Life On The Lake

Is the dog crazy or am I ?

2006-09-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

Missy is her name. Well, Miss Lila is her name. I call her Missy. She's very sweet. Well behaved most of the time. She has this dominance thing with big dogs. Apparently, she thinks she's a Labrador Retreiver, or a Great Dane, or something like that. She's a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix. (Probably with a dachshund or something). Small, under 8 pounds. Yet viscous and ferocius when she encounters a tethered large dog. Attemts to rip their neck open. Of course, she herself is tethered (to me!) so I haul her back. Can dogs see themselves in a mirror? Maybe I should mount one close to the floor by the back door, so that just before I take her out for a walk she can get a perspective on her own size. Crazy as loon!
And what's all the jumping and prancing and barking when Jack comes to take her for a walk? I mean you could set a clock by him. Everyday - unless it's raining or snowing - at 6 o'clock (well, earlier in the winter, 'cause it's dark by 6 pm.) he rings my doorbell, and takes Missy for a walk. She knows he's coming. She comes to where I am, and sits staring at me with this look like "poor,poor, pitiful me" about 5 minutes before Jack is due. Then, when the doorbell rings, she goes looney tunes, jumping, and prancing, and barking, and running up and down the stairs. Did I mention the jumping and prancing and barking?? She can hardly stand still long enough for Jack to hitch her up to her lead. Then, off they go. Crazy as a loon! She knew he was coming. She knew they were going to go for a walk. Why all the wasted energy? What's up with that?
Okay, so they walk. and eventually, they return. Now, she makes a beeline for her water bowl, and drinks up. then she seeks me out and again with a look. This time it's 'wanna play?". So I go to my recliner and reach into the basket at my side and pull out her favorite toy, fling it across the room and she scrambles after it, runs around the room a few times holding it in her mouth, although it's taller than she is, so she trips on it, loses her grip on it, chases it down, resumes her race around the room. After two or three laps, she brings it to me and I pick it up and fling it again. This goes on about 8 minutes or so. Now, she just got back from a long walk with 'Uncle" Jack. Where did all this energy come from? Why isn't she taking a nap or something? Crazy as a loon! Or am I? Maybe I should face life with that much reckless abandon!

Bank of America

2006-08-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Bank of America has a new scam it is foisting on unsuspecting customers.
This one may not be against the law, like the last one was.

This time, they encourage their card holders to ‘round up’ their purchases to the next dollar. Seems innocuous enough. If you pay your total credit card debt every month, and thereby don’t incur any finance charges.

However, if you need help putting money away in your savings account, chances are you carry a balance on your credit card debt. So you’re paying finance charges on the money you put into your savings account.
And the money in your savings account is not earning as much money as the credit debt is charging.

So basically, you’re ‘borrowing’ money from your credit card company (at say 5.45 percent) so that you can save it at (say 4.2 percent.) You are losing. Bank of America is making money off your meager attempt to ‘save’.

My advice? If you want to save more money, deposit some money every payday into a savings account. You can do this at the ATM when you make your first withdrawal after payday. And it won’t ‘cost’ you anything.
If you want to know the previous scam that they did (which was against the law) and the Feds had to step in and stop them, ask me. J :-)

Be My Valentine

2006-08-02T10:34:00.000-05:00

Well, it was an interesting week. My Valentine Quartet delivered a singing Valentine to the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be at a party in the home of the GTB. In July. I never delivered a singing Valentine in July before. Sue L (on the left in the picture) is the mother of the GTB. She and her husband Peter, hosted a party on the night before the rehearsal dinner at their home. Fr. Lynch (brother of Peter) said a Mass of Celebration in the living room and delivered communion to all the cousins from Ireland, all the American family, and all the guests, including the Valentine quartet (at least to the Catholic ones).
It was a very warm, festive event, the table was heavily laden with good eats, the air was ringing with an Irish brogue, and the tinkling of glasses as we sipped on Pims (England's answer to the Sangria) - tea with apples, oranges, strawberries and CUCUMBER floating in the pitcher. Chris (a friend of the family, and a member of my chorus) was busy recruiting new singers for our barbershop chorus, and Peter was scurrying around the various rooms pouring Pims and serving up sausages and other goodies. It was a most delightful evening.

