Saturday Roll and Sunday Stroll

Early Saturday the Chap and I went Over to Dover, in separate cars. We had to attend a diocesan training for re-certification. He was leaving for the airport afterwards.

It was a gorgeous morning for a drive. On lakes and ponds bob houses are still in evidence...as are ice fishermen and snowmobiles--I saw them all. I also saw a bob house that had been removed, being driven along the highway in the back of a big pickup truck. A very happy sight!

Returning to our own lake, I found open water.



This morning, one of the herd of chipmunks crosses the snow--nervously. He knows how visible he is to predators.



Snow is melting around the mermaid birdbath. She's already working on her tan--it's over 55 degrees today!



The horse head is also enjoying the sunshine. Enough snow melted on the octagon deck for me to shoot it from this side.



Still plenty of snow behind the house.



In the drive, leaves encased in ice. (And the tip of the Chap's gumboot, which I was wearing.)



A snow sculpture in a snowplow hill.



Gazing down the side of the octagon deck. Still a lot of snow...but at least it's pulling away.



Strolling through the Sunday newspaper I encounter an example of "stimulus advertising." Not sure this is what the President had in mind!



My own Mr. NH Stimulus is in Washington now. His stay has abruptly been extended by a day so he can attend an event at a lovely large residence located on Pennsylvania Avenue. It has the initials W.H. and its occupant is someone I enountered in NH a couple of times. Am I wishing now that I'd tagged along? Maybe!

To keep strolling, head over to Aisling's blog.

Return of the Rodents

A quiet morning at the Lodge--rare for me--and a prelude to a very busy afternoon of diocesan business.

Surrounded by snow, a garden statue waits patiently for melting to free her.



A woodpecker breakfasts on suet.



A mourning dove explores recently open ground under the hemlocks.



The male cardinal waits his turn at the seed feeder.



Outside, all is peaceful.

Inside the Lodge--panic!

Says Jewel, "They're back! I saw one. No, two! Three! Maybe four!"



Ruth is worried. "We're outnumbered! What should we do?"



The cause of all this consternation?

Chipmunks!



They're everywhere. Rising up from the ground in great numbers, scampering all over the property.

I've put out food specially for them. I'm afraid if I don't, they'll storm the Lodge and take it by force! They're awfully hungry.

From Reps Hall

A quick lunch break blog.

Our Town Elections were yesterday. For the first time in years we passed a town and a school budget, instead of having default budgets.

Also, I am now the only elected official in my household. The Chap's term on the Planning Board ended and the new board members are elected. He will now be home every other Wednesday night. Whether or not I'm also there depends on how long the House sessions last!

I took this photo in the lobby of the Legislative Office Building on Monday, before the subcommittee work session I attended. I was sitting with the Chap when I took it--he'd just finished up with the Stimulus briefing. My honorable car is parked right behind that stack of snow.



And here's a view today. It's rainy and drizzly and as you see, melting has occurred here in the city.



During lunch I walked up and down stairs--3 flights in the State House, both directions. Four flights in the LOB, both directions. A stairwell view.





Bars in the basement of the LOB. Not to keep me in, I remind myself, whenever I feel trapped...to keep me safe!

I think we'll get out before dark today. I have to put in an appearance at a School Board meeting tonight.

I hope my brain won't be too fried for fiction writing later. Or should I say, quality fiction writing.

Ah, here's the House Clerk...Speaker heading in. Gotta shut down the laptop pronto.

It's Ba-a-a-ck & Musical Monday

A second snowy Monday. Last week we had a bit over a foot. Today we seem to be in the 6 to 8 inch band. Probably a couple of inches on the ground now, at mid-morning. The heaviest snowfall is coming later in the afternoon.

This is what March does to us, so no use whingeing. But I can't help observing it's rather an abrupt change from the 50+ degrees of the past two days!

