Thursday night

Here is the story friends. I sent back my air card from Verizon. You know the one I have been complaining about since I got it. It was a costly thing and half the time I didn't have any internet service. Now I must find the WiFi iin the area. I go up to Gloria's, over to the Crandall Library and up to Panera Bread in Queensbury. I know there are others, I just haven't located them yet. It is kind of a nuisance not to be able to sit down in the early morning with my coffee but it was very frustratiing when it didn't work.

I just took two days off from job hunting to go to the horse show in East Dorset with my daughter and granddaughters. The weather has been hot and beautiful here. The mountains are spectacular with the sharp contrasts brought about by clouds and their shadows. Today it was hazy so the sun didn't really feel as hot as it was. We did have over 10" of rain not quite a week ago. Two of my three cellars were wet. They are finally drying out again. I have a dehumidifier in the one that has the most tendency to gather water. The garden is produciing beans now as well as cukes, peppers, cabbages, brocolli and onions. Carrots too. I am disappointed in my zuchinni and yellow squashes. Usually they produce like crazy but this year not so. Still picking the jap. beetles off the beans a couple times a day. They should be disappearing soon.

Sebastian has lyme in his blood test. Poor guy is taking the antibiotic for it. Upsetting to his stomach. Hopefully, he will be ok. He has lived 12 years in the south, been bitten many times and had to come to NY to pick up the lyme tick.

I am posting this at Pete's on his computer so I cannot upload photos. Stay in touch dear friends. It is important in these times that we link up with one another.

Hazy, Hot and Humid Friday

Sittin' in air conditioned Panera Bread waiting for Sebastian to complete his coiffure. I left him off at noon. He was not happy about it but will feel much better with his summer butch cut.

I moved Bearfoot back down by the barn this morning. I set it up differently with more room on the curb side for my awning should I decide to put it out. I may be staying in the coach off and on for the rest of the summer and early fall. I hope to rent my house as a B & B type of vacation retreat. Brent and Sharon, my friends from Tampa, gave me the idea. I am still in the process of putting the ad on the web. vacationrentals.com

I planned on uploading all the photos today here but I guess I have to put them on in smaller batches. The upload didn't take. The title of the house is Locust Grove Cottage if you look. You have to go in under NYS and then to Glens Falls or Adirondacks.

Pete and I picked 12 qts. of blueberries yesterday a.m. It was easy picking since the bushes are large and loaded with ripe berries. In fact, it was a challenge not to lose some as you picked. They came off easily. Very large berries too. Tonight we are freezing them. We did the same thing last year and I paid pies from all of them.

Last night we drove to Florence, VT for my grandson's 18th b'day celebration. They carry on our family tradition of serving what the b'day person wants including the cake. Therefore, we had chinese food from the Panda Pavillion and Reeses Pieces choc. cake with ice cream. Everything was yummy! Sebastian went too and was exhausted on the way home from fending off their young boxer/lab mix, Denzel. The young dog thinks it is a big game to hear Bashey bark and growl. Pete and I yawned all the way home. He drove, thank God. I can't see well at night. But it was after 10 p.m. when we got home. It is a fair distance up there. We walked across the road to see if Miss Louise had any of her free range chicken eggs. They are like Easter eggs, all different colors. She makes wonderful jams, jellies and relishes too.

Tomorrow Pete and I are going with some of his family to Burlington, VT for a brew tasting at a microbrewery. I have never been to one before. Should be fun.

Let's see if I can load some pics on here.

Tuesday, July 15th

My wireless connection seems to be working today but I don't know if I can upload some photos. I hope so. I took some good shots of my garden in the last rays of the sun. I had my first meal of fresh peas, brocolli and baby summer squash last night. The gardens look wonderful. We have had just the right amount of rain and sunshine. I have been picking the Jap. beetles off by hand for about 2 weeks. I hope I can continue to control them without using the traps. The traps attract all the neighbors' beetles. I pick off approx. 10 or so a day. It doesn't take them long to decimate a garden. I like the peas and the beans.

