Tigger - Make My Day!

Today was the First Noël. No, not literally… and not the song. But the first card of the season arrived, sent by my Dutch pal who was long ago transplanted to London. It's always exciting to find numero uno in the mailbox, especially when it comes tucked into an intriguing package that traveled all the way 'cross the pond. Special significance here. Then there's the detail…

A card that conveys every important sentiment of the season. A note of thanks about a certain blah, blah, blah blog - amused here, as I'm the one who should be saying "Thanks!" for time spent perusing it. Very Dutch packaging and contents from her recent trip home… keepsakes I'll treasure. And then, this quote concerning something it's hard not to love:

"Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."

Thanks so much, Tigger, for our special connection, enduring friendship and a lovely surprise.
♡

Here's to the big hearts of teeny, tiny Hummers.

Pretty Boy is Pooped

As energized as I've been by the GORGEOUS December weather we're experiencing, it was impossible to coax Mambo into more spa time, this morning. You see, we bonded for almost two hours, as I cut his luxurious locks. He looks spectacular, albeit exhausted.

The real story lies in the fact that this was accomplished on the deck. Look at the temp! What a pleasure and unexpected treat, this time of year. Now though, I'm afraid it's nap-time for Pretty Boy… he needs his beauty sleep 'cause he's gonna be 9, next week.

Clearly woman's best friend. (You, too, Joe!) 

♥

And A Few Hours Later...

...have to share. It's real time. Dusk - just a few hours after my post below…

Look what landed in our red berry bush, located at the water's edge. Did he pick that spot for its perfect color match to his crown? How could I possibly resist this photo op, while sitting all warm 'n' cozy on our sofa and looking out to our spectacular view.

"I'm back!!"
Thanks to NIK and its proper lens for this indoor-outdoor capture of our returning Pileated Woodpecker.

On a Sad, Sad Note

One of the young men who worked for us overdosed within the last year. Age? 20-something. A nice kid. Very fussy. Aimed to please, with whatever he was doing at the particular time. I still envision him in a painting capacity, up on a ladder by the sliders, asking me and Joe if everything was to our satisfaction. It was crushing to learn that the reason he did not show up one day was because he was no longer. His family was broken-hearted, to say the least. He touched our lives.

Within the last week, two different local couples with whom we've been acquainted for decades lost their sons. Ages? 36 and 41. Both to substance abuse.

We don't know the details of which drug or the exact circumstances of each tragedy. We just know that we're hearing frightening news far too often. Such tragic losses cast a pall over all of us - they should - and even more so if we have families of our own and if we're paying attention to the never-ending threat to our Babes.

More terror. Can we guide, guard and protect our loved ones enough?

There has finally been a crackdown on the ability to buy potent pain meds in bulk, even legitimately.  For example, Cousin Gina, currently in constant agony and needing our prayers, has meds doled out a few pills at a time, causing her elderly Mom to be on the constant run to full prescriptions. Thus the rise in heroin use on the street. If dealers/users can't get a first choice, there's always something else to turn to, with no end in sight.

For The Birds

Every day is different, here on Golden Pond, affording us sightings of the most incredible variety of wildlife imaginable. What a thrill! This morning, as we watched our "regulars" on the feeder, in swooped two Pileated Woodpeckers.

We've never seen two at the same time. I kind of honed in on the one doing damage to a tree that stands immediately off the deck. Jeesh. Enough already. Check out his work that caused me (in an absolute "first") to open the slider and chase him.

No sooner did the woodies leave when I spotted some rather pretty ducks. Hmmm, a huge flock of a different species left for the winter, we assume, so who are these ladies 'n' gentlemen? Well, research tells me they are Buffleheads, here to stay. As is always the case in the Bird Kingdom, the males have flashy plumage, while the ladies are on the dull side. We're excited to have them hangin' in our waters and I hope to zoom in on those heads one day, in an attempt to capture the gorgeous purples  and greens.

Seems that there are eight geese here to stay, as well. We hear them honking very early in the morning. Today, they made an appearance, with this pair hovering offshore.

Mambo came out to enjoy the waterfowl aspect of my photo shoot. The black 'n' white is natural and not filtered. It's a grey day that affords the great look, especially when combined with cooperating, coordinating feathers.

