Almost hate to write anything . . .

I am amazed at how well I feel. I even asked P&D's Pop if he agreed that I am so much better than I was before the heart surgery and he agreed. He wasn't trying to make me feel good. It's the truth. It's almost scary to feel so spritely and gaie! I seem to remember old stuff as if I had never dragged it out before. I'm happier, laugh easily and of course life is still a pain in the dérrière at times but I seem to be able to roll right along in fifth gear. My hair feels nice, my skin is tighter and I have more energy than I've felt in a very long time. I guess it's amazing what your body can accomplish when your heart is pumping that oxygen up to your brain and all over hell and damnation. I almost feel like a new person although I know I'm still me but it's the me that had the dreams and appreciation for all that my family gave me, the me that was thrilled when P&D's Pop came home from Vietnam and we married soon after his return in a quiet ceremony that was what our lives would always be, quiet, unassuming and in some ways daring. I will end this note with a fact: I love this man of mine, the father of three excellent, loving, caring kids and Grampa to our Kiddo. Thank you Ma, Pa, Louise, Pépère, MaTante, Gram, Angie and Mary. Lord always give us the strength to do what we must. Amen.

Yay, had my first Margarita in ages . . .

Saw Dr. Foley yesterday and he said I'm doing fine - just not to overdo it when I finally reach mid September and am allowed to pick up more than 10 pounds.  When I asked him the strategic question "May I have a Margarita?"  He immediately answered, "Yes, and with salt!"  I cracked up.  So after going to see younger sister in East Granby today P&D's Pop and I went to New York Pizza for early supper and I finally had my delicious Margarita.  I know that sounds insane but I think I'm finally getting back to normal.  Yay.  We had a showing of the house today but only the two agents showed up.  The client, coming in from New York was caught in traffic.  Oh well, can't even give odds on how all of this is going to work out and with just one Margarita in me I'm at the point that it doesn't bother me.  Sad story!

I've stepped back from Facebook at least for now.  It takes up too much time and is, at least at this point in time, wasting precious time.  I've decided to work on my French and try to get in more reading.  We'll see how long this lasts!

Today's accomplishments . . .

I shall plainly enumerate them and as the day progresses I hope there are more: breakfast with P&D's Pop in Central Village, Mass at St. Augustine's in Canterbury, met an elderly former neighbor from my childhood whose husband parachuted into France as a saboteur, walked for half an hour in the level part of the driveway, feel refreshed. Now, must not ruin the recovery from last Sunday's fiasco. Oh, and I have also returned to studying French with le francais authentique.  Feels good.

A member of the elite branch of the OSS -- D-Day hero (Article no longer available from the original source)
A member of the elite secretive branch of the Office of Strategic Services called the Jedburghs, Lucien E. Lajeunesse parachuted behind enemy lines in 1944 to aid French soldiers in preparation for D-Day. A radio operator who spoke French, his unit carried out attacks on German convoys, destroyed bridges and disrupted communications. In his lifetime, he received numerous awards for his wartime heroics, like France`s highest award to a foreigner, the "Croix de Guerre." In 1994, during the 50th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, he was presented with a rare original map of the Normandy invasion by French President.
(norwichbulletin)

Couldn't stand myself so P&D's Pop took me for a ride . . .

Just the best ride in ages . . . we drove into Rhode Island on the old dirt roads that meet at the Connecticut line in Oneco and we were reliving ages past. As we drove by Great Grandpa Rose's old homestead P&D's Pop told me a story. His grand father's father had a bull grazing out in a field separated by a gate from the neighbor's bull out grazing in his very own field. Great grandpa wondered what would happen if the two bulls got together so he worked on the gate a little, climbed up a tree and watched the ensuing mayhem. Great grandpa Rose's bull gored the neighbor's bull to death. It seems no one ever figured out how they ended up in the same pasture. I think there must be a lesson here somewhere: sneaky Roses? always figuring out interesting ways to do things? letting imagination go live? Creative play?

We continued on into the woods and byways ending up on Hell Hollow Road in Connecticut. I really needed the outing as I try to get over this left side set back that I seem to have done to myself. It's so hard to know what I am and am not capable of. I do know that I feel I can do just about anything but I really can't and find it very annoying. But it is more annoying that I can't seem to get a grip on what I can do without hurting myself in the process. Makes a grown woman want to cry. Hell, maybe I'll only feel like 65 when all is said and done!

Definitely laying low . .I

Wow, it's incredible what you can do yourself when you try too hard. The left side pain is awful but I've decided to just stand in the hottest shower possible and let the water flow over those aching, stretched, dislocated muscles on the left side. It does help and I found that I can almost sit comfortably in the old glider in Kiddo's room and that if I move slowly I am improving. P&D's Pop said I should give it at least two weeks to get better. Damnation, that's pretty awful when I think of how well I had progressed until Sunday. But it's just another bump on the road although it felt more like a mountain at the time.

I gave up my ticket to Goodspeed because I think I would just aggravate that left side more if I went. There's a lot of climbing and the parking is up a rather steep hill and I don't want to make people drop me off and treat me as an invalid just because I was foolish. They will be going to see La Cage aux Folles; I've never seen it but I imagine it'll be pretty much of a laugh fest especially in this day and age.

P&D's Pop needs some odds and ends at Hog Heaven so I'll go along for the ride just to get out. Who knows maybe we'll stop for ice cream! I can only hope.

Okay, this is crapola . . .

Finding it hard to believe that I was doing so well and I overdid an exercise for sciatica yesterday morning which caused some kind of outlandish, ridiculous pulling on my left side that has left me in awesome pain which, after trying to sleep with it also left my shoulder as bad as when I got home about seven weeks ago. What a tête de merde - yes a first class shithead. It almost seems to hurt more because I've been feeling so well -  hardly any pain from the incision and now  I go and mess up my left side. I swear there are times when I hate myself - trying to be gooder than good and screwing up. I thought I was ready for gardening and sweeping - according to the book - but I'm not. I hate it, hate it, hate it.

On a good note I did go to the VJ Day Party at my nephew's for a little over an hour yesterday. Spoke with my brothers and their wives, ate too much and came home. That's it. Not sure I'll be able to go to Goodspeed Wednesday if I don't improve really fast. Merde and merde encore.

Impressive . . .

