The Geese like the Lights!

The Lights go on~~~

…Four glorious days in which to accomplish the outdoor arrangements of festive lights! Filling the bird feeders before the weather turns nasty and the possibility of going to the movies is an indulgence to look forward to. My sweetie and I figured the last movie we saw was March of the Penguins. WOW what a time lapse there! I took myself to a Matinee yesterday; there are several movies I wish to see. I started with the one that seems the most likely to be gone first. As I sat in the theater of maybe 6 people I was amazed and partly amused. The movie was Borat, I settled into to the drift of the movie and found myself chuckling here and there. At some point I noticed I was the only one laughing. Ummmmmm, I do have an odd sense of humor, perhaps that was why no one else was giggling? Later I surmised, after the movie was a tad past one half over and three of the people in the way back began chuckling, that I had not LOST it. They must have been too shy. Well at least that is my thought. Last week when the kids were in I really wanted to see some flicks with them, but it just did not happen. If I had gone with them I feel sure there would have been more laughter. I am totally sure that when I see Happy Feet there will be much more laughter. Ummmm ~~ another movie for the Birds? Time marches along as it invariable does. The bedrooms are now once again ready for immediate occupancy for the next round of children. The dishwasher is less full less quickly. The dryer is on vacation for another week. George is looking for his people as they gave him dog treats more often. Time to get back to finishing making Holiday gifts as I sit in the Nook and look out into the woods.

Strung Out

It has been so warm here the past few days that not only are some Dandelions blooming but the Tree Frogs are Trilling.

All of this is fact as of 3 p.m. after string some Christmas light out side.

No Sock weather here!

Whooooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Meet Doug and Frazier Fir

Above is Frazier ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is Doug;

Fuzziness and Frazier

WHAT? At days end the desire to sit in the Nook with my spouse and contemplate the day’s events with a glorious sunset to gaze upon was lovely to say the least. Until it was totally dark! YE GADS there is some sort of SKUM on the window! Dashing quickly for the window cleaner I cleanse the affected area. NOPE, it was fine. Ummmmmm what had happened on this oddly shaped area? Alas I will have to wait until tomorrow to re clean the outside. The kids were going to a movie the rest of the kids came in and out of the kitchen for a low key serve yourself dinner. We had munchies on the table for the game and the possibility of a real sit down dinner was not in the offing. Some of us were still bummed out that West Virginia Mountaineers did not look good nor did they win. That however did not stop us from all going to pick out the PERFECT Christmas tree for this coming Holiday. A Frazier Fir; Dark green needles; 1/2 to 1 inch long; good needle retention; nice scent. Named for a botanist, John Fraser, who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700's. And a Douglas fir; Good fragrance; holds blue to dark green, 1 to 1-1/2 inch needles well; needles have a sweet scent when crushed. Named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800's; can live for a thousand years. We have for the last 29 years gotten a rooted tree then planted it on the farm. In all those years we have only lost 2 trees. This year there was a bush that was slowly dying and I wanted it pulled and replaced with a pine. We accomplished that yesterday. Today we shall plant that tree and ready the house for the forthcoming Christmas tree. A

Real

Conifer;

Stabilizes soil.

Emits fresh oxygen.

Protects water supplies.

Creates a scenic green belt.

Provides refuse for wildlife.

Absorbs carbon dioxide and other gases.

Protects soils, which may not support other crops.

Recycled real Christmas trees create mulch

for gardens and landscaping.

For every real Christmas tree harvested,

at least three seedlings are planted in its place.

One acre of trees produces oxygen for 18 people per year.

Real trees recycle back to the earth from where they started.

Real trees are good.

And I Quote “~~~~~~~~~~~”

Ah the display the early morning sky again gave was magnificent. The anticipation of temperatures in the 60’s as well as being outside and stringing the light. A brief break at HIGH noon: WVU plays SFU! On another note! Neat book to check out. The Yale Book of Quotations. It's full of wisdom from pundits through the ages. Matt Groening, "Life in Hell"US cartoonist & satirist (1954 -) Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come.

