Snow...

The last day of a very dry year, we got a small amount of moisture in the form of snow.

The weather forecasters had been saying we had a 30 percent chance of snow.  I went to bed and there was no snow.  This morning I got up and voila!

It must have started shortly before 5 AM because the newspaper gets delivered around then and there was snow under the paper.

We have a fairly active rabbit population in my neighborhood and they are obviously more active than I'd originally suspected.

You can't see it in this shot, but I did spot one line of tracks that I think belongs to one of the neighborhood cats.  It must have strolled through either pre or post bunnies because I don't see any evidence that bunnies were chased (or caught).

Have a great 2013!
Papillon

Xmas in Colonial Williamsburg

At first I was worried I wouldn't be able to make it to Christmas this year.  For whatever reason, my sinuses went into overdrive late last week.  I felt fine through Wednesday and then felt progressively miserable on Thursday and Friday.  Lots of pressure and tightness.  I started taking OTC sinus medication and eventually started to feel better.  Not great but better.

I felt well enough to fly out on the 24th to Norfolk, VA.  I woke up to a shock on the 25th.  I had pink blotches all over my body.  I hadn't felt anything overnight, so I didn't REALLY think it was bedbugs, but I didn't know for sure.  Perhaps it was a reaction to the detergent the hotel used to wash their sheets and towels??  In any case, I looked like a Dalmation - just with pink spots instead of black.  I was only slightly itching so things weren't TOO bad.  I did notify the hotel and they said they would check things out.  (Note:  they did get a professional in who did confirm that there were NO bugs in my room.)

I went ahead and drove to Williamsburg.  It was a lovely drive with lots of scenery to be seen - including a stretch of first bridge and then tunnel, over and under the Chesapeake Bay.  I haven't seen that much water in one place in quite some time.

After getting to Williamsburg, my younger sister and I went to the local emergency room.  (Oddly, all the urgent care places were closed.)  Fortunately there were only a few people there.  None were hacking up lungs and nobody had any unfortunate gaping holes and oozing body fluids.  In slightly over an hour, I had been checked out and told I had a case of hives (and therefore NOT contagious, which the hotel wanted to make sure of).  The culprit was decided to be an OTC herbal supplement that was supposed to help ease my sinus pressure.  It did that, but one or more of the ingredients also cause the hives reaction.  On the plus side, I didn't have bedbugs!!!!

It was good getting together with my sisters and BIL.  Thanks to Pace for taking this photo!

Xmas day we had chilly but sunny weather.  The 26th it rained for most of the day.  Sure made it tough to hold the umbrella against the wind and take photos at the same time.  I changed clothes halfway through the day after the first set got wet.  The 27th was chilly but at least partly sunny.  Much easier to take photos!

I love these three little side-by-side houses.  They're so cute!

Here's a colonial reenactor.  He really seemed to get into his role.  It was a hoot watching him in action.  Here he was in the process of teaching some young men how to bow to the ladies and the ladies how to curtsy in response. 

Here are some decorations.  (In colonial times, they decorated inside the houses but not outside.  These are technically not historically accuate.)  Because we now like to see outside decorations, they do this to make the tourists happy.  All materials are 100% natural materials.  (The guide said the squirrels love this 'buffet' of food.)

These are a couple more reenactors.  You can tell it's a chilly day.

I don't remember which, but this reenactor told one of my sisters that he's worked at Colonial Williamsburg for something like 30+ years.  He was working on a rabbit stew - in an open pot over an open fire.  Later he was going to make cabbage cakes.  (He said these are sort of like potato cakes except using cabbage.)  His wife works down the street at the apothecary's office.  (I asked if she had anything for my hives.  She recommended calamine lotion.)

I am glad we decided to do this.  We had a yummy dinner on Xmas night at the hotel.  On the 26th we went to the Trellis restaurant.  I had the pork loin.  OMG - that was some yummy meat!   It makes my taste buds smile just thinking about it!

