A Downy and A Hairy

The household has fallen into the usual December morning routine.  The alarm goes off and I turn over in bed 'cause the bed is toasty warm.  Whip will jump on the bed and begin licking my face if I fall back asleep.  She won't be deterred until we are out on our morning constitutional.  Once back in the foyer, I pick up the bird food containers and it's back out to fill the bird feeders.  Back inside again Whip stops at the corner of the kitchen counter where her treat jar sits.  We do a 'trick for a treat' sequence until she misses at a trick.   I grab a handful of cat treats and call for them.  Dunder jumps up the library shelves to where I usually leave his treats.  Blitzen leaps onto a pillow I have next to the computer where I put her treats.  She will eat and then settle down on the pillow to watch me.  I sign onto the computer and access an on-line Advent Calendar.  Breakfast can wait until I find an elusive elf and play the new game for the day.

It's not terribly useful when bird descriptions say something like "the species look identical except one is larger than the other."  Both species aren't usually together at the same time so a comparison can be made.  An exception was at my suet feeder today.  Both a hairy and a downy were there to feed.  The Downy is the smaller one waiting it's turn.  Also note that while in both species the male and female are similar in coloring, it's only the males of both that sport a red patch on the nape of their neck.

Ski Hill Is Almost Ready

  Librarian Trevor was at the front desk on his own so was relieved when I arrived early for my volunteer stint.  He was evaluating the  children's book section and there was something like 30% of them hadn't been checked out in over five years.  He had made a pull list and if I had time I could work on that.    A lady came in to pick up her print-outs.   People can e-mail us a document to print and then come in later to the library to pick it up.  They do need to call to tell us to look for the e-mail so we know to print it.  She hadn't.   Found the document and printed it  At 15 cents a page the total came to $4.80.    She only had a credit card to pay w/ and we aren't equipped to handle those.  She left an IOU.   The 11 year old boy who likes to use the computer at the library after school stopped at the front desk.  He'd lost his library card and asked if he could have another.  I gave him a new card.  His brother came in and said he was wanted at home so he took off.   A couple of patrons checking out and/or returning books later, I saw the boy's new library card still sitting at the front desk where he'd left it.  A young man came in and asked if he could have a bag.  His arms were full of jerky sticks, potato chips, etc.  He said he had stopped by for food but couldn't carry all of it.    I'd noticed a tall enclosed case outside the library earlier in the week w/ the title "Nora's Cupboard".  Had looked it up on-line and found it was a 7x24 pantry anyone could put food in or take out - just nothing perishable.  I gave him a big sturdy bag and he asked if we wanted it back.  Told him it had been donated to us so we were donating it to him.  He seemed quite grateful.  The 4&5 year olds from the school's kindergarten had filled out library card applications and they were coming in Friday morning for them.    Trevor asked if I could set each one up in the computer and put each card in an envelope w/ the child's name on it.  Sure.  After finishing that, updating the stats, and some other tasks I was ready to work on the display cabinet.  Christmas in the Village is coming up on the 14th and Trevor wanted a Christmassy display.  I got out all of my  Hallmark ornaments I'd used on full-sized trees but couldn't use on my small live trees.  They looked pretty cute.  Needs something.more .. maybe some shiny little gold/red/green balls.  I'll bring them in later.  By the time I'd finished that it was time to close up.  Weeding out the children's books will have to be done by tomorrow's volunteers.

Sunrise

 It hasn't been above freezing for a couple of weeks.  Tonight the temps are going to drop below zero.  Decided it was a good time to take the painter's tape off Mjolnir's door.  I'd put it on in September when the fly count inside the apartment had begun to rise.  It worked - sort of.  Did have 400 that got in but that's way better than the 3,000 flies from the year before.  If there were flies hibernating in between the door and jamb, they would be very lethargic and when I brushed them outside they wouldn't have enough energy to make it back inside the building.  The tape came off fairly easily and I did find a few flies stuck to it.  When I opened up the door a confetti shower of flies fell down.  I used the car's snow brush to remove the flies still clinging to the door and jamb.   A lot of flies though, in truth, not as many as I'd feared.   The apartment temp is at 60 degrees right now and some of the flies that fell on the floor were beginning to wriggle and slowly move.  I got the broom, swept them up, and tossed them out into the snow before they could crawl away or take flight.  I'd been entering/exiting Mjolnir through it's garage doors since I'd taped the other shut.   Now I could leave the door opener in Jormungandr.  I didn't like keeping it in the basket near the front door in case it got knocked about and opened the garage door by mistake - OK in the summer, not so good in the winter.  Since I was outside anyway I walked over to Sleipnir and did my monthly watering of the flowers overwintered in there.  Checked that the building's inside temp was maintaining at 45 degrees. As I walked back to the house, I admired the practically full moon rising just above the belt of Venus.  Must be cold enhances all of the colors in the sky.