Litterbugs

2006-07-18T10:01:00.000-05:00

I walk my dog on a modest little street in town with waterfront homes on the east side of the street nad neat raised ranches and cape cod houses on the west side of the street. The street is a commonly used route to get from one major road to another. (Lots of transient traffic.) And those who pass along this route smoke Newport cigarettes, drink Dunkin Donuts coolatas and Budweiser beer. How do I know that? Because they litter the sides of the street with their empty containers.
It never ceases to amaze me, that someone can carry a box or soft pack of cigarettes in their pocket or purse all day long, as long as there is at least one cigarette left in it. But as soon as they remove the last cigarette, it suddenly becomes so filthy that it mus be immediately tossed to the ground, or thrown out the car window. Isn't that an amazing phenomenon????? Do you suppose the manufacturer programmed it that way? To increase advertising for their brand? That way, many, many people will see that someone enjoys Newport cigarettes. And maybe I should try them.

If it is indeed an advertising scam, I for one am not buying it. As a matter of fact, If I ever DID return to smoking cigarettes (in a state of dementia, obviously), I can guarantee it will NOT be Newport!

But, I digress. The only thing we have to be thankful for is the fact that these people are riding around in spotless cars, rather than hiking or camping in our pristine wilderness areas. Can you imagine the filth they would leave behind? Can you imagine how quickly our pristine wilderness would lose it's allure?
Let us all bend a knee and pray that they do not take up any outdoor pursuits like kayaking, or hiking, or camping. Or that they do it where we can catch them in the act and mortify them with our rage and incantations!
Whew! Glad I got THAT off my chest! :-) Now, back to serenity!

Very Hot!

2006-07-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite movie lines is from Biloxi Blues, when the new recruits were getting off the bus at boot camp in Biloxi. Having hailed from northern climes, they were amazed at the heat. One young man kept exclaiming about the heat and trying to find a way to describe it. He finally said, "It's AFRICA hot!". (Of course, he had never been to Africa, either) Well, I thought it was funny - I guess you had to be there.
Anyway, it's in the 90's today - (Africa hot!). I volunteered to help man the booth at a town festival. One of the theatre groups I am associated with has a booth and hands out flyers and recruits new actors/actresses for their upcoming productions. So we sat in the shade of the canopy, drinking copious amounts of water, and talking about many topics. And people watched. As the day wore on, we started looking for ways to entertain ourselves. Jim decided to see if he could blow the conch shell (That was one of the items of interest on our display table, a prop from our most recent production:" Luau for King Lear" ) Then I took my turn: for the first time in my life, I have blown a conch shell.

Never to late to add 'first time I ever..' things to your life's repertoire.

When that wore a little thin, we began grabbing the helium balloons the local politician was foisting on innocent children. We'd take turns sending someone over to ask for a ballon 'for my nephew', and then breath the helium, then recite our lines from "Luau". What a hoot! Grown people acting like a bunch of kids! Life is good!
'Gonna be Africa hot again tomorrow - I think I'll stay close to home and soak in the lake.

Friends

2006-07-14T06:03:00.000-05:00

Billie Holiday once said: "If I don't have friends, then I ain't got nothin'".
When I count my blessings, my family and my friends are right at the top of my list. As I look back to my youth, and take my mind on a little walk through the streets of yesterday, the most vivid images are those of relatives and friends. I don't remember the 'things' of my life - I rememer the people who cradled my cares and hoisted my spirits.
I've lost contact with some of these people, as our lives weave our life tapestry. The threads of each relationship are firmly imbedded in my own personal spectrum of colors and emotions. But sometimes a thread reaches the edge of the tapestry, and disappears into the fringe. So be it. But that doesn't diminish the importance of the thread while it was an intregral part of the weave.

Sometimes, a song, a fragrance, a situation, will trigger a fond memory of someone from the past. A twinge of nostalgia washes over me, mixed with joy. As my mind retraces the footsteps of a cherished memory, I get a 'heart-hug'. That''s what I call it. A little nudge in my chest that reminds me of the warm comfortable feeling of having another person touch my life.

