This Old House 2 – Middle aged musings from farm & hearth

Another light goes out

I don’t have any words that feel any sort of adequate when it comes to the violence we are all witnessing in this distraught world. Between a rhode island mass killer still at large, jews being assassinated on a beach as they celebrate their holiday of Light and Rob and Michele Reiner reportedly killed by their troubled son, and none of us can ignore the state of our current political climate to boot, ……. it all feels like a very dark world indeed.

Rob Reiner was a very gifted artist in the entertainment world , an Individual whom many of us first met as Meathead a/k/a Mike Stivic in the TV series All In The Family, his progressive views reasoning with Archie’s obvious ignorance I could relate to even at an early age. They were teaching us even then, and he continued believing in the goodness of people and championing equality and fairness for all as he moved through life unapologetically and with gusto, as did his parents before him. He and Charlie Kirk stood at the opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet his words when Kirk was assassinated, were the grace we all needed, the grace this world needs to find, and quick.

I don’t know how to fix broken people and ugly ideologies, but I know the power we each have to choose a kinder and more responsible and tolerant way to tread through this world and I hope this society, this world we live in, starts leaning in to that, in every corner of our existence.

Walking for wellness and thoughts on unity

At my recent physical I was told all looks good and the physical walking/hiking I do with my buddy, Kai has definitely helped me stay a reasonably healthy 60 year old. So what I discovered through many years and different approaches to trying to stay fit is it’s really important to find something you actually enjoy doing in order to find the motivation to keep with it, which is important and especially as we age. I’ve tried the gym off and on, and the bottom line is I’m just not a gym rat, it’s not for me. For the past three years I have really focused on the walking and hiking and I don’t go crazy with it – I am not one of those who has to get 30 miles in a week or even four miles in with every walk/hike. But consistently getting out there even when it’s just a 1.5 mile walk at least three times a week adds up to a healthier body and mind. For me, having Kai with me, knowing I’m doing him some good too is even more motivation and makes it more enjoyable as well. Hiking various trails makes it more interesting and varies the terrain and the workout. I am lucky to live in an area and state where there are an abundance of public trails. No matter where you live, an interesting walk is just outside your door. This morning it was 15 degrees out…. Brrrr…. we felt it… but we got in a little walk time and fresh air –

I just watched a ( closed caption) video and her simple words are profound. … “what made you a liberal?” a woman was asked. She replied basically ….Interesting question, I’ve not ever been into politics and haven’t given myself a label. I guess if I have to pinpoint what made me become involved… it was watching veterans not getting the healthcare this country owes them. It’s having family who work in healthcare and knowing intimately how awful the system is. It’s living a few doors down from a food pantry and seeing the line every Friday of people who don’t have enough food or resources to feed themselves or their families. It’s knowing there are many unhomed people in my city and it’s snowing outside. It’s the belief we all should have equal rights, it’s the belief that decency and empathy matter. So I ask you… what don’t you agree with here? And if that makes me a liberal, how did that become a bad word for you or others?

Something I’ve wondered myself. Who wants us to believe these are not good things or good people? Who wants us divided, who benefits from that?

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and that you’ll have a peaceful holiday season filled with joyful moments with those you love – That’s the plan here –

Till soon –

Shiny Brite Treasures

I was gifted this beautiful collection of vintage Christmas ornaments recently when a long time neighbor downsized and moved away. She is 94 years young, and still a dynamo – something to aspire to!

Always my favorites, the shiny brites remind me of Christmas’s long ago, when my extended family gathered at one of the aunts houses or the grandparents… and people actually dressed up for the occasion, cousins reconnected, the elders bickered and joked and laughed and fussed over their guests , the food was abundant and delicious and the laughter loud.

Often there was snow or flurries and because we lived in the burbs, we saw plenty of Christmas lights and trees lit in the windows on our drive home, hearts and bellies full.

Yesterday I started to wash these in warm soapy water, as they had been living in her barn in a big old tupperware container for quite some time and had acquired some dust, as you can see. Once I began the process I noticed immediately the paint was coming off the ornaments! UGH! Then I googled… and apparently the vintage ornaments were painted with a water based paint that would indeed come off in soapy water. So I stopped immediately and did what was suggested, clean soft clothes to wipe off the dust.

