October 30, 2015 Scammed!

(No photo today as I am using JB's computer.)

Wednesday 10/28. Because of cloudy days and watching a movie at night, our power was too low this morning to keep on after I posted on my blog.  But I did a load of laundry, for which I have to use the generator and that helped recharge the batteries.

JB left for Down There at 11:00 am, after taking the dogs on their morning walk.  It had just begun to sprinkle and continued off and on all day.

I soon realized that today was one of those days that I should have stayed in bed and/or just read a book, and not touched anything electronic.  What my son later pointed out to me was a scam popped up on my computer screen and locked it.  A box appeared that said Windows had locked my computer because of a virus and it gave me a number to call for tech help.  Being the computer-illiterate person that I am, I called the number.  A few hours later they had fixed my computer, given me some protection software and charged me $180.  When my son called a little later and I told him about this, he went ballistic.  Seems I had been scammed, as Microsoft would never lock my computer and give me a specific number to call.  I called PayPal, who opened a claim for me to get me money back.  

Not a good day.  And now I have to save all my photos and documents off my computer onto DVD's and discs so we can "slick" my computer.  I also have to change all my passwords.

JB arrived home just at the end of all this, about 4:45 pm.  At least he had had a good day.  A drink and a movie helped me to relax.

Thursday 10/29. It was 40 and partly cloudy this morning.  The sky entertained the clouds all day, and a very chilly breeze sprang up.  Our high was 54.

As indicated above, I spent my day saving photos onto DVD's and documents onto CD's.  I feel like I completely lost two days. . .

JB put the wheels back on the tractor and wheel barrow.  Les Schwab had fixed them both for free because they said JB had to wait too long!

My brother and his son are coming up to celebrate his birthday this weekend, so that will be fun.  Just hope the forecast rain and wind aren't too nasty.

Hopefully I will be able to use my own computer to blog Monday morning.

Friday 10/30. It is 40 and overcast this morning.  Rain fell during the night and it still is off and on.

Thought for the day: Sometimes you're the windshield and sometimes you're the bug.

October 28, 2015 Deer & Halloween Costumes

Mushrooms that popped up in our
yard last Friday.

Two of the deer we saw Monday morning.

Monday 10/26. The dogs were eating breakfast when Dinga very loudly alerted us to three deer ambling across the south slope.  We didn't let the dogs out until the deer had crossed onto the east slope and up to the fence, nibbling on the grass as they went.  An hour or so later, a few more walked up our driveway a ways before going up the east slope.  It is deer season and I really believe they know where the safe places are.  As of last night, Larry and his group hadn't seen any deer where they were hunting.

The valley fog quickly grew in the sunshine, arriving up at Rose Camp by 9:00 am.  But it was only here for a few minutes before it retreated back down into the canyons where it belongs.

Mmmmm!  Leftover frittata for breakfast!  JB had made it for dinner last night using a little crumbled sausage, that was left over from making pizza Friday evening, bacon, yellow and red sweet peppers, cheese, onions and tomatoes fresh off the vine all mixed in to several eggs.

After laundry and lunch, I turned the soil in one of the raised beds, which was much more of a physical endeavor than I had anticipated.  Then JB and I removed the mower from the tractor.  Easier than putting it on, but neither is one of my favorite jobs.  We always seem to smash a finger or two while at it.  And, of course, we have to get down on the ground to do all of this and Dinga is quite certain that the only reason we would get down on the ground is to play with her, so it is always a challenge.

Talked to our son this afternoon, as we often do, and he was telling us about our Grandchildren's Halloween costumes.  Our Grandson (11 years old) is going to be a zombie storm trooper (?!).  Our Granddaughter (8 years old) found a 1960's diner waitress costume, which sounded really cool to us, but then decided she wanted to be a princess.  She just hasn't decided if it will be a zombie or vampire princess. . .

I made ground turkey soup for dinner.  My Mom used to make it a lot with hamburger, peas, corn, carrots and broken spaghetti noodles.  I use freeze dried potato dices instead of the pasta.  Lots of garlic, onion, pepper and bullion make it so delicious.  Also baked a banana/chocolate chip coffee cake for desert.

By the end of the day, I knew I was going to sleep well tonight. . .

The sky remained mostly cloudy all day, with a cool breeze and our high for the day was 56.

Tuesday 10/27. It was 36 and clear this morning with a fog bank to the west, and in my head.  I have had very realistic dreams the last few nights, ones that take a while to shake out of.  Can't even get going on Sudoku.

I hung out another load of laundry, and then helped JB take one of the small, front tires off the tractor.  He has to go Down There tomorrow, and one of his errands will be to have the tire filled something that keeps it from going flat.  He also took off one of the wheel barrow tires for the same reason.  Then he fixed our tire pump and added some air to Miss Kitty's tires, which were getting a little low.

