Got up around 7:30 this morning, but skipped my exercises to get ready for a visit from Daughter, Granddaughter, and Great-Grandkids.
They arrived around 11 a.m., bringing a bouquet of flowers for Mother and me, which look lovely in a vase on the dining room table.
The family brought their appetites, too, so we heated a variety of leftovers and were ready to sit down about 11:30. We had a choice of leftover spaghetti, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and stew, along with whole kernel corn and sliced tomatoes with cottage cheese. For dessert, I had prepared a combination of fresh fruits...strawberries, grapes, apples, peaches, and Craisins.
After lunch, Daughter, Granddaughter and the kids made Halloween greeting cards. We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting, and then the family fixed sandwiches to eat before leaving around 4:30 p.m.
It was a wonderful, fun day.
Later, Hubbie and I fixed French toast for supper, and then settled in to watch TV. We watched the PG-13 move, "Sugar," about a young Dominican Republic man who comes to the States to play baseball. He struggles with the English language and American culture. His family depends on him to succeed, but he runs into problems, and takes a new path. Much of the movie is subtitled.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday, Oct.1
September gone already. Where did it go? It was a hot month, though, so we aren't sorry to see it go. Predictions are for some cooler weather to roll in over the next few days, which will be a welcome relief. I'll soon need to drag out my sweaters.
I was up around 7:30 this morning, to get ready to go with Hubbie to deliver our camper to the repair shop about two hours east of us. Mother and Shih Tzu went, too.
I wish I'd taken my camera along, because the flatland fields in that part of the state were white with cotton. Cotton picking machines had already harvested some of the crops, and large compressed bales...half the size of a semi trailer....lay around the field borders, ready to be loaded into trucks. Clear pods of loose cotton lined the fields, too, awaiting compression.
As we drove into the small community, we saw the ruined remains of a rent house owned by one of Hubbie's sisters. The interior burned a few weeks ago, totaling the structure. Hubbie's son, who lives in the community just happened to drive by on the day the house was engulfed in flames and called Hubbie. By the time the fire department arrived, it was too late to save the building. A family was living in the house, but fortunately were not at home when the fire started.
We arrived at the camper repair shop around 11 a.m., and after unhooking the unit from the truck, we went to Hubbie's sister's house (she lives just blocks away from the repair shop). We stayed only long enough to arrange to meet Sister for lunch at a favorite restaurant in a larger town about 30 miles away.
When we got to Larger Town, we stopped by the mall so I could use a coupon to pick up a free item of intimate apparel. From there, we went to a hobby store, where Mother and I bought rubber stamps from the clearance bin, on-sale glue, and several sheets of colored card stock.
Then we went to the buffet restaurant. Hubbie's two sisters were there and had already begun their meals. We visited for about an hour, and then went on to the discount club store to pick up several bulk grocery items, including fresh fruits.
After that, we headed home, and arrived around 4 p.m. We relaxed for a while, and then changed clothes to go to a concert at the college near our home.
The group who performed..."The Hunt Family"...is comprised of seven children and their parents. There are 21-year-old twin girls, and five boys, aged 19, 17, 15, 14, and 12. All play a variety of instruments, and all do Celtic step dancing.
The music they played included a Celtic reel, bluegrass fiddling, and inspirational songs, besides original pieces written by the youngsters. They are immensely talented, and we enjoyed them a lot. To hear a sample of their music, visit www.huntfamilyfiddlers.com.
We were back home around 9 p.m., when we had cups of hot chocolate, with bananas and slices of bread with peanut butter. After our big lunch, this was all we wanted to snack on.
Got a call this evening from Daughter, who said she, Granddaughter, and Great-Grandkids are coming for a visit tomorrow. We'll be very glad to see them.
I was up around 7:30 this morning, to get ready to go with Hubbie to deliver our camper to the repair shop about two hours east of us. Mother and Shih Tzu went, too.
I wish I'd taken my camera along, because the flatland fields in that part of the state were white with cotton. Cotton picking machines had already harvested some of the crops, and large compressed bales...half the size of a semi trailer....lay around the field borders, ready to be loaded into trucks. Clear pods of loose cotton lined the fields, too, awaiting compression.
As we drove into the small community, we saw the ruined remains of a rent house owned by one of Hubbie's sisters. The interior burned a few weeks ago, totaling the structure. Hubbie's son, who lives in the community just happened to drive by on the day the house was engulfed in flames and called Hubbie. By the time the fire department arrived, it was too late to save the building. A family was living in the house, but fortunately were not at home when the fire started.
We arrived at the camper repair shop around 11 a.m., and after unhooking the unit from the truck, we went to Hubbie's sister's house (she lives just blocks away from the repair shop). We stayed only long enough to arrange to meet Sister for lunch at a favorite restaurant in a larger town about 30 miles away.
When we got to Larger Town, we stopped by the mall so I could use a coupon to pick up a free item of intimate apparel. From there, we went to a hobby store, where Mother and I bought rubber stamps from the clearance bin, on-sale glue, and several sheets of colored card stock.
Then we went to the buffet restaurant. Hubbie's two sisters were there and had already begun their meals. We visited for about an hour, and then went on to the discount club store to pick up several bulk grocery items, including fresh fruits.
After that, we headed home, and arrived around 4 p.m. We relaxed for a while, and then changed clothes to go to a concert at the college near our home.
The group who performed..."The Hunt Family"...is comprised of seven children and their parents. There are 21-year-old twin girls, and five boys, aged 19, 17, 15, 14, and 12. All play a variety of instruments, and all do Celtic step dancing.
The music they played included a Celtic reel, bluegrass fiddling, and inspirational songs, besides original pieces written by the youngsters. They are immensely talented, and we enjoyed them a lot. To hear a sample of their music, visit www.huntfamilyfiddlers.com.
