Feb 27, 2013 RJ & the Wolves



No snow in the grove.


Monday.  Even though the dogs got me up at 5:45 this morning, I stayed up and didn't even need a nap.  Was very energized.  I got up at 7:30 every morning on my trip and will continue to do that instead of sleeping in til 8:00 or 8:30.  Seems as though the longer I sleep, the more sleepy I am.  Maybe Ben Franklin was right, early to bed, early to rise and all that.  Even at 5:45 I could already see a bit of the dawn approaching.  Welcome the Light!

I realized that I had forgotten to record RJ's experience with the wolves on his last trip Up Here in early December.  Upon hearing that we had a wolf pack in the area, he decided to mark his territory in their manner - peeing on trees.  According to what RJ heard, the higher up the tree a wolf can pee obviously the larger and stronger he is.  Well, the wolves must have thought RJ was one BIG wolf and honored him as such.  While he was packing to leave, between one trip from the cabin to the car, which he says couldn't have been more than seven or eight minutes, he came out to find a whole deer leg near the car.  An offering?  A gift?  He left it there and when he came back this time no animal had touched it. . .  And now that there is snow on the ground, he could see their tracks nearby but not close to the cabin.

And, speaking of wolf tracks, Larry saw some on our road when he and Elsie came to visit Saturday evening.  They hadn't been there when he visited JB on Wednesday.

Personally, I think we should mark our own territory like RJ did.  We could pee in a bucket and pour it into a bottle, then choose a large perimeter around our house on which to mark the trees.  I know Jesse leaves his mark, but lets face it, he can only mark about 6" high.  If we pour pee with a bottle, the wolves will think that Big Foot lives here and stay way the hell away!

Anyway, today we had peanut butter toast for breakfast made with the French bread that JB had baked on Sunday.  Toasts up so nicely in the oven.

Still reading the great issue of "BackWoods Home"  and "Back Home" magazines we just received.  Good recipes and interesting articles.

I had lunch with my friend, Gayle, while on the other side of the mountains.  We got to talking about the mental infirmaties of old age and she says that she has put notes to herself on the inside of her kitchen cupboards.  There she can check lists of normal memory lapses versus dementia lapses versus alzheimer's symptoms.  She also has a note that says, "If you forget who Gayle is call Jo (her sister) who is speed dial #4 on your telephone."  In comparing our senior moments, it seems we both have very similar experiences.  At least we are still on the "normal memory lapse" list.

As I write this I am noticing that the early morning breeze has turned into a howling wind, blowing the fresh snow all about.  JB says that gusts up to 55 mph are predicted.  So much for working on MAX.  He and the dogs just went on half of their normal morning walk because the wind was so strong, plus he noticed that the west end of the wood shed roof was flapping and starting to come loose.  He got a ladder and put in some more screws.

We were supposed to get snow but it stayed west and north of us.  The wind died down to a breeze about dinner time, and we had a Full Snow Moon.  Beautiful

Tuesday.  Lite overcast and 20 when I arose at 7:30.  Called Sandy for a nice, long, catch-up chat.

After lunch we opened up MAX.  JB cleaned the spark plug and together we changed the fuel filter.  Feeling very pleased with ourselves, we put MAX all back together and. . . the engine ran even rougher than ever.  JB could barely get MAX to move!  Neither of us are very mechanically inclined beyond the basics when it comes to engines.  A talent I guess we really need living Up Here.  We've just been very lucky so far.  At least it was 30 and partly sunny with no breeze while we were working outside.

Plan B, once again, is to get the chains on JB's Jeep on Wednesday and see if we can drive it out to the main canyon road.  We know we can get down to my Jeep from there, as neighbors are driving it in their vehicles.

After the failed MAX attempt, I cleaned up most of the branches that were littering the grove, blown down from all the winter winds.  Then Dinga and I went for a hike up to the peak.  Jesse was up the east slope barking, at coyotes I guess.  JB went in to start dinner which was pork roast.  He rubbed it with cinnamon, brown sugar and chili powder.  Yummmm!

Completely forgot to record that when Larry and Elsie were Up Here Saturday, Elsie was telling me that they are finally getting eggs again.  She had found some broken egg shells a few weeks ago and remembererd hearing about egg-eating chickens.  If you have one that gets a taste for them, it's very hard to break them of the habit.  She figured out which one it was and put it outside the pen for a week.  That was one unhappy chicken, but they started getting a few eggs again, and now the particular chicken seems  to be broken of the habit, not wanting to be kicked out again.

