tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147508732012-02-15T14:03:29.070-05:00An author's periodic posts about life, writing, and the writing life <br>Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.comBlogger12011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-76036973317648667872012-02-15T13:50:00.003-05:002012-02-15T14:03:29.078-05:00

It's a very quiet time for me. I've officially started a new fiction project while simultaneously outlining a nonfiction project. No meetings on the calendar!Our Valentine's Day featured cards and gifts. Most of mine came in the beverage category: a new hard cider variety (6 pack) and a new raspberry beer variety (single bottle) to try. This is what the dogs gave us:Purely by coincidence--but

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-65363457344922477132012-02-09T15:02:00.002-05:002012-02-09T15:16:38.510-05:00

Usually I write books. But sometimes I turn up in books written by other people.A director with whom I worked for several years on a variety productions has published a memoir. And he illustrated it with photos in which I appear.I'm the one stretched out on the floor, in Moliere's Tartuffe. (I'm all right, it's a comedy!)I'm the only girl onstage, as Irina in Chekhov's The Three Sisters. Not

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-59669482285665030632012-01-31T11:11:00.002-05:002012-01-31T11:15:38.440-05:00

Jewel (and Ruth) are granted access to a single piece of furniture at the Lodge. That chair is definitely not it. Given her guilty expression, that piece of information is probably not necessary.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-58315567400935551332012-01-25T12:24:00.004-05:002012-01-25T13:00:58.978-05:00

One of my New Year's projects was devoted to my web presence. As the direction of my writing has shifted from genre fiction (at least for now) to other forms (chiefly historical novels), I needed to re-think how to be visible to a broader base. So, I've created a new website, Margaret Porter. Associated with the new site is a new blog that won't replace this one at all, because it's not so much a

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-20587449053392780592012-01-18T13:52:00.002-05:002012-01-18T14:07:51.428-05:00

Jewel sits and thinks. Or just sits. She's the lazy girl.Ruth uses her sniffer. She's the busy girl.Both terms describe me. Some days I have meetings and errands. Other days, I stay at the Lodge in lounge wear (busy with writing, but to any observing looking lazy!)January has been a month of weather extremes. We've had radically warm days, but the weekend was radically cold--the low on Saturday

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-9678333976547911522012-01-05T17:47:00.002-05:002012-01-05T18:06:04.203-05:00

The hours of Christmas are swiftly waning. In some ways this new year 2012 resembles the soup bowls created by my potter friend for his annual Christmas party--empty, not yet filled with experiences. And I am expectant and curious, wondering what this year will hold. Keeping with the theme of 12, my calendar for the 12 months of 2012 is remarkably full. Lots of events, more than the usual amount

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-73301749943377216312011-12-26T14:52:00.004-05:002011-12-26T15:43:45.783-05:00

Above is a collage of our ornaments of birds and fowl. Most are travel souvenirs, from Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Paris, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Mexico, and in US the Rocky Mountain West, California, the South, and New England.The air was frigid when we left the Lodge for the annual Carol Sing and Christmas Eve Eucharist at church.I've not had a Christmas cactus since the severe ice storm

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-80154852101921834722011-12-23T10:23:00.002-05:002011-12-23T10:28:17.914-05:00

On Christmas Eve Eve, snow has fallen and continues to drift from the sky. Holiday kerchiefs are tied around furry necks.At the Lodge, the anticipation is palpable.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-73809202576602941672011-12-21T13:52:00.003-05:002011-12-21T13:58:04.976-05:00

In my world travels, I've managed to add to my collection of piggish tree ornaments. Here are most of them (I believe I missed a couple....) They came from Mexico, London, Bath, Bristol, and various regions of the US.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-82789951087496344292011-12-18T14:45:00.003-05:002011-12-18T15:03:19.322-05:00

Today is the last Sunday in Advent, though it's "only" 18th December. That's what happens when Christmas Day falls on Sunday!Most of my recent days have been spent at the Lodge, messing about on a book, researching, enjoying the Christmas decorations, and a little bit of festive cookery. I'm addicted to Ovation channel's "Battle of the Nutcrackers"--I record them on the DVR to avoid the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-65867386322448214982011-12-11T14:35:00.002-05:002011-12-11T14:41:13.991-05:00

We had a hard freeze overnight and the holly bushes at the front door of our church were artfully frosted. Yesterday we did the party circuit in the afternoon and evening. It's the annual "all dressed up and posing with the tree" photo op. Given our social schedule, there will doubtless be other versions.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-30265599357608599842011-12-05T12:28:00.006-05:002011-12-05T14:04:25.367-05:00

We visited the mountaintop tree farm and chose a tree on Saturday, a gorgeous specimen.Yesterday I decorated our Christmas Tree-in-the-round.I finished as dark was falling (the days certainly are getting short!) Then I went to Concord for the annual performance of Handel's Messiah. This year, with different soloists and a different trumpet player. As usual, the enormous church was packed, the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-48712127312604808972011-11-24T15:05:00.003-05:002011-11-24T15:20:14.231-05:00

Jewel & Ruth wish their US family & friends & fans a Happy Thanksgiving Day. As do the other residents of the Lodge!The girls will have some turkey, just as they do when the Chap & I are in the UK at Thanksgiving and they are staying at their kennel. Plus a teeny bit of pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-32088609714868316442011-11-21T12:39:00.007-05:002011-11-21T13:12:45.835-05:00

