Slight clearing of the sky at dusk--followed by more rain.
I woke in morning darkness to the sound of rain. I turned carefully to view the digital clock, mindful of cats wedged round me.
6 A.M.
I considered burrowing in, to perhaps sleep again. In the living room a sudden clatter as a chunk of wood settled noisily in the stove. The cats shot off the bed, Jim's feet hit the floor.
The decision seemed to have been made for me.
Pulling on my down robe, I waded through cats to raise the window blinds, open the front door enough to hand out kibble to Willis and Sally.
A damp dark morning, but at 44 F. it was 20 degrees warmer than those of the past week.
Measure water and coffee into the electric pot, return to my bedroom to dress in jeans and warm pullover.
The two boy cats, Robert and Nellie, who love to rush outside in the morning went out, quickly returned to shake wet paws, disgruntled, expecting us to fix the weather for them.
As we finished our breakfast oatmeal, thunder boomed.
It rained all day, sometimes in wild torrents.
At intervals thunder crashed.
Comfort food was in order--a hearty beef/tomato/macaroni soup; pumpkin pudding with whipped cream.
Jim put up the cupboards in my craft area; I ran the dustmop around downstairs with Shelby Kitten firmly attached.
An hour or two of squinting at vital statistics written in French, puzzling over these long-dead ancestors.
Several quilt blocks stitched.
A day in the life of retirement; a day in this strange continuing world of political and social upheaval.
I find that I need to again scribble notes in the daily spaces on a calendar--the weather, small accomplishments--anything to remember the march of days.
Below a few photos from Saturday when the sun shone and the air was crisp.
Beech leaves still clinging to understory trees along the north ravine.
The fallen leaves are thin and fragile, the colors bleached and sere.
Skeletal weeds along the old shed.
Looking back at the shed from the lower end of the property.
A visit from our daughter and son-in-law--and a wonderful gift.
New Englanders, born and raised, maple syrup is our sweetener of choice.
I buy it here in quart jugs and look at the labels--most say 'product of Canada and US.'
To be sure there are maple trees in all of the New England states, in eastern Canada; syrup is even produced in northern tier states such as Michigan.
This syrup is the real thing, produced a few miles from our old home in Vermont by the enterprising son of a family friend.
Jim suggests that we need a new waffle iron--the better to enjoy the syrup!
Waffle irons and maple syrup just sound so American! Not quite sure I would ever use a waffle iron, but I could buy one from Lakeland for just shy of £40! so they have reached our shores. Tam uses maple syrup (Canadian I suspect) on her porridge sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYour weather's warmed up a good bit - we still have snow on the ground but rain is forecast.
I like the sound of your day - here we are slowly unpacking and extra "stuff" being carted up to the attic. Only one picture on the wall so far (as only one nail up anywhere!) We have dozens, so need to do some hanging of them.
Jennie; Our current waffle iron doesn't turn out great waffled--burnt on the edges and soggy in the middle. Jim is suggesting a replacement.
DeleteMaple syrup--couldn't keep house without it!
You made me hungry for waffles and pure maple syrup!
ReplyDeleteSusie; Its an ideal cold morning menu!
DeleteGood to know that your wood stove is keeping you cozy. I truly believe that there is nothing better on a cold winter's day than a fire in a wood stove. Our old Glenwood has been doing double duty here, as a source of heat and as a cookstove. We are expecting 3 to 4 inches of snow over the next couple of days and I welcome it. The snow that we do have is looking pretty shabby at present. Funny to think that it won't be all that long before folks start thinking about tapping their trees. Vermont Maple Syrup, the quintessential sweetener! Enjoy these days of reflection and renewal. I do think that that is why we have January; reflection and wood stoves!
ReplyDeleteMundi; Our current woodstove is the type designated as a 'chunk stove.' In a pinch I could heat a teakettle or warm up a pot of soup. The woodstove in place when we acquired our Amish farmhouse was a huge thing--heated the whole house. Keeping the correct oven temp for baking was problematic but using the stovetop we made some wonderfully homey meals.
DeleteWoodstoves equal constant dust [sigh!]
I enjoy the telling of your days; not so different from ours really, except that cats here are barn kitties. And then, there is Millie, who is so very afraid of thunder storms. We love our maple syrup, but it is quite pricey in the stores here.
ReplyDeleteMary; There is a similarity in the days of country dwellers--we live closer to the seasons and weather.
DeleteIn Wyoming we had a Border Collie who was terrified of thunder or fireworks.
Robert-cat scuttles for a safe place when it thunders. Can't say I like it myself.