the story being told but because I was so appreciative of the effort and love lavished on this production by everyone who worked behind scenes, on stage, in the pit, building sets, making costumes, manning the lights. It was an all out achievement by local people who enjoyed giving of their best to help the beautiful young, intense director, Nicole Panteleakos accomplish a unique rendition of an old favorite. Am I prejudiced? Most definitely. But I honestly could sit through it many more times and enjoy the production by people who love théâtre because it gives them pleasure to work hard and become more than their singular talent but a great collective talent giving happiness and pure delight to the likes of me, someone with no theatrical aspirations but who enjoys the gift of their time consuming, tiring, fulfilling travail. Yes, I am just a slight bit verbose, again, but I am in awe of the people who make the time to give so much of themselves so others may laugh, cry and be carried away to another time and place. Kudos all around.

Now back to the mundane. Have to make my list and most certainly must check it twice to be sure I get all the right ingredients for Christmas Dinner.

Quote: Although it is said of plays that they teach morality, and of the stage that it is the mirror of human life, these assertions are mere declamations, and have no foundation in truth and experience. ___Sir John Hawkins (My dear Sir John, I humbly beg to disagree. You are an old fogey.)

Wintry blast without snow . . .

Phew! Just returned home from my walk at the Flying Field and it was cold, grey and windy. It took about six treks up and down the hill for my hands to warm up! That's pretty darned cold. Grampa did another superior job getting the Christmas Tree this year. He even had it all set up for me when I got back from Groton Thursday evening. All I had to do was find the angel; that took quite a while. Then it was easy peasy to put the angel on high and the lights below. Last night Kiddo did an excellent job finishing up decorating. I was really amazed at how well he distributed the ornaments. Later on as he and Grampa watched The Grinch we worked on making stained glass ornaments from very old Makit & Bakit kits rescued from the dump some years ago! That was fun and the ornaments came out just right. Of course he had to take them home; one for each member of the family. Very thoughtful. He's in the process of making a paper chain of good deeds that he has to bring to school next week. I've been advised that he made the Good List again this year and he was wondering what ever did Grampa do to get on the Bad List since all he ever gets is coal! I didn't go into particulars because that would have taken a very long time! The only things left on the Christmas agenda is shopping for Christmas dinner and then the cooking. I can already smell the aroma of the Roast Beast. Looking forward to a Joyous, Happy Christmas.

Quote: The moral and religious system which Jesus Christ has transmitted to us, is the best the world has ever seen, or can see. ___Franklin

Not too impressive . . .

Stopped for lunch at The Gentleman Farmer Diner located at the former Gold Eagle and once upon a very sort time ago the Thai Sushi Restaurant and was not impressed. Puppy's Pop had one of their specials, whole belly clams and fish and chip combo. I just had fish and chips. It was about a $36 mediocre lunch. I took the fish out of the batter coating as did Puppy's Pop. I should have tried a BLT. They have a monster sized menu and there were quite a few customers for sleepy Plainfield on a Tuesday but I would not be tempted to go there again. Richoni's has by far the best fish and chips.

Had a nice chat with youngest. She just negotiated herself a pretty good sized raise and is quite happy. Grampa teasingly asked if their house, when they buy one, will have room for model planes and she did say they were looking for 4 bedrooms! Yikes. Another place to rest our weary heads. Poor G. would probably have a heart attack! We truly are looking forward to their visits home. We're not good at traveling long hours on long flights. Not sure how older brother and his wife can calmly contemplate travel to the other side of the globe. I'm thankful the kids are pretty close by! Of course one always willingly and lovingly does whatever is necessary to hug a kid, whether big or little!

Think I'll complete my eight year hooked rug today and then try to figure out what I am going to do with it. Quelle catastrophe! A rug that doesn't fit anywhere.

Quote: A mere madness -- to live like a wretch that he may die rich. ___Burton

Category: Libations . . .

I finally found a little something I can savor after dinner when I like to just sit in my Vermont Folk Rocker and totally enjoy the moment. Whiskey! Not demon Rum but a nice whiskey on the rocks, watered down so much it doesn't make any sense to Puppy's Pop but it works for me. I'm glad we finally got that figured out. It was depressing not drinking a glass of wine after supper. I'm all set for now!

A mite cold . . .

Impressively cold this morning. We've been spoiled so far weather wise; fairly mild temperatures, lots of rain but at 19 degrees this morning the house took its time getting up to speed. After a Lizzy B's breakfast I decided I should dump out the monster pots of summer flowers before winter sets in next week. I had haphazardly thrown them into the woods near the burn pile. That's as far as I could carry them without collapsing from their weight. With all of the rain and last night's cold they are super heavy. But that didn't deter me. I manhandled them and got two out after lots of picking up and dropping. The third one was smashed several times only to break into partial smithereens. It still has some of the plastic pot frozen around the bottom and my fingers were too cold to pick it up and continue the smashing! Since I hadn't bothered to wear my gloves my hands are still numb. When the sun is out shining so brightly I never think that I need to dress for the cold. I'll go back out after Mass and hope the sun has warmed up the shattered pot so I can finish cleaning up the mess. I'm probably the only person in the world who cares about a mess behind a garage! Puppy's Pop will go out towards the end of the week to get our Christmas tree and Kiddo will be able to help decorate next Friday. I still like the smell and look of a live spruce. We may not have a white Christmas this year and that's okay by me but we will surely have a smokey one! Our neighbor has his outdoor wood furnace working overtime. I have no idea what he is burning but at this moment huge clouds of dark grey/black smoke are heading our way. The whole neighborhood is getting smoked. I can even smell it in the house! Hope it warms up enough today so I can wash the Élantra. Black may be beautiful but it shows the road dirt something fierce.

Quote: A mob is the scum that rises upmost when the nation boils. __Dryden

Sorry, this calls for a new post . . .

