Darned blue state . . .

The Veendam had to embark the Glacier Bay National Park Rangers before we could proceed to the glaciers. I believe that this is the Lamplugh Glacier.

Gorgeous New England Day! The news on the political front is dismal as usual in Connecticut. With Dodd out and Blumenthal finally getting his wish we're still in dire straits. The Republicans have three candidates for the Senate: McMahon would certainly lose; Simmons has a chance but is really too moderate; the right candidate, so far, Schiff a pretty conservative business man, isn't well known. I wish I lived in a red state so I could be happy at least some of the time when I read the papers in the morning. Perhaps I'll have to quit reading the news and then I'll perk up! At least the UCONN men won last night. That's a smile and a plus.

Off to Sacred Heart for lunch duty soon, first of the New Year.

Quote: Party standards are the shadows in which patriotism is buried. ---St. Pierre

No more Dodd . . . now to get "no more Barney Frank!"

The photos of Glacier Bay will not be able to do it justice. I haven't traveled much but for me it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. There certainly is a Creator and this must be His resting place. It's so magnificent that it takes your breath away. It's difficult to believe that He may have made man in His image and yet man must struggle to be beautiful in spirit. The Universe is perhaps His perfect creation while man remains imperfect.

Hip, hip hoorah! Dodd is not running again. But . . . this may not be a good thing. It looks as if Blumenthal our AG will be running so I believe that the Democrats will keep the seat. Boo hoo. I wish that the Republicans would get their act together but they're so moderate and to the left it's scary. Oh well, maybe some Republicans somewhere will be elected to the House and Senate but I'm not going to hold my breath.

In local politics the Plainfield Board of Education gave a raise to the schools administrators. But the selectmen called for a town meeting and the raises were voted down! That's cool. I hope it ends there but I doubt it. I believe that the administrators can seek binding arbitration from the state. That would not bode well for the town.

Cold and crisp but clear as a bell out side. Off to shop, then walk and listen before I go to Groton.

Quote: The meanest, most contemptible kind of praise is that which first speaks well of a man, and then qualifies it with a "but." -------H. W. Beecher

Rather gray . . . Have need of the sun.

Finally, last of the ship's food carvings!

Youngest child's Green Bay jacket, which did not make it to England, is very useful. We leave it on a hook near the kitchen door so if we have to trudge out to the mail or garage for something or other we always have a handy, nice warm, good looking jacket!

Went to visit younger brother and his wife today. He and I each won a game of cribbage so we'll have to have a playoff next time. His wife was off and running to luncheon with school friends so we didn't get a chance to play a threesome. That's always a lot of fun too. The back road to their home was dreadfully slippery so I went home by Norwich and the roads were very good. Stopped at Staples for a color cartridge for the printer. I had taken $60 with me and thought I would have plenty. Wow, I always forget how expensive they are. It's cheaper to buy the color and black cartridges together but it's still awful. I had to use my charge card.

Time to get walking and listening.

Quote: Unintelligible language is a lantern without a light.

Bright, clear, invigorating . . .

Just came in from sweeping the front entryway, the porch and two sets of steps and the front path to the mail. Wow, it's looking like Vermont. Remember when we used to be up in Vermont and the snow just never stopped. It was always in the air. I used to want to wait until the roads were perfectly clear before we went to Mount Mansfield so you guys could go skiing and snowboarding. Of course the roads up there were never perfectly clear so we would go anyway. Eventually, I believe I finally let the two of you go all by yourselves. I almost miss the apartment in Essex Junction. It was a nice home away from home. We still go to the same restaurant for breakfast when we go up to the Hot Rod Show in September. Only missed the yearly show once since 1991, I believe.

Grampa's off on errands; coffee, bank, hamburger rolls for Sloppy Joes and he'll let me know how the roads are before I venture out. I'm not fond of driving on messy roads, as noted above, never have been. We expect to have a very cold week but no additional snow so I'll be fine doing my lunch duty at Sacred Heart. It's fun to see our sweetheart grandson at school. He's a character and gets along well with all the kids. We had a map of the world on the floor the other day and he showed me where his friend Kevin used to live: in China. Pretty good show for 5 years old. He, playing Ben 10, was beating up the bad guys all over the USA and telling me what states he was saving. He did save Texas, Louisiana and Connecticut. When he tried to save California I told him to let the bad guys have it. We have 2 map puzzles that are made of foam and he likes to long jump across them so we get a lot exercise when he remembers the maps.

Only three bottles of BASF wine left in the dark room. Hope eldest child gets a chance to order more!

