Uncategorized – Page 23 – This Old House 2

Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas. 💖

But.. something is different this year and I didn’t give it much thought until last week when I dragged all the decorations up from the basement.

My kids don’t live here anymore.

We had a family right away after marrying, and so all of our Christmases except the very first one together have been mostly about the kids. Oh, how I have loved that experience. The toy shopping, the present hiding, the surprise building, the cookie and gingerbread house making, the stocking stuffing and tiptoeing at midnight to fill the tree skirt to overflowing with gifts for the next mornings surprise. The Christmasy breakfast with monkey bread for pulling apart, the big fire in the fireplace as we opened presents usually early AM, because anticipation, you know.

So I hoisted all the decorations to the first floor.. and looking at all the boxes I thought.. well, maybe not so much this year. It’s just us. A sadness blanketed my Christmas Spirit… But the manchild stopped in shortly after and said “Where’s the ***, and are you putting out the ***? “Where’s the star plate? I love that star plate”.

And the girlchild came by looking to see if maybe I had a few extra decorations because they’re tight on money having just ventured out together on their own and could we spare a piece or two? She also made a few gifts for family this year and she said “It feels so good to MAKE something you know another person will enjoy”.

They’ve been paying attention, and I do believe they have the same Christmas Spirit in their hearts that their father and I do. I’m loving Christmas all over again, the lens in the glasses just needed an adjustment. Sorta like this aging deal. And you know, just as in aging, I’m damned lucky to have a reason for the need for the lens adjustment. Biggest Gift of all.

K made this in Kindgergarten….

M made this in kindgergarten too…

My mother had this made when I was born.. it has my name and birthyear on it….

We use the Christmas Spode all during the season as our daily plates.. why ever not.

Christmas cactus in full bloom…

We all have our trials, the spectrum is wide and varied. Wherever you find yourself and your loved ones on that spectrum this year, may the spirit of the season surround you in the ways you find joy and peace of mind. May the threads of kindness in our Humanity prevail –

Bless Us Everyone

Stella, dear.. you look maavelous

We pulled up this morning to check out the progress and the smile was plastered on my face for the entirety of our visit. Ear to ear, I’m telling ya. The boyz have been busy all week wrapping up the outside work before the great chill descends.. (it’s actually landed, the water buckets here at the farm are freezing). Just a few trim details left and then on to the interior.

I walked around her perimeter like a little girl clinging to her mothers skirts, admiring mom all dressed up for a night out.

Long Island Sound and the Atlantic are at the mouth of the cove, which you can see off in the distance in the pic below…

My blog friend Sara sent this lovely image, she’s been collecting seaweed letters for a project for her family and she put this together for me… thank you, Sara! http://sharleystudio.blogspot.com/

Windows to the Soul and The Twittering Twit.

Stellas old leaky chipping cranky windows have been replaced…. and soon the siding will be complete.

Next up.. we tackle the interior.

Right here is where all my blog friends who are Trump fans get off the bus so as not to offend you, because that’s not my intent. You have your reasons, I know.

****************************

While I keep trying to GET OVER IT ALREADY, LET GO OR BE DRAGGED, blahblahblahblahblah…. that’s nearly impossible when DJT keeps dishing out the ridiculous and many just keep consuming it with reckless abandonment of what we ALL really consider to be normal, rational, respectful, SAFE behavior.

I’d sure like to see the person about to take the highest office arguably in the World put down his twitter account and start behaving with the class and dignity and personal restraint his position requires. Because of his inflaming personality and refusal to follow protocol, it’s going to be a looong four years – he’s going to be the subject of more than a few parodies too. Grow a skin, Donald, you’re gonna need it.

Seriously…. I’m referring to one of the biggest ball breakers in the history of ever! The hypocrisy and the whining are laughable, if it weren’t so pathetic given the position he’s about to take. He can’t handle a SNL Skit! He’s slamming other countries on TWITTER for Cripes sake. Please, may the powers that be – help him get over himself and get on with “making America great again”. Although we already live in a Great Country, just to be clear. I wish he would stop taking credit for things he didn’t really do. Yeah. THAT.

– Just Sayin

Where she’s at…

Sally, you’ve won the book give away – I’m shipping off The Girl On The Train and a surprise book as well.