I am still searching everywhere for a job. My financial situation is on a downward slide. I depended on income that has dried up. One of my dear friends called and suggested I rent my house on a vacation weekly basis. Not a bad idea since I still have the motor home to live in. I am seriously thinking of listing it on vacationrentals.com Most of the houses online are on lakes; mine is not but is centrally located for several lakes, rivers and mountains. When I started listing what we have to offer in this area, I was surprised at the quantity of activities within a short drive.

My daughter has asked me to join her and three friends for a polo match at Saratoga tomorrow evening. I am quite excited about packing a fancy picnic and dining alfresco on the polo field. My contribution will be my Kick Ass Peanut Butter cookies, sun tea and the picnic plates etc.

I attended a sunday service at the Yoked Church just down the road - this is a combined church of baptist, congregational and united church of Christ. The church was built over a 100 yrs. ago. The woodwork and craftsmanship is exquisite. The service was lightly attended but that is the case with most churches in the north. In the south, the churches are overflowing. I wonder why so many have withdrawn their energy from the local churches.

Have a wonderful summer day. Note: the shot of the marsh was taken near Glen Lake on the Adirondack Bikeway. I rode from Hudson Falls to Lake George on the trail last week. Great!

Early July 2008

I sound like a heavy smoker when I cough. I am recovering from sort of strain of pneumonia. Started out a couple of weeks ago as a cough and then my chest tightened. My daughter Theresa called on the phone and suggested after hearing my voice that perhaps a visit to the doctor would be a good idea. I am always reluctant to go to the doctor and she knows that. But a week's worth of antibiotics and an inhalor and I am on the mend.

It is very hot here now. I bought a small AC window unit which is helping to keep my house bareable. Everything must be watered with the heat and warm winds. But my garden just keeps growing and growing. I have peas nearly ready, spectacular lettuce, green onions and numerous herbs. There are green tomatoes, pepper blossoms, potato blossoms, cabbages heading up and some nice looking brocolli heads. The summer squash is nearly ready to eat too.

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration. Pete and I went to Argyle to a parade in the morning and picnic at a relative's home. It was nostalgic for me since my family always used to have a large family picnic on the 4th. I went next door to the annual library used book sale. I picked up numerous books at a quarter a piece. I took lots of photos of the flowers too. I will post some. In the late afternoon, we went to a theme wedding here in town. They were married outside in the yard in Hawaiian garb and Luau theme. The reception was held at the firehouse. There was a DJ and huge buffet. Fireworks completed the day.

I had a young male neighbor stop by to bring me a large bowl full of fresh blackberries. He knew I was a baker and wanted to share the berries. I have frozen them but will make a couple of pies as soon as the weather cools. I promised him a batch of donuts too. I have had no luck finding a job as a personal chef but I have applied for a teller's position. Coming from branch management 22 years ago to being a teller again is a bit of a come down but there shouldn't be much stress. Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts as I attempt to rejoin the workforce. It is an entirely different place than it was when I left.

Enjoy the shots.

Sunday, June 29th

Time flies by and I note it has been 9 days since my last post. I certainly was able to post more often before I began homesteading here in Hartford. I just tried to change the title photo of me in black and white but wasn't able to do so. I will try again later when I have more of a signal. My problem here seems to be that I am right on the edge of Verizon's broad band signal. If I move up to Pete's, 2 miles from here and on a hill, the signal is much stronger. I am fussing with printers too. I just spent $50 on inkjets for another one that doesn't work. I could have bought a new one for $100 and still been better off since I had already spent nearly $50 on inkjets for my Epson printer. I am grousing and I apologize.