We were back home around 9 p.m., when we had cups of hot chocolate, with bananas and slices of bread with peanut butter. After our big lunch, this was all we wanted to snack on.
Got a call this evening from Daughter, who said she, Granddaughter, and Great-Grandkids are coming for a visit tomorrow. We'll be very glad to see them.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Painted Pumpkin
This is the pumpkin that Sis painted for me while she was here last Sunday. It's an example of the kind of pumpkins that were being painted at the art gallery last Saturday as a fundraiser. I think it's very clever, and I love it.
Thursday, Sept. 30
Slept later this morning, though Hubbie got up at his usual time. Did a treadmill session, but skipped my weights exercises, because the phone rang, and Hubbie was out in the yard, so I had to run and catch it. It was a call from the dentist's office cancelling Hubbie's appointment, because the hygienist didn't show up today. I was out of the mood for weights exercises after that.
If we'd known Hubbie's appointment would be cancelled, we could have taken the camper to another town to leave it for repairs (and then do some shopping) today instead of tomorrow. And I wouldn't have had to miss a water aerobics session in the morning (the leader called to say aerobics will resume tomorrow).
We're a bit perturbed that the dentist's office can cancel an appointment on the day of it, but expects patients to give forty-eight hours notice if we cancel, or be charged a fee. I think Hubbie intends to pick this bone with them at his re-scheduled appointment.
Once I was ready for the day, I spent quite a bit time at my computer. Then mid-afternoon, I joined Hubbie downstairs to watch a movie. Mother stayed home today until suppertime, when she came over to join us in a leftover stew supper.
She went home again afterward, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands...to the post office to mail a letter to Granddaughter, to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for Mother, and to the WDCS for a few grocery items and to pick up a photo order. Unfortunately, the photo order was not there, though according to online info, it was to be ready by 3:30 p.m.
Back home, I checked the order again, and discovered an e-mail that stated it would be ready sometime between next Monday and next Wednesday. Is that what's called one-hour service these days?
Later, we watched the 2008, R-rated movie, "Frozen River," starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, and Charlie McDermott. A woman's husband abandons her and her children the week before Christmas, taking with him the payment for their new home. She has a job at a dollar store, but it's not enough to support her family. She meets an equally desperate Mohawk woman. From their border town between New York State and Quebec, the two smuggle illegal immigrants across the frozen Hudson River. Of course, things go from bad to worse.
If we'd known Hubbie's appointment would be cancelled, we could have taken the camper to another town to leave it for repairs (and then do some shopping) today instead of tomorrow. And I wouldn't have had to miss a water aerobics session in the morning (the leader called to say aerobics will resume tomorrow).
We're a bit perturbed that the dentist's office can cancel an appointment on the day of it, but expects patients to give forty-eight hours notice if we cancel, or be charged a fee. I think Hubbie intends to pick this bone with them at his re-scheduled appointment.
Once I was ready for the day, I spent quite a bit time at my computer. Then mid-afternoon, I joined Hubbie downstairs to watch a movie. Mother stayed home today until suppertime, when she came over to join us in a leftover stew supper.
She went home again afterward, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands...to the post office to mail a letter to Granddaughter, to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for Mother, and to the WDCS for a few grocery items and to pick up a photo order. Unfortunately, the photo order was not there, though according to online info, it was to be ready by 3:30 p.m.
Back home, I checked the order again, and discovered an e-mail that stated it would be ready sometime between next Monday and next Wednesday. Is that what's called one-hour service these days?
Later, we watched the 2008, R-rated movie, "Frozen River," starring Melissa Leo, Misty Upham, and Charlie McDermott. A woman's husband abandons her and her children the week before Christmas, taking with him the payment for their new home. She has a job at a dollar store, but it's not enough to support her family. She meets an equally desperate Mohawk woman. From their border town between New York State and Quebec, the two smuggle illegal immigrants across the frozen Hudson River. Of course, things go from bad to worse.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, Sept. 29
Up around 7:30 and did a treadmill session and resistance exercises after breakfast.
Mother came over mid-morning, and we began making flower angels to donate to the art gallery for a Christmas fundraiser. Each member of the gallery board and visual arts committee is asked to make a few ornaments for display and sale on a Christmas tree in the gallery. Members of the business community will also be encouraged to donate handmade ornaments.
After lunch, Mother went home to rest for a while, and I played on my office computer, while Hubbie took Shih Tzu to the vet. He prescribed an antibiotic for her cough and skin disorder.
Later, Mother came back and set a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering. We had the spaghetti with green beans and cottage cheese. Mother went home again afterward, and Hubbie and I went to the store that is closing for one last look for bargains. Found four movies on DVD at 60% off the already marked down price. So got them for $3 and $4 each.
Later, we watched TV, as usual. Since we forgot to watch "Dancing with the Stars" last night, we watched it tonight, even though we already knew who got eliminated.
Mother came over mid-morning, and we began making flower angels to donate to the art gallery for a Christmas fundraiser. Each member of the gallery board and visual arts committee is asked to make a few ornaments for display and sale on a Christmas tree in the gallery. Members of the business community will also be encouraged to donate handmade ornaments.
After lunch, Mother went home to rest for a while, and I played on my office computer, while Hubbie took Shih Tzu to the vet. He prescribed an antibiotic for her cough and skin disorder.
Later, Mother came back and set a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering. We had the spaghetti with green beans and cottage cheese. Mother went home again afterward, and Hubbie and I went to the store that is closing for one last look for bargains. Found four movies on DVD at 60% off the already marked down price. So got them for $3 and $4 each.