As a gardener, garden-lover, garden historian, I chose to visit Sudeley primarily for its grounds and landscape. Well, that and the textiles collection. The Tudor-era connections were a bonus. It was the end of Sudeley's open season, about 48-hours before they closed to the public and resume life as a family property. Meaning we had the place to ourselves, and the guide in the upper rooms seemed

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-78770745729083241932011-11-19T16:30:00.005-05:002011-11-19T17:54:29.442-05:00

During my time in Gloucestershire, I visited Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe--Cotswold country. My parents have always spoken highly of the place. I'm familiar with the area but never took the time to visit the castle. As it was the perfect spot to break up the drive from Gloucester to Marlow in Buckinghamshire, we spent part of a day there.Sudeley was Crown Property for hundreds of years, and thus

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-48368479765370667222011-11-14T15:26:00.006-05:002011-11-14T15:48:01.286-05:00

Always a photographic theme of my trips Over There: interesting signage.Affixed to the outside wall of a pub that I neither entered nor left:I've photographed this sign before, in a Buckinghamshire village. For the first time we saw the canem during "walkies"--small, compact, and not terribly fearsome. Unless, apparently, you are a postman bearing letters!This sign can be found in buildings

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-77250028520679236842011-11-06T18:02:00.002-05:002011-11-06T18:04:15.749-05:00

Haven't actually made a call from a callbox for yonks...like most people, I've got a UK mobile phone. But I do treasure them.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-26572619104206784512011-11-05T19:21:00.003-04:002011-11-05T19:30:24.024-04:00

In fact, it was the sheep who were stalking me--they surrounded the car in a country lane!After leaving Bristol environs, I spent time in Three Counties: Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire. Cider country, sheep country, pheasant country... ...and land of my forbears. One of my ancestors was church warden at this Worcestershire parish church. He was also a Captain of Horse in the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-3324510393271671542011-11-02T16:32:00.004-04:002011-11-02T17:13:02.708-04:00

It costs 50 pence to cross this bridge spanning the Gorge (about 80 cents at the current rate of exchange). Each way. Last night I walked across it--pedestrians don't pay--but today travelled across by car.Been spending some time in a very familiar place I've not been for several years, which I've mined as a setting for at least one novel and another yet to come. In the past I was practically

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-70991328653269004002011-10-31T19:08:00.002-04:002011-10-31T19:09:37.072-04:00

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-26550094953773577712011-10-30T11:01:00.002-04:002011-10-30T11:25:32.587-04:00

This view isn't normal for 30 October. It doesn't even rise to the level of abnormal. In fact, it's apocalyptic.As you see, we experienced historic snowfall overnight. Not merely for the date (29-30 October) but we seem to have set a record for amount of snow totals within roughly a 12-hour time period--in any season! It's unprecedented even for mid-winter. Around the Lodge are spots covered with

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-36892002184779557542011-10-28T13:00:00.002-04:002011-10-28T13:08:16.568-04:00

Early snowfall--fun or fearsome? Hard to say.What's unusual about this first snow is the timing. We still have vividly-tinted golden and orange trees, here and there. The combination of autumn foliage and white snow is strange...yet beautiful. It's a sunny, blue-sky day. I had occasion to take a long country drive through hilly terrain with mountain vistas. Breathtaking views. We're having a

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-71302880758015574702011-10-22T10:04:00.002-04:002011-10-22T10:11:22.245-04:00

The roses are still blooming and budding...even my forsythia is responding to the mildness by throwing out a few yellow blossoms.Otherwise, the views and colours round the Lodge are appropriately autumnal.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-8773069951762264482011-10-16T15:32:00.002-04:002011-10-16T15:38:26.999-04:00

My calendar says it's mid-October. The vividly coloured leaves and the persistent winds (all too rapidly shearing said leaves from the trees) say it too.But the mild days and cool nights and frequent rains--sometimes gentle, sometimes heavy--make the roses think it's prime season for blooming. Several of them are putting on a lovely late display. I'm tempted to cut the blossoms and bring them

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-67242647617199532642011-10-13T10:16:00.002-04:002011-10-13T10:24:57.977-04:00

For the second time one of my Big Lake photos has been featured on Andrew Sullivan's blog.The View From Your Window.Last time it was a summer view of the M.S. Mount Washington sailing past Mount Major.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-55116594093208843012011-10-06T09:55:00.003-04:002011-10-06T09:58:50.931-04:00

On which we celebrate and joyfully remember a wonderful, happy, and enjoyable day--and the many wonderful, happy, and enjoyable years that followed.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-39637173992632307412011-10-05T11:12:00.002-04:002011-10-05T11:25:42.923-04:00

I did my usual (at least for now) Thursday to Tuesday stint at the lake cottage. It was characterised by incessant rain, very damp dog-walking sessions, and piercing silence. No loons in the Bay. No seasonal neighbours puttering about with their hammers and chainsaws and motorboats. And the fog so thick on Sunday that I missed all the crossings of the Big White Boat.My search committee beat its

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-89931611255082344892011-09-28T10:25:00.002-04:002011-09-28T10:47:51.584-04:00

