Finally, A Kayak Morning

8:27

Happy To Be Back On The Lake

It's 8:50 and I woke up at at the ungodly hour of 8:20, the latest in years. I was excited when I came downstairs to see some sunlight, even a touch of blue skies on a 33º morning. Best of all, the lake is open and calm with a slight southerly wind. I have just returned from a great 35-minute paddle, stopping at the reeds because the lake was frozen. I spotted a duck hunter just below Chestnut Hill with my binoculars and he was looking out at me with his binoculars.

Kayak Morning

Woodlawn

Southern Sky

Duck Hunter With Binoculars 

Yesterday began early for both of us, getting up at 7:00 and driving to Jamestown for an 8:45 appointment with an audiologist. It took maybe 15 minutes and it's confusing because they think Evie's hearing aids are not good enough for her severe hearing loss. Are they being honest or just want to sell her new and more expensive aids.  After the appointment, we stopped at Walmart and I decided to get prescription sunglasses, making sure they go on 2024's insurance. That took about a half hour so Evie spent it shopping.

We stopped at Ryders Cup on the way home and talked with one of my friends, Neal, for half an hour before driving home. It was not a particularly nice day so we stayed inside and I couldn't wait for a meatloaf sandwich lunch with ketchup, the best. I returned to my show, The Lincoln Lawyer, then started a new book, Kristin Hannah's latest, True Colors. I am not taken with it but will stick with it. It's about three sisters and their difficulty with each others choices. I took a nap, then watched some TV with Evie until wine time at 5:00. 

We had dinner at 6:30, a couple of peameal bacon slices apiece, with eggs, salad, and fried potatoes. Yum. We started two shows, one a series called The Sticky, the other a film called Nightbitch. We didn't much like either so Evie went up to bed and I watched the first half of the NFL game before joining her. 

Windy, Flurries, And Cold

 

7:33

It's 7:15 and we are both up because Evie has a hearing test in Jamestown at 8:45. So we have to be on our way by 8:00 and are not sure of the weather. As the sky lightens, the lake looks open and our front yard is free of any snow, all green. 

A Pesky Squirrel

Yesterday was a typical Sunday during NFL season as we watched all of the Bills game, some of two others before bed. We had our usual long Sunday coffee, reading on our devices. In the past we would have listened to the news but we lost interest for the time being. By 10:30, however, we had decided on having a meatloaf for dinner so I drove to the Lighthouse and picked up two pounds of ground chuck and a half of pound of peameal bacon. When I returned, I shoveled so the piles of snow hoping it would melt. By 1:00, we had breakfast, eggs and toast, and watched the Bills game. At half-time, I saved the second half and read and napped until 2:15. We then watched the rest of the game, an easy victory for the Bills. 

 We then returned to the living room, to our couches, listening to the wind blow and had a glass of wine. Dinner was great, baked potatoes, meatloaf with ketchup, and a salad. We watched Hometown, then a highly-rated movie on Netflix thriller called Carry On.  The first half hour was decent, with some interest as a mysterious traveler blackmails a TSA agent building some tension but the last half was silly and overdone at times. Evie then went up to bed and I watched the NFL game, the first half, before going up to bed. 

Gray And Rain

8:12

It's a dismal morning, no color, just gray, a melting lake, rain and 45º, a perfect day to stay in and watch football, nap, have good food, and go to bed early.

Bald Eagle

Saturday seemed like a long day because we did little, and just sat around happy to be home. Evie was up late so we didn't publish the blog until 10:00. So, after coffee, blog and breakfast, I packed up whatever trash we had and drove off to the Transfer Station in a light drizzle. I put off having lunch until 1:00, the last of the soup and a bagel with peanut butter to watch the first of three NFL games. 