What a great way to start this day -  breakfast at the Depot Diner in Central Village and then coming home and deciding to try my exercises on the living floor for the first time since early June and succeeding in grand fashion. It feels so good to be getting back into some sort of routine. I am such a creature of habit. I think I'll be all set to face the world and live this life to the fullest. I will still have the rehab but hopefully that'll just be annoying because it will take three days a week for twelve weeks but I'll do it and smile all the while if it gets me back to sixty-two.

Going to see my younger sister in East Granby today, another first step. Haven't seen her since early June. I'm going a bit later than usual and we'll only go to lunch;  no shopping or Granval Farm in Massachusetts. I'll also leave earlier than usual just to break myself in. Have a hair cut this late afternoon too. Will probably skip the walking today as I usually do when I go to East Granby. I try to keep my walking to five days a week and the exercises  a daily battle. Did some weeding near the garage yesterday so I've got sore shoulders but that's fine with me. Starting to get the hang of getting better each day. May see my old friend Sue from KHS Friday if all works out well. She has a busy summer and may teach one more year as she did last year even though she retired three years ago! Pretty neat to be able to get your pension and a full paycheck too. The state allows teachers to do that for two years if a school system can't find a full time teacher to replace you. Pretty good money to be made at taxpayer expense- can't really blame the people who get a chance to take advantage of the state's largess.

Quote:  Education is a debt due from the present to future generations.   ____George Peabody

Enfin . . . des légumes . . .

It has finally come to pass at the very end of July we shall eat yellow squash from the garden. Wow, I don't think we've ever waited this long for at least a little something from our garden. This has been a grueling year for gardening. I'll also go out right before supper and pick a few small cukes to add to our plain meal of P&D's Pop famous squash and onions with our very own Salisbury Steak. I shall have to break down again and buy some native tomatoes from Nash's Stand on Route 12 towards Danielson. I don't think any of our tomatoes are going to ripen this year an odd confounding irregularity. But what the heck we can still buy good tomatoes and pretend they are home grown. The last ones were excellent.

Got itchy to be out and about yesterday so I called younger brother and his wife to see if I could pay them a visit. Even though it was before nine in the morning she said yes and I was off like a shot. Their property is beautiful and I enjoyed the company. I drove over the back roads just for the pleasure of summertime vistas, the only thing that is not yet taxed in Connecticut. A couple of evenings ago we met middle child and Kiddo for ice cream at Buttonwoods in Preston. That was another great pick-me-up. Today we may take a leisurely ride to the outskirts of Sturbridge, MA to Hog Heaven for plane parts and then lunch at Java Jive in Woodstock. It's going to be a brutally humid day so driving around will be pleasant.

Holy cow . . .

I could never have believed that going to Mass would be a chore but it was a sad experience today. I haven't been to Mass since the beginning of June at All Hallows. But our bishop in his glory and might has sent our Polish priest to New Jersey, I believe, and turned All Hallows into a farmed out church. The poor priest from St. John's in Plainfield is now in charge of Plainfield, Canterbury, Wauregan and Moosup. It is ridiculous. There is only one Sunday Mass at All Hallows' and it is at 7:30 am. Not my hour of the day for certain so I decided I'd go to Plainfield for their only Sunday Mass at 10:30 am. Oh my, it is a homely church and the music is homelier still. Not even sure that can be possible. That bishop better come up with a priest for All Hallows' or I'm sure there may be many people from Moosup crying at church Sunday mornings. There was no redeeming quality at Mass today. I tried to find one and I came up with all the nice new babies there were in church until the Mom in front of me decided to nurse her child who wasn't even crying to be nursed! I'm not a prude; I believe in nursing babies but I still believe that it is more comfortable for Mom and baby to sit quietly in a rocking chair at home than nurse in public. There is no need to nurse in public unless a Mom wishes to do so. I'm not sure how relaxed Mom and baby can be nursing in a church, store or at a sporting event. I would think the poor baby would get a belly ache! So much for my modernity. It doesn't exist. I actually decided to try going to Mass because my list of appropriate things to do from Dr. Hagberg's Office said I was okay to go to church services this week. Phew, I almost wish I wasn't trying so hard to be a good do bee!

Good beginnings . . .

Yup, finally was able to stop all extra pills yesterday and slept much better last night. What a boon to be down to one less pill than I have taken for about three years. Another hurray for me and the medical profession. I've just finished walking for 25 minutes on the top part of the driveway, including the crazy patio area. I'm trying to work up to 30 minutes but it's eluding me for now. I invited P&D's Pop to breakfast at Lizzy B's this morning even though the poor man had already eaten breakfast! But I was in the mood to go see Linda and he was amenable. We had a good breakfast and a really nice visit with Linda. I'd been trying to see her about once a month but failed to do so. I'm going to try again to go at least one Friday every month. She is such a trooper running her businesses pretty much on her own. She's tough and I admire her - I guess it's the old Italian work ethic which her parents instilled in her. At least she no longer works nights in the emergency room in Warwick! Now she just works both businesses all day long! She owns the plaza in Oneco on Route 14 going into Rhode Island and she has her breakfast place and also the convenience store which she runs herself. There is also a bar and pizza place which she rents - busy woman just a few years younger than I. Helps me to focus on what I should be capable of!

P&D's Pop is now off to the field in Brooklyn to fly and mow. I'm just hanging out but later this afternoon I'll go get Kiddo from his summer rec program and bring him back home for the night. Maybe tomorrow we'll go to see the RC Warbirds in Woodstock before we take him home. The weather is absolutely perfect this week - just like September!

Smiling . . .

"Blue skies, smiling at me nothin' but blue skies do I see. Never saw the sun shining so bright; never saw days going so right." Not sure if I've got the words right but it has been a very good day. The sky is blue, the sun is bright, the air is dry and a bit crisp - wow. Couldn't ask for anything more. I picked up Kiddo yesterday around noon and he was with us until about noon today. We had a nice day with him. He was excellent company and even when I took my daily hour rest he just sat in Grampa's chair and played a game. Sweet. He beat me at a new card game but I got him at cribbage this morning. He's enjoyed playing with my Panasonic Lumix camera and has done a good job with absolutely no instruction. Nice to be a kid and have no fear. Such confidence is a sign of youth but I hope he can hold on to it as he grows up. It's a good trait.

Backus Cardiac Rehab called yesterday and I've got my first date on the last Monday in August at 9 am for the start of my 12 weeks of improving my physical self. I'm not ready yet but I feel certain I will be in another month. Still managing to get pissy upon occasion but am under control. I must remember that I'm not a patient person by nature and so I must cultivate that virtue. Tough work to be sure! But I'm going to get there. I insist.