Sunday's sunset over the Bay. Amazing to watch, with a quick conclusion. Darkness falls so swiftly at this time of year. Only, it doesn't exactly feel like "this time of year" because it's so warm and summer-like.I returned to the Lodge Monday afternoon, for an appointment in Concord, and Tuesday meetings.Yesterday morning a friend of mine died, exactly a month after his illness was diagnosed. We

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-85721630269697167652011-09-25T11:48:00.002-04:002011-09-25T12:03:40.634-04:00

The doggie girls and I arrived at the cottage on Friday. This pair of loons greeted us in their singsong fashion, and loitered at the dock for the longest time.In this little video you can hear Jewel fussing at me for not taking her to the dock with me, when I went down to film the loons.It was a grey afternoon but so very humid, and the lake completely deserted. The Chap joined late in the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-25950431714220689662011-09-17T13:58:00.003-04:002011-09-17T14:14:22.638-04:00

Even here on the Big Lake, a tourist and weekend mecca, things have got really quiet. The seasonal neighbours are departing, there are very few boats zipping up and down our Bay, even on a Saturday.The leaves of some trees are already on the turn, though in the Lakes Region and southwards, the prevailing colour is still green. Considering the overnight temperatures, I don't think that will be

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-26950398164772152552011-09-10T12:31:00.003-04:002011-09-10T12:38:43.889-04:00

“We do not actually need anniversaries when there are things we cannot forget." Colum McCann, The New Yorker, September 12, 2011The date 9.10.01, is meaningful to me for what I can’t remember about it. A decade ago, this turned out to be the last day of my former life…the “old normal.” For 10 years now, the 9/11 anniversary has been the point at which I chart a massive shift in my priorities

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-37201486441677626192011-08-31T10:57:00.003-04:002011-08-31T11:30:17.204-04:00

Saturday was undoubtedly the most beautiful day of summer. It was clear and pleasant, hardly a cloud in the perfectly blue sky. Difficult as it was to fathom, given the conditions, we knew Hurricane Irene was on her way. The Chap got the chainsaw out and removed some young trees close to the electrical wires and telephone cables. I took planters off the deck railing and brought some garden

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-88069170127723364592011-08-25T15:51:00.003-04:002011-08-25T16:35:51.248-04:00

On Monday the Chap and I were at the lake cottage. We transported our Old Town kevlar canoe, which has lived at the Lodge for many, many years. We weren't using it on the little lake here so decided it would be more useful on the Big Lake. The canoe there is also an Old Town, an antique wooden canoe made in 1912 (we have the original paperwork.) It's gorgeous but heavy to maneuvre. It was a

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-40026758415349194212011-08-15T19:49:00.006-04:002011-08-15T20:31:13.806-04:00

Many fellow bloggers and all media outlets on both sides of the Atlanta have covered the rioting in London boroughs and other parts of England. The causes of the unrest have been speculated about endlessly, the reponses debated in every forum. I've been busy, and busy-ness is comfort. It's also kept me from commenting on these developments in a country that formed me to a great extent and where

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-37981188778829371482011-08-08T21:22:00.005-04:002011-08-08T22:14:34.073-04:00

Over a week ago, I adopted another deer mouse. This one was much younger than the previous one. It slept through the day and ate in the evening. It was such a sound sleeper than I called it Rip, for Rip Van Winkel. On Thursday my childhood friend (Larry Hamilton knows her real name!) made her annual visit to New Hampshire. She had her first dinner at La Carreta in Manchester almost as soon

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-87948648431629998932011-07-26T15:03:00.003-04:002011-07-26T15:11:20.970-04:00

This morning seemed like a good time to release my dear little deer mouse, who lived with the dogs and me at the cottage for 6 days, 5 nights. I carried the aquarium over to a wooded spot not very near but not too far from our property.As soon as I removed the lid, he scented the fresh forest air.Seconds later he was climbing out with no assistance needed from me.He headed for the nearest tree--

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-62573411421246727772011-07-24T20:46:00.003-04:002011-07-24T21:38:36.808-04:00

Cotton candy in the sky at the end of a lovely day.No more heat wave, after several days of agony today was divine. The Chap spent 25 hours here, each one an improvement. I'm luxuriating in an evening that is still, cool, and calm.We had guests yesterday, our Friends From the North Country and their dog Oliver, wee Ruth's handsome poodle boyfriend. Walks, swimming, a cookout, conversation on the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-16391468932234304422011-07-21T12:08:00.002-04:002011-07-21T12:17:57.761-04:00

Although in fact, it's more a case of nature living with me. Temporarily.This deer mouse is co-habiting with me at the lake cottage.He's nocturnal, so after the activity pictured here, he curled up in a little ball and is sleeping soundly.The heat wave that made so much of the rest of the country miserable has found its way to us. I had the option of being at the Lodge, well-insualted and

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-49367394141057172672011-07-16T15:47:00.003-04:002011-07-16T18:42:36.590-04:00

See de bee?On rosa rugosa albaon CelsianaBusy times, no matter where I might be. Lots of activity in Concord last week, various meetings and such. A quick trip to Portsmouth yesterday for dinner with our friend Tess Gerritsen and her husband at a fantastic new seafood (mostly) restaurant with glorious view of the harbour. Can't wait to go back! We had a lovely time catching up on family & travel

