Not the gas guzzlers most of us would rather not see on the road.
But the tiny feathered ones that amaze us with their agility,
speed, territorialism and mysterious ability to navigate back
and forth over the Gulf of Mexico and--as I understand it--
return to their previous food source at both ends of the trip.
I spent part of today laboring over a Sudoku and watching
the birds. The birds won.
It was a feeding frenzy most of the time...2, 3, 4 even 5
fighting for a spot at the feeder.
Bird A lands and starts to drink (or do they sip?). Bird
B wants a spot, but is chased away by A. While they're
gone, Bird C settles in. A returns and is challenged by C.
Off they go to see who prevails, and D arrives. And so
it goes.
There's still time left to enjoy them before they beef up,
respond to whatever tells them it's time, and head south.
All it takes is a feeder and a cup of sugar dissolved in
3 or 4 cups of boiling water.
And you're a spectator.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
2/29/2012
Every four years we get a bonus day on Feb. 29. It's called Leap Day.
This year it's aptly named. It represents a giant leap from three months of non-winter--December, January and all but one day of February--to the real thing.
As of noon on the 29th, it had been snowing steadily since midnight, and the weather folks said it would probably continue for the rest of the day.
The snow left our deck totally covered, and created nicely-rounded roofs on our bird feeders, making it hard for our feathered friends to access their food. So Chana, who is devoted to keeping the birds well fed, tiptoed out in her robe, cleared a path to the feeders and filled them. The birds were happy; the squirrels didn't get the message that they weren't welcome.
Our driveway is about 1,000 feet long, and the storm covered it with nearly 12 inches of beautiful--but heart attack-heavy--snow. No way to use the driveway, and I had no thought about anything resembling shoveling, but felt a short walk to the main road was called for.
It was more a trudge than a walk, but a perfect way to experience real winter.
The snow removal will come soon enough. For now, we'll relax and enjoy nature's Leap Day gift.
And it's obvious: March will come in like a lion.
This year it's aptly named. It represents a giant leap from three months of non-winter--December, January and all but one day of February--to the real thing.
As of noon on the 29th, it had been snowing steadily since midnight, and the weather folks said it would probably continue for the rest of the day.
The snow left our deck totally covered, and created nicely-rounded roofs on our bird feeders, making it hard for our feathered friends to access their food. So Chana, who is devoted to keeping the birds well fed, tiptoed out in her robe, cleared a path to the feeders and filled them. The birds were happy; the squirrels didn't get the message that they weren't welcome.
Our driveway is about 1,000 feet long, and the storm covered it with nearly 12 inches of beautiful--but heart attack-heavy--snow. No way to use the driveway, and I had no thought about anything resembling shoveling, but felt a short walk to the main road was called for.
It was more a trudge than a walk, but a perfect way to experience real winter.
The snow removal will come soon enough. For now, we'll relax and enjoy nature's Leap Day gift.
And it's obvious: March will come in like a lion.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Finally
Chana has moved.
From Washburn to Bayfield. Nine miles. Our households are combined.
It became a reality on December 19, 10 busy months since our February 19 wedding on Lake Superior.
From February to early June, she completed her teaching in Washburn, and retired. There was no chance to do any real moving during that four months. June through October brought the tourist season. So, with guests in the house...again, no time to combine households, except for her terrific reorganizing of the B&B basement to create "people" space and better storage. And during this time we had a garage built, where none had been before. It was finished in August, and we love it...but it occupied so much time.
In November and December we decided not to take guests, and devote those months to the priority of combining households. That meant Chana needed to sort and pack an incredible amount of accumulated treasures, plus countless trips for both of us, back and forth between Washburn and Bayfield, with trunks full of small boxes. In addition there was painting of the basement floors, stripping old carpet, prepping walls, painting and re-carpeting one of the four guest rooms...now our bedroom.
With holiday family commitments dead ahead, we rented a van and recruited friends to help move everything possible on December 17--a huge success. Two days later, the items too big to handle--freezer, refrigerator, washer, dryer and a few very special pieces of furniture--received the TLC of professional movers.
And that was it.
At 11 a.m. on December 19--exactly 10 months from the date and time of our wedding--Chana signed the bill and the movers said goodbye. We celebrated with Makers Mark and a fire in the yard where we'll build a fire pit--using the grate from Chana's fire pit in Washburn.
Still ahead: finding a place for the contents of at least some of those boxes.
From Washburn to Bayfield. Nine miles. Our households are combined.
It became a reality on December 19, 10 busy months since our February 19 wedding on Lake Superior.
From February to early June, she completed her teaching in Washburn, and retired. There was no chance to do any real moving during that four months. June through October brought the tourist season. So, with guests in the house...again, no time to combine households, except for her terrific reorganizing of the B&B basement to create "people" space and better storage. And during this time we had a garage built, where none had been before. It was finished in August, and we love it...but it occupied so much time.
