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.

Christmas Catalogs

Christmas catalogs have been arriving for a while.  Talked with a friend yesterday.  We agreed that LL Bean has sent the most catalogs so far.  Recently I received a catalog that made me pause.  The overlay cover stated that I had been pre-approved for a large line of credit from them. Order whatever you want!  It was a Montgomery Wards catalog.  Didn't they go out of business? 

First Frost

The frost is on the pumpkin this morning!  Case has the woodstove burning to warm the house.  Late Fall is officially here.  Raking leaves is the main activity.  Should be done in a few days.  It is a lovely and quiet time of year.  "Leaf peepers" have left.  (People who drive around looking at leaves.)  Hunters have yet to start to "sighting in" their guns before Deer Season on Nov. 17.  (Target practice to check the accuracy of their gun sight.)  All is well with the northwoods.

Christmas Boughs - October 9

I saw my first bough hunter on October 9.  These people earn money by harvesting (cutting) 18-24 inch balsam boughs and selling them to the local wreath-making places.  There are two of these places in Hayward.  These boughs are cut in federal, state or county lands.  They need a $20 permit to do so for the season.  You can also make money by making wreaths at these two places. 

I'll do the math...the boughs cut on October 9 will be in wreaths that will be sold in chain stores until December 25 - that's 77 days.  Balsams do hold their needles, but 77 days may be on the outer limit.

Also saw big white trumpeter swans resting in a pond before continuing south.