We are in a heavy humid cloud today. There is another cold front moving in from the SW and we are to expect T-storms this afternoon. So what else is new? This is the pattern this summer at least during this moon. The sun has been very hot when it shows itself and we have had a strong breeze so the garden has dried. I mulched it yesterday just before a heavy down pour. Tomatoes were wiltiing. My garden looks good. I am eating abundant and sweet lettuces, green onions and herbs. Peas aren't quite ready. Neither are the beans or squashes. My potatoes are budded out though. Eating well is a number one priority with me. My dad influenced me strongly with this phylosophy. Even during times of financial strain, he always made sure we ate well. I seem to be in those times.

I would like to become someone's personal chef but am not sure how to go about advertising or where. Maybe online somewhere. I have applied for a few jobs and been turned down. I am learning though. I am learning how to handle an interview after all these years and I hope it pays off. Years ago, when I applied for a job, I always got it. Now it is quite different. I haven't worked for anyone else but myself in many years and it is quite different now.

I now have two squirrels, one red and one gray. They didn't find my feeders until about a week ago. I had a visit, up close and personal, from a Red-tail Hawk who I felt was planning on having a squirrel dinner soon. Not yet, although when I mowed yesterday, there was red fur on the grass. Maybe this is another red one. They are destroying the feeders and eating everything in the process. I have enjoyed watching the birds come with their fledglings. The Red Bellied Woodpecker brought it's young one as did the Harry Woodpecker who brought 3 young chicks. I had suet out there and the young woodpeckers developed a keen taste for it.

I priced fencing for my land. Way out of my range. I will plant trees and put up a run for Sebastian I guess. I am thinking of cedar trees, Arborvitae maybe. They grow fairly fast and will provide a thick hedge. There is much to be done here. I just scratch off one more thing and three more are added. Life was very simple in the Coach and sometimes I long for the "good old days". Bearfoot makes me sad as she sits here in the yard awaiting either a buyer or a trip somewhere. But with the price of diesel over $5.00, I don't think we are going anywhere soon. I plan to wash and wax her soon but the weather has not cooperated.

Gonna roast some veggies for tonight's meal. Will serve them with a juicey steak from the grill and a fresh lettuce salad from the garden. Yummers! Last night, I ate with Pete at his house. We had an intense shower and sat on the porch watching it. The cold air felt very good after the high temps of yesterday. When I drove home last evening after dark (not my favorite thing to do), I ran into another intense rain storm. I could not see much of anything for about a mile. I found myself praying for guidance and safe passage. As I neared my turn, it just stopped. A sigh of relief. Friday night I drove up to my neice's to join them for the HS graduation of their daughter. Again, the rain came as well as tremendous wind. This seems to be a pattern and I am grateful for safety. One doesn't dare pull over and stop for fear of a tree or powerline falling on the car. We don't have any pull offs between here and there either. I just put my flashers on and drive slowly with the wipers on full blast, white-knuckling it for 2 miles. Thank God that is all it is.

My granddaughter, Emily and I went looking at horses this week. She rode two at Pond Hill Ranch in Castleton. Really liked one of them. Now she will need to convince her dad and mom. She has a true love of horses and has been trying to find one for a few years. Having been involved with horses much of my life, I am fully supportive of her efforts. I hope she has the opportunity to experience owning her own horse before she goes off to college.

OK, if the photos come through, Yea! They are Rosie and Sebastian in the door at my house, the old Feeder Canal on the Adirondack Bikeway, a storm coming in from the Adirondack's. You can see it is raining there and will be raining here in just a few minutes. Soon-----

