Grumpy The Cat

Gosh, I really hate cats.  Honestly, they're really good for nothing, especially when they're a house cat.  You could argue an outside cat or a barn cat has some value to some degree and earns it's keep by keeping the rodents in check but otherwise what good are they, UGH!  That being said, I think I took a great picture here, which sorta backs what I'm saying.

This is my aunts and uncles cat, Pepe or Pele or PeePee or some shit, and he just look so darn grumpy and miserable, just look at that face. To boot, like most cats, this cat doesn't have a care in the world, yet hello mister what-r-you-looking-at...

Good Morning Boston!

For those not following along on social media...

Here are a couple pictures of the sunrise over the city of Boston, as viewed from the 27 floor of my office building and over a couple different mornings.

Commuting into the city on public transportation - the MBTA, is not a fun experience for me.  I get anxious and cannot stand being that close to people; strange, weird and odd people.

However, my rewards for facing my fears, rising early and an getting into the office long before most others, pays off in spades with views like this one!

#Blessed

Just Plain Lazy!

This is how FedEx delivered the neighbors package the other day!

He backed the extra long truck down the driveway, opened the rear door, struggled with that large box and essentially dropped it right where it came off the truck.  He made NO effort to move it closer towards the garage doors and under cover, nope, closed the read door jumped in the truck and zoomed off.

I believe FedEx outsources some of their delivery drivers and this knucklehead is clearly one of them.  He's rubbed me the wrong way from the moment I first saw him.  During the warmer weather, he's often in a wife-beater t-shirt, shorts and some obnoxious bright sneakers.  The truck radio blaring some sort of awful foreign music and he drives it like a sports car zooming up and down Lincoln street. Like this pic, I've seen him drop packages off curbside at the base of mailboxes, against trees in peoples front yard, in the middle of driveways and more.  From where I sit, I view him as lazy and unprofessional!  A regular POS.

It would be nice if online stores let you select who you wanted packages delivered by.  I tell you what, if I could, I wouldn't order a thing from companies that used FedEx and the USPS.  As far as I'm concerned both carriers as useless, like it's said, they're both as "useful as tits on a bull"...

Yet another indication of our current times.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho Outside To Shovel I Go!

First snow storm of 2024

All in all not too bad.  We didn't get as much snow as predicted, which is perfectly fine with me.

Here are a couple 7AM pic -

Here I am several hours later shoveling the front walkway -

and using the roof rake to clean snow from the edges of the roof -

Also, shoveled a path to and around the fire hydrant that is across the street.

The temps are expected to fall into the 20s tonight and I thought it best to remove some of the roof snow to avoid any ice dams from forming.  Better safe than sorry.

Now for a piping hot bowl of fresh made chili!

Pending Snow Storm

We have a winter snow storm moving in this weekend with anywhere from 3" to 12" expected.

I took care of the milk, bread and eggs and stocking up on some other essentials a couple days ago.  Filled up my propane tanks, just in case I need to fire up my generator. Fully charged my spare power adapters for my phone and iPad and put fresh batteries in the flashlights.

This morning I fired up the crockpot and in the process of making a batch of chicken chili - smells delicious -

Also, made some cornbread too -

Chili, cornbread and football! I'm ready, so let it snow!

The Iceman

C'mon! My house isn't THAT cold!

A visiting Floridian having a difficult time adjusting to Winter in New England. Ironically, the same winters he grew up in.

This image reminds me of my mom and how she was always bundled up on the couch.  As my brother said, seems I've turned into my dad.  Tug at my heart but one of the most heartfelt and best compliments I've ever received and one I couldn't be more proud of.

The apple didn't fall too far from the tree, on both accounts!

What Colors!

Another outstanding sunset off my back deck last night!

As cold as it was I sat out there and enjoyed this view till the colors were gone.

This just doesn't get old!