I am so tempted to start the Christmas decorating, our Thanksgiving feast will be the usual but with fewer people, as some of my kids now that they have kids are choosing to have a relaxing stay at home day instead of making the rounds. I thought this year I might divert from the usual and go with a more neutral theme, just greens and winter whites and beiges. But when I pulled out this box, I knew I couldn’t do it. Vintage Christmas it shall be. The only question is…. to wait.. or not to wait 🙂

Till soon –

A glorious October

Despite predictions that New England would have a drab fall foliage season due to the drought we experienced over the summer months, there’s been plenty of beautiful color. My walks and hikes with Kai have been fragrant with crunching leaves underfoot, the strong scent of pine needles along some of my favorite paths, the swirling breezy wiffs of autumn that always bring me back to childhood and fond memories – leaf pile making and jumping in. “Dog shows” on the front lawn with neighborhood kids and their pets. Making little trails in the leaves with rakes for my breyer model horses – For in the ‘burbs’ there was no room for real horses.

In our yard there are three shrub varieties that are beautiful this time of year… If you’re looking to add color to yours, these are a great addition.

Flaming azalea…

CrapeMyrtle –

And Snowball Viburnum – in spring months the flowers of this shrub are wonderfully fragrant.

Out on the trails and around the farm, the golden hues have been intoxicating…

Sometimes kai and I traverse a town instead of beach or woods walks. The Town of Essex does a spooktacular job during Halloween season, one of our favorite strolls.

The grands continue to bring me so much joy, and the holidays come alive again in a whole new way when we get to share it with them, and see their excitement and wonder and thrill –

Another joy of mine is getting to witness my kids become loving and engaged parents. Daughter K has her second child due in January – grand No. 4!

Two simple recipes Susan Branch has shared weaved into her art –

We had a celebrity visit here on the farm a few days ago…. If you know, you know. Well the picture helps if you don’t know 🙂

The Mister and I have visited a few farm markets, this month was the last hurrah for the farm market season and we took advantage… We are sixty-ish now and it shows, but those smiles and lines and gray hairs represent a lot of living that I am grateful for. Amen… and Amen again.

Up at the barn, it’s blanket season! Max is now about 30 years old, we don’t want the old boy to have to work his body too hard to stay warm… and Leah, bred for show… doesn’t grow a strong winter coat so we give her a boost as well.

I am tempted to dive into the tangle of current events, so much of it alarming… but I think I’ll leave this post as a reminder that there are many many things to be thankful for, and our peace is worthy of protection. Keep doing all the things you do to make the world a better place, even the smallest acts of kindness send a ripple out into the world. Hug those you love, love on them well and tell them often. Take care of yourself, too.

Cheers to hope for the future, from our moms, who are still with us, (so thankful for that)…. to you. To all of us! 🥂

Till soon –

The Devil doesn’t need to attack the Church, he just needs to join it

The White House is starting to look less like a seat of power—and more like a cafeteria full of mean kids who never grew up.

The President posted an AI video of himself flying a “King Trump” fighter jet—raining feces bombs on peaceful No Kings Day protestors.

Yes, the President of the United States did this.

Earlier last week, his press secretary responded to a journalist with a “your mom” joke.

His communications director quickly doubled down, proudly.

And when a 2,900-page leak exposed the Young Republican National Federation swapping racial slurs, rape “jokes,” and pro-Hitler messages, there is one appropriate response.

To denounce it.

But Vice President J.D. Vance?

He didn’t condemn it—he excused it.

“Kids do stupid things… especially young boys,” he said.

Except these “kids” aren’t “young boys.”

The average age in that chat was mid-20s to mid-30s—

grown men who can rent cars, hold office, and apparently praise Nazis in their free time.

This isn’t immaturity. It’s intentional cruelty.

It’s the celebration of ignorance,

the glorification of bullying,

the coronation of anti-intellectual stupidity as a virtue.

And the silence—or worse, the laughter—from the so-called “party of faith and family” exposes not only how bullying has become cool again, but this time around, it’s Jesus-endorsed.

Biff Tannen. Johnny Lawrence. Buddy Revel.

Every 80s movie villain would be proud.

And yet they look straight into the camera,

wave their Bibles,

and call themselves the party of God.

Let’s be honest:

God doesn’t anoint bullies.

