life – Page 2 – This Old House 2

Friendships – the very best kind of gift

Many years ago I bought a young miniature horse from a lovely woman who became a dear friend. We spent years together driving our horses in carts through the woods in Old Lyme near her farm, and visiting nursing homes and rehab facilities from time to time with our mini’s. It was very uplifting to be in the presence of “C”, she was and is at 90 still a force to be reckoned with, a real spitfire, a hardy New Englander, and as honest and compassionate as they come.

When the time came for C and her beloved husband to retire from their horse farm, she gifted me with her beautiful black and white paint driving mare, Lacey. It was a heartbreaking thing, letting go of that part of the life she loved, and as usual she did it with stoic grace. Lacey has been with me (and her side kick Coady) ever since. C’s journey continued to the sunshine state, and then back here to be near family, where she and her husband moved into an assisted living community to get the care he needed. He passed recently, and the loss has been particularly hard on her. C is an example of nine decades of a life full of adventure and love and hard work and compassion and caring for people, animals and for the environment. One of those people you know you’re lucky to call “friend”.

Last weekend two other people I am lucky to call friends took time out of their busy schedule to haul my mini horses, and help me reunite C with her beloved horse, Lacey, for a visit. It was chilly outside but our hearts were warmed by the big smiles and happy tears to witness the reunion.

Thank you to my two dear friends for your big hearts, your generosity of time and effort and caring – a Christmas Wish granted. And Thank you, C, for teaching valuable life lessons without ever intending it, leading the way in all our “mini” adventures, and showing us all what a life well lived looks like.

Peace be with us all…

As I came in from feeding horses and chickens I saw all this beauty in the misty drizzly damp evening light. I wish I could instill the peace found in those moments in the hearts of every human being. All the ugly division and the energy it saps is so unnecessary.

Don’t let those who don’t know your name or your story and have never truly given a thought to your well being rob the relationships you have built over the years through shared experiences and camaraderie with those who have. Look around the here and now and appreciate what you bring to each other’s table in the big and small ways, the kind gestures over the years, even the small gestures. It is not in the party affiliations, it’s not in the politicians or those who fan the flames of division and hate. America’s greatness is in each of us, in how we rally together, overcome adversity, how we treat and respect each other and work together.

Peace be with us all –

ThanksChristmas!

I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend, and we certainly did. There were just a few stumbles – aren’t there always? First…. my lemon meringue pies turned into lemon soup. If you’ve never made them, here’s what I didn’t know. I thought I’d add a little more lemon juice than the recipes requires… to give it just a little more lemon zing. Well… too much lemon zing kills the corn starch -stick-togetherness…. hence.. soup. Stick to the recipe on that one.

Then… Dear old Dad came in wearing his MAGA red baseball hat. I ignored it, because he’s entitled to wear whatever he wants to wear and think whatever he wants to think, and I wasn’t taking the bait. Until he took to yelling and pointed fingering his opinion at several of my other guests and didn’t stop yelling when I asked. And that’s when I intervened with some yelling of my own. Not one of our finer moments, and very typical of our relationship, sadly.

My apple pies, that thankfully came out delicious, not soup-like.

I used honeycrisp apples, cortlands, empires, mcintosh.

It was a great mix – honeycrisp my absolute favorite.

Other than that miserable moment, we had an enjoyable dinner and time spent with family.

The weekend after Thanksgiving is when Christmas comes out of the closets, the basement, and the shed at this old house. As of today, the halls are decked, and although the picture doesn’t reflect it, the pumpkins have been removed from the front stoop.

My Christmas cactus are in full bloom and the cottage geranium

is still pretty in pink.

My Aunt Virginia made this tree in ceramics class many moons ago – It’s my favorite decoration. Several of my friends have them as well, very popular back in the 70’s-80’s. I bet a few of you have one, too..

This morning while I fed horses, the prettiest pink hues spread across the

landscape… only to fade to New England grey shortly after.

