Traffic Jams

I recall growing up on Cape Cod back in the sixties and being aware of the influx of tourists starting in May. Our otherwise sleepy town would suddenly grow to an almost intolerable size. Jokes were made, that we needed to dismantle the bridges which allowed tourists onto our beloved Cape Cod. Anyone who has been caught in a 6-mile long traffic jam can relate to this.

IMG_1275 (2)

So where did I relocate in my grown-up years? To the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. And what did I experience today (Saturday) as I headed home (North) from my daughter’s home? Yes, traffic. Bad traffic! I mean, honestly, I am not sure I have seen it this bad in New Hampshire, ever! In fact, when I got to my exit off of Route 93, I was backed up a half a mile, just to turn onto another highway!

Traffic

Now there were people who were stressed, with kids in the backseat feeling the boredom of a long, hot ride, but then there were people like me, who decided that they couldn’t change the situation, so I put on a playlist of my favorite songs and sang out loud, while I was doing the old stop and go on the highway.

It brought me back to those long-ago days on Cape Cod. All these travelers, trying to get to the same spot to have the vacation of their dreams.

And me, growing up, living in that special place! And now living in the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire! How lucky is that?

So, instead of getting upset with the traffic, I smiled and realized that I was a very happy girl living in this beautiful spot.

20190704_201111

After The Long Winter

One of the things that happen here in New Hampshire after a long, cold, snowy, muddy, slushy, winter is the annual clean out of the car. In our case, our Toyota Highlander is our year-round car. Or most importantly, the car we use in the winter, with all that bad weather!

Highlander

The other day I noticed that the car was a mess. There was more sand and dirt on the carpets than at the beach near my home! And the seats in the car were simply filthy!

So first thing this morning out I went with the vacuum, Windex and paper towel. I washed everything down on the dash and instrument panel and then began vacuuming.

I felt the sun on my skin and immediately put on sunscreen, and then when I wasn’t sure that was working put on my rash-guard SPF-50 shirt to protect me.

I have a wonderful rug cleaner with all the upholstery attachments, so I got that out next and shampooed the seats and carpets. By the time I was done, I looked back and everything looked beautiful!

I came upstairs and drank down two huge bottles of water, and I noticed that I felt really sore too. I guess I got a workout.

However, the Highlander now looks fresh and clean and I feel pretty good about all that I accomplished.

Things That Go Bang In The Night!

Where I live we do get Thunderstorms. However, that being said, a lot of times the storms sort of go around us because of Cardigan Mountain, which seems to steer them either north or south.

I guess the Mountain must have been sleeping last night, because at about 11:00 we had one big storm right over us.

I used to see the lightning like this, bright and totally illuminating a dark room when I lived in Florida, but last night it was incredibly bright with one flash right on top of the crash of thunder! And again, more rain!

WNQYAVLJEZDITKM2XX5BFLWFPUStock Photo from Google

Arnie and I were already in bed, and of course, this woke me up. I got up to go to the bathroom and Arnie followed me. When I got back in bed, Arnie came up his little doggy ramp and came up and commando crawled under the covers.

I could hear Lili at the door, but since Jack was still up, I figured he could handle her. Anneliese could care less.

This morning it is still damp and drizzly. I have walked the dogs and fed the birds and now I am just having a quiet time.

Glimpses of Spring

I think this has to be one of the wettest Springs I can recall. In any case, flowering shrubs are finally blossoming, and so I went out and took this picture of our home. One Snowball Bush isn’t quite as healthy as the other, but otherwise, it’s not looking too bad out there.

20190614_182943

The Azalias and Snowball Bushes are simply lovely to look at, and I clipped some Lilacs to bring inside.

20190614_183038

20190614_183013

I am truly amazed at the number of birds looking for a free meal in my yard! And  I am in Heaven. I must admit to having a big grin on my face as I watch them out the windows.

I have even ordered a Bird Book identifying the back yard birds of New Hampshire and Vermont. It is written by a man who takes all his own pictures. I will let you know how it is once it arrives.

Anneliese has worried me for a few days as she been fussing and not happy. I’ve been worried. But today she is like her old self. Perhaps she missed me a lot and was just making me pay for my time away from her.

Have a great week!

This & That Thursday

Today was another very busy day. Of course, I had WW in the morning, and after that, I ran errands.

I went to four different stores and the Post Office before coming home. I managed to do this and actually pull into the garage by noon!

One of my stops was to get a liquid coating on my cell phone. I love my Galaxy s8, but with the curved screen, any sort of screen protector pops off or is unresponsive! So, I bit the bullet and bought the liquid screen protector. Best of all it is warrantied for 3 years!

It may be cold here in New Hampshire, but the birds are back. We currently have the Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, and Chickadees living off our driveway, and visiting our trees in the back each day. I’m in Birdie Heaven!