Will be having spaghetti for supper tonight. Still nothing to eat from the garden. What a mess that is. The weeds have pretty much overgrown everything but the plants are beautiful dark green and gorgeous with no fruit or vegetables. I think we over fertilized. Even the weeds are gorgeous.

Having one of those days . . .

I guess I'm lucky that this is the first down day I've had. Really feeling ticked off because I am quite limited in what I can do comfortably. P&D's Pop came shopping with me at Big Y and I'm telling you it was one hell of a chore even with him doing all of the lifting, carrying, paying and driving. So I'm crying because I can't shop! Now that's ridicule. Well, I'll blame it on the Summer weather which has finally arrived in full heat and humidity. Too hot to go walk in the driveway and I have no patience for walking in the house today. It's a good thing P&D's Pop is home with me because I'm not sure I could weather this storm alone. Getting a bit tired of the process but don't really have any choice in the matter. I do remember taking over a year to get better when I was about 45 and I did it because there was no choice so I'll do it again and this time it won't take so long.  But, I tell you, the chest hurts and annoys me big time when I let it get to me. So I've got to stop being a pain in the dérrière to myself and get moving on with life. I do know I'm improving every day but I keep expecting it to go faster and it's just going it's normal, routine course. Damn - what a pain in the ass.

Tasks completed . . .

I had given myself two tasks to complete today and I can say I've done well. While P&D's Pop was mowing and flying  I went to CVS in Plainfield to pick up a prescription and even though I had to go into the store because the pick-up line was outrageous outside I accomplished my feat. Then I was off to Killingly Commons to Petco to get 500 mealworms for our poor suffering bluebird Dad. P&D's Pop had told me exactly where to go in the store and it was perfect. On the way home I stopped at the Dunkin Donuts on Route 12 and got myself a large decaf iced coffee with cream and sugar and a croissant. Holy shitski, life is good.

Had a surprise visit from Thompson niece and her husband yesterday afternoon. That was a really nice pick me up. They made us laugh when they described their golf outing in Brooklyn where she drove the cart while he played. They didn't stay very long as they were on their way to the Moosup SnacShack for a lobster roll or two. Imagine coming to Moosup because of lobster rolls? We are making a name for ourselves besides drug central of eastern Connecticut.

 Just got up from my almost daily snooze and had mouth watering visions of eating the last quarter of the sweet, juicy cantaloupe for snack. Well that went awry - P&D's Pop had beaten me to it. I guess we'll have to get another one soon. I still crave it. We haven't cooked in a month because friends and middle child and husband have kept us in great food. Well today we have to break down so we'll get a Friday grinder. Yesterday, after I got back from my Primary Care visit in Uncasville we went to lunch at Danny's Depot. Their real roast turkey special was salubrious.

Draggin' butt today . . oh well . . .

I think the humid weather is getting to me; feeling torpid and dull. But . . . I did win a game of cribbage this morning. My cousine from Moosup came for a short time and we got in one game; that's about my max concentration! It was a close game but I managed to pull out the win. We were having lousy hands. She had two hands where she came up empty. The best hand the entire game was my sixteen; that was it. We didn't make any more dates but if I want to play she told me to call even if it's last minute and she'll try to come over. I'm not in the mood for too much driving yet.

P&D's Pop brought me to the eye doctor's yesterday because my eyes have been messed up lately. Well I guess major surgery can make cataracts get bad fast! My right eye will have to have the cataract removed but I'll wait until I see Dr. Foley in mid August to find out when that will be feasible. It may take six months, qui sait? I didn't get new glasses because that would be a waste. I'll just hold off until I can get it taken care of.

Not much going on today. Think I'll try a bit of very slow exercising and maybe try to get a photo of the flowering tree my cousin gave me years ago and the deer have finally left alone!

Pretty neat . . .

Well, this has been pretty fantastique. I actually went downstairs this morning. Doesn't seem like much but I consider it a great accomplishment. The Doctors said I shouldn't walk on hills but I can do stairs as long as I don't pull myself up using the bannister. I've already been upstairs for shits  and giggles and so today I tackled the basement. I had a couple of cards to mail out so I had the perfect excuse to use the basement door and not walk down the hill. You know what? The basement really looks good. P&D's Pop has a nice bright workshop/hangar down there. I'm afraid he'll still have to do the washes as most of them weigh over ten pounds and I would be fearful of going down or up those narrow cement stairs with any kind of package what so ever. But it feels good to know I can get all over the house, slowly, but I can do it.

We went shopping at Big Y this morning and although I am pooped it went pretty well. I just find what we need and P&D's Pop puts it in the carriage, pushes the cart to the checkout and then it all goes in the trunk and he also has to take it in the house. Once it's in the house I can unpack it myself and put it away; so I am a little useful!

Younger brother and his wife dropped off some home made chicken soup and fresh blueberries yesterday, late afternoon. They stayed for a nice visit before going on their way to Bald Hill to celebrate 44 years of wedded bliss. Now, that is very cool. Think I'll take a rest in an hour or so. Feeling pretty damned good.

17 days . . . Incroyable . . .

Unbelievable that as of yesterday I had gone 17 days without the comforting motion of my garage swing but yesterday I conquered my trepidation and luxuriated, basked in its comfort. It was a superior moment. I also managed to get photos of our flowers and the day before I actually caught a Bluebird taking a bath in the stagnant water inside the Tamarak stump. What a great day

Made two Doctors smile this week when I told them I believe I will be 62 years old by the time I finish getting over this wild and wooly surgery. They were both very happy as am I. P&D's Pop told Dr. Foley that he would now be married to a younger woman and Dr. Foley said, "There's nothing wrong with that!" What a witty bunch. But I'm happy we're doing so well.

I decided to try my wings today and drove to the Credit Union to get the tax payment then went to the Town Hall to pay the taxes. I did fine but found out it was too much. Now I know that the mind is willing but the body is most certainly not ready. Both doctors said it takes 10 to 12 weeks to get back to normal so I've got to remember that I was discharged from the hospital two weeks ago and they count the days from discharge.

Danny's Depot Diner is now open in Central Village. They haven't even advertised yet and they're doing fine.We had breakfast there yesterday and it was very good. P&D's Pop brought them some rhubarb from the garden today; I was too pooped to tag along. I think I learned a good lesson this morning. I've got plenty of time to strengthen up and I must take it all.

Wow, Fourth of July present . . .