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-11304338595942368432011-07-07T12:19:00.004-04:002011-07-07T13:16:45.585-04:00

We had a fun July 4th at the lake cottage. Met friends for lunch in Wolfeboro at our go-to Mexican restaurant there. They then came to the cottage for an afternoon of conversation, swimming, and dogs.Ruth was reunited with her boyfriend, Oliver, whom she hadn't seen for nearly a year when his people married at the cottage. She likes to kiss him.They had a really nice walk together, and she tried

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-8828507928442060212011-07-01T12:20:00.008-04:002011-07-01T12:35:49.447-04:00

The gallica rose Charles de Mills always reaches its peak of bloom on the Chap's birthday. Even though most of my roses are a trifle tardy this year, this stunner was spot on time and waiting for us with a marvellous display when we returned yesterday from our trip.It's my spouse's natal day and Canada Day. Had we stayed in Montreal, he'd have fireworks on his birthday. Instead of that, he chose

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-25884558491946349952011-06-28T22:29:00.005-04:002011-06-28T23:01:31.413-04:00

Had a lovely drive through Québec on the way to Montréal. Strawberries are in season, so we stopped to buy some at Ferme Reid, in St. Anne Sabrevois.The farm also has animals!Not long afterwards, we reached Montréal.Visited a friend at the corporate offices of some radio stations, and generally enjoyed wandering about familiar parts of the city.Square Victoria always reminds me of Paris...only

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-81375127562276766022011-06-27T09:17:00.005-04:002011-06-27T09:32:20.944-04:00

The Carousel of Life carried me to Vermont, where I spent 2 delightful days touring the Shelburne Museum and Farm.I also had a chance to see Lake Champlain. (And, apparently, Champ, it's resident Nessie-type monster, who generously popped up as I was taking this photo.)Now I want the t-shirt!Some scenes from the Shelburne.The Webb House, built to house the Park Avenue apartment and collection of

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-11483702415948639552011-06-24T10:23:00.003-04:002011-06-24T10:33:16.898-04:00

Was it the cool spring weather, with plenty of rain? The abundant snow cover of the seemingly endless winter? I don't know the reason, but the roses are especially splendid this year.Here's' John Davis, a pink climber, a re-bloomer, not an antique, added a few years ago as a tall central focal point. I can't imagine the garden without it.It's the time of year when I think I don't have enough

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-54246652768070024492011-06-22T12:48:00.004-04:002011-06-22T13:06:30.503-04:00

Yes, it's that season again. And as I suspected, this is turning out to be a banner year for roses. Life is quite hectic but I've carved out some time to weed my rose and perennial beds, meaning I've been up close and personal with my beautiful, fragrant friends.Quatre Saisons, aka the Autumn Damask, dating from Roman times.Rose de Rescht, another Autumn Damask type, age unknown, discovered in

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-77468842626788508092011-06-17T11:23:00.002-04:002011-06-17T12:04:23.618-04:00

When the dogs woke me at 5:00 a.m. to feed them breakfast and take them outside, I noticed the full moon shining on the bay...a lovely view at dawn. After taking the photo, we returned to our beds.We arrived here yesterday. I've not spotted my favourite fish and am unsure about the current stage of his reproduction cycle. But the little phoebes have sprouted! The nest contains these downy lumps,

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-61407411813808970782011-06-06T18:22:00.006-04:002011-06-06T18:43:31.881-04:00

Anyone visiting this blog at about this time of year has met my pet wild fish, Walter. After he makes a nest on the lake bed and he and Mrs. Walter do their thing down by our dock, she swims away and leaves him to guard the spawn.I've not seen the missus, and it doesn't look as though any nest-making has begun (the water is probably still too cold for egg-laying), but Walter is here. At the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-30370982730332674882011-06-02T16:24:00.004-04:002011-06-02T17:07:49.376-04:00

I totally ripped this off from my college and theatre days chum, GG. The reason is embedded in my responses.1) ONE OF YOUR SCARS. HOW DID YOU GET IT? A scar the right side of my face resulted from an automobile accident when I was very little.2) WHAT IS ON THE WALLS OF YOUR BEDROOM? A watercolour by my husband's great-grandfather, two watercolours by his dad, a pair of signed and numbered

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-45804859070670864472011-05-30T20:33:00.010-04:002011-05-30T20:57:50.917-04:00

Our time at the lake was relaxing. The Chap managed to do a few useful things about the cottage. I did a lot of reading and some exploring and discovering.At the corner of the cottage, a nest for future phoebes.Down at the dock, future blueberries.The Saturday night sunset turned the lake golden. We were watching The Illusionist and I repeatedly asked the Chap to pause the DVD so I could rush

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-10908177112996901172011-05-28T17:33:00.002-04:002011-05-28T17:38:12.987-04:00

We headed up the road a few miles to our favourite Lakes Region Mexican restaurant for some sabor Latino. A little something to wash down chips & salsa, followed by mole enchiladas. ¡Muy sobroso!

