Dusting Of Snow as Buffleheads Arrive

I was surprised to see a dusting of snow, as it was 50 degrees last night, when we went to bed.  It was 33 when I awoke, to a wet but still white world, with lots of snow to come in the next 24 hours.  Outside, it was so gray, so indistinct that I could not tell where the lake ended, the land and sky began.  But then, as more light arrived, I could see lack spots out on the lake, got out my binoculars, and voila, the first bufflehead ducks arrived.  They are smaller than mallards, mostly black until they dive, when you can see the white markings, which distinguishes them from others.  They usually stay till the lake ices over and reappear briefly in the spring. Both Evie and I enjoy their arrival, the way they seem to stay underwater and travel great distances.

At 9:00, I have my first appointment with a trainer at the Turner Center, to go over the machines, and prescribe a workout routine for me, one that emphasizes the core and cardiovascular health.  I am not into muscle building, becoming a Charles Atlas.  Evie has her appointment at 10:00 and we should both be back by noon when the snow storm is coming, if the weather predictions are correct. I will also stoop by the library, perhaps get another Jack Reacher nove, as I have finished the two I took West  I think we are ready, though I have yet to put the small car away in our garage.  I think I will wait a couple of weeks, so we have two cars for our use, unless a huge storm is coming and then I will put it away.

I just got back from my first workout and enjoyed it, especially learning how to use some of the machines.  Those that isolate the core, my back and stomach, seem to me to be the most valuable.  The rowing machine, also, seems really good as it exercises lots of muscle areas and while I used it for a few minutes, I could tell it would give me quite a workout if I kept at it for 15 or 20 minutes.  I went up and worked out on the elliptical and the treadmill for about 35 minutes, then went to Chautauqua Library, to return books, and take out a couple more.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have something good to read this winter; I enjoy reading immensely though I find I am reading serious stuff less, thrillers more.  Maybe I am tired of thinking, or just want a relief from heavier texts.  We'll have to see if a long period.  I do get more serious stuff from the Internet but don't read anything longer than a thousand words.

Love and Other Drugs: DON'T SEE IT!

Well, it was a rainy afternoon and we got sucked in by the trailers on TV, thinking this movie would be a funny and different romantic comedy.  Boy, were we wrong.  Right  from the start, it bored you, from the opening scene, like most of the movie, a cliche, with the two brothers, one successful, the other just having lost his job.  Of course, he then becomes a drug salesman, using his powers of seduction, to seduce doctors and receptionists, to peddle his wares.  On the way, he happens upon Anne Hathaway, an artiste, of course, in the trendy loft apartment, and she just happens to like sex, lots of it, with Jake.  It's as if the filmmaker could not think of anything to do other than film them screwing.  O, yes, I forgot about the idiot brother, a loser, like George in Seinfeld, only not funny, egregiously gross, to the point where you wondered how the filmmaker could think it was funny.  Without him and his antics, the movie might have been palatable...maybe.  O, yea, Anne has Parkinson's disease, incurable, and Jake eventually must decide whether he can love a women with this illness, or take the 'dream job' in Chicago, live the cool life, and be successful.  Of course, he just happened to meet the husband of a women who had had Parkinson's for years...his advice, ditch her while you can.  This of course lengthened the movie, unbearably long as it was, as he had to fight his guilt and conscience  Eventually, the good little angel surfaces and he flags down her bus (she accompanies elderly to Canada to buy drugs), like Dustin Hoffmann in The Graduate or  Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentlemen.  All's well that ends well, as they live happily every after in their loft, drinking wine, hugging, kissing, and of course, screwing. I looked at my watch an hour into it and could not believe we had another hour.  We had no interest in the characters and the only thing I wondered is if Hathaway would die in the end.  Fortunately, she didn't, so I did not throw the shoe in disgust,  At least the filmmaker had some scruples.  Don't see it!

Rainy Morning at the Lake

It was pitch black when I got up, around 5:30, and I could hear the rain hitting the windows and roof, not an attractive first morning at the lake.  I turned on NPR, read my emails, got the paper, and browsed the web until the sky began to lighten, about 7:00, though sunrise is not till 7:25.  It's now 8:00, Evie's up taking a shower, and it looks miserable out, lake rough, skies gray, wind howling, rain pelting the front windows.  I had hopes of kayaking but will probably have to put those on hold for a  few days, as this weather is only supposed to get worst, colder, with snow coming over the next three or four days.  Welcome back to Chautauqua Lake.

