A Little of This, A Little of That, A Foggy Walk and More Christmas

Paisley, On

Thursday, Nov. 26^th already! I slept well and I do believe that Bill is having better sleeps too. He pops his earplugs in now like I do and it muffles our noisy clock (which I’ve offered to remove) and the early morning traffic but doesn’t block out the sound of his alarm at 5:30.

Spooky river walk

But also very mysterious and calming

I’ve been preaching about earplugs for years and have always heard reasons for not wearing them.“Oh, I can’t stand them in my ears”, “they don’t stay in” or “they don’t make a difference” from many, many doubters, nay-sayers and the like and I’m not saying I don’t believe you, I’m just saying that I’m happy they work for Bill and I. 😊 AND, I might add, with them in, you could still hear if your spouse beside you called your name. By the way, my movie last night was great and I didn't even cry. It's a good one, in my books, and looking at that handsome Richard Gere in his prime didn't hurt one bit. Be still my heart.💓

Let's look at some more of Paisley's Christmas

I enjoyed the blow ups in Lake Havasu, AZ with the cacti but they're not a favourite
I prefer old fashioned decorations

I was early enough that their lights were still turned on

I got up around 7:30 so if I didn’t drop off completely, I had a nice doze ABL (after Bill left). It was such a dull, wet morning that it looked too dark to go for a walk but after I washed and got dressed, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The temperature was an incredibly mild (for November) 7C/45F and the fog that was visible, as I removed myself from the shelter of downtown, was evidence of the warmth. I overdressed, methinks.

I'll have to walk a bit at night to see these lit up

My coat zipper didn’t need to be done up all the way but I didn’t unzip it either as admonishments from Mom played in my head. I slipped it down about 5”. 

Small town creativity
This is an old wooden dumpster outside the Community Centre/Ice rink
I love this!

Because of the wet grass and my indefinite direction, I wore a pair of my favourite boots. They won’t be my favs for long though; the other day while walking with Bill at the Ridge in the longer grass, I felt dampness seeping through to my socks. Oh-oh. I’ve had them quite a few years so not a big deal. They have a nice tread though so will keep an eye out for another dual purpose pair. Not just for winter, I like them at any time.

Leaving the core area, heading south

I don’t need to tell you that it was a lovely walk. They all are, unless something untoward happens, which it hasn’t, yet. 😊 From one end of town to the other, partly on main street and mostly on the back streets and trails along the river. The air smelled so fresh, more like the birth of spring rather than the demise of fall. More days like this, please, I begged. It was foggy though, as I mentioned, so I didn’t follow the trail along the river until my return trip.

A lovely row of unadorned Christmas trees

Last week, I wasn't sure if this was a laneway or walk through

So, I followed it to discover it was public property
bringing me out to the river trail

Still foggy but not as bad

I should name this creek
It runs under the small street bridges and separates the two trails I walk on
It is always quite 'chatty' with its rushing water over the rocks

I took this picture because there are at least 5 varieties of evergreens in this clump
The blue spruce is one of my favourite because of the contrast
to everyone else
I would probably not get their names correct but
fir, cedar, spruce, pine were present in the bunch

No rain fell on my head but it must have started just out of town, according to Susan. They were out when I returned but it took me about 15 minutes, maybe more to realize that. The vehicle Wes drives was absent from the lane but I assumed that he’d gone to work and that Susan was resting in the front room. I tiptoed around quietly as I made my tea and warmed up some steel cut oatmeal. When I went down to rinse my bowl, I peeked in the room and it was empty. I laughed at my attempts to be quiet in an empty house.

This little guy lives at the house on the corner
I've seen him before and he wanders up the hill to greet me
and then carries on
No one seems concerned so he knows his boundaries

I read some blog posts to catch up on what I’ve missed. I’m not diligent in regular reading and I apologize but for one reason or another, I’m trying to limit my time on the laptop. I have other things to do, like read my book, bake, walk and work on a crochet project. One day, I’ll get back at that shrug and make a more valiant attempt to create something wearable.

Sorry for backtracking but here is the river side of the woollen mill
from yesterday

I mentioned the twin archways where the water to flow from one side
(Teeswater) to the other (Saugeen)

Teeswater side of the bridge

Flowing out on the east, Saugeen side

And this is the Millbank House (1891) to the west of the mill
Wouldn't you love a tour of this place?