Wednesday.  We have mostly clear skies and 20 this morning.  Hopefully it will stay this way and we can get the chains on JB's Jeep.

Thought for the day:  In Seattle you haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running.  Jeff Bezos

Feb 25, 2013 Wet Snow, Warm Sun



RJ, Mike and Brian leaving Rose Camp
on Saturday



Can you see the alligator
on the rock?


















Friday.  It snowed all day til around 4:00pm but we only received about 1/2".  Very wet snow that did not even stick on the bare spots.  The wind started up around noon and kept on blowing all the moonlit night.  Probably sustained at 30 mph with gusts to 40.  Just stayed inside and got resettled.  Actually did find places for the the great dollar store finds.

Saturday began clear and 20, warming to 31.  Vacuumed.  Got a call from RJ that they did make it up Friday afternoon.  Took it slow through the blizzard on the pass and arrived about 4:00 pm.  He, Mike and Brian all snowshoed up the long, steep way through Erno's property and up to the peak to see us.  Luckily we had lots of cookies that I had baked left over.  Had a great visit.  Am sure Mike has grown another foot!

We both took a nap after they left.  Then shortly after dinner, Larry and Elsie came up to visit.  Was good to see them and give them goodies from Aunt Nene.  I brought some "Port Orchard Bear Poop" back for them (chocolate covered peanuts).  They had read Friday's blog about MAX, so good 'ol Larry brought up a fuel filter in hopes of fixing the problem.  JB has designated Monday as our "work on MAX and only MAX" day.  Hopefully the new filter and cleaning the spark plugs will do the trick.

Watched the first and second episodes of "Game of Thrones" first season after they left.  It's a great series, but at this point I almost prefer the books as the TV program is so dark.  Didn't seem quite that bad while reading.

Sunday was overcast and only 23 until late afternoon when the clouds broke up a bit and let the sun through.  JB made German pancakes for breakfast, I think trying to compete with Nene taking me out to breakfast so much.

And, speaking of Nene, she really stressed the importance of having several legal forms prepared and signed: living will, community property statement, and power of attorney.  She and Uncle Jack have had them for years and she will have no issues with the state or anyone else.  Even though Washington is a community property state, you need this form to bypass any state interference.  So today I downloaded the community property document and living will.  JB is going Down There on Friday and will pick up the power of attorney forms.  We will go down together soon and get them all notarized.

Went for a hike with the dogs over the south ridge.  Just sat on a rock watching the canyon, the boulders, the mountains.  Listening.  The dogs waiting patiently for me.  It was good to be gone and now be back.  Makes me even more appreciative of where we live.  The west side of the mountains is almost too green.  And chilly.  Even the 23 degrees was easily dressed against Up Here, while on the west side the dampness just seeps in regardless of what one is wearing.  But it is definitely approaching Spring on the over there.  Nene's tulip tree (magnolia) had buds on it.  I saw lots of birds, but no robins yet.  Even with the snow melting as early as it is Up Here, I imagine we will still have some through March.

Monday.  We awoke to a fresh layer of snow.  A surprise gift.  The dogs got me up at 5:45 to go out.  It was mostly clear, 23 and breezy.  Jesse stayed out for an hour and a half, which is why I am blogging so early.  I can see fog beginning to creep up the canyons from the river valley.

Thank you to "Anonymous" for your comments.  Always glad to hear from a reader. 

Thought for the day:  I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anyone could ever want to own.  Andy Warhol 

Feb 22, 2013 Back Home Again



MAX & trailer on the way back
to Rose Camp


Home again.  As much as I always look forward to returning to Rose Camp when I am away, it was with some reluctance that I left Aunt Nene's on Wednesday.  It had been a sad visit, but a very good visit.  Some tears, but lots of laughs about good memories, and many hours of playing Skipbo.  The memorial service was perfect, closing with Uncle Jack's Granddaughter singing with her angelic voice.  It was hard also to leave our nephew's home Thursday morning as it as been more than two years since I have seen them.  Their son is five now and so grown up!

Visibility over Snoqualamie Pass was almost nil in blizzard-like conditions.  I just got behind a truck and made it over easily.  Was only about ten miles of snow and, of course, the sun came out on the east side of the mountains.  JB met me at Larry's and Elsie's with an ailing MAX pulling our small trailer.  Good thing he did bring the trailer or half my things would still be in the Jeep!  But instead of the normal 45 minutes, it took us two hours to get up to Rose Camp.  There is an obvious problem with the fuel pump that we will have to work on.