Jesus didn’t bless mockery.

And the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak fluent “your mom.”

Ephesians 4:29 says,

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”

But this administration doesn’t build.

It belittles.

So when a nation cheers humiliation, mocks mercy, and treats cruelty as comedy—it’s not politics anymore.

It’s spiritual and moral decay dressed in empty, performative Christianity and patriotism.

And while they weaponize cruelty for applause,

too many Christians stay quiet, afraid to upset the empire.

Bullying isn’t leadership.

Cruelty isn’t courage.

Mockery isn’t strength.

If this is what the “party of God” looks like,

If this is what the American Christian Church is okay with,

then the devil doesn’t need to attack the Church—he just needs to join it.

– Pastor Brandon

Jane Goodall

I watched “Famous Last Words” last night with Jane Goodall as the guest- a new and profound Netflix documentary series where influential people are interviewed before they pass on, discussing their life’s work, their unhindered thoughts on a variety of subjects and giving their parting message for the world, not to be released until after their death.

Jane Goodall gave one of her last interviews, a genuine hero in my lifetime – a scientist, a humanitarian, an animal activist and conservationist. While I am horrified by how we continue to abuse this planet and the animals that live in it.. in Jane’s way, she gives me hope. Watch it if you can – and consider a donation to her foundation at the following website. There are also wonderful childrens books and apparel and other gifts that can be purchased on the website, all funds further the cause. If enough of us care about the world we are leaving to our kids and grands and so on, this beautiful place we all call home will stand a chance against the onslaught of abuses we all know exist.

janegoodall.org

Trailblazing… and a stuck moment

Chatfield blue trail loop –

Welp… for starters, really pretty trail with mossy ferned pine needled trails aplenty- the smell was intoxicating after the rains. Gorgeous rock outcroppings and ledges .

What I didn’t pay any mind to when I set out this morning was the slippery conditions one should assume on any rock scramble woodland trails after heavy rains. The rock formations are beautiful along this trail and it is reviewed as moderate and good for hiking with dogs. Meh… In general I take those kind trails and that’s worked till today. This trail on wet days with the steep scrambles in areas are so slippery and steep they’re treacherous, especially for older or very young people and with dogs in tow.

Kai and I squeaked through a few hairy spots until One spot in particular I could not convince Kai to jump Up with my assistance, and he was panicking instead of letting me lift him. At this point we were pretty high up the rock formation with a steep long fall if we slid at all and tumbled. And IHATE HEIGHTS – I tried going back the way we came- but the rock descent we went down on our butts on the way out was too steep and slippery to go back up. So… Trudging down into the woods to foster pond, the bottom of that ledge met us at the waterline and the choice was to swim across and hope I didn’t meet snakes or snapping turtles or lose my dog in the process. So back up the rocks to that trouble spot . Called my son as he understands these trails too, and I said- WTF- should we swim?

Mike jr didn’t know he was going to have to leave the job sight today for search and rescue- but search and rescue he did

Nope I did not get pictures of the high scrambles, I was too busy having a panic attack. If you’re local and adventurous and fairly fit, this is a really pretty hike I might do again without the dog and in dry conditions.

My hero…

Onward, by all means –

We are The United States of America

We are the United States of America

not the United States of Republicans or Democrats. And like it or not, our differences over history have also been our strengths. Balance is the key word here. We shouldn’t have “sides”, there should be no – us and them – there should be a collection of voices that together hammer out the massive problems we have so that we all actually survive… and the goal of course .. to thrive.

So many external forces would love to see us crash and burn, and currently watching all the vitriol, we are on a course to hand them that victory. It’s not rocket science. And please please please… at every turn and in every party at every election from now on , elect officials that walk and talk Unity amongst us all, not the us versus them rhetoric that will be our demise if we dont figure that out.

I did not like some of what Ch*rlie K*rk had to say… some of it was pretty hateful and should have no rightful place in the fabric of this country, yet it’s there. But you cannot preach what I said above if you are not willing to hear any of the messages from a different perspective or you can’t have empathy and indeed horror for a hideous act.

Here’s what I hope America learns and keeps in its soul after the awful deaths of recent political figures both Democrat and Republican. And let’s not forget the children slaughtered in schools because we have yet to do anything about the hate and mental illness epidemic we have in this country.

