Being in the south, Boxing Day doesn’t mean much. Mostly, because there are few businesses other than retail stores open the week after Christmas.
Christmas tree is down. Ornaments are packed away. Bead Angels are boxed. Manger scene figurines are gently bubble wrapped. And everything is in the storage closet. Why does it take hours to put everything in exactly the right place and ripping it down and boxing it away takes only a few hours?
I wore long pants today… for the first time since Sunday when I took off my suit after Christmas Eve Services. Christmas day in shorts is a very common occurrence in South Georgia. Next best chance for shorts will occur on Thursday, for certain on Friday. Weather forecasting by pants, gotta love it.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas
The rain came down in buckets last night/this morning. A gust of wind was strong enough to knock over the small plant on the patio table on the back deck. A check on the roads conditions when there was sufficient light to see revealed ankle deep water across the road. But the need for rain greatly out weighs any inconvenience the mud and muck might cause.
One of the fastest growing plants in southern Georgia is our variety of privet hedge. Along the lane that separates the Farm from the Planted Pines are thousands of these plants. After the main front of the rain had pass by this morning, we transferred about two dozen of the small shrubs around the goat/chicken pen. Another five or seven minutes of rain, while we were eating lunch, helped to water in the tender young plants in their new home.
And lunch!!! Cousin Janice surprised us with Christmas lunch:
Turkey and Dressing
Giblet Gravy
Creamed Green Peas
Cranberry Sauce
Ambrosia
Sweet Potato Soufflé
I had to take a nap and a walk in the woods afterwards. IN THAT ORDER!
By the way: Ducks won!
One of the fastest growing plants in southern Georgia is our variety of privet hedge. Along the lane that separates the Farm from the Planted Pines are thousands of these plants. After the main front of the rain had pass by this morning, we transferred about two dozen of the small shrubs around the goat/chicken pen. Another five or seven minutes of rain, while we were eating lunch, helped to water in the tender young plants in their new home.
And lunch!!! Cousin Janice surprised us with Christmas lunch:
Turkey and Dressing
Giblet Gravy
Creamed Green Peas
Cranberry Sauce
Ambrosia
Sweet Potato Soufflé
I had to take a nap and a walk in the woods afterwards. IN THAT ORDER!
By the way: Ducks won!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve
When you are awakened at 3:58 by an incoming text message on the cell phone from a phishing company and it take an hour to get back to sleep, it is much easier to “sleep in” the next morning.
7:45 was my rising time this morning. Dressed and ready for Sunday School and out the door at 9:15. Christmas Eve service was beautiful and after the last Amen was said, the “Pond Sitters” were gathered by all those that wanted one (or two, or more). We loaded four into the PT Cruiser for us and Mama.
My brother-in-law and I rode to the beaver pond this afternoon. It would seem that a couple of ducks, which should be on the farm pond, has taken up habitation about a quarter mile away in the backed up Big Branch! Maurice has borrowed a large live trap to try to capture the gone astray pair. With corn as bait on the trip mechanism, it is now a game of men and ducks.
The traditional Christmas Eve meal of Chili was started early this afternoon and with the Yule fire crackling in the fireplace, all is to do is to wait for the Jolly Fat Guy to make his appearance. Oh, by the way... the air conditioner is not running (at the moment)!
7:45 was my rising time this morning. Dressed and ready for Sunday School and out the door at 9:15. Christmas Eve service was beautiful and after the last Amen was said, the “Pond Sitters” were gathered by all those that wanted one (or two, or more). We loaded four into the PT Cruiser for us and Mama.
My brother-in-law and I rode to the beaver pond this afternoon. It would seem that a couple of ducks, which should be on the farm pond, has taken up habitation about a quarter mile away in the backed up Big Branch! Maurice has borrowed a large live trap to try to capture the gone astray pair. With corn as bait on the trip mechanism, it is now a game of men and ducks.
The traditional Christmas Eve meal of Chili was started early this afternoon and with the Yule fire crackling in the fireplace, all is to do is to wait for the Jolly Fat Guy to make his appearance. Oh, by the way... the air conditioner is not running (at the moment)!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Vacation Day 2
Goldfinch said:
I know the feeling... The alarm is set for 5:44 on days that I jbex. This has been the case since we moved into our home in May of 2000. I woke as wide-eye this morning at just after 6 AM… I was craving coffee! And coffee was my goal! I opened the canister and the aroma of the beans filled my nostrils. The perfume de café alone was enough to raise my caffeine level.