Quote: Wife . . . . Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life; the evening beam that smiles the clouds away and tints to-morrow with prophetic ray. -----Byron

UK Bluegrass . . . Yes!

No cabin fever yet but it may happen! Another snowy day in Moosup but after Grampa shoveled the drive way of a measly couple of inches we were off to breakfast and then got the Providence Sunday Journal and some necessities (milk and toothpaste.) Will more than likely stay in for the day. I won't even venture out to Mass and we'll not be going to Arturo Joe's for dinner. We'll just have homemade applesauce and pork chops for dinner accompanied by a Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett 2007 right here at home.

Had a great day of sports yesterday as the UCONN men and women's basketball teams won and the football team won its bowl game in Alabama. That was so cool. I'm not accustomed to watching football but I found it pretty exciting. The best part of the day came when the mail was delivered very late and we received a package from the youngest child! What a lot of fun to read her translation of her cover letter! She makes me laugh. The Moon Shines Still, a bluegrass CD from England, is super. The Frank Turner, Love Ire & Song, a double CD is quite different for us. His music is quite good and interesting but the lyrics are out there.

I was just interrupted by the phone ringing and it was the youngest one returning our call. It's so nice to talk with her. She filled us in on their ferrets and the snake. All of the animals are rescued animals and are doing very well in their new home. She's looking into the cost for us to fly there this summer sometime but right now she said that it's outrageous. So we'll wait and see what she can come up with. The weather in their part of England has been almost as snowy as it is here. They don't plow the roads except right in the middle of town so they are driving on snow pack. Not fun. The main roads stay somewhat cleared because of all the traffic. I think I prefer our plowing system. Of course they're not used to getting much snow. She said the grass was showing through in the "estate" where they live but the roads are packed snow and now it's snowing again. Can't wait to see her. It'll be over a year since we went to her graduation.

Quote: A smile is the whisper of a laugh. -----Child's Definition

And we bring you more snow . . .

Poor Puppy's Pop! He's out getting the snow blower going so he can keep up with the latest 5 inches that fell during the night and the snow that's still falling. We must have about 10 inches total out there right now. He was out pushing the snow to the side of the driveway when I got up so I made a big breakfast for us today. No use going out on the roads. Puppy's Pop has had enough driving on the awful roads. We had pancakes, real maple syrup, eggs over easy and coffee. I haven't cooked breakfast in ages, truly ages. I generally have a Thomas' Toast'r Corn Muffin, hard boiled egg and coffee while Grampa eats raisin toast and coffee sometimes with a couple of fried eggs or some peanut butter. He's much better than I at keeping to a good diet.

I have two UCONN basketball games today, men at noon, women at 2pm and UCONN football in the Papa John's Bowl against South Carolina also at 2pm so it'll be the perfect time to continue my restful, relaxing ways. If I walk it'll have to be in the house. Grampa's been busy working on his planes. He's got some beauties in the making. I love to see all of his sketches as he plans out each new idea. He's really loving the time spent planning and building.

Quote: Conscience, in most men, is but the anticipation of the opinions of others. ----Taylor's Statesman ( Wow, that's strong.)

Happy New Year . . .

Had a wild ride yesterday. We left to pick grandson up at 10:15am just as the snow started to fall and didn't get to Richoni's until about 11:45am. Usually it's about a 40 minute drive. We had just about gotten past Plainfield Exit 87 and the fun started. There was a truck that had spun out and hit the guardrails in the right lane and then ended up facing traffic in the left lane after messing around in the median. There was a policeman there who had just come on the scene. Before we got to Groton we lost track of the accidents after counting 25 vehicles down and out. What a mess. We stayed at Richoni's for a delicious hamburger platter lunch and then made our way home slowly but with no more accidents.

Spent the rest of the day sliding, playing games and racing slot cars. Today we again had lunch at Richoni's. This could get to be a habit. Grandson and I had the Chicken Finger Platter and Grampa had the Hamburger Platter again. But there was a lot to choose from and it's all very well prepared. Troy was in the kitchen and daughter and son-in-law were relaxing a bit since they got home at 4:30 this morning! They had a good night at the Lounge and in the Towing Department! They were on their way home to spend sometime with the kids as we left.

Just finished taking down the Christmas decorations. It's a big job and the house looks a bit empty. I only managed one faux pas. When I checked the tree to see if there was any water left I got a mess of blue spruce sap on my head! But I used some alcohol and it turned out fine. My lucky day.

Quote: The thought of our past years in me doth breed perpetual benediction. ----Wordsworth