C-C-C-Cold!

We're having a chilly week, so I was looking forward to an evening indoors. I had a ticket to a fabulous performance, but the venue was so cold I had trouble sitting through the show. When I returned to Home Sweet Home, I carefully added a second blanket to my bed.

Saturday night I couldn't sleep and decided more covers might help. Without benefit of glasses or light, I tried to wrestle a fleece blanket out of its tight confines in the linen closet. After a few unsuccessful tugs, I gave one more big heave, lost my grip, and punched myself squarely in the nose. I saw stars and envisioned the headline in the local paper if I had to drive my dripping, throbbing nose to the emergency room.

I'm typing this in layers, including a fleece jacket, hood up. The question is how much I'm willing to remove before crawling in bed. Before you laugh, remember that I have a wicked punch...

Light my Fire

I’ve enjoyed getting to know my neighbors around their campfires, so I thought I’d try my own this last weekend. I’m a notoriously bad fire-starter, so I should have been cautious of premature celebrations when my first effort flared. “Yay! Get the camera!” By the time I turned around, attempt #1 was out. As in cold, dead, finished. Undaunted, I tried again. Same scenario: deceptive flames followed by failure. Repeat two more times, and it was time for me to back away from the fire ring--or resort to a fountain of lighter fluid or a poker in the eye. As I reconciled myself to letting someone else build my fires, I realized I had a couple cheater logs in the shed. I threw one in, lit the paper wrapping, and settled into my Adirondack swing. I focused on the flames as the crickets and tree frogs chirped behind me, and the color faded from the sky. I have company coming this weekend, and they will do the firebuilding…

More Excitement than Necessary

Yesterday dawned gloomy, with a forecast for heavy storms, but the weather cleared by early afternoon. As sunset approached, I heard insistent thunder to the north. Although our skies were blue, I checked the webcam in that village; it looked black as night. I then went to Weather Underground where a severe thunderstorm warning was posted. Just that fast, our sky turned brown. Never good. I grabbed a few things and headed to the community center where several neighbors were already huddled. (The things I do to meet people...) The storm dumped 2" of rain in half an hour, and there were signs of a micro-burst in my area. As I headed home, they were out in waders, going through the community checking on everyone. Blue Jay Way looks like "clean-up on aisle seven" with standing water and broken trees limbs everywhere. The photo shows the trees down behind our place. Our neighbors, unfortunately, took a direct hit. And in my haste to evacuate, I neglected to close the skylight in the bathroom. I had my own minor flooding to deal with before I went to bed.

Getting to Know the Neighbors

I had a frustrating afternoon yesterday--NEVER let me try to install mini-blinds again--and was thinking about going to bed early. Just as I was shutting down my computer, I heard someone in my screen porch. I thought it was the next-door neighbor coming to say goodbye before heading home to work, but it turned out to be someone from the office inviting me to a gathering at the end of Blue Jay Way. I joined the circle around the campfire, and we talked and laughed until way too late. I also enjoyed some puppy bliss with Lacey, a 3# teacup Yorkie. (Sorry, Holly, but Mommy is in doggie withdrawal.)

Earlier in the day I made a town run. As I was standing in a check-out line, I was amazed to hear someone say, "Hi, Pat." I thought I didn't know anyone here, but my next-door neighbor was also in the store. Small town.

When in Rome...

Saturday is community sauna night here, and I figured it was about time I joined in. I mean, what better way to meet the neighbors than sit around sweating and thrashing yourself? I did wonder about the two sauna shacks, however: male and female, hot and hotter, towel and optional, or.....? I grabbed my towel and walked over to find an empty hut. I climbed to the top bench, hoping for a detox sweat after the week's excesses (garlic-dill cheese curds, bucket o' cookie dough, chocolate wine), but all it gave me was a flashback to Florida. Unwilling to give up, I moved to the swimming pool for a cool-down lap and then ambled home in the twilight, watching the clouds chase across the half-moon.

Earlier today I went to a family graduation party. It was fun reconnecting with folks I hadn't seen in forever. I also tried some local specialties I had never eaten ("booyah") and others I hadn't eaten in decades ("pigs in the blanket" or cabbage rolls).

Embrace the experience...

Last Evening's Activity

What a luxury to take the time to wait for the sun to set. (It's a community event here.)

