In the grey summer garden

Idyll IN the grey summer garden I shall find you
With day-break and the morning hills behind you.
There will be rain-wet roses; stir of wings;
And down the wood a thrush that wakes and sings.
Not from the past you’ll come, but from that deep
Where beauty murmurs to the soul asleep:
And I shall know the sense of life re-born
From dreams into the mystery of morn
Where gloom and brightness meet. And standing there
Till that calm song is done, at last we’ll share
The league-spread, quiring symphonies that are
Joy in the world, and peace, and dawn’s one star.

–Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)

House Guest

We've had this guy staying with us since Tuesday evening; he's a pretty good boy, although he does wear out Rose, playing and wrestling. Gracie won't have any of it, she just puts him in his place. He's much improved at bedtime, usually curling up in the dog bed. I discovered today that we've been underfeeding by a third. Uh-oh. Maybe he'll start nibbling on us as we sleep...

Drops

Carrie had her second (left) eye surgery this morning. A little more pain than last time, but the doctor said it went well. These three drops, 4 times a day each. She's eager, but also apprehensive to see what the result will be. It's been so long that her sight has been not the greatest.

Mad River

Here's Carrie yesterday with her new vessel. Neither of us can wait for spring to arrive.

Holiday Roundup

The ever-so busy holiday weekend has finally lumbered past and now for a brief recap of events.


Friday, (the 23d) was capped by an evening at Heather's. Chris, Jeannie & Jori, and Molly were there along with the Wolfs, of course. We brought beer cheese soup and bread, there were presents for all, and the Wolf's house was very festive and decorative. A very nice time, but unfortunately John had to leave early for work. Everyone had a good time, although Hannah wasn't feeling too well. We were gifted wonderfully.


Saturday (Dec. 24th) was Christmas Eve Perfection at C&R's.

Unbelievable decorations, food, music and tree (with candles, of course). Way too many gifts, leaving Carrie and I feeling more than a little stunned and shocked. Muted sadness as it's Bob & Jane's last Christmas here; they're moving to Colorado this coming year. Carrie and I came home, plopped in front of TV and switched back and forth between Fred Astaire (Swing Time) and the Pope celebrating Christmas mass.

Monday (Christmas Day) was mostly quiet and restful.


Chris and Jeannie came for dinner, and it was a tonic of unhurried, no-pressure time together. A calming end to the weekend. Our neighbors across the river had their yearly bonfire last night, and Carrie was worried they could see into our bedroom!

Tomorrow is our day to ourselves.

Frosty Eve

Christmas Eve morning, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is on the radio and everything is covered with frost. Last night we had a lovely time at the Wolfs' house with Molly, Chris, Jeannie, Jori and the Wolfs of course. Very warm and cozy, and the no-knead bread was pretty much a hit!

This afternoon at C&R's, and all the wrapping is finished thanks to Carrie who stayed up until 3 last night (or more properly this morning). She is the most wonderful holiday stress reliever!

No Play On Words About No Knead

Ann Rauvola gave us a recipe from the NY Times to try. A no-knead bread that's supposedly getting raves. 18 hours of rising time replaces kneading, apparently. I started it this afternoon, and will bake it tomorrow morning to take to Heather's for Christmas. We shall see.

The Tree This Time

Winter Solstice, 2006. Here's a photo of our rather too large Christmas tree. As with last year's, it came from Dan Ahlness, over on Old Mill Road. Very nice man. The tree didn't look quite as big outside as in. It's a Colorado blue spruce, very prickly, it's losing lots of needles and not much pine smell. But it looks nice, and 'to scale' with the big ol' lights Carrie likes.

The JOJO SHABOOTY Mystery

After the caroling party we discovered that someone had left a small, black bag marked "Palm" in our bedroom. We figured it was, indeed a Palm, but today I opened the bag to discover instead a (3d generation?) iPod inside. I plugged it into my computer, and found that it's named "JOJO SHABOOOTY" and is formatted for Windows. Which leads me to wonder if it belongs to Chris. There are only about 400 or so songs on it, but a lot of the music looks like stuff that could be on his server. I'll ask him when I see him online.

