Category: Front Porch Musings

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Sunshine-y Wednesday

A sunshine-y Wednesday started with prepping a crisp slaw of cabbage, carrot and green pepper dressed with a tangy olive oil, vinegar, sugar, poppy seed dressing! This slaw goes with almost anything – it is refreshing, fresh and crispy sweet and sour! This Wednesday it went with some shredded chicken for my supper.

Sun in the sunroom after a midday out and about for all.

I’ve been brainstorming with my folks and with my neighbors about the walk to the garage. The planks are a thought to maybe be built upon by sections of decking that can be moved here and their during meltdown.

The river Summers has dried up and become the driveway once again.

So… an Auggie out and about update.

For the last 4 days, Auggie has been invited to walk a short walk about with Bear and I.

I usually put Auggie inside when Bear and I go for our walks but I thought that Auggie would eventually come along and this is the preliminary “training”.

Auggie LOVES coming along. He stalks Bear, bounds to me, back to stalking Bear…it is a grand Adventure!!

He sticks with us while exploring a bit along the way – perfect.

But after the walkabout, one’s toes must be attended to!

Nice afternoon.

Sunshine-y Wednesday.

My second pair of Bogs Boots. The first pair went 3 years. This pair is heftier and they have a spiffy lining! I put an Uggs sheepskin sole in them and they are easy on/easy off barefoot boots. They are warm, they keep my feet and calves dry, they are perfect!

*** my arm is better

***** I am a bit undone about the Malaysia Airline missing airplane. It is top of my mind and prayers.

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Chores

It has been snowing since early afternoon: very fine flakes but a LOT of them coming down. A Winter Storm Watch began at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 11 tomorrow (Monday). NOAA is particularly specific in a caution to take an emergency kit if travel is necessary. A bit unusual and I’m not sure if it is due to the storm or the flack that NOAA, et. al. took after the Atlanta fiasco. At any rate, WE HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Me, I don’t need to go anywhere. Bear and I took our usual weekend run to town early on Saturday morning and there is more than enough food for all of us for some time.

Back at home…Sunday…a few pre-storm chores:

I always take extra care to stock the firewood carrier on the front porch and the inside supply when there is a Winter Storm Watch or Warning. My giant wheelbarrow makes the chore easy…except that the front tire is/has been low and I keep forgetting until I try to push the first load on a soft tire. I’ve been just pushing and saying bad words…

Today, though, I got out the air machine and just did it!

In short order, the tire was inflated to stated 30 p.s.i. and the wood stocking proceeded with only good and happy words.

Auggie had a grand time following me around, playing in the garage and sometimes checking on Bear…

…who stayed out of the fray on Beardog point!

And while I had the air machine out, I filled the new exercise ball that has been sitting…deflated…in its box.

The OLD exercise ball met its demise by Auggie’s claws. The OLD exercise ball was temporarily in the corner of the room. Auggie jumped on it from a nightstand and as it rolled, he dug in. End of OLD exercise ball. I was going to patch it, but the OLD ball really was OLD…as in over 10 years old. It had travelled a lot, been outside a lot. Since a new ball was the grand sum of $16.99, a NEW exercise ball was procured.

YAY!!

NEW exercise ball, fully inflated and ready to go. It is being stored UNDER the table in a spot that cannot be jumped on by a certain kitten. We’ll see.

Is there a cat that does NOT “help” make the bed???

Such fun.

Chores. I always have lots of help.

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Late Winter Light

By the calendar, there is slightly less than one month of Winter left.

Late February, like late August…the light changes.

In late August, the light becomes more Fall-like.

In late February, the light becomes more Spring-like.

Late February light.

I brush off the chair from time to time and now that Auggie is out with Bear and me…it will not be long before a morning coffee or afternoon tea or glass of wine – is enjoyed from the chair.

Late afternoon in the house.

In the sunroom.

Today, Saturday, was sunny, cold and perfect.

Late Winter Light.

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Friday Mash

Today, Friday, was as varied as the photos that follow:

It started clear and sunny.

It got dark and gray.

Windy, blizzardy snow squall.

Sunny.

Squall.

And repeat.

Friday Mash.

Gray Flicker. A “pretty” woodpecker but renowned for pecking on houses and various things NOT home to the insects “normal” woodpeckers peck for, i.e. a NUISANCE…but pretty…

After one of the squalls…snow, sleet, graupel and…

Friday Mash.

A dark and stormy moment.

After the squall.

But before the sun.

Auggie in the snow.

A clear evening with beautiful alpenglow.

Friday Mash.

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High places

Cats love high places.

They can hunt from on high…

They can see…

They can clean their toes…

The Beardog is not impressed…

High Places.

***The blog and my primary email and business website were down for nearly 24 hours due to a malware issue on my host server. All seems well now. Onward!