I worked on my computer, downloading all the old family photos and documents I had scanned in during the hot weather onto a DVD.

Last Friday I discovered some mushrooms that had popped up in our yard.  JB thought they were morels, but Elsie said they weren't.  Didn't know whether to eat them or smoke them, so we did neither.

A few thin clouds appeared during the day and the mountains were hidden most of the time, although we did get glimpses of snow on them.  Our high for the day was 50.

I stepped out on the porch a little before 7:00 pm and heard a pack of coyotes yipping.  They were off to the east and it sounded like they were moving towards the south.  It has been a long time since we have heard them Up Here.

Wednesday 10/28. It is 40 and overcast this morning, with more wet weather on the way.  Looks like Randy may be getting snow this weekend.

Thought for the day: You are never too old to set another goal or dream another dream.  C.S. Lewis

October 26, 2015 A Bear, A Garden & Working Down There

Branch wood stacked on the porch.

Fall colored aspen wayyyy down in the canyon.

Friday 10/23. As plans often go, ours didn't today.  Instead of using the tractor, we took down the tipi which has been up for almost a year and a half.  We really don't like to leave it up for more than one winter in a row.  It was the small 12-ft tipi, which is much easier to handle than the 18-ft.  We cleaned up everything that was in it, including some more straw that we gave to the girls.  They love all the straw in their hen house, and seem to be spending most of their days inside.

The overcast sky cleared a bit overhead and our high for the day was 54.  It sure didn't feel much cooler than yesterday's 62.

Saturday 10/24.  It was 38 and overcast this morning when I got up at 7:00 am to get ready for my day Down There helping Elsie in their shop.  We were busy and the day passed quickly.  But we did have time to chat, and Elsie told me about the bear she watched in their yard eating apples.  She had a small pile of over-ripe apples near the tree that the bear discovered.  He would spear one with a claw and take it a few feet away to eat.  Then he would come back and spear another one, take it a few feet away and eat it.  This went on for quite a while and she couldn't figure out why he didn't just sit by the pile and eat the apples instead of walking back and forth. . .

Rain fell for a while during the early afternoon, but stopped just before we were done for the day.  I ran a couple errands and was soon on my way home, but met neighbors on my way up the main canyon road.  So it took me quite a while to get home, but it was so great so see and chat with everyone.

JB fixed my computer while I was gone.  Our son suggested that he uninstall Google Chrome and install the latest version.  That solved the problems I was having, thank goodness.

We watched Midnight in Paris this evening, which has to be seen at least once a year, as many Woody Allen movies should.

Sunday 10/25.  It was 38 and overcast again this morning.  Lately we have been having a hard time getting out of bed by 8:00 am.  JB thinks our bodies are getting ready for the time change next week.  I just wish we could stay on standard time all year round.

No big Sunday breakfast, as JB decided to make a big fritatta for dinner.  After lunch we went outside to put the raised gardens to bed for the winter.  JB used the tractor bucket to load the compost pile into the wheel barrow so we could wheel it inside the fence right by the beds, where we shoveled it all in.  Then he used the bucket to scrape up all the small debris and dirt from the splitting area, and we shoveled that on top of the compost.  Tomorrow I'll use the pitchfork to mix it all into the soil and will continue to dump the chicken manure on the beds during the winter.  They should be good for growing a nice garden next year, and get better each year we use them.

The sky remained overcast all day and by late afternoon the clouds had lopped off the top of the mountains.  Our high for the day was a cool 48.

Rain began falling a little after 6:00 pm and was steady until 9:30, then off and on all night.

Monday 10/26. It is 40 and partly cloudy this morning.  I can see snow on the mountaintops that are not hidden by the clouds.

Thought for the day: I would rather be a hot mess of bold action, a make-it-happen-learn-on-the-fly kind of person, than a perfectly organized coward.  Brendon Burchard

October 23, 2015 Hauling Garbage & Cutting Wood

(Still having a problem uploading photos.)

Wednesday 10/21. Made our garbage run, and we were the only ones at the transfer station.  That's a first!  Usually there is a line, and pressure to back the trailer in quickly and perfectly.  No other errands other than the post office and buying newspapers, so we were home by noon after stopping in to visit Larry and Elsie.

We washed the dishes and then put the new tarp over the hen house roof.  The girls are molting, but not very fast.  We may not get eggs until Spring. . .

This morning's clouds to the west grew into a mainly overcast sky and our high for the day was 54.

I broke another tooth yesterday evening.  Most of these problems are from old, large fillings.  I actually got to sleep last night in spite of the pain I knew our budget would soon be feeling.  Fortunately the tooth itself isn't causing me any pain.  Not sure "budget" is the correct term to use.  Perhaps "chaotic jumble of every-changing numbers" would be more accurate.  Once again, thank you Wall Street.

