Living alone has given me the freedom to practice ‘making do’ on a regular basis. I do not have kids or husband in the house to complain if dinner is not up to par. On the other hand, it seems everything I make ends up divvied into portions and put into the freezer. But all those leftovers have combined into some pretty tasty treats. Let’s just say I am in my 6th decade, learning to be the good cook my Mom learned to be, by making do.
WESTBROOKVILLE — Firefighters rescued six people from a flooded home after a massive ice jam in the Pine Kill creek sent water, ice, rocks and wood spilling across properties and Route 209 early Friday afternoon.
Here at the farm we are lucky to be above the fray. Though the creek runs down along the side of the road, it is steep and narrow enough that the water is running too fast to freeze. As long as no one’s culvert gets blocked we are OK. That is until you get to the foot of the hill where this narrow stream meets the larger creek and passes under the road bridge filling the surrounding swamp. As of yesterday afternoon there was still a good foot of side board, so I think here we are OK.
Last night it was difficult to keep the fire going, and yet keep the house from being uncomfortably warm. this morning I needed to stoke it up to counter the falling temperature and the prevailing westerly wind blowing through the dog door leaving a trail of snow on the back porch.
I went out just before dawn to feed the fowl, bring in wood, and check on the driveway. Fine sleet like snow was coming down fast pushed by a slow but steady wind. The dogs decided the sofa was a better place to be. Only about 4 inches had accumulated over a flexing sheet of ice where the lawn had been exposed to the rain yesterday. I managed to get the car cleared off, and the windshields thawed. I got it turned around so it was facing out but it did not want to back up into it’s normal parking spot. Ice crystal snow on top of soft ground does not make for good traction. Eventually I chose to rejoin the dogs, when I realized I could no longer feel a couple of fingers on each hand.
The snow has changed to slowly falling, medium flakes of soft snow. The plow has gone by now, so soon I will go back out to clear the end of the drive. For now I am content to sit with the cats watching our bird feeder Jumbo-tron (ie: picture window).
It is an absolutely gorgeous morning. It’s been several days of trying to keep ahead of plunging and then steadily below zero temperatures. This morning I went out to find the sun shining brightly across the snow in crystal clear and yes still frigid air. the golden quality seemed to promise the high of 14F we are anticipating today, moving on to a ridiculous 49F midweek before plunging again into more seasonal temperatures.
Make no mistake about it, I am an ardent Bernie Sanders fan. I have developed a great deal of respect for him over the past decades listening to him on ‘Brunch with Bernie’ on the ‘Thom Hartmann Show’. Bernie calmly and politely took calls from listeners, on a wide range of subjects, answering them clearly and honestly.
To the HC camp bullies… I am NOT voting against Hillary because she is a woman. I am voting for Bernie because he is the better candidate for me. Read more
If the Beagles had a coat like this……It would take another 15 minutes to get them ready for their walk!
After a brutal cold weekend in which I was stunned to see that actual temperatures had reached 20+ below zero, it was quite a relief to get up this morning to a balmy zero with little just a breeze.The toughest part of the past few days has been getting ready to go out.
2 pairs of pants, good socks, boots, turtleneck, sweater, sweatshirt, vest, heavy sweatshirt, hat, scarf, by now I am sweating……then get the dogs harness vests on and leashes….. tie the scarf, pull on heavy gloves….try to force my hands through the leash handles… and out the door we go!
For 5 minutes because the dogs aren’t stupid and their paws get cold. Read more