Later, we watched TV, as usual. Since we forgot to watch "Dancing with the Stars" last night, we watched it tonight, even though we already knew who got eliminated.
Tuesday, Sept. 28
Up around 6:30 and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Mother came over afterward and put color in my hair in anticipation of a haircut appointment this morning.
Didn't do much else until time to meet my appointment at 11:30. Back home afterward, Hubbie and I had a lunch of leftover barbecue sandwiches, and Mother had Ramen noodle soup. Then I went to town for a while. I stopped by the pharmacy first, and then went to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend. I received a $10 card in the mail, so I looked for something I could get that wouldn't cost much above that price. I found a gold colored cable knit sweater on sale.
While I was gone, Mother cut up beef round steak and veggies for making a stew. When I got back home, we put the beef, carrots, onions, celery, and cabbage in the slow cooker with cans of fat free, low sodium beef broth and spices and let it cook until supper time. It was delicious, and there's plenty left for another meal or two.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I did the usual.
Didn't do much else until time to meet my appointment at 11:30. Back home afterward, Hubbie and I had a lunch of leftover barbecue sandwiches, and Mother had Ramen noodle soup. Then I went to town for a while. I stopped by the pharmacy first, and then went to one of the stores that has a sale every weekend. I received a $10 card in the mail, so I looked for something I could get that wouldn't cost much above that price. I found a gold colored cable knit sweater on sale.
While I was gone, Mother cut up beef round steak and veggies for making a stew. When I got back home, we put the beef, carrots, onions, celery, and cabbage in the slow cooker with cans of fat free, low sodium beef broth and spices and let it cook until supper time. It was delicious, and there's plenty left for another meal or two.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I did the usual.
Monday, Sept. 27
Up around 6:30, and did a treadmill session and resistance exercises after breakfast. Monday is usually water aerobics day, but I called our leader yesterday and learned the pool is down for repairs. In fact, it was down all last week. At least I didn't miss aerobics while we were away at camp. But I hate it for the rest of the members.
Spent the rest of the morning getting organized after the trip, answering e-mails, uploading photos, returning phone calls, reading a stack of local newspapers. Mother and I also decorated the fireplace mantel in fall decor.
After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands....to the pharmacy, to a grocery store to pick up cottage cheese, and to the farmer's market, where I bought tomatoes, peaches, and apples. Then we went to the discount store that is going out of business, where I picked up more greeting cards (20 cents each this time), and some little packages of buttons to us on greeting cards. We also spotted half-price printer ink cartridges, but weren't sure if they were the right number for our printer.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items, including a pumpkin and potted mums. We didn't buy the mums, though, because they looked stressed.
Back home, we put away the groceries we'd gotten, and then went out again....this time to check on a bale of straw at a farm store. We didn't like what we saw, because it looked old. So we stopped by the church that has set up a pumpkin patch and bought a bale there. It was a bit more expensive than I intended to pay, but the money goes to the church's youth organization, so I chalked it up to a charitable contribution.
Then we went to a home improvement store, where we found pots of healthy mums. From there, we went back to the store that's going out of business and picked up the two cartons of ink cartridges, since we'd checked and they are the right ones for our printer.
While we were doing this, Mother put together a meatloaf for supper. When I got back home, she and I added more touches of fall around the house.
Later, we enjoyed the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans...a very traditional and satisfying American meal. Mother went home after that, and Hubbie and I watched TV.
Spent the rest of the morning getting organized after the trip, answering e-mails, uploading photos, returning phone calls, reading a stack of local newspapers. Mother and I also decorated the fireplace mantel in fall decor.
After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands....to the pharmacy, to a grocery store to pick up cottage cheese, and to the farmer's market, where I bought tomatoes, peaches, and apples. Then we went to the discount store that is going out of business, where I picked up more greeting cards (20 cents each this time), and some little packages of buttons to us on greeting cards. We also spotted half-price printer ink cartridges, but weren't sure if they were the right number for our printer.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items, including a pumpkin and potted mums. We didn't buy the mums, though, because they looked stressed.
Back home, we put away the groceries we'd gotten, and then went out again....this time to check on a bale of straw at a farm store. We didn't like what we saw, because it looked old. So we stopped by the church that has set up a pumpkin patch and bought a bale there. It was a bit more expensive than I intended to pay, but the money goes to the church's youth organization, so I chalked it up to a charitable contribution.
Then we went to a home improvement store, where we found pots of healthy mums. From there, we went back to the store that's going out of business and picked up the two cartons of ink cartridges, since we'd checked and they are the right ones for our printer.
While we were doing this, Mother put together a meatloaf for supper. When I got back home, she and I added more touches of fall around the house.
Later, we enjoyed the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans...a very traditional and satisfying American meal. Mother went home after that, and Hubbie and I watched TV.
Sunday, Sept. 26
Up around 7 a.m., but skipped my exercises again. After breakfast, Mother and Sis came over. Sis painted the raven/nevermore motif on my pumpkin before lunch.
Later, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to shop for a few groceries and pick up a couple of rotisserie chickens for lunch. We had these with baked sweet potatoes, leftover beans and corn, coleslaw, and honey wheat bread.
Afterward, I gathered supplies needed for making hand creams, bath salts, and scrubs, and we spent part of the afternoon with this project.
We visited for a while longer, before Sis had to go home. Mother went home after that, and Hubbie and I settled in front of the TV. I did manage to wash a couple of loads of clothes and set the DVR for the week's shows and movies, but I didn't accomplish much else.
During the evening, we watched several one-hour shows that recorded on DVR while we were away.
Later, Hubbie and I went to the WDCS to shop for a few groceries and pick up a couple of rotisserie chickens for lunch. We had these with baked sweet potatoes, leftover beans and corn, coleslaw, and honey wheat bread.
