We have had snow now for 24 straight hours, with more expected today. At least a foot has fallen if not more, though the howling wind has died, at least this morning. I was awake at 4:30, got up about 5:15 to utter darkness. It's now a few minutes before 7:00 and the eastern sky is just beginning to lighten, though off towards Bemus it's threatening. SUNDIAL OF THE SEASONS entry was about the chickadee, the most numerous bird at our feeder. They weigh less than a half an ounce and their heart beats up to 700 times a minute, a buzz if you were to listen to them, and they eat their weight each day during the winter to keep their body heat at 105 degrees. Interesting facts about the chickadee, a small gray bird, with a black cap, white face.
Depending on the weather, we hope to drive over to Long Point and snowshoe through the park, as it would be virgin snow, no snowmobilers yet, just us and occasional hikers, most likely people walking their dogs. Last night we experimented with a deep dish pizza, from King Arthur Flour, and it turned out really good, thought the directions were vague and not much help. As usual, the dough did not rise much, perhaps it's too cold, but it did not seem to make a difference in the pizza. You bake the crust for about ten minutes before pulling it out, layering the mozzarella, then the sauce, then sausage and mushrooms, then grated Parmesan before putting it back in the oven for about 25 minutes. You let it sit for 15 minutes, to consolidate, then eat. We ate only half, so it will make a great second dinner, or a couple of lunches.
Just got back from snow shoeing over at Long Point. We forced ourselves to do it, as we were feeling lazy, but it was worth it to get outside and in the woods. It snowed a bit but was mostly just cloudy and gray, though even that has a beauty of its own, especially at dusk. A few had been on the path, mostly cross country skiers, but we were basically alone.
We also saw a few more tundra swans just out in front of our house, dipping and diving, looking for weeds, as they head south. Because they were closer to house, it was easier to see how big they actually are. Three were a dull gray, I assume the young, but they could have been females, too.
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A daily journal of our lives (begun in October 2010), in photos (many taken by my wife, Evie) and words, mostly from our home on Chautauqua Lake, in Western New York, where my wife Evie and I live, after I retired from teaching English for forty-five years in Hawaii, Turkey, and Ohio. We have three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandsons, as you will notice if you follow my blog, since we often travel to visit them. Photo: 10/31/26 at 11:00- Chautauqua Lake Looking South
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Blizzard Monday
Last night we went to the Mc Kibben's Christmas party; they live just outside the Institute and they both have a house in South Euclid. It was a nice party, about 20 people I would say, most of them part of Evie's Ladies of the Night group, so she knew most of the wives but not the husbands. I can tell right off that our politics are not going to agree, as they were talking about taxes, unions, things like that. And the democratic candidate, who lost recently lost for a seat in the state house, was invited, though the host had to qualify her coming by saying even though she's a democrat, he has worked with her on various committees and likes her. Like you have to explain to me why you like a democrat. I think I made it clear, however, that I voted for her, so I think most people get the idea; we are liberal atheists and they are all Christian republicans. Just before dinner, we all held hands and Anne Jackson's father, Stan's father in law, said grace, as he's a retired minister I liked them all and I don't think politics or religion should get in the way of our friendships. I especially like the Heinz's, Wendy and Charlie, she's a minister and he works for the Institute though he's retiring soon. He invited me to there breakfast club on Thursday mornings at 8:00 in Bemus. Four guys, all who used to work for the Institute get together and shoot the breeze. Stan is one of them, as is Dick Redington, who I have known for 25 years, as his kids went to Reserve. He's a good guy and we had them over for dinner last spring. Stan's going to pick me up at 8:00 and we'll head over to Bemus. I am beginning to feel like a retiree, going out for breakfast seems so typical.
I just got a phone call from Faruk Cagan, one of my BJK teammates, from Istanbul. He wanted to say he loved the article in the NBA magazine, that he's still a playboy, which is how I described him in the article. He also mentioned that one of my best friends, Ates, is recovering from prostate cancer and asked me to not tell anyone, as no on is supposed to know. I suppose it's something that most male Turks do not want to have others aware of this problem. He wants to know when we are returning, he wants to plan a program for southern Turkey. I am ready.
It's 3:30, Evie has the deep dish pizza dough and fixings ready to go for tonight, so we are relaxing until dinner, watching the wind blow snow around. Our front windows have six or eight inches of snow on them, a result of the blowing snow. It has hardly let up all day.
