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I went downtown today--had a favorite sushi lunch with JB and a nice break from work reports. It is freezing here: the wind chill is 20 degrees F below zero and there are warnings not to leave animals out or walk your dogs for very long. Winter is cold in New England and there is always plenty of snow, but this amount of snow is above and beyond.
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These are the result of plowing the streets after three storms in barely one week. These are sitting in the middle of my town's main street and are higher than I have ever seen snowbanks.
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There is a forecast for another 12 inches on Wednesday, which is hard to believe. If that happens, the town will have to bring in heavy equipment to scoop up these mile high piles and move them somewhere out of the way, probably to a nearby parking lot.
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Meanwhile, I am still cozy at home. This is the 'new' sitting room, just off the kitchen and where the tiny dining room used to be. I like it. It's feeling like a great place to read, to have my first cup of coffee, to look out the window and daydream. To think about writing.
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And speaking of writing, I wrote this poem this week after seeing a comment on someone's blog making fun of 'political correctness' after the shooting of a congresswoman in Tucson. There is debate in America about the lack of civility in the Congress and the easy availability of guns. I don't talk politics much on my blog but for the love of god I can't understand how anyone could be against avoiding inflammatory words and having stricter controls on who buys guns.
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Seeing that comment made me glad I no longer hear that foolish rhetoric anymore. I wrote this poem about it:
Sarah Palin
Nuts nuts nuts
Double meanings
Buts buts buts
Invitations
Yes no yes
Invocations
Less more less
Hostile blame
Too bad too bad
Scorched intention
Sad mad sad
I’ll remember
You me you
Tender not tender
True not true
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This girl is not at her best. Her back legs are not working so well these days, and navigating the snow is a triple challenge. JB and I have put rugs down here and there in the house and even outside so Stella doesn't lose her balance, but we are worried and so is she. It's a good thing there are chicken treats and cookies to ease the stress....
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JB knows how to accessorize.....
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JB knows how to accessorize.....
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JB had this photo made into a framed poster and we gave it to Mr. Ryan for his 4th birthday. A couple of years ago we picked up the wagon and bike at a yard sale for a grand total of $ 7. I so much love when the boys come here and we pull these out of the garage. Being their grandparent is a wonderful thing, more wonderful than I expected.
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.Repeat performance. Ah love. I'll end with that....
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Love
kj
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Love
kj
What a wonderful post, KJ! I cannot believe the amount of snow you have on the roads! WOW!!! And I LOVE your new reading nook - oh, so cozy!! As well as the poster and your poem... Love, Silke
ReplyDeletethank you silke. it's always nice to see you here. i will now think of that little area as a reading nook. that is the perfect description! xoxo
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite posts in any blog for quite awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteI am astonished at the height of the snow banks, kj. The shot of that building with the interesting spires, the one with the snowbank hiding the main part of the building? To me it looks like a king's crown!
Your sitting area is charming. Our small dining area off the kitchen is my office, a space much more utilized than the dining area ever was because we eat in the main dining area.
Your poem is marvelous. Very unique. Very true (and, alas, those you wrote about remain true to form...). :)
One year in the upper peninsula of Michigan i was traveling roads were the snow banks were TWENTY FEET high.
ReplyDeleteI think you have gotten more snow in the past week than we have had all winter in Detroit. My lawn may have 10 inches piled on it from the last five snow falls.
I think I could work from your sitting room. It looks like it has a good spirit about it.
Go ahead tell us how you really fall on the political spectrum {;-]}
kj - Love this post. It's so nice to be able to see where you live, and get a feel for your life. I can't imagine what it is like to have grandkids (I started my family so late, I will be 300 years old before I have gkids - haha!), but I know it must be magical. Honestly, I would stay in the new nook and not go out in that weather, but then I am a transplanted Californian, and I think I have thin blood. :) I will avoid talking about politics, because it will ruin the warm and cozy feeling I have right now - :)xox Pam
ReplyDeleteglad that love is still alive in your world. fun poem. oh gosh, brace up for the next snow onslaught. a nice time to curl up in yr reading nook.
ReplyDeleteps my peace cards are only to be given away. no money involved. part of the idea.
Oh, what a great reading nook...the colours are so warm and inviting, especially with all that snow. I love the trike and the wagon...that photo truly shows the love grandkids bring out in us.
ReplyDeletePoor Stella...her ailments mirror our Nate's problems. The cold and snow make Nate worse. There is so much snow both dogs end up wading through it to go to the bathroom...it can't be comfortable!
Oh, I see I'm not alone in enjoying this post ! So much snow - you must be getting heartily sick of it! Good thing you have such a lovely home! I see how much you adore your grandchildren - that poster is perfect for a little boy! And dear Stella - poor love, I'm sending a hug for her.
ReplyDeleteLovely - WARM post! All the snow..... yes, it really is something. I am glad the roads (at least) are plowed....
ReplyDeleteI really love the new "decor'...the "reading nook" is a haven to dream and create....
Ah, Stella....the sweetie.... I am sure the cold weather and icy feel of it on her paws is not welcoming.... but....I do know how loved she is....and she knows it too. (Just like she knows where those chicken treats are kept!)
Love JB's necklce, Ryan's poster.....love you all!
MUWAH!