We are heading off to Wegman's this morning, stopping at the library, and picking up our held mail at the post office in Ashville.  It looks like a good day to sit around and drink tea, read, or watch a good movie on TV.

Richmond, Indiana to Lake Chautauqua

I have been up since 6:00 and have been sitting in the lobby of the Hampton Inn, enjoying their breakfast buffet, reading the various newspapers on line, watching CNN (no Fox News for some  reason), letting Evie sleep in, as we are in no great hurry, or rather, I am trying to not be in a hurry.  We arrived here last night from KC, about a 9 hour drive.  We ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut, and just relaxed, enjoying our pizza, watching TV, and going to bed early.  It's another bright sunny day, supposed to be the same at the lake, though it looks like rain and snow are arriving late week, which I admit looking forward to.  From Lee's Summit to Richmond, Indiana, it took 9 hours, 565 miles.

We had a wonderful ten days with Tom, Mary, and the kids.  They are wonderful hosts and the kids are a delight to be around, always happy, ready to do something.  We were the slugs this time, not wanting to venture out much, just staying home and enjoying the kids, football and basketball game, and relaxing with family.  I feel like I gained five pounds because we ate so well, as usual, when we visit our kids for an extended time, the same as Chautauqua.  We feel the need when we get together  to eat well, to have great meals, which is wonderful but after awhile, we all long for a simple meal, something healthy though I am sure I will be over that idea in a few hours.  Turkey day always means filling up with goodies, not pressure of presents, not let downs, disappointed expectations, just family, good food, and being with each other...the best.

We arrived home just after 3:00, though we cut off Interstate 70 at Springfield/Wittenberg exit RT. 4 and then took RT 68 north to Urbana, stopping at the Rothchilds farm on Rt 36 just east of the town.  It was much bigger than we remember, when we stayed at their house, probably 20 years ago.  We went in looking to see if any Rothchilds were around and found they had sold the company for 20 million around 7 years ago.  Actually, that sounds familiar now that I think about it but I must have forgotten.  I knew they will trying to pull away from running the company.  Besides the factory, there's a great gift shop, gourmet food and gadjets.  I picked up a latte/hot chocolate maker, some of their jellies, and a few other items Evie wanted.  It was one of the nicest kitchen shops we have been in, so it was fun.  We then drove though farmlands, to Ohio Wesleyan and back on to Interstate 71 and home.  I have to admit it's always nice to get home, to our house, the lake, the woods, the environment of Chautauqua.  We are lucky to live here.

Today is also Halle's birthday, so Evie's on the phone talking with her now.  It is hard to believe she is six and a kindergartener.  The grandchildren are growing up too fast. It's now 4:30 and already starting to get dark, as the winter solstice nears.  The far shore is lit by the setting sun, some of the house windows reflecting brightly, like spotlights, as the lake shimmers and darkens.

Heading Home from KC

A quiet morning, only me, as I think about our 8 hour drive today, to Greenfield, IN, about half way to the lake.  It looks like a sunny day and though Chautauqua may have had lots of snow, it's supposed to be sunny there tomorrow, so I hope the drive will be easy.  We hope to be off b 9:00 at the latest, I just hope the family is up by then.  Marlena will be for sure, but I don't know about the rest, just kidding.  Evie just got up and Marlena should be up soon, no doubt with her Thanksgiving Journal in hand.  Tom and Mary went to the Plaza last night to have dinner with friends, and we babysat and watched Matilda with the kids, then Nick and I watched Kansas play Arizona, a good game.  We went to bed before the game was over though Nick stayed up to watch the end.

Yesterday afternoon was a day of drama.  Evie came down with  bladder infection, very uncomfortable, so she went off to the walk in  clinic at CVS but was turned away because they don't treat anyone over 65.  So, we had to go to a walk in clinic, 15 minutes away, to get seen and get a prescription, from a vending machine, of all things.  Then, when we got home, I could not find my wallet, so after 15 minutes of looking and calling stores, we found it on the bedside table, covered by an edge of the bed spread.  A relief.  Not much fun for a couple of hours, but all's well that end's well.  Evie feels much better this morning, so we are going to take off in awhile

Yesterday I received a digital copy of the article I wrote for NBA Turkiye, in Turkish obviously.  I like the fact that they included various pictures that I sent to them, of my team mates from the seventies and our visit a year ago.  I imagine the translation itself may leave a  lot to be desired.  They are sending me a copy but it will take a few weeks to get here, no doubt.  I keep thinking of things I could of said because I worry that my friends may misinterpret my words.  I also wish I had mentioned the work that Ahmet does with the young at his camps and gyms for the inhabitants of Gokturk.  That's what comes with actually writing something to be published, that someone may take it wrong or disagree with what you said.  If I ever write something else for publication, I better get used to it.