Moon Halo

 

Got to see a moon halo and moon beams tonight: a combination of an almost full moon and cold cold weather.  The halo around the moon is because of it's light shining off ice crystals in high cirrus clouds.  The cirrus clouds are thin and hardly noticeable at night.  The moon beams are just crepuscular rays -  like the rays you can see when the sun's light breaks through holes in an overcast sky.  At night though they are caused when the moon's ethereal light breaks through those high cirrus clouds and is augmented by the ice crystals in the air.

Went into the library to start setting up the display cabinets for Christmas.  The librarian was manning the front desk because the scheduled volunteer had an unexpected doctor's appointment.  Decided to relieve him of front desk duties for a couple of hours until the afternoon volunteer arrived.  That way I could finish up stats for November and ask the afternoon volunteer if she could work for me at Christmas in the Village.  Finished the stats plus got a 'yes' from the volunteer.  Now just have to find out if I'm actually on the list of volunteers for that day.

Shrike

I was watching a small group of blue jays at the feeders this morning.  The blue jays like the platform feeder for shelled sunflowers and forage underneath the tube feeder for unshelled ones.  Swooping in, a shrike dive bombed one of the jays on the ground.  The jay took notice but didn't bolt.  Probably knew that the shrike wouldn't actually attack him since he's the bigger bird.  I watched the shrike take up a position on the highest limb of a lilac bush.    It looked around for awhile before flying off for the tamarack on the other side of the house.    When I looked back the jays had gone.  Either had their fill of seeds or just don't like being around bullying shrikes.

Tonight was the Friends of the Library Christmas Meeting.  It's a short meeting followed by people putting together the two trees in the library and then we have pot luck finger food.  Everyone brings a small gift and we play games to see who ends up w/ which gift.  With everything going on I'm not sure if my name ended up on a list of Christmas in Bruce workers. Will ruin Neighbor Anita and my plans for shopping that day.

Hunting is Over

The plan for the day included church this morning.  When Whip and I walked the driveway this morning, an almost bare area ran the length of it (caused by the wind being directly out of the north).  Around the buildings though the snow had been swept into dunes.  Probably could power the car through them but decided to wait for the plow guy.  Getting stuck in one's own driveway is embarrassing.  A good reminder though that it's time to throw my heavy coat, boots, sleeping bag, and a shovel in the back of the car.   Friend Kathy texted that she was 2/3 finished w/ her Christmas cards.  Yikes!  I've bought mine but haven't begun.  First I cleaned off my desk. You know ... lower the entropy, increase the efficiency.  Second should have been get out the cards and access the list of recipients.  However, I hadn't yet written up and sent out minutes from the last town planning meeting and, now that I have access to update the town website, should double check that all of the minutes and agendas for the planning committee have been uploaded.  Put on an audio book to keep me company while I got to work.  It wasn't until 1 p.m. when Whip started barking.   The plow guy had arrived.  Little late for church but  a good time to take a break to bake cherry quick bread.  Always something to do.

Coconut Cake

 

Neighbor Anita invited me over for coffee this afternoon and a special treat.  Seems a lady, originally from Cyprus, used to babysit Anita's granddaughter.  Yia-yia, as she was known, is now retired to Cyprus but her children are making a cookbook of her recipes.  As part of that process, they make each item so it can be photographed.  Anita's daughter, Bridget, came for Thanksgiving and left one of the delicacies Yia-yia was known for - coconut cake.  Makes a delicious moist cake and Anita had additional toasted coconut flakes (with just a touch of orange zest) for a topping.   A surprise dessert for my drawn-out Thanksgiving feast.  Even better, could eat it while gossiping w/ Anita.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sister Connie texted me a pic of our grandmother's china set out for Thanksgiving dinner.  She said instead of keeping it in storage it would be better to use it.   The china is quite pretty and gives off a soft creamy glow. She noted that her granddaughters Callie and Sasha will be eating off their great-great-grandmother's dishes.  (I suddenly feel way older.)

My own Thanksgiving was filet mignon which is much easier to prepare than a turkey and includes no waste (much to Whip's dismay).  A quick browning on all sides in a fry pan and then popped into a covered dish in the oven to finish.  While that was cooking I made a bearnaise sauce.  Paired it all w/ a baked potato and peas.  Perfection (if I do say so myself.)