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-51502960498876511452011-05-27T11:12:00.001-04:002011-05-27T11:14:12.821-04:00

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-83963895664097404492011-05-26T13:57:00.002-04:002011-05-26T14:08:07.097-04:00

The sunshine and blue skies returned yesterday, bringing warmth and brighter spirits to our corner of New England. Here in the Lodge construction zone, and on my round of errands downtown yesterday, everyone was in a soaring mood.Here's one sun worshipper.In other dog news....On the night before last, sometime after midnight, we were wakened by Ruth & Jewel, who had leapt up from their beds and

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-74568587957040146842011-05-24T18:58:00.003-04:002011-05-24T19:18:48.305-04:00

After a wonderful full-family weekend at the cottage, we returned to the Lodge, a portion of which is now a construction zone.We are undergoing yet another bathroom re-modelling and renovation project, and work started bright and early on Monday--yesterday. Well...early, anyway. No such thing as "bright" in the upper reaches of the Northeast.Yesterday was demolition day and appliance and fixture

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-64965247325387487652011-05-20T11:53:00.003-04:002011-05-20T12:06:01.654-04:00

Somewhere behind that cloud is one-half or two-thirds of a mountain. I can't quite remember, it's been so long since I've seen the whole thing.The sun hasn't shone upon these parts--meaning New England--for longer than a week. We've had more than our share of rain, but even without rain the skies are grey, the air is thick with mist or fog, the air is damp and chilly.We were led to expect a shift

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-3129581738346204752011-05-16T11:38:00.005-04:002011-05-16T11:52:02.181-04:00

In my family, we make books like dogs have fleas. (Not my dogs, I hasten to add, they are entirely flea-less.) Novels, memoirs, biography, literary criticism, translations, poetry.Last week my first cousin's second novel The White Devil was published. As you can tell from the photo, it's an absorbing read. I'm oblivious to the black and white devil dog on my left, and the small vampire-like

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-52940806081559874992011-05-15T18:23:00.004-04:002011-05-15T18:46:45.613-04:00

Despite rainshowers, which alternated between drizzle and downpour, I spend much of the day at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival, sponsored by the NH Wool Growers Association. I regularly attend--rain or shine--but missed it the past couple of years due to scheduling conflicts or travel or whatever. I wasn't about to skip it this year!I met many sheep, and watched the sheep-herding demo and

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-91968293403057538172011-05-14T11:02:00.002-04:002011-05-14T11:16:09.693-04:00

I over-winter 2 passion flower varieties inside the Lodge. This one, a hybrid, opened today. The other, species passiflora, is the type I've known from childhood and has yet to produce buds, but it's nearly 3 feet tall now, covered with leaves, and resembles a jungle vine growing on its tuteur. I could move it onto the deck but for now I'm enjoying it inside the Lodge.I'm about to head outdoors

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-14809476968015015612011-05-08T18:16:00.003-04:002011-05-08T18:36:37.337-04:00

At the Lodge we've got 3 male orioles zipping about, singing and preening for the benefit of a single female.These grosbeaks, however, seemed to have paired up. I think it's a lunch date.There's at least one other pair and I think a stray male. He should post a personal: "Single B&W Red-Chested Bird Seeks Mate." We also have a single loon on the little lake. He's been rather quiet, but I'm sure

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-28964466620896350232011-05-02T13:45:00.002-04:002011-05-02T14:01:24.996-04:00

Just about the only thing today shares with September 11, 2001 is that I am all alone to react to events in this country and the world, I was wakeful most of the night watching breaking news, and Osama bin Laden is prominently featured in all the reportage.That terrible day nearly 10 years ago tangibly changed my life and the Chap's--what we do, where we do it--but we were not victims. For too

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-49640356308186239772011-05-01T20:29:00.004-04:002011-05-01T20:55:31.808-04:00

I used to assemble a May basket on the first of May, or my mother did, or a neighbour would leave one on our doorstep. Today I collected the flowers but placed them in a vase so they would last and not wilt.It was a glorious, May-like day, couldn't have been lovelier. We spent the last night of April dining in style with our Friends from the North Country at our new favourite Concord

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-31112114825375268792011-04-29T12:54:00.005-04:002011-04-29T14:27:46.374-04:00

One of the nicest aspects of watching a Church of England marriage service is that it allows the Chap and me to re-live our own ceremony, which was nearly the same. The newly designated Duke and Duchess of Cambridge used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. We chose 1928 version, not only because it preserves the language of the earlier form, but also for sentimental reasons: the copy of the prayer

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-9422863515635458832011-04-27T11:34:00.004-04:002011-04-27T11:53:57.166-04:00

After a busy afternoon in Concord, the girls and I transferred from the Lodge to the Big Lake. The weather was damp and grey when we arrived and overnight showers fell (oh, how I love the sound of raindrops on the roof!). But late this morning the sun emerged!MergansersMer-dogsThis is, I believe, the earliest-ever move-in, which usually doesn't happen until May.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-40273378717778226722011-04-24T19:37:00.002-04:002011-04-24T19:48:58.550-04:00

This happy morning dawned bright and much warmer, melting memories of yesterday's snow. Dressed in our Easter best, we joined our fellow parishioners at church...the Chap read the first lesson and passed the collection plate for the Offertory. I took photographs. Our church was fragrant and colourful, decked with hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, and many white lilies.Flowers were blooming outdoors

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-21064194267254101592011-04-23T16:24:00.002-04:002011-04-23T16:46:35.966-04:00

