A Day Of Mourning

8:16

Well, it's 7:26 and I lay in bed, awake for a good hour, afraid to get up. When I got up, I had good reason to stay in bed because Trump, a twice-impeached felon, is now our President. I cannot believe my countrymen voted for someone like him. My only conclusion is that Trump is who we are.  My only consolation is that if Trump had lost, we might have had major violence led and abated by Trump.

Kayak Morning

North Sky Above The Reeds

Tuesday was a beautiful full day and we both took advantage of it. I paddled for forty-five minutes in bright sunshine, an optimistic start to what ended up being a very dark day. After breakfast and the blog, Evie left for kindergarten and I headed off to Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania, about a forty-five-minute drive. It's a peninsula that stretches about seven miles into Lake Erie, four miles west of Erie, PA. Its east side is mostly wooded and looks toward Erie while the west side has numerous great beaches, among the best in the inland United States. It's perfect for biking or walking because an asphalt path surrounds the peninsula. My ride around the peninsula covered 11 miles and took over an hour. I usually stop at the halfway point, the Oliver Hazzard Perry Monument, then head back along the west side with its great beaches. It would have been more pleasant if it wasn't so windy, with gusts up into the 20s. 

Presque Isle

Perry Monument

Great Beaches

I wanted to stop at a Middle Eastern restaurant we have been to before and have a bowl of their lentil soup but it was closed so I just went straight home, arriving around 1:00. I had the leftover stir fry for lunch and waited for Evie to text because she was meeting me at my mechanic's because I was dropping off the Outback to get fixed. Both of our cars are in shops getting work done. 

We both took it easy the rest of the day because we were tired, Evie from school, and me from my drive and bike ride. It made it easier knowing that we would be going to Linda and Ron's for dinner and the election results. Linda had an amazing assortment of appetizers, followed by two pizzas, one homemade. We enjoyed them with various libations until around 9:00 when the election results started to turn towards a Trump victory, especially the early Trump leads in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. By 10:00, we had enough and were tired and said our thanks and goodbyes and drove home in utter darkness, perfect for our moods. We did not linger but went straight to bed, hoping for the best but expecting the worst: a Trump victory.  

VOTE like your life depends on it (it does)

7:05

7:09

We were up at 7:00, Evie because of her class, and me for a paddle and bike ride later at Presque Isle, PA. Another wonderful morning paddling on the lake. I chased a couple of hundred Canadian Geese off the shoreline and still have not seen a heron or eagle in a couple of days.

Kayak Morning

North

Monday was a good way to start the week for both of us. Evie is finally starting to feel better and get a few things done. Despite the wind and no waterfowl sightings, I had a good forty-five-minute paddle. At 10:30, I went to a new yoga class called Melt. We use a four-foot foam roller,  five inches wide to massage various parts of the body. We started by laying on it, head to the sacrum, then doing various twists with both arms and legs. Once we were done, we moved the roller to the sacrum, then legs so that we simulated a full body massage. I liked it and I guess the idea is to learn how to use it and do it at home like most exercises.

After class, I did a quick run through Walmart, getting a few things for our wok dinner. It's always busy no matter time of day. When I returned home, I had lunch, a hoagie I bought at Walmart, and started watching a new series called Griselda, about a female drug lord. I doubt if I stick with it. My book is getting tiresome but I will stick with it despite its silliness and of course, I briefly napped. Around 4:00, I wanted some exercise and went out and raked the leaves under our tulip tree which always loses its huge leaves late in the fall. Once I was done, I had three garbage pails filled with leaves and took them up the hill to the wood pile.

We had our usual glass of wine and nervously listened to the pundits discuss the elections. Evie put together our stir fry of pork, cabbages, carrots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms, along with a sauce. It was just what we wanted, something that seemed healthy and tasty. We watched an episode of House Of Cards then went back to listening to Trump in Pittsburgh, vulgar, disjointed, and banal and most of the crowd seemed bored, not listening. I don't blame them. We then watched CNN until we had enough and put on Monday Night Football, with Chiefs. I stayed up and watched the first half then went up to read and sleep.

