Tuesday, December 18, 2012

DOOR, TREE & VISITOR

Yes…it is really, really, REALLY and intentionally this red!

Here are the promised shots of the front-door redo…and for Robin, a shot of the Christmas tree and a few decorations.


Scotch pine, 9-plus feet, with droopy star.
Otherwise, we're as rushed as ever trying to keep up…still shopping nightly and every other available minute (but almost done!), mailing packages off to distant kin, adding to lists, checking things twice, being as yet undecided what to buy for one another, and not quite to the point of even thinking about food for the upcoming celebration meals—all the while trying our best amid the glorious melee to not allow everything to become all work and no play, and watch the holidays zoom past without really enjoying them.

Droopy star.

Not the always easiest line to keep. 

Is it possible to be having a good time while being frantically exhausted?
The week's real news was a beaver in the Cottage Pool the other morning. A rare treat. I spotted it swimming along the bank, just beyond the stone steps leading down to the water's edge. It's the first beaver I've seen hereabouts in months.

I'd taken Moon out for her morning constitutional just after dawn, and while she did her business, ambled over to look at the river. The beaver was practically at my feet, and didn't seem too concerned—just gave me rather speculative look, and doubtless decided I posed no threat, given my early-morning dishevelment and the desperate clutch I had on my coffee mug, as if I were still barely a sip away from falling asleep on my feet.
My favorite ornament.

Beavers are apparently wise critters…

13 comments:

Scott said...

We've got beavers in our creek, too, Grizz. About 20 years ago, one was killed on a roadway near our creek, but there had been no other sightings for two decades. Then, a few showed up in the creek two years ago. One was shot (with an arrow) by a reprobate neighbor of ours who just likes to shoot things. Then, one was sighted in the city of Philadelphia (and subsequently found to have rabies). Now, I hear that there are beaver seen regularly along the creek in the city, and we're getting sporadic reports in our preserve, too.

I think it's great--as long as they don't gnaw down the trees we so painstakingly plant on the floodplain.

The beaver probably immigrated from the neighboring watershed to the east, a much larger watershed with more natural areas along the course of its creek. That watershed has had beavers for many years.

Grizz………… said...

Scott…

I get kinda excited every time I spot a beaver swimming here in the river; they're still a big deal to me, because growing up, I never saw a beaver in the wild until I began hunting the southeastern hill country for squirrels, grouse, and turkey. That's was about age 14-15. They'd just started to reappear in that most rugged corner of the state.

As much time as I've spent on streams in Ohio, I never saw one on local waters until 4-5 years ago, though I saw evidence—tracks, cut trees, bank dens and open water lodges.

As I'm sure you know, beavers were extirpated here in Ohio by about 1830. A century later, a few beavers began reappearing in the eastern and southeastern areas of the state…and it wasn't until a decade or so ago that they made it here to the southwestern edge. I believe they're now found in all 88 counties, though this depends on which "expert" you ask.

Anyway, there's a lodge about half a mile upstream from here so I typically see adolescents when the parents kick them out in their second spring. I occasionally hear one give an alarm-slap before diving…usually after dark. I see one close up here maybe three or four times per year. And that is still almost unbelievable to me. Right up there with eagles. Who wudda thunk!

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - I am thrilled to see your very red door, so beautiful and your amazing Christmas tree.
We have beavers in our pond and brook. And SKipp and I are both home sick as can be with a horrid stomach virus that has knocked us down horribly. So much to do and we cannot do a thing.
That's about all
Love Gail
peace....

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

I'm very sorry to hear you're both sick—especially at this time. I hope you feel better soon! Myladylove has come to the end of her rope, energy-wise, and has already crashed for the night. I'm better than I was yesterday and Sunday evenings, but that's not saying too much. It's easy with all the stress and jobs and running around shopping to get too far down and open yourself up to catching every virus and germ around…and then spend til' sometime after New Years trying to recover. Been there, done that. So take care of yourself—both of ya—and maybe you can be up by the weekend.

