Bad news day . . .

Things must be getting out of hand. Lizzy B's was robbed a few months back and some of the stolen articles were found at Plainfield High School. Surprise! Friday the Community Market on the end of the same little strip as Lizzy B's was robbed. They emptied the ATM machine and broke down two doors (that had all sorts of special locking devices) plus other items were missing. The lady who owns Lizzy B's also owns the entire strip. She's devastated. The minute she gets a little bit ahead she gets slapped down. Rumor has it that the latest robbery was done by people living in the campground that's not too far away. May be it is time to set up some animal traps to catch these bastards.

Still too cold to be messing around out of doors so after Mass I'll just be lazy: work on my newest puzzle (birds in summer), try to finish a few rows on my hooked rug (it's been sitting for a number of years waiting for me to complete it! I stopped work on it when I hurt my elbow and couldn't even pull the hook out!) And of course I've got walking to do, newspapers to read etc. We'll have corned beef and cabbage for supper. Nice easy day.

Quote: I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. --Don't trust that idea. --Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it. ---Dickens

Reading by moonlight . . .

It was so clear and bright last night that I'm certain I could have read by moonlight. It would be spectacular to have a heated glass room just so you could be outside to look around but warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Maybe that could be my New Year's wish!

Grampa and kiddo are once again flying with the simulator. Grampa says that he's doing really well. He was flying a Sopwith Camel for over an hour yesterday and begged to go back up there this morning. Pretty cool beansies!

Will stay in and catch up on my reading for the umpteenth time. I keep falling behind.

Quote: Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food. ---Hazlitt

Just a winter day . . .

Four o'clock in the afternoon, 13 degrees, exceptionally windy, sunny, outrageous! Not much more to say. Grampa and grandson are flying on the simulator upstairs. I'm trying to make a puzzle on which I spilled water last evening when R&S brought us home after dinner in Voluntown in an extremely icy, blowing snow, ride home over Ekonk Hill. (Almost white out conditions.)

Quote: I have no parting sigh to give, so take my parting smile. ----L. E. Landon

Thumbs down . . .

Stayed up to watch the preacher and I wasn't disappointed. He only said two things that surprised me; in the clean energy part of the speech he talked of nuclear power and off shore drilling. I don't believe for a moment that he's serious given his background but at least it gave me some "hope and change." I don't think that the speech changes anything but it let us know that he's the same goofus that we put in office a year ago and he's still running on the same platform. Yuck. Gee, but it would be nice if the dopey Republicans could get it together and give the congressional lefties a run for their money.I thought that McDonnell gave a better speech in his 15 minutes than the other guy did in his 70.

Helped out a bit at Richoni's yesterday because daughter has sliced her thumb for the umpteenth time. I only cut up some kielbasa and washed a few dishes but I like helping out in the back if she needs me. Watched the two kids play basketball in the cold and wind. That was fun. The little one makes baskets once in a while and he doesn't quit. Pretty good attitude.

Quote: To be a chemist you must study chemistry; to be a lawyer or a physician you must study law or medicine; but to be a politician you need only to study your own interests. ----Max O'Rell

Fare thee well, old warm friend . . .

Not a very clear picture but it shall do.

What a wonderful day we had. After breakfast at, you guessed it, Lizzy B's and stopping to get some spending money "just in case" we set off for Goshen, Massachusetts with old Grandma Rose's kitchen stove (circa 1885.) Once we got off of 91 North we had a beautiful ride on Route 9 West. We were driving in the foothills of the Berkshires and as we kept climbing up the snow on the ground just kept getting deeper. The rushing rivers we crossed were clear and foaming over their banks. We saw over a mile of hoses connecting maple trees to a sugar house. I'd love to go back when the sap is running. When we arrived at Goodtime Stove (about 105 miles from home) I was blown away by the eccentricity of the buildings and the sculptures and rusting parts. Richard Richardson's son help Grampa to unload the stove and put it all together to make sure that all of the parts were there. As they unloaded I walked around inside the building to look at all of Richard's stoves. They were beautiful and two of them were giving the warmth that was certainly needed on this cold January day. Richard joined us and talked with us about his business but also about the Sanctuary he has made on his land. Richard is an artist and an amazing character. We'll be going back to visit his Sanctuary and sculptures when the weather warms up and the gardens are in bloom. I asked him if he could send me a picture of old Grandma Rose's stove when he gets it in shape to sell. He said he would have his daughter send it to me. I'll miss the stove but since it's just been sitting in the cellar growing cobwebs and not usable I'm glad we sold it to Goodtime Stove. He's an artist and loves his "jobs!" If you have the inclination go to their web site and visit both the stove company and the sanctuary. It's very cool.

On the way home we stopped in Williamsburg, MA to cash the check and then eat lunch at The Brewmaster's Tavern. It's a wonderful old building and they have their own brewery where they brew Opa Beer. Grampa had some of their light ale with his $5 special, Baked Haddock and I had a glass of Chardonnay with my $5 special, Roast Turkey Dinner. The food was delicious and the price was so right! We'll stop in again for lunch or dinner when we make our way back to Goodtime Stove. (If you visit the Brewmaster's Tavern website, click link above, don't forget to click on The Rules. They are interesting.) On our way down from Goshen to Williamsburg it started to snow. As we were eating lunch we could look out of the large windows and see a snow globe world. When we left the sun came out and the roads were only wet. A day to smile about.

Quote: Objects we ardently pursue bring little happiness when gained; most of our pleasures come from unexpected sources. ---Herbert Spencer

Nor'easter . . . no snow or it would be a blizzard . . .

We still have power, not even a blip yet. That's fantastic because the wind is blowing so hard I had trouble opening the porch door. The porch is rather a mess because I had a nice looking red sleigh with greens in it on the little table and it's all over the place. But if that's all the damage we get that'll be great. The driveway is covered with tamarack branches, the small bendy ones. It was a good day to house clean, change linens and do laundry. Got a lot done. All I have left to do is walk and listen to Bleak House. We went out for muffins and coffee today after I had my haircut. Wow, it is blustery!

Quote: A wailing, rushing sound, which shook the walls as though a giant's hand were on them; then a hoarse roar, as if the sea had risen; then such a whirl and tumult that the air seemed mad; and then, with a lengthened howl, the waves of wind swept on. ----Dickens (Don't think the waves of wind will be sweeping on soon.)

Requiem . . .

Oh, this hurt. I think that this was one of Puppy's Pop's best planes and it crashed today while I was taking my constitutional. I had to go find some of the pieces. I'm sure he'll build more but I loved this one. He may be able to save the wing. And so "Into each life a little rain must fall."