In November and December we decided not to take guests, and devote those months to the priority of combining households. That meant Chana needed to sort and pack an incredible amount of accumulated treasures, plus countless trips for both of us, back and forth between Washburn and Bayfield, with trunks full of small boxes. In addition there was painting of the basement floors, stripping old carpet, prepping walls, painting and re-carpeting one of the four guest rooms...now our bedroom.
With holiday family commitments dead ahead, we rented a van and recruited friends to help move everything possible on December 17--a huge success. Two days later, the items too big to handle--freezer, refrigerator, washer, dryer and a few very special pieces of furniture--received the TLC of professional movers.
And that was it.
At 11 a.m. on December 19--exactly 10 months from the date and time of our wedding--Chana signed the bill and the movers said goodbye. We celebrated with Makers Mark and a fire in the yard where we'll build a fire pit--using the grate from Chana's fire pit in Washburn.
Still ahead: finding a place for the contents of at least some of those boxes.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Penn State
Our email to the Board of Trustees at Penn State:
Congratulations...
Your board acted courageously and correctly in dismissing the president and football coach to achieve the larger goal: preserving the school's reputation.
We can only hope this sends a clear message to your colleagues on university boards across the nation: that the school runs the football (and the athletic) program--not vice-versa.
Your board has already absorbed criticism from students and alumni. And we know there are too many other well-known examples of the "win at any cost" mentality--especially for football--at other schools.
That said, your action has properly set the bar at a higher level for a board's willingness and ability to deal with the excesses--financial, ethical and moral--of athletic programs.
Well done.
Al and Chana Chechik
Bayfield, WI
Congratulations...
Your board acted courageously and correctly in dismissing the president and football coach to achieve the larger goal: preserving the school's reputation.
We can only hope this sends a clear message to your colleagues on university boards across the nation: that the school runs the football (and the athletic) program--not vice-versa.
Your board has already absorbed criticism from students and alumni. And we know there are too many other well-known examples of the "win at any cost" mentality--especially for football--at other schools.
That said, your action has properly set the bar at a higher level for a board's willingness and ability to deal with the excesses--financial, ethical and moral--of athletic programs.
Well done.
Al and Chana Chechik
Bayfield, WI
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Progress Report
Chana and I are working hard to merge households...a challenge for two people who have been single--think of all the acquired habits of daily living--for a combined total of 45 years.
As Chana began to move--a few boxes at a time--into the B&B we share on three-day weekends, she insisted on becoming a part of her new residence by cleaning. That means cleaning virtually everything: rooms, closets, cupboards, the basement. Her theory is simple: the more she's physically in touch with her new home, the better the transition. And it's working.
She's done an amazing job of getting in touch...dusting, sweeping, washing and vacuuming.
Example: With 2,000+ sq. ft. of space--much of it unused, or poorly-used--the basement had great potential for her re-organizing touch. One area, home to firewood and tools for 15 years, has been given a great start toward becoming more usable. We've also added new doors to create easier access to two 14 x 40 foot spaces, one of which has been filled mainly with "stuff", the other completely vacant. They'll become storage and kids' play areas respectively.
Other projects have given the great room a new look by adding art pieces important to her, removed a surplus of my family photos from a stairway and "encouraged" me to take steps to convert my single-guy space upstairs to shared space.
The really remarkable transition has been the kitchen. It pitted the irresistable force of a skilled cook and veteran kitchen person ( with a major inventory of glasses, cups, bowls, platters and other kitchen equipment ) against the immovable object of a guy who's run a B&B for 15 years, and organized the kitchen precisely to suit his convenience.
The irresistable force is winning. The kitchen now has a new look, including: a much improved setup for coffee storage and preparation...the shift of plates, bowls and glasses used for B&B breakfasts to a much better spot...the simple move of a large bread box drawer one level higher, making it so much more convenient...and ditto for a gadget drawer.
Then there's the baking drawer. It holds mixing bowls, a sifter, a shredder, baking dishes and--importantly--flour. One day the flour was elsewhere... in a spot that made sense to both of us. The next morning I began to prepare breakfast featuring a favorite dish that requires flour. I looked in the previous location, then in every other cupboard and drawer in the kitchen. It was nowhere to be seen.
With apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary--I approached Chana and sang "Where Has All My Flour Gone?" She led me to the baking drawer. Which now contains one more important item.
Thanks, Chana. Your re-organization is very much appreciated.
As Chana began to move--a few boxes at a time--into the B&B we share on three-day weekends, she insisted on becoming a part of her new residence by cleaning. That means cleaning virtually everything: rooms, closets, cupboards, the basement. Her theory is simple: the more she's physically in touch with her new home, the better the transition. And it's working.