We watched Burn After Reading this evening.  I have never been much of a fan of George Clooney, even though he is quite the handsome lad.  But his acting never impressed me much until I saw this movie in which he is phenomenal and hilarious.  

Thursday 10/22. It was a crisp 40 this morning with a clear sky.  Had to bundle up to go out and feed the girls.

I have finally perfected the mountain folk latte.  A latte is really the only form of coffee that gets me going.  That thrills my taste buds along with my brain cells.  So, after much thought on the subject, this morning I heated some milk on the stove and brought a couple ounces of water to boil.  I put the water in my cup and added a heaping teaspoon of instant espresso.  Then I added some vanilla syrup and the hot milk.  Oh, my!  That will certainly do on mornings that I am not going Down There.

In fact, it worked so well, that I cut and stacked one load of wood before brunch and three loads afterwards.  That finished the stack of branch wood, and we have about one and one-fourth rows on the south end of the porch.  Some of those branches were 3" in diameter.

JB lit a fire in the wood stove in the shop in an effort to dry out the ceiling in there.  Openings have appeared in the tongue-&-groove decking, so water got down there during the last rain storm.  Before we get more moisture from the sky, I will fill those cracks with caulking

In the Nov/Dec issue of BackWoods Home, the editor's My View page is a wonderful piece on free enterprise.  Also there are plans for a great looking fire pit, and, of course, delicious sounding recipes.  All in all, a great issue - as usual.

I made an appointment with my dentist to get a crown on my tooth.  Couldn't get in until 11/16, but it should be good until then.

JB worked on Miss Kitty, as she had been making a odd sound.  He fiddled around a bit and now he can't hear that noise. . .

Dinga caught and injured a mouse, but didn't kill it.  So I had to.  I really do hate to do that, but I just find a rock, smash its head and put it out of its misery.

The sky remained clear today and our high was 62, but it was a very chilly 62.

Larry is going deer hunting this weekend, so I am going to help Elsie in their shop on Saturday.

Friday 10/23. It is 42 and overcast this morning.  We plan to use the tractor to finish cleaning up the splitting area today.

Thought for the day: Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage not weakness.  Author Unknown

October 21, 2015 Using the Wood Cradle

(Couldn't upload a photo again this morning.)


Monday 10/19. There was a little bit of valley fog this morning, some in the canyons and some over the river, but it cleared up by mid afternoon.

Buster was up this morning and really gave Jesse a work out.  He slept most of the rest of the day.

After lunch I cut and stacked three loads of wood in the cradle.  Now I'm not sure that the pile of branches will actually fill the south end of the porch.

I gave JB a haircut, that was long overdue.  I'm sure the squirrels and chipmunks will be glad for the nesting material.  After that we both took a nap.

I called Nene this evening.  She has had quite the three-day weekend of celebrating her birthday!  Friends and family feting her each day, which she certainly deserves.

Tuesday 10/20. It was 42 and clear this morning.  Since the girls have not been coming out to get their bananas and cabbage when I come around 8:00 am, I am just going to give them their scratch at that time.  I'll give them their other goodies around noon.  They are all starting to molt now, which seems a little late in the year considering how cold it is getting.

Sandy and I had a nice, long talk this morning.  Solved all the world's problems and everyone else's.  She love's hearing about Nene's attitude toward life at 90 and wants to know if Nene would like another niece!

That talk really got me energized.  I cut and stacked three cradle loads of wood before lunch and two loads after lunch.  The branch pile will definitely not fill the end of the porch, but I should have no problem filling it with the branches from the three trees we are going to have cut down.  

JB was out and about today.  He was walking a little more slowly than usual, but took the dogs on their morning walk and we all went on the afternoon one.  Another beautiful Fall day with a high of 60.  The high temps don't last as long now.  It was already down to 50 at 5:30 pm.

Tomorrow we are going on the Fall garbage run.  We seem to have a lot more this time, so I hope we can get it all in the trailer.

Wednesday 10/21. It is 44 and mostly clear this morning, with clouds on the western horizon.  We hope to leave by 9:00 on our garbage run.

Thought for the day: Sometimes I feel like I have my life together, and then I'm like - Wow!  That was a nice 45 seconds.  Purple Clover

October 19, 2015 Arts & Crafts & Rain

Soaked, but ready for Halloween!

Friday 10/16. Well, as soon as I wrote "zipping around the internet" on my posting yesterday, my computer thought, "I don't think so" and everything slowed down.  The new MiFi does work a lot better and faster, but first I have to get a good signal. . .