Currently drizzling outside, more rain in the forecast – and I’m feeling at peace as I sit at my desk writing out christmas cards, and a touch of sad- because a few on my list are no longer with us. I write little notes in some of the cards, especially to those who have had a difficult year. I think it’s a sad thing – that letter writing and christmas card sending is becoming a dying tradition, so I’m keeping it up on my end, regardless.

Till soon –

Snow Day

Under normal circumstances they don’t like each other- they argue over who’s the boss, they don’t always perceive the same things as dangerous or even agree on who’s a friend and who’s a foe. They don’t share well with each other, but somehow the storms change things. Butt to Butt- they weather those storms and find common ground, they find comfort in each other. We could learn a few things from dogs…..

Something I took for granted for all these years- Democracy. I never realized how truly fragile it is, and at any point in history, what we depend on can come crumbling down. Maybe a dividing, lying, egotistical blowhard like Tr*mp had to happen in order to flush out all the corruption, the hypocricies, the bigotry, racism and blind allegiances that clearly still course through the veins of our republic. Maybe all the shortsightedness on both sides of the aisle and the less than stellar motives of some of the extremists, both left and right, needed to be exposed in order to eventually heal what is clearly very broken.

I’m encouraged by the good things that are coming of this collosal mess, people are voting, for one thing. Women are coming forth and getting elected at record rate – Republicans and Democrats are questioning some of the failings of their own parties and striving for something better. In many places We the People are being heard. Amen… and Amen again.

Last night we had our first real snow fall –

This morning it’s all pretty wet, with rain in the forecast.

The green thing in the upper right hand corner is the umbrella I was using to shield me from the wind and drizzle as I fed horses and chickens. That’s the thing about these adorable farm animals. Doesn’t matter the weather, they need their feed. My morning commute …..

Opie, not particularly fond of selfies, waits impatiently for grain.

Fiona says Good Morning! (actually, she’s clucking ” It’s cold – where’s my F-ing oatmeal” . Yep, she swears – I’m a bad influence, I know it. )

I’ve started the holiday decorating inside – not too christmas-y yet because we’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner here. Nothing says disrespect for the Thankful holiday like Christmas up in your face before you’ve even carved the bird.

Miss Sally’s favorite perch …..

Usually I have a coffee cake or brownies or cookies in the glass cake stand on the kitchen island. We’re all trying to watch our calorie intake ( we’re watching it, alright… as it goes in our mouths….) and for some reason I believe we’ll eat less crap if it comes in small wrapped packages… ha ha ha… ha.

Anyway… a few chuckles for you on this dreary grey New England day….

I hope all is well in your neck o’the woods –

Till soon….

Time well spent

In my last post I shared with you our glorious fall weather down at our cottage by the sea. Back here on the farm I’ve been walking our little trail system with the dogs almost daily. The sweet scent of fallen decaying leaves is just as intoxicating up here. ( jeez, you just can’t use that word “decay” in any way that it doesn’t sound like death.) Anyway! … The trail may not be a super long one, but it has monster hills – a good workout indeed. This weekend my kids were around – My daughter to ride the horses and my son worked on his lot up over the hill where he will some day build his home. When they were done with their “stuff”, they came to sit by the fire with mom and dad and the dogs, and then we went for a woods walk to work off those grilled smoked Gruyere cheese, tomato and thin sliced deli ham sandwiches. We had calories to burn (damn it) !

This is a very large tree down at the edge of my son’s lot – it’s twisted and split,

and depending on a much thinner tree to remain standing.

Bailey doesn’t come on my long walks, as she’s older and would have a hard time keeping up. I warned my son that this was the case, but he wanted her along (she was his dog from the start, and they still adore each other all these years later) and so he ended up carrying her a third of the time. At one point she belly flopped right into the stream, that’s when we knew she needed a rest.