Afterward, I gathered supplies needed for making hand creams, bath salts, and scrubs, and we spent part of the afternoon with this project.
We visited for a while longer, before Sis had to go home. Mother went home after that, and Hubbie and I settled in front of the TV. I did manage to wash a couple of loads of clothes and set the DVR for the week's shows and movies, but I didn't accomplish much else.
During the evening, we watched several one-hour shows that recorded on DVR while we were away.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, Sept. 25
Slept late this morning, and skipped my exercises so that we could go to the WDCS, where I thought there was to be a re-grand opening event. Turned out, the event was on Friday. Oh well, Mother was interested in seeing the store since it's been remodeled, and she needed to shop for a few things. We commandeered a store wheelchair for her, and then went on a hunt for the things she wanted. Everything has been rearranged, so that customers have to search endlessly for stuff. Frustrating.
After lunch, we went to the art gallery downtown, where a couple of art teachers were leading a pumpkin painting session. There were several women working, and they had completed a bunch of pumpkins already, so I guess they'd been busy since morning. But there were still pumpkins that needed detailing, so Sis and I helped. Really, all I did was fill in a solid color stenciled pattern, but Sis, who has an artistic bent, did fine detailing on a couple of pumpkins, and then designed a wolf mascot stencil.
Some of the motifs the group painted were a raven, with the word "Nevermore," a stylized haunted house, bats, black cats, the legs of the witch from "The Wizard of Oz," and the motif for our state university's mascot. The gallery received orders for specific motifs, and the pumpkins, once painted, sold for between $12 and $30, depending on how complicated the details were.
Before we left the gallery, we toured the art exhibits that included several watercolors. Sis is expecially fond of watercolors. On the way home, we stopped at a church-sponsored pumpkin patch, where I bought a nicely shaped pumpkin for Sis to use in painting a raven motif for me.
Later, after a suppr of leftovers, we played Skipbo. Mother won a couple of games, and I won a couple, and Sis won at least one.
After lunch, we went to the art gallery downtown, where a couple of art teachers were leading a pumpkin painting session. There were several women working, and they had completed a bunch of pumpkins already, so I guess they'd been busy since morning. But there were still pumpkins that needed detailing, so Sis and I helped. Really, all I did was fill in a solid color stenciled pattern, but Sis, who has an artistic bent, did fine detailing on a couple of pumpkins, and then designed a wolf mascot stencil.
Some of the motifs the group painted were a raven, with the word "Nevermore," a stylized haunted house, bats, black cats, the legs of the witch from "The Wizard of Oz," and the motif for our state university's mascot. The gallery received orders for specific motifs, and the pumpkins, once painted, sold for between $12 and $30, depending on how complicated the details were.
Before we left the gallery, we toured the art exhibits that included several watercolors. Sis is expecially fond of watercolors. On the way home, we stopped at a church-sponsored pumpkin patch, where I bought a nicely shaped pumpkin for Sis to use in painting a raven motif for me.
Later, after a suppr of leftovers, we played Skipbo. Mother won a couple of games, and I won a couple, and Sis won at least one.
Camping Trip, Day Five
Friday, Sept. 24: woke up to rain at 6:30. We didn't let it stop us from donning rain ponchos and heading to the river bank near the boat dock to do some fishing before breakfast. It didn't take me long to snag my hook on a rock and lose it and the weights again.
As with yesterday, I gave up the project and did some rock hunting again. Yesterday, I'd brought my camera and took pictures of Sis fishing, and of turkey vultures along the bank hoping for the leavings from cleaned fish. They must have been disappointed today, because we got not even a nibble.
Hubbie was pleased to reel in a fishing line with hook and weights, though. Sis surmised that it was the rig I'd lost. We laughed at the improbability of it...if Hubbie had tried for a year, he couldn't have purposely "caught" my lost hook and weights in that rushing river.
After an hour or so, we began to get hungry, so we returned to camp. After a breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and jelly, and canned pears with cottage cheese, Sis and I took Mother to the wildflower garden.
The garden was near the campsite, as the crow flies, but the ground across the lawn to the garden is uneven. Mother loses her balance easily, and she tires when she walks, so I pushed her in her wheelchair down the road from the camper, and around to another road that led to the garden. It wasn't far, but there were a couple of inclines that used my arm and leg muscles. I counted it as exercise.
After lunch, we packed up and headed home. Got back mid-afternoon to find a truck parked in the driveway, blocking most of it. Hubbie decided to go ahead and squeeze the truck and camper past it, but in so doing, he hit the mailbox, denting that side of the camper, and dragging the rear of the camper so that a jack was bent.
I had so hoped we'd make it through an entire trip without incident. But no, it was not to be. So now we will have to take the camper to another town for repairs, which need to be done before our next outing.
The guy who abandoned the truck left a note of apology, saying he would return the next day to pick it up. He did, but we didn't see him when he came, so Hubbie couldn't alert him to the damage he caused. He signed his name on the note, but there was no phone number. Guess it didn't matter, since our insurance agent said his insurance (if he has any) wouldn't pay for it anyway, because he was parked in our driveway and didn't hit us.
As with yesterday, I gave up the project and did some rock hunting again. Yesterday, I'd brought my camera and took pictures of Sis fishing, and of turkey vultures along the bank hoping for the leavings from cleaned fish. They must have been disappointed today, because we got not even a nibble.
Hubbie was pleased to reel in a fishing line with hook and weights, though. Sis surmised that it was the rig I'd lost. We laughed at the improbability of it...if Hubbie had tried for a year, he couldn't have purposely "caught" my lost hook and weights in that rushing river.
After an hour or so, we began to get hungry, so we returned to camp. After a breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and jelly, and canned pears with cottage cheese, Sis and I took Mother to the wildflower garden.