I am so impressed and happy. Puppies and Dante's Pop has completed the installation of the garage door opener/closer. I will keep one control in the car and one in the house just to keep it simple and easy. I'm not driving yet and at this point in time I'm not interested in driving nor do I have permission from the doctor. Besides still not being near to snuff I'm not sure the pills are conducive to being on the road nor is my physical comfort. Definitely need some time. But I am getting better every day and I believe I actually slept for two hours in a row last night and got up at 6:45am - progress noted.

Had a very good and happy visit with middle child and grandson yesterday. They brought me a black and white milkshake which tasted salubrious.Kiddo also did a few odd jobs for me and ate raspberries right from the bushes. Can't believe he'll be 11 years old in about a month. It seems that he will be losing quite a few kids from his class at Sacred Heart for a number of reasons. Looks like he'll be down to about 15 kids. I know he'll miss his best friend whose Mom was a para-professional at Sacred Heart and found out after school closed for the summer that she was being put on very limited hours for next year. She can't make ends meet that way so her two boys will go to Cutler Middle School. A couple of the kids are leaving for the Saint Bernard Middle School. Mais c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas? I told him the kids would still be his friends and with fewer students in sixth grade they should be able to get a lot more interesting studies in depth. Here's hoping I'm right. I despise the way this foolish, ego-maniac bishop runs the Catholic schools in our diocese. What a useless man we have at the helm. I wish they would give us a nice new Polish bishop direct from Poland. They're pretty savvy yet old fashioned about kids' upbringing, at least from my observations which are admittedly limited. Middle child looks and sounds wonderful. The new old job seems really interesting and she'll be doing some traveling - starting out with a four day trip to Louisiana! Perhaps she and big brother will get a chance to get together. That would be exciting.

P&D's Pop is trying to get some flying in before the rain. He had a bad crash a couple of days ago and can't save the plane but the engine is okay so I think there will be some  building in the basement hangar this Winter!

Pain . . .

If you imagine a human shape drawn out on graph paper in proper proportions and then imagine the mid section from the navel to the neck burning, not flames but a metal burn and on this section of the graph the technician has added all possible interstices and you may get a feel for the pain at every point, especially noticeable when a body is in a prone position. On rising, walking, standing and sitting the pain is greatly reduced and almost forgettable especially if there are beautiful birds to be seen out jet setting between the feeders and trees. You know and appreciate that you are still a precious human being that the Lord has favored, why? who knows but He has, and that's perfect for moi.

Without P&D's Pop I could never be on the recovery road as I am. I don't even feel sorry for myself just grateful that the nurses and doctors in my life have been so astute in helping me grow up. It's a wild journey and though arduous, torturous and painful it's a Wow ride. Life is full of changes, love and good people. I am thankful. I am thankful for P&D's Pop and the three children we share and all they have brought into our lives. Je vous remercie, mon doux Seigneur.

No longer a garage door opener . . .

It's so odd to know that soon, when I get permission to drive again, I will have an automatic garage door opener. P&D's Pop ordered one from Amazon and did some preliminary work getting ready for the installation. I suggested he put one in for his door too but he is declining to do so which doesn't surprise me, naturellement. I don't think I would be able to open one of those doors for a very long time. Not sure when I'll get permission to drive but it will be helpful not to have to wait for P&D's Pop to do all of the work. The visiting nurse will come this afternoon to check out how I'm doing. I think she will be well pleased. Oneco friend dropped by yesterday with a basket of African Violets. So thoughtful and appreciated. P&D's Pop has already gone shopping at Big Y this morning. He's getting good at this stuff! We've been watching Fraiser in the evenings - laughing is good for what ails you.

Mentholated pain . .

Well I'm beginning to feel a bit more like my old self every day.  Underwent a pretty important medical procedure almost two weeks ago. It was a life altering affair. I believe that when I am pretty much recovered and on to a three day a week regimen of exercise I shall feels as if I am no longer 72 years old but 62. I already feel pretty enthusiastic, tired, hurting but doing fine. The doctors and their teams are so incredibly perfect in their jobs. I can't fathom where some super intelligent, hard working people can accomplish so much in the medical field. You really do have to thank the Lord of heaven and earth for creating human beings with such magnificent capabilities.

Door County Peninsula . . .

Ended up roaming around the Door County Peninsula in my dreams last night. I remember when our oldest took us for a beautiful ride when we visited him in Wisconsin and it felt as if we were driving up the New England coast line. It was a great dream but P&D's Pop woke me up for breakfast and that was that. I'm reading a novel that takes place on Washington Island and I'm sure that's what precipitated the dream. Maybe tonight I can dream about The House on the Rock and The Dells. That would be sweet. We were there in 1996. Big changes in our lives since then. Those Kiddos are all grown and living their interesting lives while we appreciate them and their accomplishments. Very nice indeed.

Weird insight . . .

Haven't been writing lately. But today I think I've come to the conclusion that wanting to be Ma instead of Mom was my brain's way of not letting go of our Big Kids. I believe that Ma is really the equivalent of Mommy that I absolutely despise when I see it used in social media or when I hear a grown woman speak with her Mother and call her Mommy. It grates on me so much I think I have a true phobia. But . . . as I listen to our adult progeny I realize that they have been more adept at letting go than I. They already refer to me as Mom and they're right; I am Mom - not a Ma who may try to get her way because she is their Ma who with their Dad and Great Aunt helped to raise them. So as I realize this I am  happy to be Mom and let our big kiddos continue their lives as they have been doing. They are certainly the very capable humans we wanted them to be.

That was odd . . .

The prodigal's return

We had a chance to go out for breakfast this morning and headed off to the American Diner on Route 12 in Plainfield. We have been going there for a couple of months since Central Village closed. The odd thing is there was only the cook. Yes, he was alone. He had already served two customers before us and then at least three more came in while we were there. It's really a big restaurant and I was surprised at this lack of help. I got our coffee and poured for another customer too. The cook came over to make sure we were doing okay when he had a break; he told us he had no access to the computer or cash register and he figured we owed about $15. He didn't make slips for anyone so we left him $18 and I put it on a shelf near the kitchen and told him where the money was. It seems a waitress had called and said she'd be a few minutes late but an hour had gone by and he was still alone. Qui sait?

Will go to Big Y and pick up the items I need for Sunday's Easter Dinner. I like to get a head start! P&D's Pop is at the high school helping out with the battery powered car and the stage props for The Wizard of Oz. Such a character I have married!

Quote:   There is no genius in life like the genius of energy and industry.   __D.G. Mitchell

Interesting . . .