Unlike last Monday, I'm not able to cuddle up at the Lodge and watch the flakes fall. I must go Out Into It this afternoon, probably about the time of the most intense snowfall. There's a subcommittee work session related to the bill I testified on last Thursday.

There's a chance I'll see the Chap if I also attend a presentation on the Stimulus package being offered to legislators and town officials in Representatives Hall. He happens to be the Stimulus Expert for towns and municipalities, the go-to guy for folks who have those shovel-ready projects we all keep hearing about. His charts and graphs turn up in all the newspapers, too, as illustrations for stimulus articles.

I jokingly tell people I needn't study the stimulus provisions myself...all I have to do is ask my husband about it. And he always has a "stimulating" answer.

He'll soon be headed to Washington, DC--a Stimulus-related junket. (Not paid for by Stimulus funds, I hasten to add.) Purportedly there's a chance for some interaction with--well, I won't say anything about it yet, but it would be exciting. I'm trying so hard not to be jealous, I keep telling myself it's too early for cherry blossoms anyway....

Had a wondrous productive weekend, am caught up with my quota. This morning my "research" is quite highbrow...I'm listening to Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas as I study the history of its first performance. Which I must recreate in my novel.

So here, if you're interested, is a scene. And it was filmed at Hampton Court Palace--which also features prominently in this book of mine!

Sunday Stroll

Yesterday's sunshine and 55 degrees caused a lot of melting, and rainfall overnight turned some of our snow piles into slush piles.

This morning the girls climbed up a hill...then down again.



Here at the Lodge mud season is evident from the ruts in the drives and along our private road. (The town portion of the road is even worse!)

In our church garden, snow has pulled away from groundcover plants, revealing vibrant life!




Returned home, where it's drip, drip, drip everywhere--from rooftop, in the gutters. While I updated the parish website, the Chap took the dogs for a walk. Ruth and Jewel returned with damp bellies from leaping into slush banks, and paws less muddy than I expected. I think he walked them through some snow to clean their feet before bringing them indoors!

Another sign of spring--MEP has shorter hair. Photos coming...soon. Soon-ish.

For more strolling, head over this way!

A Pause to Catch my Breath

I'm so relieved to reach the end of this crazy week.

After a day of meetings and a mandolin lesson in Concord on Tuesday, I was taken to a pre-birthday dinner at a downtown restaurant by the Chap and a priestly friend. Given my mid-week schedule I didn't expect much opportunity to celebrate!

Early Wednesday morning we had a small and hurried breakfast birthday party--cards, a parental phone call, gifts from family and friends.

Receiving birthday kisses from Ruth.



Jewel was in charge of the packages and wrapping paper. Wow, this one came all the way from France!



It contained a beautiful silken beaded scarf.



The Chap left for his office and I hurried away to the State House. I left the Lodge at 8 a.m. and didn't return home till 8 p.m. Birthday? What birthday?

We had a deadline to act on bills, and some of them were controversial--or at least people thought they required sustained debate. I did escape during the midday break, for a restaurant lunch with three colleagues.

At some point I discovered that I had lost a glove.

My glove-losing has reached epidemic proportions. After Nell Gwyn's ghost pilfered my black leather, fleece-lined gloves during my November visit to Bestwood Lodge, I replaced them the same day at Nottingham's Marks & Spencer. In January I lost one of the UK gloves in the vicnity of Concord's Storrs Street shopping center. In February--scarcely a fortnight ago--I purchased another pair, the best yet. Black leather and fur-lined, with dear little buttons with loop closures runnning up the side.

And somehow, somewhere on the State House complex, I'd lost the left one.

I was naturally exhausted and not in a very festive frame of mind that evening (what was left of it). I put my two remaining gloves together, hoping for a complete pair (albeit mismatched) and found that I had a pair of right hand gloves. Bummer.

I was cheered by the many thoughtful messages waiting for me on our answerphone, and on my Facebook page, and in my blog comments. Thanks so much!