By 1:30, I was bored so I showered and dressed up because we were going to a party at our good friends Julie and Tom's house at 2:30. About ten of us gathered at their house for champagne and peaches and appetizers. They have an amazing sun porch, all windows, with views of the woods and birds so we spent most of the time out there. We hardly knew anyone so it was fun to get to know everyone and listen to their backgrounds and stories. It was a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

5:12 PM

We left around 4:30 and stopped at Tops for a few things for dinners in the next day or two. When we got home, we decided to have a Manhattan to celebrate our homecoming and had chips and dip. By 6:30, we were enjoying vodka noodles from our freezer along with a salad and anise flavored cookies which reminded us of our years in Istanbul. We watched some HGTV shows,  and football and basketball after Evie went up to bed.

5:13 PM

Winter Gray

9:23

As I look out my front window, the lake is a dirty gray, still frozen but beginning to thaw. The snow in our front yard has all but melted over the past few days and today the high may get up to a toasty 50º. 

Another Fun Christmas With Jill, Drew, And The Girls

Yesterday began with coffee at Jill's at 7:00 and by 8:05, we were packed and ready to hit the road. We drove an hour, stopped for gas at our usual station, Shawnee Springs Market, and then a half hour later at McDonald's for breakfast. Fortunately, we had decent weather, and the sun even came out for a few minutes. Our final stop was at Gios and I skipped the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw because once we got to Warren, we stopped at Burger King for a couple of whopper meals, like last time we were on the road, 

Allegheny State Park

We were home by 3:30, a little over seven hours and all was well at the lake house. We quickly unpacked the car and put things away so that by 4:15, we were both ensconced on couches, reading or watching TV. I even fell asleep for half an hour, obviously tired from the holidays and our trip. Since we had whoppers at 3:00, we had an easy dinner, a couple of bowls of Evie's vegetable soup and that was it. We watched an emotional film called Four Good Days, about a drug addict attempting to come clean while living with her mother. It's harrowing to watch her struggle with her addiction and her mother's guilt. I highly recommend it, with Glenn Close and Mila Kunis. We ended the night with junk TV, then some Cavs after Evie went up to bed.

Back To The Lake

 

Afternoon At Old Bust Head Brewery

It's 7:15 and I am settled on a couch, starting the blog, and enjoying my coffee with Drew who has been up for an hour, working from home. We hope to be off by 8:15 and arrive home by 3:00 and the weather looks fine, cold but no snow or rain. 

Christmas In Nokesville

Thursday was a day for all of us, little if any cooking, wrapping presents, or drinking. We woke in the usual order, Drew, then, me, Evie, Hayden, Jill, then finally Halle, the only one who had to go to work at a pizza place. So we were in no hurry, watching the news, having a second cup of coffee and writing the blog. Halle left for work at 10:15 and Drew and Hayden were working from home so they basically got on line and started working when they got up. 

Around 11:00, I had some yogurt and granola. Drew decided to go for a four-mile walk and it sounded go to me to get some exercise so I walked around the neighborhood for 35 minutes, just long enough and far enough to work up a sweat. I then showered and Evie followed because my sister Ellen was coming over for a visit at noon. She lives in Herndon, a half hour away. We had not seen her since the clambake in Euclid in late September. We had a good time catching up on family, especially her two grandchildren Anna and Luke, who live only twenty minutes away, not a 14-hour drive. 

Ellen, Summer, 1971

We also reminisced about our summer trips in Europe, in our VW van, in both 1971 and 1974. I was able to pull up quite a few photos from our trip so it was fun. She left about 2:30 and by 3:30 we were on our way to Old Busthead Brewery, a favorite. 

Brewery

It was surprisingly busy but we easily found a table and ordered beers. We stayed for only an hour and headed home, tired from doing practically nothing but sitting around most of the day. We watched some TV but mostly we were on our devices until it was time to order our sushi dinner.  The sushi was delicious although Jill ordered too much. It will be their lunch. We were not sure what to watch so we started with an episode of a documentary on the 2004 Tsunami, then switched to an episode of Squid Game, but ended up with a hilarious comedy hour on Netflix featuring Nate Bargatze. Evie and I rarely watch comedians but he was worth it, a good way to go to bed.