A fine, light snow is falling and one to two feet of snow is being dumped on the mountains.  RJ was going to try to come up this weekend, but I doubt he will make it.  Meanwhile I have to find places for all the goodies I bought at the dollar store with Nene. . .

Thought for the day:  Home is where the heart is.

Feb 13, 2013 Larry to the Rescue. . . Again



Wildflower from last summer on our
southern slope





Pine tree that grew out & then up
on our southern slope

 Monday began with a slight overcast and 20, and managed to get up to 35.  JB left at 9:30 a.m. for Down There.  I started the laundry and dishes, then JB was back at 10:15 am.  He was having a problem with what he thought was MAX's fuel line.  But he really did have to go to town, so Plan B: he tried his Jeep only to get stuck down in the hair pin.  I hiked down with an extra shovel to help him out, but to no avail.  Plan C: called Larry to ask if he could drive JB back up after he got back from town and, of course, he said he could.  So JB walked down to our car (took him two hours) and went to town, then Larry drove him back up.  After which Larry was going to the Westies' cabin to help them burn a pile of brush which they cut during the forest fires last September.  Meanwhile I finished my chores and baked the cookies I had promised JB.  What a day. . . Larry and Elsie are the only couple we have ever met who get such a kick out of helping other people!

Tuesday was overcast and 26, but the sun came out early afternoon  The temperature got up to 36, but we had a very cold breeze that turned into a wind after sunset and howled most of the night.  Not laundry day but I did a load anyway so JB won't have to worry about it while I'm gone.  Water was gushing into the cistern so we ran the pump for almost an hour.

We tilted the solar panels half way up (a week late).  Tilting them down is no problem, but they seem to get heavier every year when we have to lift them up.

I helped JB open up MAX so he could work on it.  Looks like the problem may be in the belt that needs replacing.  JB wasn't able to loosen the screw to do that, but will try again today.  If we can't get it fixed today, Larry offered to come pick me up Thursday morning before he goes to work and take me down to our car so I can leave for Port Orchard.

I blame this whole mess on the doctor's appointment I made right after Christmas for February 20.  Whenever you plan something, it seems to act like a magnet to other and varied events.  JB got called for jury duty (this week and next).  I am going to spend a week with my Aunt Nene (a good thing for a sad reason).  MAX acts up.  The Jeep is stuck.  With our new health insurance, JB has to see his regular doctor for a referral before he can make an appointment with his heart doctor that he has been seeing for four years, which is on the 21st.  And so it goes. . . 

JB is going to bake scones today and work on MAX again.  I am going to finish packing.  Since I won't have internet access while I am gone, my next blog posting will be on Friday, February 22.

Thought for the day:  Everything is funny as long as it is happening to someone else.  Will Rogers.

Feb 11, 2013 Busy, Busy Weekend



Snowing in the mountains



Friday.  Another clear morning and a brisk 18.  I really dislike having to use the generator on such sunny days, but there is wash to do.  Will be so glad when we can get this electrical situation resolved this summer.

For the first time in weeks, I couldn't sleep Thursday night.  Not for the lack of exercise certainly, but my mind just wouldn't stop and relax.  So I got up and, just when I thought I had polished Uncle Jack's eulogy, I reworked it, again.  Am very satisfied with it now. 

JB bought a bag of almond flour last Tuesday and it was almost $11.00!  We may have to rethink the almond flour pie crusts. . .

Sometimes I look back to the person I was before we moved Up Here, and I am amazed at how up tight I used to be.  Now I can completely understand the frustration of life Down There, being constantly bombarded with electronic detritus.  Humans don't need sedatives and other such medications, they just need Mother Nature.  There is a reason for the title "Mother."  She enfolds and nurtures us.  She opens the majesty of life to us.  She challenges and supports us, but keeps us on our toes, like the angels whose job it is to be sure we do not get too warm, too glad or too comfortable and miss out on life.

The dogs and I went on a hike down the south slope of our south ridge.  This is the perfect time to do it, while there is no snow and the snakes are still asleep.  During the Summer and early Fall, this is their domain.  In fact, last summer, Jesse wouldn't even go on the other side of the fence which runs along the top of the ridge.  But our hike was a great adventure, as I had never been down there very far.  The smell of warm earth was a pleasant surprise in mid winter.  And there were small bunches of new grass, along with tiny wild flower buds.  I definitely plan to do this again several times before Spring.

Saturday dawned clear and 20.  Temperatures have been getting back to normal.  High was 34 and it was still breezy, as it has been all week.

