Passion Plunge

The temperature is 24 degrees F

The chill factor is 11 degrees F

Hundreds of people are prepared to plunge into the 38 degree F water

to benefit the Special Olympics Massachusetts

There are costumes

Free hamburgers

The countdown clock

The rescue apparatus

amd into the water they go!

and just as quickly come out.

A few linger for the cameras.

My friend Louise sent me this note from Pennsylvania.

Please, Please, Please be very careful on all that ice. We have it in PA also. That last storm dumped 4 inches of fluffy snow and then 3 inches of ice on top of that. What a mess. Our neighbor was using his riding lawn mower with a snow plow attachment to push snow from his driveway. Well, he slid right into the little creek behind our house. His lawn mower is still in the creek because no one can get back there to winch it out. Fortunately, it is sitting right side up or else we would have a big pollution problem with his gas leaking into our creek. The neighbor even called the fire department and they could not get down the lane.

It is truly a mess. Pretty to look at, but still a mess. I have been getting in and out with my Toyota 4 runner and going to work.

Be safe, warm and happy,

Ice

There is no way one can walk on this driveway.

and

Getting to the car is a dangerous walk.

I found these cleats to strap to the bottom of my boots.

What a winter we are having.




The good news is that I feel fantastic.

All effects of the viral infection have disappeared.



Today would have been my sister Faith's 82nd birthday.

I am back after brutal attack from viral infection.

I choose my words in the title very carefully.



I was waylaid by this infection during the night on Monday, it peaked on Wednesday evening, and it dissipates more each day.



I won't bore you with all of the details but it started with severe abdoninal cramps, quite literally immobolized me to the point I could not roll over in bed or reach out to get a glass of water. It was scary and very uncomfortable. The major symptoms departed abruptly on Wednesday evening but the residual effect still lingers. Thank heavens for friends. Mary's husband Ed was particularly kind to me on Wednesday and on Thursday Cissy drove me to the doctor's office.



I had a complete physical examination, an EKG, blood tests, the works and I am in fine shape. It just feels like I was beaten up.



We are having bright sunshiny days but we are still in the deep freeze and all the snow and ice remains.

Oh No! Six more inches of snow overnite

We have a cold winter sun this morning. The temperature is 24 degrees.

Now tell me why we chose to live in New England.

Winter Wonderland in the City

Congratulations to Matthew

My nephew, Matthew made the Dean's List at Wentworth University

Matthew wasted no time in proving he deserved his scholarship to Wentworth by making the Dean's List in his first semester.

We are so proud of him.

Flashback to a Biker Wedding

On this cold winter night with frozen snow, ice underfoot, anf frigid temperatures my mind goes back to a beautiful summer day nineteen years ago.



Kathleen (Cissy) and Gerry O'Shea were married on an early summer afternoon in a wooded area at the edge of a lake in Kingston, Massachusetts.



They insisted that everyone come casually dressed for an outdoor barbecue in the woods. Just an hour before the wedding Gerry and Cissy were there, in old clothes, erecting the gazebo, starting the barbecue, setting up tables, and raking the area.



Finally they went back to the house and guests started to arrive, walking across the field, milling about, and waiting for the festivities to start.



Soon we heard the roar of a motorcycle and we could see a large bunch of red and white balloons floating across the field. The bride and groom arrived on a motorcycle.



Gerry was wearing a snow white jacket and bright red bow tie.



Cissy was beautiful in a lovely red lace gown.



The weather had been threatening rain all morning but the sun was shining during the ceremony.




As you can see most of the guests were casually attired but some of the women wore pretty dresses.

And yes, I was there!

A cozy supper on a cold winter night

First I check the kitchen computer for a sweet and sour pork stir fry recipe.
How do you like the view from my kitchen.
I do some food prep, sweet red peppers, white scallion parts, pineapple, green scallion parts, brocoli florets, and a cooking sauce made of pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, corn starch, salt and pepper, and water.

I set a cozy table of bright colors and put out some balsamic vinegar from Italy, and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil from Catelonia, Spain.

I build a nice fire for ambience.

Surprise, its a video. I put on my disc of Spanish guitar music by Antonio De Lucena which was sent to me by friend Miguel in Spain. Ed remarked that Miguel should be here for this meal.

Back to the kitchen. I brown thin slices of pork in olive oil.

I cook red peppers and the white parts of the scallions.

I return the pork to the skillet, add the brocoli, pineapple, and cooking sauce. When they are cooked I stir in the green parts of the scallions and the dish is ready.

I cook some basmati rice.

Supper is ready and Ed and Mary prepare to eat. Note the nice loaf of bread, the glasses of red wine and a salad I made of escarole, raw apples, and toasted pecans, tossed with a homemade vinegraitte dressing.

The chef is served by Mary

For dessert we had pound cake with espresso ice cream of which I did not take a photo.

After the storm

Radar early Saturday evening

showing the storm headed for Boston

Radar Sunday noon

Showing the storm has left Boston and now in southern Maine.


Another 8 Inches!

Our street

Again, cleaning off the cars.

Vernon shoveling

Ed working the snow blower

The garden gate

Back inside for cake and tea

Temperatures

Winter Storm Watch

The photo above is an early moon rising today around 5PM.

We are in a winter storm watch.

Snow accumulation of up to 8" is forecast.

There is bright sunshine, however this morning in the garden.

Temperatures in the mid 20s.

Ice underfoot.



This is where I work a couple of days a week.