I loaded the wood cradle this morning and realized that I can't just throw the branches in.  Rather I have to place them according to their length and where they will be cut.  Certainly not rocket science, but there is a learning curve.  Then after lunch, I found the electric chain saw.  Reread all the directions and added the oil.  There is a learning curve for cutting the branches also, but I caught on pretty quickly and soon had the load all cut.  It turned out to be two big wheel barrow loads.  

I hadn't cleaned off the porch in preparation for the wood, so I had to do that before I could stack it.  I figure it takes about an hour to load the cradle, cut the wood, and then stack it.  I may be able to cut some time off that once I get into a groove.  It looks like that big pile of branches will fill the south end of the porch.

JB's foot is still causing him a lot of pain, so he is taking it easy.

Saturday 10/17. It was 52 and partly cloudy this morning.  Couldn't resist another trip down and back up the mountain, so I went to the annual Arts & Crafts Fair Down There.  I still had a few Christmas presents to get and was able to find the perfect gifts.  Not quite as fun as when JB is with me, but I did enjoy myself.  So many clever and beautiful items.

A light overcast had formed by the time I arrived back home after 1:00 pm, but it was quite warm.  Our high for the day was 62, but cooler, wet weather is on its way.

This evening Gridder and his youngest son drove up to visit and get the wire that had been pulled up from the well when the new pump was installed.  JB had told Gridder that he was welcome to it for a project that he had.  It turns out that their chickens are still laying eggs, they just had to find them.  They let their girls out of the pen every day and, instead of going back in to their nesting boxes, they are laying their eggs in the bushes.  Unfortunately their dogs love the eggs, so Gridder has to find them before the dogs do!

Sunday 10/18. It was 50 with a light rain when I got up at 8:00 this morning.  Definitely an inside day which we began with a breakfast of eggs, bacon and waffles that JB cooked.  He is able to wear his shoes and walk slowly, but almost normally again.

We moved slowly into the day, reading the last of the papers and mail that I brought up yesterday.  Then it was time for our daily chores and laundry, which I hung inside.

There is an exceptional article in the October 19 issue of Time magazine about the immigration/exodus from the middle east and Africa to Europe.  Makes me wish I could do something to help, but am just not sure what that would be.

The day just seemed to slip away, as these dark, wet days often do.  The rain fell steadily until about 2:30 pm, and then off and on after that.  When it wasn't raining, we were in the clouds.  I could finally get glimpses of the canyon and a little beyond after dinner.  Our high for the day was 58 and we received .37" of rain.

Monday 10/19. It is 46 and clear this morning.  Hopefully I can get some more wood cut in the cradle.

Thought for the day: We seem to think that we can substitute an irreplaceable and irretrievable beauty with something we have created.  Pope Francis

October 16, 2015 Down & Up, Down & Up

(Unable to download a photo this morning - even with my new MiFi!)


Wednesday 10/14. It was a good trip Down There and the colors along our road were brilliant.  My first stop was at Verizon to get a new wireless "card" as I was having problems getting on and staying on the internet.  Our card was seven years old and putting out hardly any power compared to the new one.  Couldn't wait to get home and try it.  Got all the shopping done and then some.  Errands were run and I was home by 2:00 pm.  By then it was into the 70's Down There.  A clear, sunny day with a high Up Here of 62 (on the porch, in the shade).

JB's foot wasn't any better so he was able to get an appointment with his doctor for tomorrow at 2:45 pm.  Oh joy, two trips in two days.

Too much to work with the new MiFi card, so we will try it in the morning.

Watched Goonies this evening.  One of our favorites, but can't believe how hold it is!

Thursday 10/15. It was 48 with a light, partial overcast this morning.  My last day on antibiotics!  Woo Hoo!

It actually took us more than an hour to figure out the MiFi device as the instructions were not very accurate (and we do not work very well together when we get frustrated with our computers).  But once we got it going and were connected, I was zipping around the internet with no problems.

We left at 1:00 pm so we could drop off some recycle, pick up meds for JB and his glasses that were ready.  He had scratched a lens that was being replaced under warranty (just five days over but they did it anyway).  

The doctor took almost an hour with JB and his findings were what we expected.  It is the leg on which he had torn his achilles tendon about 32 years ago and sometimes he just moves or stretches wrong in bed.  He's getting older, so that sort of thing happens. . .

The colors along the road distracted my thoughts have having driven down and back twice in two day.s

We watched The Lone Ranger this evening.  We really like this movie.  Only Johnny Depp could deliver many of Tonto's lines!

Friday 10/16.  It is 50 and mostly clear this morning.  That that I am done with my meds and JB has been diagnosed as having nothing really wrong except getting older, we ought to be able to get back on track with our project and life Up Here.  If he is in pain, I'll just tell him to take some Tylenol and suck it up!

Thought for the day: Just remember there is someone out there who is more than happy with less than you have.

