Dinner out, and in.

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After running some errands the other afternoon we ducked into one of our favorite spots for an early dinner.

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Every time we go I try and talk the husband into getting a giant free floating raffia fish for our dining area, but he always says no.

Such a killjoy.

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Round one for me…

To drink – a Cran-apple margarita with cranberry infused tequila, triple sec, apple cider, cranberry juice, sour mix & dehydrated lime.

As appetizer – some arancini. Those crispy stuffed risotto spheres with slow-braised beef, parmesan, mozzarella, tomato vodka sauce & pea tendrils were scrumptious.

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Husband started with a rich and creamy bisque…Maine lobster, cream, sherry, smoked paprika and chives.

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My second round cocktail was a winter spiced sangria with blended red & white wines, spiced brandy, pama liquer, orange infused simple, topped with lemon lime soda.

Then I went with the prosciutto tartufo brick oven pizza which was positively decadent.

Alfredo, stracciatella, truffled pecorino, prosciutto & baby arugula… it was so good I forgot to take a picture of the husband’s bolognese.

On a more down home note, I tried this copycat recipe recently.

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Putting milk in a meatloaf seemed a little odd, but it was surprisingly tasty.

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I haven’t tried this cake yet, but it sounds right up my alley.

As did this.. though I’m happily married so we’ll skip the proposal part.

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Have I made y’all hungry yet?

🍽️

P.S…. I tried this orzo dish and was disappointed. It wasn’t nearly as creamy as I’d hoped and even though I chopped the broccoli in small pieces, it didn’t steam properly. Good flavor, but it might need a little tweaking for a repeat.

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No comment.

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For some reason my latest post about squirrels and a woodchuck has its comments closed.

I didn’t do that.

I’ve gone back to edit twice and reposted… hoping it would clear up, but the WordPress gremlins still say no.

Then I tried posting this, telling people to comment here… but this one comes up with no comment section in the reader, though I can comment from my end.

WTH?

Maybe you can comment from here…

https://riversworld.live/2026/03/26/impressive-core-work-and-the-first-chuck-sighting/

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Impressive core work and the first chuck sighting.

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Our gray squirrels are quite acrobatic and during a recent snow storm… when I brought in all the bird feeders except the one from which they have trouble stealing… this little guy went above and beyond for a snack.

I’m guessing he has six pack abs under that fur.

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He fell quite a few times, but finally found a stable perch.

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In other wildlife news, our first chuck of the season arrived.

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In the middle of the storm with nothing to nibble but fallen seed.

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Poor chuck.

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I doubt that was the meal he dreamt about all winter.

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All hail weather whiplash.

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Warm then cold.

Rain, then snow.

Ice, then mud.

It’s March in Maine… anything can happen.

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Including hail.

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Which we had a ripping bout of recently.

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Out of nowhere… bam!

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Why my husband felt the need to rescue the bird feeders while getting pelted, I have no idea.

🤣

And if that wasn’t bad enough, as soon as we had a snow free lawn and driveway?

This happened on Sunday.

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Oh March… thou art a fickle b*tch.

But it does make for interesting, highly technical local weather forecasts.

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On Monday they called for….

Snizzle?

🤣

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News you can’t use.

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So much news.

So little of it useful.

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There’s only one thing I have to say about this…

Are you not entertained?

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I might have opted for a cafe chat over coffee, but okay.

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Mark… please try to contain yourself.

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Japanese barbecue sauced Spam.

Please celebrate accordingly.

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If you’re familiar with Maine real estate prices you’ll realize this is the deal of the century.

Maybe we could all pitch in and have a bloggers retreat?

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Damn.

That’s got to be a hard way to go…

😳

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I’ve started the process.

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As you know…. the pain from my five year old knee injury ( deep root radial meniscal tear and ACL damage) has reached the point of no return and I’m finally incapacitated enough to do something about it.

Which is why I was waiting here the other day.

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My health care center moved into larger and more elaborate digs a few years ago and the waiting rooms are quite pleasant now.

Soothing colors, lots of natural light filtered in from the open concept ceiling and a veritable house plant jungle in the center.

Doctors are separated into wings with easy to find Maine related designations.

There was Chickadee and Evergreen and Anchor … and this one, which was a little puzzling.

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We have black bear in Maine, but no polar.

Anyhoo…

Before long I was taken back to meet with a primary physician to start the process. I need an orthopedist but can’t see one until I’m referred.

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After I explained my injury and pinpointed my current pain level (a steady 7), the doctor decided that wasn’t high enough and proceeded to poke, prod, push, pull, twist and torque my knee six ways to Sunday which left me gasping and crying uncle.

Diagnosis?

I need an orthopedist.

She said she heard some impressive clicking and crunching… bone on bone, said my muscle structure was probably compromised and not supporting the joint and I might have some bursitis as well. Yay me.

When I said I’d like to have an MRI to assess the damage she told me I’d have to wait for the orthopedist to order imaging… but pulled up my old one from five years ago.

Her response upon viewing?

“Eewww.”

That can’t be good.

So now I wait for the orthopedist to call with an appointment. I requested a man who was recommended by almost everyone I asked. The hands down winner when I posted a query on our local FB page. A doctor with the highest peer reviewed ratings. Tufts and Dartmouth educated. Even my pain inflicting primary said that’s who she’d pick.

There’s some question about him accepting our insurance as it’s not a type listed on his website, but my fingers are crossed he will.

I really don’t have a second choice.

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Let’s play.

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Because it’s Friday and it shouldn’t tax your brain.

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The first song that popped into my head was from my (extremely misspent) youth.

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I remember being in high school art class when our teacher announced the new assignment… draw an album cover. I chose this New Riders of the Purple Sage record and got an A. Though Mrs. O’Neill erased the joint in his hand which made him look somewhat Italian. 😉

Fun fact? I still have my original vinyl.

The other song that rattled around my brain?

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Little Red Corvette by Prince.

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Musical genius, taken too soon.

Now you…

Name a song with red in the title.

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