The morning meeting was well under way when I returned towards home

At a few doors down from our residence, yesterday Lily was putting up her tree
and decorating her storefront window. I gave her the thumbs up👍
Today, it was done

I’m enjoying the book I picked up from the library but I wish I’d paid attention. Apparently, I requested LARGE PRINT. It’s easy to see the lettering, of course, but I feel somewhat ‘feebler’, as if I need this. Ha ha! One day, I’ll be there but didn’t think it was necessary quite so soon! Maybe I should complain, the lighting in our room (on the bed) isn't really bright. 

I finished addressing and stamping the Christmas cards that have been sitting waiting for the right time to mail them and then I wrote a letter to Mom's airforce buddy, Smitty, out west to put in her card. She always sends us an update in ours.  With that done, I went down to make a batch of cookies. No-bake ones.

1

Seems funny to be reading the large print
but nice at the same time (ssshhh)

Naturally, there are a couple of ingredients that I didn’t have (story of my life) and although I could substitute peanut butter for the almond butter (it says I can!), I didn’t have any flaked coconut to add texture. They are in the freezer for 30+ minutes and soon enough I’ll find out if we’re eating them with a spoon or by hand. Before heading back upstairs, I made a batch of popcorn and took it upstairs to wait and start my post.

So, here is the 'yarn' about the yarn
This is way too much 'inside' yarn, don't you agree?
As gentle as I was, it was a mess

I alternated between reading and crocheting and when I finished one large ball of yarn, I proceeded to prepare the second one. Well, Bernat, you did it again. 

I gently (hahaha) separated it into sections
(I'm sure you're intrigued by all this)

And eventually moved to the floor
Good thing I'd just recently dust mopped!
I started rolling the 'new' ball

The first ball was bad enough, pulling the ‘innards’ out of the centre to find the workable end was ridiculous! 1/3 of the wool came out and it was a bit of a mess. Now, I see that it was a breeze compared to this one. At least half of the wool was crammed in there with no rhyme or reason. Someone was having a bad day!

Here, I was almost dancing with glee
This is the end

Two hours later, I got it detangled and completely rolled into a new ball. That was so frustrating, I’m surprised it didn’t end up across the room. I’d checked my cookies before I started all that and although they aren’t perfect, softening up as soon as they are out of the freezer, they at least taste good. A nice guilt-free snack. The coconut would have helped so I'll pick some up Friday for the next batch. I walked to the post office around 3 and then made my tea when I returned. Bill came home just before 5, I think, I was too wrapped up, literally, to notice.

I love the pretty little white and pink FREE basket

He dozed after his long day and I sat beside him with my crocheting. I knew I picked up the free basket from the Mill for something. The ball fit perfectly in there, in the plastic bag, and wouldn’t be rolling all over the place as I worked. 😊 I went down around 6 to spice and prep the steak for supper. Madame IP does a wonderful job with any type of steak and when Bill came down, he got our Fry Daddy out for French fries. I also steamed some asparagus for me. Yum.

And it is happy too to be utilized again
I'm just glad I am a patient person

After dishes, I finished watching an NCIS rerun in the big kitchen while Bill made his lunch and went up for his shower. One more day of work this week, and well, a bit Saturday morning at the Mat. This was a really mild day out there and we are expecting a slight cool down tomorrow. We’ll enjoy these temperatures while we can as it will soon change for the worse. Bill went in to watch a movie at 9 and I stuck to my own hobbies here in our room.

This is why we need guilt-free snacks!

The last of our triple berry custard pie
It was wonderful and provided us with 4 nights of dessert
for $4.50

My right thigh start aching just before we started on supper. It was an odd feeling different than a muscle ach but very uncomfortable. By the time I was back upstairs, it had spread around my whole thigh. Then I started thinking 'shingles' warning? My skin feels tender to the touch but with a sharp pang every so often. Now that makes no sense at all! I took a couple of X-strength pain pills in the hopes that it would ease up. Maybe my body is rebelling against the 4 miles I walk in a day. Ha! I doubt that very much.

One of my friends posted this on Facebook and it couldn't
be more suited to me this winter
Good night!

This was a nice quiet day. I hope you’ve enjoyed yours. Thanks for popping in!

