It Lingers, and the December End of Month Report

 
That wet snow just continues to cling to the trees, forming a crusty coating. It's still very attractive.




I did get some projects done that aren't on the list. Trimmed another tree by the driveway, re-covered the well pit for winter, clipped all the small autumn olive in the lawn where I didn't get it whacked. Whacked some more, but not nearly a whole space.

And now, it's the end of the month, so here's my report on progress toward my listed goals. Pretty pathetic, but probably better than if I wasn't reporting to you.

54 in 300, report on day 37
Number	Category	Item	December	Total
1	WRITING	begin working on North Country Quest again	almost done with Chapter 1- "Meanders and Undulations"	of new work, just Dec (total about 5 chapters done
2	WRITING	edit Kiss of the Butterfly, submit for publication	nothing	nothing
3	WRITING	100 NC History pages	nothing	just the planning last month
4	WRITING	blog about 8 wild foods	none	none
5	WRITING	finish Dead Mule Swamp Druggist	chapters 21, 22	4 chapters added
6	WRITING	do 10 book promotion things	2 article on Murder By 4 blog, and did a plug on Facebook	4
7	WRITING	writing schedule day 50 times	4	9
8	WRITING	5 entries in Off the Sanctuary Wall	none	none
9	WRITING	pursue a contract I can't name yet	follow up contact	no results
10	WRITING	talk to 5 bookstores about carrying mysteries	none	none
11	HOUSE	fix kitchen drawer	DONE	DONE
12	HOUSE	cut down 5 autumn olive trees	none	none
13	HOUSE	clean refrigerator twice	none	none
14	HOUSE	replace kitchen faucet	nothing	nothing
15	HOUSE	get lawnmower fixed	nothing	nothing
16	HOUSE	clean terrace	nothing	nothing
17	HOUSE	kitchen light electric box	nothing	nothing
18	HOUSE	replace faucet by washing machine	nothing	nothing
19	HOUSE	put away model railroad stuff	none	none
20	HOUSE	spend 10 hours sorting books	1	2
21	FITNESS	increase to 30 pushups	21	increase of 5 this month
22	FITNESS	increase to 100 jumping jacks	65	increase of 15
23	FITNESS	increase to 2 min planking	70 sec	no increase
24	FITNESS	walk, bike, ski or snowshoe 200 times	12	20, this is still terrible
25	HIKING	NCT Hike 100 Challenge for 2016	none	doesn't start till Jan 1
26	HIKING	visit 5 new MI counties to explore trails	none	none
27	HIKING	hike 100 more miles of the Buckeye Trail	none	next spring
28	HIKING	clear my trail better	5	have worked on it a total of 13 days, terrible
29	PERSONAL	Savings Goal	added some	72% to goal
30	PERSONAL	Financial Goal #2	nothing	nothing
31	PERSONAL	lose 10 pounds	-1 as in going the wrong way	the really bad news is I lost 1 (total of 2, but gained 3 over Christmas)
32	PERSONAL	play music 50 times	3	8
33	PERSONAL	other #1 (200 times)	7	19, not on track
34	PERSONAL	other #2	0	1, not on track
35	MISC	make 21 quarts juice	0	7 total
36	MISC	try 10 new wild foods	none	none
37	MISC	some genealogy stuff	nothing	nothing
38	MISC	100 more pix on Shark Shots	none	none
39	MISC	2 photo cards documented	nothing	nothing
40	MISC	give 10 gifts from my kitchen	2	2
41	MISC	eat at Brenda's Burgers	nothing	nothing
42	MISC	eat at Country Critters	nothing	but I'd better, because it's for sale
43	MISC	take my trailer on 2 trips	none	none
44	MISC	finish monkey booties	nothing	nothing
45	MISC	get two programs NCT and Kitchen Sink	tentative contact	none
46	MISC	get rid of 100 things	nothing	7
47	MISC	read or listen to 100 books	3, best one was Devil in the White City by Eric Larson, juxtaposing the 1893 World's Fair with a serial killer who was operating in the same section of Chicago- a true story	9
48	MISC	move NCC from Josh's garage	nothing	nothing
49	MISC	short bios of 5 relatives	none	none
50	MISC	sort my fabric	nothing	nothing
51	MISC	do something inside my trailer	nothing	nothing
52	MISC	add 50 things to family heritage list	none	none
53	MISC	some VCR tapes to DVD	none	none
54	MISC	some cassette tapes to CD	none	none

	See Space Three, and November Report
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Frosting

 
Our first real snow is very wet and heavy. It has covered everything with a coating that looks like heavy frost or powdered sugar. It isn't exactly ice, but it's heavy and slushy. Beautiful, but really difficult to move around.