Just got a call from NE Conservation, the outfit that came more than two weeks ago for the energy audit, returning my call of two weeks ago. I left a message, for shits and giggles, complaining that one of the new bulbs they put in above the dining room table was fading on and off on a regular basis. This is true. There is a bad bulb. The lady wanted to set up an appointment so the two guys could come back and change the bulb! I was flabbergasted. I actually did say, "You want to make an appointment so two men can come to my house to change a light bulb?" She didn't even get the disconnect here. She just said, "Yes." On my dear loving god, how can anyone think that they have to come here from Woodbridge to change a light bulb? Not only that but to make an appointment to do so? NE Conservation canceled two previous appointments and were late for the one they finally kept! (When they were here one of the young men had to call for help from his partner when he tried to lower the glass bowl on the fixture without disconnecting the pull chain.) I told her I had expected them to send us a new bulb and we were perfectly capable of screwing the bulb into the socket. Finally, in disgust, I told her to forget about an appointment to change a light bulb. But she asked me to wait on the line so she could talk to her supervisor to find out if they could mail the new bulb to us! Good lord. I was speechless. (Here we go again, the USPS!) When she returned to the line she informed me that the maker of the bulbs would mail it to us and if we don't get it by Monday I must call New England Conservation again. (They're made in China.) Am I now living in some parallel universe where life is topsy-turvy? Mayhap I should drink the Koolaide! What is even more ridiculous is the surcharge on our electric bill to partially fund this stupidity.

End of a Chapter . . .

Amazon finally caught up with my ill gotten gains (the personal check I received from the lady who finally ended up with the $100 audio book after 44 days of meandering through the US mail empire.) Because she sent me a check and didn't go through Amazon I am now out $79 which is what I would have made if the USPS had delivered the package in a timely fashion. Amazon would have made $21 if theUSPS had not opened the package looking for drugs thereby delaying delivery. I just received an email from Amazon telling me that they had -$79 from my account. So I made about $21 on this deal gone bad. Not sure what lesson I've learned from this fiasco other than don't trust the US postal service. Puppy's Pop is going to be mailing out the Cistercian Nuns Christmas Fudge soon and perhaps the holiness of the makers of the candy will protect it from the depravedness of the postal service. I can only pray that St. Christopher, guardian of travelers, will watch over fleet footed Mercury as he guides the Christmas penuche through the labyrinth.

Puppy's Pop is off with the Élantra for East Hartford and horseshoes. I will spend my time on this dreary, grey, 56 degree day listening to Christmas music and writing out Christmas cards for all and sundry. Best if I get to work before I find something else to complain about!

Quote: We do not despise all those who have vices, but we do despise all those who have not a single virtue. ___La Rochefoucauld (And, yes, someone does come to mind, Despicable Him)

Eureka . . .

I think I've found it; a substitute for lettuce. I miss eating salads with supper and today I bought some baby spinach because Olympia, one of my favorite nurse practitioners, told me I should try it. I was amazed because it is very tender and extremely mild. I expected a strong, earthy flavor but it is just like eating tender, mild grass. Yes, grass. I have always liked to chew on a nice blade of spring grass just for the taste, it's too stringy to swallow. So, I'm hyped about getting back to some greens with my meals. Another double woot day! I packaged up some of my Mount St. Mary's fudge today and will probably ask Puppy's Pop to mail it by the end of the week. I also bought some very nice Christmas cards at Benny's. That rather surprised me but the price was right and it saved me an expensive trip to the Hallmark Store in Dayville. We went to the flying field at the Sterling Town Hall and Puppy's Pop got in a first flight on one of his newest planes. I didn't go walking because he needed me to hold the plane for take off; he has to start it upside down so I'm better than a stooge. It flew really well for a first flight and looked just fine in the loops. He has to make some adjustments to the wing but not too bad for a first flight. Those are always a little nerve wracking. Spoke with Kiddo last night and he had gone to a Christmas Lights Parade in Groton. He was so excited because he waved to Mr. and Mrs. Claus but the best part was, " I saw the sleigh going up and up and up." The sleigh must have been an impressive sight. We hit 60 degrees today, not too shabby for December 5. Onward climate change, I say.

Quote: The ordinary true, or purely real, cannot be the object of the arts. ___Illusion on a ground of truth, that is the secret of the fine arts. __Joubert

Odd Sunday . . .

I think the visit I had yesterday with my youngest sister-in-law set the tone for today! She and J. had rearranged their living room area and I liked how it opened up the room so today I ended up going around and simplifying things. We have so much stuff, so I just put some away and then put out a few Christmas decorations. I'm going to keep it plain this year. So far so good. Now I have to keep to the plan! That was odd # 1. Odd #2. I was in my simplifying mode when Puppy's Pop came up from the hangar to inform me that the furnace wouldn't light. Whoa. That 's scary when it is 32 degrees outside. He called our oil man and they sent someone out immediately. Since I was somewhat curious to see if we were finally going to have to buy a new heating system I decided to skip Mass. The best part is that the repair man took about ten minutes to put in a new igniter on the burner and we are all set. Phew, that was a close call. The rest of the day has been uneventful; a walk at the Flying Field and getting tickets for Annie at Bradley Playhouse for N. and me.

Quote: If you destroy delicacy and a sense of shame in a young girl you deprave her very fast. ___Mrs. Stowe

Getting hooked up . . . (That doesn't sound right in today's vernacular.)

The electrician just came in and Puppy's Pop and he are in the cellar. The Honda generator will be ready to go next time we have a loss of power for any considerable amount of time. It will not power the whole house. We'll only power the furnace and the refrigerator. We'll still use the old camp stove for cooking out on the sun porch and kerosene lamps, candles and flashlights for lights. We'll be able to charge the iPad and cell phones with the power inverter so I think we're pretty much covered. The El Camino will hold the gas we'll need for the generator. Not too shabby. Now I hope we'll never have to use the set up but I feel better knowing that we will be warm and the pipes won't freeze if Mother Nature decides to test our survival skills.