The garden was near the campsite, as the crow flies, but the ground across the lawn to the garden is uneven. Mother loses her balance easily, and she tires when she walks, so I pushed her in her wheelchair down the road from the camper, and around to another road that led to the garden. It wasn't far, but there were a couple of inclines that used my arm and leg muscles. I counted it as exercise.
After lunch, we packed up and headed home. Got back mid-afternoon to find a truck parked in the driveway, blocking most of it. Hubbie decided to go ahead and squeeze the truck and camper past it, but in so doing, he hit the mailbox, denting that side of the camper, and dragging the rear of the camper so that a jack was bent.
I had so hoped we'd make it through an entire trip without incident. But no, it was not to be. So now we will have to take the camper to another town for repairs, which need to be done before our next outing.
The guy who abandoned the truck left a note of apology, saying he would return the next day to pick it up. He did, but we didn't see him when he came, so Hubbie couldn't alert him to the damage he caused. He signed his name on the note, but there was no phone number. Guess it didn't matter, since our insurance agent said his insurance (if he has any) wouldn't pay for it anyway, because he was parked in our driveway and didn't hit us.
Camping Trip, Day Four
Thursday, Sept. 23: Up around 7 a.m. Water at river high, so no trout fishing. Boo-hiss.
Since we couldn't fish, we went to a bird watching program at 9 a.m., where the interpreter showed us how to properly adjust our binoculars. We learned that each individual needs to adjust binoculars for their own visual needs. This is done by first looking for a distant object to focus upon...in our case, it was a sign. The second step is to close the right eye and use the focusing wheel on top of the binoculars until the object is in clear focus. Then close the left eye and adjust the diopter on the right lens until the object is in clear focus.
We have binoculars, though they are not a top brand, and not exactly the strength recommended. Still they worked fine, once Hubbie adjusted them to his eyesight. The rest of us used binoculars provided by the interpreter. If I remember correctly, the interpreter suggested 8x42 strength. Ours are 7x35. She said to look for any strength divisible by five.
The interpreter related a story about a guy visiting from a northern state, who saw for the first time a cardinal, and declared it to be the most beautiful bird he'd ever seen. Cardinals are as common as blue jays all year round in our part of the country, so we are accustomed to seeing them. They are most striking in winter, bringing color to gray days, and standing out brilliantly against snow.
After we'd set our binoculars, we trooped to the river overlook, where the interpreter pointed to a large sycamore tree on the other bank. There, through binoculars, we saw amazing Great Blue Heron rookeries...huge nests built onto the tree branches. These large platforms of wooden sticks are built 20 to 90 feet above the ground.
The park is also home to turkey vultures, and a flock was circling above us today in search of food. With our binoculars, we were able to get a better look at them in flight. They are a decidedly unlovely bird, but they are very efficient at cleaning up carrion.
This bird watching program made us enthusiastic to pursue the hobby, which the interpreter noted is the most popular hobby in the world...because there are birds everywhere, and studying them is relatively inexpensive and easy to do (once the hobbyist obtains binoculars, a bird identification book, and a life book, which is a journal for noting the birds one sees).
There are also bird watching clubs in many communities that enthusiasts can join for a nominal fee. These groups plan bird watching outings that help the novice learn more about identifying bird songs, as well as about identifying the birds themselves. I searched for such a club in our area, but found none.
No matter, I still plan to get the recommended bird identifier book and life book and begin this new hobby, even if I only watch birds in my own back yard. The interpreter said that every year there is a worldwide bird count, including a count of backyard birds, so I can participate in that. Who knows, maybe someday, I'll start a club in our community.
Later, after lunch, we went to an 1890s village. This village is many years old and the worse for wear, but it's still interesting. There's a hotel, a general store with post office, a house, a church, a jail and a livery, where coffins were made. There's a barn and barnyard with friendly ponies and a donkey. There's also is a train engine on a track, and a gold sluicing box with water pump. The schoolhouse, unfortunately, burned to the ground, and all that's left are blackened timbers.
The village includes a cavern that can be toured for a fee (entrance to the village was free), but no one was interested in seeing it. Mother and Sis are not into caverns, and Hubbie thought the entrance fee was too high.
So we returned to camp and enjoyed cookies and ice cream while sitting outdoors. Sis is lactose intolerant, but Hubbie and I found lactose free ice cream at grocery store.
This afternoon, Hubbie, Sis, and I made another trip out (Mother stayed at camp to rest). We went to the Visitor's Center to look for the recommended bird watching book, which was unavailable, and then went to several stores looking for a Styrofoam ice chest for Sis, so she could take home her ice cream, and the two trout we'd caught.
The only store that had one was a package store, and the cost was over $5...way overpriced. At a discount store, we were advised to go to the WDCS, seven miles away. We did, but no Styrofoam chests there, either. Sis settled for a regular plastic chest.
On the way back to camp, I asked if Sis could spend a few more days with us when we got home, and she agreed. Hubbie said that if he'd known she was going home with us anyway, he could have given her one of our Styrofoam chests. Oh well, she said, she'd been needing a regular ice chest, anyway.
Later, we had goulash for supper, and then afterwards, we fished from the bank near the boat dock. I promptly broke my fishing line and lost my hook and sinkers, so I abandoned the effort and went rock hunting along the bank. Hubbie and Sis continued, and eventually Hubbie brought in a small brown trout.
Back at camp, we played Skipbo, with Sis winning two games, and Hubbie winning two.
