As Our Life Goes On

Sad news came today A friend has passed away  We'll remember him Brash at times but friendly too His wry humor surpassed all  -Caroline We will remember our friend Mike H. with great fondness. 

We took another short ride to Geauga County this afternoon. Burton was our destination. There were numerous large maple trees along the road with taps and buckets in Mantua, Ohio. We  observed a man emptying the buckets into a larger container. The Burton town square maple trees were tapped and ready for the maple syrup and pancake breakfast days that will begin this weekend.  It was a pleasant and sunny but somewhat cool day. The most interesting observation of the day was a very large  recently butchered beef carcass hanging by a chain high in a tree within the city limits of Burton. It's just something you probably don't expect to see every day.   The sunny skies gave way to some cloud cover as we traveled home on the road that seems very familiar after navigating it just a couple of days ago. 

I wanted to cover my ears and turn the TV off this morning when I heard of the school shootings in Geauga County. The nearby small town of Chardon had been hit by a terrible tragedy. It will always be very difficult to predict this. Each heart and mind cannot be read by outer appearances. We can only offer prayers to those who have been affected. There will be lots questions that will never be answered.  We don't understand What's the price of bullying Answers are not clear -Caroline

We decided to take a ride in the country this morning as the sun was shining brightly. We did have things to do at home but sometimes a short trip around can be relaxing. We chose Auntie's Antique Mall in Parkman, Ohio. The long winding dirt driveway that extends from the road to the building where the antiques are house was riddled with holes, puddles and lots of mud.  As we approached the rather full parking lot we saw that we would be parking in the mud also. The contents of the mall held no interest for us but it gave us a chance to stretch our legs before heading home on a different back road.  The brightly colored house in the first picture and the house in the picture above are both in Hiram, Ohio. The old brick school house below has been converted to a home. It was in a different township outside of Hiram. Notice the tractor under the front porch area.  It was a brief but good break from the rest of the day which will be mostly filled with work. 

As I was preparing to go out to do some morning chores I went to the basement to find some more cleaning rags. I was startled by this HUGE wolf spider. It is one of the larger ones that I have seen in our house lately. I know that spiders are beneficial and I let most of them roam around the house at will unless they invade my space. I just didn't want this one in bed with me. I measured the spot in the wall where the now deceased arachnid was and estimate that this spider had at least a 2" leg span if not larger. 

The last bit of sunshine for the day was warming my back as I shot this picture of the storm clouds blowing in from the Northwest. The wind has picked up drastically and it is blowing leaves across the yard and bending the trees back and forth. Ripples on the pond form corrugations across the usually smooth surface. The temperature is dropping. BRRR! It is only February and certainly we have been very lucky so far this Winter.  Snow only fell a few times and it melted off quickly. The roads were a bit slippery on a few days but after last Winter this can be considered an easy Winter. That is something for which I am thankful. 

Last Winter was very cold and snowy for the duration and it lasted well into the months that could have and should have been more mild. Last Spring our wood pile was depleted. Wood had to be found and cut on an as needed basis. It was difficult to get to the woodpile to stack the wood so most of the wood had to be hand carried from the trailer to the front porch as the snow was too deep to drive through. This year there have been very few problems transporting wood to or from the pile. Heavy fungal growth on the wood from the excess moisture and rain has made the wood somewhat unattractive but the fungus burns too.  I would not be surprised if a lot of the wood in the pile gets to dry out some more before next year. This is a very good thing. 

I'm looking around For that something elusive  I hope it shows up -Caroline

Yesterday and today I saw some ducks and geese in the small pond over the hill from the house. They were enjoying the water as they paddled through the weed and brush choked wetland. Sunshine did peek through the clouds so briefly today that a person could miss it if they blinked. The day went by swiftly and I am looking forward to tomorrow. 

Late day Winter sun Long shadows make me so tall Am I that thin too? -Caroline

Sunny days are nice to see at this time of the year but the extra trips around the yard in the good weather can force you to see what needs done. This is the front of the last shed that we placed on our property and as you can see it needs attention. I think skirting around this area the next time out will be a good solution for now as this is something that cannot be worked on until the weather stabilizes. Out of sight, out of mind!

Today my son came over with a new memory card for my modest and low cost prepaid Tracfone. I don't talk on the phone (cell phone or home phone)  much at all. Nope, not even on my home phone. I love peace and quiet. No need for mental stimulation at all times of the day. I also don't feel that I have to be available 24/7 so my cell phone is often turned off. Find me if you can. Your problems can wait. Now I can download the pictures and videos from the cell phone to my computer and send pictures and videos to  email addresses from the phone without using the internet browser on the phone or using the recipients minutes by sending the files to their phone. Are you waiting for a call from me? Don't hold your breath.  The picture above was taken with the phone. I think it turned out pretty well. 

It was in the mid forties today and the sun was shining. The wind was blowing constantly making it seem much colder than it actually was. It is nice for the middle of February though. My sister and I made a thrift store run. We caught up on some of the important family affairs on the way there and back. It was a good day to be out in the sunshine. Look at the nice patch of daffodils coming up in the top picture. 