Now…

and

Many moons ago…

There is a thin stream running through the little valley at the back of our property, where the old spring is located. The farmers who lived here before used to bring water up to the house and barn from this stream and spring. The water runs cold and clear, and we do find the occasional fish, although it’s a rare occurrence. The stream dries out if we have a very dry summer.

Today I watered and fertilized the houseplants. This isn’t exciting, of course, but tucked among my christmas cactus (beginning to bloom) and the too-big-for-it’s-pot Violet, sits the lone geranium I brought home from Stella by the Sea. This little gem isn’t aware the seasons have turned and she should be brown and shriveled. Pink pedals stretch and leafy stems reach out to touch the warm rays of the sun through the windows. She’s content enough to bloom where she’s planted.

Instead of discussing the election (Voters showed up in record numbers to the polls! More than 100 women elected to congress! The House brings back some balance… woohooooo!) and instead of regurgitating the most recent false news rants and diplomatic failures of the twitterer in chief, I’m going to share this simple image. It caught my eye for my age old love of the characters and the action depicted…. and it’s powerful message in these simplest words.

Till soon, friends……

Off Season Island

Yesterday Connecticut experienced the most glorious fall weather – Although my editorial job begged for attention at the computer, I just could not waste hours inside while outside was so gorgeous…. T-shirt weather even! The leaves are peak, too. 🍁🍂So I put on my sneaks and drove down to our cottage, Stella by the Sea, to check on things after the recent heavy rainfalls and extreme high tides doused the landscape and burn off some fat cells (the never ending struggle).

Stella on the right was just fine – water turned off, lines flushed so no pipes will freeze during frigid winter months. She’s covered in acorns and oak leaves, the spent perennials need attention, but that’s a clean up chore for another day.

A few of the geraniums are still thriving, sorta hate to just leave them there to die. I did bring home one small pot and placed it among my houseplants, we’ll see how it overwinters.

After inspections I walked the winding roads of the “island” , which is actually more of a peninsula, to take in the fall splendor. Truly the shoreline is never more beautiful than when cloaked in autumn golds, reds and yellows. I wish I could shower you with the sweet scent of fallen leaves and woodsmoke as you browse these photos. There’s just a tinge of sadness, to see the chairs and picnic tables sitting empty, the boats tucked away, the window shades pulled down, curtains drawn, bikes stored in sheds, boat racks empty. Even the summer chicken coop in one cozy cottage abandoned till next year. There are many flowers still in bloom, but the original planters who enjoy them all summer are long gone. The little vegetable gardens abandoned too.

Below is an old outhouse located just across the road from Stella – once used by the occupants of the cottages before indoor plumbing. Now home to various critters in need of shelter.

I’ve heard the same sentiment shared over and over again from the “old timers” in this little 300 acre cottage community. While it’s been a waterfront farm in the same family for over 300 years, since the late 1800’s the camp Tents, and eventually cottages in the 1930’s – arrived to help the family support the farm. This no frills little place with two coves on long island sound in the Atlantic has brought so much peace to so many. In these difficult times when I’m feeling really discouraged about the fate of humanity if we can’t find our way to unity, Stella has come to the rescue time and again. Yesterday was no exception.

Thank you for your comments, I always appreciate that you give moments of your precious time to share with me. May we all find our way back to Peace on Earth in the little ways we’re capable.

When Words Become Weapons

     Words that have been weaponized by people in power who want to see a divided nation- Liberal, democrat, republican, conservative republican, immigrant. 

     Look up the actual definitions for each.  All goals for a healthy society- necessary components for balance.  Every one of our lives have been enriched in some way by various policies  pushed through by any one of the above referenced affiliations. Each has its strengths and weaknesses- Indeed there have been fails as well, as there always will be with so many things at stake.  That’s why it’s so important for any healthy functioning society to work through differences for common gain.