Spring Equinox

What a fun trip I had attending my Virginia granddaughter's HS graduation. I flew down with my daughter Theresa and granddaughter Emily. We flew to Baltimore, rented a car and drove the 2 plus hours. We arrived on Friday at rush traffic so the trip to Ashland, Va was slow until we were able to get on I 95. There was a terrific amount of cooking to be done when we arrived so Theresa and I picked out the recipes we wanted to do and worked our way through them. Lisa my VA daughter had worked right up to Friday so she had purchased the groceries but had not done any preparation. We cooked until after mid-night the first night with Emily half-asleep on a stool. Her cousin Anna, the graduate, had gone to a party. Next morning, it was back at it again. We finished in time for the ceremonies which were held at VCU at 10. The party was at 4 that afternoon. Back home to finish the kabobs and potato salad, slip on the flip flops and shorts and welcome the guests. The next day we went to the YMCA to work out and relax. Monday, my son-in-law George took us gals to VA beach for the day. We had a great day tanning, shopping and playing beach ping pong. Tuesday, we left for the airport and enjoyed a swift easy trip to the plane. Since I arrived home, I have been catching up on my sleep. I came home very tired but happy with the great memories of fun times with my family.

Yesterday I went to Pittsford, VT to watch my grandson, Joe graduate from the 6th grade. He will now go to the large union HS. We are a large family and there were 12 of us at the ceremony. We hooted and hollered when he walked on the stage to receive his diploma. I think he wanted to hide. I told him to get used to it and to wait until he graduated from HS and college. Then we will really hoot and holler. Watching these youngsters move on in their lives is very rewarding. Grandson Travis who is in Officers training at VT just made his first jumps from an airplane with the 101st airborne in GA. He was very nervous but ended up loving it after the first one.

Seems like an old story folks but I am still not happy with my internet service. Much of the time, I don't get any. I am up at my sister's today using her wireless. I would like to post some pictures for you as I used to before I quit the road. These shots are of two NewFoundland's that belong to Pete's son. They each weigh 150 #'s a piece. The other is a sunset here in Hartford.

Have a wonderful transition to Summer and the time of bloom.

Summer Day Thursday

Hi Everyone,
I am running behind on my posts. This fact seems to be a trend for me since I became a homesteader. Part of the problem is my Verizon DSL Broadband card is not working consistantly. I am very frustrated with it. Maybe I have good reason to opt out of my contract and buy into some other service.

I am off tomorrow for Montpelier, VA to see my granddaughter, Anna, graduate from HS. My youngest daughter, Theresa and 15 yr. old granddaughter, Emily are going too. Three generations of wildwomen! Wow, look out Virginia. We fly into Baltimore, rent a car there and drive the remainder of the distance. I am very excited to see my VA family. It has been a long while since I didn't see them on my trip up this spring. About 8 mos. Travis is still in Airborne school in GA and won't be there until later in the month. We plan on an apres graduation picnic in the yard and VA Beach on Monday for the day. We fly back on Tuesday. Bashey knows I am planning something. He is velcroed to my leg. My friend, Pete, is going to take him with him. I think he will do fine with Pete since he knows and likes him very much.

I mowed today, fed the birds including the Hummers, and am now packing. Packing is the most difficult chore for me. Always has been so. I never know what to bring. I bring too much or I forget something really important. I wonder what it is like to have someone pack for you.

I applied for a job at a local general store. It is a quaint place, crowded with merchandise and local patrons. I really don't know if I will get the job since I only want part time. I have a couple of other places I want to apply when I return. My bakery business, sadly, keeps being blocked by obstacles. I wish I could find a job where I could use my cooking skills.

I am preparing to wash and wax Bearfoot. I did have a woman look at it but who knows. I hate to part with it. Selling Bearfoot will end another chapter. Speaking of chapters, I think it is time for me to begin editing my book and look into publishing it on the web. I finished it a few years ago but never felt the need to publish it. It was a healing tool for me but as I reread it, I think there is some additional value to it as a healing tool for others.

I have all the symptoms of Lyme disease and have been bitten a few times since arriving in NYS in March. My test came back negative but I understand there is a 30% false positive on those tests. I will have an additional test when I get back from VA. I still don't feel back to normal. I have heard some horror stories of people who are affected systemically from Lyme.

More to do to prepare to be away for a few days so will close for now. I am very disappointed in the Verizon signal strength not be strong enough for me to upload some photos for you. I will keep trying.

Be well, be happy, be safe and most of all be YOU.