Waking To Sun, Paddling In Threatening Skies

6:52

It's 8:04, the sun has disappeared behind a gray sky, and I kayaked for only 20 minutes because of the northerly winds. It was 35º when I started kayaking, quite a contrast from yesterday's mid 70's in the afternoon. 

Kayak Morning

Northern Clouds

Rough Seas

Looking East Towards Bemus Bay

Yesterday was a different sort of day. I was up early and have been kayaking soon after waking instead of relaxing with a cup of coffee and reading the newspapers. It was a fine morning and I was rewarded with a blue heron. When I returned, Evie skipped kindergarten because she had a bad night. I thought about going to yoga but instead drove to Ryder's Cup and met a couple of guys for coffee at 9:30, a bad boy for skipping yoga. We sat around reminiscing and talking about our ailments until 10:15 when we left to get some errands done. I went to Home Depot and picked up six more bags of mulch, then stopped at Mike's Nursery for some Miracid for our rhodos and hydrangeas. I was home by noon and filled up six watering cans, mixed some Mir-acid in each, and watered the acid-loving plants around our house, the rhododendrons and hydrangeas. 

Lunch was easy, as I microwaved the last of the pot roast and mashed potatoes and started a new series that I like, Joe Pickett on Prime. He's a game warden in the northwest. After lunch, I took a nap and read some of my new book, Only To Sleep by Lawrence Osborne. Around 3:00, I worked in the yard for an hour, weed wacking, then digging along the borders of our side yard, getting rid of weeds and turning over the edge. Just about the time I finished, dark clouds floated in and it rained and thundered for 15 minutes, and then the sun came out, creating an amazing rainbow over Long Point. 

Afternoon Rainbow

After Evie's zoom call we had a glass of wine and it continued to rain off and on. By 6:00, Evie was frying up some potatoes, making a salad, and grilling tilapia filets in the air dryer. We watched another episode of The Tourist, the end of season one, but it was enough for one night. We then watched a bit of Trump's bombastic speech in Michigan, filled with lies and self-gratification. That was enough for Evie so she went up to bed. I watched the amazing end of the Pacers/Bucks game, with the Pacers improbable victory in overtime. I ended the night with another episode of Joe Pickett. 

A Day Well Spent

A Great Blue Heron Morning

6:54

8:01

8:37

It's 8:00 and I was up at 6:40, out on the lake by 7:00 for 35 minutes and was rewarded with my first photo of a Great Blue Heron, feeding at the mouth of Woodlawn Creek. A light wind from the south did not bother my paddling much, although it's picked up as I sit here writing. 

Kayak Morning

Nortern Gray

Great Blue

Wading In Woodlawn Creek

Yesterday began early because our friend, Austin, was arriving at 8:30 to help out with various chores in our yard, So I had coffee on the go, in my kayak, as I paddled for a half hour before returning and writing the blog. Austin arrived at 8:30 on the dot and got set up to power wash our house, then clean out various flower and privet beds. After he got organized, I had breakfast and finished up the blog, and by 10:30, both Evie and I were outside joining him in working in the yard. By noon, Austin was done powerwashing and spreading the ten bags of mulch under our rhododendrons on the north side of our house. Evie made us lunch, hot dogs and man n cheese and we relaxed out in the yard enjoying our lunch. 

I was tired of having a bad night and getting up early, so I couldn't wait to take a nap and read. Evie cleaned up the kitchen, then went outside to continue weeding our side yard. By 2:30, I joined her and took the first three trips up to the woodpile with three full garbage pails of twigs, leaves, and weeds. By 3:00, I was mowing the lawn with our electric mower, and by 4:00, Austin was done, the yard was mowed, and Evie had made good progress on weeding the side yard. 

I put things away, charged the batteries for my mower, and by 5:00, we were enjoying a glass of wine, marveling at our beautiful front yard, mowed and green, with a blue lake as a background. For dinner, we had the leftover pot roast, mashed potatoes, and a salad, and it was even better then on Sunday. We watched a Hometown and My Lottery Dream Home, both enjoyable respites from the news. Evie was in bed by 8:45 and I was struggling to find a new series with little luck, so I went up to bed early to read and sleep. 