Cloudless Saturday in Kansas City

We all slept in a bit this morning, getting up around 7:30.  As usual, Marlena was up and at it, working on her Turkey Journal, while sitting on Evie's lap.  She decided to have her Turkey go with us on our excursion to the creek, and drew of picture of this.  She then finished her paint by numbers picture, one which she had been working on for the past week.  She is amazingly patient and careful, not in a hurry, which is unusual for a 7 year old.  Both she and Evie got the frame ready, then placed the painting in the sunlight to dry.  Mary worked on picking out pictures to download, and Tom and I looked for a movie for tonight on Apple TV.

Our dinner last night with the Burlingames was great, the tenderloin done just right, the cauliflower quiche rich, almost too much so.  I enjoyed talking with Mike Burlingame quite a bit, as he is an interesting guy, with lots of interests.  They got here about 6:00 and left around 10:30 because by that time, after beer and wine, we were all getting tired.  Nick and Peyton, the Burlingame's son, also had a good time, though they spent a good part of the night downstairs playing games on TV.

We have not been very energetic here for some reason, not venturing out to do things other than go grocery shopping or retail shopping.  We did go exploring our first day to Longview Lake, where we found what looked like some good walking trails, but we have not been back since. It's a beautiful day again, though from the weather report, Chautauqua may be getting up to a foot of snow today.  It does not look as though it should bother our trip home on Sunday and Monday but I will keep an eye on it.  I cannot believe we missed the first major snow fall at the lake. Both Evie and I enjoy the falling snow, being snowed in for part of a day, perhaps a day, but that's it.

Black Friday in Kansas City

Marlena was up early, hiding from me when I got up at 7:00.  She immediately went to get her journal and finished it before anyone was up.  He turkey ended up returning home, falling asleep, and that's how the story ended.  When everyone else got up, we started watching Ramona, the movie, on TV, a different way to spend a morning.  It looks like a spectacular morning out, with the sun so bright we need to close the shades.  I am not sure what is on the agenda for today, other than getting ready for the Burlingame's coming for dinner.  Tommy bought a great looking tenderloin from Costco, and he actually covered it with kosher salt last night.  Today, we make the port wine sauce and Evie is going to make a cauliflower and onion quiche. I sometimes wonder what we would do if we didn't have great dinners to get ready.  Clearly, we all enjoy good food and the prepping is fun, especially with the grandchildren around to help.

It's 11:30 and Nick has just gotten up...that boy can sleep, catching up from during the week when he has to get up and leave by 6:45.  The kitchen has been busy, getting ready for tonight's dinner, putting together the various sides, appetizers, and main course.  Tom and I have already been to the store picking up some groceries we needed, and both he and Mary have worked out on the tread mill.  Once we get done with prepping, I hope Evie and I can go for a long walk, since it's such a nice day, sunny and brisk, perfect for a walk.

Watching TV this morning, with all the news shows covering the early shopping mania, I have to admit I am disgusted by it all, as if the only thing we are good at anymore as Americans is shopping.  It's like a national past time, a kind of therapy, to go out and spend, spend, spend, and accumulate things that you don't really need.  When bored, instead of reading a book, going for a walk, or finding something useful, we jump in our car and shop.  I don't exclude myself from this disease, though I hope to cure it sometime soon.  I know talk like this is not good for the economy or so we are told, but if our welfare depends on people shopping for most of the junk they don't really need, then we are in trouble, and need a new paradigm, what that takes into account 'living simply but well,' with out the need to accumulate stuff.  I have to admit part of me doesn't want to spend the money, the other part is buying things for people that they don't really want or need, and the final part is just tiredness of shopping, of looking for the present that you rarely find that's perfect and thus, you settle on anything. Bah Humbug describes my present mood,