Category: Life

Heavy and Light

Such a weird weird time, isn’t it?  Are you still masking everywhere?  Doctor’s offices still require it but many stores do not.  Around here I would say the ratio is more masked than not, but there are naked faces and I must admit, I am SO TIRED OF THE MASK!  I cannot imagine how the folks who have to wear it all day long for work/safety reasons are tolerating it.  And the poor kids!    To be clear, I’m not debating it, not wading into that mess because I just don’t have all the answers, and neither does anyone else, and I totally get the need to be cautious and protecting  ourselves and others and have done that more so than not for the past two years. TWO YEARS, wow.  As a hearing impaired person the masks are even more of a hinderance for the obvious reasons.

About those shots and boosters –  We’re boosted around here, but there is an odd uptick in strokes lately and I’m not going to lie and say that doesn’t concern me.  Strokes among younger folks, not where you usually see them. And I’m not going by news sources,  I’m talking about people we know.  I’m not anti vaxx, but I’m not sure I’ll be getting more covid shots now that I’ve had these three.  I want more time spent on it, more research.  In the meantime we’re both on a weight loss kick (AGAIN) and I’ve been walking/hiking with Kai as often as I can talk myself in to it, at least four times a week when weather permits.  Eating less meat and more greens and fruits, drinking more water.

2024 – raise your hand if you think we all deserve better choices than Biden/Harris and Trump/anyone  in the next presidential election.   Man, I feel like we’re floundering big time on so many fronts and for a variety of reasons.   We need a reset, but not of the hideous kind, of which I worry we are headed.

Enough of the heavy – here’s some Light –

We’re gearing up for a family wedding this June – my son and his lovely fiance who is also like a daughter to us now… and the wedding planning has been so fun!  The bride has wonderful taste in what she’s picking out – simple and elegant – lovely whites and creams and greens and elegant black.  My mom will be Justice of the Peace, and the whole thing will take place at an old Lace Factory that is now a wedding venue…  family and friends and the groom and his men will arrive aboard the Essex Steam Train – how romantic is that!  All of this set against the CT River.   A few pictures below to give you a sneak peek at the vision board, so to speak .

We’ve got that wonderful day to look forward to… and a three day trip booked on the Vineyard for the Mr. and I in July… plus! .. a really exciting trip planned for June 2023 with a cousin and his wife – Italy!  Starting at the Amalfi Coast where my husband’s family 2 generations back are from.  This will be the first time across the pond for the two of us and I am over the moon excited.  We met them for dinner the other night, they’ve been to Europe many times.. and my workaholic husband has decided it’s about time he starts enjoying life and even some travel.  Encouraged by travel accompanied by a couple who know the ropes, so to speak, he agreed.  Hooray!

I hope this finds you well and sane, and I hope love found you in one way or another yesterday, so many ways to see and appreciate and give  love in it’s many forms. Found this quote and love it –   May you see love in everything today and may your heart be filled with gratitude for all

Till soon…

 

 

 

 

Enders Island

There is a little island jutting off another little island (Mason’s Island)  just a causeway away from the towns of Stonington and Mystic here in Connecticut that is open to the public year round.  I’m surprised it’s taken me all these years to discover it, but here we are.   It is described as follows:  Enders Island is an 11-acre island off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut and the site of St. Edmund’s Retreat, an independently owned and operated Catholic Retreat Center. The ministry of Enders Island is dedicated to the work of spiritual care, recovery from addiction, and education in a variety of fine arts within the Christian tradition—both in-person and online.

Mom had cataract surgery last week and I had a few hours to spend during her procedure.  Enders was nearby so I went exploring this lovely, serene place. I had the place almost to myself and it was indeed a cold winter day, but the wind was gentle and the sight of it all was warming in a way that is hard to describe.  There are some memorials scattered about, I don’t know whether there are remains on the property or if these are just stone testaments to the love people had for them.  The little chapel at waterfront is full of messages and little gifts for the deceased who are dearly missed…

I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking here…

This little chapel is obviously a place of great solace for many.

 

Standing out on the rocks in front of that little chapel, I felt the power and the calm of the sea, the air, the solid footing below me that has been there for eons.   There was the peace of the many souls who created and embelish this sanctuary,   the peace of those who visit this place along their journey, both among us and beyond…. a peace this weary soul needed.

Till soon, friends –

Holidays during Pandemic times

How were your holidays?  Scaled down like ours?  We managed some smaller gatherings and I’m grateful we’re all still here and relatively healthy.  We even did a weekend at The Woodstock Inn, a favorite place for us. Last year’s trip was cancelled because Vermont was basically closed to outsiders, and this year still looked different but was enjoyable,  regardless.