There were a few hiccups along the way.  Hives, followed by being out and about on a rainy day that would have had New Mexicans building arks.  But - according to G.K. Chesterton, an inconvenience rightly considered is an adventure.  We definitely had an adventure.  (And the hotel staff at the Williamsburg Lodge felt so sorry for my Dalmation-spotted self, they upgraded my room.  It was lovely!)  When the sun finally came out late in the afternoon on the 26th, there was a gorgeous rainbow to be seen from my window.

I hope all of you had a great Xmas as well.
Papillon

A Weird and Annoying Week

The week started to get weird and annoying on Tuesday morning.  It was a cold morning, around 17 degrees. So when the low tire pressure indicator came on, I figured things would be OK once the tires got warmed up.

Things weren't OK.  The indicator stayed on.  I stopped at a gas station on the way to work and pumped some air into all the tires.  That helped and the indicator went off.  On the way home, I stopped at another gas station and made sure all the tires were up to the correct pressure.

On Wednesday the weather went to hell in a hand basket.  A nasty cold front blew through, literally.  All day it was cold and VERY windy.  Normally I would stay inside as much as possible, but work required me to be out and about.

Then, on Thursday, I noticed my sinuses were acting up.  Tight and some drainage (TMI?) causing some sporadic coughing.  I took some OTC sinus medication and things seemed to get better.

That is until Friday rolled around.  My sinuses were really tight and lots more coughing.  The OTC medication helped a little.  I was worried that I might be too sick to take part in Xmas activities.

Saturday morning I woke up to a headache and a whole lot of coughing.  However, after a while, things calmed down and the OTC medicine was helping.  At that point I thought I'd head to Target, get some additional OTC stuff and head home.

Imagine my annoyance when the low tire pressure indicator popped up.  WTH?  I drove to Target, but when I got out of the car, I noticed the left front tire was not flat, but it was rather low.  I got back in the car and drove to Firestone.  I've had the car for 4 years and the tires are originals, so I just went ahead and bought a new set.

They initially told me it'd be about an hour and a half or two hours before they could get me in and get things done.  I strolled over to a nearby Dollar Tree and got a bag of nuts.  Then on to the Goodwill next door.  There I found an Agatha Christie I hadn't read in a while.  I headed back to Firestone to wait things out.  Surprisingly, I was feeling better than I had in about 48 hours.  Not 100%, but at least around 75%.

The Firestone folks got me out in about an hour and I headed on home where I spent most of the rest of the day on the couch.  This helped and I did feel better - at about 80-85%.  It's been kinda up and down today, but the coughing has subsided a bit.  That's always good.

I'm hoping things continue to get better, but I'm going to continue to keep the OTC medication and Kleenex handy for the foreseeable future.

Joyeux Noel.
Papillon

Tiny Snowfall

We did get a tiny bit of snow last night.

The sun came out shortly after this photo was taken and most of the snow is now history.  For a while it looked like it was going to be a pretty nice day.

However, some clouds blew through around noon.  It's now sunny, windy and cold.

Papillon

Snow!

OK, I was a bit precipitate (pun intended).

I looked out the window and there is snow!

I'm glad it's the weekend.  There's no need to deal with both snow and commuting.

To change the subject, I watched the Glenn Close move, Albert Nobb.
It's a fascinating movie.  It's also rather depressing.  Just letting you know.

Papillon

Rain and snow...maybe

Today was cloudy and chilly.  A very definite change from normal New Mexico weather.  I was rather hoping for some sort of precipitation, but no luck here in the Albuquerque area.

Fortunately, other parts of the state have gotten snow.  This is a definite plus during a drought.  All the skiers are very happy since a lot of the ski areas have gotten numerous inches of snow. 

This is good, not only for the skiers, but also for the agricultural folks.  They have a rough several years.

I'm trying to get everyone to do the Law of Attraction.  Thoughts become things.  If all anyone thinks about is drought, that is what they will attract.  I'm trying to get everyone to switch their thoughts around.  Instead of concentrating on drought, they should think thoughts of precipitation.