 

Windy, Some Sun And Clouds

7:05

7:05

8:48

I was surprised when I woke at how windy it was. The sun was out briefly but now hides behind a vast gray cloud bank. It's warmer this morning, 44º compared to yesterday's 32º. It's 8:55 and I paddled for forty-five minutes, into the wind and down to Sandy Bottom and home.

Kayak Morning

Paddling Into The Southerly Winds

Northern Sky

Sunday was a day in full for me, a day of feeling better for Evie. It started with a good paddle on a calm lake, avoiding duck hunters and crossing across to Long Point and back. Because of the time change, I was up at 6:30 like this morning. For some reason, I was energetic and wanted to 'do something.' So after breakfast and the blog,  I grabbed my bike, fastened on my Outback, and drove to Mayville Park. It was perfect weather for a ride as long as I dressed warm enough with a windbreaker. I rode Webb's Trail, passing a couple of dog walkers, the Sea Lion Drive to the end, and down Ellwood to the lake before heading back to the car.  I was out for about an hour. 

Webb's Trail

Looking South

When I returned Evie was busy getting a few things done and volunteered to make me a couple of egg and cheese sandwiches on English muffins. I ate watching the first half of the Bills game, then decided to read a bit and take a nap. Around 3:00, we watched the Bills win the last few seconds with a field goal so Western New Yorkers were happy. Around 4:30, as it was beginning to get dark, I decided to walk the Woodlawn/Victoria woods. I love this time of day, as the sun is setting and was out for just a half hour but completing my trifecta, kayaking, biking, and hiking. 

Hiking In Woodlawn On A Blanket Of Leaves

Dinner was great, a couple of ribeyes, mine marinated in teriyaki sauce, mushrooms, and earlier Evie had made twice-baked potatoes. We watched some political news and are beginning to dare to be optimistic. We watched two episodes of House Of Cards, then more CNN where they kept talking about the obscene gestures Trump made at his most recent rally. He is one sick dude. Evie went to bed around 9:00 and I watched some NFL before returning to my book and going to bed. 

What A Morning Sky

7:07

7:24

I was up at 7:00, really 8:00 if it was yesterday, and the sun is blinding, filling the lake with its reflection as the mist slowly moved by. Our car windows are frozen because it was 32º when I came downstairs. Fortunately, there's no wind so I will be able to paddle.  It's just after 9:00 and I kayaked for 40 minutes on a spectacular morning. As I was kayaking north, I ran into the duck hunters, hidden behind the reeds so I had to head across the lake to Long Point to avoid them. I was surprised by the lack of color as most if not all the trees have lost their leaves. 

Kayak Morning

Paddling Toward Long Point

Not Much Color

North

Yesterday was what I have come to expect on Saturdays. It started with a brief paddle because of the wind and waves. Evie is still feeling under the weather but volunteered to make breakfast, English muffins with scrambled egg and cheese. Once I had breakfast and finished the blog, we gathered up the trash and I was off to the Transfer Station. We needed some necessities so after the Transfer Station, I drove to Wegman's, always busy on the weekends. I was able to quickly find things Evie wanted and found a cashier with only one customer. Afterward, I stopped at J. C.  Penny's and returned some fleece pajamas, then deposited a check from Erie Insurance which, I hope, should cover the cost of fixing my car. Supposedly, it's being worked on and should be ready by Friday. My Other car, the Outback, will probably get a new frame for the motor this week. The cost is not covered by insurance.

When I returned home, I helped put away the groceries and then had lunch, a chicken pot pie and I watched the first half of the Ohio State/Penn State game, won by Ohio State. Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. I then read some and napped briefly, then watched some football for about 20 minutes before getting bored and went outside and did more yard work, raking and mulching the back yard. The maple trees in the front yard (the lakeside) have lost all their leaves so the front yard does not need mulching. 

