Tag: life

We’ve got issues…

   For the past four days  my blog would not let me write a new post or change a header. Both the layout and template features were useless and we all know how impossible it is to get in touch with anyone at Blogger.  Two weeks ago my blog was no longer supported by Windows 8 and I had to switch to Chrome.  Just when I’m getting used to Chrome… something goes wonky and it ain’t working.  I have tried trouble shooting, put it on the blogger conversations board, send messages to what is supposedly blogger support… to no avail.  One suggestion I saw when googling around was to switch browsers… AGAIN???… so that’s what I’ve done, currently using Firefox… annoying as hell, slow as molasses, quite frankly it sucks. 

  If you don’t see anything new here for a while, we’ve still got blogger issues, apparently.  *sigh*

 A moon shot taken last night over this old house, when the moon was absolutely spectacular.
..and if you’ve never heard Van Morrison ‘s  Moondance...
.you’re missing something. You can’t help but have your spirits lifted
when that song is in the air.. or the sky.

You say TomAto, I say TomOto…

 
   First, I have to say this… Did any of you watch the Yankees Red Sox game last night?  My husband is a true blue Yankees fan, and while neither of us is a big A-Rod supporter, what the Sox did to him last night was nothing short of disgraceful. That kind of play should not be in baseball, and I believe the Yanks answer to that atrocity was perfect. And before we all crucify A-rod for the “Roid” debate.. there are just as many Sox over the years who could join that list, and they have.  That ump oughta retire, too. His judgement is clearly impaired,  or colored- RED.  

  In between trips to the cottage at the cove, we’ve been picking tomatoes.  Holy cow, have we been picking tomatoes.   There are three basic kinds of tomatoes…sauce tomatoes, slicing tomatoes and cherry.   Mike planted all three this year and they have produced!

These need a little window time to ripen to perfection.
Ugly does not mean they aren’t delicious. 

The San Marzano is, in our opinion, the best sauce making tomato…
Next time you make sauce, be sure to use San Marzanos, you can buy them 
canned in the grocery store if you don’t have them fresh. 
This is a “heart” tomato… it has a pinkish hue that my iphone did not capture. 
An Heirloom variety, seeds straight from Italy…
..and my Italian Ice cherries.. the only cherry tomato we planted this year.
They are easy to grow, sweet to the taste and prolific. 
With all these awesome tomatoes on the kitchen counter,
Mike was inspired to make some sauce….
or gravy, as I’ve been told any real Italian calls it.
I don’t know.. I’m Italian.  To me sauce is sauce….
gravy is that brown stuff you put on a roast.
My dear Aunt Virginia, the most awesome Italian Cook I have ever been lucky enough to love,
 might just be rolling in her grave.

Eddie and Phil

   I woke up this morning to an overcast sky.  A phone call  down to Joshua Cove confirmed glass water conditions, perfect for kayaking. Off I went with camera in tow to see what I could see. 

   
Can you see the difference between low and high tide?  Notice the top step on the ladder…
Yes.. that much of a difference in just hours. ..amazing, really. 
During low tide conditions, even at the mouth of the cove below,
 I could get out of the boat and walk anywhere, knee to waist deep at most.  
Perfect conditions for clamming, judging by the number people out there on this overcast morning. 
So.. being me, you know.. … …
(and this is where my husband would get all embarrassed
and try to hold me back, good thing he wasn’t with me…..) 
I saw two guys who looked very serious and knowledgeable
 about what they were doing.  I paddled over slowly, hoping not to
disturb their space and asked if I could take their picture for my blog
and possibly my next attempt at a painting.
    This is what I love about people… 
in a world where there is so much we could be discouraged about with one glance 
at the days news coverage, there is so much to appreciate if you’re only open to it. 
 …..Like two East Haven guys who are happy to oblige a stranger  
who wants to take their photo and tell a little of their story.
   Eddie and Phil are two buddies who’ve been clamming these waters for twenty years or so.  
As Eddie describes it… 
 “Clamming is just a nice time to have the sun on your back and a friend by your side
 as you talk to people in the water and tell a story of the best bucket you got the day before.” 
  One of the secrets of a life well lived, right there.   
It’s the simple things, people.   

