Holiday Haunts and Jaunts
29/12/15 06:50
And all through the house nothing was stirring not even a mouse. I'm sitting here in my usual morning spot at Starbucks in Queensbury NY on an early Sunday morning the Sunday following Christmas in the year of the lord 2015. The only mouse in sight is the mouse that I don't have to use as I navigate this here keyboard in an effort to get a few idle notes down on "paper" before they escape me completely. Mice too will go the way of the dinosaur as technology advances giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and limbs to those lost in wars waged across the continents. I read something yesterday about disappearing currencies and it occurred to me that I seldom use cash myself and would not shed a tear if coins and dollar bills went away overnight. Now that toll booths have become largely obsolete with the advent of replacement technologies I find myself more tolerant when it comes to saying good bye to the mainstays of my earlier existence. For the most part, the bit players left on the scene have been dragged off the stage of life not kicking and screaming but rather receding into history without so much as a whimper. Their obituaries, for the most part, are yet to be written but most stayed too long and none will be celebrated and may even be mocked for not doing enough to reinvent themselves before their livelihoods faded into oblivion.
Did I mention that I'm here in Queensbury, New York with Nancy and Evan for a Christmas celebration? Who knew I would wake up before daybreak to find that rain had fallen overnight and the temperatures outside were well above freezing. At this time of year? The hotel is largely unoccupied due to the absence of snow and tourists that typically flock to destinations like Lake George during the holidays. The roadways are less congested, the restaurants less busy, and the lines formed to avail ourselves of such services altogether less long and more civil. Even the continental breakfast at the hotel this morning was less than bountiful as I remember it in prior years so I ate alone as Nancy and Evan slept fitfully back in our room. It's possible that they step up their game as the morning gets on but not likely given the absence of cars, kids, and ski equipment across the board. The lake too has probably not even begin to freeze and they may have to give some thought as to what they want to do if the Winter Ice Festival scheduled for February has to be postponed or altogether cancelled due to a lack of cold weather. But my coffee is sufficiently hot and expectantly stimulating so none of these issues concern me one way or another for the time being.
I do wish these chairs were more comfortable here at Starbucks. I'm guessing that is by design. They want you to be comfortable but not too comfortable. Not so comfortable that you will camp out, use their internet, and leave no places for other customers searching for a seat while they stand idly by sipping their beverages and contemplating their mostly miserable and predictable lives. I try to get here early before the crowds arrive and the noise of the morning becomes annoyingly intrusive. I am all at once bothered by people sitting too close, the din an ever increasing drone of chatter and equipment, and the pre dawn light giving way to what appears to be a dim but hopefully promising day. Promising in the sense that seeing family will be a delight and we will enjoy each other's company as we do each year at this time if only for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. One would think that with gas prices under $2.00 that we might see more discretionary spending hereabouts but the roads and ever present malls are quiet, online sales have reportedly been only modest, and many of the financial markets around the world are in or going into recession. Perhaps the writing is on the wall and elsewhere. No crystal balls are necessary.
We have a few little things to exchange at the party today and we're happy with the grab gifts we bought. They are sufficiently sassy such that they will likely be traded or otherwise sought after by folks who chose less desirable gifts. There is a serious temptation when giving grab gifts to give away those things you received but didn't need or want. I wish Nancy had been more vocal about a gift she received before we arrived here in New York. I told her it would have made a nice gift not as a grab but as a gift for one of the attendees in todays gathering. She didn't bring it up so it didn't come with us and that is that. We bought a bottle of alcohol for a grab gift for a change this year. I've seen bottles of wine in the past but nothing like a nice bottle of scotch, whiskey, etc. We'll see how that goes. As I sit here thinking about it there has been very little drinking at parties in years past although that has changed a bit more recently.