Kiddo was sent home from school Wednesday with stomach cramps so he didn't go to school yesterday either. Grampa and I moseyed down to Richoni's for lunch and he was having a pleasant time watching TV and playing games on his Nintendo something or other in 3D. I gave his Mom some Math workbooks so he doesn't fall behind since he has actually missed four and a half days in a row. I told him not to go to the nurse when he doesn't feel well because they always send the sick kids home! He said, "I was in pain!" Grampa and his Mom cracked up. Pretty good actor we've got. I think he's got the makings of a wheeler-dealer. Who'd a thunk it? If all goes as planned I should be going to Sacred Heart for lunch duty and then picking him up at one o'clock. They have half days on the first Friday of the month. Hope he is feeling better and gets over whatever bug he has.

Quote: Between levity and cheerfulness there is a wide distinction; the mind that is most open to the former is frequently a stranger to the latter. __Levity may be the offspring of folly or vice; cheerfulness is the natural offspring of wisdom and virtue. ___Blair

Almost the end of the story . . .

Had a warm and delicious visit with older brother and his wife yesterday. We chatted for a few hours and then I made the trek home to a telephone call from middle child who had a sick Kiddo. So I went to Groton for the evening. On my return there was an email from CVS saying that they received the Toprol script on November 22 and would fill it on December 18. Hmmmm . . . so, the Robo call was a mistake and everything is hunky dory.I couldn't stand not calling CVS to complain. Why I do these things to myself I'll never understand. Now for the rest of the story: that darned doctor's office didn't send CVS back the fax that CVS had sent for the renewal of the Toprol. They only sent a renewal fax. Therefore Robo call didn't know that it was a renewal, thought it was a new script and if it happens again I will get another Robo call to which I must not pay attention. Got that? This is impossible. There is no way to win. The stupidity is embedded in the modern psyche. From now on I shall only do renewals through the mail so I can rail at the postal worker in person. That will probably relieve my obsession to correct all faults I find in any system with which I have contact. Too much redundancy and impersonal relations all to save a dollar that is worthless. The world is too much with us.

Poem

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. --Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn. Wordsworth

How Pavlovian . . .

I am really learning how to respond to robo calls in the proper manner and sequence. Par exemple, take last evening. I received a phone message that CVS Caremark needed me to urgently call extension 3975424 because of a problem with a prescription. Good dooby that I am I called and three robots later I finally yelled at the super robot which kept repeating, " Say yes or no." I said, "Yes" as it dinged. Super Robot,"Missed that. Say yes or no." I said, "Yes" as it dinged. Super Robot, "Missed that. Say yes or no." I said, "Yes" as it dinged. So . . . in my finite wisdom I figured out I had to wait for the asinine ding-dong before I could answer and at this point, screamed, an emphatic, "Yes." Far be it from me to question why you would need to listen for a ding before you can say a simple yes or no. But in the end Super Robo made me understand that Dr. Foley's Office was recalcitrant and did not fax them the refill for Toprol XL and I had to call the doctor immediately and cajole him into correcting his slovenly ways. Again, good dooby that I am I called Dr. Foley's office and, such a beautiful, wonderful, stupendous idea, a real person handles the calls. The prescription had been faxed on November 22, naturellement. I was given the fax number so I could call CVS Caremark and tell Robo that we were getting close to a solution to the vexing prescription problem. But, again in my wisdom I asked for a paper prescription to be mailed to me and then I will forward the prescription by USPS to CVS Caremark. Naturellement, the postal service will most certainly give me grief so I may have to drive to Pittsburgh and demolish the city after I finally get the Toprol XL. You know, this would make for a cutting edge movie.

On a much lighter note I had a wonderful visit with Rosette. It's always such a moving, touching pleasure to be with her. We had my favorite lunch, pepper and egg grinder and then went to an Italian Patisserie for desert where the company was perfect and the pastries were most imperfect but in the grand scheme of life that was just fine. We took a ride around Southwick, MA and Granby, CT to see just how devastating the Halloween Nor'easter had been. I doubt the states will ever pick up all of the fallen trees and imagine they will be left to rot by the roadside.
Nature has a way of humbling human beings.

Quote: Beware the fury of a patient man. __Dryden

A perfect day. . .

Sunday afternoon, November 27, 2011. Sitting on my mood swing, soaking up the sunshine. Slight breeze agitating the spinner, autumn leaves skittering on the drive, grass, Irish green, sipping Italian Sogno di Sorrento Crema Lemoncello. Climate change, you are magnificent in Southern New England. Bring it on!

Almost forgot . . .

Got a check in the mail for $2.20 from some sort of class action suit. It will buy about a cup of coffee. Wonder what the lawyers got out of this? We ate our leftover turkey and fixings tonight and they were delicious. That was probably the best tasting turkey I have ever made. I shall do it again too. Everyone liked it. Well, almost everyone. The Kiddo had my kid famous burgher and corn chips with grapes and Wheat Ritz on the side! Uconn football beat Rutgers today. That's just a simple fact. I don't really think they're too competitive but the Uconn men's basketball team hung tough and beat Florida State in an overtime battle. They had to work their young butts off but they pulled it out. Good on them. They're really a very young team so I'm hoping they can make it to the big dance in 2012. Fun to watch. Will watch the Uconn women tonight - last night was a terrible bore - hope we see a game tonight!

And Puppy's Pop has gone a fishing . . .

Had thought we might bring the Kiddo back to Oakland Beach yesterday but he spent the day with Mom, Dad and big brother so I did lots of walking up at the Yankee Flyers' Field both yesterday and today. It's good walking with about a third up hill. I can feel it in the poor old legs but it's probably better for me than just walking on our street. I have the UCONN Rutgers football game on and UCONN is wining. But I'll have to change channels soon because the men's basketball game is on at 2 and I want to see if they can recoup from their embarrassing loss to Central Florida yesterday. I really shouldn't be in the house on such a beautiful Fall day but I'll work on my hooked rug as I watch my games. Only about a third more and I will have completed it after eight years of letting it sit! I just may use it on the floor at the kitchen entrance. Will have to put up a photo when it is completed. Then I still have a kit for crewel work. That's been around for a while also. I had bought it for Agnes years ago and neither she nor I ever got very far on it. It's really pretty too. Turkey leftovers for dinner so I can relax and enjoy the day.