Sunny With High In 70s

A Colorful Wood Duck

6:31

8:04

It's 8:10 and I have been up since 6:30, was on the lake by 7:00. It was 39º went I ventured out and warmed up to 45º at the moment. I paddled my usual, down to Sandy Bottom and back to Woodlawn on a nice, calm lake, although the wind is picking up as I write this.  

Kayak Morning

Northern Sky

Sandy Bottom

Turkey Vultures

Male Wood Duck

Sunday was a good day, busy for me and nice and relaxing for Evie. We had our coffee and breakfast and while Evie put together our pot roast dinner in the slow cooker,  I went out and worked on trimming the red twigs, cutting them down to five and a half feet, hoping the new growth comes. I filled up a couple of garbage pails with twigs and leaves and took them up the hill to the woodpile. By 11:00, I was done and Evie was ready to go for a walk around the Chautauqua Institution, our typical Sunday constitutional. It was a fine morning for a walk and we met a few people also out for a walk. We were gone for about forty-five minutes and loved looking at the spring flowers finally in bloom.

Thunder Bridge

When we returned, it was 12:30, and Evie made me scrambled eggs and a bagel with strawberry jam on top. Two Yums. I watched some NBA because I finished my series until I got bored, then went upstairs to read and nap. Since we were having our jack of all trades over Monday to work on weeding and raking as well as power washing our house, I decided to drive to Home Depot because they were having a sale on mulch, two bucks a bag, saving two bucks. I picked up 10 bags, browsed the store a bit, and came home. I watched the thrilling end of the Knicks/Magic game, then had wine time with Evie at 5:00. 

We had our pot roast dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy at 6:30, and we both loved it. We wondered why we don't make it more. We watched another episode of The Tourist but it's starting to get crazy with flashbacks and nightmares that don't make sense so we may not continue with it. Evie had had enough and went up to bed so I watched more basketball, then tried another forgettable series because I can't remember the name. 

Saturday Night At Brazils In Westfield

7:21

8:44

I woke to shadows moving on the ceiling, so I knew it was windy. When I came downstairs, the lake had white caps, so I gave up any thought of paddling. Despite the bright sun, it was 38º, much colder in the wind. 

Saturday was also windy so no kayaking early. The only task of the day was going to the Transfer Station. After coffee and breakfast, I decided to go for coffee in Lakewood, meeting friends, so I was on my way by 9:15. I met Paul in a busy Ryder Cup. We talked for half an hour before he left to do some errands and I went to Walmart, where I picked up some sand, dirt, and grass seed for filling low spots on our lawn.

When I returned home, Evie had the trash gathered so off I went to the Transfer Station, put my plastic in one container, glass in another, metal in a third container, and garbage in the truck. I wonder if any of this is recycled or just dumped in a landfill. When I returned home, I realized I had skipped breakfast so Evie made me lunch, chicken soup, and sandwiches. I then started the marathon of NBA games which would last much of the day. After half an hour, I went upstairs and read and napped until 2:30. 

The weather was windy, cold, and with drizzle, so I stayed in and read my Travis McGee novel. I had forgotten how often he comments and analyzes just about everything, from human behavior to clothes, to food, to boats, etc. It's so different from most modern crime novels like Reacher. I also watched some basketball when I got tired of reading, then showered at 5:00 and picked up Ron and Linda for dinner at 5:45. We had reservations at Brazil's bar in Westfield, a 15-minute drive. When we arrived, the restaurant was packed, turning away people if they did not have reservations. 

Drinks And Dinner At The Bar

It was a fun night, a busy bar, a good bartender, and great food. Evie loved her maple-brined pork chop. Linda and Ron are headed to Europe in five days so it was fun talking about their various destinations, one a day tour with Barb Harper, Evie's best friend from high school, who lives in Paris and gives day tours. We were home by 8:30 and Evie was tired and went up to bed. I fortunately watched the last few minutes of the Nuggets/Clippers game. won in the last second by a controversial dunk. I went up to bed around 10:00, read some, then slept. 