Reunions are fun - they allow us to step back from the tapestry and take a close look at the weave, and rekindle friendships. Our family has an annual reunion, and were it not for that, there are members of my family I would not see from year to year. We exhange photos, and we talk on the phone, or via the internet, and we keep the ties bound, but I'm glad we have a time for us to gather. To share favorite recipes, and wrap our arms around each other, and laugh at one another, and cry over lost treasures.

At the end of this month, I'm taking the 4 1/2 hour road trip to my home town, because an old school chum has emailed me and said he would be coming in from Tennessee to visit his family. I contacted some of the schoolmate-friends who still live in town, and we're gonna have a mini reunion - and catch up on all the news about each other. I'm really looking forward to that.

In October, I'll be travelling to Las Vegas with my chorus (90 of my close friends ) and I know that there will be other Sweet Adelines at the convention whom I haven't seen in a couple of years. I'm sure there'll be lots of time for 'How 'ya been?' and 'What's up with you?". That's alwalys a special, fun part of going to International Competition.

It's important to keep in touch with the people who mean something to you. For one thing
it strengthens the weave of your own personal tapestry. And it usually provides the moments for future 'heart-hugs'. Try it. You'll like it.

Back in the Day

2006-07-05T09:07:00.000-05:00

I've noticed this expression has come into frequent use, of late. It is an antiquated expression, I'm not sure of it's origin, but I believe it's older than I. Based on the context where I'm seeing it used now, I believe it means the same as 'once upon a time' or 'when I was a kid' or 'back when ......( there was no TV, radio, microwaves, etc whatever).
How would YOU define 'the day'? I suppose it takes on a different meaning in each context. Here's an example:
Hollywood Squares: Back in the day - they taped the show live, and the guests were real performers. There were no prepared answers to prior known questions - guest stars were taken as unaware as the audience was - to the absolute delight of the audience.

Here's a sampling:
Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy

Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.

Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?

Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.

Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.

Q. While visiting China, your tour guide starts shouting "Poo! Poo! Poo!". What does this mean?
A. George Gobel: Cattle crossing.

Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused but it certainly isn't neglected.

Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and Laugh.

Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions: What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.

AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS......................BACK IN THE DAY

Ghost

2006-07-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

Do you ever watch movies you've seen before? Do you ever watch movies on TV even though you already own the DVD? Then you are a kindred spirit of mine. Last week I watched 'Ghost' with Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg (for the sixth or seventh time). One of my alltime favorite movies: good over evil, everlasting love, characters, humor, drama. It has it all.
Actually, there are many of Whoopi's movies that I list among my favorites. She IS an actress. I will never forget her portrayal of the abused woman in 'The Color Purple' and her triumph over evil. I love the scene from 'Ghost' where she is compelled to give the check for $4 million to the nuns; or the scene in 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' where she bites her oppressor to get away long enough to send a message to the spy. Also, the scene from 'Corrina, Corrina' where she blows the red light green. She is versatile.
Imagine my surprise when we went to find a restaurant in Gloucester, Mass and found Whoopie serving up drinks behind the bar. My son-in-law had excused himself from lunch to visit the men's room, and stopped by the bar to shake her hand. I vowed to go and speak to her as soon as I finished my lunch, but unfortunately, by then she had left the building. I guess she owns the place.
Anyway, we didn't know that about her before lunch - but as we were walking, we asked some workmen how to find the restaurant, and they pointed us in the right direction, then said, 'Maybe you'll see 'Whoopi'. We figured it was a mascot, or a giant fish mounted on the wall. Never in my wildest dreams did I think they were referring to one of my favorite stars of the silver screen. It certainly was an unexpected treat on our trip to Gloucester.

Today, Whoopi Goldberg is one of America's best known and most cherished entertainers. Her films, The Color Purple, Ghost and Sister Act have won her an international following. Her television talk show, and appearances as host of the Academy Awards broadcast, have brought her into the homes of millions of Americans.
Over the course of a turbulent early life, Whoopi Goldberg survived poverty, drug addiction, single motherhood and a stint on welfare to become one of America's most beloved entertainers, and a tireless activist on behalf of a raft of causes, including children's issues, the homeless, human rights, substance abuse and the struggle against AIDS. To read more about her, visit
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/gol0pro-1.

