The Faces of Trixie

Emilie was home over Easter weekend and Trixie got to spend plenty of time with her.

Trixie loves her Emilie and always gets excited when she comes home.

Although, she may have had her doubts after Emilie walked her to the park and back.

She even got to go for a quick car ride following her walk -

Here she is sporting her jacket, as she had just been given a bath and was cold, but she smelled good (much better) and looked good -

Christos Anesti

The Easter bunny stopped by and left a basket of goodies for Emilie!

A Bloom

These are several pussy willow bud that have opened.

I thought they looked unique so here it is for you all to decide - 

Find The Critter

Can you find the critter in the above photo -

Enjoying The Rays

And some call them dumb animals.

Trixie and Oliver, my work-at-home companions, taking advantage of the nice sunny day and relaxing in the warmth of the rays pouring into the livingroom.  It funny how quickly they notice it and stretch out in it.

A Lonely Lady Visiting

I don't seem them too often but there are clear signs that they're around.

This lady was all alone and peacefully nibbling on the new spring growth popping up.  Here she is eating one of my hosta plants, UGH. I was just barely starting to come through the soil too.

I do enjoy watching them when I get the opportunity.  I could watch them for hours on end it seems.

Ah Spring!

I took these pics the beginning of April, so they're twice as big today.

The first is a Rhubarb.  This came from one of my dad's plants, which have been around seemingly as long as I can remember.  I have a couple others but this particular one has always done fantastic and gets super BIG!

The second is a Poppy.  This came from one of my mom's plants, again that have been around for as long as I can remember.  This plants has always done well and is usually covered in flowers.

Some of the plants at my place hold special meaning and I will always cherish them and the memory that stir.

All Gave Some, Some Gave All!

The Everglades Holiday Park had this wooden box on the counter of their little store\shop, which I think is a fantastic idea.  Seems folks are too "busy" these days to take the time to recognize simple things and such a unique idea just might be enough to get them to pause and think.

Thank you for your service!

Spoiled Brats!

Took this picture the other afternoon.  It's a picture of the ballfield at the elementary school just down the street.  As you can see in the pic the area is littered with trash, which sadly is more common than you'd think or like to see.

I don't know what the problem is and why people are so bloody lazy these days.  I'm not sure if the kids are to blame, there parents or both but it is a shame anyway you slice it.

 You can see off to the far right in the pic there is a trash can.  Perhaps, too far away for these spoiled brats?  Where are the parents and why are they not teaching these kids about respect and common curtsey?  I can visualize it, where a parent pulls up in their SUV, the kids jump out for their lesson\game and all the while the parent is sitting in their running vehicle and scrolling through social media total consumed with it and themselves and oblivious to their kids.

I've seen coolers, folding chairs, backpacks, duffle bags, balls, bats, gloves, hats, sweatshirts, water bottles and on and on and on all left behind.  All left behind for someone or others to pick up and clean up.

At the end of the day, PEOPLE SUCK!

Any Vacancies?!

The Bluebirds have been around really all winter long but they did come and go.  Lately, they seem to be staying and hanging out longer.  Even back to constantly checking out they're old home.

We've had them nesting in the pictured bird house for three years in a row now and I'm excited to see they're back for hopefully a fourth year.

They're a beautiful bird, one of my favorites.

7-Gallon Club

Another Power Red donation in the books!

Found a donation site in Millis last Friday afternoon and booked myself an appointment.

According to the Red Cross Blood Donor app on my phone I'm up to 57 pints donated to date, which puts me in the 7-gallon club!

Fly Pelican Fly

I watched two pair of wild turkey's cross the street in front of my house and amble their way out back.  At one point both females took off flying and landed on the garage roof of the house behind me. The two toms slowly made their way on foot and down the driveway, which is when both female flew down.  For a big bird, they're very good flier, short distance anyway.

Miami Here We Come!

Emilie and I flew down to visit the Miami Frye's during her March break from URI.  We flew in on Tuesday and returned home late Saturday.  A short visit but we had a great time!  It was long overdue to get down there and the getaway I really needed.

We drove over to Marco Island and hit the beach; what a great spot, which just so happens to hold some wonderful memories too of prior visits  Of course we stopped along the way to take in some BIG alligators!  We also stopped to rescue a large soft-shelled turtle that was attempting to cross the highway. The save was a success, however, the odor from carrying the dude was just awful!

The beach was busy when we first arrived but empty by the time we left.  It was so peaceful and relaxing; not a worry in the world at that time.  Just wish I had a beach chair to sit in. Well, one that had a bottom to it...

Seashells were collected too.  These below were alive, so released but what awesome colors.  A bag of shells made it's way back to Massachusetts -

The following day we visited the Everglades Holiday Park, home to the Animal Planet made famous "Gator Boys" -

We spent over an hour in an airboat out in the everglades.  Captain Rocky was our tour guide and although we did see any alligators up close, it was informative and fun just the same.  The girls enjoyed it too -

Our trip went by too fast but it was terrific to spend time with my brother and niece.  I wish we didn't live so far apart but cherish the times we get to spend together. Seems like only yesterday the girls were babies, they're beautiful young women now and I couldn't be prouder of them both.

It Really Is Tough

Up Up And Away!