October 14, 2015 Sunny Fall Days

The tiny hummingbird nest I found.

Monday 10/12. JB had completely unloaded the car when we arrived home Saturday evening, but yesterday I forgot to clean out the spilled dog food.  I had given them their food dry, at which point they looked at me as if to say, "What is that crap?!"  I always add warm chicken broth and chicken to it, which I did to fresh dry food when we got home.  Today I cleaned out all the spilled pieces before the mice discovered them and moved in.

I washed sheets today and hung them outside.  They seem to soak up the fresh air better than any other laundry.

JB drove down at 12:30 pm to see Larry and a video that he had purchased on building a compost fueled generator.  It runs for 48 hours at a time and produces 110v that can run a microwave or a refrigerator!  It costs about $200 to build, and we will definitely be looking into that.

Sounds like no one's chickens are laying much lately.  Larry thinks they might be sensing the big earthquake for which we are due.  I know ours were not laying much this time last year, but they were molting then.  Maybe it is a pending earthquake.

While JB was gone, I took a short nap then gathered a couple more loads of kindling.  As I was doing so, I found a hummingbird nest on the ground!  It is only 1-3/4" in diameter.  Will definitely have to make something in which to display it.

The occasional clouds floated over today, with one very large one stopped right over us in the late afternoon.  Our high for the day was 60.

Tuesday 10/13. It was 53 and clear with a chilly breeze this morning.  Buster arrived for a romp at 7:00 am.  Fortunately I was up and wide awake.  Have been sleeping very soundly the past few nights, and I wanted to spend some time bright eyed and bushy tailed before I took my morning meds.  They pretty much wipe me out and I actually went back to bed at 9:00 am for a couple hours.

JB did something to his right foot while driving on Saturday, and it seems to be causing him more pain each day.  It is not swollen, so I'm not sure what is the matter.  I told him that if he just wanted to relax for a few days, all he had to do was say so. . .

After brunch I gathered and stacked a few more loads of kindling from a couple small piles on the east slope.  Then I put a new tarp over MAX and threw the old, shredded one away.  I gave the girls fresh shavings in their nesting boxes, then used the wheel barrow to gather most of the straw bale out of the tipi and put it into the hen house.  The girls will be busy arranging their home for the next week or so.

I plan to go Down There tomorrow for groceries, errands and to mail Nene's birthday present.  Her birthday is actually on Saturday.  If JB's foot is any better, we may go down on Friday to make our semi-annual run to the garbage dump.  Otherwise we'll be taking him to the doctor.

There were no clouds today and our high was 62, but I am sure it was pushing 70 in the sun.

Wednesday 10/14. It is a chilly 45 with mostly clear skies this morning.  I hope to be on my way Down There by 9:00 am.

Thought for the day: We do not need to see eye to eye to walk arm in arm.  Carolee Stevens in Guideposts September issue

October 12, 2015 A Letter & A Day Trip to the Winery

A photo from Saturday's drive.

Our wood cradle and the pile of
branches I plan to cut in it.

Friday 10/9. I have always been a sucker for a great sale, whether I really needed anything that was on sale or not.  So yesterday when I got home and saw the flyer for Shopko's quarterly sale, I cut out the ads for several items that were a very good deal.  However, it was with a great deal of pride that I later threw them all away and decided that we just do not need anything.  Our budget was so thankful.

Today I simply could not face all the paperwork that needed to be sorted.  So after laundry and lunch, I helped JB build the wood cradle.  We were almost done when the battery died on the screw driver.  Perfect timing though as it was time for him to drive down and meet the tree guy at the pavement.  He loved our place and gave us an excellent deal on taking down the three trees near the house.  They should be up in the next week or two to do the deed.  It will be interesting watching them as they are going to take the trees down in sections.

Following is the letter that I am sending to my Senators and Representative:
    I am writing to you regarding the heinous act of Martin Shkreli in raising the 
    price of Darapim to $750 per pill.  Neither an arrogant hedge-fund director 
    nor anyone, for that matter, should have to power to commit such an
    atrocity.  It is worse than many felonies.  It is robbery, extortion and possible
    murder all rolled into one act.  And the federal government should be held 
    accountable.

    As a voting citizen of this United States, I am demanding that this obscenity
    be corrected immediately and never be allowed to happen again.

    Please do not reply with any political garble.  This is an issue that MUST be
    addressed, and quickly.  And do not blame the Republicans.  I am an
    Independent, but these days I would not even consider voting for a Demo-
    crat until they all start getting off their liberal high horses and get realistic.

(Both our Senators are Democrats.)

With my intestinal issues, which are producing what most politicians do, yogurt has become my new best friend. . .

It was a slow, but good day and our high temp was 60.

