Life in the Bristolwood

 I sometimes get so far behind myself….that is, I take many photos that remain on my cards until one day when I look at them and think I should have written about them and put them up long ago. I really am trying to do better,  but it seems like life  often gets in the way.

A couple of days ago,  I went for a small walk along the side of our road.  The day before,  while outside,l I thought I had heard a Robin.  I just put the thought aside as Robins wouldn’t return to the area this early!

Well, the day I went for a walk,  I knew I distinctly heard a Robin singing in a tree.  Since I had the small Panasonic camera with me, I could surely capture the little bird’s photo. Problem was, the wind was blowing up the road mercilessly so it was hard to hold the camera still!

 Not a very nice photo but there is no doubt whatsoever that the bird is indeed a Robin.

Now, I realize I live a somewhat sheltered life in that I don’t go shopping just to look around.  My shopping excursions are generally to grab things we need and run.  So, I probably miss out a lot. (especially since I don’t watch television much either!)

Michelle and one of her friends fancy themselves to be connoisseurs of all things candy corn, so when we were at Sauder’s  yesterday, how could I resist?  I have seen candy corn in Christmas red and green, but Easter colors?

Well, this last photo might not specifically have anything to do with spring, but I just took it a little bit ago waiting for Michelle while she is at school.

I just like the way this photo turned out. And speaking of ducks,  wow, have the Canada Geese been flying northward.  This morning,  Angus felt compelled to awaken me at 4:45 ( yes, there really is a 4:45 AM) .  While I stood outside surrounded by pitch black darkness,  Angus poised himself in an “alert” stance.  I got a little nervous, because I could hear a sound off in the distance as well.

At that point, I pulled the Scotties in just a bit closer to the house.  After a little while,  what must have been a huge flock of geese flew overhead.  They squawked and made noise like crazy for a long time before things settled down again.  That was the strange noise I couldn’t identify before!  The rest of the day,  I have heard countless flocks passing by….

Definitely sure signs that spring really is just around the corner.

Today’s awesome weather with sunshine and mild temperatures threw not only me, but Mark and Ben into “let’s skip out on our responsibilities today” mode!

After dropping Michelle at school today, we went over to Lowe’s and WalMart to bide some time until Mark’s doctor appointment at 8:30.  We then headed to the doctor’s office as Mark had an appointment to get a tetanus shot.  Last year, Ben, Michelle, and I all got our shots, but Mark needed a booster as well.

I went in with Mark to see the doctor and she is just the most wonderful doctor, ever!  Since Mark was her first patient of the day, she sat down and chatted with us as well as giving Mark his shot.  We had such a nice visit, it was almost like seeing our friend instead of going to the doctor! She is leaving on Friday to go to Haiti for several days to help.  Her heart is so good and I pray she has a safe and productive trip.

After the doctor’s visit, Mark and I came outside and the weather was beautiful!  We got into the truck with Ben and the two Scotties, and I mentioned perhaps a day off would be beneficial.  I didn’t have to twist any arms….Mark and Ben both agreed!  I mentioned a drive down Routes 5 &20 and Mark thought that would be great.

With no particular predetermined destination in mind, we set off.  We drove through Geneva, Waterloo, and on to Seneca Falls.  As we drove along,  I mentioned to Mark that there was a new WalMart down a side road.  Mark turned and thought we should just take a drive around to see what stores were there.  It was then that I remembered Priscilla, a visitor to this blog, had mentioned a Mennonite store located “somewhere” nearby.  Mark entered the store name into the GPS and we were only about 1/4 mile away!

We drove over to the store and all three of us went inside.  WOW! This store is even bigger than the other store I often visit. They are really a big grocery store with goods from food to a nice assortment of books including many on Mennonite and Amish living and beliefs.  I could have spent hours and hours there, but it was so crowded, it was tough getting around! The young Mennonite girl who checked out my order said that the fine weather brought customers out in larger-than-normal numbers.

We will definitely be visiting this store again. (and again!)

After looking around in the store,  we pulled around the back of the store so Mark could look up sites of interest on his GPS.  I looked down the small hill below us and saw a little stream meandering along.  In the stream were a few Canada Geese.  Now, in and of itself,  that is nothing unusual, but these geese were acting ***weird***!  They were splashing about in the water as though they were taking a bath to get good and clean!  I do know that geese need water to breed, but this didn’t appear to be in the minds of these geese. (unless a good bathing was needed prior to courtship!)