They should also emulate Goldilocks.  She was a smart cookie who knew exactly what she wanted.  We should attract not too much rain or too little rain, but we should attract the amount that is 'just right'.

Papillon

What a day!

Today I've been through the oft-mentioned roller coaster of emotions.

The day started out well.  When I got up, it had been raining and continued to do so for most of the morning.  Nothing very much, but all of it was welcome.

I went out in the rain to do battle with Bank of America.  They are the holders of the mortgage on my house.  Over the years, I've been paying extra on my monthly payments.  Some months got more, others got less depending upon my financial circumstances.  In November I noticed that the balance was low enough for me to contemplate paying it off.

I called the 800 hundred number and spoke with a young man named Michael.  I told him what I wanted to do and he gave me a total that he said would pay off the mortgage.  Per his instructions, I got a certified check and mailed it off.  I've been watching the mail for paperwork showing that the mortgage was history.

Yesterday I got some paperwork for BofA.  Guess what, Michael's total hadn't paid off the mortgage.  So I called again and got a young woman named Ciji (pronounced SEE-gee).  She pooh-poohed most of what Michael had told me.  She gave me another balance.  All I had to do was get a certified check to one of the local BofA branches by 12/17.  I pointed out that wasn't a whole lot of time.  After all, Michael had given me 30 days.  She 'graciously' allowed me another couple of days by extending her deadline until 12/20.  Gee, thanks!

I also pointed out that Michael had said his balance would pay things off and it hadn't.  So what faith should I have in her balance?  (Note:  I was polite throughout this phone call.)  She said she would send me some paperwork that I could take into the bank branch.  I pointed out her extended deadline was only 5 business days away and that I doubted that the mail service would get it to me by then.  She pooh-poohed that saying it would not be a problem since all they had to do is read her notes.  (Ummm, if that's true, why did I need her paperwork.)  She's talking as she's typing away and finally says the paperwork should arrive in 7 to 10 business days.  Say what?!

Needless to say, I had VERY LITTLE faith in what she had to say, especially in light of the fact that she kept having to put me on hold to go ask questions. 

I decided to take the bull by the horns.  I went to the nearest branch and met with a woman named Rosa.  I told her my tale of woe and asked for her help.  She got to experience some of my frustration when she called the Mortgage Payoff Hotline and got a run-around similar to mine.  At one point the woman at the other end of the line said I could pay with cash if I wanted to and then seconds later said no, I couldn't pay with cash.

Rosa was finally able to get a final total.  I went to my credit union and got the payment in hand.  I trotted back and was able to give it to Rosa.  Now I just have to wait to see if this brings the process to an end.  If it doesn't, the gloves come off.

I did have to laugh to myself.  At the end of the process, Rosa asked if I wanted her to tell her all about the products available at BofA.  I just smiled and said I was happy with my credit union.

I went home and turned on the TV.  That was when I found out about the horrible shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut.  Oh, how very sad!  It's a small enough town that you know this affects everyone.  My heart goes out to everyone there.

Papillon

Thinking of Mom

In New Mexico, auto license plates usually have 3 letters/3 numbers or 3 numbers/3 letters.  I've occasionally seen license plates with letter combinations of my sisters' initials and more occasionally those of my dad.  I'd not seen any with my mom's initials.

Last weekend, I was running some errands and something happened that, if Mom were still alive, I would have included in my weekly letter to her.  As I was sitting in traffic and thinking of this, I looked over and there was a license plate with Mom's initials on it.  I was amused - it seemed like Mom was letting me know she was thinking of me.

In the intervening week, I've seen several more license plates with Mom's initials.  I'd like to think she's letting me know she's OK.

Papillon

Killer Zombie Full Moon?

Tonight's commute home was a nightmare.  It got me to wondering if the full moon had some sort of vendetta against Albuquerque area commuters.