#Blessed

Early Morning Frolic

I haven't seen them in quite some time but of course that doesn't mean they're not out there, as this picture shows.  My security camera captured these two does at 2:14AM this morning 1/6, nibbling on what's left of my Ladies Mantle plant.  Also, seeing that they're visiting at 2AM would explain why I don't see them as often, as in bed and sound asleep at this time.

I suspect they can sense that a snow storm is coming and looking to bulk up as much as they can ahead of time.

No Maybe

An Ode...

Good Riddance to 2023

2023 you SUCKED!

Now FUCK OFF!

The Ole Homestead At Night

Here's a shot of the outside of my house with some Christmas lights.

Pretty basic, nothing too fancy.

Who Remembers 'Jordan Marsh'?

Another blast from the past, Jordan Marsh!

I grew up with this store and it was a main anchor in Framingham at Shopper's World and in Boston's Downtown Crossing; a Boston lost landmark.  They had a terrific bakery in the store and I can still smell and taste the BIG chocolate chip cookies we'd get.

The ownership of Jordan Marsh was transferred between several holding companies during its operation, including Hahn Department Stores in 1928, Allied Stores in 1935, and Federated Department Stores in 1988. The brand was retired and eventually absorbed into the New York City-based Macy's chain in 1996.

Snug As A Bug In A Rug!

Trixie sporting her new Christmas gift!

I've never seen a dog smile as much as Trixie did when she opened her gift and saw what it was.  She couldn't get it on fast enough. Seems the homeowner has taken a bit after his old man and is stingy on the old thermostat 😬

Here she is trying to start a new fashion trend -

Just A Squirrel Trying To Get A Nut

Well, as you can see, this squirrel was successful in getting a nut!

One of the scads of grey squirrels we saw throughout the Boston Commons the other afternoon.

Blood Donation "Yeti" Again

I completed another Power Red blood donation this past Friday afternoon to close out 2023!

I'm able to donate again anytime after April 13 and have already scheduled a 4-25-24 appointment!

Received a "Yeti set donate" long-sleeve t-shirt as a thank you.

#Blessed

She's A Beauty Clark!

My Christmas tree is up, presents wrapped, and the living room, as well as the rest of the house inside and out has been decorated too!  Everything looks great and festive!

#Blessed

Amen!

#Blessed

Almost 40-Year!

#Blessed

Beef, It's What's For Dinner!

Christmas Eve dinner has been picked up, sorted, cut, marinating (half teriyaki and half plain) and patiently waiting in the freezer for GO TIME!

Almost six and three quarter pounds of beef sirloin tips!

I'm not rushing things but already looking forward to a family gathering here at the ole homestead on XMas eve and digging into these tips, hanging out, catching up and enjoying family time!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

#Blessed

R O A R!

Rise and shine!

King of the ole homestead jungle (so he thinks...)

A Parent's Prayer, Circa 1964

Going through my mother's recipe box last night - 

I came upon the above A Parent's Prayer.

Based on the notes this prayer was sent back in 1964 by my grandmother, Edna, to my mom and dad.

Good advice still, some ~60 years later.

Finger Lick'n Good!

I had a hanker'n for pork spareribs the other night but not just your typical barbeque ribs, no.  Rather, I was wanting the ribs my mother used to make using the Chinese style AH-SO sauce!

It was too cold out, therefore the grill was out of the question, so instead I opted to broil them in the oven.  The problem with the broiler is the smoke it usually creates when cooking (at least when I cook, HA).  Even with the oven fan on high it didn't prevent my smoke alarms from going off; ALL four of them, since they're all linked.

Outside of the panicked and confused look on Trixie and Oliver, no worries.  Turned on the ceiling fan and opened the slider and after a couple of minutes the problem was solved.

However, this is where that dink "Murphy" comes in, alas.  For whatever reason, the smoke alarms going off woke them from their dormancy, with the living room alarm constantly chirp, chirp, chirp, UGH!  The challenge being is this particular alarm is mounted on the ceiling; my vaulted ceiling, some 15 or so feet high! Now it couldn't have been the alarm I'm able to reach using a small stool, of course not!  Has to be the most challenging one of the bunch, thanks 'Murphy'.

