Sylvia has painted the window trim (first coat).  This morning, I was greeted by this scene:

The morning sun was bright. Alas, it soon had donned a light cloak thus obscuring the view thereof.

Other News

I broke another spring in the seat of my recliner.  It was the second time that had happened.  I went to amazon.com, reviewed previous purchases, found the replacement spring and ordered another of the same.

Yesterday, with much frustration and rescue help from Sylvia, we replaced the spring.  In the process we also readjusted the first replacement spring.

In the evening, I sat in the restored recliner relaxing and enjoying The Hobbit – Battle of The Five Armies on DVD.  As the action was getting hot I heard, “SPROING!”  I was let down–literally let down.  The readjusted spring had slipped loose.  That will be my project for this afternoon.

Out with the old. In with the new.

The new office windows are in place.  The workers installed the trim.  Next step is paint.

Yesterday, Sylvia and I bought paint for that job.  We also bought new blinds for the windows.

Fermentation

The sauerkraut is nearly ready.  We’ve enjoyed watching the process.  Next step is to seal the canning jars (there’s a bit more to it than that).  Later, we’ll enjoy eating it.

Midnight greets Sylvia

That’s the view out our office window.  Thursday morning, the contractor is coming to replace the two office windows and two windows in the basement.

We’re excited and glad to begin the process of replacing windows.  Later this year, we’ll replace more.  For now, this will get us started.

I’ll be back later.  I’m shutting down the computer in anticipation of their visit.

Magi followed the star

Today, January 6, is Epiphany — the day we celebrate the visit of the magi to the Christ child.  It is also the twelfth day of Christmas.

Five hundred years earlier, Daniel and his companions, were taken in captivity to Babylon.  There these fellows rose to high rank among the wise men of that empire.  Daniel was elevated to a position of leadership in three empires.

I’ve often wondered if the magi mentioned in Matthew had learned from Hebrew scriptures and the teachings of Daniel.  It makes sense to me.

Today marks the end of the Christmas season at our house.  Soon the decorations will come down and family pictures will once again grace the mantle.

Here’s wishing you the best in 2016.

And may the farce be with you.

Facebook has cured me from using expressions like, “Happy Birthday.”  If you’ve been on FB, you know why.  Your friend has a birthday, and almost everyone posts the same two words.  How about some originality, folks?  My blogger buds do much better in that regard.

Sylvia joins me in wishing you all the best in 2016.  Do keep in touch.  Write if you find work.

Last year, Sylvia’s cousin sent me this video taken at the 2014 Cameron Air Show.  He wrote, “You’ve heard of bordering on crazy.  I’m telling you that this is not even close to the border.  It is deep into lunacy.”  He was right.

Cameron Airshow 2014 from Aero Media Group on Vimeo.

Wouldn’t this be fun to see?

Not from here . . . courtesy npr.org

Yesterday we kept an eye on the weather.  The erudite prognosticators were warning that the approaching winter storm could leave us with a quarter to a half-inch of ice on trees and power lines.  In keeping with a long-time tradition, they missed it.  We had no signs of icing on trees or lines in this neighborhood.  The ice stayed in balls and fell to the ground where it accumulated.

Unfortunately, they were right about the 50 mph wind gusts.  The power went out just before 8 PM.  Power company breakers tried to reset three times, and then dropped out for the duration.

We shut down all unnecessary systems and devices.  Sylvia was in the office and immediately shut off both of our computers.  Twenty seconds later, our emergency power system kicked on.

Living in this rural area, we are never high on the priority list.  That’s true for snow removal on the roads, power restoration and more.

I don’t care.  I love this life and will endure whatever comes this way for as long as I am able.

This December, the characters have been making their way to the stable.  Yes, I know the magi didn’t visit the stable, nor would they have been present with the shepherds.  Yet, they are all a part of the Christmas story and the birth of Christ.

Tomorrow, the shepherds will return to the their flock and pasture land.  The magi will continue until January 6 (Epiphany).

After that the characters will retire for another eleven months.  Family pictures will again grace the mantle.

Plans Gone Awry

We were going to visit Sylvia’s sister today.  Her two sons are back home with their families.  A Christmas-Eve storm took out their power.  The gathering was cancelled.

A niece was returning to Michigan with her family.  They had a meeting with a deer.  On the road.  Oh what fun.

Wee Fish

Ewe

A Mare

Egrets

Moose

Panda

Hippo

Gnu

Deer

From,
Sylvia & Chuck

As Sylvia brought her into the house she said, “Meet Spidey Junior.”

We’ve had a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) in our home for most of our married life.  This plant will reduce air pollution in your home.  A house just doesn’t feel like a home to me without a spidey.

For the last decade we’ve only had one of these.  Sylvia brought this one home from the farm house after her father passed.  Thing were a bit crazy then and so she hung Junior from mom’s pot.  She’s still there today.  One of my next projects will have to be preparing a new home for Spidey Junior.

We also know this gal by her Spanish name, la mala madre (the bad mother).  They call her that because she kicks out her children.  Come to think of it, we do that too.