Christmas came early while in the Woodstock village, the Mr. obliged my obsession with these boots as we kept passing them in a store window and they whispered to me every time, I’m  not even kidding.

 The Inn was magical, the depleted staff did a fantastic job with a difficult scenario.

Christmas rolled around and we did what we thought was best – smaller gatherings,  and some of them  cancelled.

🎄  Mom holding  a  delicious refreshing  Christmas Drink –  the Poinsettia – Prosecco, Elderflower liquor and a splash of cranberry juice, with some frozen cranberries thrown in.  Mix together according to taste – pretty and yum.   I’m not a big drinker but I like a refreshing one now and then and this hits the spot.  And kills the germs, right? LOL

 

We’ve decided to scale back down the restaurant dining since the new Covid surge, but we did get out to our favorite cafe in Stonington, the Dogwatch.  Their “power bowl” is my favorite – packed with healthy eating. the Town of  Stonington is beautiful any time of year, but especially during the holidays.

 

The kids and I have done some hiking and that is the single most awesome thing that happened to me this year- upon the adoption of Kai, my spirit dog as my mom calls him, I knew he needed a lot of attention and trust building and hiking was a good way to do it.  That also gave me the opportunity to tone up and get in better shape, and my adult kids don’t mind hanging out with mom to do it. I’m not a gym rat, I hate being stationary to exercise. Treadmills, elipticals, blah blah blah.   Get me out in the scenery and I can go for miles, and so I do.  It’s been a win for all of us during pandemic times and my goal is to continue exploring trails long into the future.

Yesterday’s hike at Hammonasset State Park on Long Island Sound, Madison, CT

Wishing us all good health and much joy in the years ahead.

 

Shots or Not

I certainly… certainly… thought by now we’d all have that damned virus kicked to the curb.  At this point I’m not sure it will ever be eradicated.  I missed the smiles on people’s faces and it’s discouraging to see masks coming back into every store again, but I understand the fear and the need for caution.  All the crazy out there is flapping in the breeze, too ….. there are government chips in the vaccines, you know…. they’re tracking you…. even though that smart phone you have in your hands has been tracking you for years if that’s something you lose sleep over.

I’m not thrilled to  inject my body with any foreign anything, heck, I don’t ever get the flu shot , but I’ve been inoculated throughout my life as most of you have too and I know without a doubt vaccinations have eradicated many a disease we would otherwise die from.   I’m grateful for the option to get vaccinated against the virus I saw take my Dad down in a matter of days, but I do believe it should be everyone’s  right to decide for themselves if it’s right for them , and I understand the legitimate concerns.

While it’s true you can still get sick once you’re vaccinated,  and even carry the virus to give to others, science and experience is saying the severity is diminished and so far in my life I have seen science save lives much more often than it takes them.  It boggles the mind that somehow, through recent politicizing of a public health threat that should NOT EVER have been politicized, science for some has become something not to be trusted.

You know.. there are gambles we all take on a regular basis.  When you drink or smoke you take a gamble. When you get in your vehicle and drive off you take a gamble. When you choose not to get your health check ups you take a gamble…  When you sip a c*ke, eat k8ntucky fried chicken, throw back some Adv*l for pain,  eat take out chinese food, pizza, Mickey D’s, buy foods supposedly labeled organic, skate on a pond, ski down a mountain… it’s all a gamble, and  it’s yours to take.. or not.

I’m not advising anyone on what they should do regarding the vaccine or anything else for that matter.  Heck, I go back and forth myself.  But I know science isn’t evil  (big ph*arma, the business, is another story)  and science is ever evolving, and while I absolutely abhor some members of our government, for the most part I’m certain most of them aren’t evil either. In so many ways we are so damned lucky for the science and the democracy we have today.  How we have benefited from both is getting lost on some people as they get mired in the conspiracy theories and utter bullshit some will spew for their political posturing and   to confuse and divide the masses.     That’s how you control and keep the masses down where you want them, proven through history time and again.  How is that lost on anyone?

We here in this house decided based on our  circumstances and the conclusions we’ve drawn from our own research…  we are vaccinated.  That doesn’t make us sheep.   With great hope, it might make us and our loved ones safer.  That’s the gamble we decided to take.

Wishing you, each and every one –  vaxed and unvaxed –

a Merry Christmas and a Happy, HEALTHY New Year – 

with much love from This Old House 2 and Stella by the Sea – 

 

Nature, the ultimate recharge, my cathedral

… has always been nature and the animals.  In my quest to keep this aging body moving and in good working order, I’ve been walking and hiking more… my newest rescued dog  Kai  as my faithful companion.   He is such a joy because he loves the outside time and he doesn’t pull! That’s a bonus I have not had before, not even with little Sally with the twisted front legs, which don’t slow her down one bit.