Add caption

We received a bill for SiriusXM for the coming year with a base price of $179 and a total price of $204. I called them in January. At that time I explained that anything over $100 was really way too much so the lady whittled it down to $119 but said I had to call them today to get this great deal as our subscription ends tomorrow. So . . . I spoke with a young man who was very polite but difficult to understand and at the end of a half hour or more we ended up with me talking him into $100 for the year. I have no clue how I did that; they must be desperate. I was upset at first when he told me that the $119 charge was the basic rate and by the time he added it all up he was at $146, then $134 but I kept saying that's too much. After many breaks in the conversation and being on hold quite a few times I finally ended up with my $100 for the year.  Pretty good, I think. We really only listen to about three stations but I like them with no advertisements so I'm happy and P&D's Pop doesn't mind as he gets to listen to his Bluegrass.

Went out for a light lunch on this most beautiful day. Waiting for Winter to call it quits. I actually opened the door near the TV and let the sun shine in. It was glorious.

Quote:  Let us enjoy the fugitive hour.  Man has no harbor, time has no shore, it rushes on and carries us with it.  __Lamartine

Can't believe it . . .

Not the photo I meant to put here but what the heck.  It's okay. A Northern  Flicker enjoying the suet a few weeks ago.

It just dawned on me; I never went out of the house today. I can't remember when I haven't at least gone out to feed the birds, empty the garbage or just gone  out for a breath of fresh air. I did go out three times yesterday to keep the snow under control so P&D's Pop, whose back is acting up pretty fiercely, could use the snow blower today. He scraped the last of the snow off of the driveway before he used the snow blower to get the mail box and the driveway. He tried to get it done before the winds took over but I watched him and it was miserable going. Thank goodness he didn't try for the paths it was bad enough with what he did get done. Between the both of us I guess we equal one able bodied person! I can't lift the snow but I can push it because it it light and then Grampa can use the blower to get it out of the way. The benches near the horseshoe pits are almost covered. We can't see the horseshoe stakes at all and the raspberries are at least halfway obliterated. This is a hell of a lot of snow, believe you me (as Ma used to say!) it is now 12 degrees at 6pm. About the same as it's been all day. Yesterday it was eight below in the morning and never got above 17 degrees all day. The house is staying pretty darned comfortable. We've been keeping the thermostat at 70 during the day, 71 in the evening and 68 at night. It works out well. Grampa has also managed to plug up most of the drafts with a type of seal and peel. It has done a tremendous job for the old windows.

We had home made beef stroganoff for our Valentine's Day dinner last night and peanut butter brownies. We will go out for a more formal dinner some day this week, weather permitting. Need a Black Russian and some Beer with dinner for a change! Kiddo was here Friday into Saturday and we had a great time. I got him some new flannel sheets for his bed and he really liked them. He and his Mom will be going snow tubing at Yawgoog Valley tomorrow. They'll have to dress up really well as I think the high will only be in the teens again. I'll try to get my food shopping done before the next snow on Tuesday. The schools have Monday and Tuesday off this week for Presidents' Day. I hope numb nuts doesn't think that the day is to honor him! What a gross idea. That it even popped into my head is disgusting. If we make it to 2016 without getting hit again by the Islamists it'll be pure luck. I don't think we've ever had this much of a dithering idiot for president although Carter was certainly another lame brain. Well, I'd better stop before I go on a rant just because I mentioned Presidents' Day!

Quote:  There is nothing seems so like an honest man as an artful knave.   ___C. Simmons

I did it, I did it, I did it . . .

Baby it's cold outside.

I said to him I did it and indeed I did. Oh my word, it only took me about a year or so but I figured out how to watch my Amazon Prime freebies like Masterpiece Theatre when P&D's Pop is sleeping. I finally put my feeble brain to work and now have my Pioneer headset working through the Smart TV. I couldn't figure it out but I knew I could watch and listen to my basketball games on the regular TV shows with my headset but when I tried to make the changes on the Smart part of the LG TV the headset wouldn't work. So with P&D's Pop off to a meeting tonight I decided to work on the problem and I solved it! I couldn't make the Pioneer headset work on the Amazon Prime but that's because I had to change the settings on the regular TV HDMI before I went to the Smart TV for Amazon Prime. Isn't that amazing that it took me so long to figure it out. I'm ecstatic because I can now watch all the schmaltzy stuff  that Grampa can't stand.  I just hope I can keep any expletives that may come out of my mouth in some sort of very quiet mode. Yay for me. Good on me.

In other matters I had a great visit with younger sister today. We pretty much pick up dessert, go to lunch and just hang out together. It's warm, comfortable, relaxing and fun. It's probably my best habit. And since I am a creature of habit I hope the weather continues to cooperate for our Wednesday meetings. Kiddo has Friday off and I'm hoping the weather allows me to go get him and we'll bring him home Saturday before we get socked with another snow storm. We have an outrageous amount of snow and I'd like to try to push some of it off of the porch roof but Grampa says no. So I shall be good and not go upstairs with a shovel to push the white stuff off through the three windows over the porch.  I guess it really is okay but I'm a nervous Nelly. The house roof is fine and the garage is pretty good too but the porch picked up a lot of drifting snow.

Well, time to take a shower and start watching some Masterpiece Theatre!

Quote:  Little joys refresh us constantly, like our daily bread and never bring disgust; great ones, like sugar-bread, refresh us briefly, and then bring satiety.   ____Richter

And on the fourth day . . .

Yesterday

Yes, on the fourth day P&D's Pop found his wedding band! The day before our 48th anniversary he had worked outside with the snow blower cleaning up the driveway and when he came in noticed his wedding band was missing. He checked his gloves and I looked around the garage but there was no ring. So, being the economical Yankee he ordered one yesterday on Amazon. This morning as I wakened  he waved his hand to me and there was the ring on his left hand. He had been standing near my seat at the dining room table looking out the window at the birds and happened to look down; there, on the little striped red rug  that holds the stool with my blooming cyclamen he saw his ring on the rug under the lower rung of the stool! Wow, he figures that it fell off Monday morning when he opened the blinds and because it fell on the little rug he never heard it! I said that I rarely clean around that area and he said, "That exposes a glaring problem." He cracks me up. It's a good thing I hadn't decided to use the Dyson on a rare cleaning frenzy! Now I have more reasons not to go overboard being a neatnick.

Grampa is at the school helping out today and I think I'll go out and push the new snow that's falling quite fast across the driveway so when he gets home around lunchtime he won't pack it down with the Hyundai and make it hard to clean up.