Pacem

Last night was our annual caroling party. Attendance was as big as it's been for several years. I guess we finally convinced folks we're here in Wisconsin to stay and it's not really that far to come. Lots of people brought food and drink; much of it homemade, all of it appreciated. And a special thank-you to Meighan and Harry for all of their prep help. I don't know how we would have pulled it together without them.

It was so good to see folks that we haven't seen in so long, as well as some first-timers. Jeff Gallo, Chris's friend Matt, and Suzanne Garfield, as well as Harry of course.

A very fine evening, much excellent singing, capped by a successful and truly moving Dona Nobis Pacem to a White House operator willing to listen.

Tons of work in prep, cooking, cleaning, etc. but so worth it. One of the best, I think.

And there was light

Rare success on the manly handyman front. I actually repaired the light over the kitchen island. Found the part I needed at Mohn Electric in Uptown, via a tip from John's Antiques on West 7th. I'll take every little ego boost I can (and this helps to mitigate the fact that I broke it in the first place).

Shopping and Waiting

Saturday Carrie and I went to lunch with Kelly and Joanne (at Jay's on Raymond), then hit a couple of pottery events (both on University Avenue). Did a little non-specific Christmas shopping.

Then to an antique store (Missouri Mouse, on Selby) where I snapped this photo with my phone as I waited for the 'gals' to emerge. Beautiful, balmy December afternoon. I can browse in antique stores only so long, and Carrie and I agreed we might be moving out of that period of our lives when those shops hold much appeal.

We then went to (and actually found) the Caspian Market; loaded up on inexpensive bulk tea, and Carrie continued her eternal quest for olives as good as those elusive Spanish ones that taste so buttery and fine. No luck, the ones she found are destined for martinis.

Dropped K & J off and C and I went to see 'Happy Feet'. Home to canasta and wine.

November is up

Another month, such as it is. I'll do more and better in the future, I promise.

September and October up

Thus bringing the project temporarily up-to-date.

Dad's Birthday

Last Tuesday was my Dad's birthday (it would have been his 78th, I believe). I seem to have a little block about his age; I'm pretty sure he was born in 1928. Anyway, this time of year is always filled with lots of thoughts of him, the date of his passing and his birthday being about a month apart. Today I ran across an old LP of his that I 'inherited'. So in his honor, here's one of his favorite songs for you to download and enjoy. Happy birthday, Dad.

New Guitar

The 'free' guitar that we got for buying the Jetta came FedEx yesterday. It feels good to have a solid-body that works once again. Now I'll just have to remember (or re-learn, more properly) how to play.

New Old Photos

The photo-not-quite-a-day project just received a much needed update. May through August. Maybe some more later today.

Welcome to the world, Little One

Ren Harper Germain bowed in Friday night, greeted by her loving family Jen, Kelly and Desmond. Kelly (girl) sent us photos... apparently Des is quite excited and told her "Welcome to the world." Beautiful Family!

Michaels's birthday dinner

Last night we had the fanciest, most delicious meal we've eaten in a long, long time. Martha treated us and Michael (for his birthday) to an incredible dining experience here. It was a many course meal, each course with its accompanying wine (I think that part was called a 'wine flight'. Indeed!) And they prepared a special no-meat menu for Carrie and me. And we got a tour of the kitchen. That was quite interesting, especially to see all of the 'industrial' tools they were using. The food was marvelously delicious.

We had a great time, M&M saw many people they knew. It was like being out to dinner with the mayor or something. They could tell us all about these people, their wives and families and such. Very interesting.

New Software

Today I downloaded a new journaling application called Journler. It seems pretty nice but I'm unable to make it upload to this blog. I think it might have to do with the fact that I just did some kind of beta update. I'll keep trying. Here's a photo of all of us who gathered at our place for Thanksgiving. Fun time and good, good food.

jan 6, 05

jan 6, 05
Originally uploaded by Swanhouse.

carrie smelling tomatoes at Byerlys

Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus
Originally uploaded by Swanhouse.

This plant came from a snippet Leslie K. gave us years ago. It still blooms every year at this time.

December is up

My new way of announcing the photo deal.