It's a Small World

2006-06-27T07:29:00.000-05:00

I attended opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY (a FEW years ago!). Ceremonies were held at the polo grounds and we sat bundled on bleachers drinking beverages from tiny silver flasks, to ward off the chilly air. The first 'event' of the ceremonies was to be a hot air balloon 'parade' over the field. We could see the balloons on the horizon to our right as they filled with hot air and began to rise, one by one. Then, they proceeded single file over the polo grounds. I was totally awestruck by one particular balloon.

Remember when our astronauts spoke about ' watching earthrise'? Purportedly sitting on the moon, watching earth come up over the horizon? Well, that was what the folks in the bleachers experienced, in a way. One of the balloons was painted to resemble earth! And it arose on the horizon and then floated past us - with North and South America showing on our side. It gave me an eerie feeling, the hair on the back of my neck raised.

People say, "It's a small world, isn't it? " But most of us think our 'world' is pretty big. Except for the sun. The Sun is bigger than we are. Our 'world' revolves around the sun.

In the grand scheme of things, it really IS a small world.

Of course you all saw 'ET The Extraterrestrial". (Probably more than once!). Remember the scene in the boy's bedroom when he was using his globe to show ET where he was? Then ET used some balls from the toy chest to show the boy where he was from????

For a REALLY interesting look at our world, from the perspective of the entire universe, go to this link. I think you'll find it interesting. http://www.rense.com/general72/size.htm

If I were a pirate

2006-06-21T12:51:00.000-05:00

My pirate name is:

Mad Morgan Rackham

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

Field of Flags

2006-06-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

I love displays of patriotism. I cry at parades when the veterans walk by and salute the flag. My dad was a veteran (of the Spanish American War !), two of my brothers served in the military. John was injured in the Phillipines and disabled for the rest of his life. My sister Barb served in the U.S. AirForce, both of my husbands served in the military. And my daughter served in the U.S. Army, first as an enlistee, then, after college, she was commisioned an officer. So I feel very strongly about honoring our veterans, and those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy the freedoms we have.

I'm always impressed by major cities that have statues and memorials to our fallen heroes. Recently, I was really blown away by the efforts of a small village in Connecticut - the community is not big enough to be considered a town. And yet, in a grassy area near the major intersection in Somersville, is this field of flags.

There is no permanent structure, no marble or granite marker or statue. No floodlights, no eternal flame, no fanfare. Just hundreds of small American flags, gently waving in the breezes that blow through town. There was no film on TV the day the field was dedicated, I saw no article in the paper (although I don't normally read Connecticut newspapers). So I was taken by surprise when I drove by this small village green and spotted all those flags. I had to stop the car, and get my camera out of the trunk, and take a few pictures.

From the words of the song: We are proud of every American, who was there to make us free, amd we won't forget all those died who gave that right to me and we'd glady stand up next to you and defend her still today, 'cause there is no doubt we love this land, God Bless the U S A.

Stuck!

2006-06-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

Are you claustophobic? That must be a real burden, because there are many times when we find ourselves in situations over which we don't have complete control. My mother was one of the calmest people I have ever known. I guess I inherited some of that calm.

I spent last week-end with the 85+ women in my barbershop chorus on campus at a nearby college. We had coaches in from Chicago to help us perfect our competition package which we will be delivering in Las Vegas in October. It was a great week-end, filled with singing, eating, camaraderie, more singing, more eating, more camaraderie. Our dorm was a 10 minutes walk from the dining hall and on Saturday night, we were to have our 'fun time' - skits and games. When I realized I had 50 minutes before dinner, I decided to drive into the village and buy some ice for my warm Pepsi's I had brought with me. Or maybe a bottle of wine. Sonja's door was open and I asked her if she'd like to come with me. 'Sure!" (Sonja's always up for an adventure!)
We chatted as we walked toward the stairwell, and encountered some other chorus ladies. We joined their conversation and it wasn't until the elevator doors opened that I realized we had stopped walking because they were going to take the elevator down. Oh, what the heck, so Sonja and I got in, as well. The dorm is three floors, we were on 3. Abby punched #1 and we began our descent.