It started out smoothly enough.  Then I got onto I-40 westbound.  Around the Wyoming exit, traffic started to really slow down/come to a stop.  One car didn't slow down fast enough because there was a rear ender that had obviously just happened moments before I drove by.

Things only got worse.  It turns out there was one wreck on southbound I-25 at Rio Bravo that had the highway shut down and traffic rerouted onto the frontage road.  According to the traffic reports, there was a car on fire on northbound I-25.  Then, there was an older wreck on westbound I-40 at University. 

Needless to say, traffic was all backed up.  My normal commute takes 45-60 minutes.  Tonight, it took 75 minutes. 

I am SO glad to finally be at home.

Papillon

Hot Air Balloon in the Afternoon

It's been a lazy Thanksgiving weekend.  This afternoon I was napping on the couch.  When I first heard the noise, I thought it was the furnace firing up.  When it didn't, I wondered if it was someone taking a hot air balloon.

This is unusual, simply because most balloon rides take place in the mornings.  I'm not 100% sure of the reasons why, but it's traditionally the time of day when balloons go up.

After I heard a couple more bursts of propane firing up, I wandered outside and sure enough, there went a balloon headed off to the north.

The trees reside in my neighbors' yard.

I've been listening to the reports about Black Thursday/Friday shopping.  I like my weekend plans/non-plans better. 

I did go to the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival this morning.  I had a fun time looking around at all the creative endeavors.  I even bought a few things, including some pasta/orzo in fun flavors.  Yummy!

Papillon

We had our first fall storm roll through.  We received rain yesterday, the first time in 50+ days.

It looks like the Sandia mountains east of town might actually be getting some snow.  I don't know if it'll provide any measurable amounts or if they'll stay for more than a day or so.  I'm just glad we're getting some moisture.

Here's what the mountains looked like this afternoon.

A bit further south, you can actually see some moisture headed down.  I don't know if it was actually hitting the ground.

It's supposed to be chilly and windy for most of the rest of the weekend.  It's supposed to warm up a bit early next week.

Papillon

I ran across this today.  I thought it interesting.

American Indian Heritage Month factoid:

Something very much like basketball (ca. 1000 B.C.) was played by American Indians about 3,000 years ago. The Olmec, who lived in what is now southern Mexico/Central America from about 1700 B.C. to 400 B.C., originated the game because latex-producing trees grew in their area and they had developed the technology to create balls made from rubber. Because this game is the first one known to have used a rubber ball, anthropologists consider it to be the forerunner of all modern games that use bouncing balls, including basketball, soccer and football.


Papillon

Autumn in NM

Most of the trees that are native to New Mexico turn yellow in the fall.  It's been fun and certainly makes for a very cheerful display.

It's especially fun at sunset with the sunlight coming through the trees.

Enjoying the loveliness while it's still here.

Papillon

This past Saturday (10/20) I drove up to the Sandia Crest.  Lots of lovely views to be seen.

On the way back down, I decided to stop at the Tinkertown Museum.  I'd heard about it, but had never gone.

It's a fun way to spend a very kitschy half hour or so.  The admission is $3.50 (adult) and allows you to wander around as much and as long as you like. 

The museum was assembled over numerous years by a local couple (last name Ross).  He died in 2002, but she continues to run things.

Among other things you've got walls assembled using something like 50,000 bottles embedded in them.  (I didn't get a photo).  They've also put together a number of dioramas using lots of miniatures.  One very long one is a spoof of a western town.  Here's a section involving the Pharmacy.

And here's what happened after the Pharmacy couldn't help -- an angel and devil fighting over a man at the graveyard.

Each of the sections of the western town had a button you could push to cause portions of the display to move, like the little girl who skipped rope.

There are some non-western town dioramas, including an elaborate circus.

They've even got an automated fortune teller, Grandmother Esmeralda.  My fortune card said, among other things, that "You have chosen the path of righteousness and you will be very happy."  Also, "....you have a keen mind and an understanding nature."  Fun!