Let these words of Charl*e K*rk be his lasting contribution to a better America – “When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. When people stop talking, that’s when civil war happens, because you start to think the other side is so evil and they lose their humanity. What we have to get back to is being able to have a reasonable disagreement where violence is not an option.”

Amen to that –

Heaven is Here

Pardon the poor spacing in various places here… wordpress can be maddening and I’m done wrangling it for the day 🙂

It’s late August and fall is knocking on the door with cooler nights and the leaves on some trees are actually starting to turn. Around the farm with not enough rain, our tomato plants, grape vines, raspberry bushes and so on petered out early.

Molly and Lacey eating breakfast

The girls at the EggPlant enjoying some free range

With current events what they are, I’ve been distancing myself more often so that I can enjoy my time on this earth as best I can, and the people I love that are in it. We live in remarkable times, both good and bad. Here’s some of the good….

A dear friend of mine posted this a few nights ago. He has had some remarkable adventures, some incredible highs and some very deep sorrows but he always finds his way to a better place regardless. With his musings he brings me and anyone else lucky enough to read or hear his stories along for the ride. I keep telling him he needs to retire and write a memoir… he’s my modern day Charles Kuralt. Michael, I hope you’ll forgive me for sharing.

“On a late August evening where the calendar said summer, but the air had that hint of Autumn; I went down to Lynnie Lou’s Ice cream in Naples, New York for the last “Car Cruise Night” of the Year. It’s a summer staple every Wednesday night in June, July and August and I’d yet to make it to one this summer.

Aside from the ice cream (peach sundaes were plentiful), the fare was burgers, fries and rings along with music and joyous, exuberant (but very bad) Karaoke. The crowd was decidedly older (as am I) but the evening and night were perfect. Everywhere I looked people were smiling, having a grand old time whether eating, looking at the cars, getting ice cream, bravely doing Karaoke, dancing or just chatting with friends.

All sorts of old 50’s cars…. some Corvettes and old pickup trucks…. even a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, complete with a huge rear spoiler and dressed in a can’t miss me color of “Hemi Orange.” Occasionally one of these old beauty’s would fire up…..go for a spin and head up Rt. 21 with tires squealing and glass pack mufflers echoing a sound I had not heard in years. A sound of my youth. Lynn the owner of the ice cream stand was cooking away at the grill singing to the music while young high school kids waited on the many hungry customers in line for a burger.

Scenes like tonight take place all over small towns across America. Sitting there soaking it all in on a perfect summer night I was as content as I’d ever been. The line from Field of Dreams came to mind where the numerous ball players ask Ray Kinsella…. “Is this heaven?” Tonight if I’d been asked that question I’d have answered…… “No its Naples!”

There are small towns that dot the landscape of America all across this great land….and I’m very happy that I chose this one. Thanks, Lynnie Lou’s for a special evening that made me feel right at home (and oh, I really do think this is heaven.)”

I’ve been painting more of my “tiny painting series” in preparation for our upcoming artisan market. This is our 10th year of collaboration to put on this show, and I am so grateful for all the volunteers who come together to help us make it happen… and especially my market partner, Linda, who is more organized than I will ever be. We make a good team and that is such a gift. With over 90 quality artisan vendors and some really awesome food selections, it takes a village.

Mia’s Rocks… My granddaughter and I picked some rocks on the beach in Maine and we made this heart at waters edge. I painted it as a keepsake ❤️

This is a scene another dear friend took while on his boat watching fireworks… he has already collected this tiny painting, a reminder for him of a wonderful night he spent with his wife and friends in his favorite place.. on the water in a boat he’s restored.

When the season from summer to fall begins to change I spend more time in the kitchen and begin the hunt for new-to-me fall recipes. Having good food on the table for my family brings me tremendous satisfaction. The cleaning up part, not so much, LOL. I also bring out the big binder full of recipes I’ve been collecting since my early 20’s – many of which are from family and friends, some of whom have departed. The handwritten ones are my favorites…. and each time I make their dishes it feels a little like bringing those loved ones back into my kitchen to say hello.

My daughter brought this home from first grade class and it’s a wonderful bread to have on the counter in fall months.

Aunt Ro was a wonderful cook who could whip up a big four course meal for the whole extended family – If you like Brushetta, this is a good recipe. She left us last year in her 90’s.