Extreme

   I’ve often talked  here about my love for the water and wanting to someday own a little cottage at the shore. And I’ve also talked about how it’s probably going to be an unattainable dream because of the high cost of purchasing and maintaining  said cottage.  The cost has  compounded in recent years due to the increase in hurricane activity on the East Coast and the horrific damage sustained.  Not to mention the quadrupled taxes.

  Every now and again, though, I get the urge to go check out the waterfront to see if by some chance, some cute little fixer upper comes for sale that might just be do-able anyway… somehow.

  That very same scenery I have been driving by for many years is changing in light of the last two hurricanes (both within a year of each other).  Heavy damage was sustained and some houses even lost. As these properties are resurrected, there is a new criteria.   *sigh*….   they are being jacked up to allow for water to run through them should there be another damaging storm.   I don’t know if the insurance companies are insisting or the homeowners are making that decision themselves, but it’s a whole knew look, and I really don’t like it.  I would say half of the housing landscape along the shore now looks like THIS….

The trend is to jack the house up, then wrap it with lattice or whatever. 

This particular house is just across the street from the water but not directly on it…
I don’t know about you, but I do not want to have to walk up that flight of stairs with groceries, with
beach toys, with the dog on a leash, with food on a tray,  etc. etc…
 every time I want to get back into the house. 
Beach living should be easy, casual, …easy.  
And if you own that house jacked up on those stilts, 
you’re paying upwards of $11,000. a year in taxes alone.
if it’s a very small house!  
So with these new “stilt” developments, 
I’ve come to the conclusion, finally,
 that the shore before me is not the shore it once was,
and it’s time to lay that dream down and let it go.