The Chap had acquired a huge container of strawberries and a lemony pound cake and ice cream, so we sort of had a party.

Leftover strawberries for yesterday's breakfast--huge! And delicious.



On Thursday it was back to Concord. I testified at a public hearing in another committee, in support of a constituent. I'm not even sure the pending legislation would help her. It's one of those cases that wrenches my heart--I know the committee was moved by her desperate and emotional testimony and that of other similarly affected individuals.

Then I had lunch downtown with a different priestly friend, at a different restaurant.

The Capitol City economy definitely benefitted during my birthday week. I had three meals in three separate establishments!

Returning to the glove saga....I asked around at various State House and LOB reception or information desks whether a black leather left glove had been turned in. That's how I learned there's a Lost and Found in the Sergeant-at-Arms' Office on the 3rd floor of the State House. It was my last stop yesterday.

My missing glove was there, waiting for me! "Nice," said the woman who handed it over to me. "I can see why you're so glad to have it back."

The Chap says he's going to tie a string to this pair, like mothers do on their kids' winter mittens to keep the pair together. Sounds like a good idea to me. Or better still, let warm weather come so I won't need gloves!

Finally Friday's here. I'm behind on my writing quota (big surprise) but not badly behind because I was (don't tell) scribbling scenes during Wednesday's lengthy floor debates. I think I can get back on track today and over the weekend.

One more meeting--this afternoon--for the historical society cookbook. Imagine sitting around talking about delicious recipes a couple of hours before suppertime! That's the other book I'm writing. Or rather, compiling. Our committee selects recipes for inclusion, I create the document, and in the not too distant future I'll turn it over to the designer. Talking and typing recipes (unlike baking and cooking and eating) has no adverse impact on my figure. Like watching the Food Network, it's calorie-free! Not that I've had much kitchen time lately....

How I Began My Life

I started today. It was a Wednesday then, too.

All my life I've heard the verse containing the description "Wednesday's child is full of woe." A real downer and best ignored. Or the other version, "Wednesday's child will know no woe." As inaccurate as it is unrealistic.

The MEP version:

"Wednesday's child coming--whoa! Watch out!"

And I must also add that this birthdate of mine is a command: "March forth!"

So that's exactly what I did. And continue to do.

~~~~~

Hello, world. I'm here!



Even though I haven't actually accomplished anything yet, I'm quite popular. I'm a firstborn child, that must be the reason. And I made them impatient waiting for my arrival--nearly 10 full months!

People hold me and look at me and have their picture taken with me. I'm always ready for a photo op but would rather be on the other side of the camera/s for a change. A lot of really cool photographic equipment in this household....

Here's my mother's mother. I'm demonstrating my ambition to become a ballerina--check out that port de bras! She's my fashion icon--I'll definitely wear sophisticated black and white outfits, like she does. And earrings.



I have another beautiful grandmother, so sweet and loving. Her mother was called Margaret, that's how I got my name--there's a long line of Margarets, going way, way back in time. See her pearls? Margaret means "pearl." In future I shall often wear pearls. After I grow a neck....



The President of the United States (and his predecessors) personally picked my grandfather for an important position in Washington, DC. He, too, is a good dresser, you can tell from his bespoke Savile Row suit. Perhaps I'll get involved with government and hang out with politicians and meet a President, too. And buy some clothes in London. Right now--only in my dreams!



And I want a beautiful rose garden, like this grandfather has.



I'm sure I'll always be a churchgoer. Despite having cold water poured on me the first time I went.



I intend to travel a lot because I love going places. Are we there yet?



I'd really like to be a performer. Until I'm ready for a wider audience, this sofa is my stage.



Cleanliness is next to Godliness, they tell me. No problem. I was born under an astrological water sign, I love getting wet. I'm thinking I'll need a house by a lake. No wait--two! A large house by a little lake, and a cottage on a very, very big lake. How awesome would that be?



I've got a trusty canine companion, my very best friend and devoted bodyguard. I want at least two dogs when I'm older. Also, I enjoy sitting around, using my imagination. Is storytelling a lucrative profession?



I love gourmet food. This muck...isn't.



I come from a funny family. So I'll be looking for a husband who can keep me laughing. And vice versa, because once I start talking I'll be oh, so quick with the quips and my guy will have to keep up. (Although he need not have a military haircut like my father's!)



I'm hoping I'll look sort of like my mother when I'm grown but frankly, I'd be content just to have more hair. Look, she's compensating by dressing me in a cute sailor dress with a perky red tie around my so-called neck to distract from my near-baldness. (I'm still too young to wear black, she says.) She's looking out for me. And whatever I end up doing, I'll always have her love and support.



Already this is shaping up to be a wonderful life.