Since I had been promising to make the cinnamon roll recipe on the back of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust mix for the past few months, I finally did.  Oh, my!  They are soooo good.  That'll teach me for putting it off.

We are going to be doing a lot of baking the next few days.  Larry and Elsie invited us to a "fish fry" Sunday evening.  Larry has gone ice fishing the past two Mondays and brought home about 50 perch.  The Westies have come over to their cabin and will be there too.  JB is going to bake a peach cobbler and a blueberry cobbler to take with us.

I promised to bake cookies before I leave on my trip if JB would bake scones for me to take.  I'll bake the cookies on Monday and he will bake the scones on Tuesday.

I am sure that I must have, literally, thousands of pictures of the mountains in all sorts of weather, and yet whenever I am out, I usually take more.  I just cannot help myself.

Despite the fact that we would see them on Sunday, Larry and Elsie drove up for a visit Saturday night.  It's been a while since they were here and the dogs were thrilled to see them.  (We were, too.)

Sunday was clear and 24 with a high of 40.  So much for back to normal temps.  Sure would like some more precipitation.  I'd even take rain at this point, and deal with mud early on, rather than parched earth in the summer.  Certainly don't want a rerun of last September.

It was with a touch of meloncholy that I finished book #28 and the last of The Cat Who series.  Will wait til I am back from my trip to see Aunt Nene before I start another.

We brought in wood and went for our afternoon walk a half hour early so we could let the dogs out after they ate and get to Larry and Elsie's on time.  Didn't even wear a hat or gloves on our walk.

Elsie prepared a delicious meal and we all had a great time, even if JB did imbibe a little too much. . .

Thought for the day:  Giving people a hand up, not a hand out, is a way forward.  Hugh Jackman (who founded Laughing Man Coffee & Tea, which works with individual farmers worldwide to support them and their co-op communities) - From the January issue of "Guideposts" magazine

Feb 8, 2013 Walks & Windows



Our Wood Spirit, carved by Nature




Dogs "helping" JB with the chains


















Newspapers, dishes, laundry and vacuum-packing the meat JB purchased on Tuesday kept me busy most of Wednesday.  Also read more of book #27.

JB took the chains off of the two tires on his Jeep and will exchange both sets for ones with larger links when he goes Down There on Monday.  He's up for jury duty again, and even if he doesn't have to go in, he'll go down for a few errands.  Also to mail all the valentines.  Now I'll have to start making Easter cards. . .

Was overcast all day and the temperature just barely made it up to freezing.

JB was finally able to download the Anhauser-Busch Superbowl ad.  Ahhh. . .  The only thing I miss about the Superbowl.

Some very interesting information in our magazines this time around.  "Time" has an article in the February 11 issue about web-comics that actually makes me want to check out some of them.  It takes alot to make me want to spend more time on the computer.

Thursday morning was sunny, but a crisp 22.  Now, on such a day, the sun is on the panels by 7:45 a.m.  It's getting hard to remember the dark mornings and eves of December and early January, when breakfast and dinner were eaten when it was dark outside.

Have started packing for my trip next Thursday.  Thankfully, MAX can carry up to 1000 lbs. . .

Received one of my favorite catalogs in this mail, "What On Earth".  So many hilarious t-shirts and other items.  Lots of ideas for magnets, and gifts for our son.  He can buy what he wants, so give him what makes him laugh.

Also on Tuesday, JB discovered gluten-free bread at Costco.  It's about $1.50 cheaper than elsewhere.  Very good, despite all the sunflower seeds.

Winter sunshine is very welcome, however it does tend to accentuate the dirt on my windows.  There's no way I can clean the outside of them in these temperatures, but the insides are another matter.  I can't wash them while the sun is shining on them, but when it isn't my subconscious kicks in and I "forget" how dirty they are, and don't.  And I have absolutely no idea how some of those smudges get where they are.  The dogs can't jump that high, and they sure don't look like human hand smudges.  The only windows I really have to clean are the glass front doors where the dogs' noses dirty them on a daily basis.

And then there is clutter.  Our dining room table is always cluttered with unread magazines or those from which I want to copy articles or recipes; books I am reading; my current sudoku book; etc.  Using the suggestion of a friend to employ a napkin holder for such items certainly helped, but it just made more room for more clutter.  So instead of fighting it and letting it upset me, I am simply learning to live with it.

