Life has been pretty uneventful lately, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Especially in winter. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel; the willows are turning that yellowish color, and all the winter merchandise has gone on clearance in the stores. Hey, I bought a pair of $70 boots for $30, I know how to work the sales. All those years in retail haven't entirely gone to waste.

That handsome fella above is Izzie, my friends' cat. I was kitty sitting earlier this month, and as he and his sister were starved for attention, I got followed everywhere. Even to the bathroom. Silly beasts.

I'm making tentative plans for a possible trip to California. I have never been there, and an old friend extended an invitation to stay with him in L.A. last time he was visiting. And I know a couple of folks from here who live there, too. So I'll investigate fares, check with my friend for possible dates, and hope for the best. My niece, and my bro & sis-in-law, all visited there last year, and it's one of those places (like New York or D.C.) that I've seen on TV and in movies all my life. I have a list of places I want to see. If you've been, what were your favorite places?

When I was little, I had three imaginary friends. Never one to do things in a small way, me. Their names were Ernie, Bird, and Hatusan. I'm not sure how Hatusan's name was spelled, as I couldn't read or write yet; it was pronounced hah-too-SAHN. Lest you think I got the idea for the names from Sesame Street, let me remind you that this was years before that program started. I did (still do) have an uncle named Ernie, but he was not the inspiration for my friend. I don't remember a time before they were around; I'll have to ask my mother, but they may even predate my sister, who was born when I was two and a half.

We had many adventures, the four of us. We explored my grandparents' farm, looking for ripe berries and dinosaur bones (which were probably cow bones, but try and tell that to a little kid). Grand adventures were to be had in the cornfield and the garden (where we stole peas and ate them right out of the pod). Being the oldest child, I often had to amuse myself, and I've always had a vivid imagination.

I don't remember what they looked like back then, but later on, I imagined them as crows (I suspect watching the show Heckle & Jeckle had something to do with that). When I was four, we moved way upstate to Keeseville, and the gang came with us. That's where we were joined by Bird's friend (he never had a name), who lived on Poke-O-Moonshine, a nearby mountain. Look at the picture of it in the article: that's exactly what I remember it looking like.

I don't remember when I stopped believing in Ernie, Bird, and Hatusan (and Bird's friend). It was probably around the time I started school. But I still thought about them for years, wondering where I came up with them, and that crazy name, Hatusan. It sounds sort of Japanese, or maybe Aztec. Were they memories of past lives? Local spirits? Or just the imaginings of a creative kid looking for playmates? I still have a vivid imagination, but I put it to other uses now. I do sort of miss having those companions, though.

Each winter is weirder than the last. This year, we seemed to have it all in one week, with 3 snowstorms and bitter cold, followed by unseasonably warm weather. Last weekend, I went for a walk around Gates Pond with my friend B and her dog, Puck. There was still snow in the woods and ice on the water, but the road was mostly mud, punctuated by the occasional ice patch. People were jogging in shorts and tank tops.

The past three days have been downright springlike, nearly 70°F (22°C). We ate lunch outside on our patio at work the past two days, and there were daffodils sprouting in front of the building.



Right now, I have the doors open, and it's 75° in my apartment. The heat hasn't come on in more than three days. Thanks to Facebook's "On This Day" feature, I see that it was bitter cold at this time the past couple of years. I really don't like to complain about nice weather, but geez. This is downright weird.

Being a lifelong Northeasterner (and longtime New Englander), I know winter isn't finished with us yet. We will likely get at least one more storm, and more cold weather. I just hope the trees don't bud too early and then freeze; that happened last year, and ruined much of the peach crop.

Other than the weather strangeness, not a lot has been happening around Chez LizzieBelle. Just trying to get through each day has been as much as I can handle. I've had to cut back on my social media intake, because there is just too much anger and scariness out there. I'm doing what I can do, and that's all I can do at the moment. Still trying to seek out the beauty and the goodness, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to cope at all. I'm really proud to see the budding activists amongst the younger generation in my family, though. My generation may have dropped the ball, but they're picking it up and running with it.

This morning, I went over to mum's to help her out with some housework and shopping. She's still pretty weak from having a cold, and was recently diagnosed with COPD thanks to her asthma and the recurring pneumonia the past couple of years. I do worry about her. It's hard to see a parent decline from the strong person who raised you. But she's stubborn enough to want to fight, and that's a good thing. She's not ready to give up just yet.

We had tacos from the delightful taqueria in Canton, and called my sister to wish her a happy birthday. I was exhausted, but it was a good visit.

I wanted to stop at the Arboretum on the way home, but by then it was raining, so I settled for stopping at Trader Joe's to stock up on noms. Not as much fun, but now I have lots of yummy food in my freezer and cupboards. I wish they'd open one closer to me, but then maybe that wouldn't be a good thing. Not as special.

What are you up to this weekend? Something fun, I hope!

I went out last night with some girlfriends, for the first time in ages. I really should do that more often. My typical Saturday night is spent in front of the telly or with my nose in a book.

