Huckleberry Hill

2012-01-21T11:45:00.000-05:00

Shades of Winter

The Perfect Home Accessory

2011-11-24T00:01:00.006-05:00

Or Not ....

The water company is looking for our water connection in the back of the house so they can connect us to the new water main in the front of the house. The guys have a few days off for an extended Thanksgiving weekend. They'll be back bright and early Monday morning (7:30AM) to resume digging. (Guess we won't be sleeping late Monday.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Screen Shot

2011-09-02T15:42:00.003-04:00

This hawk came looking for lunch but all the little

lunches were faster than him and they got away.

Gizzy's Mom heard the racket. Crows are awful tattletales!

She managed to get one shot of the intruder through the window screen.

Visitors

2011-08-13T00:03:00.007-04:00

Oh look! It's lunchtime.

I said "GET BACK HERE"

Happy Day. Bad Picture.

2011-07-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

I have long wanted to have hummingbirds visit my yard but did not expect to be that lucky. Several days ago, I saw one outside my window so we put out a hummingbird feeder with hope in our hearts. We watched and waited but began to believe our visitor was a fluke. Today we were rewarded. I was so afraid it would leave, I was in too big a rush and did not get close enough. As a result, I used too much "zoom". I hope there will be a next time and I have better luck.

Mirror Image

2011-07-07T00:02:00.002-04:00

Who ARE you?

WHY are you HERE?

GRRRRRRRR!!!

Pawpa & Puppy

2011-05-09T00:01:00.007-04:00

Just Relaxing .. well Pawpa is.
I don't know about Puppy.
He looks a little cranky.

Ta Dah ...

2011-04-19T00:01:00.004-04:00

Around 50 daffodil bulbs were planted by Gizzy's Pawpa

One daffodil is blooming

... in a spot where none were planted.

The first day of spring

2011-03-22T00:57:00.000-04:00

Snow? Seriously?

Wondering

2011-02-23T00:01:00.002-05:00

This squirrel comes to the feeder every day and every time I see this squirrel ... I wonder. What the heck happened to its tail?? All the fluff is gone. The fluffless remainder is healing but I do keep wondering .. What the heck happened?

Eek !

2011-02-10T00:01:00.004-05:00

A visitor looking for food on a snowy day.

How much does 2 feet of snow weigh?

2011-02-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

New storms coming in today, Tuesday, and another possible on Thursday that was described as "disturbing" by the weatherman. Pawpa is outside raking off the garage roof. We were unable to buy a roof rake at any of our nearby stores so Pawpa is using a V-E-R-Y old rake with wooden tines. It's working which is GOOD! The tines keep falling out which is BAD so Pawpa bought dowels, cut them to size, and has to keep gluing them so he can use it.

(We've ordered a roof rake online but it won't be delivered until NEXT week after it snows again.)

Ice Dams

2011-02-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Pawpa had to go back up the ladder to chop more ice off the roof. Mom wants to make "Oven Fried Chicken" for supper but her "chicken pan" is over on the shelf catching leaks from the roof above the bay window. We've run out of pans to catch the leaks. We've got lots of pots left but they don't line up as well.

Can I come out yet?

2011-02-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

This enterprising squirrel decided that this empty birdhouse was just right for a winter home. A bit of chewing at the opening made it just right.

Gizzy's Path

2011-01-31T00:01:00.004-05:00

When you're a doggie with short legs, all the snow we've gotten creates a big problem.

Where to go?

Where to GOOOO?

Pawpa has shoveled a path up into the woods to help the Gizmeister get over to the park's parking lot.

Poor Pawpa will need to shovel all over again on Thursday since more snow is coming on Tuesday and Wednesday. The forecast? Predicted 3 - 6" on Tuesday and a possible 12" Wednesday.

YIKES

Fresh Snow

2011-01-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

Morning Comes

Heartfelt Prayer

2011-01-25T10:30:00.003-05:00

It's snowing again! Another storm ... with a potential snowfall of 8 - 12" ... is predicted for Wednesday and Thursday. This sign at a local church really just says it all.

PS: "Gizzy's Mom" did not take this picture. It was part of this story in The Register-Citizen.