Since we couldn't fish, we went to a bird watching program at 9 a.m., where the interpreter showed us how to properly adjust our binoculars. We learned that each individual needs to adjust binoculars for their own visual needs. This is done by first looking for a distant object to focus upon...in our case, it was a sign. The second step is to close the right eye and use the focusing wheel on top of the binoculars until the object is in clear focus. Then close the left eye and adjust the diopter on the right lens until the object is in clear focus.
We have binoculars, though they are not a top brand, and not exactly the strength recommended. Still they worked fine, once Hubbie adjusted them to his eyesight. The rest of us used binoculars provided by the interpreter. If I remember correctly, the interpreter suggested 8x42 strength. Ours are 7x35. She said to look for any strength divisible by five.
The interpreter related a story about a guy visiting from a northern state, who saw for the first time a cardinal, and declared it to be the most beautiful bird he'd ever seen. Cardinals are as common as blue jays all year round in our part of the country, so we are accustomed to seeing them. They are most striking in winter, bringing color to gray days, and standing out brilliantly against snow.
After we'd set our binoculars, we trooped to the river overlook, where the interpreter pointed to a large sycamore tree on the other bank. There, through binoculars, we saw amazing Great Blue Heron rookeries...huge nests built onto the tree branches. These large platforms of wooden sticks are built 20 to 90 feet above the ground.
The park is also home to turkey vultures, and a flock was circling above us today in search of food. With our binoculars, we were able to get a better look at them in flight. They are a decidedly unlovely bird, but they are very efficient at cleaning up carrion.
This bird watching program made us enthusiastic to pursue the hobby, which the interpreter noted is the most popular hobby in the world...because there are birds everywhere, and studying them is relatively inexpensive and easy to do (once the hobbyist obtains binoculars, a bird identification book, and a life book, which is a journal for noting the birds one sees).
There are also bird watching clubs in many communities that enthusiasts can join for a nominal fee. These groups plan bird watching outings that help the novice learn more about identifying bird songs, as well as about identifying the birds themselves. I searched for such a club in our area, but found none.
No matter, I still plan to get the recommended bird identifier book and life book and begin this new hobby, even if I only watch birds in my own back yard. The interpreter said that every year there is a worldwide bird count, including a count of backyard birds, so I can participate in that. Who knows, maybe someday, I'll start a club in our community.
Later, after lunch, we went to an 1890s village. This village is many years old and the worse for wear, but it's still interesting. There's a hotel, a general store with post office, a house, a church, a jail and a livery, where coffins were made. There's a barn and barnyard with friendly ponies and a donkey. There's also is a train engine on a track, and a gold sluicing box with water pump. The schoolhouse, unfortunately, burned to the ground, and all that's left are blackened timbers.
The village includes a cavern that can be toured for a fee (entrance to the village was free), but no one was interested in seeing it. Mother and Sis are not into caverns, and Hubbie thought the entrance fee was too high.
So we returned to camp and enjoyed cookies and ice cream while sitting outdoors. Sis is lactose intolerant, but Hubbie and I found lactose free ice cream at grocery store.
This afternoon, Hubbie, Sis, and I made another trip out (Mother stayed at camp to rest). We went to the Visitor's Center to look for the recommended bird watching book, which was unavailable, and then went to several stores looking for a Styrofoam ice chest for Sis, so she could take home her ice cream, and the two trout we'd caught.
The only store that had one was a package store, and the cost was over $5...way overpriced. At a discount store, we were advised to go to the WDCS, seven miles away. We did, but no Styrofoam chests there, either. Sis settled for a regular plastic chest.
On the way back to camp, I asked if Sis could spend a few more days with us when we got home, and she agreed. Hubbie said that if he'd known she was going home with us anyway, he could have given her one of our Styrofoam chests. Oh well, she said, she'd been needing a regular ice chest, anyway.
Later, we had goulash for supper, and then afterwards, we fished from the bank near the boat dock. I promptly broke my fishing line and lost my hook and sinkers, so I abandoned the effort and went rock hunting along the bank. Hubbie and Sis continued, and eventually Hubbie brought in a small brown trout.
Back at camp, we played Skipbo, with Sis winning two games, and Hubbie winning two.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Camping Trip, Day Three
Wednesday, Sept. 22: Today was the first day of fall, though the weather said otherwise. It was cool in the early mornings, and after sunset, but by noon each day, it was quite warm.
We were up at 6:30...well, Mother, Sis, and I were up at 6:30....Hubbie was up at 5:30 to check the river. He said the water was down, so he and Sis suited up to trout fish. But, boo, when we got there, it was up again.
So, we went to the fishing pier, where we had absolutely no luck. After breakfast, we decided to walk a paved path near the dam. Here, Sis and I find a bonanza of wildflowers near the boat launch ramp, around a curve. While Mother was able to enjoy the river in her wheelchair, she couldn't access the wildflowers on the sandy, hilly bank.
From the river, we went to a resort, where there is a bird sanctuary. The sanctuary features colorful pheasants, peacocks, and Guinea hens.
Back at camp, after lunch, Mother napped while Hubbie, Sis, and I take a driving tour and shop for a few items at a grocery store.
Later in the afternoon, we all went to the Visitor's Center, where we attended a program on butterflies, which took place in the center's butterfly garden. It was a wonderful place to do snapshots of both the flowers and the butterflies. Sis got some particularly good shots.
The Visitor's Center itself features a film about the river, the building of the dam, and the trout fishing opportunities that resulted. Models of record trout and lake fish sit on pedestals. There are also a couple of aquariums, at which an interpreter treated us to the feeding of trout and bass. Actually, she was trying to feed the red-eared slider turtles that were in the bass aquarium, but the bass kept snatching the worms right out of the mouths of the turtles. At the rainbow trout aquarium, the interpreter poured minnow into the water. As quick as the minnows were, the trout snapped them up with lightening speed. I sort of felt bad for the minnows.