Quote:  Some persons do first, think afterward, and then repent forever.   ____Secker

48 years ago . .

A few years ago! We just keep improving with age!

Hard to believe we were married forty-eight years ago this evening. We had both worked on that day and were married in a quiet ceremony at All Hallows Rectory. We'll spend another quiet day in warm and comfortable togetherness today. Couldn't ask for any more blessings than we have; three wonderful big kids, their families and friends and each other. Life is good. We'll go out to a quiet dinner and watch some Husky basketball this evening. Parfait!

Quote:  Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.   ____Thackeray (and at home ____Irene)

Okay, that's it . . .

Oodles of snow birds

Yup, that's it Mother Nature - this is not funny any more. Gees, P&D's Pop is already out with the snowblower after having pushed the snow in front of the garage down to the lawn twice. With the added five or six inches of snow it is now some concoction of freezing rain/sleet so he's trying to stay ahead of it. Whatever it is, it is supposed to last until six this evening. Even the birds are trying to grab a seed and then fly away looking for a protective place to eat! P&D's Pop put some bird seed under the Dodge Ram for them and they're so grateful they aren't even flying away from the sound of the snowblower.

Had a nice Super Bowl Sunday with Oneco friends and another couple from Franklin. We all piled into the Chevy Truck for the ride on some pretty poorly plowed roads to Twin Oaks for a leisurely dinner. The place is always packed but because of the Big Game there were very few people there and we had a great time. Haven't gone to see any brothers or younger sister in ages! May even have to call off my card date with Cousine tomorrow. Grampa has a dentist appointment tomorrow, school, perhaps, and maybe a dinner date, just we two, to celebrate 48 years of married life! Wow, that's another incredible happening. Doesn't seem possible that our kids are already long gone from this old house. Speaking of this old house our nephew and his wife who live in Moosup have bought a new house in Moosup rather than try to update their older home. Can't blame them. They'll have a 10 year old Cape with two acres, a brook for fishing and a pool for all and sundry. They close on the new place next week. Looks like there will be one more house up for sale in Moosup!

Hoping I'll get to see younger sister this week but if the roads are the least bit bad I won't be going anywhere. I do miss seeing our Kiddo but I know he's having a blast playing out in the snow with the neighborhood hoods and helping his Dad plow out driveways - he runs the plow!

Quote:  Could we see when and where we are to meet again, we would be more tender when we bid our friends good-by.   ___Ouida

Nice getting outside . . .

Porch roof

We've been inside a lot the last couple of days. Well, at least I have been inside while P&D's Pop has worked very hard getting the yard cleaned up after what I shall refer to as our mini-blizzard. We ended up with about two feet of snow and some really, really monster drifts. The snow on the porch roof is about half way up the windows! But I can still take photos from senior Kiddo's old room. I don't think I'll take any photos today even though the sun is out bright and the sky is a cloudless, serene blue. I decided to walk in the yard for my half hour exercise today. I just circled the driveway down to the basement and back. If felt good and refreshing to be out. I kept the porch swept and the birds fed during the storm and today I cleaned off the Dodge Ram. That was a chore! But compared to Grampa I really had it easy. Since we were inside most of the time yesterday I made bread and today I made some no bake Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Oatmeal cookies. Good stuff!

When we were in Rhode Island last week we got gas for $1.99. I bet it's lower than that this week. Of course we don't see decent gas prices in our neck of the woods. Was also impressed with the skating rink in Sterling. There was a mémé and two little kiddos holding on to her for dear life as they tried to skate. It was great. Haven't seen anyone skating around here in ages. Of course the two feet of snow we just received from on high may put a crimp on the skating unless some hardy young souls get their shovels out and clean off the rink across from what used to be St. Joseph's Church.

Oh, oh, I feel a picture taking mood coming on strong. Where the heck is my will power?

Quote:  Nature is a frugal mother, and never gives without measure.  When she has work to do, she qualifies men for that and sends them equipped.    ___Emerson (Really, Ralph?)

Ah, what a day . . .

Such a pretty Miss.

Nowhere to go because of the bad weather forecast for tomorrow so P&D's Pop took us to Oakland Beach on Narragansett Bay today. Incredibly beautiful, bright, cold cloudless afternoon; sat in the healing warmth of the sun in the wonderful windows at the Top of the Bay and watched the gulls and cormorants wielding overhead; excellent lunch with a Black Russian and some Bud. If you forget about the idiocracy in Hartford and DC life can be perfect. Almost 48 years married and the pleasure, warmth, closeness and love is sweet.

On our return we went to make another video of the newest plane. The Panasonic is much better than the old Konica/Minolta for video; that's for sure. Grampa is in the basement hangar working on bettering the Shark. We will miss having Kiddo tonight because of the weather forecast but I should see him next Friday when I go to help at Sacred Heart and then he, his Mom and I will head to Stonington for another basketball game. The kids got robbed Tuesday when they played St. Bernard Academy. Our local catholic schools have grades K-8 in one building. They have no middle school to speak of so the JV teams for sports in all K-8 catholic schools are made up of Fifth and Sixth Graders. The Varsity teams are only 7th and 8th Graders. Since St B's Academy is a true Middle School they play Sixth and Seventh Graders for JV and actually allow some of them to play Varsity. That isn't in the rules governing our K-8 Schools. The academy is only supposed to play their 6th Graders against the Fifth and Sixth graders of the other Catholic League Schools. Our kids were working hard and were a bit ahead of St. B's when the St. B's coach put in his 7th graders. We lost by 3. I suppose it may be considered sour grapes but there are supposed to be rules about only Fifth and Sixth Graders playing JV. Oh well, I have someone looking in to the rules for me just for shits and giggles. And yes, my language is appalling but I really love that expression!

Quote:  It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.   ___Spurgeon

Can't warm up today . . .

It's not that cold outside, 35 degrees, but I can't seem to warm up so I'll be staying home and doing a long indoor walk listening to my latest audio book while P&D's Pop goes off to the flying field with the Konica/Minolta to video his flights. He's on the phone now talking to his Louisiana friend. I love to answer the phone when Gil calls because he always asks me, "How are you, girl?" I just love to be called "girl" especially with his Louisiana accent. That makes my day.