No Tuesday Blog

2010-11-23T00:01:00.005-05:00

Monday was a stressful and busy day.

See you tomorrow!

Resting Up

2010-11-22T00:01:00.007-05:00

I've heard there is a holiday coming up where there is LOTS of food to eat. I'm resting up so I'll be ready.

Plump

2010-11-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

Preening

Doves

Under Foot

2010-11-20T00:01:00.007-05:00

When Pawpa works in his office, I like to sit next to the chair to protect him from that wicked woman who lives with us. Oh look! Here she comes with that flashy box.

GRRRR!

Thanks Pawpa

2010-11-19T00:01:00.003-05:00

I love my wacky woofers.

Walking the plank ..

2010-11-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T00:01:00.009-05:00

Color Coordinated

Don't stand ..

2010-11-16T00:01:00.003-05:00

Don't stand so ..

Don't stand so close to me

Aw C'mon .. please?

2010-11-15T00:01:00.005-05:00

You know I was just kidding, right?

You don't really have a big beak.

I know it's just a seed.

A Plethora

2010-11-14T00:01:00.006-05:00

That's what we got here ..

A plethora of acorns, leaves, and pine cones.

Little Red Tree

2010-11-13T00:01:00.006-05:00

Bottoms Up

2010-11-12T00:01:00.004-05:00

View from my window

2010-11-11T00:01:00.002-05:00

Sunset

Bereft. Bewildered.

2010-11-10T00:01:00.004-05:00

Pawpa is outside raking the leaves.

I can hear him.

What I can't figure out is why he didn't take me.

It may not be much to look at ...

2010-11-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

but it IS snow!

Should I start to worry now ..

2010-11-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

Or wait til later?

Mom said we might have snow showers tomorrow!

How about this way?

2010-11-07T00:02:00.013-04:00

Does THIS make my butt look fat?

The butt belongs to a Carolina Wren who was singing away in the front yard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those who have asked, I use a Panasonic DMC-FZ28 point & shoot camera.

When I bought my camera in June 2009, I wanted it to have a good "zoom", be relatively lightweight, and be easy to use. I'd finished chemo 7 months earlier and was still afflicted with something called "chemo fog". My once good memory was .. um .. just a distant memory. I really wanted a Nikon D90, a digital SLR with a telephoto lens but I needed a camera that I could actually remember how to turn on. Along with memory issues, I had a "frozen" shoulder and couldn't carry around a camera plus additional lenses. I chatted with someone who'd just purchased this camera and was satisfied with it so I bought it. (Thank you BirdingRVer for answering my questions.) For the most part, I like my camera. I'd still like a camera with a telephoto lens (and the brains to use it correctly) but I'm happy with my choice.

You know it's getting cold when ...

2010-11-06T00:01:00.002-04:00

the wisteria starts wilting.

Go Ahead and Go!

2010-11-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

Leave!

I don't care!

More for me ..

I Spy: Reveal

2010-11-04T00:01:00.004-04:00

Good Going Madi's Mom!

Chickadee
Female Cardinal
Male Cardinal
Woodpecker
Male Cardinal
Finch
Finch
Titmouse
Mourning Dove

I Spy ...

2010-11-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Nine

How many do YOU spy?

(Answer: Tomorrow)

Roman

2010-11-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

This is Roman on the couch with his hooman. They live at Mom's friend's house. Obviously, he is a member of Jack's SAYDWP Club.

November =

2010-11-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

Bare Branches

Today a Jay

2010-10-31T00:01:00.005-04:00

Blue, that is!

Look Out Below!

2010-10-30T00:01:00.003-04:00

You looking at ME?

2010-10-29T00:01:00.004-04:00

So what if it's on the ground?

5 second rule!

Sloppy Eater

2010-10-28T00:01:00.003-04:00

If I HAD a napkin, I'd use it!

Done for the season

2010-10-27T00:01:00.002-04:00

Four Finches

2010-10-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

Filling Up

If

2010-10-25T09:55:00.001-04:00

.. the leaves were bigger or I was a better photographer or if I had a better camera, you'd see the falling leaves. The wind came up. The leaves were falling from the trees. They were blowing all over the yard. They looked like multicolored snowflakes .. but .. my picture does not accurately reflect how it looked. (All of the little "dots" in front of the pines trees are the falling leaves.)