We went out for a walk up the hill around 5:00, in the dark, and swirling snow. It wasn't pretty because it was so dark but at the same time, exhilarating to be out with the wind whipping your face with snow and you are the only ones out in this weather. We are sick! But there is a strange beauty in a snowstorm as long as you have a warm, cosy house to come home to. The plow came by for the second time today, to clear our road and parking area...Shane must be counting his money. I don't blame him as it's the first real snow storm of the year in the Chautauqua area. Early in the day, Joe Bergen, our neighbor was up briefly as he often has work here, and he lives in Buffalo. He said this past weekend, his yard was totally green, from the grass, yet six miles away people had more than 24 inches of snow and parts of Buffalo are still bailing out from the huge mounds of snow created by plows.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tundra Swans Depart
Well, yesterday's Post Journal had an article about the arrival of swans, making it clear they were tundra not trumpeter. Supposedly, there are only 1600 trumpeter swans left, as they were basically massacred by hunters, at times, 70,000 a year were shot in the late 1800's. As of the 1930', only 70 survived, thus the moratorium on shooting them. There wingspan seems to be close to 6 or 7 feet, so they are much larger than geese. They only spent the night and are now heading south, in fact, I can see little wild life other than the birds at our feeder, seemingly the same each day, the pigs! It was 23 degrees when I got up, fairly late for me, 7:40, and it looks like another gray day. In fact, the weather report for the next few days is the same as the past few days, cloudy, with snow flurries to showers, and no sun shine. This really seems like a Chautauqua winter, with nary a ray of sun. It makes me thing of Florida, walking the beach in the warm sun. If I am thinking of Florida now, how will I feel in late February?
We talked with Tom and Marlena yesterday and she has started a blog. When we were there during Thanksgiving, she kept up a journal and really seemed to enjoy it, writing in it the first thing each morning. Here blog seems like the perfect catalyst for her both enjoying and improving her writing skills. So far she has three entries, and we have responded to all three. Let's hope she keeps it up. It would be fun if Hayden and Marisa started one up as well, and they all could keep track of what their cousins are doing and thinking. The reason I didn't set one up for her was I didn't want to get in the way of her handwriting practice, which will be forgotten if we all just use computers.
We talked with Tom and Marlena yesterday and she has started a blog. When we were there during Thanksgiving, she kept up a journal and really seemed to enjoy it, writing in it the first thing each morning. Here blog seems like the perfect catalyst for her both enjoying and improving her writing skills. So far she has three entries, and we have responded to all three. Let's hope she keeps it up. It would be fun if Hayden and Marisa started one up as well, and they all could keep track of what their cousins are doing and thinking. The reason I didn't set one up for her was I didn't want to get in the way of her handwriting practice, which will be forgotten if we all just use computers.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Trumpeter or Tunda Swans?
We went to bed last night listening to the honking of the swans; Evie actually thought their might have been some people out in the yard but I am sure it was the swans, though they are gone this morning. After looking up swans in my field guide, it's clear that it's very difficult to visually tell the difference between the two, that the sound they make is the most telling, thus I would say it's trumpeter. They come from Canada, though it looks as though some my summer in the northern US. It as 27 when I got up this morning, gray and motionless, with a wafting of snow. We have about two inches of white on the lawn, with more to come over the next couple of days. According to SUNDIAL OF THE SEASONS, December is the shortest month, despite having 31 days because each day has only 9 + hours of sunlight, as we get up to lamplight and arrive home from work or school to darkness. The sun rises in the southeastern sky, over towards the Power Boat Club, though the days have been so snowy and cloudy that they has been no discernible sunrise.
Last night's duck dinner was a spectacular success; we both loved the duck, its moist dark meat and especially the crispy skin. One 4 1/2 pound duck is just right for two people. I cooked for just under three hours at 350 degrees and it was done perfectly. Add roasted potatoes and braised brussel sprouts and you have a meal fit for a king, to use a cliche.
We are off to Peterson's Farm Market, just over in Driftwood, as they are having a Swedish Open House, with free tasting of Swedish delicacies. They are open till Christmas and always have great fruit and vegetables as well as Swedish food.