If you're looking for sophisticated humor, this is not the place for you.  However, I had a darn good time and won't hesitate to recommend it.

Papillon

Bosque Fire

This afternoon a large plume of smoke came to our attention.

I'm not sure how it started, but it sure has covered some ground.  It's located in Corrales which is east of where I live.

It was supposedly started by the electronic 'cigarette' discarded/dropped/whatever by a village worker.  A bit ironic, that.

Well, it certainly has been quite a long time since I last posted.  I have no one specific reason as to why I haven't been blogging for 3+ months.  In any case, I'm back.

For Bosses' Day on October 16th, I got a book for each of my two supervisors.  (Same book for each of them.)  It's an interesting book entitled Scenic New Mexico (by Laurence Parent).  I spotted it in one of my book catalogs.  It was on sale (sweet!).  I also bought a copy for me.

The book contains itineraries for 35 drives through some of the wonderful scenery to be found here in the Land of Enchantment.  There's a route map for each plus historical information and descriptions of what can be seen along each route.

Yesterday (Saturday 10/20) was a lovely autumnal afternoon.  Sunny and not too hot or too cold.  I decided, rather on the spur of the moment, to take Drive #16, San Antonito to Sandia Crest.  All of that is located just east of Albuquerque so was a handy place to start.

Here is a photo taken at the Crest (where it was windy and a bit chilly).  The haze in the distance may be due in part to a controlled burn north of Albuquerque in the Jemez area.  The haze was VERY noticiable on Friday 10/19.

Here are several photos I took on the way back down.  These are the remains of the poplars as they turn their usual bright yellow.

As I came around a curve like this, I saw a family of turkeys crossing the road.  By the time I pulled over and got out my camera, they had disappeared into the underbrush.

Another photo I didn't have time to take was of a directionally-challenged squirrel.  At yet another curve, I spotted a squirrel part way out onto the road.  I slowed way down, since I didn't want to run over him.  At the initial sighting, he was facing east across the road.  When he spotted me, he hesitated then sprang straight up in the air, turning 180 degrees.  He's now facing west.  He hesitated again, then repeated the maneuver, now he's facing east.  Finally, he sprang up one more time and turned in the air, landing facing west.  At that point, he made the decision to run off the road.  I almost had to pull over I was laughing so hard.

At the base of the Sandias and just north of San Antonito is the Tinkertown Museum, it's mentioned in my book.  It was started by a couple and uses a bunch of miniatures to recreate a wild West town.  A lot of the miniatures aren't period pieces, including Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.  It's fun and kitschy and I'll talk about it in a later blog.

I've also decided I'm going to take all 35 drives.  Not all at once, of course.  I do have to work, after all.  But, it's a nice goal to have.  I also plan on upgrading my digital camera.  I've got one that is acceptable, but it's older with a slow shutter speed.  Nothing too terribly fancy but something newer.  I want to upgrade my skills as well.

Papillon

A New Bunny in the Neighborhood

I'd been feeling kinda sad.  For several years a local wild rabbit would hang out at the base of the fir tree in my front yard.












This would happen on a sporadic basis and weeks could go by between visits.  However, it's been a very long time since the last appearance and I figured one of two things had happened.  One - the rabbit had died of old age.  Two - the rabbit made a meal for a local coyote.

Today I was pleasantly surprised to see another rabbit has found the comfort and safety of my fir tree.

I know this is a different rabbit because it's smaller than the first rabbit.  Plus, the first rabbit only hung out on the side of the trunk closest to the house.  It never napped on the outward facing side. 

I'm sad that the original rabbit has gone missing.  I'm glad that the 'tradition' continues.

Papillon

Two Amusing Books

I have been in love with the movie, Mrs. Miniver, for years.  I always cry during the rose competition scenes and I'd bet it's not the part you're thinking about.

