A Journal to impart knowledge and facts |
July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
Our 2023 Old Year Out / 2024 New Year In By Apondia I do remember other years when we watched the ball drop in New York City on TV. And I remember years when we called it quits about 9 or 10 p.m. Just turned in for the night. This year I'll be surprised if we make it past 8. As for today I was up by 4 a.m. Put the dogs out, filled the corn stove with corn, fed the dogs and ate breakfast then settled in to read until 7. After that I cleaned the chimney of the corn stove in the basement that is not presently running. We will need to start it up if the weather goes to snow again. It is supposed to be rain mixed with snow all afternoon so the temperature will probably drop into the low 30's. I took feed out to the bird feeder so the outside birds can celebrate the holiday with corn and seeds. The neighborhood is quiet. There were deep deer hoof prints molded into the soggy earth beneath the bird feeder. They come to the feeder and lick off corn in the evenings. Between 8 and 9 a.m. the dogs and I were investigating the outdoors as we walked off some of the doggy energy that shows up every morning. It has been easier for me, since we took in a new rescue dog in October, to walk the dogs individually. That is my way of giving them some one-on-one attention. It also lengthens the time I spend walking, which is great. I made fudge and peach dump cake Friday morning as our weekend treat. I may make a pumpkin pie and a cheesecake tomorrow morning. All that cooking will last at least a week or more especially for the fudge. I made fantasy fudge for the first time in 30 years, then took it to family Christmas. Friday, I made a batch just for us. Remember that we live in a rural area. Even though we do have neighbors across the road and to the north side of our property no one is very close. We spend time watching from the living room for wildlife movement. It is normal to see small herds of deer eating in the hay field on the east side of the house or flocks of turkey. Once in a while there will be a hawk chasing birds, who dare to feed at the feeder. Most of the geese have moved south somewhere for the winter although sometimes there is a stray pair that fly over headed for the beaver dam. I actually don't remember any New Year parties. So, for us the little New Year's child just quietly moves in at 12p.m. each year and waves Hi, when we get up in the morning of January 1. Although this seems boring to some it is a blessing of peace and quiet to us. Happy New Year. Party On! |
Dear 2024: I bet you are beginning to wake up a little now. Because of the warm weather and rain my lawn is beginning to grow. This is an unheard of or unthought of situation, at this time of the year. I thought I would alert you to the ongoing things I am doing. I will still be cleaning and rearranging the basement during 2024. I will still be learning new things about music theory and ways to play arpeggios on my guitar. I will still be learning human biology in my biology course. Something new: I'm looking forward to starting an indoor herb garden. In order to do this, I will have to put up some windowsills on the east windows of the house. We have windows, but there are no sills wide enough for plant pots. Presently, all my growing plants are in hanging baskets because the cats and dogs like to eat them. I would also like to go into some hydroponics in the new year and want to be ready to plant our porch garden as soon as the weather becomes warm enough. What will 2024 bring in the way of weather? I hope no surprises. Whenever I think of having regular days to plan activities in 2023, my mind turns to the Ukraine people and now the Israelites. I pray for 2024 to bring peace to the lives of those people. They did not ask to be the subject of attacks and now are in a position of protecting themselves. Each family is already suffering losses of loved members. Whenever a new year enters there is a hushed atmosphere of the unknown involved. It will still be just one day at a time. We will welcome you each day as we did 2023. The earth will cry if you bring bad news and rejoice if you bring good news. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024! |
Day 350 December 13, 2023 Prompt: "The desire to serve and contribute meaningfully to society does not fade with age." Rachel Bayani This is true. I find though, that it is difficult for me to add anything presently to any society around here. As long as we went to church there was always a way to bring aide in some way and continue to find ways to interact with other people. I had a failed attempt a few years ago to join a library book club. So, basically, I stay home with my dogs and just get by day to day. If you get too far out of the loop people, make up their minds about you, whether they know you or not. a lot of elderly people are stagnant when it comes to social interaction. You have to actively seek interaction during aging. |