That didn't last very long. We got to #2 and stopped. But the doors didn't open. Abby pushed 'Open Door' button. Nothing happened. She pushed 'Close Door' button. Nothing happened. She pushed #1. You guessed it. Nothing happened. Folks on #2 could hear us in the elelvator, we told them the doors wouldn't open. They said - we'll go find Abby. (Abby is the Event Coordinator for this event). We said, "That's okay - Abby's in here with us!" Abby pushed the intercom button and began an on again off again dialogue with Brian, who was seated comfortably in the Security/Safety office somewhere on campus. According to Brian (and why would he lie about this?) this 'kind of thing happens a lot' on campus. Abby asked "This elelvator?". Brians reply: "No, all of the elevators on campus.". How reassuring!

Apparently the folks waiting for the elevator on #2 decided to walk down the stairs. Later, another group approached the elevator, and while waiting, realilzed we were in the elevator and the door wasn't opening. Another conversation ensued. They asked who was in the elevator. We called out the names. Their reply? "Well, at least you have four parts! You can sing!"

And sing we did. We had one new member, Kimberly - a baritone - so we sang all the songs she already knew, and then some she didn't. When that got a little old, we decided to tell "one fact about yourself that nobody else knows'. Before that exercise got too far (thank God) - Brian informed us that the fire department had arrived and was 'working on the problem'. Then we went through a period of power off, then back on again, and instructions from Brian to try the buttons again.
This went on for about 15 minutes, and then Brian informed us that he had called the 'elevator guy' and he was on his way.

Gael asked if anyone had a tissue but none of us did. Eileen said she had some sequined scarves, she was bringing to one of the skit groups. In anticipation of our rescue, we decided to 'dress up' by wearing sequined scarves as headbands.

Eventually, 1 1/2 hours after we entered the elevator, the contraption started moving and took us to the basement, where we gleefully ran out of the elevator, into the waiting arms of two firefighters, dressed in full battle gear, and Dr. Knox (one of our chorus members). We were VERY glad to see them. Especially Eileen, who was beginning to get panicky. We asked to see the 'elevator guy' and the firemen pointed us in the direction of the control room. We showered him with hugs and thank-you's and then struck out for the dining hall. Enroute to dinner, we wrote a 'parody' to the tune 'Wherever we go, whatever we do, we're gonna go through it, together." - you can imagine the lyrics!

When we arrived at the dining hall, we got a standing ovation! And at the party that evening, we performed for all of our fellow chorus members, wearing our sequinned scarves and singing our parody. We were introduced as "L'eight For Dinner'. What an adventure!

Memorial Day

2006-05-31T10:38:00.000-05:00

In the year following the terrorist attacks on the United States, a burst of patriotism swept the country. Suddenly, every town was decorating their light poles with the American Flag. And companies added the flag to their logo. And bumper stickers and car magnets proliferated.

This is a good thing.

The pity is that it took a terrible series of events on 9/11 to remind us all of what a great country we live in, and how brave our military, firefighters, and peace officers are - how they put their life on the line every time they don their uniform - to protect the freedoms that we have and provide for our safety and wellbeing.
My town takes the flags down in the fall, before the ice storms start. In the spring, they hang them again in early April, or mid April, or early May. But this year, they waited until Memorial Day week-end.
What a pleasant surprise to see the flags along the road as I drove to exercise class this morning. I had forgotten about the flags (out of sight, out of mind).

It fills me with pride and a sense of belonging to see them waving in the breeze, stretching on ahead of me, beckoning me forward, onward. The little garden flag I have is becoming shredded, and it's time I replace it with a new one. Must remember to shop for one when I am out and about today.

Mother's Day

2006-05-28T07:14:00.000-05:00

As a child, my elementary school teachers saw to it that I honored my mother with a gift on'her' day. I thank them for that. We are not born into this world knowing that we need to show homage to important people on 'their' day. We "have to be carefully taught". My mother taught me to make or buy something for my father on Father's Day. And she helped me to pick out gifts for my Aunt Deet (my godmother) at Christmastime and on her birthday. And she always made a big deal out of family birthdays, cooking a special meal, baking a cake (from scratch! no boxed cake mixes for her!) So, I understood the concept - and I try to remember birthdays.
My kids always remember be on Mother's Day. My step-daughter Vickie always sends me a nice card. My step-son John usually calls me (you know, men don't shop for 'cards'). This year, Pam sent me a gorgeous bouquet of long-stemmed pastel colored roses: shell pink, alabaster white, and soft lemony yellow. They were from Hallmark, in a beautiful ceramic vase. They lasted a very long time and I truly enjoyed the scent in the house. I took pictures, because Pam is so far away, I wanted her to see them - and I'm posting it because I want everyone to know how much I love my daughters and how thankful I am that I am a mom.