We started out at the Rail Trail Flatbread Pizza place, which I hadn't been to yet. It's a popular spot, and is credited with beginning the revival of downtown Hudson. We ended up not getting pizza, but instead nibbled on appetizers and sipped lovely craft cocktails and cider. There was much giggling, and two of our lot explaining how to brew hard cider at home to the waitress was very entertaining. I'm pretty sure she's going to give it a try.

We then crossed the street to New City Microcreamery, which is owned by the Rail Trail folks. Instead of getting in line for ice cream, however, we headed to the back and flicked on a light switch by a door. A little door in the wall popped open, a man asked us how many, and then closed again. Then the door opened and we were ushered in, past a black velvet curtain, to an authentic-looking speakeasy. Lots of dark wood, low lighting, and U-shaped booths lined the long, narrow place. We ordered more apps and craft cocktails, and enjoyed the ambiance. I had a frozen grasshopper, half dessert and half cocktail. All delicious.



They made it like New City makes their ice cream: with liquid nitrogen. While waiting for the restroom, I watched the bartender make another frozen drink in the KitchenAid mixer; fog billowed out of the bowl while the mixer whirled. It was really cool, both literally and figuratively. Next time, I want to try the frozen Old Fashioned.

Next Saturday, I'm planning to go into Boston for the Women's March. D.C. is not doable for me, but a bunch of local friends are planning to go, so we'll all take the train in together. I want there to be a huge turnout, everywhere there is a March happening. This is historic. We can't let the Nazis get away with it. Yes, IMO it's that dire. The stuff that the GOP is pulling is positively fascist. I cannot understand how anyone could vote for any of them. I truly fear the ending of our Union as we know it.

Before the revolution, however, I'm really looking forward to the season finale of Sherlock. OMG this season has been intense! I will likely go see it again in the theatre this week. Such an amazing show.

How was your weekend?

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, but I have been reading all your posts!

Still not really spring (we had snow again last Monday). Mom was back in the hospital this week, this time with pneumonia, and now she's at a rehab center to make sure she's well enough to go home.

I went to a wedding last weekend, for two awesome friends who deserve all the happiness. That was fun, and it was good to see folks.

Yesterday, I went to Springfield with sea_dark_wine, justjanus, and leenah to check out The Student Prince restaurant. Their specialty is German food, and it was very good. I had spatzle, which had a cheesy sauce and crispy fried onions on top. My mom used to make spatzle with caramelized onions. Everyone's entrees were delicious. I lived near Springfield for ten years and had never been there, mainly because I didn't have the money for frivolous things like dinner out. Hopefully I can go back and try some other things!

After stuffing ourselves, we walked up to the museum quadrangle and admired the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden, and found this awesome metal sculpture of a dragon:



It's made with all sorts of random metal objects like flatware, saws, garden fencing, wrenches, and the like. It was fun to identify various things, and it's a very cool sculpture.

We opted not to go into the museums, feeling more like we needed a nap at that point. But it was fun to go there, and it was good to see friends and get out of the house.

Of course, that used up all my ambition for the weekend, and I haven't gone out at all today. It was a good day to catch up on reading.

How was your weekend?

The days seem to drag, but the weeks fly by. Already it is March, and only a couple weeks until the equinox. It feels like spring might actually be on time this year, but it's hard to tell. We keep flipping between unseasonably warm and bitter cold. Last weekend, I saw flowers in the wild! Crocuses, and witch hazel at the park. I stopped to photograph the witch hazel, and was astonished to see a bee! That's a good sign.



The red-winged blackbirds are back; they've been hanging out in the swamp near my office, and it's so cheering to hear them every morning. I'm pretty sure I saw a turkey vulture the other day, but I was driving so I couldn't get a good look. Little signs of spring all over the place.

We didn't have a particularly difficult winter, but that doesn't make me any less eager for spring. I'm tired of being cold, tired of the darkness. The light is definitely at the end of the tunnel.

The big storm never quite made it this far north, for a change. We got maybe 2" of snow, which is fine by me. I'm liking this winter much better than the last one. We had feet instead of inches this time last year. Friends & family to the south got hit this time. Sorry guys, but better you than me! ;)

It was already starting to get dark by the time it started snowing, so I didn't get out to take pictures of it. I have plans with a friend downtown today, so I think I'll walk there and see what I can capture. It looks pretty from here.



I think I'll wait until the sun is good and high before I go out to shovel off the deck & steps, and clear off the car. For now, I am happy to be snug here in my little apartment.

If you love Halloween like I love Halloween, follow eldritchhobbit for a whole month of spooky goodness!

Thank you, puddleshark! Switching to a different browser did the trick. Here, have a lovely morning glory.



Also, I had to change my Yahoo password, because I can never remember it when I have to sign in someplace new. This time, I wrote it down. Which I'll probably lose before I have to use it again.

After the neverending war with the woodchucks last year, I decided to plant sunflowers in a pot this year. Actually, it's a large plastic cauldron, because that's just more fun. They're not very tall, and the flowers are fairly small, but I have sunflowers! They're ever so lovely. I smile whenever I see them.



Soon I will have morning glories, too. I see several buds that promise to be flowers in a few days. Hooray for flowers.