One of the geese was hysterical….comical…such a comedian!  The goose did a barrel roll several times…..round and round and round.  Don’t believe me? Click twice on this photo and it will PROVE I am not exaggerating!! Honest!

In all my hours and hours spent watching geese, I have never seen the likes of that before!  I didn’t bring my telephoto lens with me so I had to crop this photo in order to catch the barrel roll!

As an aside, Mark laughed as we drove out of the store parking lot.  The employees are all Mennonites and their autos were all parked in one area.  There must have been 20 cars….maybe a couple trucks….all black!  There was nearly every make represented in…..black!

We drove on a little further, keeping our eyes on the clock, as we needed to pick Michelle up again from school.

After arriving back home,  Mark wanted us to rinse all the salty dirt off the truck.  As we pulled into the driveway, there were some spots in the gutter next to the driveway that had dammed up, sending water spilling over the driveway.  While Michelle went down the driveway with shovel in hand to remedy the driveway,  Ben got out the pressure washer and rinsed off not only the truck,  but also the Explorer.  Ah, both the driveway and the vehicles look much better now!

I helped Ben wipe off the hose and wind it up, then put the pressure washer away.  By the time we were ready to go in the house, dusk was quickly settling in.  As I walked from the garage to the house,  I had to grab my camera.  This solar lamp is in the side garden next to the house.  The little lamp had been buried under snow from the last storm.  I wondered about it, but was surprised when I saw it glowing this evening! It just poked through the snow today, so you can see how much the snow sank down and melted today.

I think Ben, Mark, and I are all refreshed from taking this unplanned vacation day.  One of the greatest benefits about homeschooling is that we are able to take off a day every now and then without losing a day….Ben always makes up his work when we get back home.

Thought I’d show my front door….I waited late yesterday afternoon for the sun to hit my door just “right”….

I am usually decorating the house with St. Patty’s Day decorations by now, but Ben is working on his bedroom and we have all sorts of tools and paint buckets sitting here and there.  Perhaps there will be no decorations this year! Ah well, ’tis always next year… At least my front door looks festive!

I will be posting another entry later today. Right now we are a bit hurried….Michelle is off to school and Mark has an early doctor appointment.

to lob back any and all rotten tomatoes thrown my way for showing this type of photo. (AGAIN!!!)

Oh, and Mark figured out why my photos weren’t expanding. Now, you can double click to see the BIG pictures! (not that you might want to, mind you!!!)

After seeing the pretty girl above standing on the ice, I got such a brilliant idea! I went around to the back of the truck and got out my little bucket of cracked corn.  I decided that if I threw the corn on the ice instead of the water, none would be wasted . After all, when cast on the water, so much of it sinks to the bottom.

The net result was near hysterical! We all know that the duck waddle in itself is rather humorous,  but seeing these ducks waddling across the ice was too much!  With little traction, those big flippers wandered about, looking like drunken sailors! I never laughed so hard,  but the ducks sure enjoyed!

I guess seeing the ducks eat made *me* hungry, so Mark and I went over to Arby’s.  As we sat behind the store, we saw deer eating at the waterpark across the pond from us!

We enjoyed a lazy, laid back weekend and as you can see, I really didn’t take many photos!

Yesterday afternoon, Michelle had reserved the racquetball court at the YMCA so she and Ben could play, along with their friend, Jacob.  Mark took the kids and Angus and headed off to Canandaigua.

I found myself relishing the quiet and peacefulness of having no one around, other than Murphy.  Murphy, being a Scottish Terrier, is reserved and quiet. The only time Scotties *really* make their presence known is if they are hungry, want water, or some”thing” or “one” is disturbing their territory. Thus, we enjoyed the calm….

The weather  has been rather splendid lately, with blue skies and generous amounts of sunshine….a somewhat rare commodity normally, this time of year.  I had a small fire in the woodstove, however, as the temperature has been diving to very cold at night.  I was enjoying the sunshine coming through the windows but was rather disturbed by the ugly blackened doors on the woodstove…..

until I saw this, reflected onto the homely rust-colored corduroy couch that had been my father-in-law’s.

