Lists

 Remember the Book of Lists by the Wallechinski-Wallace family? It was a big hit when it first came out in 1977 and contained lists of all kinds of obscure subjects like the breeds of dogs that were most likely to bite to people suspected of being Jack the Ripper. They have published four more list books since then, although it's been years (maybe decades) since I've seen one. I like lists as a way to help organize my thoughts and as a way to remember things. So today, I'm going share some random lists that are bouncing around in my head.

When I wasn't making lists, Ward and I took a walk at a local
Audubon bird sanctuary yesterday.

What we had for Thanksgiving Dinner:

1. Smoked turkey

2. Make ahead mashed potatoes

3. Cuban cranberry sauce

4. Ward's stuffing, June's stuffing (Ward and I grew up with very different kinds of stuffing, so we made some of each.)

5. Roasted butternut squash and peppers

6. Green bean casserole

7. Apple pie

The names of all of the Tawney-Shreve kids:

For a few years when I was growing up, we had a large family living across from us who had nine kids. Just for the heck of it, I've been trying to remember all of their names in birth order.

Jimmy of onion-eating fame. June Ann
liked to eat them that way, too.

1. Sissy (Shelia)

2. Sheryl

3. Jimmy (Rhonda, who liked to eat raw onions like they were apples)

4. June Ann (skinny, cross-eyed girl who later became a model)

5. Sharon

6. Billy

7. Bobby

8. Richard

9. John (named after his dad).

The mother, Opal, was living in her mother's tiny house with her second husband. I didn't understand it all, but I knew that they were all afraid of the first husband/father. I am so lucky that just across the street, I lived with a very stable family and no one was afraid (except maybe when we didn't do our chores or do something we shouldn't have). 

Countries I've visited outside of the US:

Wally celebrated his 1st birthday in Guatemala 
with his great-grandmother and others.

1. Canada-during a trip to Niagara Falls

2. Guatemala-visiting Ward's relatives

3. The Netherlands-with with Ward on a business trip, The first Gulf War started when we were there and getting a plane back became iffy, but obviously it worked out.

4. Brussels-an excursion from the Netherlands, a lot of good French cooking there

4. Japan-visited Miss Landers who was working there. 

I think travelling outside of the country is very important because it gives a different perspective on how the rest of the world lives. It has helped me realize how thankful I am that I was born in the US. With all of that being said, I don't have the travel bug and am a happy to explore what is around me close by. 

On my To Do list for today:

This picture is from a couple of weeks ago when there were still
some flowers around that had survived the frosts we'd had. 
Now they're pretty much all dead.

1. Clean flower beds, collect seeds for next year

2. Pick turkey carcass and make soup

3. Help Ward put up Christmas lights

4. Start writing Christmas letters

5. Finalize gift list

Well, these lists are not nearly as interesting as the ones in the Book of Lists, but it is a post to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking.

Until next time...

This and That

Ahh, the smell of fall--that burning smell that comes when the furnace is first turned on for the season. We got a new furnace installed yesterday and new furnaces have a special smell all of their own. Hopefully, all of the newness will burn off quickly and we won't notice it in time. The old furnace served this house for 31 years, so I think it did its duty, but I'm not sorry to see it go. We're hoping for more even heating and comfort with the new furnace and its upgraded the filter, UV light, and humidifier. We'll see, but I have high hopes. 

When they are not at our feeders, both the squirrels and the birds are enjoying the berries off this tree.

The furnace is not the only new thing we have gotten recently. In the never-ending battle with the squirrels at our bird feeders, we have gotten two new squirrel "proof" feeders. So far the squirrels haven't been able to outsmart the feeders, but it's fun watching them try. While I wouldn't mind feeding the squirrels a little, when they are at the feeder, the birds stay away. However, the birds are starting to try out the new feeders and we hope more will come when there is not as much competition from the squirrels. 

These were the best carrots we've gotten this year. They definitely like the cooler weather.

While we have had several frosts and freezes, it wasn't until last week when even the protected plants froze. Thus begins the fall bed cleanup. We started first with the vegetables and harvested everything except the turnips and radishes. They should be okay in the ground until we need them. 

The turnips have grown huge.
Who knows how big they might have gotten if I had thinned them more?

In other happenings, we have planned our Thanksgiving dinner and will start cooking this weekend. Since we won't be together, my sister and I are sharing food. For example, I am making make-ahead mashed potatoes for both of us and she is making cranberry relish to share.  Also, Ward and I are busy working on Christmas gifts. We're finding that sometimes ideas that seem so simple are a lot harder to make that one would think. 

For various reasons, staffing levels have been very low at work. I am thankful that I work with such good people that are always willing to pitch in wherever needed. And speaking of work, I'd better go fix my lunch for today so I won't be late.

Until next time...

From the files-Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day in the US when we honor people who have served in the military. The holiday originated as Armistice Day in 1919 to honor the end of fighting of World War I. This truce went formally into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 1918. In 1954 the name of the holiday was changed to Veteran's Day to be more inclusive for all who served. On this day and everyday, I am eternally grateful for all in the past and present who have sacrificed to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

And on the theme of Veteran's Day, below is a post from the past about the Hero Dog organization that supplies service dogs to veterans.