Our assumption that this extremely late Easter weekend would ensure atypically balmy spring weather for the holiday has turned out to be erroneous. We woke to snowfall this morning, which continued till afternoon when it was replaced by light drizzle.The flowers I planted yesterday--columbines, primroses, anemonies, etc.--are buried under a blanket of white. The blooming daffodils, hyacinths, and

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-48987820700920600432011-04-20T15:44:00.004-04:002011-04-20T17:59:35.606-04:00

The temperatures have done more plunging than soaring lately. Even so, the snow cover is gone here at the Lodge. (People in the North Country may not be done with frozen precipatation! Strong and hardy folk, they are--because they have to be to survive!)Daffodils and crocus and violas are blooming all round the place, so at least my gardens look like spring even if the air seldom feels like

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-55149162076691195212011-04-15T22:33:00.007-04:002011-04-15T23:08:25.781-04:00

The ice went out on our little lake sometime on Wednesday. Now the migrating waterfowl can land on our open water, although I haven't spotted any yet. We've got only a little snow cover left at the edge of the woods and in a shady spot in front of the Lodge, but it's receding very quickly these days.I took a little road trip today, an overnight jaunt. It took me to the Big Lake. At the bottom tip

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-36537412479376068812011-04-11T13:35:00.005-04:002011-04-11T14:28:10.289-04:00

Nothing about my daily existence inspires me to blog....Now that our temperatures are well into the 60's I'm spending at least 4 hours a day in the gardens. (Headed back in a short while.) In the main front garden the crocuses are in bloom. My late daffodils are going to bloom soon--in advance of my early daffodils. I've already transplanted a rose bush, divided and re-planted shasta daisies,

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-23290210110414649062011-04-01T15:50:00.003-04:002011-04-01T16:35:44.884-04:00

No, that's not an April Fool's Day joke.Yesterday didn't exactly turn out as expected. It started out properly, with a drive to a church in a village west of Concord for a conference call. After a couple of hours, I hopped in my car and headed for Concord to photograph the big Anti-Budget Bill rally at the State House. All along the way, the Author-mobile was making a strange noise, which

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-42760220279191983652011-03-30T14:02:00.005-04:002011-03-30T15:26:55.715-04:00

I'm famously slow to read bestselling books, fiction or nonfiction. Not because I assume that what's popular can't also be good, or that there's too limited a choice among books that sell well. I'm not snobbish that way, though I'll cop to being something of a literary snob, just not as usually defined. What I am really is very demanding, it's the writer's curse to read and absorb differently

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-36506646069961160372011-03-24T14:15:00.007-04:002011-03-24T14:48:14.059-04:00

From Washington, DC the Chap and I travelled farther south to spend time with family and friends. And to admire the wonderful trees putting on a show during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. We were in a city that boasts 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees, and they were at the peak of their bloom.Another reason for being there was to dine on favourite Southern delicacies.We visited the Music Hall of

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-15770099216879391942011-03-16T10:00:00.005-04:002011-03-16T10:00:09.216-04:00

I recently joined the other kiddies making their way from DuPont Circle to the National Zoo.It was one of the best zoo days I've had...and I've had a lot of them, mostly at this one.Asian otters. Their keeper was watching them as I came along, and she talked about their playfulness. They are smaller and daintier than the river otters we sometimes see in our little lake at home.The elephant

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-33556595589991681572011-03-15T10:19:00.012-04:002011-03-15T11:08:45.883-04:00

Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of having lunch with book blogger Thomas of My Porch. He very kindly took time out from his workday to chat with me about reading, blogging, home-owning, dog parenting, and travels. Needless to say, it was not a short meet-up! It was great fun, he's as delightful in person as on his blog, and I do look forward to repeating the experience. Thanks, Thomas!It's

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-31464573007499342092011-03-15T09:35:00.007-04:002011-03-15T10:14:01.775-04:00

Things seen & done recently...But first, more spring flora from this winter-weary New Englander! Spotted on the White House grounds.I spent a day re-visiting galleries and museums I've known all my life. I've been wandering round Washington, my mother's hometown, home to my grandparents for much of my life, and my own childhood playground.This oft-reproduced work hangs in the National Gallery.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-805305302691271042011-03-13T21:16:00.001-04:002011-03-13T21:16:47.660-04:00

Sheepish--that would be me. I really intended to blog more before I left the harsh climes of New England for a warmer location with absolutely no snow upon the ground. But I was either busy or distracted. Or packing. Apologies!Today was a literary, floral, historical and culinary pilgrimage.Edith Wharton as a child.Nathaniel Hawthorne, my husband's cousin via the Hathornes of Danvers and Salem,

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-8498062199715419992011-03-04T09:38:00.005-05:002011-03-04T10:28:32.458-05:00

For me, a command as well as my birth date. The celebrations began days ago. On Tuesday we had a Mexican dinner downtown with our Friends from the North Country. Last night the Chap and another dear and godly friend treated me at the same new upscale downtown restaurant that catered the Academy Awards party on Sunday. I was well-fed and amply feted in advance of the big day.Today allows for

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-73405698586882858572011-03-01T12:22:00.005-05:002011-03-01T12:59:34.560-05:00