Working, Walking, Enjoying the Day, Tree Woes

Paisley, On

On Wednesday, Nov. 25^th, hump day, Bill was up and off to work at his normal time. I heard him get up this time but drifted off again until he slipped out to go get his breakfast. I heard the door creak and I was ready for my kiss today. 😊 I was up at 7, washed and downstairs for my own tea. I’d decided, from the clear day, to get going by 8:30.

The drive to Durham was just wet
Too mild to be icy
I'm okay with 'wet'

The roads were wet and the forecast was above freezing as I readied for the drive to Durham. I had nothing to be concerned about today. We were expecting rain for a lot of the day and it felt surprisingly mild at 3C/37F. Perhaps we are just getting used to it. The Mat was in pretty fair condition and I busied myself following the normal routine. The floors only needed a dust mopping which indicated that it hadn’t been that busy or Jamie had been in recently.

Norm's restaurant always has creative signs
both sides but I keep missing them
This is blurred but it says:
'Past, Present and Future walked into a room'
It was Tense'
Hardy har!

As I was on my way out the door, Bill called to say he was on his way home too. It was only 10:30 so that was good for both of us. We met at home and he was outside helping me to get Ptooties backed in behind Black Beauty beside Wes’s van. I didn’t need too much help but I’m glad he was there all the same to meet me. Seldom does he make it home before I do. Inside, we had some lunch together and he read while I did some crocheting. It is relaxing and a good time passer.

Driving home to see my hubby
Not as rainy

Around 2:30, I was getting restless and I realized that I hadn’t been out for some fresh air and exercise yet. Earlier, a Purolator package was delivered for Bill and I, some over-the-glasses goggles and a fitbit screen cover for me. I like to have a spare to keep it protected when I’m working. I knew it was pretty mild out still, although very dull, and I was anxious to get out there. I didn't have a hope in heck that the sun would appear today.

I walked a back street and saw this obedient pooch
He was as close as he could get to the edge of their property
but never moved
I love that!

This house appealed to me
Doesn't it look welcoming with those chairs
and front porch?

The walk was wonderful, up through town and then the park and the river beckoned to me. If you listen, you can hear it too, looking at my pictures. 

Listen

An open area and it's calling to me

"Patsy, come walk here!"

It was muddy in places so I was glad I wore my boots but I also walked on the grass. I was surprised at the many broken/damaged trees along the river, many were large enough indicating how strong that wind storm was over a week ago. Some of the trees must have been pretty near dead as they were large branches and trunks.

Where's that black squirrel now?

Back up Water St. I returned home from a different direction. When I got inside, I realized how hungry I was and had a pepperette with a cup of creamy tea. That hit the spot and would tide me over until supper. The rest of our afternoon together was spent dozing, talking about our fortunate friends 😊 who were able to travel south (Americans), reading, crocheting and on our laptops. When it was time, we both went down to reheat our supper.

I felt like a selfie today
so why the heck not?

Bill had the leftover goulash (or however you spell it) with potato and I had the leftover ribs with potato and carrots. Emptying leftover dishes in the fridge is always satisfying and not only because it makes the meal planning and prep easier. Real estate is valuable in there! We watched some of the news with Wes and Susan before doing dishes and then watched one of our favourite NCIS reruns. 

Tree tragedy #1

#2 & #3

#4 & #5

#6

This was not from the storm but a large split tree trunk
sometimes adds character and a home for critters
I didn't see any inside today though

Upstairs, Bill got his book out and I worked on my post until 7:30 when Jeopardy came on. At 8, I was back in our room to finish the blog and pop in a movie. when Bill went next door. Working alphabetically through our movie binder, I pulled out Autumn in New York. It’s a heart breaker but a good one. I crawled into bed and prepared for the tears that I’ve cried before over this same movie. 😊

I'm still intigued and puzzled by this 'water falls and stream from nowhere'

I love this look, as a child I would have to play in there
Reminds me of our farm in Mt. Brydges

Of course, a picture of the Saugeen River

An interesting fence, would have been to watch them erect it

This was a good day. I earned a bit of $ and spent the afternoon with my sweetie. Life is good.

Wes added lovely red Christmas bows and balls to their fence out front
Good night!

Thank you for your visit! Your comments are always welcome.