       We’ve fallen so far away from that. Yes, political figures are partly to blame, but Some actually have good intentions, and  shame  on all of us for feeding off the  greed of those who don’t. We are better than this.  So I’m asking anyone who bothers to read my posts, no matter what your political affiliation, to stop spreading hate. Stop fueling division.  Someone who may have saved your ass during a crisis may be of the very party you mock.  Customers who support your small local business, The teacher that protected your kid from a bully? Ditto. The cop who came to your rescue? The firefighter, the babysitter, the guy who removes your trash. 

     Have your beliefs, but research them and leave the hate out of them. If you call yourself religious but do not act with kindness, compassion or empathy , you need to find a new religion or give it up entirely- because that’s just a hypocrite. 

     With that said, I’m getting off this particular soapbox.   I hope someday the tide will turn in this country to stick with facts and civility as we tackle our many problems- what we have become is truly heartbreaking, and we will be our own demise if we don’t wake the fuck up.

Autumn Gems

Oh, how I love Fall in New England. I’ve acquired a love for it over time, though – for when I was a young girl, my very favorite season was Summer 🌻- no school, barefoot, beaches, bikes, T-shirts and Johnny’s ice cream truck on Friday nights. We played outside till the cows came home – well not exactly – in a city suburb it was more like till the street lights came on. Then we hit the stoops with lightning bug jars. But fall held it’s own magic even back then… and just the other day I was reminded of it.

My husband and I grew up in similar surroundings and yesterday as we patrolled the fields surveying fence and weeds and flooding issues, the scent and crunch of fallen leaves underfoot reminded us both of our youth. So much joy was found in the simple things – like raking leaves into a pile out in our postage stamp yards, and then jumping into and out of those piles repeatedly. Trick or Treating was enhanced by the crunch underfoot, the jewel reds, oranges, yellows, brown hues all around and the earthy smell of fallen leaves, the crisp air carrying that scent as we trudged door to door to door.

Here on the farm, fall means putting the gardens to bed, hay fields retired for the year, fuzzy horses eventually blanketed, and chickens who retire to the coop much earlier in the evening. The racks on the porch are filled with firewood and the dogs are as eager as we are to sit by the hearth and enjoy the warmth of a fire in the fireplace. We allow ourselves more down time in fall – the shorter days are a welcome reprieve from all the chores around here that keep us going till dark. We both have jobs that require computer time, too, and somehow even that momentum quiets as our internal clocks slow down and recharge.

We’ll have the traditional Thanksgiving meal next month with family who are available to join us – and each year in the month of October I start hunting for a recipe or two that will add a little twist to the usual menu – Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy are forever, but the other sides can be jockeyed around without too much angst from the husband, we always hope. (six blueberries, you might recall). I found two recipes that seemed compatible and I gave them a try last week – Delicious! And they’ll grace our table this year. For the first, I combined several recipes –

Butternut Squash Soup

1 very Large Butternut squash or two medium

Approximately 4 cups chicken broth ( vegetable stock is another option)

1 cup finely chopped onion

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbs butter or to taste. (use olive oil for dairy free version)

Sherry (or Vermouth) About 1/2 cup.

Preheat oven to 425, cut the squash in half lengthwise, drizzle inside of each piece with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place cut face down on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Roast for approximately 45 minutes or until tender. Set the squash aside until it’s cool enough to handle.

In large soup pot, melt butter in pot and add onions – saute until browned and fragrant. Put the cooked onion bits in a blender, scoop the butternut squash out of it’s thin skin and place in same blender, add salt and pepper and chicken (or veggie) stock. Add the Sherry (or vermouth) .. and blend until creamy. – place back in the large soup pot and warm to desired temperature – and serve – delish!

I also made this Leek and Root Vegetable Gratin – Recipe HERE – this is a delicious twist on scalloped potatoes, although we love those so much I’ll probably make both. I added organic multicolored carrots in place of one of the parsnips and used yams instead of sweet potatoes, cheddar cheese, not muenster. I used a poultry seasoning blend to sprinkle on top of each layer. Slicing everything THIN is the key to success here.