We had our wine time around 5:30, then had tacos with all the fixings for dinner, a nice change. We watched Real Time with Bill Maher, then an episode of House Of Cards before Evie went up to bed early, tired from her day. I watched some basketball, then the final episode of Ridley before going up to bed. 

Getting Colder

Our Happy Great Grandson

7:58

7:59

It was 39º when I got up and today's high will be 47º.  The sun was out briefly, squeezing its rays between the coast and a vast cloud bank. The wind is sporadic, the lake moving south but I will probably try kayaking. I did get out for 25 minutes, smartly paddling north into the wind and floating back.

Kayak Morning

Woodlawn

Northern Blue

Yesterday was not the best of days because we both had doctor's appointments. Evie was up and off at 8:00 for her appointment in Westfield and came home with an antibiotic for her cough. I left at 9:00, after a brief paddle for an appointment in Ashtabula at 10:40.  For once, I got in only 20 minutes late, saw the doctor for five minutes and that was it. See you next year, So I decided to treat myself to a Whopper but then I started thinking of Evie at home and bought four Whopper Juniors for ten bucks and a root beer. I ate them on the way home, arriving around 1:30, and presented Evie with two juniors to her delight. What a good boy I am. 

Junior Whoppers

I was tired from three hours of driving so I decided to try napping and I don't think I heard a thing or moved for a good hour. For once, it was a good nap. The rest of the afternoon we both took it easy as the lawn was lightly covered with leaves and did not need to be mowed  We enjoyed a glass of wine around 5:30 and listened to music instead of the news for once. What a novel idea. 

Neither of us was hungry because of the Whopper Junior, so I had Evie's soup and a Smith hot dog while Evie had an English muffin. We watched an episode of House Of Cards, and Great British Baking Show until Evie went up to bed around 8:30. I then watched a couple of different NBA games until bored then watched another episode of Ridley on PBS. I highly recommend it. 

Rewritten by ChatGPT

Morning on the Lake

At 7:59, it was a chilly 39º when I got up, with the high today set to reach 47º. The sun made a brief appearance, slipping between the coast and a wide stretch of clouds. The wind was sporadic, nudging the lake southward, but I decided to kayak anyway. Managed to get out for 25 minutes, paddling north into the wind and then coasting back with ease.

Yesterday was far from ideal, with both of us having doctor’s appointments. Evie was out the door at 8:00, off to Westfield, and returned with an antibiotic for her cough. I left at 9:00 after a quick paddle, heading to my 10:40 appointment in Ashtabula. Amazingly, I was only 20 minutes late in getting seen and was out in five. "See you next year," the doctor said. On the way home, I treated myself to a Whopper, but then thought of Evie and picked up four Whopper Juniors and a root beer. I ate mine on the way back and brought two for Evie—who was thrilled.

After three hours of driving, I was beat, so I decided to nap. I barely moved or heard a thing for a solid hour—it was one of those rare, perfect naps. In the afternoon, we both took it easy. The lawn had a light cover of leaves, so mowing could wait. Around 5:30, we poured a glass of wine and listened to music for a change, skipping the news—a refreshing break.

Neither of us was really hungry, thanks to the Whoppers. I had some of Evie’s soup and a Smith hot dog while she enjoyed an English muffin. We watched an episode of House of Cards and a bit of The Great British Baking Show until Evie headed to bed at 8:30. I watched some NBA games and then settled in with another episode of Ridley on PBS. Highly recommend it.

Friday, Friday

Trick Or Treat

6:56

Kayak Morning

It's early for both of us because Evie is off at 8:00 to see a doctor about her worsening cough. And I have an appointment with my cardiologist in Ashtabula at 10:30, a fun way for both of us to begin November. I was up at 6:30 for some reason, Evie at 7:00. It's windy and when I walked outside, the sky was filled with stars. It's 8:45 as I finish this after a short paddle because of the wind, strong enough to knock my baseball hat into the lake. 