Overcast And Drizzle And Fog

7:33

8:32

It's 8:15, and I have been up for an hour, trying to download a free antivirus program that, of course, is not free. The lake is not very inviting at the moment and it's hard to tell if it's drizzling or not. At least the temperature is 51º, but it will be dropping into the 40s during the day. Just as I was ready to get out on the lake, the wind picked up, and fog drifted in, so no kayaking this morning. 

Friday was a different sort of day, no yoga and no school. Evie had an eye appointment at 10:00 in Jamestown, to pick out a new pair of frames so we had a leisurely coffee and breakfast, but had to be on our way by 9:30. We spent half an hour picking out frames and then left to do a quick run through at Wegmans. We always need something at Wegmans or we just like shopping there. We had planned on going for a walk, but it was raining by the time we left the store, so we bagged it and went home. 

I was not very hungry for some reason so I had a bowl of chicken noodle soup, compliments of Wegmans and watched my show. I was tired after lunch,  so I decided to nap and read and easily fell asleep, waking an hour later, a bit refreshed. We were both happy to waste the rest of the afternoon, reading or watching it rain, two inches in the past 24 hours. We were looking forward to wine time, because we bought sushi for an appetizer, a nice treat as we listened to the news. We had an easy dinner, eggs, fried potatoes, and a salad, just what I wanted. We watched the usual TV until 8:30 when Evie went up to bed, and I watched basketball, switching back and forth between two games until I had had enough and went up to bed to read. 

Morning Calm

7:38

I woke to a bit of sun, now disappeared, and a placid lake, no wind. It's 56º, and will stay in the 50s most of the day, with no 70s like yesterday. It's 9:30 and I paddled for forty-five minutes, down to the Powerboat Club and back and for the first time this spring, I photographed a wood duck. 

Kayak Morning

North

Lake Like Glass, Amazing Clouds

Wood Duck

Thursday was a perfect day as we both had great mornings, and it was sunny and warm all day. I paddled for a good forty minutes, over to Long Point and back. Then,  I finished up the blog, had breakfast as Evie got ready for school. We both left around 9:40, me for Yin Yoga and Evie for kindergarten, with a bag of goodies for her kids. My class was easy, yet I just wanted to get it over with for some reason. I was not into it. I came straight home, no coffee, no shopping, and was happy to relax and read my Travis McGee book before lunch. I was not very hungry so I made a toasted cheese sandwich with a slice of ham and that was it for lunch. Actually, I couldn't wait to take a nap so I cut my series short, read some, and napped until 2:30. 

When I woke, Evie was back and she filled me in on some of the kids' antics, which is always fun to hear. The highlight was that each kid got to hold a baby chick. I read for a bit but got bored, as usual, and went out and decided to mow the rest of the yard, although it hardly needed it. Once that was done, I got out my hedge cutters and cut down the grasses in various parts of our yard. 

I was done by 5:00 so I could enjoy a glass of wine before dinner and listen to Jake, who now seems to modify or clarify each time he says something derogatory about Trump. Is CNN being threatened by Trump? We decided in the morning to have the leftover chicken wings and pizza from the Viking along with a salad and fried potatoes. So we were happy and watched two more episodes of The Tourist, which we both enjoy despite the violence. After Evie went to bed, I watched the Knicks/Pistons game and an episode of Bosch before bed.

A Day Of Sun And Blue Skies

7:25

I woke to the sun peaking in the bedroom windows and when I came downstairs, the living room was filled with its light. Evie was up already because she has school and I want to get in a paddle before going to yoga. It's 8:55 and I had a great paddle, over to Long Point, back to Sandy Bottom, and home. Lots of sun, blue skies and a light wind. 

