Effingham Bound

6:40

We are both up early as we want to be off on our road trip by 7:00.  We are stopping in Effingham, IL, our usual stop when we head to our son Tom's home in Lee's Summit, a suburb of Kansas City.  Our drive should be fine, cold weather and a few snow flurries but nothing serious...we hope.

We Got Mail

Yesterday was typical, getting ready, packing up, then unpacking because you think you are taking too much then putting the stuff back in the suitcase, just in case.  I was organized enough so that I could go to yoga where we spent a good part of a class on our feet, stretching our toes in various directions, massaging our feet bottoms with a tennis ball.  It felt good and I discovered my feet or at least paid attention to them for twenty minutes.  After class, I stopped for coffee, said aloha for a couple of weeks to Joyce and Dave then drove downtown to pick up my taxes.  I have them done because it's easier and I don't have to worry about forgetting something.  The best part, we are one of those citizens who received an increase in our returns, both state and federal.  Maybe I will get the new Mac Air.

Afternoon Light

Lunch was avocado toast and soup and another Ray Donovan.  It's a weak fifth year for the series and I may just skip ahead to Season Six.  It was too cold to do much outside and both of us were bored for a good part of the afternoon, having finished packing and getting the house ready for our return.  We should have left yesterday because the afternoon was a waste, a holding action until this morning.

Woodlawn at 5:00

We had our wine before Evie put together our dinner, or rather a breakfast, home fries, eggs, and, of course, a salad.  We were able to use up the potatoes, onions and eggs so it was not only good but a frugal breakfast/dinner.  We watched the usual shows, nothing exciting as we did not feel like a movie or starting a new series.  We both went to bed early because we wanted to be up and at em by 5:45.

Warming Up To 12º

6:18

7:09

It's not yet 7:00 and both of us are up, listening to Sirus Radio, as the lake becomes visible.  Earlier, at 6:20, we both noticed two red lights moving on the lake, a four-wheeler pulling a sled to a fishing hole. The cold weather, however, has discouraged most fishermen.

Hanging Out

Yesterday was bitterly cold, not the kind of weather that lets you linger outdoors.  After coffee and the blog, I warmed up my car before heading to yoga class.  It was nasty out and I literally ran to the studio, back to my car when it was over.  I think the wind is the culprit, making a cold day worse.  After class, I stopped for a coffee to warm up, talked with a couple of locals about the lake and its health before driving to Wegman's to pick up a few items before we head West to visit our kids and grandchildren tomorrow.

When I returned home, Evie was busy getting both the house and herself organized.  We like to leave the house in good shape when we take a road trip so we return to a clean house.  We have done this enough over the years, getting ready for a trip, getting the house ready for our return, so its not a great problem.  It just takes time.  Lunch was heating up the Turkish lamb stew and warming up a roll.  It was even better than before, the sauce heaven for dipping the bread.

We took breaks from the organizing and packing, to watch some TV, read, nap, which made getting ready easier.  I am just about done with David Silva's THE FALLEN ANGEL and have downloaded a couple of more books on my Kindle for the next couple of weeks.  I did not ski, nor did anyone fish until late afternoon, only the crazies as the temperature was in single digits and it began to snow.

White Out

Before dinner, we listened to the news, nothing good as the world seems to be falling apart, moving towards authoritarianism and chaos, and the US is not exempt.  Since it was Tuesday, we decided to have steaks but at home this time, not at Steeners.  Evie pulled two porterhouse steaks out of the freezer earlier in the day, sauteed some mushrooms, then grilled the steaks.  With a salad and baked potatoes, we had a great dinner.  And it was throwback TV night, as we watched Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, both game shows that we remember watching in the 1970's often with students from WRA.  We ended the night with Maine Cabin Masters, a series where the gang rebuilds an isolated and run down camp on a lake in Maine.  It's fun although their price seems ridiculously low for what they end up doing.  I ended the night watching Kansas lose to a hot Oklahoma basketball team.

