We've been having a fun time watching four groundhog babies grow up. I like watching them browse out back. When the sunlight hits them at the right angle, they look blond. What I can't decide is if it is two families combined or one Mother with four babies. Yes, they do dig holes around the property, and in the barn, and in the hay shed. Since we don't have horses right now the holes are less of a concern. If they start digging into the house, they're toast.
Last week my husband saw a doe browsing along the back edge of our side acre. She had a fawn with her and according to my husband, the fawn just attacked her for lunch. No "please" from the fawn and no "not now" from the Mom. I saw a doe nursing a fawn last month, along an interstate about five miles from our house. Apparently everything else stops until Junior gets fed.
We've had a little male House Wren doing a lot of singing near the back of the house. I started hearing strange sounds coming from the pellet stove exhaust so went outside and took a look. Sure enough, the pipe was plugged with twigs from the fir trees close by. Doing a little research, I found out that the male wren may build up to 8 rudimentary nests in his quarter acre homestead. The female will inspect the offered residences and once she chooses one, will start to fill it with softer material. I keep a net bag of dog hair, from the resident spoiled house pet, for the birds to use. Only the male sings and he is so cute, basic brown, sitting on the fence with his little tail flicking up and down. I've seen the female and I think she has taken up residence in the pellet stove exhaust but I'm not absolutely sure. I even bought some "freeze dried meal worms" to feed these little birds. Meal worms are suppose to be attractive to blue birds, indigo buntings, and other worm/suet eating birds.
The bird feeder has become a problem due to the persistence of a local raccoon. It's a medium size animal and I am loath to dispatch it at this point. It doesn't come into the dog's yard as far as I can tell. It can access the bird feeder by climbing the yard's fence on the outside and dumping the bird seed out. I quit putting out seed for quite a while but now that the wren may have a family to support, I've started putting out very small amounts of seed with a side of meal worms. Apparently I'm also feeding a family of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks. We have Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, one of the white striped sparrows, and a few finches. All the Chickadees seem to have disappeared. I even had two eat from my hand during the winter. Of course, the feeder was empty, it was freezing out, the wind was blowing, and I was cement headed enough to stand there like a statue with seed in my hand pretending to be a bird feeder. The husband, standing inside, warm and content, found the scene charming if a bit goofy, since I wasn't wearing a coat.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Strange Summer in Findley Lake
I am not one to make a final pronouncement on global warming. I do believe that it is happening, as it has happened in the past. How much of it is man-made is hard to quantify but it stands to reason that we, as humans, have participated in the current warming. Whether modifying our energy and other habits can have an effect is up for grabs but worth trying.
That said, this has been one of weirdest Spring and early Summer weather I've seen in a while. March had some nice weather. April was so-so. May was cool and we had frosts more frequently that was pleasant. I'd put the chrysanthemum cuttings that I'd nursed all winter outdoors, figuring the weather was OK. Next think I knew, we were rushing out at bedtime to bring them back indoors. My big pot of Lemon Grass (an Asian seasoning used to a tropical climate) thinks it's gone to HELL. All winter it limped by on the enclosed front porch, extremely cool. We started putting it outside and then had to yank it back in. Then out, then in again. One of these days, it's just going to quit on me.
Yes, our last frost date is somewhere around June 15th so frost in May was to be expected. Unfortunately, the frost continued into early June. A walk around our property last week showed not a single apple on our three trees. Since they are in different locations with different exposures, the micro climate for each is different. I expected at least some apples but there were none.
On the good side, our energy costs have been very modest. The natural gas bill has dropped significantly for May and June. While temperatures were cool outside, the house was able to hold it's comfortable temperature with little need for the furnace. Ditto for the electric bill. Over the last few years, we have needed to install window A/C's in May because of the heat. We have now reached June 29th with no A/C's installed. I would say we had possibly two evenings where the temperature was above 70 degrees. Up until maybe last week, night temperatures outside were in the mid to upper 50's. We are starting to hit the low 60's consistently now. Every morning, the question has to be answered - shorts or long pants.
Tomorrow, Tuesday June 30th, the weather is suppose to be rainy and between 57 - 60 degrees. As I said, weird weather.
That said, this has been one of weirdest Spring and early Summer weather I've seen in a while. March had some nice weather. April was so-so. May was cool and we had frosts more frequently that was pleasant. I'd put the chrysanthemum cuttings that I'd nursed all winter outdoors, figuring the weather was OK. Next think I knew, we were rushing out at bedtime to bring them back indoors. My big pot of Lemon Grass (an Asian seasoning used to a tropical climate) thinks it's gone to HELL. All winter it limped by on the enclosed front porch, extremely cool. We started putting it outside and then had to yank it back in. Then out, then in again. One of these days, it's just going to quit on me.