Oooh-kay, back inside to see Mrs. Cardinal takes a stand perch, sharing space with a sweet little finch.

We'll take it, be it a quack, honk or peck. Lovin' our wildlife and hoping Friends of CMI are not tired of these posts.

Yesterday Sunrise to Sunset

Long day, for sure, but its light show was spectacular. It began with sunrise over fog in the Wurtsboro valley...

It remained a gorgeous, nearly balmy day...

The trip home headed us straight for a fiery sunset…

My phone camera got a workout, and even on the move captured Christmas lights on the Goshen tree...

This place looks familiar…

 And what did we find in the mail but a little Chanukah gift. My Jewish half just had to have this funky menorah…

My Jewish Half Says, "Happy Chanukah!"

What better way to begin the Festival Of Lights than to share the occasion with the lighting of Rock Hill's Christmas tree.

Kudos to the Fire Department (thanks, Bri!) for their efforts in bringing Santa and the shared festivities to our "new" little hometown.

We Need Action AKA When Is Donald Trump Going To Shut Up?

Today's NY TIMES article here.

And from the LA TIMES:

AN ANALOGY TO BE MADE:

Way back when our boys were little, I recall having asked their pediatrician why he didn't have two waiting rooms. You know, one for well-visit kids and one for the strep-infested, etc. He opined that all parents would claim their babes to be fine and request the well room...

Kind of analogous to Mr. Trump's suggestion that we all carry guns, thus enabling us to shoot back during an potential attack. Uh-huh. How comforting, Donald. And which guy sitting next to me in the movie theater is the good guy with the weapon? Which is the threat? Furthermore, do we sit at public functions, school or work desks with a pistol in hand… ready, just in case?

Ludicrous. A return to the Wild West. DT watched too much Lone Ranger, as a kid.

Mouths of Babes - Make our Day!!

I'm calling last night through this morning a solid "Ten!" Our Fabulous Five are so danged cute. Sure, we occasionally have all of them charming us at the same time. But mostly, they take turns in their efforts. 

Chloe, our little artist, sent us a land-mail picture, this past week with the sweetest note ever. Then, she followed it up with this texted coloring and message to me, last night:

Meanwhile, Aubs and Gav had a trial-run sleepover. We've dubbed the kids' newly renovated space downstairs as their "apartment." They love it. The concept AND the place to call their home away from home, that is. Looks like we did well! Their bathroom with its new shower, bedroom with queen-sized bed and living room received rave reviews. Gavin's comment??

"G'ma, I like our apartment more than yours!"

We think they'll be back. Joe and I are beyond pleased, our efforts rewarded with kiddie exclamations of glee and pride. I guess we're here to stay!! And so are our birds, who provided our lakeside breakfast view.

GIVING THANKS

Twinkle, Twinkle

Can you tell which tree is inside and which one is on the deck?

IRS SCAM

No, the IRS will not call by phone and provide false badge numbers to then demand payment of past due amounts. Sure, the bogus callers will threaten and back themselves up by e-mail. Don't fall for it. Don't respond to messages of any variety. Instead, call your local DA's office, immediately…

Joe continues to be a target of this scam, here in Sullivan County. The demand? Over three grand. No, no; we think not. Sad thing is, some people have actually fallen victim and submitted $$$ to the address provided.

BE AWARE.

California Tragedy

Make My Day

It's December...

…and whether one has billions or a buck, 'tis the season to give whatever it is we have to offer. Leo Buscaglia said it best...

Sure, tangibles are nice; but time is our most precious commodity. Are there ever enough hours in a day for all we'd like to accomplish? Thus, we know well the sacrifice of gifting it and what difference it might afford a recipient. A lifted spirit can glisten like a diamond. What better satisfaction? That said and now on an unimaginable monetary scale…

 I love this letter to newborn Max Zuckerberg and her parents' commitment to mankind, with the hope of making Baby Girl's world a better, safer, healthier place. Click here to read its inspiring contents.

HERE'S TO DECEMBER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON!

Stuffing Waffles

Jeesh, time flies. Can't BELIEVE it was 2011 when I posted (link) Rachel Ray's tip. My stuffing was exceptionally good, yesterday.
And today? Lordy, Lordy. Give this one a try.

This is an extra special post for Kim. ❌⭕ Color Me Hysterical...