She's done an amazing job of getting in touch...dusting, sweeping, washing and vacuuming.
Example: With 2,000+ sq. ft. of space--much of it unused, or poorly-used--the basement had great potential for her re-organizing touch. One area, home to firewood and tools for 15 years, has been given a great start toward becoming more usable. We've also added new doors to create easier access to two 14 x 40 foot spaces, one of which has been filled mainly with "stuff", the other completely vacant. They'll become storage and kids' play areas respectively.
Other projects have given the great room a new look by adding art pieces important to her, removed a surplus of my family photos from a stairway and "encouraged" me to take steps to convert my single-guy space upstairs to shared space.
The really remarkable transition has been the kitchen. It pitted the irresistable force of a skilled cook and veteran kitchen person ( with a major inventory of glasses, cups, bowls, platters and other kitchen equipment ) against the immovable object of a guy who's run a B&B for 15 years, and organized the kitchen precisely to suit his convenience.
The irresistable force is winning. The kitchen now has a new look, including: a much improved setup for coffee storage and preparation...the shift of plates, bowls and glasses used for B&B breakfasts to a much better spot...the simple move of a large bread box drawer one level higher, making it so much more convenient...and ditto for a gadget drawer.
Then there's the baking drawer. It holds mixing bowls, a sifter, a shredder, baking dishes and--importantly--flour. One day the flour was elsewhere... in a spot that made sense to both of us. The next morning I began to prepare breakfast featuring a favorite dish that requires flour. I looked in the previous location, then in every other cupboard and drawer in the kitchen. It was nowhere to be seen.
With apologies to Peter, Paul and Mary--I approached Chana and sang "Where Has All My Flour Gone?" She led me to the baking drawer. Which now contains one more important item.
Thanks, Chana. Your re-organization is very much appreciated.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
The Wedding
You may ask, how is it possible to have a blog, get married and not post anything for five weeks after the wedding?
A legitimate question.
Well, time has flown by since our party of 19 kids and grandkids navigated out on the ice of Lake Superior on February 19 to witness and participate as we were married.
I'll credit Chana for the idea to be married on the lake...in February. It sounded offbeat and unique and was a reflection of our mutual feeling about this wonderful body of water that's so much a part of our lives here in far northern Wisconsin.
But with thawing, freezing and high winds during the days before the wedding, we were both glad to have a Plan B ready...just in case the weather person didn't cooperate on the 19th.
But he/she did. It was a gorgeous, sunny, calm day. . . in the mid-20s. And our families, ranging in age from 13 months to 76+ years, arrived prepared to spend a bit of time on the ice. The ceremony took 25 minutes. Those who wanted to say a few words had the chance, and the words were heartfelt and deeply appreciated by everyone. A friend from nearby Ashland performed the ceremony; a Bayfield friend was the official photographer. We enjoyed a post-wedding lunch at a favorite Bayfield eatery.
It was perfect.
Now, 5+ weeks later, we've begun the transition. Chana lives in Washburn. She's a special ed aide in the Washburn schools. I'm in Bayfield. I operate a B&B. We're 9 miles apart and involved in putting our two households together. She's been single for 30 years; me for 15. We're both recognizing how much you accumulate in that time--stuff... and the habits of day-to-day living--as we start to create a new home.
A few minutes before writing this, I was folding laundry and listening to folk music on Public Radio. Appropriately, the first song I heard was titled "We Will Adjust. "
As we're both learning.
Monday, February 14, 2011
This Week
This week begins with Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2011.
This week ends when I get married, Feb. 19.
She's Chana Hilger...fiancee since Oct. 13, 2010, friend for many years. Her name is pronounced like the Jewish bread, Challah--a gutteral "ch".
This week: hope Chana's back problem continues to improve...call the guy who plows the driveway, just in case it snows...see if we can bring champagne to the restaurant after the ceremony...get the clubhouse key in case weather requires us to use Plan B...call the photographer...call the restaurant about our night-before (they call it rehearsal) dinner... exchange part of her wedding ensemble for a smaller size...etc. etc.
I'll be ending life as a single after 14+ years. Chana is doing the same after 30 years.
This week: Lots of thoughts. All good.
This week ends when I get married, Feb. 19.
She's Chana Hilger...fiancee since Oct. 13, 2010, friend for many years. Her name is pronounced like the Jewish bread, Challah--a gutteral "ch".
This week: hope Chana's back problem continues to improve...call the guy who plows the driveway, just in case it snows...see if we can bring champagne to the restaurant after the ceremony...get the clubhouse key in case weather requires us to use Plan B...call the photographer...call the restaurant about our night-before (they call it rehearsal) dinner... exchange part of her wedding ensemble for a smaller size...etc. etc.
I'll be ending life as a single after 14+ years. Chana is doing the same after 30 years.
This week: Lots of thoughts. All good.
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