Quote: One part of knowledge consists in being ignorant of such things as are not worthy to be known. ___Crates

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Happy Thanksgiving . . .

This year's Thanksgiving Turkey. Photographic proof that it was cooked here though not on Thanksgiving Day!

Expected to pick up the Kiddo today so he could help with the table setting and pie baking but Mom and Dad are taking the day off so he'll be excited about being home with them. We went off to Hog Heaven Hobbies in Sturbridge to get a pilot for Red Molly, Puppy's Pop's latest plane. I always find something interesting at Hog Heaven and I bought a Klutz book for Cat's Cradle. I figure Kiddo and his Mom can figure it out tomorrow and have some fun with it. We used to play it with Pépère Bonnin and our kids played it with MaTante. I still like the old games the best; not sure if Kiddo will want to stop playing Wii to make time for a string Jacob's Ladder! We have to drive by some of the tornado damage in Sturbridge and it is still mind numbing to see the frightful power of Nature. If I had been living there at the time I think that I would be afraid of every stormy day. On the way home we stopped on the Connecticut Massachusetts border to have coffee and a muffin at Cakettes in Thompson. They've only been open for a month. They took over an early 50's type restaurant and have turned it into a Wifi Café à la Starbucks. I hope they can make a go of it. I find it hard to believe that they can attract very many passersby on Route 131 in Thompson, CT. The muffin was delicious; the coffee weak but I'd stop again and just have them doctor my coffee a bit more.

Okay, time to stop lolly gagging and get to work on the pies and setting up the dining area.

Quote: Wouldst thou first pause to thank thy god for every pleasure, for mourning over griefs thou wouldst not find the leisure. __Ruckert

Already cooking . . .

Can you believe I'm getting a head start on Thanksgiving Dinner? It's a good thing too. I had spoken some time ago with eldest sister-in-law and she had explained how she always cooked up the turkey ahead of time, sliced it up nicely, layered it in gravy and then just had to warm it up on Thanksgiving Day. At the time it didn't really sink in. But as I was thinking about cooking for this year's dinner the idea became extremely appealing. Too bad if the folks coming to dinner don't see a gorgeously browned turkey awaiting them as they walk in the door! This year it will already be ready for serving, beautifully carved and delicious. And yes, it certainly is a very good thing I started today. Since I have plenty of time I decided to follow the recipe instructions to a T. I washed my 18 lb bird, salted the cavity,filled it with celery and onions, ditto the cavity at the neck, covered it with salt, pepper and softened butter, fixed the rack in the roasting pan, oiled the parchment paper that I had placed on the rack, picked up that slippery, fat turkey, placed it breast side down (have to turn it over, breast up, at the half way point) on the parchment paper on the rack and the rack collapsed. Not only did it collapse, an onion came flying out and skimmed along my spotless kitchen floor. I tried to get the rack back into shape along with the bird but after much travail and laughter I took the rack out, popped the slippery bird in the oven breast side up as usual. I'm basting it every 20 minutes and it smells heavenly. Have also cooked up the turnips and sweet potatoes . Will bake pies tomorrow after I pick up the Kiddo. He'll have to help me out getting the house ready since he's staying overnight Wednesday instead of Friday. He'll be a good helper. He does like to do things for me in the kitchen. Thursday I'll only have to set out the hors d'oeuvres, cook and mash the garden Yukon Golds, cook up the broccoli and cauliflower and whatever else needs doing and then we can say "Bless us o Lord and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen"

Energy audit . . .

Bayou Teche

The two men from Home Energy Solutions just left. For $70 they put in; a whole mess of new bulbs; weather stripped 6 doors; installed 5 door sweeps and caulked around crown molding. They did some kind of pressure test and we are now supposed to have an 18% savings. They said the house wasn't too bad for 200 years old. They said some 50 year old homes were in worse energy shape. Of course our windows are the biggest problem but Puppy's Pop has that under control so we'll see if our oil and electric bills go down. Still it's supposed to be a savings of about $779 a year and with Puppy's Pop's work on the windows we may save about $1100 total. We're going to keep track just to see if it pans out.

Another mild day for November so I think we'll be going off to Brooklyn to fly and walk. I'm finally working on the hooked rug I started in 2003 when I retired. Can't believe that it's been eight years and I haven't completed it. But I do recall that I took longer than forever to complete a knitted afghan so I'll just go along my pokey way. Problem is that the rug really doesn't go with anything we have in the kitchen now! But I'll use it anyway just not sure where. Of course that is based on the premise that I will complete it!

Quote: To think we are able, is almost to be so; to determine on attainment, is frequently attainment itself. __Earnest resolution has often seemed to have about it almost a savor of omnipotence. ___S. Smiles

So funny . . .

Kiddo is so impressed with Grampa's skills as they are playing Lego Harry Potter on the Wii. He generally makes me quit because I hold him back with my total lack of comprehension and skill. He's been raving to me about how great Grampa is. Not sure how to take his lack of tact! Truly, it is great because they are having a ball and I can just read and mosey around to my heart's content. Yay! Oh, oh. I may have spoken too soon. I just heard Kiddo say, " Grampa, are you concentrating?"

The Honda generator is here and I'm impressed by its small size. Just have to get a hold of Kevin H. for the set up and we'll be all set. Puppy's Pop has already found the updated hose and connection for the propane tank on the old camp stove so we're set for now. Hopefully never have to use these life savers but feel better just knowing we've got something to fall back on when state government screws up again. Government and screw-ups go together like roses and thorns. Poor analogy, sorry.

