This Is A Deep One!

Wiser words were never spoken!

My dad had a way with words.

Most were far more profound than this but creative nonetheless.

Who You Gonna Call...

Something weird and eerie has happened the last two nights!  Something I CANNOT explain and it's a bit unsettling.  My computer, printer and desk lamp are all powered off.  Except for the lamp, the PC and printer are always on. I never shut them down, never have. Here is what's happening - 

The light switch in the above picture, which isn't all the accessible as you can see.  It's behind the door, which is always open, in the location shown, and out of reach with the desktop in front.  Definitely not something that could be accidentally hit. 

This switch controls one of the wall outlets in my office; the one that my PC, printer and desk lamp are plugged into.  The switch always remains in the "on" position and has been this way for over a year now and there have NEVER been any issues.  However, the last two mornings, this switch has been turned off, which powers off my PC, printer and lamp.

WTF?!

How is this switch physically getting flipped into the off position?  I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE HOUSE, except for the dog and cat but that's silly to think of them as doing this, NO way!  Back to back nights too, it's freaking me out!

I kid you not!

Serenity Now!

Early Saturday morning walks are the best!

So quiet and peaceful, if you can get it in early before all the assholes wake and start venturing out.

If you pay attention and look around, take a break from and get you heads out from your silly phones, there's so much to see.

I wasn't quick enough with my camera to get a picture of all 5 deer, just this one brave doe who stood her ground as I rooted in my pocket for my cell.

Seems Wasteful But A Sign Of The Times

I ordered a broom stick from Amazon. A solid wooden one, that is threated on one end, and with metal threads, NOT plastic.  The one I had been using to paint with, the plastic threading snapped after a couple of hours of use.  Amazon had the best price, I received it the next day and very surprising for an Amazon product, it was made in the USA!

I found it comical at the size of the carton it was shipped in, which was approximately 64" L x 7" W x 7" D.  You can see in the picture the size comparison between the two items.  I would have thought they would have something smaller and more accommodating.

No excuses now to tackle another bedroom and get it repainted.

In And Out!

I don't know whether...

I'm coming -

or

going -

these days!

UGH!

Just Put It Back!

A Fresh Coat Of Paint Makes a Difference

I've done a bit of painting recently!

It was time for a change.

I'm also starting to look at any potential changes or upgrade that will be more appealing when time to sell. I was advised by a realtor that the sponge paint look is not a selling point.

The painting itself doesn't really take too long, rather it's all the prep work that goes into getting the room ready for the paint, e.g. patching holes, removing switch and outlet covers and then taping everything off!

New valances, curtain rod and outlet covers.  I even took the baseboard heat covers off and cleaned them good, then using the shop-vac and a brush, cleaned the elements good too.  Opened both windows for half a day with the ceiling fan running, so the room is nice and fresh  -

The green walls and the blue rug clash but nothing some accents can't address.  The room looks larger too with the new paint.  All in all, it looks great.  I am pleased with the outcome!

This bedroom is complete, so onto the next!

Time Flies

Mom & Dad

Happy Anniversary!

Let There Be Light!

As straight as a dogs hindleg!

The above rod iron lamppost rotted and fell over, and has been lying on the ground.  Our goal was to simply get it back in the vertical position (relatively speaking), so it was out of the way and safe. Since it's still working, it was also nice to get it back up to provide some light.

As you can see we were successful - it's not lying on it's side any longer.  Perhaps, not the most attractive but certainly a one-of-a-kind and no doubt soon to be the envy of the neighborhood!

It's A Country Thing

I picked up this new (to me) table this past weekend and it fits perfectly in the front foyer -

Picked up and added some accents too.  The glass balls came from Kwaj I believe and have been down in my basement for years now.  Finally able to pull them out and display them, which work well here -

I'm not sold on the flower pot and mismatched saucer.  These were items I had sitting around in the garage when I split my snake plant and served that purpose at that time but will start looking for one that's a bit bigger and that better matches the décor, This will suffice until then.

No Fuck's Given!

Me walking confidently into this long weekend!

What Is Life?

I'm going back now many, many years in referencing the above quote by George Herbert. However, it took all these years for me to truly understand and appreciate the true meaning of this quote, which I chose to have listed under my picture for my 1982 high school graduation year book.

Honestly, I don't recall how or why I chose this specific quote or what about it resonated with me back then, just seemed appropriate at that time. Looking back, some 40-years later (YIKES!), it hits home and rings SO true.