Yes, our last frost date is somewhere around June 15th so frost in May was to be expected. Unfortunately, the frost continued into early June. A walk around our property last week showed not a single apple on our three trees. Since they are in different locations with different exposures, the micro climate for each is different. I expected at least some apples but there were none.
On the good side, our energy costs have been very modest. The natural gas bill has dropped significantly for May and June. While temperatures were cool outside, the house was able to hold it's comfortable temperature with little need for the furnace. Ditto for the electric bill. Over the last few years, we have needed to install window A/C's in May because of the heat. We have now reached June 29th with no A/C's installed. I would say we had possibly two evenings where the temperature was above 70 degrees. Up until maybe last week, night temperatures outside were in the mid to upper 50's. We are starting to hit the low 60's consistently now. Every morning, the question has to be answered - shorts or long pants.
Tomorrow, Tuesday June 30th, the weather is suppose to be rainy and between 57 - 60 degrees. As I said, weird weather.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Lava Lamp
Six years ago, I asked for a lava lamp for Christmas. Darling Husband, ever willing to accommodate my fancies, bought me my hearts desire, the blue one with purple blobs.
It was interesting for a short while but not practical. Then our lives became stressful due to health issues and we had to make our bedroom on the first floor in our family room. I brought down the lava lamp and we used it for a night light. What a wonderful stress reliever that turned out to be. Worries kept us up or woke us up at night and we could slowly push them away by watching the languid movement of purple blobs, up and down the lamp. They bumped and passed each other. Sometimes they coalesced into bigger blobs. Early in the evening, as the wax which made up the bobs warmed up, strands would stretch like tentacles from top to bottom. Always different and always the same.
Health issues resolved, bedroom was moved back upstairs, but the lava lamp now had a place in our lives much greater than either of us imagined. Even now, my husband turns it on most nights and will notice if we forget to turn it on. We are on our third bulb, ratcheted down to a 25 watt to save money. It still works the same. The blobs go up, the blobs go down, pretty purple in a sea of bright blue. Worries rise and worries fall, and we go back to sleep.
It was interesting for a short while but not practical. Then our lives became stressful due to health issues and we had to make our bedroom on the first floor in our family room. I brought down the lava lamp and we used it for a night light. What a wonderful stress reliever that turned out to be. Worries kept us up or woke us up at night and we could slowly push them away by watching the languid movement of purple blobs, up and down the lamp. They bumped and passed each other. Sometimes they coalesced into bigger blobs. Early in the evening, as the wax which made up the bobs warmed up, strands would stretch like tentacles from top to bottom. Always different and always the same.
Health issues resolved, bedroom was moved back upstairs, but the lava lamp now had a place in our lives much greater than either of us imagined. Even now, my husband turns it on most nights and will notice if we forget to turn it on. We are on our third bulb, ratcheted down to a 25 watt to save money. It still works the same. The blobs go up, the blobs go down, pretty purple in a sea of bright blue. Worries rise and worries fall, and we go back to sleep.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Turkey Sandwiches with Vidalia Onions
How can you beat turkey sandwiches? Giant Eagle whole grain sour dough bread, real mayo, grilled turkey breast (see yesterday's post), big slabs of raw vidalia onion, salt and pepper. Trying not to overeat but it's hard when something tastes that good.
Living in the Country and Technology
Since we live in a snow belt but formerly worked in Erie PA, where they get less snow than we do, I've always been proud to say that we ignore weather reports. Where we live, the weather is what you see out the window when you get up. When we were working and had to drive into Erie daily, a weather report was pretty meaningless. If you got up and there were two feet of snow, you started digging. The cars had extra cold weather clothes, towels or blankets, and flashlights. Weather reports here are frequently wrong, no matter how high tech the equipment so being prepared is a way of life.
Saying all that, yesterday our little digital outdoor thermometer went on the fritz. Since there is an outside sender and an inside receiver, both requiring batteries, we will have to replace both sets. Meanwhile, it burped out a temperature of 32 degrees last night so we hustled in the plants on the walk. Somehow, I just don't think it really was that cold. For one thing, when I stepped out at 11pm, I was comfortable. That would definitely not happen if it were freezing. We even check it to decide long pants or short, crew socks or cropped, jacket or short sleeves. I guess battery changing is in the plans for tonight.
