Life with cats, and other things…
1857/9th April 2026 One recent afternoon, I looked up from my computer and was surprised to see two strangers at the front door. The house is on a private road and I could count on one hand the number of unknown people who have come here in the past seven years. As I got up … Continue reading Intruders
9th April 2026 2026 is the Semiquincentennial Anniversary of the American Revolution and in places like Fort Ticonderoga, there will be re-enactments and other celebrations, though given the mood currently and the lack of tourists, I don't know how much enthusiasm it will muster. How different to the Bicentennial. How sad. As we walked in … Continue reading For the birds
10th April 2026 Thursday was far too good to waste, given the promise of more wet weather ahead. But where should we go? I tossed out a couple of suggestions and we stared at the map of Vermont but it did not seem to take Grant's fancy that day and well, he is the driver. … Continue reading Ticonderoga
7th April 2026 "Iced carrots, missus? Really?" Why Groundhog Day is at the beginning of February, I don't know, since they remain in their burrows until March. I suppose it was invented by people living further south where Spring comes sooner. This groundhog seemed most unimpressed. . Whereas a late frost often kills off the … Continue reading A blooming aspen
7th April 2026 It is April and most sensible people are celebrating the departure of Winter, in particular the frozen precipitation that goes with it. But I am one of those lunatics who run outside to greet every first snowfall at year's end and find delight in Spring snow because it is special. I doubt … Continue reading Spring snow
1806/6th April 2026 The forecast was accurate for once and the world turned white again on Tuesday, prompting us to go in search of photographs because we didn't get enough of snow this past Winter! Some of them may be worth sharing, though I haven't examined them properly yet and in the meantime I have … Continue reading On the way to Greenwich
0709/4th April 2026 It feels frivolous to be writing a blog entry as we teeter on the edge of a humanitarian disaster. (I wrote this yesterday. Should we be comforted by a "2-week repressive?) In 1962 I was at boarding school in England during the Cuban missile crisis. I remember feeling quite anxious, but I … Continue reading Beyond
1818/3rd April 2026, The Sun appeared just in time to set. Back in the Fall, Grant collected a large bag of acorns on one of our drives and planted a few, hoping to get some to grow. A previous attempt produced two tiny oaks that are now struggling to survive out of the hill. This … Continue reading “More please?”
1828/30th March 2026 Saturday afternoon there was a break in the overcast and the temperature climbed to 65F/18C. Although I'd turned the heater off, sunlight warmed my room almost uncomfortably, the first real sign that Summer is coming. I also noticed that the hedge is sprouting new leaves and hyacinths are in bud. But Easter … Continue reading Making do
31st March 2026 The last day of March brought us a very special treat. A week or so ago, I posted pictures of the wild turkeys that visited one afternoon. I was thrilled to see them, but Grant was not here, so every afternoon we kept watch hoping for a repeat and five days later... … Continue reading A fan dance