In any case, several years ago I learned that the movie is based on a series of columns by Jan Struther that were later gathered into a book.  A couple of weeks ago, I located the book on Amazon and bought it.  I love it.  It is charming and entertaining and amusing. 

I do love when authors can make their writing seem both effortless and elegant.  Example:  when talking with a relative about swans, Mrs. Miniver says, "...Conceited brutes.  They always look as though they'd just been reading their own fan mail."  Sigh.  I do so wish I could write as well.

Another book I bought at the same time is amusing in a totally different way.  It's The American Frugal Housewife by Lydia Maria Child.  It was first published in 1828.  It is a hoot and a half to read.  Some of the stuff could still be done today.  Other stuff, maybe not so much.

Among other things I need to find out what pearlash is.  It's mentioned in several recipes as an ingredient.

Here's a recipe for Wedding Cake. 

"Good common wedding cake may be made thus:  Four pounds of flour, three pounds of butter, three pounds of sugar, four pounds of currants, two pounds of raisins, twenty-four eggs, half a pint of brandy, or lemon-brand, one ounce of mace, and three nutmegs.  A little molasses makes it dark-colored, which is desirable.  Half a pound of citron improves it; but it is not necessary.  To be baked two hours and a half, or three hours."

OMG.  Plus, can you imagine beating all this together without the use of an industrial strength mixer?

Off to amuse myself with more helpful hints from 1828 on how to run a happy and healthy household.

Papillon

An Interesting Factoid

I've been reading a book of anecdotes about American Presidents.  (George Washington to Ronald Reagan)

An interesting factoid - the phrase 'In God We Trust' was put on American coins beginning in 1864.  Theodore Roosevelt tried to have the phrase removed.  He said it was unconstitutional and sacrilegious.

Ya gotta like the man.

Papillon

While in San Antonio for my mom's funeral, I did take some time to do some 'tourist' activities after the funeral and reception were over.

On Friday evening, my older sister, BIL and I went down to the Riverwalk.  We had a nice boat ride followed by dinner.

On Saturday afternoon, my younger sister and I went to the Witte Museum (pronounce witt-ee).  They had several interesting exhibits.  They had a VERY informative exhibit on Darwin.  Among other things, I didn't realize that he didn't start publishing his findings until 20 years after his voyage on the Beagle. 

We also saw a fun exhibit.  Every year (I think) San Antonio puts on a Fiesta with a Royal Court.  The members of the court have very elaborate costumes.  Here are some examples:

The museum was also doing some outdoor activities to celebrate the opening of the new wing dedicated to Texas Heritage.  One of the performers was Kevin Kirkpatrick who is a trick roper.  Here are some photos of him in action.  They look kinda tame, but he did some fairly complicated tricks that I was not able to capture on my camera.

It was a nice ending to a sad weekend.

Papillon

My Mom's Funeral

We buried my mom this past Friday.  It was a sad event, but we had lovely weather in San Antonio.  Hot but with a nice breeze. 

Here's a photo of the flowers and her urn and a flag in honor of her military service (WAC's in WWII).








We were originally told that she didn't qualify for a rifle salute.  So we were surprised when a van pulled up and some men with rifles got out.  It turns out they're volunteers and were happy to give my mom a 21-gun salute.  We thank them.

The minister gave a very nice service.  We thank him as well.

Papillon

Administrative Assistants' Day

Last week was Administrative Assistants Day.  Or perhaps Administrative Professionals' Day.  In any case, I got a lovely arrangement of lilies from my boss.  (Sorry, boss, I didn't get a photo of it!)

I also got a very cute potted plant called a Godetia from other coworkers.  I had never heard of it before, but it's currently sitting on my front porch and is blooming like crazy.  I do have a photo of that.









Papillon

Easter Week Ups & Downs

Earlier this week, we had snow.  SNOW! 

A front went through on Monday.  It brought in clouds and the possibility of rain.  Hooray!  We're still in a drought and any moisture is welcome. 