L-Tryptophan and the Turkey

The sun sets on Thanksgiving Day Eve. The gorging begins soon. WVU plays South Florida Noon the 25th at Mountaineer Field. The rankings as of today. Lets Gooooooooooooooooo Mountaineers!

The Yolk might be on YOU!

It is not Easter; it is the sons seeing who wins the EGG BET. Looser willing to clean the mess up. But first one needs to determine who will be the clean up man. There is only one way to determine this. Rock, Paper, Scissors Out Come one cracked egg SLIGHTLY cracked, minimal mess!

Early

The early morning sky was amassed with lights from the heavens. The trees now almost depleted of leaves seemed to assist the suspension of the stars. Random patterns amidst the limbs like a grand avenue of Christmas lights inviting one to gaze. There was further enhancement was provided with Fantasy for the Piano by Frédéric Chopin via NPR. The calm before the home once again will swell with gales of laughter as our offspring assemble to celebrate Thanksgiving. Life just gets better and better.

Giblet, Wattle and other FOWL Stuff

There are a number of explanations for the origin of the name of Thanksgiving's favorite dinner guest. Some believe Christopher Columbus thought that the land he discovered was connected to India, and believed the bird he discovered (the turkey) was a type of peacock. He therefore called it 'tuka,' which is 'peacock' in Tamil, an Indian language. Though the turkey is actually a type of pheasant, one can't blame the explorer for trying. There are more chickens than people in the world. There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious."(Yes, admit it, you are going to say... a e i o u) Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

Hazel

A friend of mine shared this story with me. I am sharing it with you all because it is adorable and it made me smile. “I once raised two white rock chickens, they were pets, would come when I call them and if said "Hazel, want some noodles" she would come running, loved those leftover noodles. I always had a fresh egg that is until one of the hens decided to set on hers. Without a rooster it wouldn't work but my father came to her rescue. He had some baby bantams and gave me a few. I went out after dark, reached under the hen, took out an egg and put in a baby chic. I fooled mama hen. Ummm, I wonder what mama thought when the chicks didn't grow as big as her:)”

Harvard/Yale Football

YALE takes down Harvard for share of Ivy League title…34 -13 Ohio State beats Michigan Top-ranked Ohio State remained unbeaten Saturday with a 42-39 victory over No. 2 Michigan Whoo Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Root of Evil

For sure not The Tooth Fairey There I was ~ all of a sudden ~ forced back to being in High School. If that is not scary enough, the principal confronted me as I was walking down the steps. “ What do you have in your hand?” he demanded as he glowered over me. I stammered, which if you know me does not often happen, “it…it…is a piece of celery,” then I managed to add “stuffed with peanut butter.” I then managed to finish quietly chewing the celery. “You will report for Detention and right now,” he said with a sickening evil grin. As I trotted in utter amazement at the predicament I was finding myself in, I heard footsteps racing from behind me… in rapid succession like a round of gunfire. I wheeled around, securing the ADDITIONAL piece of celery in my closed palm. [I was regaining some of my composure at this point] I looked up at this monster. “No, you will NOT go to Detention, that is too good for you.” Totally dumfounded I was immobilized waiting for the other shoe to crash down. “I will make an example of you in front of the entire Assembly that we are having. You will sit in the row in front of me EXACTLY in the chair in front of me.” Fade to the Assembly ~ There I was walking to the afore mentioned seat. I see this insipid, tedious man sitting with his leg crossed so that the toe of his shoe would hit me directly in the back. [Harassment in MY Dreams GADS] Fade to reality ~~~~~~~~~ It was a dream, a veritable nightmare! As I lay in the bed, wondering why, as my dreams for the most part silly, Disneyesque, ummmmmmmm! I re think what I had for dinner at 8 pm, ummm spaghetti with meatballs, AH HA, I knew then it had to be the garlic. Feeling rather good about my diagnosis I ambled out of bed. It was a torturous headache, no, it was worse. It was a TOOTH! The excruciating pain went from the base of my skull to the right eye and down to the tooth. It was obvious I needed to call the dentist. But I could not; I had to wait for the Dryer Repairman to come. Why the Celery? hummmmmmmmmm ‘They’ had called last evening saying he, the repairperson would be here between 8 am and 5:30 pm. OH GADS! As luck would have it the dryer was fixed by 10 am. [I watched how the part was replaced so I will not have to wait three weeks the next time] I call the dentist and all is well. Sorta! Antibiotics and pain pills are where we start, then a closer look at the problem. Happy Friday