Back Yard Creek

Post Christmas Blues

Merry Christmas

It's 8:30 and I have been up for an hour, joining Drew. Hayden arrived about a half hour ago to start her workday along with her Dad and Evie just came up and made coffee. We have been watching ESPN regale us with the Chiefs win from Christmas Day.

Halle And Hayden

Yesterday was lowkey for Christmas Day because the girls are in their 20s, not the little tykes from yesteryear. So the opening of presents did not begin until 11:00 when everyone was up. Evie and I received some neat things from Jill, Drew, and the girls: a pack for my kayak, a great appetizer board, and a coffee cup for Evie. The girls had lots to open but their big present will be a trip to Italy in May with our daughter-in-law, Mary, and granddaughter Marlena who graduates from the University of Arkansas in May.

Colorado Springs, 2007

Around 12:30, Evie made breakfast, pancakes and sausages, a nice change from yogurt and granola for me. By 1:00, we were ready for the start of the Chiefs/Steelers game since both Jill and Drew are big Chiefs fans. At half time, Jill got out appetizers and made bloody marys, a great way to celebrate the Chief's win. After the victory, Jill checked on flights for the Chiefs playoff game on either January 18th or 19th and wrote Tommy wondering if they should fly to Kansas City. Tom wrote back that he bought four tickets for the game, so Jill made reservations within an hour.  Kids today!!

Breakfast Girls

We left for Drew's sister's house, about ten minutes away. The gang from Christmas Eve was waiting so it was cousins and parents. What else do you do on Christmas but watch another football game, and around a table enjoying appetizers and libations? The special this time was a root beer float with vanilla Jim Beam. Once the game was over, we had a great dinner, a baked potato bar with fixings: chili, veggies, ham, or pulled beef. 

Christmas Day

I had potatoes with chili, sour cream and guacamole and that was enough for me. After dinner, the cousins went down to the basement and played a word game while the adults sat around stuffed with good food and drinks, reminiscing about Christmas's past. We left around 9:00, leaving the girls who would Uber home later in the evening,  We watched some basketball and a movie when we returned although Evie was tired and went to be early along with Jill. Drew and I celebrated the day with a bourbon on the rocks. The girls were home by 10:00 and joined us for the film. It was a good day. 

"It Was The Night Before Christmas"

Christmas Eve With The Kids

And Adults

It's just 9:00 here in Virginia and Drew and I have been up for an hour, discussing the state of the world. Evie just came in and is making her coffee and the three of us are the only ones up on a gray, cold Christmas morning. 

Jill, Drew, Halle, And Hayden

Baba And The Gals

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, is always my favorite day/night of the holiday season. Once everyone was up, meaning Halle and Hayden, Evie and Jill got busy with prepping for the gathering of 15 family members most arriving at 4:00. Much had already been done as Evie put together stuffed shells and hanky pankies at the lake. Jill had the table set and it would seem all was already done but there's always lots more to do. Around 11:00, Drew and I drove to a Manassas Texas Roadhouse to pick up their rolls and cinnamon butter. Of course, we had to have a beer and enjoy a couple of their rolls before returning home.

Cousins Hanging In The Kitchen

Jill And Clayton 

Hanging In Kitchen

Hayden, Chanel and Caleb

When we returned, the girls seemed to have everything under control and were able to enjoy the early afternoon. I took a nap, a good one, and woke up ready to have a good time. Everyone got gusssied up and those who were skipping church arrived at 4:00, the rest after church around 6:00. Hayden and Halle's five cousins arrived, so there were two groups, the cousins and their parents. We enjoyed a table filled with appetizers as the wine, beer, and mixed drinks flowed. It was fun talking with Drew's family, most of whom we haven't seen in a year or two. His sister's kids are neat, some still in college, others working in Montana or South Carolina. Both boys are surfers so I had fun talking with them about the good old days when I surfed in Honolulu in the 1960s. I am sure I bored the hell out of them.