It was a long day at work, and I'm hitting the hay early.

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Puzzling

 
I asked for a game for Christmas, and received it. This is the sequel to The Neverhood, called Armikrog. It's a puzzle game, my favorite kind.

I've been playing non-stop since Friday, and finished it last night. This is the view from one of the rooms. I don't think it gives away any secrets, but gives you an idea of the game.




Apparently, I haven't yet had my fill of puzzle games, because I went back to Riven, which I've never finished solving, although I love it. The last time I played, I managed to remove a bridge that had previously been there, and I don't know how. So I'm kind of stuck. No matter, my gaming time (for these kinds that take thought) is pretty much over for now. I have to go back to work tomorrow morning.

Here's where I'm stuck in Riven. There used to be a bridge to this pontoon room. Now it's gone. But I have a couple new clues, so I guess I'm off to explore more, the next time I can play



If you are a Riven fan, and know how to get the bridge back, DON'T tell me.

Armikrog is rather linear. You mostly solve one puzzle and then you can do the next thing. Riven is not linear at all. There are five islands, and they are interconnected with trams or walkways, and you have to find clues all over the place which will lead you to information somewhere else. Things you learn or do at one location will affect things somewhere else, and you might get a set of symbols one place and learn that they also correspond to numbers at another place. Much more difficult.

	See Riven- Samples
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The Arrival

 
The promise for a terrible storm with freezing rain and ice to arrive was given by the forecasters.

It began in the blue dusk.



Looks even bluer through the window. But it's warmer in here. I went for a walk just before taking the pictures, and the snow is hard little pellets that sting your face. They are still tattooing on the kitchen window screen.



We'll see what tomorrow is like!

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The Secret in the Hidden Pond

 
Took my three mile road loop walk today. There is a little pond on the way that is all but hidden in the summer when the greenery is taller. I know it's there, and have seen wood ducks. However, I've only been able to know that by taking long zoom photos and looking at them later. They were all so terrible, I never even put one on the blog, but I could make the ID because the ducks are so distinctive.

Not only is it hidden, but it's inaccessible, being surrounded by a large cattail marsh in standing water. You might be able to approach it from the back, but that's technically all private property. I've never tried, at any rate.



However, today, with the reeds broken down and no snow cover, look what the camera found. It's a fine muskrat lodge.



Oddly enough, the coloring of this photo is really interesting. All I did was zoom in more. Same time, almost the same vantage point (just a few steps apart). It almost looks like a negative.

Just for fun, here's the negative. It gives a most positive impression.

	See A Place to Call Home
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Who Has Aged Better?

 
Here's a genuine 1953 Christmas photo. I kept all the background because it's amazing how many of the things in this picture survive. I'll name them and maybe you'll see some another time. The suitcase, new that year. Zora, her neck broken the year before by yours truly, the small table and folding chair, Happy Dobby, the wall hanging, the Child's World encyclopedia, surely the unidentified books in the pile, and the rug (although I gave it to deserving friends some years ago).

You've previously heard about Butchy Boy, sleeping in the chair.



But my focus tonight is Cynthia and me.



She was new that year. I was five.

Here is Cynthia at 62. She's not going hiking any time soon and handicrafts will be difficult. Although posed well, she needs a full left hip replacement.



Here I am at, well you can figure it out. My shoulders are also iffy, although still attached. Cynthia's face hasn't a single wrinkle while I'm a little saggy. My hair has thinned, but hers is worse.



Considering that I was never a doll-playing child, she looks well-worn. I did drag dolls around occasionally and pose them to be in pretend stories and things. I liked stuffed animals much better. But if you look back at the first picture you can see that I've covered the room with Tinkertoy structures, but the doll is pristine. I was probably told to sit with her for the photo.