The biggest bonus is.. my kids actually like hiking with mom!  So now and then I am accompanied by some of my most favorite people, too.  The only nuisance are the damned ticks. I have found the all natural Cedarcide spray does help repel them. I buy it on amazon.

Lost Lake at WestWoods, Guilford, CT –  my boy introduced me to these awesome trails –

A train occasionally blows through on the tracks – I look forward to hiking these trails when the snow lands, Polar Express comes to mind.

 

This is an old quarry area, hence the large blocks of stone, and below is an old horse watering station.

The trails of Parmelee Farm are close to home and we go there often. My son was hired to enhance the trail system and he and crew are doing a beautiful job.

When I’m not out in the woods or mucking stalls or editing for work on this computer, I try to get upstairs to sit at the easel – newest painting I’m working on is a scene from a recent hike on Barn Island, such a glorious day and fun new discovery for nature walks, I decided to try to capture it on canvas.  Still much to do with it, but here’s where I’m at …..  with Michael Bolton on Amazon music – I may be 3/4 deaf, but I remember the nuances, and the beat tells me where we’re at in the song.  The Brain is an amazing thing, this I know for sure, and in this way I can still enjoy music on a whole different and definitely less satisfying level, but still, there’s joy in it.  Grab it where you can!

Some good advice and  humor for you as we head into the weekend –

 

We’re all just walking each other home –   Ram Dass

Till soon, friends…

The language we choose to speak

Being hearing impaired can really suck, I miss music and easy conversation. However my family and friends have helped me to make it doable over the years and the kindnesses are always noticed by me and so appreciated. I actually love when we can laugh over it as I occasionally get the words wrong.

I have always loved and bonded with animals, and even more so now- our conversations are all visual and feel, with soft words that don’t really matter- it’s the demeanor, it’s the reassuring presence. If we could all just have that simple language with each other no matter our obvious differences , all of us- what a beautiful world this is capable of being for every being. ✨❤️🌍

Happy Thanksgiving, all –

FALLing

Man, it’s beautiful out there! New England in her Sunday best – Even in the rain – we’re getting some of that big weather much of the country is getting apparently.   I’ve been walking a lot with my favorite hiking/walking buddy – he’s been so good for this weary soul.

My son and fiance had their engagement photo session here on the farm recently – here are just a few of my favorites…

Their wedding will take place next June along the CT River  in an old factory with gorgeous windows and wood floors, an old fashioned train will bring guests to the venue – stay tuned!

The Mr.  and I took a quick ( like eight hours start to finish) trip to Vermont last weekend and  I got my apple and cider fix  –

Some art projects I’ve been working on…  beaded horse shoes (old mule shoes found here on the property… and a new painting on the easel.  The shoe I “sold” for a donation to a farm animal rescue here in CT called Shut the Door Farm – and the painting might just serve the same purpose once it’s done.  I love making things, but when they actually serve a worthy cause, it’s that much more rewarding.

With this season comes a desire to dig out more recipes, comfort foods, holiday fare, and I love every minute of it except for the cleanup.  Every rose has it’s thorns 🙂  And speaking of roses….

Check out this recipe – made it for company yesterday and it was AWESOME!  and fun to make – not complicated, I promise!

Apple Rose Pastry 

 And here’s another fantastic easy fall recipe…

Creamy Roasted garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

     I hope all is well in your neck of the woods – wishing you all good things in this season of thanks giving. ❤

 

Catching up…

I miss my blog friends!   Go grab a coffee or a tea or water, which is better for you anyway – we’ve got ground to cover!   I finally have a little time to sit down and read some of your blogs, that’s next, and I sure hope I find you are all well and staying sane.   I stay away from the news more often than not in recent months, just hate to see all the division that continues, all the fake news that flourishes,  makes one long for simpler times.  And so I’m trying to make my times… well, simpler.

The kids living nearby on the outskirts of this farm in their own homes is truly a blessing.  We all stay out of each other’s way enough so that we’re not tripping over one another or wishing to move elsewhere, and yet we chip in together to keep this place running and enjoyable for all. The farm animals are always a source of joy, and also a source of work!

We all benefit from the chicken coop and the gardens – this year the raspberries and blueberries were more than abundant, we’ve got a freezer full. Potatoes and onions are also stored in crates downstairs – (the purple potatoes are DIVINE!) and we discovered this year all the produce loves to live and grow on the hill behind the house, better than the two garden plots we have down AT the house. So.. that’s where we will garden from now on, up on the sunny hillside.