Got super news from the Gastroenterologist. My CAT scan was just fine. No problems. He thinks that I had food poisoning and explained that it can take a long time for the stomach to get back to normal and there could be some foods that it will never like again. I don't want to linger on this subject but even though no one else got sick from the game we ate he explained why I did. Because I was taking Dexilant, a very powerful acid reducer, my body couldn't sterilize the food I was eating and therefore I got an infection. It's weird because I blamed Dexilant and took myself off of it. I didn't know why I did it. At least I know that I'm pretty much back to normal. I only have to go see him after the holidays if I don't feel well. Cool beansies. So far I'm still not tempted to eat too much or drink wine! Hoping that lack of temptation remains.

How about the photo? Pépère Bonnin would be so happy to see my Shmoom (Shmoos.) He could have used them to darn our socks! The gourds came from the garden. Their color changed from green to black as they dried. I brushed the dried skin off and let them sit in the kitchen window to dry until their seeds loosened and they rattled when shaken. Puppy's Pop painted them white for me and I asked him to turn them into Shmoom. I googled Shmoo; came up with the best site for all stuff, Al Capp. What fun. I ended up reading all about Dogpatch. "If I had my druthers" I'd like to go back to the late 1940's when life was easy because I was young and just took everything in stride; no problems, no deep philosophical quandaries, just getting up with Pépère and sunshine.

Quote: Intelligence - While the world lasts, the sun will gild the mountain-tops before it shines upon the plain. ___Bulwer

Slow learner . . . but you knew that . . .

I did it again! Kiddo loves a song called Fireflies and I tried to find the lyrics so I could print them out for him. (He has a mic and karaoke player.) Well finding the lyrics was easy but printing them was impossible, at least for me. Since I'm not really accustomed to the newest printer I ended up printing five pages of peripheral nothings before I managed to cancel the printing job! It seems that the copyright is very well protected. I don't even know how to improve my technical skills since I rarely need them. But when I have to do something new on the computer or iPad it takes me forever to figure it out, then I forget what I learned because I don't use it again for a billion years. Very vexing!

A follow up on the call to the Opthamolgist's office: the lady finally called at 4:30 that afternoon to let me know she had just faxed a prescription to CVS. Cool beansies. I am now somewhat on my way to recovery! Now, that is a real plus. Did get some shopping in yesterday getting ready for Thanksgiving. Looking forward to dinner and company although Kiddo put in his order for a hamburger! I am getting to be a softy in my dotage because I will make him one.

Quote: Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. __A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves. ___H. W. Beecher

How cool . . .

Very cool . . . Spoke with all three kids yesterday. Youngest is looking into buying a house in Northeastern England, oldest has been picked to be Foreman of the grand jury in East Feliciana Parish and middle child and family are keeping fingers crossed for good tidings at the lounge. It's unusual to speak with all the kids on the same day. Definitely a good day by any standards.

Now today is something else! I have been fighting a stye and it is aggravating me so I dared call the Opthamolgist's office and . . . of course the voice mail box is full and no more messages can be left. So please call back. What a dismal picture. So I called another extension, no person, but was able to leave a message to see if the Doctor will call in a prescription. I'm certainly not counting on hearing back from them any time soon. Perhaps I will get it under control with hot compresses and frequent lid washing with baby shampoo!

While waiting for the oil man to come and clean the furnace I have accomplished a first. It is incredible but I have never actually spray cleaned the kitchen floor. I always keep it swept and mopped but not spray cleaned. It is now sparkling clean with Polycare and will last until Puppy's Pop returns from indoor, clay courts, horseshoe pitching! Ah, c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas. Il ne faut que sourire.

Quote: Beauty commonly produces love, but cleanliness preserves it. __Age itself is not unamiable while it is preserved clean and unsullied __like a piece of metal constantly kept smooth and bright, which we look on with more pleasure than on a new vessel cankered with rust. ___Addison

Short and sweet . . .

We left for Boston after breakfast yesterday and since it was a Sunday we had no traffic worries. The Garmin brought us to the Museum of Science perfectly. It was a beautiful drive along the Charles River; everyone and his uncle was paddling around or running on the shore walk. We decided to buy tickets for A Day In Pompeii. The exhibit was incredible. It is so amazing to see the artifacts that have been dis entombed. Even though I knew the story of Mount Vesuvius' destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii the story will always tantalize. I would like to visit the sites but the exhibit was an excellent production and I was overwhelmed by the objects of every day life from 79AD. A video reconstruction of August 24, 0079 was just right.

We also spent time in the Blue Wing checking out Making Models, To the Moon, Mathematica and T. Rex before looking in at the lower level to visit Energized! and Machines & Transportation. By this time we were tired physically and mentally. Museums always tire me. I love them but it's generally more than my poor brain can handle in a few hours. So we had a coffee and snack break at the museum before leaving for the Hyatt Place in Medford. We had a beautiful suite but not too well designed! I hate not having a full bathroom behind a closed door! They have the toilet and tub/shower enclosed and the sink in the main bedroom! That is just plain nonsense! Other than that our room was enormous with a wrap around couch, fantabulous TV for NASCAR and kitchenette. Since it was free, provided by Chase Visa, I would never complain to Hyatt Place. We walked to dinner at Salvatore's which was supposed to be excellent and was okay. After a very comfortable night's sleep and hotel breakfast Puppy's Pop thought we'd better go North on 93 even though the most direct route home was South. We could see the horrible traffic from our 6th floor perch and North was moving, South was stopped. Still made it home in 90 minutes by picking up 495 to Worcester off of our Northern route. Clever man.

Expecting the Honda generator this Thursday. Puppy's Pop ordered it on line for $900 and no shipping costs. Good deal. Then we'll have Kevin do whatever wiring we'll need to make it safe.

Quote: Nature is no sentimentalist___does not cosset or pamper us. We must see that the world is rough and surly, and will not mind drowning a man or a woman, but swallows your ships like a grain of dust. The cold, inconsiderate of persons, tingles your blood, benumbs your feet, freezes a man like an apple. The diseases, the elements, fortune, gravity, lightning, respect no persons. __Emerson

Woe unto me . . .

