Rambles

Walked to the Post Office this afternoon, about two miles total. Sunny and warm, temp. close to 50°F. It smelled and felt like spring. Had on my new suede high top boots from Cabelas (Christmas present), my new purple slouch visor cap, and clipped on my shades. Feeling good. Hope I looked as good as I felt, but doubtful.

Walking though the village of my youth brings back many memories. I pass houses that once were the homes of childhood friends; the Town Office was my high school. That dental office was my first school, kindergarten through third grade. An incident that happened there when I was in first grade impacted the rest of my life — negatively. A bad teacher, a woman who should never have been allowed near children,   planted the seed for a bad self image. After 58 years, I can finally look back and put it all in perspective and see it for what it was. And realize it was her problem, not mine. And that is a good thing.

Am watching a deer eating at one of J's feeding stations out back as I write. She is so pretty. And all alone, which is unusual. They usually come in groups, does and lambs first, in groups of four to six, then later maybe a dozen at a time at dark. It is still light out.  Maybe she is a he.

A picture from last winter's herd:

We had SO much more snow last year. Today there is bare ground all around those trees.

Anyway, getting back to my next to last post about prayer and football. Well, I am sorry to say, my prayers did our boys no good last night. Needless to say, J and I went to bed last night quite depressed. I was very surprised at how let down I felt. Never expected it to effect me that much. Silly.

Oh well, guess I'll go dip some strawberries in chocolate.

Early Spring Energy

Just sitting here with a glass of wine/brandy (the name of it is "Roughshod" by Blacksmiths, a Maine vintner. It is made with "wild Maine blueberries delicately blended with (grape) brandy." A sweet port wine and I find it delicious. The bottle says "A wine to "get a grip."" Actually I bought it because I loved the name, "Roughshod." Kind of how I feel right now. I can't believe what a busy and productive day I have had.

It began about 6:15 this morning when I came downstairs after J went to work at his part-time job (two mornings a week). First I started the fire in the fireplace stove, then made my coffee and began making doughnuts. Wanted to have fresh ones to share with J's sister when she came for my sewing lesson. Once they were done, I took a quick shower. While I was still in the tub, C called to say she couldn't come today because of a family crisis, not serious. Up to this time, I had been scurrying around trying to get done before she came. So I exhaled and slowed down the pace. Time to have a cup of coffee and a couple of doughnuts with the morning paper.

In between all this I'm letting first one, then the other cat either outdoors or onto the porch (one is an outdoors cat, the other an indoor cat) then back in again. They are always on the wrong side of a door it seems. Just like kids.

Of course, I'm also constantly feeding the fire. Next, I take the wood carrier and it's off to the garage across the driveway to haul in firewood.  After both boxes are filled, it is time to start thinking about lunch. J will be home to eat and hopefully relax a bit before going to his full-time evening job. Both his jobs are extremely physical and labor intensive, so I want to do as many of the home chores as I can to help him.

The spaghetti sauce is almost done by the time he arrives so we can sit and enjoy lunch together. Then he enjoys a chance to relax and read the paper while I clean up. After he again leaves for work, I cut out an applique for an apron that I'm making and realize that the material for the pocket on which the applique is going needs to be washed. So I do a load of reds and hang out on the line.

Done with this I notice the old rose climbing vine is a real mess and so I get the clippers and attack the old dead canes, training the green ones onto the latticework and generally "neating up" the whole flower garden area. Kit Kat, the indoor one, is on the screened-in porch going mad jumping from window to window watching every move I make outside. I know she wants to come out and join me, but she's never been allowed outside and I know J doesn't want her out, so far be it from me to be the one to let her out.

By now, it is time to check the sap buckets. After gathering around eight to ten gallons, I fill a pail with the grain/pellet mixture J makes up and go out back to feed the deer. They don't really need it now, but we still have quite a bit in the barrel and they are still coming, so-oo-oo.

Back in the house, put a log on the fire, check the cats. Both are sleeping finally. Get my glass, open the wine, boot up the MacBook and voila!  Nice day. Spring has sprung. Feeling good. I am blessed every day.

Although, I keep getting this nagging feeling that I've forgotten something, something else that I did today. Oh well. If so, it'll come to me eventually.

It is now exactly 6:15 pm.

Nothing but food and fun

Housework done, venison stew cooking on the woodstove, cat sleeping on the rug, watching the Barefoot Contessa and the sun is shining. Another good day. Do have to confess, J made the stew as he always does. I peeled the potatoes and a few carrots, that's it. Now my job is to watch it and not to let it burn since J has gone to work; already added the potatoes so I'm pretty much done.
Have to go to the butchers for some fish, yes, fish because remember I have to eat healthier. With a freezer full of venison and a partner who prefers red meat and potatoes, I have to introduce the white meat and fish to the house if I want any. As it should be.
Then off to the farm for a few chores and to my house to find my mat cutter so I can frame up a family picture for J's mom. Love this woman, 97-yrs-old and sharp as a tack; it is fun to listen to her stories of J and his sibs growing up.
Ok, times a wastin'. Later.