Early November 2020

We have gotten a start on the fall yard work. I thought we finally dealt with the leaves that were down. I was wrong as the oak tree took another dump on me. I think a strong North wind would move the leaves for me but we will get around to it later today and mulch them into the yard. Putting the gardens to bed is the next task that demands attention.

Kayak Adventure X

I keep saying that this is going to be the last paddle for 2020 but the opportunity to go one more time keeps cropping up. To go out the stars have to align: the dock needs to be in, the tide has to be highish, the weather has to be warm and the wind has to be low. It doesn’t look like we will get suitable weather again this week and the dock should be pulled soon.

We had planned to go for a paddle Monday 9 Nov, 2020 early in the morning. All the stars were appropriately aligned but we were socked in by fog. Visibility was under one hundred yards. Here is a crow at twentyish yards.

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By the time the fog had lifted, the tide had gone out and kayaking on Monday was a bust. So we decided to try again on Tuesday.

We saw this guy sitting alone on the fire pond. We couldn’t tell why or how he was separated from his flock. He was still on the fire pond when we passed by on our way home.

All was quiet when we got to the dock. We got the kayaks in and headed to Shackford Point. There was not much doing. I could hear a heron squawk at me but it flushed before I could get a picture. I could hear a few bluejays but didn’t see any. I also think I could hear a pileated woodpecker calling but it was too deep in the woods. I paddled up the river and drifted back. I did see some crows but they wouldn’t let me get too close.

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Because there was so little activity ashore, we spent more time looking down, Meg liked the leaves floating by on the tide. She also noted the snail and deer tracks in the mud. I took pictures of a heron trackway.

Meg saw a pair of red tailed hawks roosting in a tree.

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Critters

We saw the mangy fox. She seems to be doing a lot better. Her fur is growing back in and she is still active in the yard.

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Boids

We are seeing the turkeys quite regularly. They are being territorial about the yard. They chased the crows off but I failed to get any video.

We still see eagles on the point.

Fun with Food

there has been a real shift in what we are cooking with the change of seasons. We are missing some fresh ingredients and I am reluctant to grill outside due to darkness and weather. But we are migrating toward slow cooked winter foods.

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Shepherds PI

I made a shepherds PI and the starting recipe can be found here: https://therealfoodrds.com/shepherds-pie/. We modded the recipe slightly by adding more beef stock and putting cheese on the crust. I was satisfied with how it turned out and this recipe is a keeper.

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Fire Pit

We did a fire pit on one of the nice evenings and made hot dogs and smores.

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I made the cake like recipe with two eggs resulting in thicker brownies. Unfortunately my victims expressed a preference for the gooey brownies claiming a more intense chocolate experience. I am inclined to agree and so after disposing of the evidence, I will go back to the gooey brownies.

Fun with Benji

We still haven’t reached the milestone of having too many pictures of Benji. His joie de vie is infectious.

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Arty Stuff

I usually take pictures to tell a story. I don’t usually take what I consider arty pictures. Meg has been pushing me to extend my limits by including a wider variety of pictures in the blog. I am tending to try to incorporate them into setting a scene or mood. Now occasionally I will take a picture just because it struck my fancy.

I am starting to suffer from COVID Fatigue. I am becoming grouchy and am tired of being cooped up. It is difficult to see an early end to the self isolation as it looks to stretch into first quarter 2021. It is important to remain vigilant and stay safe. I hope this blog finds you all in good health.

Mark, Wink and Meg