So, take your pick at who has aged better. However, Cynthia went back in prison in a trunk while I get to remain on the loose. My conclusion-- a pretty face can't get you everywhere.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

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A Laid-Back Christmas

 

The day was perfect for me. Hope Omer liked it too.

Nice sunrise. First day for a while that it wasn't gray and/or raining.



Two sons called to say Merry Christmas. One of them stopped by with a nice fruit basket. It looks like there were some gifts to open, as well.



The day cleared to be beautiful and crisp! Very welcome. If it can't be white at least it could be blue.



We fixed a really laid-back dinner of real food- everything fresh (well, OK, we didn't cure the ham ourselves, but nothing from a can or frozen), and ate it casually. Then we snacked for the rest of the day.



I got a game I wanted, and Om got books he wanted. Perfect.

I've reached the stage in life where I don't want to do big productions any more. I used to like it. Now, not so much.

Hope your holiday was perfect for you too!

	See Christmas 2014
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Pale and Empty

 
No, that's not a description of me. However, we have no Christmas pictures today. The ones I took at the Community Dinner we went to aren't in focus. The video I got of the bell choir at the Christmas Eve service is good, but my software has decided it's no longer registered, so I can't convert the video file to edit it.

You'll have to settle for a flamingo whose feathers have flown the coop.



In fact, you could say, he's nothing but a skeleton. Even his plant pot has gone away for the season.

Poor sad flamingo. He needs some holly and ivy, or mistletoe, or maybe a bowl full of eggnog.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Party at Work

 
You're going to start thinking that all we do is have parties! Oh well. We need a few perks.

The paper actually bought pizza for each department (on different days), so that was really nice. Please notice our space appropriate pallet tree.



We did a gift exchange where everyone drew a name, and there was a spending limit, so gifts were small and fun.



Also, we all chipped in an item to give our manager (she's awesome and deserves much more than this) a bag full of gifts.



Oh look! Two of us in the same space.



I like the people I work with, so it was a fun time. Then, of course, it was back to work for the afternoon. We are doing the usual Friday night tonight, so I'll soon be out the door.

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Christmas Tree

 
Hey, it's that time of year. I'm tired and need to get to bed soon. Omer does a nice job on the tree each year.

I work all day tomorrow and tomorrow night, but then am off till next week!

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Kitchenhenge- Winter Solstice 2015

 
Since I started this silly idea, I've managed to capture only 9 solstices or equinoxes, and not all of those on the exact day. Yup, we're doing it again. This morning was completely gray, but I was awake at the right time yesterday, and the clouds were cooperative.



I seem to have done better with equinoxes than solstices. Wonder why that is?

For anyone who hasn't seen this series before, the red line is just my imaginary standard point so I can compare one picture to the others. It always goes through that irregular tree. The equinox occurs more where the yellow dotted line is.

It rained most of the day and I went out and did cases anyway because it's the only day I had to do them.

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Starlight! 2015

 
Today I went to the Starlight! Christmas concert. The church is always beautifully decorated.



The child care for tots was pretty cute. The volunteer adult was dressed as a shepherd, and the little ones put on sheep costumes. I pasted in the sign that was nearby. There was a big tub of popcorn (and hand sanitizer), and the kids lined up at the fence to be fed. (They were probably taken somewhere else once the program began.)



There are always solos and ensembles. These ladies were singing Jingle Bells. There's a mix of sacred and popular songs, as an outreach to the community. And is IS popular. The church is large, but you have to get tickets, even though they are free, because they fill to capacity for both performances.



The skit this year was the Christmas story from the perspective of one of the shepherds. Here he is when he returns home, very late, and tries to explain to his wife about the incredible things he's just seen and heard.



The rest of the skit was worth a few chuckles, but this scene was hilarious. The choir was singing How Great Our Joy on one side of the stage, and the shepherd was interacting in pantomime with his wife on the other side. So he was making big gestures and mouthing the words to explain about the angels and the singing and the baby. The next time through the song, the wife was doing it, but sarcastically, like, "right, what were you really doing?"



I went with friends Paula and GayLynne. It was all a wonderful addition to Christmas week.

	See Starlight! 2014
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