On kindness

My goal for my 1,000th post was to have
gathered 50 or more random acts of kindness from folks
who came across the blog post either randomly or as frequent readers. 
In the past three days alone, more than 700 people stopped by to read it
according to site stats.
200 today! 
A dozen of you wonderful people told us what you do or have done
as an act of kindness, and I thank you for your particpation in my little “project”. 
  The world is a better place because you are in it.
I learned something here too…. 
I had better not ever quit my day job to become a motivational speaker…
🙂

~~~~~
It only takes a little ripple to impact the world for the better.
You don’t require a fat bank account or even spare change.
A simple smile or a compliment or the bringing in of a newspaper,
the returning of a shopping cart,
 can be worth a million dollars. 
Believe it. 
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” 
― Mother Teresa
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” 
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” 
― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Using random generator online,
comment number 7 was chosen.
Susie2, you’ve won the give-away!
Please e-mail your mailing address and full name
to karenthisoldhouse@hotmail.com
and I’ll send it out to you right away.

Thank you all –

The Golden Girls and the Marathons of Life

 My mother has a circle of friends who have been there for each other through thick and thin, sickness and health, triumph and heartbreak  for many years.   I have come to love them through her, and I envy their closeness.  It seems my generation doesn’t necessarily form the same bonds for the duration, as these women have. Perhaps todays’ more transient lifestyles have something to do with it, I don’t know.  What I do know is, friends are essential for a persons well being, and nurturing them provides reward well worth the effort.

   One of these friends lost a son earlier this week, suddenly, tragically. They gathered over recent days to comfort and say good bye to their beloved.  Another son in this circle, a friend of the departed,  has written a beautiful piece about the marathons in life and I invite you to read it…..

Aquinnah and 25

  Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’m stealing words from Wikipedia below… I hope you don’t mind.  Our favorite beach on the Vineyard is Moshup Beach, just below the Gay Head cliffs, now known as ” Aquinnah”… a town located on the most rural location of the island. We love it for it’s rugged natural beauty.  Because of all the rocks, I don’t recommend it for swimming.. but bring your beach chair, suit for dipping and a good book and you’ll find peace in abundance.  There is a hike from the parking lot way down to the beach itself, but it’s a pretty walk at that… and you can drop off the day’s supplies right near the beach before you park in the lot.

“The population of Aquinnah was 311 at the 2010 U.S. census. It is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and quiet natural serenity, things which have become less common in the heavily populated Northeastern United States. Below the clay cliffs is Jungle Beach, named for the lack of clothing worn. It’s one of the few nude beaches left in the U.S. More recently, it has become celebrated as a center of Wampanoag culture and a center of pride and tradition among members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, who make up about one-third of the town’s voters. This area is one of the earliest sites of whaling, done from shore by the Wampanoags, long before the 19th century industry of whaling became the major maritime industry of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.”

  The nude beach, to be clear, is all the way down at the end of the cliffside beach.  We don’t go there, but if you’re so inclined, go for it!..  We stay at the other end where suits are the norm.  Unless I suddenly wake up in a supermodels body, you won’t catch me bare-assed on the beach, ever.  Pardon the french.

The directional signs on the island roads, some very rural.. look like this. 
No trip up island is complete without a stop
at Alleys General Store in West Tisbury…where you will find everything and anything
piled high, floor to ceiling. Kids of all ages absolutely love this place
and if you’re headed to the beach, you’ll find all that you need right here.
Heck, I’m pretty sure if you’re headed to Europe you’d find the necessities.
So let’s head on down to the beach…you won’t believe the beauty that awaits…

I wasn’t kidding – 

The beach below the cliffs is called Moshup’s Beach, named after a giant sachem who used to lead the tribe in days of old, of whom many myths are told. The ocean is a rare aqua color here with waves heights that are above average for the area.
Are you feeling the love yet?
This island is magical if you get away from the crowds.
Did I tell you this is our 25th Anniversary year?
It was nice to get away alone together to reflect on our relationship
and bring it back to just the two of us for a few days, no work hassles, 
no bills or phone calls or interruptions of any kind.
We got along wonderfully and relaxed like we hardly ever do. 
(although my calves are still aching from all the hiking.)
Have we had 25 perfect years?  Hell no. 
We are two of the most stubborn italians you’d ever come to know, 
and we’ve had our share of rocks along the shore. Some were big ones.
But we have managed to wade through the waters together
and have found a rythym, an ebb and flow that work.
Honeymoon – 1988
Still crazy after all these years…

Making Hay and other stuff

  Sometimes a good post title just doesn’t come to me. Case in point above.   Anyway… despite all the rain and rain and more rain we’ve been getting, yesterday was a clear blue sky with a light breeze… good day for making hay.  The hay equipment was dropped off last week, pulled out yesterday and the fields were mowed.   Just before the rain returned for an evening shower, good enough to drench it.  

What it needs now is time to dry before it’s picked up with the baler.
Unfortunately, we’re supposed to get more rain later today.
*sigh*
Making hay ain’t easy.