Back to reality

2006-05-27T07:25:00.000-05:00

The morning after my most recent show (Luau for King Lear) closed, I awoke to view the sun reflecting on the lake. A stark, though beauteous reminder that it's time to get back to the real world. Those in the theatre know that the week before you open (fondly referred to as 'hell week') becomes an all-consuming continuous reiteration of dialogue and entrances, blocking instructions, etc, etc. etc., ad nauseum. And when the show closes it leaves a void in your life. A void which, prior to casting for the show was not void at all, but jam packed with fun things to do, neat people to interact with, chores to be accomplished, pets to be tended to, shopping to do. But it takes a few hours, on 'the morning after' to realize that it's time to pick up where you left off and plunge into life again.
I am fortunate to have such a wonderful 'eye-opener' - As I sat drinking my first cup of coffee, gazing at the lake, I began to set priorities and plan my days and week's activities. Priority one: get planting! Time to buy a few more perrenials and some annuals to bring color to the hillside.

I just love digging in the dirt. As a pre-teenager, I remember my mother pointing out weeds to me so that I wouldn't pull up a tiny peony plant or just-sprouted iris. Oh yes, she loved her flower garden, but could never pull weeds! But her philosophy was: that's why you have children - to do the little chores you can't do when your advancing age and body physiology keep you from enjoying the things you like. But I never minded - as I said before - I like digging in the dirt.

I wonder, do I like digging in the dirt because my mother instilled it in me as a youngster, or do I have some of the farmer genes of my ancestors? I'm thinking it's a little of both. Anyway, I'm off to Calabrese Farms to choose my color palette for the summer.

Daylight Begins

2006-05-13T14:57:00.000-05:00

I first started 'blogging' before I knew how to use all of the tools at my disposal. Which is, unfortunately, a statement about how I have lived my life. I've always just plunged in, and then treaded water until I figured out how to keep my nose and mouth above water. In some circumstances, I actually learned how to swim, others, I mostly dog-paddled. (Like softball, for example - definitely the dog paddle) Well, here is a picture of sunrise from my living room window - which, if you've been reading my blog, I see several mornings a week. Sometimes, I sit and watch as the daylight wraps our world in a loving blanket of color. Other times, I admire the moment, count my blessings, and move on to the activities of the day.

I'm reminded of the words of a song, "Sailing, takes me away..........." My lake is small. In winter, when it's frozen over, I can walk to the far shore in about seven minutes. But in summer, gazing out at the shimmering water, with the lush wooded shoreline on the other side of the lake, I am transported to Utopia, or Camelot, or the Emeral City any other fairytale 'land of dreams'. But I especially like sunrise, because every day, it's like opening a birthday gift: you pretty much know what it's going to be, but not what color, etc. And you always know the one who gave it to you loves you.

Easter Island

2006-05-13T06:05:00.000-05:00

My thespian adventures: Currently, I'm rehearsing "Luau for King Lear": a play about a theatre group preparing to do a production of King Lear. 12 actors in the play. Two characters are not actors in the theatre group,˜Sarge“ the props and set crew, and Mrs. Beesley, wife of the man who bequeathed the building used by the theatre group.
The part of Mrs Beesley, is played by Ellie who was in nurse training with a lady in my chorus who I know to be in her 70's. (hence, Ellie probably is, also). Ellie is a sweet woman, but with a stern look about her (probably all that nurses training, heh heh).
Ellie is only in two scenes, for two or three lines each, so most of the time she is seated in the audience during rehearsal. At one point in the play, Ms Beesely (Mrs. Beeseley's daughter) asks Sarge "Is my mother out there?" To which he replies, "Front row? arms folded? with a face that belongs on Easter Island?"
Now we've all heard Sarge deliver this line many, many times, but each time, we are all on stage or back stage, while Ellie is sitting out, by herself, in the audience.
Well, Wednesday's rehearsal was in a conference room (no access to the theatre area of the building), so we just rehearsed our lines, seated at the table. I happened to be seated next to Ellie during all of this. I often wondered what her reaction was to that line and on Wednesday, I had the chance to observe her when Sarge delivered his line.
She turned to me and in a whisper said, "What does a face on Easter Island look like?"
Well, I nearly burst some of my internal organs, trying to repress a HUGE guffaw and it's ensuing hysterical laughter. Of course I had to maintain decorum, or be accused of busting up the rehearsal which, as we draw close to show time, is critical!
So today, I went and printed out a brief history of the 'navel of the world', as the Polynesians call Easter Island along with a few color photos of the Faces of Easter Island. I will bring these to the next rehearsal, to share with Ellie - should be a Kodak moment!