Thursday, Halloween for most, was quiet for us because we never get any trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood. The day started for me with breakfast in Bemus, then the blog and yoga in Lakewood at 10:00. Evie, however, was off to celebrate Halloween with her kindergartners, At least 110 parents' cars snaked around the school grounds, with their trunks open and filled with goodies for the elementary kids. Fortunately, the kindergarteners went first and Evie and the teacher spent most of their time helping kids pack the banquet of candy bars, bubble gum, etc. And all will be trick or treating tonight. It was a crazy day and Evie was exhausted when she returned home at 2:00.

As for me, I voted in the Chautauqua Mall after yoga.  I admire the workers, willing to spend their day helping out. After voting, I walked back through J. C. Penny to my car, one of about five to ten people in the store. I was impressed by the volume and neatness of the store, quite a contrast to Target. I then stopped at Walmart to check how much a vision test would cost with my insurance since I may need new glasses.

I was home by 12:30 and made a toasted cheese sandwich with soup for lunch. I watched another episode of Ridley before trying to nap to no avail. So I ended up reading my thriller until 3:00 when I was bored and decided to go for a half-hour walk in our barren woods, the leaves having fallen, the trees naked. 

Fallen Leaves

Clouding Up

When I returned, I sat in our yard reading, perhaps the last time this year as it will get much cooler in the next couple of days.

View While Reading

We listened to the news at 5;00 enjoying our wine, dismayed by the predictions from the pundits but then another poll shows Kamala ahead in 6 of 7 states. Who should we believe?  Dinner was easy, the leftover chicken with mushrooms and artichoke hearts along with rice, broccoli, and a salad. We watched a Colbert then another episode of House of Cards until Evie went up to bed, early again because of her cold and I then watched some football, tired of the news. 

Late Afternoon Sky

Morning's Changing Colors

7:`14

7:47

It's 7:25 and we are both up because I have breakfast at 8:00 and Evie leaves for kindergarten earlier today because of Halloween. She is as excited as the kids probably are. It's 9:15 as I finish this after breakfast in Bemus. At the moment, the lake is perfect for kayaking but I will be going to yoga. 

Morning View At 9:00

Yesterday was a productive day for me, a day of rest for Evie who is still nursing a cough. I had a good paddle although I did not see any wildlife. I was in no hurry for once so I relaxed with another coffee and breakfast as I finished the blog. I wanted to get a few things done outside os by 10:00, with Evie's permission, I pulled all the dahlias out of the ground, the roots, bulbs and branches and filled up two garbage pails with the dead dahlias. It's sad to see them go because Evie has decided to plant something else next year because they were too much of a hassle for as little as they bloomed. I cleared some of the other beds of leaves and branches before lunch. 

Lunch was easy, the rest of the sub from Hogan's and another delicious bowl of Evie's soup. We never get tired of it, all veggies.  I watched another episode of Ridley then napped briefly before going out in the side yard and reading We Solve Murders for an hour. It was so warm that I was in just a Tee shirt. The area around the small maple was strewn with leaves so I raked them up, filling another pail. Then I fired up the electric mower, I mulched the side yard because it needed it. It took me all of 20 minutes and then I relaxed a bit more on my Adirondack chair before coming in and having a glass of wine with Evie at 5:00. 

Hooded Megansers Cruising In The Late Afternoon

Earlier in the day she had put together one of our favorite go-to meals, chicken with mushrooms and artichokes hearts. She had been making this since our days in Hawaii back in the late 1960s. She served it with rice and we watched Stephen Colbert and CNN. Evie went up to bed early, making sure to get lots of sleep before her kindergarten class this morning. It's going to be crazy because all the kids will be dressed up and the parents will have trick or treats for them in their trunks.