Throwback Picture

Here's a throwback picture of Sasha, our dog we had growing up back in the 80's.  We got her as a wee puppy from the Canton dog pound.  She turned out to be the best dog we ever had.

Old Boston Globe Clippings

I came across some more of my dad's paperwork yesterday and spent some time going through it.

Here are several Boston Globe clippings he had saved from years ago.

Truth be told, I wish I had more boxes of my dads stuff to go through.  The process brings back some great memories and keeps my connection to him alive.  I miss him and sure could use his wisdom and advice right about now.

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI)

Join the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), I did!

Get started today https://bddy.me/3zHVIDW

Scored 4 Rapid Test Kits!

FINALLY!

I was able to score (4) rapid covid tests yesterday.

Emilie and I have been looking for these for over a week now.  We've tried numerous local pharmacies this past week and they were all sold out each and every time.

Just happened to be checking out Facebook and there was a posting stating the Walgreens in Medway had boxes of them, so off I went as fast I could.  I was surprised to see there were oodles of test kits available AND no limits, so I grabbed four.

Making Chili, Take One!

Following my walk I finally tackled my maiden try at making chili in my slow cooker.

I had purchased all the necessary ingredients weeks ago but wanted to wait until we found ourselves in a cold spell, and here we are!

It's not rock science, so I really can't epically fail at this but the proof will be in the taste later this afternoon.  I'm already looking forward to my dinner! 

Sure does smell good, if that's a good sign!

A Brisk Walk This AM!

Even though we got over 12" of snow yesterday, I still headed out this morning for my 2+ mile walk.  I was on the fence about it, thinking I would have to trudge through the snow covered sidewalks, but I was completely SHOCKED to see when I opened my shades that the town had plowed the sidewalks all the way up to the school!  I took that as a sign and off I went!  It was slippery in spots, as it was only about 16 degrees out when I departed, but was careful and made it back without any incidents.

A Powerful Image of Grief

First Snow of 2022

Here are several pictures of our first snow storm of the season and year!

Here in Franklin, we got about 12"!  

It was a quick moving storm, so fortunately it didn't linger.  Also, the 12" is fluffy light snow, so not too bad for the first of the year.

Always so peaceful and calm before all the mutants stir and venture out to ruin it all...

Positive!

So, this happened!  Last Saturday Emilie tested positive for Covid using a rapid take home test, UGH!  She had been sick on and off for a month or so but had been testing regularly, all negative, but not last Saturday.  She was congested, had a cough, sore throat and was tired.  Thankfully, nothing too serious.  Almost a week later and she's feeling better!

We've been looking high and low for another home rapid test but they're no where to be found.  When the local pharmacies get them in, they don't last long at all, as everyone is hunting for them too.

A bummer for sure, especially since this is her Winter break, but thankful she's on the mend.

Quack Quack

Every day since May 18, with a couple exceptions, I've walked 2+ miles down to the grade school and back.  Along the walk is a series of wetlands that run along both sides, and under, the road and yesterday was the first and only day in all my walks that I've seen ducks.  It's not the greatest pic but there are two pair of Mallards there.  Not sure why they're not there more often, perhaps they know something I don't but certainly nice to see them.  Brings back fond memories of growing up on Burgess Ave, which abutted wetlands, and we'd always see Mallards visiting.

Happy New Year 2022

Wishing my family and friends a happy and healthy 2022!

The Office Puzzle

Completed!

Started Christmas eve day and finished it this morning!

1000 piece puzzle, piece of cake!

Onto the next one...

Wok You Look'n At?!

Weird but I'm on a stir fry kick as of late and I can't explain it. I whipped up this delicious teriyaki meal last night, and cleaned my plate right down to the very last grain of rice!

You Sly Foxes You, Hubba Hubba!