Sunshine !

2006-05-05T22:25:00.000-05:00

After three days of rain, it was such a joy to spend the entire day out of doors, puttering around the yard. On Wednesday, I ran errands in the rain, so I wouldn't have to spend a moment of sunshine in my car. I bought gardening supplies and plants, went to the bank, the post office, the dry cleaners, etc. Thursday, I got an early start, by having my breakfast on the deck.

I haven't seen a robin in my yard (I seldom do) but I did see a male cardinal, a mourning dove, and a grosbeak. The larger birds can't feed at my birdfeeder, except for the seeds that drop to the ground when smaller birds are feeding. (I have the tension set light enough so the squirrels cannot dine on birdseed. )
It was a real joy, because it was very quiet on the lake. No boaters, no fishermen, no kids shouting. Just me and the birds and the water. And Missy - my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (mix) When I get around to posting pictures, you'll see - she's the cutest little dog in the whole wide world. She loves it when I spend time out of doors - because that's where she likes to be when the weather's good.
I spent half the day scrubbing my nineteen pieces of deck and lawn furniture and setting them out on the deck and side yard. And I planted several perrennials and a few hardy annuals. Too early to plant most annuals, we still have pretty chilly nights. I ruined my manicure, got a 'farmer's sunburn', and was completely exhausted by the time the sun was behind the neighbors house. (roughly 4:30 pm). So I put all my tools away, rolled up the hose, and spent 15 minutes just sitting on the bench under the little trees, and enjoyed the view over the water.
And tomorrow is supposed to be sunny again! Yahoo!

How fortunate

2006-04-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Rainy today. gray and gloomy. Yet I'm looking out at two fisherman, clad in raingear, and hoping that rains make fish hungry. Or perhaps they don't care whether the fish bite or not. They're out there, doin' their thing. Adrift on the lake, their own personal kind of solitude. They are fortunate to have the opportunity.

When folks visit my home for the first time, they tell me how lucky I am to have such a beautiful spot on the lake. And I always tell them, yes, I know - I am blessed.

I am blessed with a wonderful family, a vast caring circle of friends, hobbies that bring me joy and fulfillment, and my serene home on the lake. I only wish that all of you could be as blessed as I am. If you care to, enjoy the message of this link:
http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/

Lavender

2006-04-22T06:23:00.000-05:00

We have complete cloud cover today - weather person forecasts rain. But the upside of that is: it makes for a marvelous smorgasbord of color when the sun breaks the horizon. About 5:28 the tangerine colored ball was glowing through the trees on the far side of lake - and much like an electric burner on the stove turns a frying pan red hot, the sky across the horizon took on a slowly changing array of colors from pink to mauve to lavender. And the lake, having no choice in the matter, also changed hue - I watched for about 15 minutes, and took a few pictures. I was going to go and make a cup of coffee then come back and sit on the deck to watch, but I knew the moment was fleeting, and by the time I got back with my coffee, I would have missed natures planned presentation for April 22nd.
So I drank in the splendor which only nature can create. Coffee will have to come later.