Rivalry! The Backyard Brawl

Let’s GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday's clash between No. 8 West Virginia (8-1, 3-1 Big East) and Pittsburgh (6-4, 2-3) at Heinz Field marks the fourth straight November night game in the rivalry, and it could be the third straight meeting in much less-than-ideal weather. Thursday November 16, at Pitt 7:30pm

Life is Simply Darned Good!

The urgency of the day lay heavily upon me this morning. I had this narrow window of opportunity to take care of the leaves that fell last weekend, before the rain comes again. For the first day in the last four there were streaks of sunlight hitting the trees and making water droplets shine like diamonds on the bushes. I gear up after watching a huge doe out in the yard under the Shell Bark Hickory. Then I feed George and when I got back to the kitchen sink out side the window and in the horse pasture were three more deer grazing. It only took 2 and ½ hours to complete the leaves. Now as I sit in the Nook I can look at what I did and feel good as I listen to the Capitol Steps. The Capitol Steps Sing Satires of Bush and Kerry. Then Sip another cup of coffee and continue cleaning the silver. Then off to work on the remaining things that Must be accomplished before the kids come in for TURKEY DAY! I am operating on the premise, after making calls! Apparently the remaining chair MIGHT be here before Thanksgiving! Apparently the Dryer will be fixed tomorrow. As for the Pond Guy he will have to wait until after the Holidays. I am tired of waiting to live my life around other people lack of respect for my time. Ummm does that sound harsh? Maybe I can get some ME time in here soon. Tom is in the freezer the menu is set for Thanksgiving dinner and all is right with the world.

Drizzle

Sounds from the outside! Good news is that all the Thanksgiving cards will be sent out today. Sunday the wood was finally delivered, HA now to stack it. Not so good news is that we STILL do not have the dryer fixed nor is the new chair here. Not sure about the Pond Guy. Then I am supposed to help make lap robes for the “VA Hospital” and will not be able to get to that until after Turkey Day. There are only 75 left to finish! Then there is just a few ART WORKS items to reconfigure. Will it ever get finished? The meal plannning is almost figured out. Good news is the polishing has begun and the remaining rooms are being Deep Cleaned. Ha when Sweetie came in and saw me doing this he exclaimed,” Hi Ho Silver” he is so quick. Three of my Christmas Project are finished just 8 more to go. Better news is Sweetie seems to be over his cold. Good thing cause this Friday is the Doo Wop Date and Dinner. The Platters were founded Los Angeles, California in 1953. The Coasters were formed in Los Angeles, California in 1955. The Drifters were originally formed in 1953.

Leaves

Leaves and Kewl Toons Friday was gorgeous; Saturday was all right in terms of the weather. WVU winning made it a brighter day for sure. It was in the beginning of the early evening when the heavier rains came down. The wind picked up and with the moisture laying heavily upon the leaves of the maple tree the leaves began to cover the newly raked yard. The lush green grass quickly was covered once again. It was stunning. My Sweetie and I commented about it and he shared with me this Comic Strip that sorta goes with this post. I am in a quandary as to whether on not re rake or not. I only rake a small part of the yard delivering the leaves into a nearby flowerbed. I have, in past years, take pleasure in seeing a coverlet of snow without the leaves nudging their ends through. Now I speculate if I will continue to do that. They, the leaves are so appealing. I do feel duty-bound to at least tidy the areas under and near the bird feeders. For the birds safety you see. Of course the geese take pleasure in the dropped birdseed as well as that Good Looking Buck we saw the other nightfall.

