Citizenship - At Last

After jumping through many hoops, I am now a citizen.  That excitement is now over, thankfully.  The final piece was to drive to Superior, WI to show my certified birth certificate to the local Social Security office.  Coincidentally, that was the day that Jayme Closs escaped her captor.  Gordon where she was held is in between our house and Superior.  There were squad cars stationed in the area.  That day the Sheriff of Barron County could only report a few details as the 30-40 investigators were going through the house.  Why no details yet - the reporters asked if so many people were on the scene.  There is no cell service in Gordon was the reply.  One of the investigators had to drive to a high elevation spot outside of Gordon to obtain cell service, and they weren't leaving the scene for any reason until they had everything they needed. 

There was a collective sigh of relief when she was found.  The area never gave up hope in finding her alive.  There have been gratitude prayer services all over the northwoods. 

Blood Moon

Last night was a full moon plus a total lunar eclipse that equals a Blood Moon.    We could see it through our east windows but bundled up anyway to go outside.  No clouds.  Quite cold - well below zero - no wind.  The moon was definitely reddish.  Before and after the eclipse you could read a newspaper in the moonlight - it was so bright.  That was the noticeable difference.  With no light pollution the stars were brilliant.  It was a glorious night in the northwoods. 

Winter Wonderland

It is so beautiful here.  Some snows are just stunning in their beauty.  Fun to take photos as well.

This is Morgan Road to Highway 77.  The sun is peaking around the corner.

Wet snow rests on top of all branches.

Little evergreen branches hang heavy with snow.

 

View from our driveway.  I enjoy the shadows on the snow with sunlight peeking through.

 

Feds Declare Jo Not a Citizen

I needed something from Social Security so I went online to request it.  They can mail it to me...or so I thought.  My request was rejected.  I called Social Security asking why.  After matching my answers to hers:  Name, DOB, City and State were born, mother's maiden name, 3rd cousin's shoe size...She agreed that I was Jo; however, she went on to say that I am not a citizen. And that is why my request was rejected.  I am not a citizen. She agreed that I was born in Urbana, Illinois but somehow whoever did data entry didn't click the citizen box. "How can I fix this?" I queried.  "Can't you just fix it now over the phone?"  No, I need to get a certified birth certificate from the Champaign County Clerk, which costs $21.00.  I will not comment on the bureaucracy of the government.  

At least SS is sending me my monthly money, which is actually mine to begin with, but I digress.   After sharing this information with Case, I notice that he is bringing bricks and mortar in the house.  Looks like he is building The Wall. 

See ya later....

See you later, alligator...After while, crocodile...In an hour, sunflower...Maybe two, kangaroo...Gotta go, buffalo...Adios, hippos...Ciao Ciao, brown cow...See you soon, baboon...Adieu, cockatoo...Better swish, jellyfish..chop chop, lollipop...Gotta run, skeleton...Bye bye, butterfly...Better shake, rattlesnake!

With winter so early this year I am reading all kinds of things.  This is a doormat sold in one of the many catalogs I receive this time of year.

Bird-feeder

In winter our bird-feeder brings Chickadees - lots of Chickadees.  Two types of Nuthatches:  white-breasted and red-breasted.  Two kinds of woodpeckers:  Downy and Hairy.  On the shoulder seasons there are many more who migrate through.  A few eat the seeds from the ground under the feeder: Junco, Fox Wren and Wild Turkeys.  One morning last week we noticed these huge footprints around the feeder - turkeys.  I guess they are not too proud to eat bird seed purchased at the store. 

Lake Effect Snow

We are receiving lake effect snow.  It is the good kind.  Big flakes.  Fluffy.  So fluffy that when you brush off the car, you can do it with two passes of the brush.  And the flakes land perfectly in the trees and bushes.  It is a postcard.  The lake is Lake Superior.  We don't always get that snow - only if the wind moves in the right direction.  We are an hour's drive from Gitchee Gumee, Ojibwa name for big sea.