Wrapping Up The Year

My thoughts on a few topics:

Zoning - the gift that keeps on giving. Trying to thread the needle of protecting individual rights while avoiding deterioration of the neighborhood. With the wonderful citizens who took the time (repeatedly) to go sit through boring meetings, monitor proposed changes, actually READ the zoning law and promote good ideas - hurray for you. The zoning law seem to be finally getting near birth (rebirth?) and I actually am OK with most of it. Kudos to my significant other and friends for sitting through repeated rants as I sorted out the proposed law and it's ramifications.

Deer - really smarter than we hunters. Have spoken with numerous veteran hunters who were skunked this year. Now (of course), the deer are eating the foundation plantings, standing along the roads, and being very visible. Only one small deer in our freezer but I wanted three.

Death - it's been a hard year for friends and family. Step children's Mother died after a long illness, sister-in-law's Mother died unexpectedly but due to long standing health issues, and good friend's Father died after a slow fade for several years followed by a quick downward spiral.

Money - always short but at least the mortgage is paid off.

Wildlife - been a good year for seeing Eagles, Swans, Deer (except during hunting season), birds, and other small mammals.

Sweatshirts - bought three at Blair in Warren PA and couldn't be happier. Just couldn't find what I wanted in the chain stores.

Food - can't beat the prices at Erie County Farms. It will be open January 5th. Super assortment of greens and veggies, good prices on meat. What I really liked was going there about noon, then getting home early enough to cook up some of what I bought and freeze it as complete meals (pork/kale/sweet potato). Stuff to buy at Sam's Club include gluten free crackers and cocoa coated almonds. Real food and actually good for you. Don't forget the packs of Orbit or Trident Gum with Xylitol. Helps prevent cavities by preventing bacteria from adhering to your teeth. One kind of Trident will actually help build up the enamel too.

Dog - he's only ten years old but I'm already starting to mourn in advance of him dying. He's become more and more a family member. Don't know how he could be doing that but he is. He's funny, slightly OCD, and thinks that he has a vote in family decisions. Did I mention that he is funny?

Foxes In The Family

Since I hadn't seen Rennie and the rest of the fox family in several weeks, I assumed that they had headed out of the den for good. With three boisterous kits, that wasn't surprising. This morning, it was a real treat to see Rennie hunting in the back of our property. After several glimpses of something reddish which looked like a big ground hog, I had a good view of Rennie with breakfast in her mouth. About a half hour later, she was walking across our back pasture area and we had a very good look at her. She's still slim but looked good. I suspect the family has moved somewhere onto our property while they check out the buffet of small animals.

Bike Update

For those of you thinking of entering the betting pool on when the bike will sink beneath the waves, there is still time. After three days of increasingly warming temperatures, the bike remains above water. Current air temperature in Findley Lake is 55 degrees. Check out the new photos of the bike, especially the great reflection in the layer of water covering the ice. Yes, it's a gray day but that means a great day to drink coffee, make soup, and maybe venture out to take down the tree ladder stand at the back of our property. Lots to accomplish indoors too. Good news yesterday is that we made progress getting the pellet stove back into use. Did a major clean out of the exhaust which seems to have helped some. Construction/reconstruction continues around the lake at the various houses. Hope to see the new siding colors soon. They will be an odd but welcomed form of Spring flowers.