I finally have my Uncle Jack's eulogy about finished.  Every time I look at it, I change a word here and there.  I read it outloud to JB for practice, and I guess it sounds as good as it ever will.

After lunch the dogs and I went on a walk down the road to the wood spirit which is a little over 2/3 mile round trip.  Our road is covered with tracks, proving it is a veritable highway for deer, dogs, coyotes, and rabbits.  Our son called as I was on my way back up.  It was 27 at Rose Camp and 77 in Alabama.  He had a hard time believing that I had had to take off my gloves and unzip my jacket.  But then I have a hard time understanding how he can wear long-sleeve shirts in his weather.

JB didn't go on our daily afternoon walk as he had just taken the foccacia bread out of the oven and was in the middle of starting the smoked gouda and potato soup for dinner.  Yummm!  The clouds had moved in by then and our high for the day was the same as Wednesday - 32.

Thank you to "the Goodwife" for your comments.  I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Thought for the day:  To the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself.  William Blake

Feb 6, 2013 Very Warm for Winter



Dogs on the peak, looking east


Monday was partly cloudy with a high of 38.  With these warmer temperatures, Dinga is shedding enough fur to weave a blanket every other day!  It's as if she thinks Spring is just around the corner.  According to NOAA, we have a 50% chance of snow on Thursday.  At this point, I think I'll believe the dog.  I just wish I could grow as much hair and as fast as Dinga grows fur, but just on the top of my head.  Not all the other unwanted placed it seems to be cropping up as I grow older.

Mid morning the dogs went nuts barking and Jesse was gone for about an hour, way up the east slope and through the fence.  He doesn't bark at deer, so it must have been coyotes.

We spent almost two hours looking for the smoked gouda and potato soup recipe.  Even went through the bag of paper to be recycled, piece by piece.  We made the soup several months ago and loved it.  Then lost the recipe.  Found the recipe a few weeks ago and I glued it to a 3X5 card, then I thought I put it in my cookbook under "soups."  Obviously not, because now we can't find it again.  I probably put it in one of my famous - or rather infamous - special places where it will be safe and I'll know just where it is.  My Mother used to do that and it drove me (and her) nuts.  Can one actually inherit a propensity of something like that?!!  Heredity or environment?

JB drove MAX up to the south ridge and was finally able to make it all the way up to the peak.  Drove that several times to groom and tamp down the snow.  I finished book #25 of The Cat Who . . . series and started #26.  Also spent some time on the computer trying to catch up with my e-mail.

Tuesday was mostly overcast and 26 when JB left at 8:30 for Down There.  The cloud cover cleared to blue sky by mid morning, so I had a lovely day while JB spent most of his in valley fog.  Our high was 34.

The dogs and I went for a walk after lunch, instead of their morning "sojourn", as JB always refers to it.  We hiked up to the peak which is much easier now that MAX has smoothed it out.  Don't have to be concerned about sinking into the snow at the edge of a narrow path.  Then we headed over to my bench on the north ridge.  There was a bit of a wind but it was surprising how mild it was on the south ridge where most of the snow is gone from the slope.  Much colder on the north ridge where the canyon is still covered with snow.

Finished The Cat Who . . . book #26 and started #27.  Made some more cards and dusted a couple of shelved I had missed.

Found the missing recipe stuck to the bottom of a magazine just before JB returned home. . .  Put all the groceries away.  Sorted the mail which was mainly catalogs and junk mail.  There were a few letters and magazines, and the three newspapers that JB bought.  Will dive into them today.

JB had bought ice cream and I had some for the first time in more than six months.  Good, but not as good as it tastes in my memory.  Funny how that happens. . .

Thought for the day:  Few things are more irritating that when someone who is wrong is also very effective at making his point.  Mark Twain

Feb 4, 2013 Happy 38th, Son!



Dinga digging for a critter she hears
under the snow.



Finally, a deer on the game cam!

 


Friday was sunny with a high of 38.  Looks like all the predicted snow and low temps stayed in the mountains, never getting this far east.  With the very little snow we received in January, we could really use some more.

Two golden eagles soared low over the north ridge on our afternoon walk a few days ago.  So beautiful, and regal  On JB's morning walk Friday, Jesse spooked some coyotes who were down the south slope of our south ridge.  He was barking and they started howling.  Dinga played velcro dog with JB as they both stood on a stump, but he couldn't see the coyotes, and Jesse came when called.  He heard them again on Sunday morning, but they were much further east.  I know that family and friends are concerned about the coyotes being in our area, but I would much rather face a pack of them than rush hour traffic on the freeway.