Getting Serious about my Break

One of my recent guests asked what I was doing to make sure I had an excellent break (meaning not working too much). I told her that I had removed the alarm clocks from the bedrooms and put my watch on the shelf. I went further today. Although this is my third summer in the northwoods, this was the first morning I awoke without something I HAD to do today. I contemplated the dishes in the sink and a few other tasks but quickly decided on a new rule: start each day with play! So I got dressed, plopped a scoop of cookie dough in my mouth (sorry), and headed off to get acquainted with my new village, population 250. I shopped some very unique stores, sampling everything from cherry salsa to chocolate wine. I opened a journal in a used book store, and one line jumped out: "I came to this place to remember to breathe." I looked out at the glorious water view and sighed. In another shop, a sign commanded, "Relax." Future visitors will likely see that one on my wall.

I'm typing on my screen porch this lovely evening. Haven't decided yet if I'll go swimming or sit here and watch the stars come out. Tomorrow will be more play. My head is quieting; this feels good. Some time I'll post some pictures of this incredible place (but that feels like work just now).

Dinner and a Show

Spent the weekend checking out the area with my first company. Although we spent a lot of time by the water, the highlight was a fish boil, the traditional local way of feeding a crowd. One critical step involves, well, I'd guess you'd have to call it an explosion. Pyrotechnics always impress, and the results were delicious, too.

So far, this "summer" has been 60-ish and wet. My rubber rain clogs have worked well, but I don't have enough warm clothes. Long johns next year, no matter what!

The Heat is On...

In Home Sweet Home, that is (and Tom is baking in FLA). We're having heavy rains this morning, so I decided to go to the indoor pool to warm up. Instead, I got a dose of culture shock. The pool was empty, except for an older couple who were bobbing around. They perked up when a young woman followed me in, and they immediately inquired about her activities the previous evening. It seems she went from bar to bar looking for a guy she had her eye on. When she caught up with him, she ordered him a beer, even though he was "so drunk." She then detailed all the lies he told her, the terms of his probation, etc., while the couple lapped up every word. My head was screaming, "Run, run, RUN as fast as you can," but they congratulated her on making her move. After just a couple laps and a few more sordid tidbits, I had to leave. Now I am cooling down--and warming up--with a cup of tea.

First company arrives for lunch tomorrow. Still have some work to do around HSH.

Alright, after all...

Earlier this week I had quite the scare when I headed up to my home town to pick up some items for Home Sweet Home. I was on the familiar leg of the drive when the highway turns to surface and crawls through a coupla small towns before arriving at a slightly larger town. It seemed to be taking a while, but I was busy thinking about my plans for the afternoon. Then all of a sudden, I was pulling into the larger town. What happened to the two previous towns?! I had obviously driven safely, but I had zero recollection of the stop lights, the big curve in the road, or any other features of the communities. I figured it was like a blackout, but I could remember everything I was thinking. Rattled, I pulled into a business to collect my wits. Was I that deep in thought....was it my new allergy medication....or was it time for a complete neurological evaluation? Seriously, I could remember NOTHING. Fortunately, a local saved me from my panic: "Oh yah, eh, dey opened dat new stretch of highway that bypasses da little towns." Holy way, what a relief--and anything will be excellent after this!

Fun Room

I am thankful to have a screen porch here in the north woods. However, because of the heavy snows, the awning must be removed every winter. Yesterday morning started with me teetering on top of a ladder, trying to press 20# of awning over my head and slide it into a leaf-clogged track. "Hey, they said this was easy." Not. The rains returned as I was raking out the screen porch so I moved back inside to do some more unpacking, sorting, and cleaning. This morning I assembled a potting bench (think drink cart) and rolled out a new patio rug. Then I hauled out the wicker furniture, except for that big rocker. Must be a math story problem there somewhere, but I can't figure out how the previous owners got it inside in the first place. (Yes, I've tried sideways, backwards, upside down...)

The sun is finally out, but it's supposed to go down into the 40s tonight. Now all I need is some company, a warm evening, and a bottle of the local wine to initiate my screen porch.

The Eagle has Landed

I arrived this afternoon and am enjoying my first meal in Home Sweet Home. Nothing fancy--soup to warm me and cheese curds, a local specialty. I don't have the heat on yet, and it's so chilly I can see my breath. Most of the unpacking will wait until tomorrow. Priority this evening is making up a very warm bed and crawling in it.

On My Way

With most of my work behind me, I finally loaded up my silver jelly bean car, pointed it north, and drove 630 miles towards the start of my big break. Will let you know when I've arrived.

Time for a cookie-
Pat