March has come in rather lamb-like, which we deserve because February went out like a lion. More on that in a moment. This is a month of feasts. This is St. David's Day, national festival of Wales on which I honour my Welsh forbears, and St. Patrick's Day will follow and I shall honour my Irish ancestors. This is my birthday week, and a very social one it is!We began the celebrations on Sunday

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-58895189709134285702011-02-23T15:19:00.000-05:002011-02-23T15:19:43.505-05:00

Specifically, in this bluebell wood in England. Known to me, and known to my ancestors. The book I'm presently writing is set in a region of the country that I dearly love. I've messed about with the actual locations, jumbled them up to create fictional places with different names. But I have the benefit of my memories and all these nice photographs, so when it comes to descriptions of the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-62037479498738619262011-02-16T14:59:00.004-05:002011-02-16T15:32:33.906-05:00

I unexpectedly extended my stay in the North Country for another night. While removing stored images from my camera, I though this pair worthy of posting. They were taken last Friday during my very brief visit to the Big Lake.Unless you've actually been there, the first photo won't mean a great deal, but it's intended to give an idea of the snow depth. The badly drawn red arrow indicates a metal

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-3483399382217333902011-02-11T17:02:00.002-05:002011-02-11T17:10:33.773-05:00

The White Mountains are spectacularly white today!I took a road trip...so I could attend the funeral of a friend, a retired priest who served well and faithfully and was married to one of my favourite people in Christendom. I'm so happy that the most recent times I saw him were at the 2 weddings of our Friends from the North Country, such joyous occasions. I know he is resting in peace now.In

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-31651250055516498232011-02-02T13:09:00.002-05:002011-02-02T13:26:23.531-05:00

The official New Hampshire Groundhog, Woodchuck, Marmot, Squirrel and any other shadow-shy rodent did not have anything to fear this morning. No sun, no shadow--apparently spring will come "early". Next week wouldn't be too soon, in my opinion. For days now we've been awaiting the one-two punch of a predicted pair of storms. Perhaps you've heard about it--it was in all the newscasts, alternating

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-92151552565670374132011-01-28T14:31:00.005-05:002011-01-28T15:49:38.208-05:00

Almost nobody, I think, needs an explanation of who Christa McAuliffe is, or what happened to her and the Challenger crew on this day 25 years ago. In New Hampshire, where she lived and taught and raised her family and earned the privilege of being the first "Teacher in Space," the Governor officially decreed it Christa McAuliffe Remembrance Day. Nearly the whole of the first section today's

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-40023618493057842012011-01-22T19:14:00.002-05:002011-01-22T19:40:55.067-05:00

What's hot?This tilapia fish I recently cooked for our dinner. I loved the colours...and it tasted even better than it photographed!What's not? These icicles.And this ice waterfall.The Chap and I spent this beautiful Saturday at a training session for facilitators of a diocesan leadership institute to be held later in the year. We didn't mind, it was far too cold to be outdoors and the windows of

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-60828751367149113662011-01-20T10:59:00.002-05:002011-01-20T11:38:24.705-05:00

We keep getting snow. On Tuesday we had about 8 or 9 inches, to add to our 20-ish inches from last week. It came heavy enough to prevent my getting to my mandolin lesson on Tuesday. The unplowed local roads were easier to navigate than the supposedly plowed state highway, and I had to turn back. Luckily I was able to re-schedule--for a day when more snow is expected. Then we had some sleet and

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-24978521716292152692011-01-15T16:27:00.004-05:002011-01-15T17:24:52.120-05:00

Here's the snowman some neighbours built on the surface of our little lake--before the blizzard that dumped 19 inches. He's stranded out there now, nobody has walked out to replace his face.This morning's temperature was -1 degree F by the time we checked the thermometer. The Chap has been busy indoors and out, but apart from flinging bread crumbs,cracked corn and safflower seed for the birds,

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-17523253751191575532011-01-12T12:02:00.002-05:002011-01-12T12:14:54.825-05:00

After two snowstorm forecasts that fizzled, we're now getting a real Nor'Easter Blizzard. The snow began falling in the very early hours of the morning. We woke to something like 8 inches. It has been snowing at varying intensity since then, sometimes at 2 to 4 inches per hour. So it's really stacking up!On a day like this, it doesn't take long for mostly black dogs to turn white.Ruth is little

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-50682019648262263492011-01-07T15:58:00.003-05:002011-01-07T16:50:41.386-05:00

First, let me make clear that this is a fantastic exercise DVD. Especially for those familiar with ballet. It has been the mainstay of my winter workout programme for a couple of years now. I've mixed it in with free weights and exercise bike to excellent effect.Nearly 3 years ago I decided to take off 5 pounds, combining more intense, intentional exercise with disciplined portion control. The

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-49912588767152017802011-01-01T10:56:00.003-05:002011-01-01T11:13:14.344-05:00

We closed out the old year with delicious food and drink and a film-viewing frenzy. Saw The King's Speech at the cinema. After pausing to celebrate the New Year as midnight struck in London, we watched a historical epic film on DVD here at the Lodge. It wrapped up at exactly 11:58 p.m., just in time for our second celebration of the evening!Today is 1.1.11, whether you live in the States or the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-83949978861645922362010-12-29T16:44:00.004-05:002010-12-29T17:06:42.721-05:00