When I’m cooking in the kitchen, the dogs are usually underfoot. If it’s a decent weather day, I open the sliders to the backyard and they sit in the sun patches, catching the breeze. They are the best company, truly my other set of kids.

Autumn means more reading time, too. I fell in love with Gladys Taber’s books a few years back – more HERE on that. She passed away in 1980 at the age of 81, and her books are no longer in print, but I’ve managed to find some online available through old book sellers, and a friend gifted me two as well. This just arrived in the mail and I am savoring every relaxing moment I get to read her quieting, uplifting and thought provoking recollections of a life well lived on a very old homestead in Southbury, CT – Stillmeadow farm. It is her pleasure in the little things, her kind and thoughtful disposition and her thoughts on troubling times in our earlier history that soothe my weary soul. Ironic that much of it still applies today.

I hope all is well in your neck o’the woods – If you’re so inclined, share your favorite fall treasures, recipes or memories in the comments below. Thank you for stopping by!

30 years and 6 blueberries

The Mr. and I have been married for thirty years as of today, with a little speed bump we muttled through four years in. Not a lot of people can say they’ve been married twice… to the same person, but that’s what we did. The first time around we were married young and still had some growing up to do. We jumped ship but then climbed back up the ladder. Long story shorter – I am grateful and blessed to have this man and beautiful family to share life with, good times, bad times, mistakes, do-overs and all.

We have our differences, still, sometimes BIGLY – YUGE even… some of you will get that drift. Sometimes we can get on each other’s very last nerve for the stupidest thing, and then finger that nerve like playing a one string guitar…

For example… just last week on a work morning at 5:30 a.m. I finished up a batch of blueberry pancakes and set it before him with plenty of extra syrup and butter, which he likes. What came out of his mouth instead of thank you was “How many times do I have to explain I want just six blueberries in my pancakes, not a whole handful. Seriously, is six such a hard thing to remember? Six blueberries?” Now, you gotta laugh at such OCD foolishness, not to mention the rudity. Laugh I did, only to irk him more… That one string guitar, ya know. And then I told him off. Because seriously?

So do those stupid little things still put a little wedge between us now and again? (and I surely have my own stupid moments) … You betcha. But when I come home tired and filthy after a long drive and a long week of horse show and he’s cleaned the kitchen and fed and cared for my dogs for five days and rubs my aching back and thanks me for all I do when I am home, well, like I said above – it’s those important things, the love in little ways.. and family – that are the tie that binds, the glue that bonds.

I bet you can guess what I made him for our 30th Anniversary breakfast this morning.

Vitamin Sea

We’ve heard sad news about a neighbor down at the shore. This was the man who rented his cottage to my mom for a few weeks each year until we acquired Stella by the Sea. Cancer is a cruel disease, and in this case even a doctor can’t cure himself if the damned thing decides it’s not letting go. Residents of the island have been known to say the waters and the quiet, simple island life are the reason we’ll all live long. The Dr. proves us wrong, as he is as fully emersed in the salt of the place and loves it as much as anyone can. I am so sad for his family, his young grandchildren, his wife and sons. Just a few weeks ago I was chilling in the now deceased float (unknowningly with 2,000 barnacles and crabs attached just inches below me) and he and family passed by in their little boat – waving, smiles.. sea spray, sun, salt and happiness. That was the picture I saw, I wish I could tie it to an anchor and buoy so it would hold fast and steady and stay.

Stella remains a respite for us all – we come and go as time and weather and schedules allow.

That’s mom out there! – Having been raised during summer months at a tiny cottage just like Stella on the shores of Staten Island many moon ago, she’s known the healing powers of salt water too. Now that the railing is in and the steps painted that lovely blue hue (boat bottom paint)… entry into the water to swim and kayak is much safer for all of us and she’s joined us in the pursuit of refreshment from the sea.