Todays progress at the cove… Stellas streetside porch is not really one you can sit on comfortably, it’s more for show. There was a little bench there and I might paint it and put it back in place, but if you sit on it, you’re pretty much inches from the railing, knees maybe hitting. I *love* the door color next to the stained cedar shingle. It’s easy on the eyes, no?

Walkway around the side of the house… there will be a small outdoor shower behind the wheelbarrow.. bricks have been laid as the flooring.

Waterside, on the deck, new fortified doors that tell the mice to kiss off. You know, truth.. I used to have pet mice, when I was a teenager. Satins! I hid them from my mother pretty well for a while, until they got loose. That was a terrible day. We’ll end the story right there.

Stella is tucked into this scene, about half way up the coastline here…. The rock jetty borders the cove and marshland preserve behind it.

There are two islands in our cove, both inhabited. One came available several years ago at a bargain basement price. We thought about a purchase for two seconds, and realized every.single.trip to get anything at all would mean getting in a little boat to get to the car to get to the….. I’m glad we waited for Stella.

Remember these? Found hanging in Stella’s garage….

Those little shells are found all over the shore and I haven’t yet learned what they’re called, but they look like pearls that exploded. I should google it…

Our work on the outside of the cottage will be completed soon. The winds have picked up and the temps have dropped, especially down on the shoreline, hence the rush to get it done and spare the work crew the bitter chill. Because we went over budget on the outside, it’s looking like the interior will get a good scrubbing and a new coat of paint and that’s just about it for this year. We’ll also need furnishings, as what remained went into the dumpster. I’ll be looking for bargains and vintage finds in neutrals with blue hues.

Funny thing about this cove. On one side, you have Stella and her friends -lovely, little, uncomplicated, charming, old, rustic, cottagey cottages, some of which are crumbling just a wee bit. On the opposite side, behind me here…are the “HAVES”. The homes are quite stately, most starting in the millions range. We get to look at their lovely facades, they pay the huge taxes and look over at Stella and Company. It was rumored (and some still believe it) that Derek Jeter bought his parents a home there. For years we stared at a house that even had yankee colored umbrellas on the patio OMG!!… across the cove for hours on end hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Binoculars may have been used. I may or may not have kayaked over there .. casual-like…just to get a closer look. This year because we are OWNERS now, a local who would know said… My friends live there, it’s not Derek Jeters house. Really. My kids even babysat. It’s.not.Jeters.house.

Oh… kay. 🙁 Just a little wind was let out of the sails of a certain Ever-Yankee-Loving husband.

I just started Woman in Cabin 10 – already, GOOD READ! Thanks for the suggestion.

Until soon-

The Icing…

…on the cake.. is the cedar shake siding Stella is being adorned with as I type. One of the many many charms of the homes I ~~covet~~ admire on the Vineyard are the cedar shake siding you can find almost everywhere. These are white cedar with a bleaching oil application. We’re bringing a little Vineyard Vibe to Stella, including the porch ceiling, painted pale blue.

According to Sherwin Williams – Once just an old Southern tradition, the blue porch ceiling has made its way north and is being introduced to new generations. There are numerous theories as to why – from fooling spiders and wasps into thinking the ceiling is the sky, to blue being a harbinger of good luck, to the color extending daylight, to scaring away evil spirits.

Sounds good to me!

The waterfront doors have been replaced as well. Although I loved the old doors, there was a 1 inch gap between the door frame and the walls and there was some rot. It was very clear the mice had loved their tenure in Stella, probably for years on end due to the wide open welcome the door frames and eaves provided. We booted them out and took away their welcome mat because there’s nothing quite like pulling down curtains and experiencing mouse crap rain on your head, with the discovery of a layer of mouse crap in the toaster a close second. Yeah. That.

Thank you for all the great book recommendations! I just finished Girl On The Train – Won’t give away the ending if you haven’t read it.. but it was a surprise. Some of you already agreed with me about something – Two books that are very popular (Gone Girl, Girl On the Train) were just – meh- to me. Had to make myself finish, and here’s why – The characters were just not very likeable. I actually STRONGLY disliked Gone Girl characters, how very self centered and selfish…. and with GOTT, I just wanted her to get ON with herself already. The mystery pulls you in, though, so I finished it.