Saying all that, yesterday our little digital outdoor thermometer went on the fritz. Since there is an outside sender and an inside receiver, both requiring batteries, we will have to replace both sets. Meanwhile, it burped out a temperature of 32 degrees last night so we hustled in the plants on the walk. Somehow, I just don't think it really was that cold. For one thing, when I stepped out at 11pm, I was comfortable. That would definitely not happen if it were freezing. We even check it to decide long pants or short, crew socks or cropped, jacket or short sleeves. I guess battery changing is in the plans for tonight.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Turkey Breast on the Grill
Today was a lovely Father's Day. Since I don't find my way into the kitchen much lately, I thought I'd stretch a little and cook supper.
Dinner was a small turkey breast from the freezer, purple potatoes, and mixed summer squash, all cooked on the charcoal grill. If you've never cooked a turkey breast straight out of the freezer, it is really a time saver. This one was nice and small, almost 3 pounds and just right for two people.
Rules for cooking a frozen turkey breast are basically 1/2 hour for each pound plus an extra 1/2 hour because it is frozen. After starting the charcoal, move it to the outer edges of the grill. In this case, I put the breast on a small rack over a shallow small pan that used to belong to an old toaster oven that died. Put about 1 cup water in the pan. I also made about 1/4 cup of flavoring - mostly soy sauce, a bit of lemon juice, chopped garlic, rosemary, and ginger. After the breast had cooked for about 1/2 hour, I was able to separate the skin from the meat and pour in the flavoring sauce.
After the turkey had cooked for over one hour, I added more charcoal. At that point the foil wrapped potatoes were put in, along with a cake tin of chunked zuchini, yellow squash, onions, garlic and thyme.
In another hour, the meat was done, as were the veggies. Supper was very tasty and we have enough left over for turkey sandwiches and another supper just like tonight. After an ice cream cone, chat with friends, and ride around the lake, we called it a thoroughly pleasant Father's Day.
Dinner was a small turkey breast from the freezer, purple potatoes, and mixed summer squash, all cooked on the charcoal grill. If you've never cooked a turkey breast straight out of the freezer, it is really a time saver. This one was nice and small, almost 3 pounds and just right for two people.
Rules for cooking a frozen turkey breast are basically 1/2 hour for each pound plus an extra 1/2 hour because it is frozen. After starting the charcoal, move it to the outer edges of the grill. In this case, I put the breast on a small rack over a shallow small pan that used to belong to an old toaster oven that died. Put about 1 cup water in the pan. I also made about 1/4 cup of flavoring - mostly soy sauce, a bit of lemon juice, chopped garlic, rosemary, and ginger. After the breast had cooked for about 1/2 hour, I was able to separate the skin from the meat and pour in the flavoring sauce.
After the turkey had cooked for over one hour, I added more charcoal. At that point the foil wrapped potatoes were put in, along with a cake tin of chunked zuchini, yellow squash, onions, garlic and thyme.
In another hour, the meat was done, as were the veggies. Supper was very tasty and we have enough left over for turkey sandwiches and another supper just like tonight. After an ice cream cone, chat with friends, and ride around the lake, we called it a thoroughly pleasant Father's Day.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Choppy Gray Day on Findley Lake
While the weather has been reasonably nice, it has also been unseasonably cool. This was brought home when the natural gas and electric bills arrived. Both were unusually low (what a welcomed surprise to our checkbook!). May saw temperatures at night in the 50's with an occasional night in the 40's. Days were in the 50's and 60's. As long as there is no wind, our house holds it temperature fairly well. With lights and computers running, we generate a fair of amount of heat so with moderate temperatures outside we stay comfortable. On cool days in May, we ran the pellet stove for a few hours. Neither the furnace, using natural gas, nor the pellet stove (which requires electricity to run) were used much and our utility bills reflected that.
Now it's the middle of June and we are still getting by with only screens in the windows. Sleeping temperatures have been refreshingly cool. Normally we install the A/C units in May but so far, we haven't even needed a window fan. It's so nice to not hear the ching ching ching of utility bills ratcheting up.
Today is a good example of this strange weather. Late in the evening and it is 60 degrees out and 73 degrees in our family room with just the TV, computers and light on. Today was gray, rainy, windy and Findley Lake had a chop on it. The big blue weed harvester could not operate because of the wind and chop. There was one teenager fishing on the end of a dock. Everyone else had the sense to just watch from indoors.
