Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Porcupine surprise!

I've came upon a porcupine in the wild - once.

It took me a few seconds to figure out what the heck I was looking at.

Shuffling along close to the ground and headed towards me on a trail in New Hampshire, in no particular hurry, at first I thought it was a dirty little dog, covered with burrs. Perhaps abandoned by its owner, or lost.

I could not really see the tail, and if you look at this photo, you might be able to imagine my confusion.

Once I figured it out, I could not believe it! Porcupine turned and waddled away, and I trailed for a while. Off he went into the forest, and I let him enjoy his life.

Yesterday on one of the Wyndham Land Trust preserves, one of the stewards came across a porcupine! He was excited, too, and in the brief video he took, you hear him say, "I have never seen a porcupine in CT!"

This rekindled my porcupine love, so I wanted to learn more.

This webpage was quite helpful and in part says:
"North American Porcupines are large, solitary rodents common in New England, but less common and rarely seen in Connecticut.
Porcupines are herbivores. Typical diet in the wild consists of tree leaves, twigs, buds, seeds, nuts, fungus and green plants. Evergreen needles and bark are eaten in the winter. A porcupine's usual diet does not supply much salt so they tend to crave it. They will obtain salt from aquatic plants or from road salt.
On the ground porcupines waddle along slowly and somewhat awkwardly. Their eyesight is very poor, they are quite nearsighted. "

After reading this description, I understand my attraction to porcupines. We have much in common (except for the fact that I am often seen in CT.)

I share this piece about craving salt, because sadly I have also spotted 2 dead porcupines over the last couple of years, up in Sturbridge on the side of the road near Wells State Park. Both times were during the winter, and clearly they were out for some road salt.

Nature and wildlife is around us everywhere in northeast Connecticut, and sometimes you just have to be in the right spot at the right time and looking in the right direction!

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Brownies baking + Buddy Holly = Best Morning Ever

Brownies are baking for a friend's birthday. Smells greatttttttttttttttttt!



WINY  Radio's jukebox gold is blaring, and celebrating in part, "the day the music died" when the world lost Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

The Bradley Playhouse had a great Buddy Holly show last season, and this year they are bringing "Buddy - The Concert." I highly suggest getting tickets now. I have mine!

I started this rare morning off with some time to myself, with a jog and a quick cleaning of the house. Everything in that sentence is now a rarity in my life, yet before when they were routine, they made me happy, and they made me function as me. What a great glimpse to see myself again! I am still in there somewhere!

It doesn't take much to make me or you happy, so try really hard to do what it takes. I know that sounds easy, and is not always the case. But - it sure does make a difference in a good life versus not so good.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Meet Opie the Groundhog on Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Recently I met a delightful person with a groundhog connection.

Attorney Michele Palulis & her hubby came upon an abandoned and orphaned baby groundhog.

They fed it and cared for it. They named it Opie. Opie thrived, and grew, and naturally figured out how to use the litter box!

Opie, a groundhog, is a hibernator.

Today on a very brisk Groundhog Day, Opie didn't see his shadow, nor did he not see his shadow....he stayed asleep. Opie is smart!

You can meet Opie and enjoy some of his adventures with his new family on youtube 

I love this story!

Monday, January 29, 2018

Blue Moon!

I love a full moon!

It may because I have always lived where you can look up into a dark sky and see stars, meteors and the moon in  every phase.

It may be because my mother's maiden name is Moone. Once upon a time it was Moon, but that is a story for another day from many years ago when one's great-great-grandparents could change names without much ado. 

The "blue moon" is not literally blue.

Simply put, it is the second of two full moons to fall within a single calendar month.
On Wednesday, January 31st, 2018, we'll have our 2nd full moon this month.

Enjoy this old, classic song Blue Moon by The Marcels, and if the weather allows, look up Wednesday night - and every night you can!

Photo courtesy of and more info on the sky available at Earth Sky.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

((KG))

Everyone knows that (( )) means hugs!

((KG)) means my friend KG - Kathy Moore Guertin - Gives GREAT hugs.

She is a sweet and kind soul.

Her work email signature is "Smile and make somebody's day" - or something quite close to that.

KG gives out hugs and smiles because she believes in their power.

They are powerful, and thoughtful, and sincere.

((KG)) makes many of my days better.

Every photo I looked at just now is all KG all the way. Beaming with goodness.

Since that is the case, I could not decide on one, but share ((KG)) with all of you. She is always a smile and a bright spot of sunshine at any time of day or season.







What would my world be like without KG and ((KG))? Glad I don't have to know that!

If you know KG, you are a lucky one, too. If not, I hope you have someone just like KG in your life.


Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Thumbie Wars

Not that I agree with war at all, but I did enjoy teaching a little cutie pie about "thumbie wars" tonight.

You remember - "One, two, three, four, I declare a thumbie war."

Not too many years ago, I played with my pal Seth, when he was just a little guy. Seth always won.

A new victim appeared before me tonight. She loved "thumbie wars!!"


She played right handed.

She played left handed.

She giggled with delight.

She tried to cheat.

She told me I was cheating when I tickled her.

She won every time!

Kids are the best because they are honest, with their expressions, thoughts, and feelings... Even that one who put my face in her hands years ago and told me I had a great mustache. There was nothing mean there, just honest!

Love the kids, and take time to listen to them. Most of all, have fun with them. They grow up too quickly, and we all know how that can be. 


Friday, January 12, 2018

Hen life while picking a little and talking a little!

Bauckkkkkk, bauckkkk, bauckkkk....

The hens were clucking in the early morning drizzle and fog as I approached the home of my friend this morning.


You know that sound, right?

Within an instance, my friend Kat and I were soon clucking away ourselves as only we can.

We laughed about how we sound like the girls in the hen house.

Her husband agreed and turned on his heels to leave us to cluck some more.

Thinking of how my dear Kat and I can cluck right along always makes me think of this scene and song from The Music Man.

Amazingly it has a million tie-ins to "the story of Kat & Marcy" but the easiest segue is to mention that The Music Man is coming to the Bradley Playhouse in August!



Pick a little, talk a little!
Have fun with your friends!