Saturday 10/10. It was 54 and cloudy this morning.  We decided to visit JB's brother's winery today.  I am feeling ever so much more socially inclined since my trip with Nene, and I have never been to the winery.  

We got a bit of a late start and weren't on our way out of town until 10:00 am.  Even through the Wenatchee River Valley, the Fall colors were beautiful.  But as we passed through Leavenworth and into Tumwater Canyon, they became brilliant.  There are some things, some experiences, for which our language simply has no adequate words to describe.  Fall colors along the river is one of those things.  One of those experiences.  The vivid and brilliant bushes and trees are beyond amazing, and all with a backdrop of evergreen.  Even the pictures I took do it little justice.

I have seen upstate New York in the Fall and, as incredible as it is, without the evergreens I do not think it is as stunning as this season in the Washington mountains.

A light rain was falling as we drove over Steven's Pass.  As soon as we passed over the summit, the colors began to disappear until there was only the many shades of green.  As if the crispness of Fall had not yet arrived on the west side of the mountains.  The side of cedars, moss and ferns.  Slowly patches of yellows, oranges and reds began to appear, but only the trees, not the underbrush as on the east side.  We arrived at the winery at about 12:30 pm.

JB's brother gave me the royal tour, explaining everything.  It is a bit overwhelming all the details that must be attended to in making wine.  So much to know; so much to do.  But they are obviously doing it very well, as their business is growing.  Their wine tasting room is delightful and we had a delicious lunch and a good visit 

While we were eating, the sky let loose with a downpour.  One of the things that I do not miss about living over there.  We left at 2:30 pm, running through the rain to the car.  I wanted to visit their Costco to look for more gluten-free foods and found myself in the midst of yuppie mayhem.  Can't believe that at one time I simply accepted that experience as normal.  I did find a couple different crackers which I purchased.  I hope they are worth the effort.

Back on the highway and headed for home, the rain and wind picked up.  We were fighting them all the way back to Leavenworth where they both dissipated.  That lovely, little Bavarian town sits at the base of the mountains where the Wenatchee river exits Tumwater Canyon.  And where Octoberfest was in full swing.  It took us more than fifteen minutes to make a normal five-minute drive.  One of these years, when I am feeling really social, we will attend that party.

There were only a few sprinkles on our 25 mile drive home from there, that is until about a mile from our mailbox.  So when I had to get out of the car to collect the mail, I was pelted by rain and wind.  And again when I got out to open our gate.  A few minutes later, the rain stopped.  But it was quite evident that the rain had been falling for a while as the road was a little dicey in places.

We arrived back at Rose Camp a little after 6:00 pm, where the wind was gusting to 36 mph, but the rain had moved on.  Despite the weather, we were both glad that we had gone today, but it was so nice to be home again.  Our high for the day Up Here had been 66.

Sunday 10/11. This morning was a crisp 40 with blue skies.  We could see that there was snow on some of the highest mountain peaks from yesterday.

The girls haven't given us any eggs for several days now.  Elsie says that they are getting very few.  Hmmm. . .

After doing dishes, I vacuumed and did lots of other overdue housework.  Also gathered some kindling in the form of dead branches that were blown down in yesterday's storm.  JB finished the wood cradle, so I am good to go on cutting the pile of branch wood which will get stacked on the porch.

Randy called and we had a good, long chat.  All is well with them, but, like me, he is having problems adjusting to the early darkness.

I took a nap while JB was fixing dinner and when I awoke an hour later, the sky had become overcast.  Our high for the day was 56.

Monday 10/12. It is 48 and mostly overcast this morning.  And we have a mouse in the house. . .

Thought for the day: Fall has always been my favorite season.  The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.  Lauren DeStefano Wither

October 9, 2015 Where Is The Outrage?!

Another view from the ridge that Claudia climbs
every morning (she is 86).

Wednesday 10/7. Mother Nature put an end to our plans for building the wood cradle today with a lazy rain that began about 9:30 am.  Fine by me - I just went back to bed. . .

After I got up, we did the dishes and laundry (hung it inside) instead.  A good day for reading and recuperating, baking muffins and defrosting the fridge.  The rain let up around 1:00 pm and then the fog (or low clouds) moved in.  Our high for the day was this morning's 53.

Living Up Here without TV, we do not have access to the TV news and most newspapers, so we are not privy to the daily goings on except for internet news.  But in the papers and magazines that we have received, I have seen very little about Martin Shjreki and his heinous act of raising the price of a pill that cost $13.50 to $750 each!  Where is the outrage? Where are the laws forbidding this?  Obviously the pharmaceutical industry needs MUCH more federal control!  Perhaps his arrogance has finally brought the problem into the spotlight for good.  Just unbelievable.  I certainly would not want to deal with his karma.  I can only hope that everyone in the U.S. is writing to their Senators and Representatives, as I am, denouncing this atrocious act and demanding a solution.