Now it's the middle of June and we are still getting by with only screens in the windows. Sleeping temperatures have been refreshingly cool. Normally we install the A/C units in May but so far, we haven't even needed a window fan. It's so nice to not hear the ching ching ching of utility bills ratcheting up.
Today is a good example of this strange weather. Late in the evening and it is 60 degrees out and 73 degrees in our family room with just the TV, computers and light on. Today was gray, rainy, windy and Findley Lake had a chop on it. The big blue weed harvester could not operate because of the wind and chop. There was one teenager fishing on the end of a dock. Everyone else had the sense to just watch from indoors.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Benefits of Small Town Life
When I first moved to Findley Lake, there was no such thing as cable TV. Antennas brought in Erie, maybe Buffalo, and channels 6 and 10 from Canada. That was the extent of TV home entertainment. Locals looked to their neighbors for passive entertainment, a kind of "local" TV.
One lady talked about going out on Findley Lake after Labor Day and using her binoculars to look into the windows of the cottages that lined the lake. I'd never thought of that activity but could see where it would be pretty interesting. Once I related this to a new part-time resident who had a lake house. You should have seen him turn white. Guess he wasn't drawing the drapes on the lake side, assuming that people couldn't see in.
Likewise, being greeted by name the first time I went to vote was disconcerting as I didn't know the people who greeted me. Small town people pay attention to property sales, cars in the driveway, and all other manner of clues as to what is going on at your house. After living here this long, I can say that the effect of that scrutiny ranges from benign to extremely neighborly. When acquaintances notice a change in the pattern, they will step in to see if you need help. You are definitely not ignored here.
At it's best, Local TV is gentle, educational, and promotes a sense of community and generosity for those in need.
You don't have to be on the lake to enjoy Local TV. A ride around the lake at dusk offers little snippets of life due to the propensity of residents to leaves their drapes and shades up. Whether you like home decor (pine paneling was very very in at some point in time), family activities (playing cards and watching TV seem to the the favorites), or just enjoy the warmth emanating from the lights softly pouring out of the windows across the front lawns, a ride around the lake is a gentle, educational, and community affirming activity. When done with an ice cream cone in hand, its' also dessert time !!
One lady talked about going out on Findley Lake after Labor Day and using her binoculars to look into the windows of the cottages that lined the lake. I'd never thought of that activity but could see where it would be pretty interesting. Once I related this to a new part-time resident who had a lake house. You should have seen him turn white. Guess he wasn't drawing the drapes on the lake side, assuming that people couldn't see in.
Likewise, being greeted by name the first time I went to vote was disconcerting as I didn't know the people who greeted me. Small town people pay attention to property sales, cars in the driveway, and all other manner of clues as to what is going on at your house. After living here this long, I can say that the effect of that scrutiny ranges from benign to extremely neighborly. When acquaintances notice a change in the pattern, they will step in to see if you need help. You are definitely not ignored here.
At it's best, Local TV is gentle, educational, and promotes a sense of community and generosity for those in need.
You don't have to be on the lake to enjoy Local TV. A ride around the lake at dusk offers little snippets of life due to the propensity of residents to leaves their drapes and shades up. Whether you like home decor (pine paneling was very very in at some point in time), family activities (playing cards and watching TV seem to the the favorites), or just enjoy the warmth emanating from the lights softly pouring out of the windows across the front lawns, a ride around the lake is a gentle, educational, and community affirming activity. When done with an ice cream cone in hand, its' also dessert time !!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
July 4th, 2009 in Findley Lake NY
Time is just flying by and plans are falling into place for the annual Independence Day celebrations in Findley Lake. This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday and the whole day can be spent downtown, enjoying all this small town has to offer.
Starting around 11 AM, the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their ever popular BBQ Chicken. My motto for that is "if you wait, you'll be late" as they sell out surprisingly early. Meals can be eaten there or you can get take-out. Money raised benefits the Fire Department.
If BBQ Chicken isn't what you are hungering for there are plenty of restaurant options in and just outside of town. Gourmet sandwiches, pizza, wings, steaks or ribs, beer, wine, bar options, all can be found so no one needs to go hungry.
While shopping, be sure to pick up your entry for the Duck Race. The race will start at 12:30 PM when yellow rubber ducks are "released" from a starting line near the flume in the lake at the north end of the lake. With a rush, the ducks enter the flume tube and first duck past the finish line in the mill pond wins.