Kayak Morning

Northern Blue

Long Point

 North

Yesterday was different because yoga was cancelled so I had nothing I had to do. After coffee and breakfast, however, I decided to get something done that had been bothering me, putting the purple martin house out in the lake. So I donned my new waders, grabbed the poles, sledgehammer, and purple martin house and went out to the lake. First, I waded into the lake and pounded a four-inch pipe into the lake mud deep enough so it would hold. I then slipped the first of the martin poles into the pipe. I then added two more poles, one with the Martin house and raised each of the poles and kept them raised with a fastener. Viola, I had my purple martin house up. 

Purple Martin House

While I was in the yard, Evie got a few things done, then got dressed for a walk. On a fine morning, we drove over to Long Point State Park, walked out to the end of Long Point and back. We returned home around 12:30, and Evie made me some ham and cheese sandwiches. By 1:30, I was reading and napping until 2:30. We had no plans for the rest of the afternoon, although we were going to the Viking Club for dinner. 

Long Point State Park

Trails

Hemlocks

Around 4:00, I went outside, picked up a few sticks in our front yard, noticed the grass was getting high, and decided to mow the front yard for the first time this year. I pulled our electric mower out of our neighbor's garage and mowed for about 25 minutes. I will save the side yard for the weekend 

When I finished, I showered because I worked up a sweat mowing. At 6:00, we picked up Barb and drove over to the Viking and were surprised at the crowded parking lot. We were able to find a table, however, and I ordered us beers. It was just three of us because the guys were in Cleveland for a Yankees baseball game. They planned on coming to the Viking, however, and made it  around 7:15. So the five of us enjoyed beers, chicken wings, or pizza, and none of us won the Queen Of Hearts drawing so we will be back next week and blow another ten bucks on tickets. We were home by 8:45 and Evie went up to bed because she knew she would be up early for kindergarten. I watched some of my show, Bosch, and basketball before going up to bed. 

45º and Partly Cloudy

7:22

It's a partly cloudy morning as the sun moves in and out of the clouds.   A light wind ruffles the gray lake, keeping the flag active. It's 9:20 and I paddled for 35 minutes, on a mostly cloudy morning. 

Kayak Morning

Juvenile Eagle

Tuesday is usually a busy day, especially if the weather cooperates, which it did. I got in a short paddle because of the northerly winds and returned ready to get some exercise. So after the blog and breakfast, Evie left for kindergarten, and I drove to Fluvanna to the trailhead of the Jamestown River Walk. I then biked the trail into Jamestown, down 3rd to Main, and then on River Walk, which follows the Chodakoin River.  It took me a little over half an hour so I stopped at Crown Street Roasting Company for a coffee. I relaxed over a cup for 20 minutes, then rode back to my car in Fluvanna. I was out for just about an hour, which was my goal.

Jamestown's Chadakoin River

Mc Crea Point Park

Downtown

River Walk Trail

I drove home, arriving at 12:30, time for lunch. Earlier I had pulled the leftover white bean stew out of the freezer so I warmed it up and had it for lunch and watched my show, Bosch in Spanish, like Reacher. For some reason, if you have Roku TV, these two series are in Spanish, at least that's what other people on Google have deduced who have this problem. 

I finished my George Pelecanos novel, then started Elif Shafak's The Island of Missing Trees. Shafak is a very popular Turkish writer who writes in both English and Turkish. I also took a nap and woke just as Evie was returning from kindergarten, having stopped at Wegmans after class. When she got to class, the kids ran to hug her, and they almost knocked her over. I read till about 4:00 when I went out and worked on setting up my purple martin house and walked around the neighborhood, returning around 5:00.  Evie was on a Zoom call with her sisters so I read some and watched part of the Bosch series before joining her for wine at 5:45.

Dinner was breaded haddock, potatoes, and spinach, all tasty, and we started a new series for us, but not new to Netflix, called The Tourist. So far, we like it enough to stick with it. It's set in a small town in Australia, and the tourist ends up in an accident and suffers amnesia. After a couple of episodes, Evie went up to bed and I watched some NBA and Bosch before going up to read and sleep.