♥ Cupcake ♥
WoW,that is snow.Here in England we stop everything when it snows ,we really cannot cope with it for any length of time! I love it myself it slows us down a bit and makes us realize the force of nature lol
ReplyDeleteOh The snow!!!And the poem says it all, I feel the same, crazy people out there! As for Stella, you know my old dog is the same, very hard for him to get up now and like you I have rugs everywhere. One thing be sure you are giving her all the supplements like E and C, fish oil and Turmic(spelling) also MSM, they really help my Zeusy. Kisses.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Aaah, Stella,,,,,feel my hugs
ReplyDeleteGirl,and my many kisses on your beautiful nose. I know that you appreciate all the care and love you receive in your home,,,just look at your eyes!
Being a Grandparent is being in love like you've never known before, isn't it kj?
My brother in law in Kansas City went to work at 2a.m. several days last week. Doing that very thing: clearing parking lots of the piles left from the plows.
shiver.
I'll back away from the politics also,,my heart rate and blood pressure don't need the exercise, though I sure have lots to say.
Wow, look at all that snow. I like the new sitting area and plan to snake back to your house and steal JB's necklace. Hugs to her, and you, and Stella. ♥
ReplyDeletewow look at that snow!! how do you keep your feet dry and warm? i mean, doesn't the snow fall down inside of your boots? i can't imagine how you get around. do you have to climb those banks?
ReplyDeletei can certainly see how warm and cozy rooms would be much appreciated living in a frozen land. i like your sitting/writing/reading room!
xoxo
Just popped in to (((HUG))) You xox
ReplyDeletelydia, that building with the spires is the northmpton city hall. it was designed in 1849 by a well known architect, William Fenno Pratt. (i hate it, it looks like a chess piece). thank your for all these compliments, lydia, means alot coming from one fine writer. ♥
ReplyDeletemark,the room does have a good spirit. :0) as for me and the political spectrum, i will just say i listened to rush limbaugh-ish gibberish from someone for a long time and i don't miss it
pam, i love cozy but we both know there is something refreshing too about the snow and cold. don't read my comment to walking man--stay warm and cozy! ♥
suki, another foot coming? wow oh wow! i don't remember ever seeing this much snow at one time.... xo
marion, JB and i were excited picking those colors and relieved that they worked well together. poor stella and nate. damn older age in dogs! i'll bet your snow is higher than mine. right? ♥
thanks for so many warm thoughts, caroline. i am sick of the snow although every new storm is actually exciting. when it is so bad that school and work are canceled, i love that. everything stops for a while. xoxo
wrobin, stella's problem is that her hip and back legs are stiff nd give out. she's trying her best to gain strength in them during her walks in the park (you know that park!) xoxo
angela, yes, that slowdown is what i love about the snow too. i'm not accustomed to this much of it though! thank you for your visit here. i visited your blog this morning and loved what you posted about dressing. i'll be back to comment. xoxo
ReplyDeleteannie, i think we who love dogs should be in charge of the world. ♥
babs, i'm pretty sure you and i could stay up all night talking about those boys and snow and dogs and politics. wouldn't that be great?! :)
cs, hugs to you too. you should see JB's jewelry! plan to take several jewelry boxes! xoxo
lori, you are so damn cute :) snow doesn't get in your boots as long as your boots are high enough and you're not having to walk through deep snow. streets and sidewalks are plowed by the city and people shovel openings from the street to the sidewalk to walk through. and when they're not clear, you walk on the street (carefully). no need to crawl up and over snowbanks. for fun you can snowshoe or cross country ski, or of course sled down hills. today the temp was 32 degrees but now it is back to sub zero again. it's been a snow snow winter, this one. i hope it snows the third week in february so a certain person can stick her tongue out and catch the snowflakes as they fall ♥
nolly, ah vicki, hugs back to you by the wheelbarrels. you are totally wonderful. tsup!
ReplyDeleteLovely slice of life and your home looks incredibly cozy and light, it always does. We had 42 celsius yesterday so a wind chill sounds very attractive right now.
ReplyDeleteI love the reading nook!! I think it needs a nice square pop of color on the floor though as in an area rug. Polks dots or something vibrantly wild! You and JB would pick out the perfect one. Ikea??
ReplyDeleteStella...big love♥♥♥and hugs (((♥))). You try so hard girl.
Snow!! Blow!! GO!!!!! And even more today, sheesh!
Politics and rants. Nope. I don't miss them and I'm sure neither do you ;)
And yes, JB does know how to accessorize! I have a similar necklace but with a gree stone (of course!)
xoxo
Lo♥
So sad about Stella......:(
ReplyDeleteAll this snow poor Stella. Now you are the best mom for Stella.
And love that picture of the bike and car! My brother had an exact bike like that when he was a kid.
You stay warm in your cosy house dear♥
♥♥♥
>M<
Love the mishmash. The first photo, with the blue sky and different color buuildings and the curve of the last one...nice view.
ReplyDeleteMy mom said those piles of snow turn into 'black volcanos as the weeks pass...
Your sitting room--love the warm color and beadboard and view to dream on...
Stella looks happy to be curled up inside. It is hard for both pets and humans when mobility is. I am sure you have said before what meds she is on, but Cosequin and Adequan are both safe and helpful with many dogs.
Lovely pendant...now I have grey hair I wear a lot more lavender colors and pink...
And the wagon and trike...love the blue door and autumn leaves, they add so much to the shot.