Yesterday, after attending a retirement coffee hour to which I had been invited, I made my weekly visit to my favorite store, Home Depot. I picked out some perennials for the hillside: grape hyacinth and coreopsis and a bag of potting soil. Stopped by the post office to mail my locks of hair to Locks of Love, and then on to Big Y to drop off a roll of film.
I didn't get home until 1 pm - a late start on gardening chores. But I was determined. I planted the newly purchased items, and then potted the seven geraniums I had hung for the winter. They are nicely sprouted: they should come on nicely. Then I fixed supper and settled down in my favorite chair to read and watch TV. Contented.

Ahhhhh! Spring

2006-04-18T22:19:00.000-05:00

Today the electrician came to bring power to the deck which sits atop the boat house, so I can listen to tunes while I bask in the sun, or read, or enjoy the company of friends. I had to take the canoe down so he could access the power source in the boathouse, so we lowered it from its lofty perch and slid it into the lake.

I tied it up on the north side of the dock. He was finished with his work by 9:15 a.m. and check in hand, went merrily on his way. Since I was already down by the water, and it was such a gorgeous day, I grabbed the rake and started to attack the matted leaves that had accumulated over the winter.

Thinking about all the errands I had to run today, my mind was pretty much occupied with chores. But the slapping of the water against the bottom of the canoe began beating a path into my conciousness - and pretty soon, I was thinking how nice it would be to take a little spin on the lake. I had almost talked myself into abandoning the raking, and postponing the other chores in favor of the first canoe trip of the season. But then I thought - the reason the water is slapping the bottom of the canoe is because it's windy - and the surface of the water is choppy - not ideal conditions for a first sojourn of the season. My paddling muscles have been dormant all winter. Best not to venture out today.
But soon. Maybe in a day or two - Spring is probably the best time to canoe on my lake. Very few power boats are in the water this early in the season. If you choose a week-day, there are no boats at 9:30 am. There might be a fishing boat or two earlier, but by this time of day, they're gone (apparently fish don't bite with the sun gets high in the sky). Better wear a jacket, though - remember, my property is somewhat sheltered from the elements (namely, wind!).

Little lake - big lake

2006-04-17T05:14:00.000-05:00

Somewhere in my chemical make-up there is a serenity trigger that is tripped when I look at bodies of water. I can't explain it. But I'm thankful for it. During my last few years before my retirement, when the tasks of technical work and human interaction started to become burdensome I would begin the drive home all tense around the shoulders. Sometimes the light jazz on the car radio would ease the tension a little - sometimes I needed absolute quiet. And then I would come to the bridge crossing that wide river. I'd take my eyes off the road long enough to gaze along it's winding path southward and I would begin to feel the tension lifting. When I finally decided to refurbish the little summer house on the lake and make it my permanent residence, I found myself looking forward to going home with the kind of anticipation that made work bearable for the rest of the day.
Living about 300 miles from where I grew up, I made the drive 'back home again' many, many times. I knew the road so well that I really didn't think much about routes and such. I just drove. After about three and a half hours on the road, I would begin to stiffen up, muscles in the neck and shoulders becoming tight. And then, depending on which route I had taken, I would crest a hill, or come around a bend, and she would come into view - Lake Champlain - sixth largest fresh water lake in the United States. Invariably, I'd find myself inhaling deeply, and letting the breath wash away the tension.

Sunrise on Congamond

2006-04-16T07:29:00.000-05:00

I rise at 5:30 am most days. My second activity is to turn on my computer and gaze out at the lake while the machine whirs and stirs to life. The sun has not yet broken the horizon, and I keep one eye on the window while I'm reading my email, contacting my on-line team,doing my banking and writing the weekly report. I witness about 250 sunrises every year. Hopefully, I will be able to start posting pictures of some of my favorites.
My home sits on the western shore of a small lake in NortheastAmerica. In winter, the sun rises on the far left of my waterscape. There is an assortment of trees on the horizon: birch, maple, evergreen, sycamore, willow, and oak. Daybreak outlines them in contrast to the brightening sky. If the air is still, the lake mirrors the sight, doubling the viewer's pleasure.
As the season progresses, the sun tracks its way across my view until in late autumn it crests the horizon on the far right of my waterscape. That's the predictable part of sunrise watching.
What I can never count on is the nature of the sight. Will the sun merely come to the horizon and begin its ascent to high noon? Or will it dance in the sky and on the lake reflecting diamond patterns on my ceiling? Or will it paint the clouds with reds and oranges and pinks?