My perimenopausal / fibro state has me sleep deprived and reading material is a must before bed. Next up on the reading list – Woman in Cabin 10 and Outlander, because I’ve heard many good things about the series in recent years. When I read the summary I said.. really?… but I’ve been told you just have to get past the initial fantasy aspect and the history lessons and relationships will pull you in. OK then. I’ve also written down your other suggestions, thank you friends.

If anyone wants my copy of The Girl on the Train and one other surprise book, leave a comment below and I’ll use random selector (if there’s more than one of you) to pick the recipient.

As always, thanks for stopping by – Karen

She’s come undone, but she’s coming back together

I’m feeling that in more ways than one. As a good blog friend has reminded me more than once as of late.. Let Go Or Be Dragged. I hear ya Stephen.. I’m listening…

Stella is also coming back together… the Mr. and I drove down to the cove this morning to soak in all the progress without all the workmen. It was clear and sunny with no whipping winds, the water was crystal clear and I swear Stella was smiling as we pulled up to admire her newfound fortitude. Let me show you a -before- and – current – situation.

I took this at waters edge.. see the bubbles? That’s how clear the water.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.. last night the manchild invited his old HS buddies for a bonfire up on the hill. All are home from college for the holiday and I just loved hearing their giggles and chiding and noise in general as they decended upon my kitchen once again. I miss that noise.

Our Thanksgiving was a fun family affair hosted by my SIL. The kids got together for some football on the lawn and board games later on after a gracious dinner. The maple cheesecake recipe I shared with you in the previous post was the BOMB, I highly recommend the recipe. Use real maple syrup if you try it.

I picked my father up from the nursing home to join us, and although he didn’t take his jacket or hat off for the entire visit, he truly enjoyed the company. We all stayed away from political discussions because the group was mixed. Actually, a text was sent out just prior to arrival that said NO POLITICS! …. it worked.

We’re having dinner at my daughters condo tonight – her partner is an incredible cook and they have invited us for a second Thanksgiving meal. While I did not welcome the empty nester thing, there are definitely some perks.

Reading lists – I’m in full reading mode again now that the chill is in the night air and the darkness decends early. I just finished Mud Season, currently reading Girl on the Train. It’s OK, not really grabbing me. I should admit I didn’t like Gone Girl much either – the characters were just totally unlikable for me. I do want to know the mystery brewing behind Girl though, so I’ll finish it. If you’re so inclined, list some good reads you’ve enjoyed in the comments below.

Happy Weekend, All – as always, thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Blanket Season

Indeed, we were spoiled with a most beautiful Autumn. Yesterday, Winter let us know she is not far behind and I blanketed the horses to fend off the chill. She’s sprinkling flurries and whipping winds up on the hill as I type this.

The girls have a heat lamp in the coop, because I can’t stand the thought of their little combs and wattles frostbitten when the temps really dip. Not all chicken tenders (no pun intended!) believe this is necessary, but it makes me feel better.. so. Henrietta is very appreciative.

I’m supposed to be out shoveling sh*t right now, but I’m feeling under the weather today – a combination of stress over the election and it’s fallout, a cold – the first I’ve had in about 15 years, and perhaps a stomach bug last night just to kick it up a notch. Of course, fibromyalgia, not wanting to be left out, kicks it up another notch for good measure.

I keep trying to -reset- — Put the election results behind me and move on. My friends are still ranting and arguing on Facebook, even the “winners”, although we all lost in my opinion. I’m trying not to get into the fray, but it’s so damn hard when you feel so damn concerned about what all this means. I was hoping for some Presidential Behavior to arrive with the incoming President Elect, but no.. the 3 a.m. tweets continue. Doesn’t he have more important things to worry about now?? The whining continues ( Please Donald.. you reap what you sow, simple concept, google it) He’s taking liberties already with his children, with his business interests, The Draining of the Swamp didn’t happen, he’s picking from it. And I called this one months ago…. The First Lady isn’t moving into the White House…. for now. Yes I know she found a believable excuse but I don’t think for one minute she wants to live in the Big House. So another special exception will be made for his wife and one of his children. What that means for the Secret Service detail and other occupants of the Ivory Tower remains to be seen, but for sure, it’s “un-presidented”.