Coffee and forums and email.
The rains in the past thirty six hours have made the roads like mire in places. The ruts were deep as I make my way for errands in town.
I finally finished the Christmas village. It only took me two weeks to get back on it and only thirty minutes of effort to place the last of the polyvinylchloride snow in place.
A ride on the golf cart into the woods and to the pond later this afternoon; I tossed a few of the fish pellets into the water. A large White Perch broke the surface with a splash. The rods hanging in the garage were at the pond and Beetle Spins were in the water in minutes. Nine of the Blue Gills were gullible enough to think that the grub like plastic would be good for dinner. Guess what we had for dinner!!!
Wouldn't you know... I shut the alarm off last night because today is the firstTorry said:
day that I have had off in over two weeks and I can sleep late... BUT I woke up
promptly at 6:00 AM anyway.
Great. Now I've lost the ability to sleep in, in the mornings.
I know the feeling... The alarm is set for 5:44 on days that I jbex. This has been the case since we moved into our home in May of 2000. I woke as wide-eye this morning at just after 6 AM… I was craving coffee! And coffee was my goal! I opened the canister and the aroma of the beans filled my nostrils. The perfume de café alone was enough to raise my caffeine level.
Coffee and forums and email.
The rains in the past thirty six hours have made the roads like mire in places. The ruts were deep as I make my way for errands in town.
I finally finished the Christmas village. It only took me two weeks to get back on it and only thirty minutes of effort to place the last of the polyvinylchloride snow in place.
A ride on the golf cart into the woods and to the pond later this afternoon; I tossed a few of the fish pellets into the water. A large White Perch broke the surface with a splash. The rods hanging in the garage were at the pond and Beetle Spins were in the water in minutes. Nine of the Blue Gills were gullible enough to think that the grub like plastic would be good for dinner. Guess what we had for dinner!!!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Whether Weather
It has been a strange weather week around the country.
In the Northwest, over 1,000,000 folks were without electricity at the beginning of the week. From winds over the past weekend, some over hurricane strength, limbs and entire trees took down power lines. Snow in the mountains added to the grief. With one body recovered and two still unaccounted for, Mount Hood has added to its victims.
In Colorado, there was over 2 foot of snow, shutting down the Denver airport from Tuesday night until this afternoon. It is said some of the folk may not get flight out till Christmas day. News report video has shown families “camping” in the airport, making the best of a bad situation. And the storm system is heading for the U.P. of Michigan.
Winter Solstice occurred last evening at 7:22 EST, the longest night of the year. Rain started falling shortly thereafter here in South Georgia. Much needed rain. We are way below normal rainfall for the year, with only eight days before the new calendar from the hardware store is positioned in place of the old, nearly expired calendar.
But it was a warm rain… I feed the goats and chickens this morning in my khaki shorts. After I came in and took my daily shower, I dressed in blue jeans and a tee shirt. That lasted about 10 minutes; I retrieved another pair of shorts from the closet. Metro was actually panting this afternoon.
The first full day of winter in the south - that too - is strange. Will I have to turn on the air conditioner to be able to enjoy the Yule Log in the fireplace Christmas Eve?
In the Northwest, over 1,000,000 folks were without electricity at the beginning of the week. From winds over the past weekend, some over hurricane strength, limbs and entire trees took down power lines. Snow in the mountains added to the grief. With one body recovered and two still unaccounted for, Mount Hood has added to its victims.
In Colorado, there was over 2 foot of snow, shutting down the Denver airport from Tuesday night until this afternoon. It is said some of the folk may not get flight out till Christmas day. News report video has shown families “camping” in the airport, making the best of a bad situation. And the storm system is heading for the U.P. of Michigan.
Winter Solstice occurred last evening at 7:22 EST, the longest night of the year. Rain started falling shortly thereafter here in South Georgia. Much needed rain. We are way below normal rainfall for the year, with only eight days before the new calendar from the hardware store is positioned in place of the old, nearly expired calendar.
But it was a warm rain… I feed the goats and chickens this morning in my khaki shorts. After I came in and took my daily shower, I dressed in blue jeans and a tee shirt. That lasted about 10 minutes; I retrieved another pair of shorts from the closet. Metro was actually panting this afternoon.