Morning walks are the best, so quiet, calm and peaceful.  The calm before the storm of man awaking and ruining it with their hustle and bustle.  Often times I'm treated to seeing things most miss.  Take for example my walk on Tuesday morning - 

As I made my way up the driveway of the school, a mile down the road, I noticed an animal on the soccer field.  At first glance I assumed it was a dog but didn't see any owners milling about.  As I got closer I realized it was a fox, however, she was just standing there looking at me; never turned and ran, which was unusual. I suspect most people at that point would have assumed it was a rabid fox because foxes aren't out in the day and they would have immediately posted to Facebook about their find with a reminder to keep a close eye on your cats and dogs, UGH...oh the misinformed dipsticks!

Turns out it wasn't one fox but TWO foxes!  The reason they didn't turn and run is because they were "stuck" together, OUCH!  They tried to scurry away but their 8 legs had them going in different direction.

What I was witnessing was a pair of foxes mating!  Here is what the Google machine has to say - 

"During mating, a bulb-like mass of tissue surrounding the baculum tip (called the bulbus glandis) swells as it engorges with blood and the pair may become locked (or tied) together – this is known as a copulatory tie or copulatory lock, and is present in most canids."

Seemed like a rather odd place, out in the open, for these two to consummate their affection for one another but interesting just the same.

Perhaps, like most folks these days I recorded a 30 second clip of this pair trying to make there way to the woods -

💔

 😭

Try Losing One

It's hard to get a number

It's hard to get that dance

It's hard to talk a girl

Into ditching all her friends

It's hard to get that first kiss

It's hard to make one fall

It's hard to get the courage

Up to give her dad a call

And if all that ain't hard enough

Try losing one

Try walking through the door of an empty house

Try staring at the wall pouring whiskey out

Try living with knowing that you let her down

Try trying like hell not to think about

That hurt in her eyes as she turned around

If you think finding a girl you can't live without

Is the hardest thing you've ever done

Try losing one

It's hard to come home early

Them last call home come so late

Pride is hard to swallow

And sorry is hard to say

And taking her for granted

Is an easy thing to do

And if you wanna see the kind of hell

A girl can put you through

Try losing one

Try walking through the door of an empty house

Try staring at the wall pouring whiskey out

Try living with knowing that you let her down

Try trying like hell not to think about

That hurt in her eyes as she turned around

If you think finding a girl you can't live without

Is the hardest thing you've ever done

Try losing one

Try losing one

Try missing her every night holding on

Barely getting by a love like they

It might be hard to find

But try losing one

Try walking through the door of an empty house

Try staring at the wall pouring whiskey out

Try living with knowing that you let her down

Try trying like hell not to think about

That hurt in her eyes as she turned around

If you think finding a girl you can't live without

Is the hardest thing you've ever done

Try losing one

Try losing one

Grief

Merry Trixie Christmas

Trixie dog had a Merry Christmas!

Here are some UP and close candid pics of her in her Christmas PJs!

Santa got her (2) new squeaky toys, which I call her "chickens", and she loves them - 

We'll add them to her bed of squeaky toys.  Spoiled much...

Merry Christmas To You All!

Emilie and I put our Christmas tree up!

It looks great, if I do say so myself!

Here is the rest of the inside decorating, not as fancy as years past but festive.

A difficult holiday season would be an understatement.  However, I was on top of the world yesterday, as I got to spend Christmas Eve with both of my daughters.  I had them ALL TO MYSELF and all my worries went away, if just for that short time.

Two beautiful souls that I love so so much!  I couldn't be prouder of them both.

Wishing you all a VERY Merry Christmas!

CMGI Field, What?!

How many of you all recall when, what is now known as Gillette Stadium, the home to our New England Patriots, was originally supposed to be called CMGI Field?! Based on the date stamp on the pictures, this was back in 2002.

The stadium, parking lot signs had all be named CMGI Field.  I don't recall why, and honestly can't be bothered this morning to research, but the sponsorship fell through.

For some reason I made my way to the stadium and took some pictures before all signage was changed to Gillette Stadium.

White Christmas, Perhaps?!

I took this picture during my 7AM walk yesterday morning.  You can't tell in the pic but it was still snowing lightly.  Most surfaces had a coating of fresh fallen snow.  It was so calm and peaceful.  

There's still a coating out there is morning too, so this is as close as we'll get to a white Christmas this year.