Solar Winter - The Darkest Days Begin

 I'm not sure why I can't manage to keep my house in order, but it is constantly in disarray. It doesn't help that I love to be in nature and will take any opportunity to go outside. I went for a walk in the neighborhood and was surprised at what is happening at the town beach. The building work is slow, but lots of landscaping is happening - not all of it good.

The park entrance here used to be a pine grove. Just a few trees are left.

A pile of tree corpses.

Friday a few friends met for a walk on the 5 mile loop at Saratoga Spa State Park. The weather was in the low 50's so it was very nice. Lunch was at 9 East - a cute farm to table spot where the special was a slice of pizza, a bowl of soup (butternut squash) and a salad for $11. It was excellent!

The best view was on the ride home.

Saturday morning I met the hiking group for a very chilly (43 degrees) bike ride. We rode 17 miles and I'm glad I had a down jacket and winter gloves and hat. I declined to go out to lunch because I need to cut back on all those delicious but useless calories. 

Pausing to catch up at the halfway point.


The Normanskill creek. The browns and yellows are fading towards grays and blacks of winter. According to the weather folks we have reached solar winter, but not astronomical or meteorological winter yet.

Sunday was absolutely frigid. I only went outside to get in my car to drive to an early Friendsgiving celebration. The high temp was in the low 30's. I made my standard apple pie which was a hit along with a store bought  cheesecake. Lyne went all out with the decorations and got each of us a sunflower bracelet to celebrate such a great group of friends. I didn't know any of these women 7 years ago, but now we are friends for the duration - hopefully.

Strength and independence. Photo: AJ

Photo: AJ

Photo: AJ

Friendship and joy. Photo: AJ




Today I set aside the whole day to deal with the IRS. My personal taxes were fine, but the addition of the inheritance from my aunt has the IRS way behind in reconciling the taxes that were withheld and paid to the IRS. The IRS wants me to pay the taxes again. I am not in favor of that. I spoke to four different agents, but only one could fully understand the problem. I got a STAY on my account for 9 weeks. My brother (trustee) is on his 3rd 9 week stay and still the IRS is behind and can't quite figure this out. Guess what I'll be doing in about 9 weeks?

I also decided to cancel my dental appt for a crown later this week in order to go on a bike ride. Fair weather riding days are few and far between, and I'm not going to spend one sitting in a dental chair. Hopefully my tooth will hold on for another month. 

To pass the times I was on hold w/ the IRS, I decided to clean and reorganize the kitchen cupboards which then morphed into candle making. I recycled the dregs of about 10 candles into one really nice jar I love. Now I have 10 smaller jars to turn into more candles when the mood strikes again. Maybe when my daughter comes for Christmas!!! I'm very excited to spend some time with her just like the old days.

                                                     I do love to recycle things.

Now I'm going to go line dancing with a couple of friends to get some activity in besides climbing on chairs to reach the top shelves.

Comments

  1. MargaretNovember 13, 2023 at 9:49 PM

    Unless you have people coming over, a little disarray harms no one. Even then, we're probably the only ones who care how our houses look. You do stay very busy! I admire you for getting out in the cold weather. I do too, but family obligations have kept me from doing as much exercise as I would like to. That's wonderful that your daughter will be home for Christmas--what fun! I did have a (temporary) crown put on today; it wasn't a very difficult procedure and didn't hurt much at all. However, the dentist is saying that insurance companies are getting stingy about paying for them. What else am I supposed to do with a cracked molar, put superglue in it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maureen MNovember 14, 2023 at 8:31 AM

    After many years of dental insurance that wasn't very cost effective, I just pay out of pocket now. Not much difference financially.

    ReplyDelete

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