Cargo Beep Beep...

 

I learned that the above Franklin police report motor vehicle crash involved a pick up truck and a deer AND it took place in the street in front of my house!

I was prolly in bed.  Yup, 10:15PM is past my bedtime these days. I don't believe sirens were used and I did not hear the impact. However, my neighbor did and went out to investigate.

It was a young kid driving a new pick up truck that he had recently purchased and claimed the deer ran out in front of him.  The deer, a big doe, was hurt pretty bad and was took a while to expire.

Cold I know but one less deer that will be foraging in my gardens.

Cart To The Stall!

Yup, too many lazy people who only think of and care only about themselves, selfish and inconsiderate POS for sure and without question in my book!

There is NO excuse or justification why a cart cannot be returned to the stall, NONE!

What I Fear Most

Nope, No "I Think I Can"...

Last Thursday, 2/1, I went into the Boston office for the day.  As I always do I took the MBTA commuter train from Franklin into South Station and from there it's a 2-minute walk to the office.

The ride in on the 6:02AM train was uneventful and arrived on time as scheduled.

The ride out departed on time at 3:20PM but the train started having power issues after the second stop.  At one point we were idle on the tracks between stops for some ~30-minutes. The train was able to eventually limp into the Hyde Park stop, again where we sat for another ~15-minutes or so before we ALL had to deboard.  From there we walked about a quarter mile up and over to the other side of the tracks, where we waited another ~40 for the next scheduled Franklin commuter rail train, another train was NOT sent to pickup the stranded passengers.  Fortunately, it wasn't raining or snowing and not too cold, so could have been worse. Frustrated and hungry I didn't get home till after 6PM and was met by a dancing crossed legged Trixie.  Kudos to her for not having an accident in the house.

Now I understand unforeseen mechanical issues arise, that is not my issue.  Frustrating yes but these things happen.  What IS frustrating was the utter lack of communication by the onboard commuter rail crew as to what was going on, what the delay was, etc.  Also, the typical to be expected canned reply I received from the MBTA when I reached out to them regarding this issue.  They basically told me TFB and deflected my questions and never addressed what their policy is for keeping the on-train commuters informed or why a train was not sent to pick up the stranded.

For those not local and not following along, the MBTA has been riddled with problems and issues the last several years, from ongoing delays, pieces and parts falling from old train station ceilings onto commuters, lengthy repair delays, slowed commute speeds in sections deemed in need or repairs, derailments and on and on, all the while increasing fares.

Yes, the MBTA is a great service for commuting in and out of Boston, so we're fortunate.  However, there is a lot of room for improvements, upgrades and general all around communications.  They suck very much like the USPS!

Forty Years And Counting

**This is NOT related to a cheating ex-wife!

Casserole Night

I made a chicken casserole the other night. Loaded with fresh chicken and mushrooms.  I even added a heaping cup of crushed Lay's potato chips to the top, just under the cheese.

Yeah, the cheese and the chips not the healthiest but oh so good!

The real problem I have with making this is that I will eat all this in like three meals.  It just doesn't last. I lack portion controls and self (eating) controls.

Turned One Into Three

I came across this Sansevieria while running errands yesterday and just couldn't resist. I could see there were three separate plants in the original pot, so today I transplanted them into their own pots.

Sansevieria, also known as snake plant or mother-in-law tongue are super beneficial indoor plants, especially when kept in the bedroom!

Here are some of their benefits - it's one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen at night, remove toxic pollutants, effective against allergies, mental health booster, filters the bedroom air.  Also, these plants are very easy to maintain, with little care needed.

One will go in my bedroom.  One in my office. The third will remain in the kitchen -

I'm thinking Spring!

And Onto 2024!

My first 2024 donation has already been booked!

Earth's Geomagnetic Field

Yup, pretty much sums it up here at the ole homestead, alas...

However, seems there's more to it than a quick squat and that Trixie is calibrating herself to the earths geomagnetic field -

Hmm, could this explain why I spin several times before situating myself on the commode?!  Never mind, guessing it's more of an OCD thing...

Animal Kingdom 2

Another 1000 piece puzzle completed!

This one was a bit more difficult than the previous puzzle I recently finished.  However, I was still able to get it done in a couple three, four days.

Onto the next one...

Truth Growth

Sometimes you don't have a choice...