Awesome….I couln’t help but wonder what that would look like if it was on the wall, as opposed to fabric, but I sat there, dumbfounded, by the sheer beauty of it.  A real “stained glass” reflection! I felt as though I was sitting in a fine cathedral!  You just never know….

Nah, life isn’t so bad, really.

About five days ago, I just decided that I would kick the Pepsi habit.  Several things accounted for this big change…mainly, I am tired of my teeth!  I know the soda has done a numberon them over the years, and I also know there is no really good reason to suck down caffeinated,  carbonated sugar water!  Mark always teased me I was like the hummingbirds sipping on sugar water. 

So, deciding on something that has a little nutritive value, I bought some lemons….

WOW! I never realized just how delicious fresh lemonade is!  I have been making a fresh quart every day and everyone seems to be enjoying it along with me.  Today, I tried adding a little honey along with some sugar,  but Ben didn’t care for it. 

I also have been drinking more water and enjoying it as well. So, here’s to better health!

Michelle really enjoyed fencing last semester and was excited when she discovered some classmates had started a fencing club.  The kids met late Wednesday afternoon to discuss the club and so we took Michelle.

After dropping Michelle at school,  Mark asked if I wanted to go to the City Pier. (yet again!)  I groaned,  but since the sun was shining and it was a beautiful afternoon,  I didn’t complain.

Mark drove on down the pier and then began back toward the city.  Then he pulled over and told me there were a lot of ducks sitting in the water below. Once again (should I admit it?) I groaned.  I have taken sooo many photos of Mallard Ducks,  Everyone must be tired of seeing Mallards! I sat in the back seat as a form of protest, but, well,  my trigger finger began to itch and after all, I do carry around a small bucket of cracked corn for my little waterfowl friends.

I hopped out of the truck and within a few minutes,  I found myself totally absorbed in the little flock.  They ate the corn with such gusto….how could I ever think of not feeding these cute little ones, anyway?

I felt somewhat greatly rewarded by getting a photo of a Mallard Duck drake in the snow….don’t see that too often. I had dropped some corn in the snow and he was jus tidying up!  It was interesting just how close these ducks moved in by my feet.  They are ususally fairly shy, but they came in very close that afternoon. I think they were very hungry for some grain!

After feeding the ducks,  we sat in the truck for a time….it was beautifully sunshiney, but the brisk wind was very chilling!  As the sun began to set, the scenery with the ducks was just awesome!

I did happen to catch the sunset one more time from another location….

Who ever would have thought that feeding the ducks yet another time would render some great new shots?

Yeah, today was a notable day for some goofy photos!

I will leave you with a couple good ones I took yesterday.

Michelle called hysterically from upstairs the other morning. 

Mom! Come quickly! There are bugs in my bed….bedbugs!

Oh come now.  We live in a clean house and are clean people.  I calmly mounted the stairs….

Yes, I had an idea she was talking about something like this.  This was the morning we had awakened to the “big” snow.  Michelle thought the boys needed some warm shelter so she basically buried them in her bed!  Angus, ham that he is, loved the attention,  while Murphy immediately squirmed out from under the blankets.  If he could speak ,  I am sure he would have been muttering something under his breath about his “sissy-pants” brother….

Yes, as I said, Angus *is* a ham!

The photos above were meant to be included in the previous entry, but my Dell laptop keeps telling me that all my SD cards are write-protected and cannot be copied nor deleted!  I managed to get the photo of the boys with the tent when my little netbook I was using died because the battery had run too low.  I was too tired to fiddle around any more last night, so I just went to bed and then when I plugged in the netbook, just uploaded the post this morning! So, here are some photos taken the past couple of days. 

Yesterday, when I awakened, I suddenly felt this strange feeling.  As I looked outside, the trees looked as though they were closing in on me and I realize it was claustrophobia I was feeling!  Much of the snow has dropped from the trees, but they still have clumps in them that remind me of cotton!

We’ve had a lot going on the past few days with lots of shoveling involved!  I was taking photos but not even looking at them!

Angus, feeling a bit benevolent, allowed his photo to be taken with Murphy. Of course,  Angus is front and center….