~~~

And today, the much older version of me gives thanks to all who have made it so.

Snow Report from the Girls

After a big melt-off on Saturday, we still had lots of snow. Now we have even more.

It started falling yesterday, very lightly. Our dad took us for a long walk.

This morning when he got up, we heard him tell our mom at least 8 inches had fallen. He shovelled it from the deck and steps so he could get to the morning newspaper (it came!). Then he left for a snow-delayed opening at his office.

We stayed in our beds. It was a morning to sleep really, really late--that's what our mom was doing, too.

A couple of hours later when she got up, we couldn't even tell that the deck and steps had been shovelled at all! Another 4 inches fell during that 2-hour period we were all warm and snoozy.

Our mom went outside (in her flannel pajamas) to shovel the snow on the back deck--our deck, and the staircase down to our play yard. There was a whole foot of snow, but it was light and she finished pretty quickly.

Then she grabbed her camera like she expected us to romp in the snow. Only we didn't. It's so deep that only way we can get around is to hop like bunnies. That gets old really fast.

Here's Ruth looking at Jewel...



...wedged in by snow and only interested in getting back inside the house.



We got pieces of pear when mom had her breakfast. Her mother called to say they had an "inch" of snow someplace way, way south of here where they hardly ever get any snow at all. And it's already gone away and melted.

We're all snuggled now on the downstairs sofa, which is the best thing to do on a day like this. (Would you believe it's still snowing?!) The writer is writing her book. It's her last day of Winter Break and she's trying to make the most of it.

According to the tv news, everybody on the Eastern seaboard has snow today, not just us. How deep is your snow??

Ruth & Jewel Porter

Musical Monday: Four-Leaf Clover

From my pot of lucky shamrocks.



It's got me humming the catchy fun tune by Abra Moore, former member of Poi Dog Pondering, a band that orginated in Hawaii.

No embed permitted by Sony BMG, you'll have to follow this link to the video:

Four Leaf Clover

And if you like it, below the video frame is a link for iTunes.

Sunday Stroll: More Promising Signs, Indoor Version

Bracing for a blizzard. Big Nor'Easter on the way tonight, snowfall projections are far from conclusive. March is definitely coming in like the proverbial lion. The first flakes of Phase 1 are beginning as I type this.

But here inside the Lodge, it's springtime.

With flowers...

Azalea



Crown of thorns



And fresh young green foliage

Lavender



Bonsai citrus



Passionflower



Nell Gwyn's Ivy
(Revenge theft, because she stole my gloves during a previous Sunday Stroll!)



Kalanchoe



Last year's birthday gift, English boxwood from my parent's house



This year's birthday gift, shamrocks from the Chap



And last, but certainly not least, my traditional birthday bouquet, with flowers selected to be fully opened at mid-week for the actual birthday day.



The daffodil is an appropriate flower for this First of March. It's St. David's Day, the Welsh National Holiday, when folks wear a daffodil--or a leek--pinned to their clothing. In honour of the Welsh patron saint, and my Evans and Williams heritage, I'll take the daffodil, thanks--in my opinion leeks are for eating, not wearing!

To stroll some more, stop over at Aisling's place.