Tuesday morning I got up and looked out the window.  It was snowing.  Say what?  I'd say I got about 1/2 to 1 inch at my house.  Heavy, wet snow.  I was hoping that work would allow us to come in on a delayed basis.  No such luck.

Fortunately the snow ended around mid-morning.  By afternoon, the temperature had warmed up enough that most of the snow had melted by the time I got home.

On Wednesday the temperature warmed up a bit more and the rest of the snow melted.  Things have continued to warm up since then and it's been rather lovely.  Not too hot, not too cold.

This morning (Good Friday) I saw my own Easter bunny (sort of - a Good Friday bunny?).  No eggs.  No candy.  But the cutest little bunny hopped into my yard.  He (she?) didn't look full-grown.  More of a teenage bunny.  (Unfortunately, my camera was in the car and there was no way that rabbit was going to let me get my camera and take his/her photo.)  It did allow me to watch while it gave its face a morning wash.  Cute as can be.  After a while, it hopped off to who knows where.  A fun way to start the morning.

Papillon

Disparate Weather

Yesterday it was lovely.  Warm with a light breeze.  Partly sunny. 

As we all know, yesterday was St. Patrick's Day.  For as long as I've lived in the Albuquerque metro area, some unknown person(s) have painted a large shamrock in the middle of the intersection of Southern & Sara in Rio Rancho.  Here's a not-so-good photo showing it.

Today is not nearly as pleasant.  For starters the wind has been blowing like nobody's business.  Because of the wind there's a ton of dust in the air.

Those aren't just possible rain clouds off to the west, that's a whole lot of dust in them thar clouds. 

Around mid-afternoon the sun came out and the winds have died down slightly, but not a lot.

Glad I went to the Botanic Garden yesterday and had planned to stay at home for this afternoon.

Papillon

A Sunny Day

I hadn't realized it has been a month since my last entry!

After a series of days that have been cold/chilly or windy or both chilly and windy, today was lovely.  It was cool but sunny with very little wind.  I had seen a notice in the paper that the Botanic Garden at the Albuquerque BioPark was going to have an exhibit of blooming bulbs.  I thought, how fun and decided to go.  When I got to the Botanic Garden, they had notices up that the Blooming Bulb display has been postponed.  Since I was already there, I decided to go on in anyway. 

I got some nice photos and had fun doing so.  When you first walk into the Garden area, there's a large structure that's covered in vines.  During the spring and summer months, it's a lovely green spot.  Even now, at the end of winter, it's still fun to look at - to see the bare bones of the vines and the supporting structure.

They still had some leftover flowers from a flower display shown in January and February.  Here are some of those.

The above are both cyclamens.

I have NO idea what this next flower is but it sure looks nifty.



Next up is a male wood duck chasing away another duck who was wanting in on some bread dispensed by some other attendees at the park.

Here's another duck going bottoms up to feed.



And here are a couple of ducks doing a nice circular pas de deux (web de deux?).

I hope you've had a nice day where you are.

Papillon

Halfway through Winter

According to whom you read, either Thursday, February 2nd or Friday, February 3rd was the halfway point through winter.  Of course, knowing that, I shouldn't have been surprised.

When I checked the forecast midday on Thursday, it said that we should expect a 20% chance of showers during the day and a 10% chance of showers overnight.  I didn't think much about it.

I got up Friday morning and looked out the kitchen window.  At first, it looked normal.  For no particular reason, a few minutes later, I looked out the window again.  Flipped the curtain back into place.  Then stopped and looked again.  I thought, the bushes don't look normal, so I took a closer look and discovered they didn't look normal because they were covered in snow.

I looked out the front door and sure enough, we'd gotten about half an inch of snow overnight.

Fortunately, although it wasn't a light, dry snow, it wasn't wet and heavy either.  Fairly easy to clear off my sidewalk, car and driveway.  The roads out of the subdivision were slushy but not icy.  Hooray!