Yesterday, I sent my article on playing basketball to my friends both in the US and Turkey. Interestingly, I received nice responses from two of my most successful friends, Jim Maggart here in the States, and Muharrem Kayhan, a successful businessman in Turkey. Perhaps this tells you something about successful people, that they don't put things off, respond immediately, and get on with their work. Anyways, I was impressed by the responses from both, especially Muharrem's, who also send me a piece of writing done by his daughter, a creative writing student at Columbia.
Last night's duck dinner was a spectacular success; we both loved the duck, its moist dark meat and especially the crispy skin. One 4 1/2 pound duck is just right for two people. I cooked for just under three hours at 350 degrees and it was done perfectly. Add roasted potatoes and braised brussel sprouts and you have a meal fit for a king, to use a cliche.
We are off to Peterson's Farm Market, just over in Driftwood, as they are having a Swedish Open House, with free tasting of Swedish delicacies. They are open till Christmas and always have great fruit and vegetables as well as Swedish food.
Yesterday, I sent my article on playing basketball to my friends both in the US and Turkey. Interestingly, I received nice responses from two of my most successful friends, Jim Maggart here in the States, and Muharrem Kayhan, a successful businessman in Turkey. Perhaps this tells you something about successful people, that they don't put things off, respond immediately, and get on with their work. Anyways, I was impressed by the responses from both, especially Muharrem's, who also send me a piece of writing done by his daughter, a creative writing student at Columbia.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Roasting Duck Friday
Just took the innards out of the duck, then set the duck on our brand new vertical beer can cooker, and set it outside on the back porch to air until we throw it in the oven around 4:00. It should take a bit less than three hours to cook, dark meat near the leg bone should be 180 degrees. It's a cold morning, in the high 20's, and snow falls lazily outside. The sky is gray but it's light outside, with a gray lake, dotted with buffleheads, white lawn, a sky in between gray and white. We are struggling this morning with putting plastic insulation on the downstairs windows, as the whole process is much harder than they explain on the box. We did it last year so we can do it again, though we may have a faulty kit, so we called the 800 number and they are sending us two new boxes, with the backing that sticks. The customer is always right.
Last night's Lebron Fest was a bore, the Cavs played poorly, Lebron played well, and his team won. What else is new. I was disgusted by the Cavs PA announcer and the lead in the the Cavs introduction...how ridiculous; it's like they have just saved America from a fearsome foe, rather than a mediocre basketball team being introduced. I went up to read at halftime, having my fill of NBA basketball for the night. The college game is much preferable.
Last night's French yogurt cake was amazing, nice and lemony, moist, with a icing on top, just what I wanted. We are off the the gym in a few minutes, to get a work out in, both machines and cardio. I am not too psyched about it, but it's worth doing, to get in shape, and at least you feel righteous after having done something physical. I intend on shooting hoops for a bit, as well, which is as good a workout as the tread mill, perhaps better. On the way to our workout, we are going to stop at Smith Library, as they are having a Christmas sale to benefit the Fire Department. They may have something someone in our family might like, as the days till Christmas are counting down.
Well, the sky is darkening, as Evie hangs lights around some of our windows. We have the fire going, NPR on, and the duck is roasting in the oven. We just noticed about 15 swans on the lake, a first for this year. We tend to see them about this time, as they head south. From a distance, they look like mammoth sea gulls, but as you look closer, it's clear they are swans. It's amazing the wild life we see on this lake, as the migrations take place. We did pick up a few things at the library sale, and our first serious work out went well, as we stayed over an hour. I got some basketball in as well, and Evie worked up quite a sweat. A good day.
Last night's Lebron Fest was a bore, the Cavs played poorly, Lebron played well, and his team won. What else is new. I was disgusted by the Cavs PA announcer and the lead in the the Cavs introduction...how ridiculous; it's like they have just saved America from a fearsome foe, rather than a mediocre basketball team being introduced. I went up to read at halftime, having my fill of NBA basketball for the night. The college game is much preferable.
Last night's French yogurt cake was amazing, nice and lemony, moist, with a icing on top, just what I wanted. We are off the the gym in a few minutes, to get a work out in, both machines and cardio. I am not too psyched about it, but it's worth doing, to get in shape, and at least you feel righteous after having done something physical. I intend on shooting hoops for a bit, as well, which is as good a workout as the tread mill, perhaps better. On the way to our workout, we are going to stop at Smith Library, as they are having a Christmas sale to benefit the Fire Department. They may have something someone in our family might like, as the days till Christmas are counting down.
