Full moon 11.16.13

Walked for the first time in months

Fall fishermen

Embiggenable.

Blaming

Is it possible to explain factors which lead to a decision or opinion or action without being accused of blaming someone else? Apparently I cannot. Frustrating. 

Chilly November 13th

Many gulls were swarming above the outlet to the dam. Not enough snow to sled yet.

Many, many, many gulls were floating and flying near the dam.

Then sunset from the front yard. It got redder but less interesting.

(Click to embiggen)

Doing something useful for a change

A pot of veggie soup ready to be ladled into single serving containers for the freezer.

Ninety little meatballs will be frozen then, hopefully tomorrow, dropped into boiling sauce and simmered for hours. Five meatballs and enough sauce for one serving fit in one small freezer container. That's why they are so small - tho that's the way Mom made them when we were little.

Next will be either lentil soup or 15 bean soup - again for the freezer.

All hail broke loose

The sky was threatening while I was at Curves.

It got very dark and we thought it was snowing.

But the clouds broke up before I got home.

First real snow of 2013

I love the snow on the phone line that crosses my back yard. It has been very windy here for many days. Suddenly all is still under a blanket of white.

I love how the early sun illuminates the island long before it casts streaks of light across the front yard.

I'm happy that our world is covered in pristine beauty for a few hours at least. The cats haven't been around yet. The 23° temperature may have something to do with that.

Retreat

This should be the first day of my "new" life but one thing remains - a chat. I'm restless. I want to move on. Withdraw into my cocoon for awhile. Get over my regret for stupid things I've done and said. Resolve the grief I feel and pray for those I hurt. Get busy on the long overdue chores in the house. So let's either cancel this impending chat or get it over with. It isn't going to change anything. So why bother?

Blessing

The service was lovely. The reception was fun. I survived with the help of friends. Prayers for a continuing long happy life for Ginny and Al and the ducklings!

Go, Gators!

Allegheny vs Wittenberg, 11:00 am, Saturday, 9 November 2013

A November morning

My front yard with the sun coming in from the east and snow clouds over the island to the west. We have our first bit of snow this morning. If I'm out I should be hearing whistling swans soon. I love winter when it is ok to hibernate, schedule permitting. My schedule now allows that occasionally. Yea!

Today

The Allegheny Gators won 2-0 today. They will play either Wittenberg or Denison Saturday.

Jellico and Tim didn't seem to want me to leave.

Jellico and Tim

Jellico eyes the morning treats but stays away. Tim eyes Jellico's portion, gobbles down her own then helps herself to Jellico's while he watches. Jellico knows that he will get his own when she has gone.

Shrunk

People seem to love the larger gold cross I bought at the 100th convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and have worn almost every day since. I have put that away for now. Today I bought a new chain for the tiny silver one I've had for many years. It will be there, just not visible until summer. I've checked out of Christ Church Meadville for now but not out of church.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jamestown, NY

On my first "free" Sunday I drove to Jamestown, NY where Donna was waiting for me in the 2nd row at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Jay had warned me that getting into the building might be a bit of a challenge as their steeple was hit by lightning and part of the walkways are fenced off. There was a helpful sign so it was no problem. 

The All Saints service was very traditional with smoke and bells (rung correctly). The acolytes were well trained and people seemed to know what needed done when. In fact, everything was so well choreographed, so formal it felt like I had gone back in time. But the priest and the deacon are women. grin. The sermon was wonderful. Some of my Christ Church friends would have recognized her words. 

The deacon led the kids out during the sermon to return after it. St. Luke's does the peace like Christ Church folks tho there were many more there and it took "forever". The people were very friendly. We went to coffee hour afterward. Someone actually pours the tea or coffee into a ceramic cup and hands it to you with a saucer at a window. More formality.

I enjoyed everything and recommend St. Luke's to anyone in the neighborhood.

The plate to the left of the tabs says "Aeolian-Skinner".

They have a chapel that is almost as large as some of the churches in our diocese.

You can see where the lightning struck the right side of the steeple freezing the clocks.

And now for a few clandestine photos. It helps to have a camera which takes decent, if sometimes a bit blurry photos without flash.

Snow today in Western New York

These photos are of I-86 in Western New York. This was the left side of the road.

This was on the other side.

And a little farther toward Jamestown.

Um. It is snowing ahead.

The people in the boat are surely nuts.

Two photos of the snow showers over Lake Chautauqua.

And on the way home - gorgeous.