20190514_161608Mr. Baltimore Oriole.

I think I have spied a Crow who has made a nest in one of our pine trees. Jack is not thrilled but I think it is wonderful! All this wonderful nature.

Jack has been sick most of the day and so Life at home has been very quiet. Perfect and just what I needed.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

Birds & Ice

Tuesday was quite simply, the best Spring day. It started with a wonderful hot shower in the morning, and as I dressed, I heard a loud thump on my bedroom window. Bird!

I raced down the stairs and opened the door and there lay a Northern Flicker Woodpecker. He was lying completely still on his side and I feared he was dead!

20190423_101754

I felt tears well up in my eyes, as I thought he was dead. But I inspected him a little more closely and he blinked at me!

I went to get my gloves and I carefully turned him right side up to inspect him and check for broken feet wings, or neck. He seemed to be in one piece, but I am sure he had one heck of a headache!

20190423_102116

Isn’t he handsome? I looked up all about him and discovered that yes, this is a male. As I spoke to him I called him Woody, and I tried to soothe him.

I decided then to move him carefully to an area on our driveway under the briars where he would be safe from predators while he recovered. He never struggled as I moved him and when I set him down he winked at me again.

I left him there for an hour, watching intently from the window. After an hour or so, I went back out to see how Woody was doing and as I approached him, he jumped up and down and then…flew off!

I stood there watching, then jumped up and down waving my hands in the air! Go, Woody, Go!!!

After this, I checked our Lake and at 11:30 Tuesday morning,  Lake Waukewan was iced out!

20190423_175218The big lake, Lake Winnipesaukee was still not clear, but it is expected by the morning to be free of ice as well. Ice Out is a big dear up here in New Hampshire!

Springtime in New Hampshire

I woke at 5 AM this morning quite anxious to see if we had ice-out on my lake, Lake Waukewan, here in New Hampshire. We’ve had such warm weather in the last few days, and our nighttime temperature has also stayed fairly warm.

Screenshot_20190423-061922_Snapchat

I ran to the window (or should I say, walked quickly), and noted that we are so close! Just a few icy areas near the shorelines. I feel certain that by the end of today we will have official ice out!

It’s rather a lovely time of year. It’s warm and yesterday I opened all the windows and let the air flow in. As I sat here I listened to the Loons calling to each other.

62846844-common-loon-gavia-immer-on-an-ontario-lake-in-summer

Could it be any more wonderful? Warm air, the silence of the day, and the Loons singing to me, their Spring song!

Spring On The Lake

It seems Spring is starting to arrive on my Lake here in New Hampshire. Yesterday, after a 45+ mile per hour wind storm overnight, I noticed the very beginnings of the ice breaking up. Hurrah! Soon the water will be back, as will our Ducks, Geese, and Loons!

20190416_191732

If you look in the center bottom of the picture you can see the very first open water on our Lake.

Our day had been a fairly quiet one, but as I finished the dinner dishes, I saw fire in the sky! What a sunset!

I raced outside, with coat and cell phone and started to snap a few pictures. My neighbor yelled to me to come to use her porch above my house to get a few pictures.

So I ran up (old lady style I am sure), and got these wonderful pictures. Enjoy!

20190416_193451

Half way up the hill.

20190416_193451

From their porch.

20190416_194150

The fire in the sky. One of the best sunsets this Spring!

Anniversary Snow!

So, as you read yesterday, it was our anniversary. It was a pleasant day with a car ride down to Manchester and back.

We stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant we enjoy and had fajitas. Very nice.

But the farther north we drove toward home, the more the snow fell! At first, it was nothing, but then it started to come down pretty heavily.

20190409_132324

Oh, come on! It was April 9th! And snow? What’s that all about? But snow it did! In fact, it snowed enough so that later in the afternoon we heard the snow plows go by below our house.

20190408_070507

And then it snowed some more!

20190408_070651

It finally stopped around dinner time and of course, the dogs all wanted to go out and play in it. Anneliese especially loves to play in the snow. Go figure.

A Beautiful Day

Yesterday Jack and I had appointments at the VA. Nothing wildly important, just the usual.

The great part of that was that we got to go out for a ride on a beautiful sunny day! The sky was blue, the temperatures had warmed to the mid-fifties and there was no wind. I mean, it was just one of those glorious Spring days that we all live for during the bitter cold, winter months up here.

There was a lot of snow-melt in the yard and I think we are down to about a foot of icy snow. However, we do have a few places that have melted down to the bare ground!

When I was out with the dogs, I could see places where the wild turkeys had dropped ornamental apples that freeze on the trees during the winter but provide great food for them in both the Fall and the Spring.

I could also hear the songs of the returning birds from the South. As we live in a densely wooded area, we have quite the harmonious tunes of bird song.

32216247197_26de197829_o copy