Newest picture

Of newest Grand nephew Thatcher

Game Day

…and the weather is dreary! Lets hope that the game will make us all SHINE. I am already dressed in my traditional WVU Sweat shirt and shortly the Mountaineer earrings will be in. Of course my toes were painted before the first game in the traditional blue and gold with the WVU logo on my big toe. Yesterday all was accomplished outside, which is always a good feeling. Last evening my Sweetie and I were talking as we sat in the Nook when we spied a 4-point buck. I swear it was at least that and it appeared there might be a tiny 5th point on one side. While sitting here this morning I gauged the distance to have been @ 20 feet. The deer was lapping up the residue from the bird feeders. In retrospect a comment had been made. My dear Sweetie said the deer never moved when I yelled up stairs to get our deer hunter down to observe. Then Sweetie noted that while I yelled the deer never moved, but as we both noted his [the deer] ears were listening as our son Bounded down the steps. Now the questions are; Do I yell a lot? When son Bounds down steps is it louder than my yelling? OR the deer is used to me yelling for someone, as his or her stereo/TV is so loud I am reduced to this? OR Sweetie is stirring the porta pot? Ummmmmmmmmmm!!! Snickering. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s Almost Friday once again

Today the temperatures are to soar into the 70’s. That means more work outside, which is always pleasurable especially when the weather is conducive. The goal has been set we shall see what gets achieved. Speaking of achievement and goals… The Election is over; Veterans Day is upon us as the Countdown to Thanksgiving begins in earnest. Determining the menu with “SAGE” advice from friends and family. The final menu has yet to be determined but that will happen soon. This family has always pitched in the preparation of the side dishes. Makes it phenomenally easier for the Head cook. In our family the traditional Head Cook is the most ‘mature’ in terms of the order of ages as the family goes. My Sister-in-law lays a mean table that is amazing. We have always attempted to have the favorite side dishes of our children hers and ours. Then of course some new different things to tantalize the palate. I feel this year will be no different. Except no one raised their own turkeys, Alas and Alack for some members of the Clan. NOTE I said SOME! So Happy almost Friday!!! Remember Saturday, November 11 WVU v Cincinnati [Mountaineer Week] NOON Let’s Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Mountaineers!!!!!!!!!!!

Peek a Boo

Big Daddy Won!

Some call Byrd a "walking encyclopedia" Sen. Robert C. Byrd has steered more than $2.2 billion in federal money to West Virginia in the last decade. A Robert C. Byrd quote… “Do not run a campaign that would embarrass your mother.”

Election Day

Make the Mad Dash to your Voting Place. Be Counted. VOTE! I got to vote electronically this morning. It was neat. I was 126th to vote in my Precinct of @ 350 registered voters.

What a BEAMING weekend

I came down this Sunday morning and went through my usual drill. It was when I sat down finally with the first cup of coffee I saw it. Several years ago when our kids were just starting on their college / military adventures my Sweetie would write letters. I have always enjoyed reading what he writes, nice to see another’s perspective on life. This morning FINALLY he begins to write once again. I BEAMED! There was more beaming to come. We finally got all of the wood split, area cleaned and raked. Then we were off to friend’s sons Eagle Scout Ceremony, more memories. Our eldest son achieved this momentous honor. I sat there with a tear of happiness for Linda and Tom as they Beamed at their son. Then the pinning of the Eagle Scout pin and more tears fell. It was the joy of my father in law to not only pin our son but also present him with the Eagle Scout Pin he had earned as a youth. The memories are good; we miss him, the Grandfather of our children, my Sweeties father and my Father-in-law. The drive home was made easier as the sky was brilliantly festooned with fluffy clouds and convivial sunlight.