Kai, our newest rescue dog, is doing super!  He went from two years of feral living to completely well behaved house dog in a matter of months, smart as a whip, and just a joy to be around. We take many walks together, kai and I… and sometimes my kids with their dogs too.  Speaking of which – my son’s rottie, Leo, has grown into a bull, a big mush, a little bit of a bully, a LOT of dog to be sure, but a love just the same.  At just a year old, he’s still growing, too.

Stella by the Sea –  Welp, as much as we said we were going to spend a lot more time down there, like maybe even LIVE there a few weekends at least this summer, it just didn’t happen.  The farm and work demands keep us busy throughout the year, but my mom does get to live down there for short spirts of time and we all congregate for dinners, swims, kayaking, the occasional lounging around.  Soon it will be time to pack it all in and close up Stella till next year.  I dread the emptying of the refrigerator – just sayin.

 

The Mr. and I did manage to get away in the first week of August, to one of our most favorite places, Martha’s Vineyard.  We rented a cottage on South Water Street in Edgartown, an older home with loads of Vineyard Charm.  It was just the two of us, which is unusual, but the slowed pace and not having any particular agenda was nice.  We both came back feeling rested, a much needed reprieve.

With this season comes a renewed interest in fall recipes… this one I haven’t tried yet but I think I’ll give it a go for the Thanksgiving table instead of the traditional Pumpkin Pie, which some of us don’t even like.  (I do!)

Pumpkin Tiramisu from Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
  • 2 packages (3 ounces each) ladyfingers, split
  • 1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • Additional pumpkin pie spice

Directions

  • 1. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; set aside. In another bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pie spice and 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Fold in whipped cream.
  • 2. In a small bowl, combine coffee and remaining pie spice and vanilla; brush over ladyfingers. In a 3-qt. trifle dish, layer a fourth of the ladyfingers, angling some up the sides of the dish if desired. Top with a fourth of the pumpkin mixture and whipped topping. Repeat layers three times. Sprinkle with additional pie spice.
  • 3. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours.

  Wishing you all good things this fall, Lord knows we all deserve it!  – Till soon, my dear blog friends –

Who rescued who

Life with Kai ✨

He continues to teach me as much as I’m teaching him… patience and learning to be more quiet within being the most important. I’ve stepped up my walking game for his needs and in turn I’m taking better care of me, too.

He’s still shy, he still questions trust. Sometimes he’ll play with a toy for a few seconds and then spook because he’s not sure that’s OK to do. ( of course it is) we are still always on leash outside of the fenced yard because I don’t know if he would bolt if spooked. He is very well mannered on leash. He licks my face when we are driving somewhere, a little thanks in dog language? He perches on the center console in my batmobile , my wingman on those excursions. He wades chest deep or swims through shallow waters out to sandbars at my heels, trusting.

Progress and so much love ❤️.

Who rescued who? Hard to say

Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man….

If you’re as old as I am, I’m willing to bet you’re humming that toon by ZZ Top right about now, aren’t ya…

 

Isn’t he handsome? ♥

Kai and I continue to get to know each other… a few times a week I take just him and leave the others home… to Stella by the Sea where we walk the cottage community admiring the gardens, the shells on the beach, all the new smells.  He watches my every move wherever we go, currently staring at me as he lies in his favorite dog bed, the others all around my desk area in their favorites too.  He got his first bath yesterday and he looks and smells glorious.  I’ve had my moments where I’ve thought –  What the F did you do, Karen?!….adopting a dog that needs so much patience….. but those thoughts are quickly washed away by the feelings of joy when he comes right up to me with his silly grin, when he jumps in the car with the anticipation of the experience of wind in his face, the walk after the ride.   The loving gazes that to me say.. thank you...

My son and his fiance were in a wedding last weekend, and I just loved the whole vibe – a young and truly beautiful crowd, the joy apparent, much dancing and whooping in celebration – As it should be.  We have begun the planning for his wedding for next June – so much to think about, and so much fun to be had.  Love is in the air… and one can’t help but get wrapped up in it and remember those young years full of plans and promise….  ( no matter how that may have ended up, LOL)

We’ve begun harvesting from our gardens – the kitchen garden is producing peas and basil , I’ve got pesto in the freezer already-  the zinnia rows and Tomatoes are not yet blooming…

Up in the orchard the raspberry bushes have lots of berry beginnings, blueberries too… apple and peach trees will bear fruit, potato plants are huge, and I picked the first yellow squash harvest this morning.

We had heavy rains last night and usually at this time of year that means mushrooms in the woods, so I took a gator ride out back and down into it – I don’t dare pick to eat, because I’m not educated in the edibles and poisonous.  But they sure are pretty to behold….

Leaving a recipe here that I haven’t tried yet, but it’s easy to throw together and a combination of things I love, so I’ll give it a go soon – maybe even later today.

Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert

And some sage advice…

 

Till Soon, friends…