At 2 PM, the annual Boat Parade will take place. If you've never seen this before, there's plenty of excitement and laughter as boats, decorated for this year's theme of "College Football" circle the lake in a parade. It all starts down by the flume and as part of the public, you too can vote for the Grand Prize winner. A panel of judges will pick the first and second prize winners in the two classes, Motor Boat and Float Boat. Formerly organized by the Breter family, the Grand Prize winner will take home the Breter Traveling Trophy and a plaque. Trophies will be awarded in the two boat classes. Decorating the boats is taken seriously by Findley Lakers and many of the entries will have crews dressed in College Football outfits, playing favorite fight songs, and even some song and dance routines. This is truly a family event and enjoyable for everyone.
Check on the sandwich board outside of the Waterwheel Overlook to see the schedule for Nature Center tours. If you've never seen the world class exhibit of animal mounts, this is a great thing to do with children.
At 9:30 PM homeowners along the lake shore will light flares along the water's edge. By this time, dusk is beginning to turn into night and the red ring of flares trimming the lake are one of the most amazing sights. Then promptly at 10 PM, the first firework goes off and the Findley Lake Fireworks display starts a non-stop 20 minute show that draws people for 20+ miles around. The best views of the fireworks are from downtown near the flume and gazebo, along North Road to School Street, and along the stretch of Mann Road from the blinker to the first farm. If you have a boat on the lake, viewing is especially nice out in the middle of the north pond. Don't forget that due to high usage, access to the lake will be restricted over the holiday and the ramp will be closed starting on Friday. To help defray the cost, donations can be made to the Findley Lake Fireworks Fund and mailed C/O Matters of the Hearth, 2842 Rt. 426, Findley Lake, NY 14736.
After the end of the fireworks, it's pleasant to stay and chat with friends (new and old). Many of the visitors who brought their children need to get them home to bed so we like to wait until the traffic clears out before heading home.
Starting around 11 AM, the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their ever popular BBQ Chicken. My motto for that is "if you wait, you'll be late" as they sell out surprisingly early. Meals can be eaten there or you can get take-out. Money raised benefits the Fire Department.
If BBQ Chicken isn't what you are hungering for there are plenty of restaurant options in and just outside of town. Gourmet sandwiches, pizza, wings, steaks or ribs, beer, wine, bar options, all can be found so no one needs to go hungry.
While shopping, be sure to pick up your entry for the Duck Race. The race will start at 12:30 PM when yellow rubber ducks are "released" from a starting line near the flume in the lake at the north end of the lake. With a rush, the ducks enter the flume tube and first duck past the finish line in the mill pond wins.
At 2 PM, the annual Boat Parade will take place. If you've never seen this before, there's plenty of excitement and laughter as boats, decorated for this year's theme of "College Football" circle the lake in a parade. It all starts down by the flume and as part of the public, you too can vote for the Grand Prize winner. A panel of judges will pick the first and second prize winners in the two classes, Motor Boat and Float Boat. Formerly organized by the Breter family, the Grand Prize winner will take home the Breter Traveling Trophy and a plaque. Trophies will be awarded in the two boat classes. Decorating the boats is taken seriously by Findley Lakers and many of the entries will have crews dressed in College Football outfits, playing favorite fight songs, and even some song and dance routines. This is truly a family event and enjoyable for everyone.
Check on the sandwich board outside of the Waterwheel Overlook to see the schedule for Nature Center tours. If you've never seen the world class exhibit of animal mounts, this is a great thing to do with children.
At 9:30 PM homeowners along the lake shore will light flares along the water's edge. By this time, dusk is beginning to turn into night and the red ring of flares trimming the lake are one of the most amazing sights. Then promptly at 10 PM, the first firework goes off and the Findley Lake Fireworks display starts a non-stop 20 minute show that draws people for 20+ miles around. The best views of the fireworks are from downtown near the flume and gazebo, along North Road to School Street, and along the stretch of Mann Road from the blinker to the first farm. If you have a boat on the lake, viewing is especially nice out in the middle of the north pond. Don't forget that due to high usage, access to the lake will be restricted over the holiday and the ramp will be closed starting on Friday. To help defray the cost, donations can be made to the Findley Lake Fireworks Fund and mailed C/O Matters of the Hearth, 2842 Rt. 426, Findley Lake, NY 14736.
After the end of the fireworks, it's pleasant to stay and chat with friends (new and old). Many of the visitors who brought their children need to get them home to bed so we like to wait until the traffic clears out before heading home.
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