6º At 6:00 AM

Van Gogh In Winter

6:34

6:55

6:56

7:00

It's 7:30 and the cold seems to have scared off the fishermen as none have appeared yet on the lake.  It's been a picturesque morning, as I sat here watching the sunrise, fill the lake with its rays, then disappear behind the clouds.  It has warmed up quite a bit since 6:00  and 6º to 8º at the moment.

7:04

Yesterday was cold, never getting out of the teens, making it unpleasant to do much outside.  I did make it to yoga at 9:30, then went to the car wash, cleaning off all the ice and mud from the past few days.  I was tempted by a coffee at Ryders but resisted and came straight home.  The roads were fine despite the snow from Sunday night.

Evie was busy while I was at yoga, working on her PT,  then picking out an area and cleaning and rearranging it.  Yesterday was our hall closet which, when I opened it, was unrecognizable it was so clean and organized.  Earlier, she had pulled some of her veggie soup out of the freezer, heated it up and then made me a couple of tuna fish sandwiches for lunch.

The afternoon went quickly although neither of us did much other than read, watch some TV or nap,  I wanted to get out and ski but was reluctant to because of the cold.  By 3:30, however, I was bored with sitting around so I snapped on my skis and went out on the lake.  And as I expected, it was very cold, 14º with some wind, so I lasted only 20 minutes but at least I got out there.

Cross Country Skiing On 14º Afternoon

Around 5:30, we decided to enjoy a long cocktail hour, with cheese and crackers.  It surprises us how quick the five o'clock darkness of winter days has become light as we move towards the Spring Equinox.  Now it does not get dark until 6:30, perhaps a bit earlier. It began to snow around 6:00 so Evie quickly took some photos, then worked with a filter to make them Van Gogh like.  Cool beans. 

Dinner was leftovers, easy, just pop the chicken and biscuits in the microwave and make a salad.  We did not feel like watching a movie or starting a series so we channel surfed for most of the evening, watching news, home improvement, and Jeopardy.  We were both ready for bed by 10:00, having had enough of television.

A Few Inches Of White (Red's Best Pancake House, Sherman, NY)

Cross Country Skiing On Chautauqua Lake

7:21

It's 7:00, a chilly 15º and I have been up for an hour, waiting for a couple of fishermen to head out on the lake.  Finally, just as it was getting light, a tent appeared, a guy walked out from Victoria.  All is well on the lake.

Looking For A Sweet Spot At 7:00 AM

Sunday was a great day, mostly because we had sun and blue skies and we both got out of the house.  First, after our morning routine of coffee and finishing up the blog, we decided to get in some cross country skiing.  So about 10:30, we went out for forty-five minutes, skiing down to Sandy Bottom and back.

A Happy Gal

It was a glorious morning on the lake and Evie loved getting back out there, enjoying the snow, sun, and blue skies.  There's nothing like sunshine to make your day.  We were happy to come in and shower because we were going out to breakfast to our favorite winter spot, Red's Pancake House midway between Sherman and Clymer, about a 25-minute drive.

We left at 11:30, hungry and happy from our skiing, ready for pancakes and sausage.  Red's parking area was crowded but we were able to get seats and the hostess recognized us immediately and sat down and talked for a bit, a neat gal. The beauty of Reds is you don't have to wait long for your food. They use high school girls as waitresses and one brought us coffee and juice.  No need to order as the pancakes appear in a few minutes.  The buckwheat pancakes are delicious and unfortunately or fortunately, they are all you can eat.  We both ended up eating six, ordering one after another after the first stack of three.  We left feeling stuffed but how can you pass up pancakes with Red's maple syrup. Each year the price seems to go up a dollar so yesterday it was ten dollars a person, well worth it.

On A Buckwheat Pancake High

We waddled out, jumped in our car and drove home on backroads, enjoying the winter landscape, snow-covered fields and blue skies.  Evie knew we would not feel like doing much after our pancakes so before we went skiing, she seared some lamb loin chops, baked eggplant slices, and made a flavorful tomato sauce, spiced with Aleppo and Maras pepper.  The chops baked in the oven, low and slow, until we left for pancakes and the lamb was tasty and tender.

When we returned from Reds, we knew that not much was going to get done in the afternoon.  We spent the afternoon watching some basketball, reading, napping or movies, depending on who was in the TV room.  I decided, finally, to buy a backup system for my computer in case it ever died.  I read about all the various options and decided on BACKBLAZE, the most recommended, an app created by former Apple guys.  It's fifty bucks for the first year, sixty for the following years and is supposed to be easy to use.  At the moment, it is still backing up my computer and has been doing it for probably the past 15 hours.

A Late Afternoon Neighbor Pow Wow

Around 5:30, Evie put the lamb and eggplant stew into the oven and we sat down and enjoyed a glass of wine and listened to the news until dinner was ready.  The stew was straight out of a Turkish Lokanta, tender lamb and eggplant in a delicious tomato sauce.  With Portuguese rolls for dipping, we were in heaven.  We watched a mediocre movie on Netflix called A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN, starring Goldie Hawn's daughter Kate Hudson.  She is diagnosed with Stage Four colon cancer and falls in love with her doctor.  The ending was sad-making and predictable.  We ended the night with one of the best Saturday Night Live shows in years.  Usually, we skip through the various skits but not last night; every one was funny and well written and the host, John Mullaney, was hilarious.  Watch it if you have it saved.

Up And At 'Em At 5:50

Cardinal Among The Budding Lilac And Rhododendron

7:18

7:22

It's a partly cloudy morning, a cold 20º, with little wind.  When I came downstairs just before 6:00, a couple of lights were already out on the lake, fishermen ready to get the early worm or fish.  It looks like single digit weather will be arriving on Monday and stick around until Thursday or Friday. Evie was up at 7:00 and we both listened with disbelief to the listeners on C-Span explain why they still support Trump.  Some are reasonable but most parrot the worse of Trump and Fox News lies and hyperbole like Democrats want 'to kill babies'.  They drink the Trump kool-aid with little or no skepticism.  And many listeners dislike and contempt for anything Democratic is palpable.  Like most of us, they bend facts, believe the lies that support their beliefs.  Scary whether on the Republican or Democratic side.  How anyone could support Trump after watching his circus performance at CPAC yesterday is a marvel.  It was, however, Trump at his best or worse, depending on your view.

Saturday ended up being another good day, like most days really.  We enjoyed the leisure of an extended morning coffee because I had no yoga on Saturday or Sunday.  It feels like a luxury to not worry about getting ready for yoga.  My one chore, to get the trash together and drive to the Transfer Station can wait until I feel like it as it stays open until 3:00.  We talked about what to do about dinner, our usual morning talk.  For some reason, probably because we have been watching The Great English Baking show and their episodes on biscuits, I suggested chicken and biscuits.  It sounded good to Evie so she pulled the chicken out of the freezer and started putting together some of the dinner although the biscuits needed to be made last minute.

Friday evening Ron and I talked about going to a sectional basketball game at Jamestown Community College.  We decided to go and we were leaving at 1:00 to watch the local girls team, Chautauqua Lake was playing.  Because of this, I decided to get in a cross country skiing before lunch.

Cross Country Skiing In Gray

I was not sure of the condition of the lake but once I got out there, it was fine, a layer of snow with some ice, no mush.  I was out for forty-five minutes, skiing north down to Whitney Bay and back.  Despite the gray skies, I enjoyed it, especially the lack of wind.  When I returned, Evie had my lunch ready, soup and nachos, because I was leaving in forty-five minutes.

It Takes A Village

We left at 1:00 and couldn't park in the usual parking lot because it was so crowded.  We drove to the other side of campus and easily found a space.  Chautauqua Lake played after the previous game and were ready just after 2:00.  lt was not much of a game as they surged to an 18-2 lead, then held on to win by 20 points.  It always amazes me at how hard the girls play, how they play non stop for 32 to minutes.  I don't think I could have managed this pace back in the old days.  The girls have to be in great shape.

I was home by 4:00, in time for some TV and then a pleasant wine time.  Just before we sat down, Evie put together the biscuits and put them in the oven with the chicken.  We ate at 6:30 and I had found a film I thought we might like and new to Netflix called THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN. 

It's a decent coming of age movie, like Sixteen Candles or The Breakfast Club.  Life is not easy for Nadine, an awkward, shy 16 year old, with a poor self-image and few friends.  She feels alone, misunderstood by her mother and envious of her brother's cool.  At times it's hilarious, at others sad but overall, a frank, honest view of how hard high school can be for many girls.  It's worth watching, and we were surprised how much we enjoyed it.  By the way, Woody Harrelson is great as her one friend, her high school English teacher.  We ended the night with another home improvement show, not wanting to start a new series or film.

A Lake Busy With Fishermen

Early Birds

8:11

It's just about 8:00 and Only A Game is wrapping up its show. I have been here on my couch for a good hour, watching guys drag their sleds and fishing equipment out on the lake.  Although it's 26º out, there is no wind so it felt almost balmy when I walked out to pick up our Post Journal.

Long Point Morning

A Guy And Three Tents

Friday we were blessed with our second sunny and blue sky day in a row.  Maybe it's an omen that that spring and blue skies are coming.  Nah, just an outlier on the weather map says the pessimist in me.  I left for yoga at 9:00, as early birds were arriving at the house sale three doors down from us.  The home was sold a second time after the first purchase fell threw months ago and everything was up for grabs to the locals.  The yoga class was the usual five of us and I left feeling mellow.  I drove into Jamestown, to drop my tax stuff off at my version of H and R Block.  It's easier with less angst to have someone else do my taxes.  On the way home, I stopped at Crown Coffee, on 3rd, an attempt to support them.  Unfortunately, a coffee brought up the thought of a glazed donut so I stopped at Farm Fresh Foods, picked up four donuts and waited in the express line, eight items or less, behind a lady that had at least 25 items in her cart.  I did not say a word, just waiting patiently but pissed.  Breathe.

When I returned home, our street was filled with cars at the house sale but I was able to get by.  Evie had been out, did a quick run through the house and came home with wine glasses, just what we don't need.  At least they were a deal, fifty cents apiece.  Lunch was toasted cheese and homemade black bean and sweet potato soup.  While I ate, Evie went out for a walk because it was so pleasant outside, mild temperatures and blue skies.  I watched another episode and it's a getting better so I may stick with it.

The Wonder Of Winter On A Lake

I read and napped then around 3:30, I decided to enjoy the outdoors and put on my skis and went out on the lake for a forty-five minutes jaunt, enjoying the sunny skies.  The lake was less than perfect as it was mushy in some areas although my skis did not freeze up.  And despite the conditions of the snow and lake, it always feels righteous to be out on it, either cross country skiing or kayaking.

Long Point

At 6:15,  Linda and Ron picked us up and we went over to the Seezurh House in Bemus Point for dinner.  We expected it to be crowded because it was a Friday but we easily found seats and it never did get busy.  Linda and Ron were happy because they had Shiner on tap,  a Texas beer.

Friday Night Lights

I had the fish fry, Evie her chicken sandwich with barbecue sauce which she loves and the others both ordered burgers.  It was a fun night, good food, good friends and a couple of beers.  We had not seen them in a while so we had lots to talk about.   And I hate to admit it but it's always more fun when your friends share your political views.  We were home by 8:30, in time to watch, what else, The Great British Baking Show before going upstairs to read and sleep.

