Christmas Arrives Early

Painting Of Purple Martin Chicks

Photograph

We were sitting on our couches yesterday afternoon when I noticed a car pull up next door and stop.  I paid little attention to it and went back to watching the Ohio State game.  A little later, I stepped outside to check the weather when I noticed a package sitting on the porch.  I picked it up, brought it inside, and told Evie we had a package that did not seem to be from UPS.  It was an exquisitely wrapped gift with a bow. We were intrigued.  What could it be?  Who sent it?  Evie carefully undid the wrapping paper, making sure not to tear it.  We realized it was a picture frame, turned it over, and we were shocked to see a painting of one of my photographs from this summer of baby purple martins.  Evie was excited and exclaimed, '"This is the best present I have ever gotten."  I agreed; the painting of the baby birds was perfect.  On the back of the painting was a note thanking us for sharing our photos, Netflix recommendations, and foodie ideas.  It was difficult to read the signature but a post-it note had email addresses. Clearly, someone who reads the blog thought enough of it, especially the photos, to thank us with this painting. Nothing better illustrates the kindness of people than an unexpected gift like this.  Although we can never adequately thank the painter enough, we will do our best to pay it forward in some way. And hanging the picture was a great way to end the afternoon.

7:58

Geese On Thin Ice

Well, it's 8:15 and I have been listening to duck hunters' blast and just saw a boat cruise by Long Point so the lake is not entirely frozen, just the south half below the bridge. In front of our house, the ice extends ten yards then the lake opens up.  We received a dusting of snow overnight and it's still chilly out, 32º.

Other than the excitment of the painting, Saturday was another typical day.  We were not sure if we would be able to get in a walk because none of our hikes seemed desirable.  I went to the Chautauqua Conservancy Website and found a preserve we had never walked, 15 minutes away in Fuvanna.  It's called the Bently Nature Preserve.  First, however, we gathered up the trash and stopped at the Transfer Station where everyone was wearing masks which was nice to see.  We arrived at the Preserve and parked on the road.  We were pleased at how interesting we found the walk.  Much of the walk followed a meandring creek.  The trees and paths were snow covered and it would have been quite wet except for numeros boardwalks and bridges, making the walk fun.  It was only a mile but it took us forty five minutes to navigate through the dense woods,. We loved it and will go back.  

We were home by 12:30 and Evie made me a cheese sandwich to go along with the last of the pot roast soup.  I finished up my series and then had to decide if I wanted to go on to Season Two with the same characters.  I will.  I then watched some football until the arrival of a package which made for an exciting afternoon.  After we hung the painting, Evie put together a healthy dinner, Tumeric and Coconut braised cabbage with chickpeas, giving it an Indian flavor.  We celebrated our painting with a Manhanttan, brie, and popcorn.  Around 7:00, we had the cabbage and chickpeas stew over rice and we both really liked it.  We watched Colbert and some news with the ubiquitous Wolf Blitzer (does he ever leve the studio?). We ended the night with a home improvement show deciding to skip another episode of Watchmen.