What’s a girl have to do to get out of her own way? Create. I’m starting a new painting, an oil of my horse underneath that glorious old pear tree (the giving tree) that still gives about 1,000 pears per season regardless of it’s almost completely hollowed out core. This is going to be tricky and will take a while, but I’m hoping it will soothe my soul. My “studio” is now my son’s bedroom – the one he vacated this past year to live with his GF. They’re doing remarkably well, by the way.. so proud of their accomplishments as they build on their education and career, and learn what living together responsibly and selflessly means. It’s a beautiful thing.

Are you getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Feast? Most years I have cooked the meal here and various family have been invited. This year my SIL is hosting and I will be bringing a few desserts.. I plan to make an apple pie and a maple cheesecake, which is new in my repertoire… because SOMEONE ELSE IS BRINGING A STORE BOUGHT PUMPKIN!! – WHAT?? GAH!!… The recipe can be found here if you’re interested. For the cheesecake, not the store bought.

An update on my father and his life at Apple Rehab- while there are things about him I will never understand or condone, I have to give him credit. He has adjusted well to nursing home living, something I didn’t think would happen. He’s made friends. He has a “coffee clutch” – I call them the rat pack, who hang out in the front hall and watch people come and go. They play cards, they order take out and have pizza delivered, they flirt with the nurses, they watch football and complain about the candidates. My dad is one of the “winners”… we don’t go there because in his previous life he was a racist and a womanizer. I can’t tolerate his fist pumping over this one and so he has learned if he doesn’t shut up I’ll walk out. Sounds harsh, right? But it is the reality.

The one area that is still a struggle is this – He is supposed to share his room with another. So far, he’s been through three room mates – He’s not very considerate, leaving the heat at greenhouse temps (uncomfortable for anyone but him) and never shutting off his TV, not even when he leaves the room for a while. His reason is he doesn’t like the inconvenience of having to turn it back on. They’ve tried talking to him about being considerate of his roommates, but ultimately they’ve had to separate them. The home has been very considerate up to this point, but there’s just so much shuffling they’re going to be willing to do. He lies to me about the reasons for the squabbles so I no longer ask. They gave me permission to -stay out of it- so that our visits can remain cordial. for this holiday I will pick him up and bring him to my SIL’s house, and bring him back home when he peters out. It’s not the ideal, but it’s what we’ve got.

Not the ideal, but it’s what we’ve got. Wash, Rinse, Repeat…

There is much to be Thankful for, tis true. I’ll be back with updates on Stella over at Once Upon a Tide soon enough.. Happy Thanksgiving! and Peace be with us all.

Facelift, Yuge and Bigly

The garage door has been replaced over at Once Upon A Tide…

I went to the cove this morning to see the progress… the plywood is fortifying the walls so we can cedar shake. If we hadn’t done that, the nails would have gone through the entire wall (no sheetrock, no insulation). The windows have been removed and will be replaced as well.

Staining the rails and posts to match the stained cedar siding… We decided if we painted all that white to match the lattice below, it would have looked very heavy.

Updated photo at 4PM from the husband….. You know.. I christened this cottage “Once Upon A Tide”.. but what keeps popping up in my head is “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”. I think her name is truly Stella, this little place. What do you think? – I’m going down to sit with Stella for a while, hopefully gain some perspective.

The water in the cove was calm today.. always thrilled to see how clear the water is and how healthy the shellfish beds. Years ago, Long Island Sound had a big polution problem and there was a big effort to “Clean Up The Sound”… Since I moved to Connecticut over 30 years ago I see a big difference in the water quality. Big improvement.

And while I haven’t quite gotten over WTF just happened last week… and because more WTF keeps happening as the new White House takes it’s shape… I have to find ways to laugh again. I’m getting a kick out of these meme’s that someone’s been putting out there.

Come for a Rain Ride to the Cove

My editorial job keeps me at the computer some days when I’d like to just get away. I’m too tempted to click on over to Facebook or CNN to see what’s -goin on- but lately, what’s goin on is toxic. Case in point this morning – You know that video I posted yesterday with Kate McKinnon singing Hallelujah? I loved it. Shared it on facebook too. My neighbor up the road thought it was offensive to Leonard Cohen, the skit bastardized the song. (what?) You know what’s offensive to Leonard Cohen, who was a Jew? The appointment of Steve Bannon. I let her know that and then I said to myself.. I said .. SELF?.. I thought you were walking away from this sh*t, weren’t ya?? Now go.