Marge was the mother of a man I dated briefly. We became life long friends and she also lived into her 90’s. Marge was a fountain of optimism, I always enjoyed time spent with her, her enthusiasm for life and good old common sense were golden rays of sunshine even on the dreariest of days . She loved horses and dogs, too… and the state of Montana, which she and her husband visited whenever they could travel out west to visit a few of their sons.

Till soon, friends –

And Just Like That…..

… it’s August.

We welcomed our third grandchild last Friday! Much to his parent’s surprise, he has a shock of beautiful red hair. We are all over the moon, full of joy for this little guy, who joins his sister M and cousin J, all of whom are being raised on this family farm.

My daughter and her son… my son and his daughter in our vegetable garden on the hill behind our house.. This picture captures the dream my husband and I have been building for 37 years and not a day goes by that I am not grateful for this blessing.

Speaking of blessings… the fruits of our labor were on the dinner table last night…

Not pictured is my most favorite summer food… a simple garden tomato sandwich with mayo, salt & pepper. Sometimes some greens.

More garden shots…. I think planting things in your surroundings and nurturing them is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

If you’ve been visiting this blog for years, you’ll remember our cottage at the shoreline.. Stella. That was a wonderful renovation project and we enjoyed Stella for six years. What we discovered along that journey is having two places to manage/maintain when our main homestead takes up so much of our time and energy isn’t ideal. I found that most of my time spent at the cottage was doing the upkeep chores instead of the rest and relaxation it was intended for. So ultimately we decided to sell it. Mom had been renting a summer cottage down on the island for five years previously, and this year the opportunity to rent that previous cottage came available…. and so we headed down to the island again, moved mom in for a little over a week… and enjoyed what initially drew us to the area – rest, relaxation, sea air, shore birds, and a few refreshing gin & tonics.

Who knew cormorants had such beautiful greenBlue eyes! They are the color of jadeite –

Have you ever seen an American Oyster Catcher? They, too, have beautiful eyes. All of these shots I was able to get while out in the kayak in the cove.

Back on the farm… smoke from the Canadian wildfires has made our sunrises and sunsets eerily red lately. Sometimes we can smell the smoke of it….

One of my favorite quotes – “We’re all just walking each other home”….. I keep reminding myself to keep this mentality when I allow myself to peek at the news headlines or glance at the TV screen as the noise blares. And there is SO… MUCH… NOISE. I’ve not ever enjoyed politics, largely just keeping it out of my life other than to exercise my right to vote and cast my pebble into the ocean of what feels like the right trajectory for us and our fellow countrymen. I knew there were many things our governing bodies were not getting right, many things that needed change and action that wasn’t coming – and that blame lies across the entire political spectrum.

That being said… I would not ever have believed an administration and a leader who is so thoroughly corrupt right in front of our very eyes in every facet of the human existence could muster the kind of cultlike support he has managed to create. It’s mindblowing. Ignoring it feels like a cop out, so I can’t.

If your entire political identity is built on hating “the other” – immigrants, queer kids, people of color, women who speak up – then maybe it’s time to ask who really broke this country. Because it certainly wasn’t progressive ideas… and let’s be honest about what that actually means, those progressives… the idea of progress. Specifically, it refers to social progress, the process of a society lifting itself out of ignorance, injustice, and inequality, toward a future that promises enlightenment, prosperity, equality, and environmental sustainability. Why does that notion offend anyone at all? The answer to that isn’t comfortable.

No… what broke this country was the normalization of cruelty, the elevation of fear over fact, and the celebration of power over principle. We didn’t drain the swamp, we added pollution to it.

Loving your country doesn’t require hating its people. If your politics demand cruelty and hate, you’re not patriotic. That’s parasitic.

And I don’t regret losing a few “friends” because I choose to speak up about what we are all seeing and being honest about it. Because I know… where I come from is a place of fairness, justice, truth, equality, safety…the desire for economic and environmental soundness…. FOR ALL.

If you’re still with me, this blurb below is true too…. ” we are all saving each other every single day in tiny, seemingly insignificant ways”…… that. Keep doing it wherever you are. Let’s grow where we are planted, and water others along the way. That is where our power lies, in the every day interactions.

till soon –