It was actually rather picturesque.  I do like picturesque, especially when it doesn't interfere with my getting to work in a timely fashion.

It was warm enough that the snow was 99.9% melted when I got home.  So, other than the brief cleanup in the morning, I didn't have to do any really hard work to get rid of it.  I love when a plan comes together.

Papillon

Problem Solving

Over the years I've noticed that people at work can generally be divided into three groups when it comes to solving maintenance problems at work.

Group One - People who consciously or unconsciously never actually notice a problem.  I can't prove whether the cluelessness is deliberate or not.  But if you point out the problem to these people, they will say - wow, yes, there is a problem, but I did not notice it.

Group Two - People who notice the problem but choose to do absolutely nothing.  Sometimes it's because of ignorance - yes, there's a problem, but I don't know who to contact about it.  Sometimes, I attribute it to laziness - why should they do anything?  If they ignore it long enough someone else will take care of it.

Group Three - People who see a problem and actually take action to correct said problem.

Me, I tend to fall into Group Three.  It may not be my property, but there's no reason to let things deteriorate.  If I let something get to a point that it takes a LOT of money to fix, the company may decide to pay the money to fix it and then cut back in another area which could possibly cause me some annoyance.  Why chance it?

Example:  one day I'm walking to the break room shortly after getting to work to put something in the refrigerator.  No problems.  After lunch I walk to the break room to get my item out of the fridge.  On my way there, I have to walk by the soft drink machine.  On the first trip, no problems.  Second trip, there's a big damp spot in front of said vending machine.  Not good.  I get a piece of paper and a pen and write down the number of the company that owns the vending machine.  I give them a call.  They immediately know what is causing the damp spot.  They come out promptly, fix the problem and use a water-extracting machine on the carpet.

Note:  when I called the vending machine company, they reacted as though I was the first person to call.  It was never mentioned - oh, yes, that has already been reported.  Nope.

Now, I do not know the exact number of people working in the building.  But, between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM, I was NOT the only person to walk past that machine.  Yet, nobody else called.  The number of the vending company was prominently displayed on the front of the machine.  Yet, nobody else called.  Writing down the number, walking to my desk and calling the company took less than five minutes.  Yet, nobody else made the effort. 

Sheesh!

Papillon

Champagne on New Year's Eve

A bit of history (historical history, not my history):  In 1772 Philippe Clicquot-Muiron founded the company that would eventually become Veuve Clicquot (pronounced vuv klee-KOH).  In 1798, Philippe's son, Francois Clicquot, married Barb-Nicole Ponsardin.  Francois died in 1805.  His widow (veuve is French for widow) was left in control of a company that handled banking, wool trading and Champagne production.  Barbe-Nicole decided to concentrate on the Champagne production.  As part of that, she is credited with the breakthrough allowing for the mass production of wine.  When Barbe-Nicole died in 1866, Veuve Clicquot was a substantial Champagne house and respected brand enjoyed by, among others, many of the royal houses of Europe, including Imperial Russia and England.

I had heard of Veuve Clicquot and had read a biography of Barbe-Nicole a couple of years ago.  So, when I found Veuve Clicquot Champagne for sale at, of all places, Costco at a reasonable price, I bought a bottle planning on having it on New Year's Eve.  Although it is a very pleasant wine to drink, sadly it did not blow me away.  I was expecting WOW!  Or even wow!  Instead, I got an OK.  Sigh. 

Oh, well.  I celebrated New Year's Eve as I like to - quietly and at home.  I definitely don't like going to New Year's Eve parties.  I went once (with friends) during grad school and hated it.  I don't like crowds.  I especially don't like noisy crowds.  I even more especially don't like drunk, noisy crowds.  So, staying home is just what I like.  No noise.  No crowds.  No standing in line to use a public restroom.

I just wish the Champagne had lived up to my hopes and had blown my socks off.  I guess if that's the worse thing that happens in 2012, I should have a pretty good year.

Bonne Annee,

Papillon