Went to see younger sister yesterday and we finally found the Reese's Spreads that P&D's Pop has been asking for. We'd already tried Geislers and Big Y with no luck. The Stop&Shop in Granby had what we were looking for along with some Halos that middle child wasn't able to find in Groton. They are a Clementine but called Halos and Kiddo and his Mom like them the best. I hope I remember to bring them with me tomorrow. I'll probably just stay in Groton until 9pm because Kiddo has a basketball game Saturday morning and we're expecting some bad, freezing rain, sleet, snowy mix Saturday morning. There's no way I want us driving in it so it looks like we'll be home most of the day Saturday. I imagine they will cancel the game at St. B's as well.

May try to get a few bird photos later on today if the birds finally show up! The feeders are birdless which is unusual. There must be a hawk or something hanging around. The neighbor's cat often hides under the porch but I don't think the birds worry about him too much. Even the squirrels aren't running around. Just had my noon snack and have warmed up a bit; time to hit the walking trail in the living room!

Quote:  Passion may not unfitly be termed the mob of the man, that commits a riot on his reason.   ___Penn

Grampa's Seventy-one . . .

Northern Flicker having his snack on  the lawn at noontime.

Not sure if 71 is a milestone. It  looks better than 72!  Hard to believe we've been around long enough to have two kids in their forties. Yikes. We don't do anything super special for birthdays anymore; went out for dinner at The 99 in Killingly because so far we've gotten good food and good service. Only had a little glitch on my Black Russian which came out looking like a very pale replica; even when it was 'fixed' it still was super pale. As luck would have it a former student  works there and he stopped by to ask us how things were. I had him look at my drink. He took it away and came back with a proper Black Russian. From now on I'll remember to insist on good liquor in my drinks!

Have made a couple of videos of Grampa flying his latest plane which he built from an online template. The videos were pretty good although the first one had to be done in the rain so the camera was in the cab of the Dodge Ram. We made the second one yesterday with a much better set up. At the end I swear thousands of Canadian Geese flew over my head, squawking so loudly they drowned out the plane's engine! I've never seen so many coming from different directions to join in one monster gaggle. I couldn't get them on video because we were just finishing up the plane video. We did end up with their squawks and some very distant looking geese trying to get in formation but that was just incidental.

Going to watch Kiddo play basketball at St. Bernard this evening. I hope it goes well. They've lost three games, two of them were very close. Would be nice if they get a win but what the heck - it's just a game and they certainly don't have much to work with. There are only eight kids on the team!

Quote:  Ignorance is a prolonged infancy, only deprived of its charm.    _____Boufflers

What the heck . . .

Karen's photos from our excursions to Slater Museum at NFA

Listen to the news and ruin a very good day. So . . . Mr. Pope, yeah, the guy in Rome, is as flippant as Mr. Obama. Gees, does no one of consequence do and say the right thing anymore? I don't care what you call it but if any group of people go about purposefully killing others it is murder. Therefore it be hooves society to act quickly and ruthlessly to root out the murderers. Western society has the means at its disposal to wipe out the Islam that is succeeding in setting up its Caliphate but we do not have the will to do it because we are unsure of our own position vis a vis Islamic jihad. Woe be to the West as we allow murder in the name of cultural, barbaric nihilism to reign the world over. Be ready to fight the disastrous evil sayers and doers in your midst. Even if they are not holding a sword to your throat their words are potent and the fear they engender is palpable. Western leaders are a powerless lot of talkers with no clear goals or direction. Not sure what we can expect to happen next when we can't trust our 'democratic' governments to protect us from evil.

Well now . . . I spent  a pleasant day with Karen at the Slater Museum in Norwich. It's good that the museum is small because my poor brain goes on overload with so much beauty and interesting art and stories. We will return again so I have more time to absorb what the museum offers. Got caught up in the Greek and Roman statues and was trying to remember the history and mythology going along with Sophocles, Plato, Heracles, Nike of Samothrace. . . My head started to hurt! Just the exhibit dedicated to the Slaters was overwhelming never mind the Crocker exhibit. And . . . that does not include the modern exhibit of prints. Definitely good for your soul.  We stopped for a late lunch in Taftville at the Bakery. It is located in the building where I worked my first summer job over fifty-six years ago. The bakery is beautiful; seems like a daft word for a bakery but the cases of sweets and breads are colorful and gorgeous. We shared an excellent chicken sandwich, soup and coffee before leaving with two boxes of desserts.

Expect to see Kiddo at school tomorrow. Haven't been on lunch duty since early December. Hope I remember what my chores are! Perhaps he will bring a board game home with him and I can try to win at the Game of Life. Also had a real treat this morning as I was eating breakfast.  A sleek red fox ambled up the driveway, walked behind the garage and crossed the top of the hill. That was great.  I also saw a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and a Red-bellied Woodpecker at the suet feeders. Didn't take the time to get the camera because I would have missed it all!

Quote:  Fain would I Raphael's god-like art rehearse, where, from the mingled strength of shade and light, a new creation rises to my sight; such heavenly figures from his pencil flow, so warm with life his blended colors glow.  __Addison

Ah, parting is such sweet sorrow . . .

This older P&D's Pop photo helps to keep life in perspective. It really is a grand if challenging world in the good old US of A.

And so it came to pass that the quaint Diner era has come to an ignominious end. What seemed like a real, honest new owner cum chef cum family walked out after six hours on the job. The whole family called it quits after some supposed legal problems and, bien sur, some words of discouragement from the almost past owners. Quite a feat - the Diner lasted about two and half years. We are thankful for little things when we must contend with Connecticut in all its foolishness - this is just another seemingly asinine act on the part of another asshole or more likely assholes. Connecticut seems to have more than its share of idiots. Do you suppose our wretched, no class prez was actually born in Connecticut? It certainly seems feasible. Even the earth is quaking in protest.

PS  The thesaurus says there is no other entry for asshole. So I shall go with this word because slug of the earth just doesn't seem fair to slugs.

Quote:  I do not know what comfort other people find in considering the weakness of great men, but 'tis always a mortification to me to observe that there is no perfection in humanity.   ___S. Montague

What if . . .

Refers to the three earthquakes felt in the Plainfield area this past week.  News is making a rather big story about it.

What if the puny earthquakes rattle around long enough to knock the big leaning rock over? That would truly be awesome. I would seriously like that to happen. That big boulder always gives me the heebie jeebies. I just wish it would tumble down nice and flat and then we could climb on it for picnics. Doesn't that sound fine and dandy? Ah, a girl can have her dreams.

It's been a bit odd today because P&D's Pop didn't go to school and work on the solar/battery powered car because the mighty powers that be call off school in case of freezing rain. Well, it's noontime and raining but no freezing; at least none yet. Too bad to have a wasted day.