October Moon

2010-10-24T00:01:00.007-04:00

(It's very dark on Huckleberry Hill at night)

High Noon ...

2010-10-23T00:01:00.007-04:00

On the hill

Don't you just hate it ....

2010-10-22T00:01:00.003-04:00

... when you've spent hours at the supermarket getting everything you need and THEN you find out you've forgotten THIS and you have to go back the very NEXT day in the pouring rain?

In the News .. Who Knew?

2010-10-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

This island can be seen from the steel bridge shown in the October 15th blog. The bridge is due to be restored at a cost of $6,683,232.00 if voters give their approval on November 2.

(There was a nice video on the news tonight which showed the bridge and the gorgeous colors of the leaves. I was going to provide a link but I have been unable to find it on their website.)

What?

2010-10-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

Did someone say "steak"?

Patience

2010-10-19T00:01:00.002-04:00

When Pawpa goes on his "rounds" to the post office, junk shop, dump, and antique co-ops, I get stuck at home guarding Mom. If she is sitting in her chair reading, I like to sit here .. in the doorway .. so I can watch the front door and be ready to greet Pawpa when he returns.

The Sweater Tree

2010-10-18T00:01:00.009-04:00

Pawpa had wanted to cut down this holly tree in the front of the house but decided not to do it because the other holly trees looked like "female" trees and in order to get holly berries, one tree must be male.

Today Mom was glad he didn't cut it down because she AFTER she got her sweaters back from the cleaners, she had to air them out. She has fragrance allergies and could not wear her sweaters because "they stunk" bad. Either someone handling them wore way too much cologne or they added some new kind of fragrance to the cleaning process. In any event, they spent the day hanging from the holly tree.

Muted Shades

2010-10-17T00:01:00.001-04:00

Before Saturday's winds

Axe Factory Building

2010-10-16T00:01:00.002-04:00

These are a few of the building in the Collinsville Axe Factory complex. The trestle bridge that you see in the middle is part of the Rails to Trails system. It connects parts of the trail that are located on opposite ends of the property.

Town Bridge

2010-10-15T00:01:00.005-04:00

One lane steel bridge spanning the Farmington River in Collinsville

Frame Up

2010-10-14T00:01:00.003-04:00

On the way to the trail

Ahhhh ....

2010-10-13T00:01:00.002-04:00

October

My new friend

2010-10-12T00:01:00.003-04:00

This is Star. She came to visit me on Saturday and I likes her a LOT. I liked her so much she had to go sit in the car for a while. (I tried to stay close to my love but those feets was in the way.)

Things that go bump in the night

2010-10-11T00:01:00.002-04:00

.. like the birdhouse when the bear comes to visit!

AGAIN!

Bottoms Up!

The ol’ swimmin’ hole

2010-10-10T00:01:00.005-04:00

A yellow rope hangs from a large maple tree by the river. I'll bet it's a lot fun swinging on the rope and dropping into the river on a really hot summer day. No one was using it yesterday.

Retro

2010-10-09T00:01:00.014-04:00

Booth at Antiques on the Farmington.

OK! Yes! I'll admit it. I will come clean.

The outfit fascinated me.

Black knit dress. White fur collar.

Cute black heels with bows.

Sluice

2010-10-08T00:01:00.003-04:00

Part of the canal system at the Collins Company (axe factory).

Although the axe factory has been closed for many years,there are several small businesses that are operating in the old buildings on the property. The canals are no longer used for hydropower purposes.

What Moth?

2010-10-07T00:01:00.008-04:00

Why do you think I can see a moth when I can't see something as big as you?

Um .. maybe that came out wrong?

Wet Wednesday

2010-10-06T00:01:00.001-04:00

Reflections

2010-10-05T00:01:00.005-04:00

Birches

2010-10-04T00:01:00.003-04:00

Can you ..

2010-10-03T00:01:00.012-04:00

... see clearly now?