Watching the Snowstorm

Last night was the monthly Town Planning Committee meeting.  Since it's during Gun Deer Season, Chairman Roger sent out an e-mail ahead of time to make sure we'd have a quorum.  One permit from a guy that had put in a building a year ago.  I think he was well aware that he needed a permit from the town but we gave him the benefit of the doubt and OK'd the permit.  The next item was, interestingly enough, to discuss what penalties to impose on those after-the-act permit requests.  The impetus was the timber cutting temporary driveway requests we get (or don't get) like the one earlier this autumn.  The Town Board hadn't imposed any penalty on the forester.  The company's forester said our process wasn't fast enough.  (Takes about a month).   There already are penalties in the building and driveway ordinances for that kind of infraction.  First the group suggested changing the wording in all of the individual building and driveway ordinances and directing them to the existing ordinance imposing fines so there wouldn't be any discrepancy and make it easier to change amounts in the future.  Second, the group will suggest to the Board that if someone wants an immediate OK for a permit, they can foot the bill for an special Planning Committee and Town Board Meeting - even if their request is ultimately refused.  

Today is the second course of Thanksgiving Dinner: the salad course.  This salad is made up of colorful red leaf and bib lettuce, tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sugared walnuts.  Might cut back on the cooking shows.  Am beginning to emulate their language.

Mjolnir's front door

The forecast is for snow tonight - potentially quite a bit.  Time to take a look around the compound to see what last minute things needed to be attended to.  Still had the extra fixin's for porch pots laying outside near the door.  I had picked up tall red stuff yesterday on my errands so used that and the rest of the evergreens.  Placed them outside the door to Mjolnir.  Seemed to me it could use something more.  Mother Nature will add the white stuff.  Maybe a bow?  Picked up the outside mat in front of Mjolnir's door.  Will put it back in place when someone is going to stay there.  I moved together the chairs on the deck.  Winter winds can be strong and I didn't want it sweeping furniture off onto the lawn.  Brought in  a solar light that I had out by Ragnarök.  Might lose it in the winds/snow - I'll find a more secure place for during the winter.

I watched an aerial fight/flight between two birds out by the feeders.  I thought it was jay giving a little goldfinch a hard time.  Then realized the aggressor was a bit too small, not blue enough, and more maneuverable than a jay.  It was a shrike ... and it wanted goldfinch for breakfast.  The bare lilac bushes weren't quite enough cover for the goldfinch but the little bird managed to make it to the nearby arrowwood bush that still held it's leaves.  The shrike poked around but finally gave up and flew off.  Must have been a ruse known to the goldfinch  'cause it stayed put in it's safe place.  A minute or so and the shrike came back, flittered around the arrowwood bush before giving up and flying off to the Gorge.

I didn't have a burning desire to go to the store for food.  The threat of winter storms usually has that effect on people.  Probably because I'd been grocery shopping just yesterday and had picked up plenty for over Thanksgiving.  I'll be doing Thanksgiving on my own so will spread it out over the rest of the week.  The soup course is today - Spicy Corn.

Red Sunrise

 

Excerpts from Sheriff's Report: 

12:04 a.m. - Suspicious activity Nov. 3 on Cemetery Rd.   Officer reports individual was out ghost hunting.  

6:34 a.m. - Caller reporting there was a male outside her house looking in the windows last night around 11:30 p.m.

7:59 a.m. - Officer contacted by female who reported there were flowers left on her car while she was at an appointment at clinic yesterday.  She is concerned about whoever left them watching her.  Officer will look at clinic video.

8:16 a.m. - Caller reporting a riding mower on the side of the road.  No houses in area.  Deputy on scene states no crash - was driven to this location and appears to be out of gas.   8:35 a.m. - Caller reports male in the ditch on south side of road in vicinity of the out of gas lawnmower.  Deputy in contact with man who did not need assistance.  No need for EMS.  He has been stopping to rest and states he was not involved with the lawnmower. 11:46 a.m. - Caller from Northland Bible Church reporting someone tore the hasp and lock off the shed and took their lawn tractor.  This is the lawnmower found out of gas earlier.  

12:20 p.m. - Caller thinks her sister (neighbor) with whom she has a property dispute is opening her mail.  Deputy spoke with sister who stated she put the tape on one letter but did not open the letter or put 'Return to Sender'.  Parties spoken to about behavior and informed of the complaint.

1:47 p.m. - City reports trucks have been driving into the north part of the cemetery and doing donuts, causing damage to the lawn.  City put up cameras but those were stolen.  City has added cell cameras in locked boxes.

3:56 p.m. - Complaint received regarding vehicle did not stop for school bus stop sign the day before.  Bus driver got plate number today when he saw the vehicle again.  Vehicle driver admitted he did it.  Stated he did not know he had to stop when the bus was in the other lane.  Deputy will meet with parents and explain citation and teen court.

4:07 p.m. - Life Station reporting an activated medical alarm but the owner of the pendant is deceased.

