by Susan | Jul 29, 2011 | On My Mind
We made a trip to town yesterday and turned the Prius into a pickup truck again. As we were cruising along, the AC blasting to keep the child in the back seat happy, I looked down at the mileage display and snapped this pic (Paul was driving). 418 miles on this tank...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2011 | Family
Fourteen years ago, I married my best friend. This has not been an inconsequential partnership so far. Four ducks: $25 One gold fish: $28 Thirteen chickens: $77 Two cats: $1,153 Three dogs: $4,760 One half-grown child: $103,850 One home in the woods of Maine: $290,000...
by Susan | Jul 22, 2011 | Family
Dad’s birthday was on the 17th. I made this card for him featuring his chicken namesake, but couldn’t share it until I knew he had received it in the mail (I was a little late on the draw – as usual). Happy Birthday, Dad!
by Susan | Jul 20, 2011 | Family
My girl has flown the coop. Left the nest. Gone to summer camp. At eleven years old, this is only her second time away from home alone. The first was a one-night sleep over in town. This week she is on the Sunbeam, a 75’ long ship owned by the Maine Coast Sea Mission....
by Susan | Jul 10, 2011 | On My Mind
It’s been 5 days since The Girls and The Colonel moved to their chicken coop. We read that it’s good to let them spend some time in the coop before letting them out into the yard so they realize it’s their new home. The truth is we just finished the...
by Susan | Jun 19, 2011 | Chickens, On My Mind
Today we finished the sheathing of the chicken coop. We’re pooped! Paul has to build the doors windows (and cut the holes out for the windows), the nesting box. Then comes the steel roof (left over from the house project) and painting. We’ve got just over...
by Susan | Jun 7, 2011 | On My Mind
Between gas prices and a truck that needs a bit of work, we took the Prius to Ellsworth for our Sunday Home Depot trip. Do you think it’s time for a Prius pickup? We did our shopping in two rounds. Round one included 24 2x3x8′ studs. Paul said, “I...
by Susan | Mar 21, 2011 | On My Mind
This morning, cruising out of town just before dawn we caught this picture of the “super moon” over the Narraguagus River in Milbridge in a “drive by shooting.”
by Susan | Mar 13, 2011 | Family
I lost my grandmother this week. Ruth (nee Strobel) Bender Nerviani died peacefully in her sleep at age 96 with my mother by her side. Her passing leaves a void in my heart. All of my life I called my grandmother “Mother.” Growing up I heard my mom call her “Mother”...
by Susan | Feb 6, 2011 | On My Mind
I took advantage of a taste of spring-like weather today. At a balmy 40 degrees I parked myself on the porch. It was comfortably refreshing, but the view left a bit to be desired.
by Susan | Jan 3, 2011 | On My Mind
The first day of school for 2011. Yipee! The sky had such a beautiful quality to it this morning. Calm, peaceful, and gentle. My picture does not do it justice.
by Susan | Dec 25, 2010 | Family
Chrismtas morning. Note how dark it still is outside! Snape the kitty taking Christmas morning in stride.
by Susan | Dec 24, 2010 | Family
This Christmas artwork was created by my great, great aunt, Elizabeth Stroble. Elizabeth taught art at a high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each year she created an amazing linoleum block print poster and sent a copy to her nieces and nephews as her Christmas...
by Susan | Oct 31, 2010 | On My Mind
This morning I woke to the clanking of dishes. As I lay there sleepily, it crossed my mind that Hannah just might be emptying the dishwasher without being asked. Instead, I found a beautifully decorated table where Hannah served us a special Halloween breakfast. What...
by Susan | Oct 26, 2010 | Family
In my house we’re big on nicknames and endearments for those we love. For example, Snape the cat is Snapey-poo, Boo Boo Bear, or Itty Bitty Boo (just to name a few – the list goes on). Cinder the cat is Miss Kitty or Cinderkins. Ginger the dog is Ginger-baby,...
by Susan | Sep 14, 2010 | On My Mind
Things are changing. The days are feeling crisper, the garden is slowing down, the geese are flying south, and the humming birds are gone. I didn’t see a single humming bird the entire weekend. The sugar water level in the feeder hasn’t changed a bit. For...
by Susan | Sep 9, 2010 | Family
Hannah started the sixth grade on Tuesday. Although Paul and I were dancing and singing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” one member of our family is not celebrating. Snape the cat, AKA “Boo” or “Boo-boo Bear” has...
by Susan | Aug 7, 2010 | Family
My Grandma Jordan was born in 1900 and lived in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for all the years I knew her. My grandparents had a splendid old house on Penn Street in Punxy. I have wonderful memories of summers there in my early years catching fireflies, Saturday night...
by Susan | Aug 1, 2010 | Family
This morning I was lounging on the front porch with my cup of coffee and a book, just taking pleasure in life. Hannah came out to join me and curled up in a chair with a blanket and turned on her Nintendo DS. After a few moments I asked her to turn the volume off – it...
by Susan | Jul 26, 2010 | Family
Thirteen years ago today I married my best friend. Lucky me! Other than marrying Paul, the thing that stands out the most as I think back on our wedding is the group of people who celebrated the day with us. It’s the last time that we had our family and closest...