But, back to the good life.  JB used our bird book to determine that the grouse that seem to be making their home in our yard, are female blue grouse.  Probably the harem of the male blue grouse who has been living nearby for a few years.

We got an automated call today which announced that we were eligible for a free security system.  I hung up as soon as I realized it wasn't going to be a German shepherd.

We watched Notting Hill this evening.  An older, but great romcom with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.  Two of my favorites.

Thursday 10/8. It was 48 and we were in the clouds this morning.  I left for Down There about 8:45 am to pick up a package from UPS that was supposed to ship via parcel post.  Made it to the ladies room in Safeway just in time to take care of business.  Sometimes the cure can be as bad as the illness. . .

I thought it was fog that surrounded us this morning, until I got almost to Larry and Elsie's and was suddenly underneath the cloud cover.  Of course we never go Down There for just one thing, so I took care of a few other errands, but was home by noon.

We remained cloud bound til early evening and our high was just 52.  This kind of weather puts JB in the baking mood, so he spent time this afternoon putting together gluten-free flour mixes that he uses for many of his recipes.  Lots of goodies to look forward to.

I am feeling a little better each day, but still don't have a lot of energy.  Just have to be patient as I will be on these antibiotics for another week. . .

JB called a tree-cutting company and they are coming up tomorrow afternoon to give us an estimate on cutting down three large trees that are near the house.  We really do not want to deal with them ourselves.

Friday 10/9. It is 50 and partly overcast this morning.  I will probably be inside most of the day as I have got to sort, throw or file all the paperwork that has accumulated the past several weeks.  Oh goodie. . .

Thanks to Randy for your comment on my Wednesday's post.  Yes, thank you Nene!

Thought for the day: I would trade all my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.  Steve Jobs

October 7, 2015 No Bug & The Best Moose

The best kind of moose!

A sign on Randy's wall
says it all.

Monday 10/5. A couple hours into the day and I was sure of what was causing me to feel so badly.  It was no bug - my diverticulitis was acting up again.  Fortunately, my doctor had an opening at 11:40 am that I took.  I came back home with two antibiotics, and a bag of caramel apple Milky Way minis that were on sale.  That's the problem with getting to the pharmacy before your meds are ready. . .

The only nice thing about all this is that I know I am not expected to do anything except get to feeling better.  Lots of naps coming up.

The sky clouded over and our high for the day was 60.

A couple days ago I finally cleaned the top of the wood stove which is soapstone.  Using the finest grade of steel wool, a little water and a little elbow grease, most of the coffee rings came right off.  This is one of those projects that I save for Summer but never gets done because I have so much time to do it.

Tuesday 10/6. It was 52 and partly cloudy this morning.  JB and I loaded the trailer with a year's worth of cardboard for recycle, and he was on his way by 8:45 am.  He attended the annual meeting on our health-care insurance (the premiums are going up $7/mo.), did a couple errands, and bought the lumber for building the wood cradle.

By the time I hung out the laundry at 10:30 am, the sky was completely overcast.  Looked like some rain fell in the mountains, but none of it got this far.  I puttered around the house, took a two-hour nap and kept telling myself that I would be feeling much better in a day or two.

The winter issue of Capper's Farmer magazine, that we received on Saturday, is filled with great articles.  I love this magazine!

The sky remained overcast for the rest of the day and our high was 62.

Wednesday 10/7. This morning it is overcast and 53.  We want to start building the wood cradle today.  My fever broke last night, so I should be good to go.

Thought for the day: Don't judge someone just because they sin differently than you do.

October 5, 2015 A Bug & A Moose

Nene's Fall crocuses.

Friday 10/2. The overcast cleared by mid afternoon, but it was breezy most of the day with a high of 66.  A good thing for the laundry that I hung out, as it dries much more quickly with a breeze.

JB dumped another trailer load of small wood debris on the small swale.  Then, while I took a nice long nap, he took the weed eater to the old garden area.

The girls only gave us 23 eggs in September.  I think that now it is Betty who is doing most of the laying.  Belinda can't be bothered with something so mundane, and I'm just not sure about Blondie.  We will definitely be getting some young chickens in the late Spring.

I'm not sure if I caught a bug on the trip or am having a reaction to all the gluten I ate, but I sure don't feel very well.

I called Nene to chat and let her know that the package containing three of the coats/jackets I forgot at her place arrived today.  I had told her that she did not have to send them as they are my Down There jackets that I could get by without, but there's just no reasoning with a stubborn ninety-year-old!  Just for that, JB will be mailing a package to her on Tuesday when he goes Down There for the annual Health-Insurance meeting.

The wind really picked up this evening and blew most of the night, gusting to almost 20.