Will these tribulations never end? Sent a check in the mail to pay the dentist what the insurance didn't pay and it never got there! Called the bank to put a stop payment and they wanted $30 so I said forget that and I wrote out another check and sent it out. I think it made it. Now that should take care of my trials for a long time. Not the case. I sold an audio book on line for $100 and the money was deposited to our checking account. A month later I received an email that the lady in Colorado was still waiting for Drums of Autumn to arrive in the mail. The package was sent by media mail and I had no proof that it had been sent out so I did the only thing I could do and refunded her the money. Now I'm out not only the $100 but the audio book also! Should the book show up she will pay me through Amazon but I'm not holding my breath. I realize she could be scamming me but after communicating with her I feel certain that she really didn't get the book. I decided to complain to the Postmaster General in a form on the USPS website. Of course I never expect to hear from them because they didn't even furnish me with a complaint number or send me a copy of my complaint! I think I'm becoming a first class loser. I trust everyone to do their jobs properly. Gotta stop this trust stuff and make triplicate copies of all I do plus spend extra money to insure all goes right at the USPS. C'est décourageant.

Just went for a brisk walk with Puppy's Pop to see how soon Starkweather Road will open. It was scheduled for October 1, then October 31 and now November 30. I don't believe it will open in 2011.The telephone/electricity poles have not been moved. They are standing on mounds of earth way up above the new road bed which is at best flattened dirt. It seems we will have to wait for CL&P to come and move the poles and wires along with AT&T. Can't even begin to have a rational thought about when that is likely to occur.

Kiddo was so excited about going home early today because he's going on vacation with Mom and Dad. They're on their way to Cape Cod and he was just about jumping out of his skin. It seems that there is an indoor water park where they stay and he is just so hyped up. It'll be good for all and sundry to get away from work even for a couple of days.

Quote: A panic is the stampede of our self-possession. ___Rivarol

Veterans' Day 11/11/11 . . .

Perry - Friend and Lover - Dad - Grampa - Puppy's Pop - Grand plantlettes' Pop too!

Another catastrophe averted . . .

Thanks to my Veteran we're all set again. Came home late last night from Groton and a rattle showed up on the dashboard of the Elantra which has 2712 miles on the odometer. I was so upset. When I got off 395 and onto Route 14A the sound disappeared. But on Route 12 it popped up again when I was doing about 50mph. Of course I told Puppy's Pop about my misfortune. This morning he checked out the rear view mirror and it was stable and secure. (The mirror on the Saturn used to get loose periodically.) Then he left for a test drive with me reminding him, poor guy, that he had to drive over 50mph to hear the rattle. I was going to call MJSullivan to let them know the car was falling apart but it's a good thing I waited on Puppy's Pop's evaluation. He was able to cure the rattle. He removed the large, brown oak leaf caught under the passenger side windshield wiper. All is well in my little corner of the world.

Quote: I don't like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything. __H. W. Beecher

What a day at the beach . . .

Not sure anyone could ask for a more perfect day at Oakland Beach in Warwick. It's amazing that we can drive from Kiddo's home on trafficky 95 N then onto old rickety 117 in congested Warwick and end up at such a beautiful stretch of beach, rocky breakwaters and sweet eating at either Iggy's Doughboy or The Top of the Bay. Kiddo collected so many crab shells, a few smooth stones, some sea glass and I hadn't brought a big enough pail! We had to make do with a styrofoam cup from our lunch. Not sure what he enjoyed most, walking on top of the huge rocks, finding shells or being the leader of the pack at the playground! He was in his element. Called Grampa a fraidy cat when he didn't follow us up onto the rocks! What a blast. The sun was bright and hot with nary a cloud in the bright blue sky.

We've already hit 70 degrees today. We'll be leaving soon for the Brooklyn flying field where I will walk as Grampa flies. I may have to change and put on a t-shirt! I don't have to go to Groton today because middle child and husband are taking a day off. That's a good thing. I'm sure the Kiddo will enjoy being with his parents when he gets out of school today. They may try to make Wednesdays their day off from now on. Good on them. Work overload isn't good for a healthy mind, body or family.

Can't end with such a perfect note so I'll add that the Elantra was christened by a damn seagull. Dirty bird!

Quote: A grateful thought toward heaven is of itself a prayer. __Lessing

Hot Toddy . . .

The photo of the old fridge reminds me of Ma. Ours only had a single door but the refrigeration unit was on top just like this one.

Made my very own hot toddy with Lemoncello di Crema. Boy the time change causing the sun to disappear early has made me cold. I hate being cold but I also hate to push the heat past 70 so I'm in warm slippers, jeans and my 2004 UCONN men's championship sweatshirt. Nice and toasty.We had a great concert last night at the Bradley with Blackstone Valley Bluegrass. I expected a close to sold out crowd but the old theatre was only about half full. The music was wonderful, all acoustic mandolin, guitar, bass, banjo,and resophonic guitar. Of course since there are only four musicians the instruments changed with the songs. Their harmony is fun and it is obvious they love picking and singing. The show ended with the crowd singing with them, no mics for any instrument or voice. Not sure of the actual name of the song but we all knew the chorus, " Will the circle be unbroken . . ." Hope the Bradley hosts more music. They are known for their plays. I think they could start a nice trend if they can get some advertising beyond the immediate area.

Washed the poor Elantra for the first time today. It was filthy and now is looking so shiny and new again. It's starting to pick up some imperfections but I guess that comes with use! As soon as you use something it loses its aura of awesomeness. That must be why we like to buy new stuff. We seem to need new and shiny when plain, ordinary and reliable will do. I guess it's part of the human condition. Even new bright baby souls seem full of warmth, perfection and strength compared to old worn souls that get somewhat rusty, imperfect and overloaded.

Younger sister called and they finally have their power back. They had been without power since last Sunday and got it back Friday. What a blessing. At least the common area in their senior community had gas heat so they could be warm if they chose to stay there during the day or night. It seems that people were able to use the kitchen in the community room to take turns cooking up the food they were going to lose in their apartments and sharing it with all and sundry. It worked out pretty well. Her daughter's home just got the power back today.

