A Red Wine Treat

I don't recall where we got this bottle of wine from or when but it's been here a while, so it was time to indulge.  A nice red wine to go with our Thanksgiving prime rib, sure why not!

A vintage 2015.  Sweet tasting that went down smooth and quickly!

Good For Nuttin

I believe these are adult European Starlings.

"Starlings are boisterous, loud, and they travel in large groups (often with blackbirds and grackles). They race across fields, beak down and probing the grass for food; or they sit high on wires or trees making a constant stream of rattles, whirrs, and whistles."

I've noticed this to be the case too but also add their droppings to this annoyance.  When you have so many amassed together, all eating berries for example, there's gonna a poop mess everywhere too.  These were two of the many, who had their beaks down and probing my lawn, that I took some pictures of.  They blended right in with the brown leaves from the pear tree.  I believe they were foraging for the dropped fruit from our pear trees or whatever scraps was left behind from my mowing and raking.

The Starling falls into the category as the squirrel, the sparrow and pigeon.  Cool markings but noisy, messy, good for nothing birds.

Tail Mohawk?!

I'm gonna be upfront with you all, I'm not a fan of squirrels.  They're a nuisance for sure, dig holes all over the darn place and tend to scare the birds off from the feeders that they so desperately try to get into.  One caveat to this dislike is the black squirrel.  You don't see too many black squirrels but when you do they stand out and catch your attention.  There's one running around the office building I work at.  In the end still a squirrel and good for nothing.

I share this picture only because I thought it cool how this tree rodent has it's tail draped up and along it's back all the way up to and over his head. 

Just A Jay Try'n To Get A Nut

I spied this Blue-Jay working on an acorn, peck peck pecking away trying to get it opened.  Never saw that before.  Interesting.  I'm really not a big Blue-Jay fan.  They're bullies, loud and too nervous a bird for my liking.  However, in the now drab surroundings, a Blue-Jay blue stands out an is attractive.

Ever nervous, this dude didn't stick around too long before dropping his spoils and heading higher up where he could keep a better eye on things.

What Tics You Off?

Let's see what Vic has to say, and by the way, I'm a BIG Vic Dibietto fan, especially his mini rants on YouTube, very funny and spot on!

Holidays & Money

I have to say I completely agree with Vic!  I miss how thing were when I was growing up.  I miss the big family gatherings, seeing everyone, catching up and spending time laughing and reminiscing.  Today, holidays are too commercialized.  They start too early.  Oversold.  Too rushed.  No one seems to know or hold the true spirit or intent of these special days.

That being said, I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving.

Big Things Coming!

Good news, SO proud!

Emilie has been accepted to The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York!!

She applied for early acceptance to (4) colleges.  This is the first one to respond, the others are still pending.

Anticipation!

Gutters Clean As A Whistle!

Made my way over to Dedham yesterday and spent a couple hours doing some fall cleanup for an elderly family friend.  Although, she has a person who bags up some leaves, he doesn't do the best job.  My main goal was to clean the gutters on the house, porch and garage, which I've been doing every spring and fall for years now.  However, since I was there I took care of a number of others things too and addressed the poor raking of my predecessor.  I always clean off the driveway and push the leaves back from the edges and get them away from around the house.  It doesn't take long and I know she really appreciates it, which is what mattes most!  Plus I get to spend some time chatting with her, which makes my day.

And We're Off!

Here's a really cool picture of a Red-shouldered hawk in flight.  The hawk was sitting atop the bird house for the longest time, perhaps looking for a meal. Emilie was ready with the camera as it took flight. Notice it's shadow too in the foreground.

Snowblower Prep

Getting ready for the winter snows, UGH.

I changed the spark plug, topped off the oil and tires, replaced the auger and drive belts and replaced a rusted and broken brake spring.

Added some fresh gas and two pulls later she started up!

Bring on the snow...

Curiosity Killed The Cat...or Turkey

We had close to a dozen turkeys in the back yard this morning.  Perhaps, they heard I filled the bird feeder, for the first time this fall, and hung some suet and wanted to check things out.

They proceeded to march into the woods, onto bigger and better places I suspect.  However, the three Toms below lingered, thought about heading towards the street but turned back.

Something caught their eye; something in the pool area. Low and behold it was Oliver. They cautiously started making their way up, straining their necks forward, as if the extra neck length distance kept them safer.

Oliver was statuesque-like and didn't move, which had the turkeys all the more inquisitive, so the closer they came.  The eventually got tired or were satisfied there was no threat and moved along.

It was interesting to watch.

Offsite Event

Welcome to the Putnam Club!

I attended Cisco Connect Boston 2019, held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

A good take.  One for staying closer to home and still getting credit for working.  I was a super cold day too but make for a couple great pictures of where the GOAT and Squirrel play...

#CiscoConnectsUs

As They Whisper (Help Us)...

I'm fairly certain this could be considered animal cruelty, if Trixie and Oliver could talk.

This is what happens when the cold weather arrives and day light savings time ends.

Things To Ponder

Interesting questions -

Too bad Stan Lee isn't around to shed light on such profound questions...

Added Cold Weather Protection

Perhaps hard to tell from this picture but I installed a sheet of plastic over our bay window.  Much to the dismay of JoAnne and Oliver, this has become my heading-into-the-cold-weather tradition.  Believe it or not, it makes a BIG difference when it comes to heating the family room, BIG difference.

It's The Small Things...

Opened a store bought egg the other day and it was a double-yolker!

I really wanted two eggs anyway.

Red + Black Makes for a Much Smaller Bank Account!

Reluctantly, but a necessity, our fleet is growing!

A 2015 Toyota Corolla and a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta have joined the family.

Honestly, not sure what to do with a car that is all electronics and supports things like Bluetooth.  I'm become my dad with each passing day.

Now if I can just find a money tree to plant...

Bubba Night-Night

Had an awesome sunset the other night!

Into Boston I Shall Go...

I worked out of our Boston office last week, which means taking the MBTA commuter rail into South Station versus driving north to the Andover office.  Meh, not a big fan of being crammed into tight spaces with people but once in a while, for a change of pace, I can tough through it.

Here's a pic looking south from the 22nd floor, with the famous Boston gas tank just above the flag and the Expressway on the right.