Saturday 10/3. It was 46 and overcast this morning.  A light shower passed over about 7:00 am, but the ground was dry by 8:00 am.

New neighbors drove up to meet us.  They had just purchased a 21-acre lot on the main canyon road and another neighbor told them to come see us about living Up Here full time.  They are from out of state but plan to move and build Up Here next summer.  We showed them around Rose Camp and came to the conclusion that they will be a perfect fit for our little mountain community.

It was another lovely Fall day.  The sky cleared and we had a high of 62.

Still not feeling well, so I didn't get much done today.  JB left at 3:30 pm in Miss Kitty to go down and help Larry install an inverter for some new solar panels he is putting up.  His visit turned into a late-night event, and Larry had to drive him back home. . .

Sunday 10/4. It was 46 with clear skies this morning, but there was nothing clear about JB's head.  Last night's event turned today into a recuperation and sleep event for him.  However, we did have to drive down to get Miss Kitty and had a nice, sober visit with Larry and Elsie.  Also had a look at their root cellar which is finished and Larry is in the process of covering back up with dirt, as soon as he fixes the leak in his tractor's radiator that appeared this morning. . .

Claudia sent me an email saying that as she was driving home yesterday, she had to stop to let a moose just mosey across the road in front of her!  That ol' moose knew we were gone, and knew Claudia would email us!  What a tease!

I was feeling better today, but we both took a couple naps.  It was a beautiful, sunny day with a high of 60.  Gradually getting cooler.

Monday 10/5. The skies are clear this morning with a temp of 48.  I doubt I will be picking more rose hips, but I plan to make more marmalade today with the three pounds that are in the freezer.

Thought for the day: A man with a helmet defending our country should make more money than a man with a helmet defending a football.

October 2, 2015 Getting Ready for Winter

Seals and cormorants that we saw
on our way to Blake Island.

Driving through the aspen on Thursday

Fire weed living up to
its name

Wednesday 9/30. There are four grouse still hanging around the yard and you have to be careful to watch for them, as they often don't fly away until you are right upon them. . .

The days certainly are getting shorter now, and with the sun, so goes our power.  We have to be careful to use items that pull a lot of power in the morning, so the batteries have a chance to recharge before dark.  Even more so now that we need a new battery bank.  And that will have to wait until Spring.

The dogs are barking, the frogs under the house are croaking, the chickens are calling and the birds are chirping.  What was that I said about it being so quiet Up Here?!

I split the last round of wood and stacked it in the wood shed, which is pretty much full now.  JB used Miss Kitty to move the splitter so he can level out that area with the tractor.  Then he used the tractor to fill the trailer with small pieces of bark and wood debris.  We pulled it down the road with Miss Kitty and filled the worst pot holes.  Down and back was about three miles, which of course the dogs turned into at least six miles with all their running back and forth.  We both got a good workout too.  It was a perfect day for this project with a high of 68.

Our annual propane delivery came while I was on my trip.  So with that and our wood, we are set for another year.  I always give a sigh of relief when that delivery arrives.

The rose hips that were ripe when I left are now shriveled and dry, and those that were still yellow and orange are now ripe.  I hope I can get some more picked while they are still good.

We watched The Magnificent Seven this evening.  Hard to believe it was made way back in 1960.  All those great actors are now gone.

Thursday 10/1. It was 52 with a few clouds this morning which turned into a partial overcast but cleared by late afternoon.  I was on my way Down There by 9:00 and home by 1:30 pm.  Along with groceries, I picked up some tarps that were on sale, as we always need a few new ones for winter.  Also got a great insert for the trailer hitch on my Jeep that says: Gun Control Is Using Both Hands.

My drive down and back was lit up by the Fall colors that are exploding on our mountain.  The aspens, fire weed, rose bushes and other plants are really putting on a show.

As I was putting groceries away in the pantry and JB was noting them on the list, I realized that we are pretty well set for winter food already.  Will probably just have to get perishables from now on.

It was another beautiful Fall day with a high of 68, although that is the temperature as noted on the porch in the shade.  While our weather station was working, it usually recorded temps about seven degrees warmer on sunny days.

Well, long and clean finger nails sure were nice to have for a week or so.  I doubt I will have them again until our next trip.

And on my trip, it was really driven home that life is really about perception and attitude.  Those two things seem to determine one's life and how it is lived.  I really believe the maxim that "Attitude is Everything."  It can change your perception, but one mustn't let perception change one's attitude for the worse, or visa versa.

Friday 10/2. It is 56 this morning with clouds on the western horizon and scattered overhead.  There is a good chance of rain this evening.

Thought for the day: When you lick the icing off of a cupcake, it becomes a muffin. . . and muffins are good for you. Cheech Marin