The Joys of Home Ownership.

1-18-24 SHORT HILLS: We never did get to NYC for that dinner. We had heavy rain that found a way through the new roof and down the wall in the den to an electrical socket that dramatically shot flames into the room before the fuse blew. Yes, a fuse, we had a secondary electrical box that used fuses. [note the past tense.] The electricians were horrified to see the fuses and insisted that they be replaced with a breaker panel. We agreed. The process destroyed a wall in the kitchen entry room and necessitated replacing three light switches that were local collateral damage. They also replaced all the sockets in the den, six, I think.

The cause of the problem—a nail in the roof worked it’s way up through the   shingles and let the water in. The roofer repaired the damage. 

Now that all the systems are working, Judy decided the cosmetic damage needs attending to, and since the painters are going to be here anyway, lets take care some problems elsewhere. Several elsewheres as it turned out. 

So a loose nail is going to end up costing thousands.

Otherwise, the rain washed away the snow, followed by cold and then another two inches of snow. At least half of January has passed. I see the winter as December, January and February, so we’re halfway to March 1.

We were  supposed to visit baby Emmett this week, but Anna had a cough, so we cancelled. We’ll try again this weekend.

White-throated sparrow and Junco under the feeders. This was taken through the window which explains the blur.

When the water is frozen, you can eat snow.

Southern magnolia dusted with snow behind the feeders. As you can see, everybody likes sunflowers seeds, but not thistle seeds.

Judy and Maizie are on a therapy visit. When ever Judy is out of the house, the dogs all wait at the front door for her to return.

2024.

1-8-24 SHORT HILLS: Our Xmas Day party for neighbors on the road in Vermont and for Alison, Dan and Lily was another huge success for Judy. Beverages were imbibed, many empty glass bottles went to re-cycling. Food was devoured, but left overs fed us for days. 

We put the house back in order the next couple of days and then came back to NJ on a dry travel day a little before New Years Eve. Our NYE dinner was the same as usual—king crab, wine, Peach Melba—and we were in bed to watch the Ball Drop. I guess all those people in Times Square were having a good time, but glad we were snuggly tucked away.

So 2024 has begun, more PT for me. I am doing stairs now, and am able to take a few steps on my own without walker or cane. The big snow storm dumped about 2-3 inches on us, just enough to cover the grass

We had dinner with Lynn and Bill a few nights ago at a Turkish place in Madison. Alison and Dan are meeting us for dinner at Gramercy Tavern this week for my 86^th. 

Junco hopping across the snow.

Feeders in the snow.

Cardinal sheltering in the brush.

Enough snow to cover the terrace.

Maizie posing during a visit to Beth Israel MC.

Merry, Merry.

12-24-23 VERMONT: Xmas eve—we expect Alison, Dan and Lily sometime today. Our annual Xmas day party happens tomorrow afternoon. Judy has been preparing all week. I have tried to stay out of the way. 

Neighbors Steve and Diana had their annual Solstice Party two days ago with a bonfire to lure the sun back to our hemisphere. It was pot luck so there was lots of food to try. 

It doesn’t feel like it, but the days are now getting longer. Maybe by the end of January you will be able to see it. 

We have little patches of snow here and there. The ponds are frozen and patches of standing water are all frozen. The waterfall is still flowing but will be frozen in a couple of days unless there’s a warm up. The sky is overcast. I filled the bird feeders yesterday and the chickadees and nuthatches were here this morning.

We usually go to a church in the Strafford Upper Village for Xmas Eve Carol sing. The minister is very open and welcoming. The service is aimed at and for kids so it's just right for us.  

Blue skies from a few days ago. The horses working their hay.

Maizie and Blue fighting with a broken branch. Blanca watches from the top of the hill.

The little church in Strafford.

The upper pond and stream to the lower pond.

The waterfall still running from all the rain last week.

Back in Vermont.

12-17-23 VERMONT: We came up yesterday in the morning. It was an easy trip. There was no snow until Norwich, and then only remnants of plow piles. Here there was shallow snow cover in places, but tonight it’s raining hard, and all the snow will soon be gone. The ponds are mostly frozen over, inlet spots are not yet frozen. 

The dogs have been roaming all over the place. The horses are in the pasture. Today we got a medium sized tree and set it up—Judy did almost all the work and decorated it. She also brought a load of wood into the house. I have been going upstairs the last two nights and sleeping in my bed after four months. 

Anna, Gardner and Emmett visited us in Short Hills the beginning of the week. He is approaching his two month birthday. 

We took pix of each other by the tree with the dogs. Judy deleted all hers, but some of mine were OK. 

Blogger with pooches.

Sleeping Swamp.

11-28-23 SHORT HILLS: Thanksgiving has come and gone. Judy did the holiday for 15 people almost by herself. The guests brought sides, and Lily and Danna were here Wednesday night and Thursday morning to help with the chores. Judy was up at 5 AM to make stuffing and start the turkey. 

I am now doing PT with 100% weight bearing, the knee is as big as a pineapple, but mostly not painful. I can see walking on the horizon. 

Emmett continues to be much photographed, which has not had any adverse effect on growth and development.

Blue and Judy just left for Blue’s first therapy visit—Good luck, Little Dog.

A few days ago we did a drive by at he Great Swamp Nature Preserve. Everything looks dormant for the winter, but the streams are not yet frozen. We did see a few ducks and a bunch of Canada geese. 

 

Emmett in a rare moment between eating and sleeping.

Great Swamp looking gray and lifeless, but just waiting for a warm Spring day to begin stirring.

Another gray swamp, the white in the center is a flock of Canada geese.

A few ducks not yet ready for the commute.

Sleeping Swamp.

Note to 'Anonymous'.

 Blue's pronouns are 'she, her'.

Blue Stars.

11-19-23 SHORT HILLS: Tomorrow I start 75% weight bearing on the healing leg and the next week full weight bearing. The knee is still the size of a cantaloupe. 

The new golden, Blue, has passed her Therapy Dog exam with Creature Comfort. It’s the culmination of months of hard work by Judy training her for the certification. There’s another exam for B & B in a few weeks. Judy has changed a fearful, anxious dog into a star performer.

Emmett, now three plus weeks old, models a new outfit almost daily, and may be the most photographed celebrity since Diana. 

Carol sent a snapshot of Judy and me from a trip to Maine with her and Ken from 30 year ago.

Blue last summer in VT.

J and H, mid-nineties trip to Maine with Ken and Carol.

Emmett.

Emmett again.