In order to address this alarm, living room furniture needed to be moved, a blanket put down and my 15' aluminum ladder needed to be carried inside.  Of course the ladder, by virtue of being stored outside was filthy, covered with leaves and pin needles that needed to be cleaned first, then I had to wrap towels around the ends that leaned against the wall so not to mark or scratch the paint.

In the end, and as designed, the chirping is letting you know that the 9-volt backup battery needs to be replaced, DUH!  I replaced that, reinstalled and performed a test and no more chirping.

All normal maintenance at the end of the day.

By the way, the ribs came out perfect and were delicious!  I reminisced and enjoyed each and every bite!

It Sure Does!

As it's said, "A leopard can't change its spots"...

Post Up!

How bout these awesome pics I took yesterday, perfect!

One of my favorite birds too, the Eastern Bluebird!

She's not sporting the beautiful blue color they typically have during the summer but this female is still stunning just the same.  The orange or rust colors even match the actual rust on the metal hook she's posing next to.

Also, worth noting is that these pics were taken through the window over my kitchen sink.  Crystal clear right?!  This bodes well for, and kudos to me, for the excellent job I've done cleaning both the inside and outside of my windows!

Who Remembers 'Paperama'

Circa 1987

With my new Christmas tree up, I'm finally going through some of my mothers old Christmas ornament.  They've been stored in the garage for years and now is an ideal time to see what I have and even get them hung!  I came across three boxes of bulbs, all with Paperama price stickers, see below, and made back in the day when things lasted -

Paperama was a cross between a supermarket and a discount store and was owned by the John S. Cheever Co.  In their heyday, they had (16) stores, with one being in Norwood, the next town over from my home town of Westwood.  Sadly, the company into problems in the early 1990's, with falling sales leading to suppliers and lenders tightening credit. The John S. Cheever Co. filed for bankruptcy in 1994, and later that year, the Paperama stores were sold to Long-Island-based  Party Experience. That company closed the stores in 1998.

Hanging some of these bulbs to my Christmas tree adds a nice bit of nostalgia and brings back some wonderful memories.

#Blessed 

Inquiring Noses

I've gotten into the habit of letting Trixie and Oliver check out any delivery packages I receive, as well as any bags I return with from running errands.  For example, before opening any packages, I'll place them on the kitchen floor and give them some time, see above picture; same with the bags from the market, on the kitchen floor versus the counter like I used to. They both seem to enjoy it and it occupies them for a short while, hopefully breaking up the monotony for them.

Camera Shy

I had a big, beautiful Red-Tailed hawk following me for a bit this morning.

Out of all the pictures I took trying to capture it, this is the best of the bunch, which isn't the greatest.  

He flew from the top of the flag pole, to one lamppost, then to the one pictured above.  Each time I stopped walking to take some pics the dude would fly off, as he's doing in the above pic. You can see he just stepped off and is taking flight.

Oh The Humanity!

Call 9-1-1!

I came across what I believe to be a crime scene this morning on my 6AM walk!

No sign of a struggle and no clear indication of foul play but a limp Woody is a crime!

Seriously Just Over It

 

I don't know who's writing my story, but they need to put the pen down for a while. I need a break!

Turducken Is An Actual Thing...

For the curious, Wikipedia defines a Turducken as - "A dish consisting of a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, further stuffed into a deboned turkey. Outside of the United States and Canada, it is known as a three-bird roast. Gooducken is an English variant, replacing turkey with goose."

Get Moving!

Get out there and just do it!

Zoom Zoom Zoom

I spy, with my telephoto lens, a pair of Red-Tailed hawks perched atop a white pine tree way off in the distance -

* Ignore the date stamp on the pictures, they're incorrect.  I took these this past Saturday.