Well, the sky is darkening, as Evie hangs lights around some of our windows. We have the fire going, NPR on, and the duck is roasting in the oven. We just noticed about 15 swans on the lake, a first for this year. We tend to see them about this time, as they head south. From a distance, they look like mammoth sea gulls, but as you look closer, it's clear they are swans. It's amazing the wild life we see on this lake, as the migrations take place. We did pick up a few things at the library sale, and our first serious work out went well, as we stayed over an hour. I got some basketball in as well, and Evie worked up quite a sweat. A good day.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Leisurely Morning at the Lake
Up later than usual, around 7:30l, with just a dusting of snow, though heavy snows have closed Interstate 90 just this side of Buffalo. We still may have snow today and or tonight but it sounds like it's narrow bands of heavy snow, 10-15 miles wides. If you are in the way, you get hit, ten miles away, nothing. So far, it's been nothing. We don't have to go anywhere today, unless we feel like it, which sounds good. Evie will be making bread, her seven grain, and yesterday she experimented with Turkish simits. It took all day, as they had to rise twice, and you dip them in molasses and water, then sesame seeds, before baking them. They were pretty good, tasted authentic, though heavier than the ones from the Gulloulgu Patisserie in NYC.
It's a big night for Cleveland as Lebron returns. I don't know how I feel, other than I hope the fans chill out a bit. Lebron's team is struggling; my theory is the big three all need to be the 'man', and when they have all of them together, the two who are not the center at the moment, end up standing around. In other words, in basketball too many great individual players, and that's what they are, is not a good thing. We will be able to see if they can change their games by the end of the year.
Finally, the birds have returned to our feeder, after a ten day hiatus, as we were in KC. For now, lots of sparrows, chickadees, finches, and woodpeckers. They seem to be the most common for now but others will come. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, the buffleheads have arrived. Over towards Giarizzo's, near the reeds, at least 100 of them are feeding in the water, eating weeds and other vegetation. I have also seen a few mallards, even some geese though they have not stayed around long since I gave Evie her Xmas present early: a pellet gun from Dick's...it shoots over a hundred yards and makes a popping noise so crows, geese, and squirrels beware, the little woman is armed and dangerous.
We went for a walk around 4:00 over at Bemus, braving the cold weather and light snow. As we had a beer at the Seezurh house afterwards, it was amazing to watch the news from Buffalo, as cars, some having been stuck for 14 hours, were finally dug out. Some areas had 32 inches, and we have hardly had one, though tonight we could get up to six inches. Evie has been busy, making a French lemon yogurt cake I found on the web, after making two days ago, my favorite, tas kebab, served on mashed potatoes, a simple stew really, of meat, onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, cloves, cinnamon, and a bit of water. Cook it for two hours, tenderize the meat, with a wonderful gravy, and serve over mashed potatoes. I love it. The good life.
It's a big night for Cleveland as Lebron returns. I don't know how I feel, other than I hope the fans chill out a bit. Lebron's team is struggling; my theory is the big three all need to be the 'man', and when they have all of them together, the two who are not the center at the moment, end up standing around. In other words, in basketball too many great individual players, and that's what they are, is not a good thing. We will be able to see if they can change their games by the end of the year.
Finally, the birds have returned to our feeder, after a ten day hiatus, as we were in KC. For now, lots of sparrows, chickadees, finches, and woodpeckers. They seem to be the most common for now but others will come. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, the buffleheads have arrived. Over towards Giarizzo's, near the reeds, at least 100 of them are feeding in the water, eating weeds and other vegetation. I have also seen a few mallards, even some geese though they have not stayed around long since I gave Evie her Xmas present early: a pellet gun from Dick's...it shoots over a hundred yards and makes a popping noise so crows, geese, and squirrels beware, the little woman is armed and dangerous.
We went for a walk around 4:00 over at Bemus, braving the cold weather and light snow. As we had a beer at the Seezurh house afterwards, it was amazing to watch the news from Buffalo, as cars, some having been stuck for 14 hours, were finally dug out. Some areas had 32 inches, and we have hardly had one, though tonight we could get up to six inches. Evie has been busy, making a French lemon yogurt cake I found on the web, after making two days ago, my favorite, tas kebab, served on mashed potatoes, a simple stew really, of meat, onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, cloves, cinnamon, and a bit of water. Cook it for two hours, tenderize the meat, with a wonderful gravy, and serve over mashed potatoes. I love it. The good life.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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.
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.
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