Later, for supper, we had homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Sat in the yard for a while afterward, and then played Skipbo...Mother won two games, Hubbie and I each won one.
We were up at 6:30...well, Mother, Sis, and I were up at 6:30....Hubbie was up at 5:30 to check the river. He said the water was down, so he and Sis suited up to trout fish. But, boo, when we got there, it was up again.
So, we went to the fishing pier, where we had absolutely no luck. After breakfast, we decided to walk a paved path near the dam. Here, Sis and I find a bonanza of wildflowers near the boat launch ramp, around a curve. While Mother was able to enjoy the river in her wheelchair, she couldn't access the wildflowers on the sandy, hilly bank.
From the river, we went to a resort, where there is a bird sanctuary. The sanctuary features colorful pheasants, peacocks, and Guinea hens.
Back at camp, after lunch, Mother napped while Hubbie, Sis, and I take a driving tour and shop for a few items at a grocery store.
Later in the afternoon, we all went to the Visitor's Center, where we attended a program on butterflies, which took place in the center's butterfly garden. It was a wonderful place to do snapshots of both the flowers and the butterflies. Sis got some particularly good shots.
The Visitor's Center itself features a film about the river, the building of the dam, and the trout fishing opportunities that resulted. Models of record trout and lake fish sit on pedestals. There are also a couple of aquariums, at which an interpreter treated us to the feeding of trout and bass. Actually, she was trying to feed the red-eared slider turtles that were in the bass aquarium, but the bass kept snatching the worms right out of the mouths of the turtles. At the rainbow trout aquarium, the interpreter poured minnow into the water. As quick as the minnows were, the trout snapped them up with lightening speed. I sort of felt bad for the minnows.
Later, for supper, we had homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Sat in the yard for a while afterward, and then played Skipbo...Mother won two games, Hubbie and I each won one.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Camping Trip, Day Two
Tuesday, Sept. 21: We were up early, and after breakfast, Hubbie and I rode our bicycles to the river, to see if it was low enough to go fishing. It was, so we donned our waders and other fishing paraphernalia, hopped in the truck, and headed to the river. We had everything with us except bait, so Hubbie had to return to the campsite for the whole kernel corn we needed.
We fished for a couple of hours, and I caught one rainbow trout. Hubbie caught nothing. About 11 a.m., the sun was high in the sky, and I was getting uncomfortable, so we returned to camp. When I took off my waders, I found that my right jeans leg and sock were soaking wet, thanks to a leak in my waders.
Later in the afternoon, Sis arrived. She stopped at the registration office. We could see her from our campsite, where we were seated outside. I called her cell phone and told her to look out her window to her left. I stood up and waved, and she finally caught sight of me and drove around to the site...going the wrong way on the one-way road. Fortunately, she didn't meet anyone coming in the opposite direction.
She joined us sitting in the yard for a while, and then she, Hubbie, and I walked the short path around a wildflower meadow that features two pergolas with benches. The meadow itself features a variety of wildflowers nestled in tall grasses. In a couple of places, the grass was mashed down and dried, and we wondered if these might have been hiding spots for fawns.
From the meadow, we drove to the river again. Here, there is an overlook with informational plaques, and a water fountain. Sis had brought along her dog, so we were glad to see that the fountain not only had places for adults and children to drink, but it also had a low-to-the-ground stainless steel watering dish with fountain. Sis's dog seemed fascinated with this device as she lapped from both the bowl and the arching water from the fountain.
We also visited a fishing pier, where one man was trying his hand at fishing. The pier is high above the river and not an ideal fishing spot. Near the boat dock, we saw two really large trout swimming. Hubbie estimated their weight at three pounds each. He commented that if we could see them, then they could see us, and trout, being the wily creatures that they are, would never take bait from a fisherman that they could see. There have been times, when we've dangled bait right under the noses of trout like that, and they completely ignored it.
At this spot on the river there is a spring, the cold water of which flows down a deep, but narrow channel out to the river. Along the bank are wooden swings for visitors to use in enjoying the cool breeze off the water.
Later, after a supper of chicken noodle soup and pimento cheese sandwiches, we attended an 8 p.m. program sponsored by the park. A young interpreter, only five months into her job, presented a slide show program about our unfavorite animals and how they benefit the environment. The animals included spiders, snakes, bats, and the like.
Before she started the program, she treated us to a music CD of a Bob Dylan song, called "Man Gave Names to All the Animals," sung by Jason Mraz. Cute lyrics, with verses like "He saw an animal that liked to snort; Horns on his head and not too short; It looked like there wasn't nothing that he couldn't pull; Ah, I think I'll call it a bull." And, "He saw an animal leaving a muddy trail; Real dirty face and a curly tail; He wasn't too small and he wasn't too big; Ah, I think I'll call it a pig."
The second program she presented was about identifying animal sounds. Sis did pretty well at this one. First we listened to a sound, then tried to identify it, and then the interpreter showed us a slide of the animal. We were amazed at how wimpy a bear sounds. A bull frog has a scarier call. Katydids, crickets, and cicadas were some of the sounds, as well as frogs and birds and a fox.
In the middle of the second program, the interpreter suddenly disappeared behind the amphitheater screen and turned the lights on. She wanted us to see an armadillo leisurely strolling past the seated visitors to the lawn beyond.
We fished for a couple of hours, and I caught one rainbow trout. Hubbie caught nothing. About 11 a.m., the sun was high in the sky, and I was getting uncomfortable, so we returned to camp. When I took off my waders, I found that my right jeans leg and sock were soaking wet, thanks to a leak in my waders.
