I feel it in my fingers

For the first time in weeks, I feel like writing a bit (I have been doing too much Prudential work lately).  A few things worth mentioning......

• Snow Storm - Blizard "Nemo" is finishing a run at the Northeast Coast today.  Here in Wyoming, we got @ 5 inches of snow, it's in the mid 20's and windy.  Sasha, Brock and I got shoveling time in this morning.  Meanwhile, Jon Dodge posted on Facebook that as of 6:45 a.m, it was still snowing at the Walker-McCausland abode on Hill Street, Webster.  Had @30 inches of snow on the ground with lots of drifting.  Plus snow was forecast to continue into the afternoon.  Recently, northeast Pennsylvania has been a great place for avoiding nasty coastal storms.

• Trip to Grooming Cottage - Tiger had gotten smelly, as his excessive fluff can create hygiene issues.  So, we hit the snowy streets of Wyoming this morning and delivered him to Jim's place.  As usual, he meowed pitifully from the moment he went into the cat carrier.  Now he is home, had some kibble to take his mind off the stress, and has disappeared to take a nap.  Might even be using his own kitty bed, which he rediscovered this past week after being banned from people bedrooms.  No bandanna or bow this time....  but here is a picture of Tiger from Christmas Day, followed by a picture of Jean Luc having fun in his kitty condo (thanks to photographer Steve).

• 10-Year Olds Do Not Have Baths - Brock and I have an agreement that I must pay 25 cents every time I refer to evening bathroom time as "Bath" instead of "Shower".  In fact, we generally use Steve Albert jargon and discuss having a "sit-down" or a "stand-up".  Brock, we have decided that I currently owe you close to $5.  Plus we had a dispute last Wednesday after I said "Ba", but never finished the word.  You claim that I owe you 25 cents, while I believe it's only 12.5 cents.  I'm not sure how I would pay the half cent, but perhaps we should round it down and it will end up being 12 cents even.  The outcome is still under debate.

• The Troggs - In the news this week....  Reg Presley, an English singer & songwriter, died this past week.  After hearing about this on the news, I looked up information about his band "The Troggs" and realized that I especially like their song "Love is All Around".  It's been playing in my head for several days.  Sasha, I can tell you don't appreciate this much and you are waiting very patiently to get the computer back.  Here is a nice rendition - simple and sweet (although I admit the characters appearing at the end of this clip are just plain weird).

Next Up - Valentine's Day!!  You boys aren't admitting to having sweet hearts, but my offer to take you card shopping is still out there!

Family Time in Webster

In mid September, we spent a weekend with Edie and Jon.  Since Sasha was about 3 years old, we've been making trips to Webster to enjoy time together at Edie's house.  This property originally belonged to your great, great, great grandparents Mary Ellen (Tester) and Andrew Walker, who built the house.  Check out their 1880 marriage certificate, which is framed and hanging in the upstairs hallway here on Sharpe Street.  Some years of their marriage may have been difficult....  family lore holds that Grandfather Andrew lived in the attic for a time.  We've seen a section of the attic with nails along the rafters suggesting a curtain was hung there.  (GrandNana also mentioned that he often had pie for breakfast, so life wasn't all bad !!)  The duplex was built in the late 1800's and has been a home to Walker and John McCausland families.

Some highlights of our weekend:

• Went to a book sale at the Dudley, MA library.  Sasha got The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide and Steve got (Daniel Goleman's?) book on Emotional Intelligence.  
• Found a Webster MA t-shirt for Sasha, featuring the full name of Lake Webster "Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg".  You can read more about the lake here  -->  Lake Webster
• Went to the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA.  It was very interesting and included a Real Vikings program where we learned about Viking life, times and fighting techniques.  We also got to try on armor and helmets, play "Castle Attack", and walk through a huge display of armor from many different cultures and times.  Brock had a great time and got a fancy (although plastic) shield at the Museum Store, after we decided against various swords, spears, and $200+ helmets.  Here's a picture from the spectacular Great Hall, taken by our photographer Steve:

• Were hosted to a picnic in the beautiful yard at Hill Street.  Enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, beer and Brock's favorite - playing Frisbee.
• Spent a day at The Big E in Springfield, MA.  Its full name is the "Eastern States Exhibition", a New England states fair that I never heard of before.  You both especially liked the New Hampshire building, which featured chocolate milk and NH instant lottery tickets.  Steve found some aromatic soap.  Brock and I also spent some time on the Midway.  We went on a Ferris Wheel, which I thought was great and Brock thought went up too high.  AND of course, we munched on lots of tasty stuff for example corn dog on a stick (with ketchup..... hmm, who do you suppose ate this?), gyro, steak sandwich, cider doughnuts, cream puffs, and lemonade.  Steve's picture below shows a typical scene as we walked through the fairgrounds on a gorgeous day:

• Last, but certainly not least.....  Jon took you, Sasha, on a quick fishing expedition to a pond at a Connecticut golf course he frequents.  It was an early-morning jaunt, and you had very good luck catching sunfish, small-mouth bass, and calico.

We've always enjoyed treks to Webster, including time to relax in the comfortable Hill Street abode and visit with Edie and Jon.  Hope there will be many more trips!