Saturday was sunny and breezy with a high of 40.  The snow is melting in the grove and and ground is beginning to appear.  The south slope down from our south ridge has lost more than half of its cover of white, and that made it easy to hike down looking for our boundary marker.  No luck though.  Will have to ask our neighbor as he says he knows where it is.  The snow may be almost gone from the slope, but up on the ridge if we get off the path, we sink down almost to our knees!

After that hike we cut four openings between fence posts in the barbed wire fence that stretches across the ridge.  JB dragged all the wire down to an old trailer in which we will store it until we can take it down to the garbage dump.

No water from the well so we will try again today. . .

I made a big pot of chicken stew and used the last of the onions and potatoes from our garden.  I had been storing them in a paper bag in our nice cool bedroom to see how long they would last.  They were still in great shape, but I decided to use them anyway.

Since the coyotes have been so active lately and closer than usual, we decided to take the dogs on on leashes for their last trip outside for the night.  And since we had to get all bundled up anyway, we hiked up to the south ridge.  It was a clear night and the stars were . . . almost overwhelming.

Sunday was overcast with a high of only 32.  A dreary, lazy day.  I read a book.  Took a long nap.  JB was a bit more active and took the dogs on an extra hike after lunch, then we all hiked down to the game cam for our afternoon walk to put the card back in.  JB's Sunday morning walk is to go down and get the card.  This week we finally captured a deer on the camera, and also JB and me going down and back up in MAX.

The snow is now too soft on the paths for the firewood sled to slide down by itself, so I have to pull it all the way.  It may not slide by itself, but then neither will it run away by itself.

Since I'll be on the other side of the mountains for the first time in almost two years, I am going to take a day on the way back to visit some family and a friend.  Guess I better start making plans with them.  Some people actually have busy schedules, unlike those of use Up Here. . .

Thought for the day:  If country life be healthy to the body, it is no less so to the mind.  Ruffini

Feb 1, 2013 Another MAX ride



Dinga rolling in the snow to cool off
during our ride


Wednesday, clear with a high of 40.  Larry and Elsie had 52 degrees on their way home from work.  Must be prepping for a mild February.

JB baked french bread to have with the pasta I was planning to make for dinner.  I made more greeting cards.  Walked up to the peak on the south ridge with the dogs.  Wore my light coat and pants, but had to take off my hat and gloves, and unzip my coat.  Must have been at least 45 in the sun.

Some days the well pump is only bringing up water for 10  to 15 minutes.  Must be a large volume though, as the level in the cistern is usually just below the float, which would be about 80% full.

Thursday began as 30 and got up to 38.  A cloudy morning and sunny afternoon.  January ends so much brighter than it begins, and thank goodness for that.  We only received 7-1/8" of snow in January, compared to almost three feet in December.  Our lowest daily high was 7 and our highest was 40.

Jesse must have caught a squirrel shortly after breakfast as we saw him walking up to the south ridge with a tail hanging out of his mouth.  Dinga soon followed and they were both gone for quite a while.  No sign of his catch though on our walks up there.

After lunch we went for a nice leisurely ride in MAX down to the main canyon road and up it a bit.  Slow enough for the dogs to explore without rushing.  This time Jesse did not want to ride on the way back.  He went on some detours and didn't get home until about 15 minutes after we did.

With the warmer temperatures and higher angle of the sun, our slickery pathways are finally melting, which is nice, but we have to stay right in the middle of the unshoveled ones or sink down several inches. 

I read The Cat Who. . . book number 22 on Wednesday and Thursday.  Will start number 23 today.  They are such light, fun reads.  And speaking of books, I am missing a box of them.  A box of my books, which is really irritating.  Some things are not a problem, but books are quite another thing.

Our son's Mardi Gras' organization has their parade and ball this weekend in Mobile.  I love Mardi Gras!  There's just no other celebration quite like it, at least that I have experienced, even Chinese New Year in San Francisco.

I've had to set aside Uncle Jack's eulogy for a few days.  I was getting so frustrated.  How do you talk about someone's life and character in minutes, not hours?! To have to choose from my many and various memories, and to choose just the right words.  A daunting task.

The moon is waning and rising much later now, but the stars are much easier to see without it.  You simply cannot see them from Down There like you can from Up Here.  Nor can you listen like you can Up Here.  To your thoughts.  To the Universe.

Thought for the day:  All night, all day, Angels watching over me, my Lord.  All night, all day, Angels watching over me.  Chorus from an old, favorite song.