As the year ends.
There are no clouds as I write this post. I can only wonder what our eyes will see, on this, the last sunset in 2023.
It was just 31 hours until the end of the year, and outside daughter Kathryn’s window, a glowing sunset did appear. Far off to the west across the Chesapeake Bay, the mighty sun was giving us its very best.
The wind in the air distributes the dust, which, combined with the clouds, gives a colorful thrust. It even reflects far below, to the creek, as its waters flow. It ends far off to the west, after giving us its very best.
Thank you, Lord, for all we see, majestic stuff created by thee.
Happy New Year, one and all.
12 December, 2023
Merry Christmas from the Rooster & Wife
Sending you peace, love, and joy this holiday season.
Wake-up Choices
So, what gets you going first thing in the morning? Of late the first thing is our young next-door neighbor. As it is with most young men who own a P/U truck these days, seems the exhaust has to make a deep throaty growling sound. Kind of like when my great granddaughter is visiting and I go Grrrr’rr, I’m gonna get you, and she scurries away and the chase is on. Not sure what these guys are chasing, chics I hope.
Now the growl of a big Ford, Chevy, or Ram is really not what I’m referring to here. I was more or less going to speak to liquid intake. For some, it’s tomato or orange juice juice. For the HIP I’ve seen so many concoctions, that it blows my mind. One in particular I would most likely never do is a GREEN something. For some reason, I just can’t get into drinking green. I include for your reading ingestion the following https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/breakfast-drinks/
Now for me and mine of late, we’ve been trying cinnamon-infused pods from Starbucks and Dunkin. I’m the Barista here and it just works for me. It is so simple for the two of us. We’ve farmed off gatherings to our daughters Kathryn & Sarah who live close by. So Matthew, our son in Connecticut escapes hosting the Mid-Atlantic gatherings. But then again, he married into a giant family on his wife’s side and the family has some big gatherings to accommodate up north.
I’m wandering here. Back to the cinnamon, we both like it. I’m fond of Starbucks, they call it Cinnamon Dolce, Mary Agnes likes the Dunkin Cinnamania. I must mention I’m sweet on caramel, the little lady makes it for me and I’ve been known to add a 1/2 Tsp. to my Cinnamon Coffee. For a bit of Regularity, you might want to try a Chicory Coffee and pretend you are down New Orleans way at the Cafe Du Monde’. So COFFEE, it’s what gets us going here and around the world. And Pods, well a lot has been said about them. Whatever side of the bed you get out of in the morning, start your day, your way!
And the leaves must fall.
I’ve written previously about my Paulownia (or Princess tree.) They are a fast-growing tree that originated in the Orient. An interesting thing we’ve found over the years is that the tree loses its leaves each year with the first good frost.
Here is a great Bio on the PAULOWNIA TREE should you be interested.
Our tree is approximately fifteen years old. During its first few years, I cut it off at the roots several times with a mower while cutting the grass. Eventually, to save the tree I put a wire fence around the base for a year or so. The backside, not visible here was lost some time ago during a harsh winter. You’re facing due north observing this image.
Within the past few weeks, we had to have an old Maple and a Black Walnut tree cut down.
The Black Walnut
The Maple
To give you some perspective on the size of these trees, the boom on the truck extends 94 feet. That portion of the Maple is hanging over our home, specifically, Mary Agnes’ sewing studio/Quilt shop. She loved that Maple, especially the red buds that came out each year. The tree constantly harbored food for a myriad of Wood Peckers, Bats, Owls, and others throughout the seasons. As she sat in her studio watching the demise of an old friend, tears welled in her eyes, as a Barn Owl flew out of a large rotted portal and lit upon a close by Yellow Pine. “His home will be gone, no more screech during the night.”
As you can see by looking at 2 o’clock on Maple’s trunk, little support was left for the part hanging over the Little Woman’s Quilt shop. I’m sure the Owl will find a new home and trees in the surrounding woods shall provide the necessary insects for the Woodpeckers.
As a side note, that is a Weeping Willow in the background. Appropriately named, as it was a gift from good friends in October of 2012 in memory of the passing of Mary Agnes’ brother Bobbie. As the winds blow, the Willow weeps.
So, for now, a tree shall not fall upon our home on a highly windy day, I feared this during several weather events this past year. Nor-easters and tropical storms frequent the Maryland coast just 30 miles away. I shall sleep peacefully, my ear will not be tuned to the gust of the blowing wi
Should you be interested in just who makes their home in a tree trunk, check out ZOO NERDY.
As The Rooster Crows 