While I tend to spend more time with my face buried in a book that watching television….
I’m almost sorry I couldn’t stay awake long enough to watch this classic example of cinematic magic.
Zombie in Lederhosen.
How can that be anything but utterly delightful?
Well now you can.
We had a lot of visitors this past winter.
These are pictures from back in January because I’m still playing catch up from the vacation posts.
Our buck kept his rack a lot longer than usual.
But it didn’t stop him from apple picking.
Or sticking his tongue out at the photographer.
Cheeky little bugger.
Father and son…
Or daughter, it’s hard to tell at this stage.
According to the dictionary, the definition of distancing is:
To make someone or something far off or remote in position.
Not a difficult concept… so maybe you can tell me why certain groups of people have such a hard time comprehending it.
( I realize I’m going to tick some readers off with this next part, but I’m sorry… the situation is ticking me off on a daily basis. )
The husband and I have been good little virus citizens. We stay home, alone…. and I have made 2 trips to the grocery store (and only the grocery store!) in the past 19 days.
This is the definition of social distancing… and if it’s what we have to do to save American lives? Then that’s what we’ll do.
So if I can’t go to my local pub and pray to the God of Tequila?
You can’t go to church and pray to yours.
My pub is closed. Shut up tight so groups can’t gather and spread infection. But your churches are wide open and hundreds are sitting side by side.
I know my bar stool misses me, but I can drink at home if I choose. So how about you choose to pray at home as well? I know it’s possible, my mother did it every night.
Here are a few examples of what’s currently ticking me off –
Our daughter of the heart posted a state of North Carolina alert which listed churches as “essential” places that could remain open.
In Washington state 60 people attended a church choir practice. 45 of them now have the virus, and 2 of them are dead.
A pastor from Louisiana said closing churches would be “discrimination against the faith”.
Coincidence that 12 days after he said this the number of positive cases in that state skyrocketed?
Maybe.
But for shepherds who are supposed to care for their flocks?
The two small churches in our town are offering online video sermons and outreach through social media. That’s the correct way to practice distancing and tend to your flock at the same time.
Common sense will get us through this.
Let’s try to have some.
Women will try anything to keep their skin looking supple and smooth. The illusion of youth is a powerfully motivating force.
And while I admit to buying my fair share of high priced creams and lotions in a feeble attempt to push back the hand of time…. even I have a limit.
Here it is:
Yes…
Snail mucus.
Because someone, somewhere, at sometime saw this…..
And thought, yup….
I got to get me some of that!
Dear Pennsylvania,
It was with great sadness that I read the recent news reports from your state. I can only imagine the confusion, the shock, and yes… the absolute horror that this announcement brought.
If there’s anything I can do to help your devastated citizens who will struggle during this time of crisis, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Yours most sincerely,
River
No. I didn’t send that letter…. but I should.
I should, because I just discovered this:
All Pennsylvania state liquor stores and licensee service centers will close indefinitely tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced.
“This was a tremendously difficult decision to make, and we understand the disruption our store closures will have on consumers and licensees across the commonwealth,” Board Chairman Tim Holden said in a statement.
Holden continued:
“But in these uncertain and unprecedented times, the public health crisis and mitigation effort must take priority over the sale of wine and spirits, as the health and safety of our employees and communities is paramount.”
The liquor control board handles all beverage alcohol distribution in Pennsylvania, operating nearly 600 wine and spirits stores statewide. It licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers, according to the statement.
Pennsylvania?
You have my deepest sympathies.
No, not the depression.
Sorry, not the brothers either.
I’m talking about the colors.
Living in Maine, most of our winters are white. But there’s also a lot of beautiful blue…
And when a storm is moving in?
It’s really quite lovely.
These were all taken through my dirty winter windows last month, so be kind.
But spots and all..
You have to admit winter blues are pretty.
Even the ones that turn out kind of weird.
Weekends during the pandemic don’t look like they used to.
While we’ve been staying home like good little citizens, we did have a big day out last Saturday…. which I’ll share with you now. (Since we won’t be vacationing in the foreseeable future and I know you’ll miss my travel blogs.)
We drove to the Limington Harmon airport.
Which, as you can see…… is not quite Chicago O’Hare.
As travel destinations go….. it lacked a certain something.
But the husband was investigating an incident/accident and had to take pictures of the runway.
So at least we walked in the fresh air…
With absolutely zero chance of anyone breathing infection on us.
And I guess that’s about all you can ask from a day trip these days.
Which is why I’m posting about Valentines Day at the end of March.
It started with a nice bouquet of roses….
And a kitchen selfie before we went out for a late lunch on the water.
The building used to house a garage… and was previously a wonderful restaurant called, are you ready?
La Garage.
Clever… no?
But now it has new owners and a new incarnation as the Water Street Kitchen and Bar.
It sits on the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset and please pardon the reflection of my hands in the window.
We’ve been wanting to try it for a while, and found that’s it’s undergone a major remodel.
The feel is more modern.
And I have to say I was loving the metal works installations. This would be perfect for all my husband’s rusty crap treasures!
But first things first.
A marvelous basil limeade with a view….
The menu was small, but seemed alright.
And just as the waitress brought my (overly salted) charred Brussels sprouts appetizer, the husband saw a friend of his walk in and asked them to join us.
On Valentines Day.
Oh, well.
This called for two Blueberry Mojitos… .because a girl can only take so much romance.
Husband had a butternut squash soup, which you couldn’t pay me to eat.
And then it was on to a rather dry, garlic-less shrimp scampi for me, and an overcooked paella for the other half.
The meal was redeemed by dessert.
A delightful lemon marscapone cake…
Husband’s friends said their meals were good, and the cocktails were lovely so we might give them another try. We do like the area and supporting small businesses.
And I might have to take another look at the metal works.
They really were quite interesting.
It was raining last weekend and the husband was lounging on the couch watching television.
But not just any random television…
No.
Can you tell what he had on?
It’s a true classic.
Yes, there’s that as well.
This was the very first picture of us ever taken ….
Back in 1984, on that awful chair at his mother’s house…… right before we got married. I may look twelve, but no worries. I’d just turned 20. (As for the husband’s hair… I have no idea what was going on there.)
We knew each other for 6 days.
Yes, you read that correctly…. 6 days. And to be honest, 3 of those were the required waiting period for the marriage license.
People thought we were crazy. (We knew we weren’t.)
People said it would never last. (It’s been 36 years.)
The Grateful Dead had it right…..
What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been!
But I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
Anyway…. this year on our anniversary?
A seriously beautiful bouquet from my other half….
That got better every day as all the blooms opened up.
The rose colors were gorgeous.
Then it was off to our favorite restaurant in Boothbay Harbor…. before their doors were shut due to the virus. The decor is nothing to write home about, and the menu is smaller in winter….. but the food is still fabulous.
As were the seasonal cocktails.
I started with a Ciderberry.
And moved on to a few Sugar Plums made with this.
OMG!!
If you’ve never payed attention to any of my advice before?
Start now… and buy a bottle.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not a fig fan. I actually hate the things.
But this was like nothing I’d ever tasted before. A very unique flavor. I read they also make a Golden Apricot ….. and I’ll be looking for that as well.
Can’t remember what they called my appetizer but it was delicious, with just the right amount of spice.
Husband went with his usual French Onion soup and a light main dish of broiled haddock and asparagus.
I, on the other hand….
Dove into the richest, creamiest most delightful Parmesan risotto you’ll find this side of Italy. It’s one of their specialties and I can never resist…. paired here with pan seared scallops, mushrooms, arugula and a citrus balsamic glaze.
I don’t care how many pounds I gained…
It was worth it!
River's world..... 