Kinda like love.  There’s all those annoyances you’re not expecting, don’t ya know.
Anyway.. yesterday morning we woke to a Rosy glow at about 5:30 am…
The knockout roses matched the hue…
It’s my favorite time of  day, especially the early summer mornings
when most of the world is still sleepy
Up at the barn, Opie says…
this is NOT my best angle.
Senior Max and  mini Coady discuss the hay and rain situation…
Every day when I approach the barn I stop at the gate
to lay my hand on this heart rock.
Love lives here, at This Old House. 
Impatiens I planted at the chicken coop below.
I haven’t had to water them in weeks.
Henrietta, my lovely vintage mini Cochin out looking for bugs..
…While Snow, Dorothy and Autumn relax and take dirt baths under the pine tree 
in the front yard.  They are all here in this picture.
Do you see all three?  Look closely, all are actually touching in the picture.
Kudos to the person who sees all three correctly.
Snow is truly a beautiful chicken.
A large Cochin.
I’ll leave you today with my basket of flowers on the front steps.
I’m a big fan of something that says “welcome” at the entrance to a home or property.
Something that speaks of happiness.
When I see a home void of any kind of adornment,
I can’t help but think of it as a sad house.
Adornments don’t have to be extravagant…
it can be a little stone bunny with a small pot of geraniums..
or a sign that says Welcome..
or a flag, a wreath, anything that speaks to the occupant.
What speaks of YOU at your ‘front step’?.
It’s a new day all, make it a good one…
and as always, thank you for taking the time to stop by.  

Mending Fences

Dad came for dinner last night
and it was an evening filled with reminiscing, laughter
and casual conversation.  Comfortable conversation.
I agreed with his political rants this time…
because it makes no difference that I believe something completely different.
It matters more at this stage of the game that we had a polite discussion.
Frankly, he didn’t even notice my change of allegiance.
I listened to the old stories for the 100th time with eager and new enthusiasm.
Because someday he won’t be here to discuss them.
We are polar opposites in some ways,
and oh let me tell you how we clashed over the years.
No, on second thought, I’ll spare you.
And…  I’d be misleading you if I didn’t admit that on occasion
when I’m being particularly stubborn,
my husband has a tendency to call me “Lou”.
(in his older years, my father has become very patriotic. This flag is always on his car.)
In any event, regardless of the many years of discontent
and the struggle I had with this particular relationship,
I’m realizing, when it’s OVER, it’s OVER.
And we never do know when it’s going to be over,
so… I’m taking advice I was given years ago.
Make peace with the differences, forgive the slights,
let go of the residual hurt…and mend the fence.
Be the bigger person.
Do this FOR YOU.
And I think I’m accomplishing something here.
You know why?  It feels good.  It feels right.
I doubt I’ll regret it down the road.
If you find yourself in the same situation, do yourself a favor.
Mend the fence. 

Complaints Department

  For those of you who are also FB friends of mine, this will be redundant.  What I’ve posted below is nothing new, it’s a sad and growing trend just about everywhere.  What inspired me to write it yesterday was a post a friend had put up on her own FB page.  And you know, my intention is not to single her out, or to imply that she doesn’t have the right to feel the way she does or express herself in whatever way she sees fit. 

   But it was an example of what is growing too large in our society….a constant drone of complaining about everything and anything.  In this case,  while attending her daughters annual physical, she was extremely annoyed that her daughter’s physician wanted to speak with her child alone for a few minutes without mom in the room to ask a few questions that she might not feel comfortable talking about with Mom present.  The child  is 11 years old.  My friend believes that’s too young for that kind of privacy and she should be privy to all of the conversation.  She is also annoyed at what she feels is a shoving down the throat of the importance of vaccinations, which she isn’t all that comfortable with.  The concern is understandable.  That’s a choice she should make.

 Here’s my point though.  I have no doubt the Dr. was trying to do her job. She was giving the child the opportunity to ask any questions he/she might have that he/she  is uncomfortable asking in front of mom.  Our kids grow up way too fast nowadays, and to think they aren’t exposed to frightening , confusing or puberty related issues at the tender age of 11 is just naive, sad but true.  What is the harm in letting the Dr. give the child that opportunity to talk?  Especially if there are issues at home that he/she might be dealing with?   There is no abuse at my friend’s home, to be clear.      Also, vaccines do save lives.  And some don’t believe in them.  It’s her choice, but the Dr. has the job of conveying the information and the importance if she believes it to be true.  Otherwise, she wouldn’t be doing her job.

  MANY of her friends disagreed with me on this, and I was surprised at what I call the hyperventilating that went on in that thread.  But I stand by what I put on my own status.  And here it is…

You know what’s disheartening? We have become one big complaining society. Too many rules, not enough rules. Too many regulations, not enough regulations. Too much interaction, not enough interaction. Too much interference, not enough interference. Where are they… Tell them to stay away.  –

 
Stop complaining and realize most people are doing the best they can with what they’ve got. Work together, ask the questions, hear the answers… Drop the attitude. Live life with a positive outlook regardless of what is pissing you off at the moment. Chances are we are all part of the problem at one point or another…so find tolerance and you will find PEACE. I’m going to do this… Are you with me?

  By the way, it’s always OK if you disagree with me here, all I ask is that you are respectful when leaving your comments.  Open, respectful conversation is always good.

– Just sayin.