KGMom said...

Scribe--I love the front door. I am very partial to red, and--of course now--it is most seasonally appropriate.
Thanks for sharing these views of Christmas cheer and decor.

Grizz………… said...

KGMom…

Thank you. Since moving in here, I've wanted to do the outside of the door in red, green, or blue. (The inside is a dark varnished oak.) Next summer, I may do the back door—which is just your standard steel door—in blue, and put some shutters up around the windows in that same blue, which would still look okay with the red front door.

These weren't the best tree pix, but I was in a hurry—which I have been for a couple of weeks now. So it was quick or nothing.

AfromTO said...

What is the wording under the wreath? I never imagined you as a nic nac sort of guy-but wow your mantle and piano are covered.
Lovely welcoming red door it's always so cheery when you drive around to see coloured doors.

Grizz………… said...

AfromTO…

Wow! You're one sharp-eyed gal…but then, you would be being a painter. The letters, in painted metal, under the wreath say BLESSINGS. And I'm not really a nick-nack sort of guy—more a collector and picker-upper of things which hold some sort of meaning for me, or "feel" right, such as rocks, hunks of wood, arrowheads and Indian artifacts, bones, teeth, shells, bits of old machinery, that sort of objects. Most of what you see are Christmas things, ornaments, crèche figures, etc. Plus some clutter left over from doing the tree which is still to get put away. The box on the left end of the piano, my Steinway upright grand, holds fountain pens and inks. The painting to the left is a small print of "Angelus," by Jean-François Millet. The one above the mantel—which actually isn't a mantel, or at least there's no fireplace under it, but is just a stone build-out with a flat top (okay, it's probably a mantel)—is "The Bear Dance," by William Holbrook Beard.

Glad you like the red door.

Wanda..... said...

You did a great job on the door, of which all have been anticipating a view! I noticed 'Howdy Doody' on your Christmas tree.

Haven't posted for ages, but all is well! Our resident deer family has so far survived the hunting season. One married granddaughter (Amanda) has come from Washington state for a two week Christmas visit and the other (Katie) will visit soon from New Mexico, for three weeks. Very Happy here!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Grizz.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Glad you like my door. You can't believe the work involved in accomplishing this new look—and I don't mean the paint, but the switching around, refitting, etc. There were times when I thought it would be easier just to buy a new entryway kit and build a new cottage around it!

Hey, I remember everything about Howdy Doody, from Buffalo Bob and the Peanut Gallery to Mr. Bluster, Princess Summerfallwinterspring and Flub-a-Dub. That ornament MEANS something to me!

All's good here, too. Hope your husband is doing well. Today was Myladylove's birthday and our anniversary, which we spent shopping, gallavating, and eating at various stops. Just got in, and we're both beat…but had a great time.

Not a huge Christmas planned here—family all day, starting at breakfast, then gifts, later on dinner, and about dark, maybe one more round at the table if you're prone to such things, or pie and coffee at the very least. But really, the best thing of all will just be celebrating another Christmas together. Time with those you love is truly the most precious gift.

Merry Christmas to you all, too. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Wanda..... said...

Don't forget Clarabell....Who's the funniest clown we know? Clarabell! Who's the clown on Howdy's show? Clarabell! His feet are big, his tummy's stout, but we could never do without, Clara, Clara, Clarabell!

Husband is doing well and Christmas here at the Toneys will be about the same....family conversations and food on Christmas Eve and Day.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda...

Nope, could never forget Clarabell; just forgot to add to the list last night. It's been a while since I heard the song, though. I did hear this old geezer in bib overalls and a floppy hat whistling the Howdy Doody theme song at Trader's World a couple of months ago. When I began singing along he first looked astonished then grinned and laughed. "Thank you," he said, "I haven't been able to remember those words for the past thirty years!"

Nothing like helping a fellow Howdy fan out.

Glad everyone's doing good. Merry Christmas!

AfromTO said...

Sharp eyed- yes I can spot bridges coming and going up a river...