Coping

 I've spent the past two days working outside as the weather has been warm. I painted the new section of deck and stairs after removing many of the boards just to make sure I could. Now I'm confident I can empty the hot tub and remove the access panel as needed without too much fuss.

I planted a mock orange bush and a lilac in front of the deck and built a little border around each to hold the mulch. I used stone that was left from my garden bed that was sacrificed during construction, rather than buying something new. The goal is to encourage birds and insects to gather in the yard. I hesitate to add bird feeders because of the mess, but birds in winter are just joyful to look at.

A Before and After look:

Before:

Not too welcoming and therefore under used.

After:

The grass is finally growing and my backyard oasis is finally coming together. I'll work on furniture and more plantings in spring.

In doing garden cleanup, I was surprised to find life still going on in the garden. 

The marigolds are still hanging on along with several bumble bees.


The viburnum is confused by the warm temps and blooming again.


Native blanket flower.

These made the Don't Plant Again list, but now I'm having second thoughts.


Later, I got cleaned up and went to the Hudson Taconic Lands gala with Annette, Amyjean, and Peggy. It was delightful to spend an evening with 300+ people committed to protecting our forests and making them accessible to the public. It was held at Franklin Plaza in Troy and featured cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner and short presentations.

An interesting interaction at the gala - I saw a former student at the check in and I said "Hello Jake, nice to see a former student here!" He remembered my name and that I was a RUSH fan and I recalled his love of soccer.  Later on, during the event he came up to me again, he said to apologize for being such a terror for me in eighth grade. I honestly didn't remember that because - eighth graders, right? Anyway I told him I appreciated that, as I was a bit of a pill to some of my teachers back in the day as well. Anyway, he is one of our NYS senators now, so I guess he turned out alright. Even though he works for the 'other' party,  he does seem to be a genuinely nice person. Believe me, that last sentence is very hard to reconcile right now.

November 10

I just returned home from a nice weekend in Vermont with my sister Theresa and my niece Emily. 
I made the leisurely drive over Friday afternoon, stopping in Manchester VT after finding out the Robert Frost Stone House was closed for the season. I enjoyed the Northshire bookstore, had a latte, and checked out a few other spots in town before heading to the condo at the base of Mt. Ascutney. My sister wasn't there yet, so I went for a swim in the indoor pool while I waited. 

The skies were sunny when I left home, but turned dark and ominous in Manchester.
I had planned to walk the river path, but impending rain scuttled that idea.

A few sprinkles gave way to sunnier skies on the beautiful drive through the mountains.

Climbing Mt Ascutney was the weekend goal and we did that Saturday. We had lunch at MacLaomainn's Scottish Pub in Chester and visited Lady Jane's shop where I found the perfect cross body bag in a Harris tweed and navy leather. That night Emily taught us to play Cribbage  which was fun though complex in scoring.

Two sisters and a niece hiking up the mountain. It was chilly!

Emily looking over the edge of an old granite quarry.


Today we took a walk at the Queechee gorge, visited the Simon Pearce glass blowing factory and shop, and had lunch at Doc Coburns Tonic. We made a couple more stops in the Vermont flannel store and an art gallery before heading our separate ways to CT, NY, and VT. This weekend was just what I needed to remember to enjoy time spent with those I love.

Queechee Gorge trail



Outside the glass factory. The effects of the drought are evident.

Watching the glass blowers work. 

The ski posters were adorning the walls of Doc Coburn's.



Theresa and her family are avid skiers which is why Vermont is one of their favorite getaways.

Comments

  1. PamNovember 11, 2024 at 4:56 PM

    That all looks very lovely. Concentrate on the loveliness and try to forget ... other matters. It kind of works... Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MargaretNovember 11, 2024 at 7:34 PM

    You are coping by keeping busy doing interesting things, as you always seem to do! Glad the weather cooperated and your deck area is looking splendid. I'm still feeling numb and frightened by what's to come. Hard to reconcile "nice" people with what and whom they have chosen as their leader.

    ReplyDelete

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