The neighbor had some tree work done this past Friday.  The crew was here for the whole day and they took down quite a few trees; some BIG ones too.  Looks like it opened things up nicely for them and removed any immediate threat of them falling onto their house.

It's was amazing watching the crew work, especially the crane operator and the dude who was being placed HIGH into the tops of the trees being cut.  

Watch this short vid on how they effortlessly move a large tree from behind the house to the where it was being put into the chipper.

Some Privacy Please...

Doing errands yesterday afternoon Emilie and I came upon this beautiful fox.  We spotted her and were able to pull in next to her and grab these pics.  She was almost oblivious of us at first, as she stopped to do her business.  Only when we started whistling did she notice us and get a bit hurried.  Once she was done, she quickly scooted in the other direction.

Of course we immediately jumped on Facebook to warn everyone in Franklin that we saw a fox out in the daytime and that those folks with small dogs and cats should be careful...HAHAHA, no we did NOT do that!  NO PSA needed if you have a smidgen of a clue about wildlife.

I Feel Blessed

The sunsets off my back deck never disappoints and is always so impressive and beautiful -

Out Like A Light!

Emilie is home and Trixie is in her glory.  She is SO happy to have her home.

Here she is out like a light lying next to Emilie on the couch, ssshhhhhh!

Uncle Ben and Pulled Pork Loin

I whipped up this honey glazed pork loin last month, using the slow cooker, and it came out super delicious!  I got three meals out of it, plus I was able to freeze two more meals.  Once I had the needed ingredients and threw everything in the pot, it was hands off until time to eat.  It smelled great and was so so good!

I enjoyed the pork over rice with Uncle Ben - 

Swing And A Miss...

I gave this brandy a try the other evening, which has been in the basement closet for some 15-20 years now, not a big fan.

His Majesty, Sir Oliver

The king on one of his many thrones (resting spots).

You can even see his attitude in his face.  Seems I was disturbing him; the nerve of me taking a picture of him while he was resting, gheese...

Items Of A Time Gone By

Came across some items of my youth; my toddler days perhaps.

Sadly, I cannot tell you much about these items, for example who knitted the outfit or if the spoon was one I used or more of a keepsake. 

No idea what to do with these things, other than reminisce of days gone by.

HBD Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Missing you every day.

So True...

Fishin' On A River

 

Jake Owen - Fishin' On A River

😢

I had already stopped by the bait shop

Filled up the cooler and the tank and the tackle box

Weatherman calling for cloudy and eighty-two

Sun down it’s a full moon

I had my old red danger all shined up

My good rods and a better day lined up

I was ready to go

And it turned out she was too

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Had already made up her goodbye mind

Took her things left me nothing but the tail lights

They say the neon and the jukebox helps the leaving

And that’s the reason that I’m

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

I outta be tired of throwing them back by now

But there I am letting her go

Throwing them back right now

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

(wishing I was with her)

Sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

Wetting my whistle instead of wetting my line

Catching me a buzz not catching me a bass

Running up the tab instead of that mercury twenty-five

I don’t know where it all went wrong

But all I know is that girl’s gone

And a honey hole ain’t gonna help me for get her

So now I’m sitting in a bar instead of fishing on a river

The Black and Gold

Emilie and I took in a Boston Bruins & Pittsburg Penguin hockey game at the TD Garden in Boston last night!

We were up in the nose bleed section, all the way up, in the last row with our backs against the wall.  They were actually pretty good seats, with a good view of the whole rink and arena, see pic.

The B's jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period but came out flat in the second and went into the third period down 2-3.  They ended up losing the game 2-4.

Didn't matter, we had a great time none-the-less.

In the past year we've been to a Boston Red Sox game, a New England Patriots game and a Boston Bruins game.  Up next is a Boston Celtics game.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter!  

You are an amazing person with such a kind loving soul.

I see BIG things for you and I am SO SO proud of you and who you're becoming.

Seems like only yesterday you arrived and changed my world.  I can't believe that was 20 years ago.  It's gone by much too fast but I've been blessed with some incredible memories that I hold dearly.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

I love 💖 you more than I can ever express.

Giddy Up - Happy Birthday!

A great BIG Happy Birthday to this inspiring young woman!

I don't know where the 20-years have gone but they certainly went by in the blink of an eye.

I love this picture! It embodies your love for animals, especially horses, and the amazing connection you have with them.

Happy Birthday!

I hope you enjoy your special day.

All my love 💗

Just In Case

The company I work for sent every employee rapid covid tests to their homes.

I received my (6) kits the other afternoon.

These rapid tests have been difficult to find in our local pharmacies.  They just don't last long and sell out very quickly.  So, it's nice to have some spares handy just in case needed, if for nothing else peace of mind.

To my company - Thank you!

My First Calzone!

I thought I'd try something different for dinner last weekend.  I had some pizza dough in the freezer, so thought a calzone was in order.

I added Boar's Head honey maple ham from the deli and a 4-blend shredded cheese to my shopping list and off to the market I went.  

I added some home grown (previously frozen) green peppers, some onions, tomato sauce and pepperoni and made myself a delicious calzone!  I was able to stretch it and got two lunches out of the leftovers.

I Am Me