Gotta get Puppy's Pop to go to the Boston Museum of Science web site and pick out what he'd like to see next Sunday. We were awarded a free night at Hyatt Place Boston/Medford on our Chase Visa so we'll stay there Sunday night and come home Monday after the morning traffic jams! The hot toddy is taking its toll. I'm off.

Quote: The first draught serveth for health, the second for pleasure, the third for shame, and the fourth for madness. ___Anacharsis (moi __whoo hoo!)

Averted micro-disaster . . .

It was sixty-three degrees in the house when we got up this morning a clear indication that there was something wrong. Puppy's Pop checked out the thermostat and in was blank except for the symbol for batteries. He went down town to buy some because my Panasonic Oral Irrigator uses up AA batteries like crazy and I had forgotten to replenish our supply. We had C's, D's, AAA's and Lithium 3Volt. Go figure. In any case he put the three batteries in correctly and the thermostat was still blank.Thank goodness I had the Honeywell instructions and I even knew where they were! It said to reverse the batteries for a few seconds and then put them back in correctly. Eureka, it worked! Since we were all up early I made a fine breakfast of waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage and hash browns the only problem was that Kiddo is getting sick. He has a sore throat and his stomach is queasy so Grampa and I did have to eat a lot so there would be no waste. Kiddo quit after two little sausages and a few sips of warm water.

He did play out in the sunny but cold and windy playground for an hour after school yesterday but when we got home he was dragging. After his usual Riverview supper I beat him at Cootie and he beat me at Scrabble before we settled in to watch Cars 2. It's all right but no where near as much fun to watch as the original. After playing laser tag with Grampa and reading the Twelve Days of Christmas pop-up book for me he was off to bed. This morning we played Wii Resort and made puzzles before bringing him home. He didn't even use the iPad in the car but went immediately to sleep. Hope he'll be fine for Tuesday because he doesn't have school and we are planning on going to Oakland Beach for the afternoon.

Grampa has found the new Yankee Flyers Field off of Rukstella Road in Brooklyn. He is there now mowing his circle and getting ready to fly. It's quite cold and somewhat windy so I hope all goes well. I just returned from my walk and after speaking to a neighbor found out that another neighbor is an electrician and out of work. Perhaps he can help us choose and set up a generator. Can't trust CL&P or the State to get their jobs done right so we'll be looking into getting something so we'll always be able to have heat and a fridge working!

Quote: Good humor is the clear blue sky of the soul, highly favorable to the discoveries and progress of genius.
It was the saying of an ancient sage that humor was the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject that would not bear raillery was suspicious, and a jest that would not bear a serious examination was certainly false to it. ___Shaftesbury

Just right . . .

What a glorious day it turned out to be! The new shower head came in at The Granite Group (Shetucket Plumbing.) That's a big plus. After stopping to get some money at the ATM we were off to Warwick. Hadn't been to the Mall since the horrid flooding of last Spring but all is fine now. We just needed to go to LensCrafters for some eye glass cleaning solution and special wipes. Even though we are not AAA members the young lady gave us her $13 discount. That was really nice. We then left for The Top Of The Bay and a great lunch. Their $10.95 special included a cup of home made chowder, two clam cakes, entrée, desert and coffee. Everything was delicious. Puppy's Pop had fish and chips but I had the baked scrod with rice pilaf and butternut squash. The rolls were warm out of the oven. I think that we'll have to take the whole family out there to eat when we get together in the coming year. The view of Narragansett Bay is outstanding. You can walk along the waterfront and see both the Jamestown and Newport Bridges. Perhaps we'll bring Kiddo to Oakland Beach next Tuesday since he has no school. He should love the playground which is right next to Iggy's. I'm sure Iggy's has chicken fingers. The Top Of The Bay is just across the road from Iggy's but Kiddo might like Iggy's best. When we returned home I went for my walk which was the ending of a perfect afternoon in November.

Quote: Mystery of waters, never slumbering sea! impassioned orator, with lips sublime, whose waves are arguments to prove a God. ___R. Montgomery

Very hard work. . .

Cleaning up a garden that has snow all over it is neither easy nor fun. Oh my. Did I ever do a lot of cutting back, digging up, dragging wagons full of detritus over the wall, falling down and having to actually roll over in order to get back up in the woods near the wall. But all is now cleared away and Puppy's Pop can borrow his kid brother's tiller and fertilize the soil before he plants the winter rye on half of the garden and grass seed on the other half. I've got to cut back. Getting lazy in my middle years! I did manage to save five more gourds that really are quite pretty. One had turned black but when I brushed it the skin came off and it is a mottled pale tan and green. I'm going to see if I can dry it out and use it to darn socks like Pépé did!

Grampa burned a monster pile of branches and odds and ends yesterday while everything was so wet. He got the fire going so good I gave him all of the personal papers we seem to accumulate and they went up in smoke too. The fire is still smoldering today so he put in some more sticks. The yard is looking fine. The snow is receding so perhaps we'll still have a chance to experience Fall before Winter .

Quote: The eye speaks with an eloquence and truthfulness surpassing speech. _It is the window out of which the winged thoughts often fly unwittingly. _It is the tiny magic mirror on whose crystal surface the moods of feeling fitfully play, like the sunlight and shadow on a quiet stream. ___Tuckerman

And younger sister . . .

I just called R. to see if I could go a visiting tomorrow. Well, they have no power, over 8" of snow, horrible roads and no guarantee of power anytime soon. Gee, when have we seen this before? They have been told they might be out for a week. At least her daughter has a generator and they can go there if they need to. She is only about 2 miles away from them. Egads I think I'd better call my brothers and see how they are doing.

Just a tad odd . . .

I must admit that it is odd to go for a walk in October and have snow covering the ground. The Maples have lost most of their leaves and the Oaks are still loaded with brownish yellow leaves. I was buffeted by the winds and at times had to bend over and fight my way up the street but it is truly a remarkably clear, bright Autumn day. So, Mother Nature has spoken and mere mortals can do nothing but appreciate her sense of humor.