Solitary bloom Star-like beautiful flower Rose is your color I long for Summertime now Remembering your beauty -Caroline

I observed many animal footprints as I walked around the yard this afternoon. Raccoon, possum, squirrel and rabbit prints along with many deer prints showed up in the still present snow. There are some bare spots on the grass and water is again on the top of the ground as the abundant precipitation has saturated the earth. A slushy ice lays on the top of the water near the bike trail. Though it was nice and sunny there seemed to be few walkers or bikers on the bike and hike trail. The sunshine felt good to me and it boosted my mood. 

Love's a mystery In the heart or in the soul Where does it reside? -Caroline

Melting snow, warm air Thoughts of Spring invade my mind. It's not the truth yet! -Caroline

As you might note by the manner of dress it is cold out there. The below freezing temperatures and light wind made it seem colder than it was. Insulated coveralls, gloves and heavy boots helped Russ to keep warm as he traveled around the yard spreading corn and birdseed. He then walked the perimeter of the yard to check things out. He is content spending the rest of the day inside. 

Lake effect snowfall It's a Winter wonderland Slipping and sliding -Caroline The air is cold and the wind is brisk. Brrr! I went out this morning anyway. The back roads were in terrible shape and I wish that I had not gone that way. Coming home was easier on the main roads. We did need this shot of snow to remind us that Spring is not here yet. 

We have two very tall large Siberian Elm trees just to the West of our house. At one time the majestic trees offer lots of shade for that side of the house in the late afternoon. A number of years ago they were diagnosed as having bacterial wetwood. This is a disease which will most likely cause them to have to be removed before too long. They have been declining for many years. Each year the arborist has trimmed out more of the dead wood. The branches continue to die off. We will see how they fare in the coming year. They still offer some shade. 

Robert Wood, artist from Kent, Ohio, died of a heart attack last week. He will be remembered on Saturday at a Memorial service. If you lived in Kent you probably remember him. Robert had the nickname FU BOB. He earned this label with his odd behavior in public. It is said that he arrived in Kent in 1964 but it seems like I remember him as being there forever. His long unkempt hair and beard were unmistakable. He would stand on a curb and repeat tapping his toe into the road and back out over and over before crossing. If anyone cared to stop and stare they got the double barreled middle finger salute and the FU bomb laid on them. Hopefully this highly educated individual will be remembered for his brilliant mind and outstanding artwork rather than being a bit different. We salute you Robert. You made Kent and interesting place to live. You will be missed. Rest in peace.  Click on link below to read newspaper story. RECORD COURIER STORY

The temperatures have been colder and more seasonal but the lack of snow is just fine. Most of the precipitation this Winter has been rain. Last year we had heavy snow cover for many months. This is a welcome relief. 

Blue sky and sunshine They warm my heart and my soul Mystical spirits soar  -Caroline Yesterday was a Winter day that will be captured and kept in my mind. The cloudless sky offered bright sun and it felt warm on my body as I did my walk around the yard. I picked up fallen branches as I went and enjoyed the warmer weather. The ground has firmed up a bit so the walking was a bit easier than it was last week when we were slogging through the mud. It was a good time to reflect on life and the challenges of living. 

Star Moss near oak tree You stay green in the cold air. I stay chilled 'til Spring. Do you know something I don't? Let me in on the secret. -Caroline

I watched from the top of our hill as people strolled down the bike and hike trail. There is no ice or snow and the temperature is comfortable. The sun has shown brightly through the puffy clouds most of the day. It is amazing how much that radiant heat from the sun can warm your body and improve your mood. We are a bit spoiled now by the warm weather and I wish that we could get through this mild Winter with no big snow storms. Buckeye Chuck the Ohio woodchuck or groundhog has predicted and early Spring. 

It is a sad day as our neighbor, B, passed away today. She was the ultimate mother, wife, grandmother, co-worker, friend and neighbor. We will miss her. 

A large doe and her offspring from last year looked in vain for seeds that may have been left by the birds and squirrels. The squirrel in the second picture is not interested in sharing. The ground has been  open most of the Winter and we have provided less food for the wildlife as they should be finding enough on their own. During the few times that we have had snow cover we have provided extra feed.  These deer have a route through our yard to check the feeders. They then go across the street to check the feeders stopping only to nibble on our shrubbery. The deer actually stop at the edge of the street and look both ways before crossing but they sometimes linger on the pavement as they cross causing the traffic to slow a bit. 

Today was a lucky day. This morning at 8:30 AM our doorbell rang and there was a pounding on the door. We looked out and saw a city truck in front of the house. A couple of workmen stopped to inform us that they would be cutting down a few problem trees along the right of way. The wood would be free for the taking to anyone who cared to carry it away. Otherwise the city has to send another truck out, load the wood and carry it to another destination where it is also given to residents for free. Russ quickly dressed in appropriate clothing and put the trailer on the big tractor and was able to get a whole trailer full of the pieces which were already cut in good lengths. The wood will have to be split. The weather is very unseasonably warm but we do have a couple of months to go through before we will truly say that Winter is over. 

A warm breeze calms me Will groundhogs dispute weather I surely hope not -Caroline