Later in the afternoon, Sis arrived. She stopped at the registration office. We could see her from our campsite, where we were seated outside. I called her cell phone and told her to look out her window to her left. I stood up and waved, and she finally caught sight of me and drove around to the site...going the wrong way on the one-way road. Fortunately, she didn't meet anyone coming in the opposite direction.
She joined us sitting in the yard for a while, and then she, Hubbie, and I walked the short path around a wildflower meadow that features two pergolas with benches. The meadow itself features a variety of wildflowers nestled in tall grasses. In a couple of places, the grass was mashed down and dried, and we wondered if these might have been hiding spots for fawns.
From the meadow, we drove to the river again. Here, there is an overlook with informational plaques, and a water fountain. Sis had brought along her dog, so we were glad to see that the fountain not only had places for adults and children to drink, but it also had a low-to-the-ground stainless steel watering dish with fountain. Sis's dog seemed fascinated with this device as she lapped from both the bowl and the arching water from the fountain.
We also visited a fishing pier, where one man was trying his hand at fishing. The pier is high above the river and not an ideal fishing spot. Near the boat dock, we saw two really large trout swimming. Hubbie estimated their weight at three pounds each. He commented that if we could see them, then they could see us, and trout, being the wily creatures that they are, would never take bait from a fisherman that they could see. There have been times, when we've dangled bait right under the noses of trout like that, and they completely ignored it.
At this spot on the river there is a spring, the cold water of which flows down a deep, but narrow channel out to the river. Along the bank are wooden swings for visitors to use in enjoying the cool breeze off the water.
Later, after a supper of chicken noodle soup and pimento cheese sandwiches, we attended an 8 p.m. program sponsored by the park. A young interpreter, only five months into her job, presented a slide show program about our unfavorite animals and how they benefit the environment. The animals included spiders, snakes, bats, and the like.
Before she started the program, she treated us to a music CD of a Bob Dylan song, called "Man Gave Names to All the Animals," sung by Jason Mraz. Cute lyrics, with verses like "He saw an animal that liked to snort; Horns on his head and not too short; It looked like there wasn't nothing that he couldn't pull; Ah, I think I'll call it a bull." And, "He saw an animal leaving a muddy trail; Real dirty face and a curly tail; He wasn't too small and he wasn't too big; Ah, I think I'll call it a pig."
The second program she presented was about identifying animal sounds. Sis did pretty well at this one. First we listened to a sound, then tried to identify it, and then the interpreter showed us a slide of the animal. We were amazed at how wimpy a bear sounds. A bull frog has a scarier call. Katydids, crickets, and cicadas were some of the sounds, as well as frogs and birds and a fox.
In the middle of the second program, the interpreter suddenly disappeared behind the amphitheater screen and turned the lights on. She wanted us to see an armadillo leisurely strolling past the seated visitors to the lawn beyond.
Camping Trip, Day One
Monday, Sept. 20: woke up this morning with an itchy spot on my back. Checked in the mirror and found a little round sticker adhered between my shoulder blades. The sticker said "Inspected by #12." Guess it came off a blouse I wore the day before.
Left home around 10 a.m. for a camping trip. On this trip, we took along our dog, Mother's cat, and two kittens.
Arrived at the campground around 12:30. We haven't been to this campground in several years, and we were pleased that two new, drive-through, full-service, sites have been installed, and we were fortunate enough to get one, since we called for reservations several weeks ago. It was a lovely campsite, with a wide expanse of lawn.
After lunch, Hubbie and I drove around the campground to see what else was new. We found that it is basically the same. On our return to the campsite, we noticed a herd of deer were grazing on the lawn near our camper. Mother was sitting outside and saw the herd. She said one of them approached very near her.
Over the course of the days we were at the campground, the herd visited frequently to graze on the persimmons that dropped from several trees on the lawn. A park interpreter commented that there are three herds roaming the campground. Naturally, I grabbed my camera whenever a herd showed up.
Later in the evening, after a supper of leftover pork roast and vegetables, we sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed the fresh air, while identifying the trees that shaded us. Besides several persimmon trees, red oak and chinquipin oak dominated.
At dusk, we toured the park again, stopping to enjoy the river. In the evenings, an eerie but beautiful mist forms over the cold water, rolling and undulating like ocean waves. Great blue heron honk and wing along the opposite bank in search of trout. Shrouded in the mist, fishermen in boats silently glide on rushing water.
Back at camp, we played Skipbo, with Lyle winning two games, and Mother winning one.
Left home around 10 a.m. for a camping trip. On this trip, we took along our dog, Mother's cat, and two kittens.
Arrived at the campground around 12:30. We haven't been to this campground in several years, and we were pleased that two new, drive-through, full-service, sites have been installed, and we were fortunate enough to get one, since we called for reservations several weeks ago. It was a lovely campsite, with a wide expanse of lawn.
After lunch, Hubbie and I drove around the campground to see what else was new. We found that it is basically the same. On our return to the campsite, we noticed a herd of deer were grazing on the lawn near our camper. Mother was sitting outside and saw the herd. She said one of them approached very near her.
Over the course of the days we were at the campground, the herd visited frequently to graze on the persimmons that dropped from several trees on the lawn. A park interpreter commented that there are three herds roaming the campground. Naturally, I grabbed my camera whenever a herd showed up.
Later in the evening, after a supper of leftover pork roast and vegetables, we sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed the fresh air, while identifying the trees that shaded us. Besides several persimmon trees, red oak and chinquipin oak dominated.
At dusk, we toured the park again, stopping to enjoy the river. In the evenings, an eerie but beautiful mist forms over the cold water, rolling and undulating like ocean waves. Great blue heron honk and wing along the opposite bank in search of trout. Shrouded in the mist, fishermen in boats silently glide on rushing water.
Back at camp, we played Skipbo, with Lyle winning two games, and Mother winning one.
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