Happy Birthday Kim ♡

With impeccable timing, Kim called last night. We'd just finished a rather late dinner, after our long, long brunch at BKAG's… and she'd just put everything away after hosting her Sis, C.C. and her Mom. Man, did we laugh; but some might be offended by our inside humor. Hey, it's LOVING inside humor. You know, like…

 Mom/Nan never misses a meal, with her presence on Bri's table (a gifted set of china) and Kim's table (glassware that was gifted when her parents married).

Sure, G-d gave us beautiful Sons, but then there are Kim and Vicki…

She tells me that at one point during their celebration, her Mom said to her,

"OMG, you sounded just like your Aunt Nicki, just then."

Ask me how much I love THAT. She wouldn't tell me WHAT she said, though, claiming loss of memory. Who cares. I'll take it, good or bad. You remember that, Kimberly, be proud! We're Firemarks, after all, connected by a vast, intelligent gene pool AND blood.

When I extended early birthday wishes and a book recommendation :-) at the end of last night's convo, Joe chimed in,

"Just stay on a little longer and it'll BE tomorrow!!!"

Happy Birthday, Honey. We love you so much, but 41 ♥s are too many to post!

Still laughing...

Giving Thanks for Life in Between the MoonSet and SunRise

We had such a nice day, yesterday. Bri 'n' Kell 'n' Aubs 'n' Gav invited us "home" for a long, relaxing and enjoyable brunch, before they headed to Kelly's parents for a later dinner. It was fun! And certainly different, with the parents going home, instead of the kids coming home for Thanksgiving. Good Ol' Stacey Drive is faring well. They are thrilled to be there; and needless to say, we couldn't be happier. It would have been painful to forfeit the house and countless beautiful memories to strangers. It was fun to watch Aubs making a mega batch of pancakes. She's quite familiar with that kitchen, as y'all know. Have a look back at much younger Aubs… making pancakes!
 Gav made us a precious card, in which he proclaimed his thanks for family, friends, food and school.. and was so proud of the table and his room - the one that is incredibly neat, with a spot for everything. He's clearly got my blood running through his veins.

Of course, we missed Christian's branch of our little family, but knowing they were having a good day made it okay. With that said, we want to thank BKAG for a warm and loving celebration.

Upon returning to the lake, we enjoyed our own delicious dinner. With gratitude, Joe and I came to the realization a while ago that the LakeHouse is home for us, now. We love it here… but then, what's not to love? The biggest problem is the possibility of my turning into a sloth, doing nothing but grabbing NIK or my phone to capture the endless and ever-changing beauty that is the Lake. The big late-fall thrills are the 6:00 AM MoonSets on one side of our view and the SunRises on the other. Talk about perfection… OMG, I am spellbound on a daily basis. Mesmerized. Astounded. No artist's rendering could ever capture what Momma Nature offers, daily. And herein are our morning-after-turkey treats of Set 'n' Rise, as well as a darker MoonSet from earlier this week. I just love how today's colors spread the length of the lake, banding even the moon in morning light.

 This Morning

COLOR ME THANKFUL

Hoping your turkey was grand and your blessings bountiful!

Creating Photo Ops

NIK and I got busy, today, less than twenty-four hours after Joe filled the old feeder on a new deck arm. Brilliant. Our birds are suspended close to the slider and in such a way that we can multitask, all cozy on the couch. Close enough to use the smaller of my lenses. Yep, build it fill it and they will come.

Chickadee came first and no, I didn't filter the above pic to black and white; it was just a grey morning that offered this result.

Big Kahuna wasn't far behind, but waited for Old Sol to make an appearance. He and the Mrs., who later worked her way into the mix, prefer blue skies.

In between, there were woodpeckers, titmice, blue jays, nuthatches and the resident red squirrel. Not to worry, as he hasn't quite yet figured out how to access the seed.

As though not enough of G-d's gifts, we spotted Big Baldie flying by. Perfect.

So, Check Out "Sweet Caroline"

It's no secret that Caroline is not my favorite from my favorite. Seems to me she is responsible for keeping the masses from knowing Neil Diamond's incredibly deep catalogue of superior music. But hey, even I'm open to a new version; this one is fabulous! How the heck did I find it, you wonder. Well, thanks to my research for the right ukelele, voilà!