So I went, and I’m taking you with me…

The rain is coming down today, and along with it the rest of the autumn leaves…

As we get closer to the cove we drive past a preserve on the left. The proximity of the water to the road tells me whether we will be at high or low tide at the cottage. The water at times comes right up to the road, I mean inches. I’m sure the road is flooded during storms, etc. I can tell by it’s location today that it will indeed be high tide.

This little community (140-ish cottages) is private, but the only thing that would let you know this is the little guard /library/video share/seasonal notice/ hut station thing at the entrance. It’s cute. Looking for a good read? check out the shelves. Want a scolding if you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing? Read the sign. Looking for a seasonal rent? It’s probably tacked on the board.

That’s us with the dumpster and porta potty up ahead. The water was shut off on Oct. 30th.. so….

I think we got the door color and trim (see roofline) just right.. what do you think? Next up.. new windows and the cedar shingle siding, stained to match the trim and decks.

Yep.. High tide… Notice the oyster beds are covered. In the distance you see the jetty- the nature preserve in earlier pic is just beyond.

Ah, I feel better already. If I can just stay away from the news…..

PS. I just learned how to put replies under comments.. you can teach an old dog new tricks, ya know. Thank you for joining in the conversation in previous posts… I love hearing from others, seeing perspectives from a different vantage point. Unless you’re a crank and have no empathy for others… then you just suck. Anyway… It takes courage to put yourself out there, even when we don’t agree – I thank you for doing so. Have a good day, all –

Karen

For those who are mourning after this election

*** UPDATE TO THIS POST… I had the wrong video linked.. I apologize for the error. The correct one is now below.

A friend of mine said she’s so tired of all the whiners who didn’t get what they wanted on November 9th. She continued with a hefty –get over it already, move on. She chides the protesters, how foolish! … Of course, she got what she wanted.

I’m weary of all the facebook posts, tweets and news coverage because it was and is indeed EXHAUSTING. I’m tired. I’m angry. I’m sad. There’s no question, I’m grieving. There are many reasons to grieve, in no way do I compare my grief to that of someone who has lost a loved one, I need to be clear, but all grief is real. I cried several times in recent days and I’m not a crier. That caught me by surprise. ——- the raw emotion, why has this affected me so much…

H*llary’s speech – what an example of Grace, of Dignity, of Truly Giving a Shit about the unity of this country, about what we as a nation are supposed to stand for. I wasn’t her biggest fan, but her critics want only to see her flaws and they embellish them for their own purposes. They refuse to acknowledge facts and 30 years of public service among other things. When I think of how she has been treated by the establishment and her own husband at times, I hurt for her. I’m not offended that she was ambitious… it takes ambition to get any good works done, and even the best among us have flaws. She had the courage to battle for many years the misogyny, the cruel jokes and merciless persecution by the worst of the good ole boys, what I now call members of the swamp. Amazing to put aside all the anger she must have felt at the hateful rhetoric spewed all over her during this campaign, to speak to us all for the sake of the country, asking us to unify and support the President Elect because we need him to succeed in order for us to succeed. Thank you, Hillary Clinton, for your good grace in a time of graceless behavior. – That awful morning, while half of us shook our heads in disbelief, I listened to her speak, and I cried.

Tr*mp sat down with the President – we all saw the coverage – my heart ached for a man who rose above all that hateful vitriol he faced for five years from the president elect… exuding nothing but Grace in welcoming the demagogue. What it must have taken. The words were gracious, the body language telling. How hard that must have been. I cried for him. I cried for all of us… I cried for the Grace that is leaving the white house.

For this election because of it’s nature, I voted not for a party, not solely for policy issues, not for a gender or ethnicity, but for the basic ingredient I feel every politician should be held accountable. Decency. I voted against bigotry, racism, hate speech, mysogeny, bullying, ethnic slurs, social media abuses. Yes, I’m angry that half of us were willing to forgo decency at it’s very core for whatever reasons were considered more important. …. and I’m not getting over it very soon. If you’re reading this and you’re grieving too, I hear you. We’re not whining, we’re not poor losers – as half of We The People see it, the dignity of our country was at stake and we all lose when it falls to the gutter. If you voted for Trump, I’m crying for you, too.

Thank you SNL, for hitting the nail on the head…

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah