If we were having coffee

 

Coffee it is best to buy by the bag, as it improves by keeping.  Let it hang in the bag, in a dry place, and it loses its rank smell and taste.

~ Catharine E. Beecher, ‘Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt-Book’ (1846)

Getting comfortable in the tree.

If we were having coffee (or whatever your choice of beverage happens to be), I would tell you that it is bitterly cold here today.  But then again, I wouldn’t have to tell you, would I?  You would be here to feel the harsh wind and the numbing cold.  A lot of folks are experiencing this latest blast of arctic air, and it’s even colder in some places.

Angry bird? I don’t think he’s enjoying the cold.

Since we’re on the subject of the weather, we had thunder snow last night.  Have you ever experienced thunder snow?  M and I were in the man-cave, watching a movie (“Boyhood” — which, by the way, is an excellent film), when we saw a flash of light that drew us both to the window to see what was going on.  That’s when we heard the rumble of thunder and noticed that it was snowing like crazy.  I don’t know what happened to the snow.  It must have blown out to sea.  There is barely a dusting of it to be seen today.

One more because this is the only bird willing to sit and have his portrait done.  He allows me to get so close these days that I have to back up to take a picture when I have the big lens on the camera.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that Maddy, my youngest granddaughter, is having her cast removed tomorrow.  I talked with her on the phone this morning, and I asked her what’s the first thing she wants to do after they take the cast off her arm.  She said, “Take a long, hot bath.”  I wasn’t expecting that answer from a 5-year-old, and it made me laugh.  I suspect it’s not about a Calgon-take-me-away moment for her, but more about playing in the tub with her toys.

This is a Before picture. Ignore the water on the floor. I took this photo on the day there was flooding from the washing machine, and it’s the best shot I have of the laundry room as it used to be.

If we were having coffee, I would show you how much the laundry/mud room has changed now that we’re finished renovating it.  You might have noticed on your way in since this is the main entrance to the house.  There’s no walkway to the front door so it hardly ever gets used.  I was thinking the other day that nobody used the front door at my parents’ house, either.  There was a walkway and it was the “formal” entrance, but friends and family never entered that way.  They used the side door or the back door depending on where they wanted to be: the kitchen or the living room.  The kitchen, of course, was always a popular spot.  It usually is in most homes.

Almost finished.

Our renovated laundry/mud room is all bright and shiny now instead of dark and dirty and dingy.  It’s finished, but I haven’t gotten around to taking the final “After” shots.  I need to declutter out there now that we’re using it before I take photos.

Layers of ice.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about my quick trip down to the Point.  The howling winds have left debris all over the roads, mostly pine needles, small branches, and pine cones.  It made me wonder what’s going on in our woods.  I’ll have to wait to find out.  The wind is blowing at a brisk 20 mph, gusting to 30-40 mph.  It’s not a good day to be hiking around under trees.

In the marsh.

I went to the Point to see the frozen sea spray, and was surprised to see that the river is frozen.  I’d show you, but the only photo in which you can see anything recognizable is the one labeled “Layers of ice.”  I don’t know if the camera didn’t like the cold and/or the wind, or if I put the lens on wrong.  It wouldn’t focus and everything was overexposed.  Whatever the case, the trip was worth it just to see the layers and slabs of ice on the beach and the beautiful ice formations created by the sea spray.  I’ll try again tomorrow when the wind isn’t as bad.

When I returned from the Point, since I was already bundled up, I walked out to the marsh to have a look.  The ice was sparkling in the sunlight.  I took my old camera with me on this short walk and it worked just fine.

A channel through the marsh.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m still slowly recovering from the “simple, out-patient surgery” that wasn’t as simple as it sounded when the doc suggested it.  I am surprised by how long it’s taking to get back to normal, and have to remind myself that sometimes healing takes time.  And patience.  I’m good at patience in some situations.  Not so good at it in others.  This is one of those others.  Perhaps it’s good that it’s too cold for long walks or working in the garden.  Did I mention that M and I are planning our vegetable garden?  I don’t think I have.  I received an email about two weeks ago that the folks who supplied us with CSA vegetables last year are not going to be doing it this year.  After a little mourning, we decided we could and should grow these veggies ourselves.  I’m going to start by planting a new asparagus bed.  The old one, although well established, isn’t going to work out because of all the poison ivy growing in there.  I’d rather not take chances with poison ivy especially since M is so highly allergic to it.  I’m experienced with planting and establishing an asparagus bed, having done so when we lived in the Bogs.

Dark-eyed Junco

If we were having coffee, I would thank you for stopping by and enjoying a cuppa with me.  I’ve read that in the U.K., “cuppa” means a cup of tea, but here in the U.S. it has been broadened to mean just about any hot beverage.  I just made some hot chocolate.  You’re welcome to stay a while longer and have some if you’d like, or I can fix up a thermos for you to take on the road.  Just return the container when you stop by next week.  Sunset is at 5:41 PM today, and I’ll be watching it from the warmth of the living room where we have a good view of the sunlight playing through the marsh grasses.

Juncos winter here.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

This post is in response to Part Time Monster’s #WeekendCoffeeShare.  Jump in and join us.  I’d love to hear all about what you were up to this week.