Sun Rise On A Snow Covered Lake - Finn's in Niobe

6:51

7:05

7:05

7:19

 It's 7:40 and I have been up for an hour, early enough to see the sunrise over Tom's Point.  Evie came down soon after me, so we are sitting here, listening to Morning Joe talk ad nauseam about the Cohen hearing, how wonderful life was like under Reagan, and when Joe was in the Congress - blah, blah, blah.

7:53

Yesterday was a different day from the usual yoga, coffee, and some shopping.  It started at breakfast at Schuyler's Country Kitchen.  It was a first and I was impressed by their menu, with lots of different breakfasts.  I had cheesy grits with a couple of eggs on top and it was great. 

The Ubiquitous Church

Charming

At 9:00, I drove off into the country to Finn's Auto in the village of Niobe, to get my brakes done, rotors and pads. He is clearly a well known Subaru mechanic because later in the afternoon when Evie was getting her hair done, she mentioned to Jaret that she was unable to get in touch with me on her phone because I was in the boonies getting new brakes.  Both he and his assistant both said, 'Oh, he must be at Finn's in Niobe." So the place must be legendary.  It took close to two hours to get both front and back brakes done. 

Hiking in Niobe

Winter Creek

While they were working on the car, I walked on a couple of back roads, one really beautiful, with pine forests on both sides, covered with snow. 

Finn's Auto Next To Watts Flats Trail

There was also a New York State Trail nearby but Finn warned me off it because the bridge was out.  In fact, the bridge was also out on the one road I took through the pine forest.  After the walk, I waited in Finn's reception area, filled with deer heads and other wildlife on the walls as well as various anti-government sayings.  I fear Finn is not a liberal!

Finn's Waiting Room

After I paid, half of what it would have been at the dealer, I drove to Bear Lake, PA, wondering what the lake looked like.  I still do because though I drove through town, I never saw the lake.

When I returned home, Evie had shoveled the parking area and pulled our Honda Accord out of the garage, thinking I might not be home in time for her hair appointment.  I am surprised it started after sitting in the garage for three or four months but it did.  I checked the tires, put some air in them and its ready to go although she took the Outback to Lakewood.  For lunch, I warmed up the black bean and sweet potato soup Evie made on Wednesday, topped it with chips, cheese and avocados and watched an episode of Ray Donovan, Season Five which I missed.  I am not taken with it but will stick with it for a couple of more episodes.

Thursday Afternoon

It was a beautiful afternoon, the lake sunny, the skies blue but I did not get out my skis because I feared the lake would still be wet beneath the snow, icing up my skis.  I guess I should have tried it because it was so tempting but I ended up being lazy, preferring to nap and read on the couch.  Evie was home by 3:30, having shopped at Wegman's.  Around 5:30, we enjoyed a glass of wine and fortunately, Evie had little to do for dinner because we were having leftovers, a pork chop and the rigatoni with mushrooms and sausage.

We watched a movie from 2018, WHAT THEY HAD, which was highly recommended by Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, neither of us liked it much.  A son and daughter try to convince their father that mom, who is suffering from dementia, should move to a home.  It had potential if the two siblings and the father were likable enough so we cared about them but we didn't.  Only the Mom had our sympathy.  We stuck with it knowing we could watch The Great English Baking Show when it was over.  It, however, had its own problem.  As the episode began, they announced that one of the participants was ill and would not return which, if you searched the web, you would find was not accurate.  On the previous week's final episode, she had pulled Ian's ice cream out of the freezer, thinking the freezer was for her, not him  As a result, his ice cream melted, ruining his show stopper baked Alaska, which he threw in a trash can and walked off the set.  Shocking to us fans.  I guess there were all kinds of negative reactions to this woman's action on Twitter so that she ended up quitting the show, not because she was ill.  So even a fun, likable reality show like this has its controversy, spilling over into the media although this happened in 2014.  And so it goes.