I can

Why did I ...

2010-10-02T00:01:00.006-04:00

... take THIS picture?

Perhaps tomorrow will be more illuminating.

Anything for Ms~K

2010-10-01T00:01:00.011-04:00

During a lull in the rain, I went to the park and got a couple of quick pix of the upper and lower spillways.

Lower spillway

Upper spillway

Covered bridge

2010-09-30T00:01:00.009-04:00

Not much water going over the spillway last week!
This is the view from the other side of yesterday's bridge.

(Gizzy's Mom is the one who huffs and puffs going up the hill. The Giz takes his stroll early in the morning with Pawpa)

Spillway Bridge

2010-09-29T00:01:00.011-04:00

On nice days, I walk the trail in the park. By the time I reach this bridge, I'm puffing because I'm so out of shape and there is a bit of a hill on the other side that I have to climb up.

The Auctioneer

2010-09-28T00:01:00.004-04:00

On Saturdays, Mom and Pawpa go to the auction at Canton Barn. Although some dogs do attend the auction with their peoples, Gizzy does not go as he has an unfortunate tendency to try to leave his essence on available surfaces. Pawpa made a pickup on Sunday afternoon so decided to look over more "stuff". The furniture behind him is for next week's auction.

This is Rich, the auctioneer being funny in the doorway. He probably thought Mom wouldn't dare take his picture and post it. He was wrong. HI RICHIE!

Carrot Top

2010-09-27T00:01:00.004-04:00

Evidently this tree is changing from the top down.

Thanks to TG of Daily Dose of Jack for my Sunday afternoon chuckle. I missed my spelling error on yesterday's blog ..until I read your comment. Blame it on a senior moment.

I turn 65 TODAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!

Quakers

2010-09-26T00:01:00.005-04:00

Break Time

Break's Over

Holly bush

2010-09-25T00:01:00.003-04:00

Plenty of red berries on the holly bush in the yard

Erigeron Annuus

2010-09-24T00:01:00.004-04:00

Daisy Fleabane

Of course I didn't know what this was.

It's a weed. I had to look it up!

Thanks so much blogger

2010-09-23T16:46:00.001-04:00

Hope everyone has less "fun" than I did entering their next blog using the updated editor. Because I'd added my picture yesterday and only wanted to edit to add a caption, I had tons of fun. (HA!) My picture kept moving all over the page ... on it's own, My captions pretty much did the same. I finally gave up and started anew.

I wish all of my friends a better experience than I had.

Green, Green

2010-09-23T00:01:00.004-04:00

.. grass of home

I can see for piles, and piles, and piles.....

2010-09-22T00:01:00.008-04:00

Pile of bricks

Pile of pots

Pile of rocks

Pile of logs

Pile of .... oh heck, where is a woodchipper when you need one?

Ch Ch Changes

2010-09-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

The trees they are achangin’ ..

Under Water

2010-09-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

No mighty oaks will grow from THESE acorns. The oak by the reservoir has very high branches hanging over the water and the velocity gained while falling causes the acorns to hit the water with a fairly loud THWACK. The source of the noise was a befuddlement for Mom 'til she figured it out. There's a bunch of acorns in the water under that tree.

The culprit

2010-09-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

The culprit is standing right here!

X marks the spot

2010-09-18T00:01:00.001-04:00

Mom was just walking along with the camera minding her own business when she heard "PLUNK". Looked around but she sees nothin'. Few more steps .. "PLUNK. PLUNK." Looks around. Sees nothing. Then she saw what it was. X marks the spots. Guess what it was?

See the culprit tomorrow!

Kerplunkety Plunk

2010-09-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Mom took a walk by the reservoir yesterday. I'll bet this looks like a pastoral and serene shot to you, doesn't it?

Oops.... gotta go. More tomorrow.

I'm on MY feet ....

2010-09-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

Now it's YOUR turn!

'Scuse Me?

2010-09-15T00:01:00.001-04:00

It's LUNCH time, Mom.
Could ya get offa that chair and get me some?

The Mishap

2010-09-14T00:01:00.001-04:00

OOPS ...

(I told you not to put the candles there, Mom.)