Mass this morning was a joy. The choir was in full voice and has added some new hymns to its repertoire. We had a guest priest from Cross International who spoke English very well and also had a good voice for the High Mass. All in all a good start to the week. Kiddo has already been to a Halloween Party so I'm not sure if middle child will be bringing him to Moosup to trick or treat with his cousins. She has been putting in lots of hours at Richoni's as she breaks in new bar tenders. I'm sure Grampa will enjoy the candy we have if no kids stop in as I was told to buy Reese's Peanut Buttercups! I also threw in the M&M Peanuts so he'll be all set for a while!

Quote: Rage is essentially vulgar, and never more vulgar than when it proceeds from mortified pride, disappointed ambition, or thwarted wilfulness. _ H. Coleridge

No trade . . .

I spoke with Brian from Caruso Music in New London about trading my Kholer & Campbell piano for a digital piano but it seems they really don't want anything to do with my piano! Surprise, surprise. We bought the piano in 1982 and I thought it was a new piano. Guess what? It was already 13 years old when I bought it! That is so incredible. I had no clue I had bought a used piano. Of course Kholer & Campbell went out of business around 1984. Oh well, c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? Live and learn. The good thing is that the piano is fine for me. I only wanted to change to the digital because I could then play to my heart's content with a headset on and I wouldn't care about anyone one else being bored by my poor playing! They're getting at least $1,000 for the cheapest digital piano. I paid that for my second hand console almost 30 years ago. I emailed photos of the piano to this Brian person just so he could give me an idea of what it's worth. He must have died laughing because I haven't heard back from him! I do believe that there really is no market for a marginal 42 year old console so I'll just keep the thing. Kiddo was tickling the keys yesterday and he's starting to get some nice sounds from it. (I had not realized that the piano had a serial number. Makes sense, I guess. Anyway, that's how I found out that the piano was built in 1969.)

It is snowing out as I write on this cold, windy Saturday evening in October. A northeaster! Who'd a thunk it? I haven't even finished cleaning out the garden! C'est vraiment dégoûtant. Kiddo and I spent a lot of time outside in the cold playing baseball and Grampa fixed up a contraption early this morning so Kiddo could shoot off a model rocket using the air hose near the garage. He had a blast while poor Grampa was freezing. I made a nice cold weather supper tonight: a lentil casserole with jasmine rice. It was quite good but I did use some of the green Tobasco for a little kick!

Quote: There are many times and circumstances in life when "Our strength is, to sit still." ___Tryon Edwards

Darning . . .

Yes, I can hardly believe it myself. I did really, honest to goodness, darn a sock this morning. I have some favorite, very comfortable socks from LLBean, soft and with just some wool. They are only one year old! One had a hole in the toe. I was miffed because I surely didn't want to throw out the pair. Then I had a vision of my Pépé Bonnin using a shmoo looking gourd to darn our socks. Well I didn't use a gourd but I did dig out needle and thread and my sock is better than ever! Hip, hip, hooray! I saved the day. I must admit I do miss my Pépé Bonnin to this day. He was such a kind, gentle soul. I still think of him when I get up to a bright sunshiny day and I can hear him say, "Good morning, Mary sunshine!" There was nothing but calm and loving in those clear blue eyes. Still smile when I recall being sent to Paul's Package Store to pick up Pépé's medicine. I remember the church key hanging on the door of the store so the guys could crack open their beers and stand around and chat. And I remember the posters of the beautiful Rheingold Girls hanging up above the counter and the men could vote for their favorite girl. I remember winning drinks for all the kids (Yoohoos) when one of the men would challenge me to complete a plastic rectangular number puzzle which he had scrambled. Manischewitz have we lost a lot of the freedom we used to enjoy.

Had a good visit with youngest sister-in-law yesterday, a little bite of lunch, lots of good chatting (it's so nice to have another woman to help you bounce ideas around) and a bit of piano playing. It was great.

Quote: A faithful and true friend is a living treasure, inestimable in possession, and deeply to be lamented when gone. Nothing is more common than to talk of a friend; nothing more difficult than to find one; nothing more rare than to improve by one as we ought.
A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide, and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity.
He who has made the acquisition of a judicious and sympathizing friend, may be said to have doubled his mental resources. ___Robert Hall

Almost a nightmare . . .

Had to download the latest operating system for the iPad which meant I had to synchronize it with the computer. Problem: (for me) the new computer wasn't ready for anything to do with the iPad. So I diligently downloaded iTunes and thought I did a good job of syncing the iPad. I hadn't done a good job! I was horrible! It's a good thing that Southern Daughter was home because I made so many calls to her that I'm certain she didn't have time for her school work or dinner preparations! She did save the day and my files are now all backed up properly and I think that I know a bit more about what I'm doing when I have to back up files on the HP. I shall religiously back up the iPad every Monday or I may get brave and use iCloud. But I think I may be better off if I stay timid for quite some time.

It is an absolutely beautiful Fall day, sunny, breezy, high fifties, dry and clean, clear air. Had in invigorating walk and then decided to dig out some old music books because youngest sister-in-law is coming over in a while and she may want to try out the poor old piano. It got me to thinking, "I wonder if I could sell or trade the piano to a music store and then get an electronic piano?" I think I might use that more than my present instrument because I could play using headphones and Puppy's Pop wouldn't have to put up with the racket! I realize it isn't supposed to be "noise" but I can guarantee it would be noise to all and sundry as I try to review what little I used to know. It's just a thought. He's back playing horseshoes at the indoor clay pits in East Hartford today. That's such a good change of pace for him. Out of the basement and into the dusty pits! There are quite a few really nice guys who play there regularly and occasionally a couple of women pitch also. He will probably sign up for some of the tournaments too. Well, off to get caught up on National Review and perhaps the piano.

Quote: Music is the fourth great material want of our nature, --first food, then raiment, then shelter, then music. __Bovee