The Willow

The Dudes and Ducks

Finishing the Photo Walk

LAUNDRY

Do you know there is a PROPER way to hang your clothes? Well there is~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After I wrote my venting thing on the dryer, memories flooded back of when I was a kid. MOM, the Clothes line, the stretchers for my brothers jeans, the stretchers for the sheers [aka curtains] The neighbors OH yes I was born in a CITY. Memories of Mom saying the UNMENTIONABLES were to be hung with in the INNER perimeters of the Clothesline. Geesh Charlie and Elsie, our elderly neighbors would be horrified. NO one would want a neighbor to see ones UNMENTIONALBES. Within THAT was the proper preparation of the clothesline. One needed a Wet cloth doused in a wash of Clorox and soap to get the mold and Mildew off the line, some lines were in the EARLY day cloth later plastic covered, Then the proper treatment of the clothes pins. On the OUTER lines ONE placed the sheets and towels IN the INNER lines the UN Mentionables THEN the arduous task to IRON the UN MENTIONABLES Well we were lucky I guess cause we had a mangle This really odd werid thing that ironed the FLAT items I would help with my fathers T-shirts and that was IT I dug my heels in on his undies OOPS Un mentionables Then later when we Finally got a DRYER. Praise the Lord and Pass the ammunition! The MANGLE was then used to dry his photos that he did with our dark room. The room off their kitchen that SHOULD have been a down stairs Powder room was a DARK room here I gained my love of photography. HA we were also the last in our City Block to get TV. Know what? Life is good!

Dirty Laundry

Plus close to an Election HA HA What Timing? My Lament Dryer dies on Oct 20th I call Store X on October 23 They can ONLY come out on what is called a LOCAL CALL one day a week to our area. They come Oct 27 Part ordered on Oct 27 Repairman rescheduled to return on November 2. Part had not come I call the Main office I was told to “go ahead and keep the Thursday, November 2 appointment.” I asked “Why”, the part is Not here.” “Well it might come early,” was the response. The PART Came in Nov 3, I call Repair cannot be scheduled until Nov 16 Ummmmmmmmmmm just a week shy of a month of NOT having a dryer that works. Good thing we live on a creek and there are stones to aide in washing clothing etc. Refer to this if you are lost. So I am thinking, clothesline, there are advantages to line drying besides just saving energy. If you are fortunate enough to have an outdoor clothesline which of course we do NOT have, you already know that clothes dried outdoors smell fresher, and they carry less residual odor from detergents and bleach. And you can often do without bleach when line drying since the sun will tend to lighten most fabrics. Sunlight has a natural sanitizing effect, too. Line-dried clothes tend to be a little stiffer than clothes that come out of the dryer. If you'd like some articles such as your towels to be softer, send them through the dryer after you take them off the line. Just five minutes on the air-only cycle will do the job. Heyya the way I look at it climbing up and down stairs with wet laundry IS Exercise~~~~~in futility! Ever consider low flying birds? You should see my Sweeties Boxers he walks a lot straighter! I called my Sweeties office to tell him that the part was in BUT I Had to go through THAT automated Garbage System Soooooooooooooooo~~~~~~I hung up and wrote this instead. OK I am Gonna Wash that Thought right outta my MIND! I feel better NOW!

Back to the walk

f Sweet Violets and Happy almost Friday

Half Time

Louisville leads West Virginia 16-14. Excellent Blog~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lets Gooooooooooooooooooo Mounties

Lets Gooooooooooooooooooo Mounties

Louisville and WVU tonight!

Eye Pod Cast

Does a Single POD become a Pod Cast? No but a shadow from a single pod is ~~~ The walk continues tomorrow