The first full day of winter in the south - that too - is strange. Will I have to turn on the air conditioner to be able to enjoy the Yule Log in the fireplace Christmas Eve?
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
A Cheerios Meet
It has been said, “Cheerios Meets are the Best” – well, they are!!!
Even when the circumstances are not the greatest.
Tee (Pyewacket) made a slight detour from the normal route that one would take from Central South Carolina to San Antonio, Texas. She had open reservations at the Rainbow Inn. Saturday night around 7:45, she landed on our doorstep. Tired and road weary, she rested and refreshed after 279 miles (the first leg of her journey).
Pippin (her 110 pound German Shepherd) and Tetley (her calico cat) were her travel companions. Wasn’t anyone going to bother Tee with those sentries on duty.
Tea was given as gifts and tea was shared. We had one of the green teas from Taiwan that I received during my Asian trip last November/December. After some announcements in Cheers and Wheypoint, we called it a night and turned in for the evening.
Sunday morning was busy!!! As we prepared ourselves for church, Tee attempted to load new maps into her GPSr. Metro kept her company during Sunday morning worship time. Later, Tee would unloaded her wheel chair and visit with Molly, Sugar and Spice. Molly was not real happy with a huge dog barking so close to her kids.
When we arrived back home, Tee asked me to check the electrical connection on the driver’s seat. With a disconnect of the negative battery terminal for safety and three inches of electrical tape, the wiring was as good as new!
I went caching with Tee… REPEAT, PRN!
We traveled the 0.10 miles to Double Rainbow Cache. Unable to reach the actual cache herself, she pointed out the likely hiding spot and I retrieved the bright yellow First Aid Kit for her. She left a couple of crafty kits, a miniature cowbell
(“We need more COWBELL”)
Even when the circumstances are not the greatest.
Tee (Pyewacket) made a slight detour from the normal route that one would take from Central South Carolina to San Antonio, Texas. She had open reservations at the Rainbow Inn. Saturday night around 7:45, she landed on our doorstep. Tired and road weary, she rested and refreshed after 279 miles (the first leg of her journey).
Pippin (her 110 pound German Shepherd) and Tetley (her calico cat) were her travel companions. Wasn’t anyone going to bother Tee with those sentries on duty.
Tea was given as gifts and tea was shared. We had one of the green teas from Taiwan that I received during my Asian trip last November/December. After some announcements in Cheers and Wheypoint, we called it a night and turned in for the evening.
Sunday morning was busy!!! As we prepared ourselves for church, Tee attempted to load new maps into her GPSr. Metro kept her company during Sunday morning worship time. Later, Tee would unloaded her wheel chair and visit with Molly, Sugar and Spice. Molly was not real happy with a huge dog barking so close to her kids.
When we arrived back home, Tee asked me to check the electrical connection on the driver’s seat. With a disconnect of the negative battery terminal for safety and three inches of electrical tape, the wiring was as good as new!
I went caching with Tee… REPEAT, PRN!
We traveled the 0.10 miles to Double Rainbow Cache. Unable to reach the actual cache herself, she pointed out the likely hiding spot and I retrieved the bright yellow First Aid Kit for her. She left a couple of crafty kits, a miniature cowbell
(“We need more COWBELL”)
...and a rainbow plushie that never actually went into cache container. The multi-color critter rode home with us on the golf cart. From the cache, she retrieved “Little Tree” (a HoppingCrow travel bug) and one of the bead Angels. They served as reminder of those who were thinking and praying for her as she traveled.
When we got back to the carport, I told Tee of my plans to order a Geocaching clingy sticker like the one on her windshield. She immediately ripped it off and handed it to me. It now resides on the back glass of my pickup truck.
Then it was time for phase two of the expedition. With a sweep through the house to make sure nothing was left behind, Tee and Pippin (Tetley never really got out of the van) loaded up and with hugs all around, we said our ‘goodbyes and safe travels’.
240 miles later, Tee stopped for the evening south of Montgomery, Alabama.
Monday – someone lit a fire under her behind!!! 780 miles and around 8:00 CST she arrived at her son’s house.
We had followed her progress via the Pyewacket Sighting Network, with many prayers and good thoughts surrounding her. I couldn’t have been any more tired and worn if I had driven the miles myself.
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