Dinner

After Dinner Talk

When the churchgoers arrived, Jill, Drew, and Evie got busy with dinner. Drew carved the tenderloin and Jill and Evie pulled out the stuffed shells, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, and made a salad. Dinner was a feast and hardly anything was left, a good sign. I ended up sitting at the end of the table with the cousins which was fun, lots of craziness. We sat around talking after dinner and the cousins went down in the basement to hang out. Eventually, we migrated to the living room, talked and laughed until 9:30 when everyone was ready to leave. The girls were really good about helping to clean up without being asked. By 10:15, the kitchen was cleaned up and Evie and I went to bed, followed by Jill and Drew. It was a fun-filled night with our Virginia family 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Morning In Virginia

Road Trip

Light Snow

Into The Sun

It's 7:50 and my son-in-law Drew and I have been up for an hour. Hayden just came down and the two of them working and watching TV. It's 27º and icy outside, colder than usual for Virginia.  It's 9:20 and Evie and Jill are finally up, Halle's still sleeping and Drew's making congo bars, a Christmas tradition. 

Jill, Hayden, And Granny

Yesterday seemed like a long day on the road, in fact, road trips lately have always seemed long. We left the lake just after 8:00 in single-digit weather and stopped as usual, in Warren, for breakfast at McDonald's before continuing on. We were fortunate with the weather, no snow, just cold, and made decent time, foregoing a stop at McDonald's in Altoona where the CEO shooter, Luigi Mangione, was arrested! We switched off every couple of hours, stopping in Berkley Springs for lunch, then at Shawnee Grocery And Market for gas and goodies. Our GPS suggests the drive will take six-hour but we always manage to make it seven so we arrived just after 3:00. 

Drew, Hayden, And Chanel

Halle And Coco

Jill

Hayden

Drew was home to greet us and help bring our bags into the house. Hayden soon arrived from her apartment in Alexandria, then Jill from the hairdressers. Halle didn't arrive until after 7:00 because she was working a double shift at a Pizza restaurant. It was good to get out of the car, knowing we would not have to drive for three or four days. We relaxed in the living room catching up on everyone's lives. Jill brought out the appetizers and wine around 5:00. Everyone is doing well, all working, just Halle still in college at Virginia Commonwealth. While enjoying our wine and appetizers, Jill put together our dinner, chicken and rice with lime, coconut milk, serrano peppers, and various spices. It was really tasty and I had two helpings. We sat around until 9:00, when both Evie and I, tired from our trip and getting up early, went to bed. 

Chanel And Santa

We are looking forward to tonight as Drew's Mom, sisters, and their families are coming over for dinner at 4:00. It should be a fun night.

Baking, Packing, Watching Volleyball, And Football

6:53

7:04

7:19

7:19

I was up at 6:10 because we wanted to leave for our daughter Jill's in Virginia by 8:00. It was pitch black at 6:10 but now, at 6:50 a slash of light rises above the eastern shoreline. It's a chilly 11º, the lake is finally frozen and the temperature may get up into the 30s later. 

Geese Enjoying The Last Of The Open Lake

Sunday was a busy day because we are always anxious about a road trip, making sure we have packed enough, that the car is ready, the roads are clear. We were in no hurry to get busy and enjoyed our morning. Around 11:00, I went outside and cleared both the car and driveway and Evie was busy in the kitchen, making a pie, and then making a great breakfast of potatoes, onions, and eggs. We watched a bit of football then I read and napped and Evie finished up in the kitchen. 

At 3:00, we began watching the NCAA volleyball finals, Penn State vs. Louisville. We watched the first game then took a timeout to trim my beard and then we both showered. After showers, I watched some more volleyball and Evie packed, finishing in time to watch the Bills game which I had saved so we could zip through commercials. We took a timeout to put together dinner, the leftover chicken and rice and a salad and ate as the Bills were lucky to defeat the Patriots, a boring game unless you were a Patriot fan.

After the game, we switched to volleyball and watched Penn State defeat Louisville 3-1. Unfortunately, Lousiville's best player was out with an ankle sprain. We were tired from watching sports and Evie was happy to go to bed at 9:00. I stayed up and watched, what else more football until 9:30 when I joined her.