We went out to Twin Oaks with Oneco friends last night and it was very good - time spent with good friends is precious. It's so good to be able to share your thoughts and laughter with like minded souls, where you don't have to second guess everything you say.

I'm going to try to put up a Facebook photo about the Earthquakes in northeastern Connecticut. It's too funny for words.

Quote:  It is astonishing how little one feels poverty when one loves.    ____Bulwer

C'est si bon . . .

Ah bon! Oui, c'est si bon quand on mange ce qui est délicieux. Oh my, how good to eat comfort food. I made myself dark white toast with scads of soft oozing butter covered with dark brown sugar that seeped into every buttery nook along with P&D's Pop's coffee. Can't even describe how good that was. I had just returned from Mass and gassing the Hyundai for under $20. That is a truly incredible feat. It is so odd that I asked the clerk if she had made a mistake with my change! I'm accustomed to giving the clerks two twenties and getting at least seven dollars or so back and this time I just got a bit of change and a dollar bill. Must admit that feels pretty damned good.

Kiddo and I played a lot of Connect Four this weekend and although I would get ahead in scoring by four games or so he would always surge at the end and wipe me out. His strategy is better than mine. I get so excited about possible wins I miss the obvious. Go figure. Here I am 62 years older than he and he beats me pretty regularly. Perhaps I should follow my own advice and slow down and think!

I'm trying to get him to play the saxophone more by encouraging him to practice some Beatles solos. Most of his music is accompaniment so it's really hard to appreciate what he's playing. Not sure if my words of wisdom are considered wisdom by Kiddo but believe it or not he thanked me for talking to him about it! I find him to be a very interesting young man and although our conversations are at times bizarre I suppose when you've got 62 years of living under your belt the modern kid has got to think that you're the one with bizarre behaviors! We have a good time on our Frications.

Grampa just came up from the basement hangar with another volume of America, a history of the US from 1916 to 1925, copyright 1925 and he found a postcard dated March 14, 4-PM, 1950 - Conyers. It was addressed to Mémère Caron. I shall put a photo of it at the top of this day's blog.

I've been playing with my old Konica-Minolta because it takes better photos through windows than the Panasonic. It just doesn't have a good telephoto lens. Oh well, nothing can be perfect and it's up to me to play around with my new one and improve my photo taking skill but I get anxious if I'm playing and miss some good shots so I don't really practice with the settings. This must prove that I, at least, don't improve with age. I've been thinking about buying some Harvey's Bristol Cream just so I can feel calm, warm and comfortable sitting in my Vermont Folk Rocker and contemplating what ever pops into my feeble brain. Seems to me the Sherry would be a perfect accompaniment to my getting-lazier-by-the-year self!

Quote:  The man that hath not music in himself, and is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; let no man trust him.   ___Shakespeare

Amazingly cold . . .

Accidental capture

Wow, I know that New England can be cold but the temperature this morning is not going up. We're at a whopping 6 degrees in bright sunshine and just feeding the birds was a chore and I'm wearing a complete set of long johns. Looks like it'll be in the extreme cold range for us all day. The schools have delayed by up to two hours because of the cold not because of snow. I left East Granby earlier than usual yesterday because of a snow squall which blotted out the sun but when I got to 91 South the sun popped out again. Pretty wild stuff to be driving in for sure.

We took a ride to Zip's this morning because they were celebrating Nancy's twenty-fourth year of working there! Goodness, we hadn't been in a long time but decided to stop in to see her. She still remembers our order! The Diner is such a neat throw back to the good old days. The menu doesn't change; the faces are the same; the service is the same and that can be comforting in this age of murderous, fanatic, brutality. Taking the spotlight off of the media and talking heads filled with fear mongering and asinine commentary is good. Listening in on conversations of normal everyday people on their way to work, eating breakfast helps bring you back to reality. What reality? The reality that the supposed defenders of truth, justice and the enlightened way don't dare to fight the barbaric Islamists in every way possible. Kill them now without hesitation wherever they are. Yes, without trials and a media circus. Governments know where they are but get caught up in the foolishness of giving them a say and defending them. No more excusing radicals. Destroy them. Okay, I guess that's the end of my rant for today.

P&D's Pop has been working hard this morning shoring up the four outside doors in this old house. The frigid air is getting through no matter what we've done previously. Every little bit helps to keep out the cold. I'm still thinking we should replace the five windows in the kitchen because this is a very cold area. But it's probably not worth the cost especially if we hope to sell this old house. No matter what we do it'll never be cost effective. We're comfortable but still have to turn up the heat and dress warmly. Phooey!

Quote:  In the history of man it has been very generally the case, that when evils have grown insufferable they have touched the point of cure.    ___E.H Chapin (We can only hope that this is true.)

Good thing the windows are closed . . .

The ripping apart of Kaman has begun in earnest and the noise is pretty gd loud. It'll make for an interesting 10 years. Yep, it seems the town has given the rubble rousers ten years to turn the land across the river into a pristine park. So, I guess it's a good thing my hearing is not so good! The experiment with P&D's Pop old hearing aids fizzled. They just made everything so loud that I looked like a Mexican jumping bean.

Starting out 2015 with a visit to PT in Norwich. I do believe that'll  be it for fixing up the sciatica. I can pretty much keep it at bay at will so that's pretty good. But the right arm is literally getting to be a pain in the neck. Not sure how I'll handle that except to try not to use it and just rest it as much as possible. Problem is that when it feels good I forget about it and go and do something that re-activates the pain and that is most annoying. This growing older is not for the faint of heart. Gotta be a tough old bird!

Younger sister just called.  Haven't seen her in a few weeks because the holidays and weather haven't been cooperative. We'll see if I can get there this week. We're supposed to have some snow tomorrow but Wednesday is just going to be frigid. We have no snow left from our Saturday storm but East Granby still has a snowy ground cover. We'll have to see what the Tuesday storm leaves behind. I don't drive in bad weather. Don't like it at all. Getting cautious in my dotage.

P&D's Pop is on his way to school. I'm trying to talk him into having his hands looked at by the VA. He's having a lot of trouble using them without pain. He never complains like I do about pain but I can see it in his face and the number of ibuprofen he consumes. Always takes me a long time to get him to do something about his aches and pains; stubborn old Yankee codger.

Quote:  The multitude unawed is insolent; once seized with fear, contemptible and vain.   ____Mallet

Bonne et Heureuse Annee . . .

And Puppies' and Dante's Pop is off to the Yankee Flyers' Field for First Flight 2015. Excellent.