Somehow I don't think Jean Fouquet's 15th century rendering of the Virgin and Child will appear on Christmas cards...not in the US, anyway. It exposes too much of the female figure, whose figure is hardly realistic and whose skin is an unearthly, space alien white. Her baby isn't at all pretty. The tubby red and blue cherubs look more diabolical than angelic. It has a very modern appearance,

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-46361277758944046212010-12-27T13:59:00.002-05:002010-12-27T14:13:39.757-05:00

We're not entirely sure how much snow has fallen here at the Lodge. By the time the storm subsides, we'll probably have a foot, at the far lower end of the prediction scale. But quite enough for the girls' snow-romping session this morning.We have no idea what entices Jewel to dig beneath the snow, but she always does it as soon as she's outside. Ruth is as perplexed as I am. She'd rather be

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-75025623462533404062010-12-26T11:25:00.010-05:002010-12-26T12:21:23.690-05:00

As we await the incoming Boxing Day Blizzard, already working its way up the East Coast, I'm reporting on our holiday festivities--thus far. We're still in the earliest days of Christmas: "Christmas Second Day," as they say in St Croix, where the Chap spent a few years. (Before I knew him.)On Christmas Eve, I whipped up the fabled family custard.Then we went to church, which was packed, for the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-40599102784991497602010-12-23T13:34:00.003-05:002010-12-23T14:26:16.692-05:00

Watching telly earlier, I saw an ad for Ferrero Rocher, the round Italian truffle-type chocolates with a hazlenut inside. (From the lovely folks who also make Nutella hazlenut spread!) The ad reminded me about the Ferrero promotion I recently witnessed in Covent Garden: a tree studded with gold or brown foil-wrapped chocolates. Such restraint I showed, merely snapping a photo, rather than joining

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-7751223149300436492010-12-17T13:14:00.002-05:002010-12-17T13:17:31.658-05:00

An extremely silly photo, in which I exhibit my seasonal spirit in this time of parties and merriment.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-71839550064411012802010-12-15T11:49:00.006-05:002010-12-15T12:37:07.586-05:00

As you can see, I've created my blog title banner with the "pearly" typewriter I spotted in a Curzon Street gallery a fortnight ago. There might be more tweaking before I get it exactly the way I want it, or I might leave it alone.In London, we got by with only frigid temperatures and occasional flurries, when the rest of the country was blanketed with snow. So it is in New Hampshire. The ground

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-11192446304839210632010-12-07T11:34:00.007-05:002010-12-07T12:25:24.938-05:00

I'm no longer in London. On the day of our departure, I believe Heathrow was the only airport open in Britain, due to the massive amounts of snow piling up. We felt fortunate that our flight was unaffected, and also felt a bit as though we were deserting a country under siege! London was scarcely inconvenienced, only a bit of snow on the ground on our last day there. Flying over the rest of the

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-14239513971111319112010-11-27T17:53:00.009-05:002010-11-27T18:41:00.273-05:00

Our friends departed London a few days ago. Since then I've upped sticks from Mayfair to Bloomsbury and have devoted myself to scholarly pursuits and pubbing and dining in familiar restaurants. On my way to one of the reference libraries I frequent when here, I passed Landsdowne Terrace where, much to my surprise, I found goats and a single black sheep grazing!On arrival I submitted the necessary

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-76134373174960714242010-11-25T06:27:00.004-05:002010-11-25T06:58:52.442-05:00

In the years of my marriage, we have rarely spent Thanksgiving at home or even in the United States, last year being a rare-exception. More typically we've spent it in Bristol or London.It has been a week of reunions, with longtime friends and newer ones. The day after our arrival, we hopped a train to Bath with our Friends From the North Country, aka the Newlyweds aka the Honeymooners, for a

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-69355296661718425912010-11-20T14:01:00.003-05:002010-11-21T10:24:30.390-05:00

A brisk but bright day, lots of brown leaves blowing about, thoroughly seasonalI eased slowly into the morning, despite having places to go, things to do. Well, really only one place and just a couple of things!Jewel and Ruth staged a dogfight in our bedroom.Wee Ruth prevails...but only because lazy Jewel preferred a nap!Hope your weekend is exactly as you might wish it.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-23596503823276227912010-11-14T13:30:00.003-05:002010-11-14T13:51:24.986-05:00

No, I don't actually own a pair of bunny slippers. I've got some sock monkey slippers and woollen clogs and mukkluks. They've all been getting a lot of use lately by this lady of leisure. I spend my time knitting, reading, on not-very-arduous research and trip planning, in the jacuzzi, cooking and baking. I'm trying out at least 2 new recipes a week, all of them wonderful so far and now added to

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-60984806519716892052010-11-07T11:31:00.004-05:002010-11-07T12:25:55.240-05:00

So much has happened since last I shared my activities. I've had some very busy time and plenty of quiet reflective time which has made for a good balance. If I had several meetings crammed into an afternoon, either the day before or the day after I had a completely free day at home which I could spend with an entertaining comfort read, in the jacuzzi tub, or doing creative and new and special

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14750873.post-27658099753802908142010-11-02T11:37:00.003-04:002010-11-02T11:39:40.904-04:00

The girls do a nightly performance of feral thrills, chills, growls, neck-biting, and teeth-clashing. I decided to capture it on film.

Margaret Evans Porterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202290659191790984noreply@blogger.com0