The Gym

When the weather turns bad and we can't log or kayak or hike, we go to town and join the gym.  A husband and wife own it, treating customers like family.  Today, the first day, Case biked 5 miles, walked the treadmill for 15 minutes, worked on several machines.  Let's just say I didn't go that far...elliptical for 7 1/2 minutes, lots of machines, lots of stretching.  The positive side is that I can only get better. 

White Christmas in the Northwoods

We are receiving snow before heading south (southern WI) for Christmas.  New tires on the 4X4 truck will help us travel with no problems. 

Tree decorated.  Packages wrapped.  Goodies baked.  Almost time to go...Merry Christmas to all!

A Good Day

This morning I wrapped presents and this afternoon I went for a long walk.  There was no wind and a bit of sun.  So quiet...so peaceful...not like next week I am sure!

Decorating for Christmas

My second cousin by marriage made the tree I am holding in his wood working shop. The branches of the wooden tree fan out with small circles to place Hershey Hugs on each one.  When all the candy is eaten (soon), it swivels and folds up to be flat for storage.  (Thanks, Scott!)

As I am looking at the photo...there are way too many wires showing behind our entertainment center...my hair looks great even though I hiked for 90 minutes that morning with my Tuesday group during a snowfall...the big tree only has a few ornaments on it as we are trying to keep with the church calendar that this is Advent - waiting for Jesus - and not fully decorate until the 25th so we are decorating a bit at a time....the first ornaments up are a few of our Star Trek ornaments-they talk, light up and have sound effects - nothing says Christmas like Star Trek!  In all seriousness,
Gene Roddenberry, creator of ST, depicted the future as all people trying to live together peaceably...except for the Klingons - if there wasn't conflict, there would be no show. 

What a Christmas wish...peace in the universe!

Nightly News

I usually watch NBC News with Brian Williams.  He seems real and reassuring.  This evening's news had two extremely funny parts...at least to me.  First, there was speculation if one of the ISIS leaders was killed in the recent air strike.  His name is...wait for it...Bagdaddy.  This is my spelling.  Bagdaddy.  Like he is P. Diddy's rapper brother or something.  I was still laughing when the economic summit in China was discussed.  Instead of the leaders wearing their own clothes, they wore costumes or shiny Chairman Mao tunic type things.  I thought I was watching graduation day at Star Fleet Academy. 

Perhaps everything is funny to me because we are in the middle of a two-day 16 inch snowstorm.

'Tis the Season

The evergreen bough (balsam) gatherers have been at work for two weeks now.  If you buy a wreath at a big box store, please know that the greens were collected in mid October from my neck of the woods.  Some companies around here pay as little as 30 cents a pound, but if you collect a pick up full with a trailer, you may receive several hundred dollars a day for your efforts.  I wonder what the income tax situation is for this seasonal work.  Perhaps I should look into it....

Pittsburgh Flora and Fauna

 In the morning we visited the Phipps Conservatory - the largest under glass of this type.  Each room was stunning.

Then we crossed Pittsburgh to tour the National Aviary.  A bit smaller than expected but very well managed.  This toucan looked so soft that he looked like the toy toucans in the gift shop.  Several toucans shared this enclosure with a sloth.  Go figure...