Busy Day

2010-09-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a very busy day for Mom and Pawpa. This was the yummy reward at the end of the day. Cannoli and tiramisu from a new Italian bakery.

Pawpa fell asleep in the recliner shortly after his reward.

Migrating Birds

2010-09-12T00:01:00.005-04:00

Migrating flickers and local robins were dining on berries on Ms. V's mountain ash tree in North Dakota on Saturday morning. My favorite picture was the one with these birds with the berry in their beak. (Click on it to magnify.) There are 7 birds on this tree!

V got some really nice pictures. Just look at him!

Thanks for letting me use these, V.

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.

2010-09-11T00:01:00.001-04:00

No Breakfast. The joy of a ride in the car only to discover the ugly truth .. the car has stopped in the vet's parking lot. Rudely, I am herded into the office and most awful of all .. deserted by Pawpa. After many sticks with sharp objects, they called Pawpa to come back to pick me up. Now I'm home again, napping on my favorite pair of shorts and I'm NOT leaving again. DO YOU HEAR ME PAWPA??

What would YOU do?

2010-09-10T00:01:00.008-04:00

Tuesday night Pawpa and Mom went to a new restaurant. It was voted "2010 Best New Restaurant" in a magazine for a nearby city. It got 4.5 stars. And .. the food WAS good. But, here's the thing. Mom has inherited a family restaurant-related "curse" that means WHEREVER she goes, WHENEVER she goes .. SOMETHING GOES WRONG. Anytime. Everytime. Never Fails. Thus, her dining experience in a 4.5 star restaurant was somewhat marred.

She ordered "Papardelle Pasta: Wild Mushrooms, Peas, Ham and Truffle Butter". This is what she got.

That is ziti and don't get me wrong .. it WAS good. But it wasn't papardelle. This is a picture (not my picture) of papardelle and it was what Mom expected to find on her plate.

ARGGGH! Even when you are used to stuff like this happening, it never gets easier. And you always have to make "that" decision .. do you ask about it or do you suck it up and just let it go. Gizzy's Mom hates, hates, hates to have to make that decision but sometimes she does choose "ask about it" .. like when you are paying $18.95 pre fixe for pasta using the "Sunset Menu". (The "Sunset Menu" is a choice of items served between 4pm and 6pm for a lower price than after 6pm. This IS an fairly expensive restaurant.) She asked the waitress why it was ziti and not papardelle. The manager visited, apologized, and offered the explanation that "they were out of papardelle and the chef substituted ziti". He offered a free glass of wine which was declined. He offered a different menu selection which was also declined.

Here's the thought that sticks with Gizzy's Mom today. In a restaurant that's rated 4.5 stars, she feels she should have been told there was no papardelle pasta at the time the chef discovered that fact and then she should have been offered the dish with the ziti substitution *BEFORE IT WAS COOKED* instead of being brought the finished dinner already cooked. She ate the meal because she hates making a fuss in public and if she returned it for a different selection Pawpa would be done with his excellent flat iron steak (which he was already eating). Pawpa was no help. He said "I would not have known what papardelle looked like so I wouldn't have known that wasn't papardelle."

What would you do?

Hangin' On

2010-09-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

Look at the climber in our yard this mornin'

Just hangin' out for a while, hehehe!

Well, C'mon ..

2010-09-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

Hurry Up! I'm not tied up.
Ya need to move it 'for someone finds out!

Everything's coming up ...

2010-09-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

ROSES?
YUP, ROSES!
In September.

I gotta run

2010-09-05T00:01:00.001-04:00

I gotta hurry!
There's a picnic today.
I gotta get there before they eat all the food.

One more sign

2010-09-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

Another sign of fall is the red seeds from the jack-in-the-pulpit.

Signs of Autumn

2010-09-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

Even in the midst of a heat wave with 90+ degree days,

little signs of fall are appearing.

The dogwood flowers are turning red.

An important note from Gizzy:

2010-09-02T00:01:00.002-04:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to
PAWPA & MOM

They have decided to go out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. They are leaving me .. the wonderful Giz .. home alone. Oh well .. it's OK. No tacos for this dog.