Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Fast Friends

The Husband has been busy playing mandolin and guitar with several different companions.

This photo was Fast Friends playing at the Hop House on Father's Day afternoon. Luckily the recent stormy weather gave way to some sunshine and lots of people came out to listen.

His better paying gigs (same $$$, less time playing) tend to be at the 2 local nursing homes. Those old folks love the Boomer music and Old-Timey stuff that he plays with 2 different groups.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Stormy weather


The weather was absolutely perfect for the 5 days that my sister was here, except it did get cloudy when I was driving her to the airport. Since then we have had a lot of predicted rain, but not a lot of actual rain. Just a few windy thunderstorms—barely enough to water the garden, more than enough to scare the scaredy girl.

Jessie was just getting used to the strange lady in the house. She was just starting to think maybe visitors are okay even if they do show up in mom's car, sleep in dad's basement, come outside to her private yard.

But then the stranger went away and all hell broke loose! Thunder, lightning, wind, rain—how's a girl supposed to eat her dinner? She wouldn't even touch the fried chicken with gluten-free turkey and cranberry cookies that she likes so much. And that was with me sitting on the floor right next to her.

Her big brother Cyrus, who is really too old to climb the stairs, came up anyway to check on his little sister. He also happens to be mostly deaf, unaware of the storm, and maybe just coming up to see where that fried chicken is headed. Nice try, big guy!

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Sis visit, and a vet or 2

Jo, Harry, Julie, me

My Portlandia sister came to visit for a few short days and we had a fabulous time (and perfect weather!). We met with one of her old friends from Pennsylvania, and one of my not so old friends, Dr Julie, who happens to be a veterinarian. 

We had a picnic lunch on Julie's veranda, and a meet and greet with Harry and Milo and all the other critters on her farm.

That evening, we went to Oneonta to meet Jo's friend Jamie for dinner. While we were commenting on the message on the truck parked in front of us, the owner and his very friendly dog walked up. It was a real pleasure to shake his hand.