5:03 p.m. - Caller who is in a tree stand by the property reporting two people inside a residence using a flashlight.  Deputy in contact with female who states she was given permission to move into the property but had no documentation for that.  Deputy in contact with individuals who state female is not allowed to be on property.  Those individuals provided a signed and notarized document stating the property is under their control for two years.

5:12 p.m. - Caller reporting someone piled leaves on the roadway.  Resident states he piled leaves on the side of the road and someone drove through them.  He will move them.

7:35 p.m. - Officer stopped a snowmobile driving on the road.  Juvenile driver stated he was arguing with his father before this incident.  Father was called and snowmobile was removed on a trailer.  Juvenile given verbal warning for driving a snowmobile on the road.  

8:17 p.m. - Report of a one-vehicle crash.  Car in ditch and stuck in the brush.  Driver states she swerved to miss a deer.  Marijuana, paraphernalia, a bag of pills, and a white powdery substance were found.  The female was on bond and placed under arrest.  Female kicked and spit on the officer during the search of her person.

10:27 p.m. - Officer spoke with complainant who had videos of a man and female stealing hand tools and an air compressor from the property.   Complainant called female who said she would return items in the morning.  Deputy to follow up tomorrow.

Porch Pot

Yesterday's activity was making a porch pot for winter.  In the Northwoods it's a pretty easy thing to do. 

• Wait until  the temps are below freezing.
• Get a pot that can withstand frozen water (that usually means a metal of some sort)
• Fill it to the brim w/ dirt
• Water the dirt down well
• Stick in stuff you picked up from the countryside.

Once your artistically arranged stems freeze in place, nothing is going to move around until spring.  The day before the beginning of Gun Deer Season, Whip and I cut balsam, spruce, pine branches, and I specifically went looking for red willow or dogwood branches.  Found a clump in the swamp.  Unfortunately, the brilliant red winter berries were already gone: eaten or victims to the constant freeze/thaw cycle this fall.   I cut some tag alder w/ their reddish catkins.  Once home, I found old Christmas decorations of red berries, some white leafy things, and a couple of silver sprays to supplement my natural gleanings from the woods.   Yesterday afternoon while Whip kept guard, I put everything together.  The red willow and the silver sprays didn't do anything for the display so removed them.  Pushed things around a bit until I thought it looked festive.  I don't like this arrangement as much as I did last year's - that year I had lots of winter berry to stick in.  I have enough elements left over, so today I may make a smaller second porch pot for Mjolnir.  Practice makes perfect ... well ... better anyway.

 

Into the Woods

I remained in bed this morning an extra 45 minutes - until sunrise.   It's the start of holy week in the Northwoods (i.e. Gun Deer Season).  Shooting can commence during the later part of  twilight.   Decided to wait until I and the dog would be very noticeable on our walk.  To be even more obvious, I pulled out the blaze orange windbreaker the dairy owners had given me when I worked for them (protecting their investment I guess).   State wide 600,000 hunters will track into the woods this week in hopes of shooting one of the 2 million deer here.  Half of those hunters will be successful.  I listened to the state hunting czar explain to a TV reporter how hunters are  helping their individual communities by reducing the deer population and thus decreasing deer/car collisions.  To be sure, the local paper's question of the week was "Have you ever hit a deer with a car?"  The final percentage was something like 87% had.  (I could only vote once though I've hit three.)   I don't believe altruism is forefront in hunter's minds these next nine days nor do I think most hunters are out there to put venison in their freezers. Personally I don't get what causes this frenzy though local businesses feed into it  and feed off it by offering prizes for the biggest buck, the first buck, the one w/ the most points, etc.  There isn't any hunting on my land but I'm surrounded by property that is.  I'll stick close to home until the woods are quiet again.

Crabapple tree

Lots and lots of Christmas songs but I was wondering what songs would make up a play list for Thanksgiving.  

First thought was for some of the religious hymns I know: Faith of our Fathers, Simple Gifts, We Gather Together, Count Your Blessings

I also like instrumentals: Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin), Autumn (Antonio Vivaldi), Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Theme (Vince Guaraldi Trio), Turkey in the Straw (a bluegrass version of course)

Sprinkle in a few fun songs: Do the Mashed Potato (James Brown),  Stretchy Pants (Carrie Underwood), Gobble Gobble (Matthew West)

Maybe some songs to give you pause: I'm Alive (Willie Nelson), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Native American Powwow music

Then obvious additions: The Thanksgiving Song (Ben Rector), I've got Plenty to be Thankful for (Bing Crosby),  Pass the Pie and Praise the Lord (Jaxon Phoenix), Over the River and Through the Woods

Plus some exuberant get-you-moving songs:  We Are Family (Sister Sledge), How Sweet it is to be Loved by You (James Taylor),  Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Jackie Wilson - I like it better than the version in Ghostbusters)

Other suggestions?