(Side note: The date of the origination of the holiday explains why Veteran's Day has never become a federal Monday holiday. It all makes sense now.)

_______________________________________________________

Hero Dogs

or Service Dogs for Veterans

Recently, I attended a program about service dogs for injured or disabled veterans.  While we learned about the overall program, my attention was focused mainly on York, an older puppy in training who was there with his handler.  To demonstrate some of the things a service dog might do, he retrieved hidden keys, opened doors, pushed buttons, pulled a chair, and all the while was very happy to be doing them. That's what so great about dogs. They are eager to please. (Not so with our cats. They have a way of making YOU eager to please them.) Another one of the important things the dogs are trained to do is help if a veteran is getting agitated with an impending panic attack or similar problem from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The dogs also learn how to take their owners through narrow spaces which can also be a problem with PTSD. It's amazing what a service dog can do and the difference it can make in someone's life.

As you can imagine, the show was fun to watch. A couple of times, York got to be off duty and let all of us pet him. (Service dogs are not to be petted or played with while they are on duty.) A special treat for him as well as us. However, during the Q&A session, he got a little restless and started to talk to his trainer with a bark then and again and a pull on his lead. He was just like a child who was trying to get his mother's attention when she had been talking too long. The trainer said that that is one reason that York is not ready to be placed yet. He's still a bit too young and impatient to be a good service dog at this point.

There are many service dog organizations out there that could use your help. First of all, they need money--it takes approximately $30,000 to raise and train the dog until it is ready for placement. This organization provides the dog at no cost to the veteran. However, there are many other ways to help. They also have need for puppy raisers, trainers, and people to play with the dogs. They could also use donations of materials such as paper towels, wipes, and old towels. If you are interested in helping, you can google service dog and your location to find out what organizations are available close to you.

Want to Read More:

--Ever wonder what the difference is between a service dog and a therapy dog? Here's a good explanation. 

--There are several prison programs where the inmates raise puppies that will become service dogs. They are quite successful in changing the prisoner's behavior in positive way. Here's a story about one of them.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Update: The Hero dogs in training still visit us in the library (well, at least when we were open.) They are fun to watch and a treat for staff and customers alike. Hopefully, sometime soon, we will get to see them again.

Nature

We have had a string of lovely weather days recently with temperatures in the 60's along with no rain.  Ward and I were able to take advantage of one of those days by taking off early and going for hike at a state park not too far away. You may remember we did the same thing a couple of weeks ago. This time we were on another part of the same mountain we visited before but in a different park. There were a few people around but we didn't see anyone on the trail we chose. That may be because much of it was steep and rocky. That meant when we found an old logging road, we were very happy. 

Once again, it was a refreshing outing. Nature has a way of doing that. Below are a few pictures from our afternoon along with some quotes about nature.

All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child. —Marie Curie

Looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind. —Amit Ray

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. —John Burroughs

Leave the road, take the trails. —Pythagoras

A Lapse

Everyone is tired these days from the vigilance needed to keep COVID-19 at bay. Eight months is a long time to be on hyperalert. Even with that being said, I still get very annoyed with people who don't wear a mask around others or only pretend to wear a mask with it pulled down below their nose.

Well today, one of those annoying people was me. I had gone for my allergy shot, fully masked, and was trying to decided whether or not I was going to stop at Aldi's on the way home. We didn't really need anything, but finally decided to stop in for some bananas. Then I contemplated whether or not I'd need a cart in case I found some great deals, and whether or not I had a quarter to get one. With all of these considerations bouncing around in my head, I forgot to put my mask back on before I went into the store. There I was darting up and down the aisles with a totally naked face when I finally noticed a woman who gave me a side-ways glance. Then I realized it. I had forgotten my mask. Embarrassed that people would see me as one of "those inconsiderates," I rushed to the car and suited up.

I went back into the store hoping that I'd see some of the same people who had seen me before without a mask. I don't know if anyone noticed me without or with my mask, but I felt better with it on, not to mention that wearing it is a county and state ordinance. 

The store wasn't crowded and, as usual, I avoided people the best I could. I think it's going to be alright.

Have you ever forgotten to wear your mask when you've gone out?

Thankful Sunday, November 1, 2020

 I am thankful for a friendly neighborhood. 

I couldn't show you neighborhood kids,
but here's a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Festival
 in ME we visited two years ago.

Our neighborhood is relatively small, but active. We have several people who organize different events for the whole neighborhood throughout the year. Yesterday, Halloween, was one of them.

At 4:30 all of the kids gathered for a costume parade down our street, followed by a costume contest. The weather was cold, but there was good turn out with 25-30 kids with many of the parents in costume, also. Ward and I wore our clown wigs and joined the fun. I was getting cold, so we left after the judging and didn't stay for more kid-focused activities. However, we did participate with Trick-or-Treating. The kids were polite and happy when they came to our porch for the treat bags we had made up. Another organizer posted a poll on our neighborhood Facebook page to see how many planned to go out for Trick-or-Treating so we knew what to expect. Some kids rang the door bell and said thank you and others waved to us through window where we were watching from inside our warm house. A good time was had by one and all.

So for a friendly, inclusive neighborhood that makes an effort to get together (in a safe way), I am thankful.