Well, okay. I'm sitting here the day after the party trying to collect my thoughts. I decided to sleep in to get a bit more rest. None of this bullshit about running off the the coffee shop before the crack of dawn. You try sleeping on a mattress that sags in the middle and then tell me that you got a good nights sleep. I also don't have a lot of time this morning since we have to check out of the hotel in an hours time. Nancy is out for a walk back at the hotel and Evan is sleeping in. His corn starch stores are in short supply so I may need to make an emergency run to one of the local markets before we get on the road. God this coffee tastes good. I've got my ear plugs in listening to one of Steely Dan's earlier albums so that's sweet. What about that last minute run last night to find something to eat. I just did not have enough to eat at the party so should have paid more attention to that when we were there. It was not for a shortage of food that's for sure. Denise brought her lasagna; Lise made deviled eggs; Terry put together a terrific mac and cheese dish; and I think Terry made a lovely ham for the occasion. Terry made a nice fruit salad as well and I complimented her on her efforts and outcome. Where does one find blueberries so juicy, plump, and sweet in the dead of winter I wondered aloud. She took no personal credit for the sweetness of the fruits but did want us to know that she was totally responsible for the resulting collage of colors and textures. An interesting approach to food preparation for sure. It was first rate so I was happy to join the chorus of those singing her praises for putting it all together.
Everybody who was anybody was there. Is that a good way to sum up the extended family? Everyone was in good spirits and were it not for an extended sidebar about dental issues and deductibles one might have inferred that everyone was in the best of health. Oh, and there was another sidebar about tests for alzheimers and how the test night have been more difficult than the disease and how the lot of us in attendance might have fallen short had we too taken the test. Thank God you passed, we all proclaimed with unanimous glee. Like making the grade somehow ensures that you won't wake up some day not knowing the names of your spouse or significant other. I was reminded this morning that there was at least one participant who had nothing to eat at the party. Yes, I did notice that, I said. What was that all about? I've known people who would no sooner partake of party favors or other culinary delights than slit their wrists into an open sewer. But this was different. Were I to guess, I would say that it had everything to do with the rigors of discipline imposed by her coaches and others overseeing this individuals routines related to gymnastics than anything else but that is pure speculation. The child seemed no worse off so no one probably noticed one way or another. Surely, someone in authority who was familiar with her requirements might have made the appropriate accommodations but such was not the case.
We took a drive though Lake George Village just to touch base and it was very very quiet. If there were two cars on either side of Canada street that sat bumper to bumper I didn't see them. Most shops have been closed for months and the town was in serious hibernation mode. We drove through town in a matter of seconds with unobstructed views of the lake which appeared for some reason to be riddled with white caps despite a seemingly benign breeze blowing in from the north. It was colder than it has been so we didn't get out of the car for the time we spent in the village but enjoyed what little time we spent there. Getting reacquainted with an old haunt if nothing else is a nuanced experience and worth taking in if you have the time and inclination. We did and we did. I meant to ask Krissy where she thought one might find investment opportunities in 2016 but never got the chance. I think her area of expertise is taxes and estate management so not sure she would have an opinion one way or another but of all the folks at the party I think I might have been curious as to what she had to say. Perhaps next time. We'll have another opportunity to see them come Fall of 2016 so I will look forward to seeing them then.
We're back in New Hampshire now and I'm waking up to several inches of predicted snow with additional accumulation expected throughout the day. I think I was really on a roll with my writing when I was in NY but feel that tide ebbing ever so slightly now that I am back at home. I think there is something to getting out of your element from time to time if for no other reason than to spur your creativity what ever that means. For me anyway, it represents an opportunity to freshen the view and I welcome it in no uncertain terms. Nancy will not go in to work today given the weather and I heartily endorse that decision. No sense in taking any unnecessary chances and storms of any kind are just not worth venturing out in if you can get away with it. There is enough snow so that shoveling will be required and we will have to go clear the paths around Nancy's mom house before the day is out. I can hear the ice pellets blowing against the bay windows here in the back room so there may be an icy component to deal with before this storm blows off the coast and out to sea. We missed spending time with Nancy's family at Christmas given our trip to Lake George so that was too bad and we'll want to try to schedule better next year whatever that means.
We'll spend most of the day indoors today maybe cleaning up here and there and getting ready for the New Year whatever that means. We'll roast a chicken and some vegetables later on today and I have an apple pie to make which I have the ingredients for but just have not had the chance to throw it together. Evan has been looking forward to the pie so we'll try not to keep him waiting. It's probably a good day to get the wood stove going too and I moved some wood into the garage last night in anticipation of doing just that. I'll see if I can't get over to my elderly neighbors driveway since she has a rather large snowblower which may be overkill given the relatively small amount of snow were expecting to get in total throughout the day. It will take more effort to drag that machine out of her basement than is worth so I'll try to beat her to it. It's a good solid sleet now and I'm not sure if this is supposed to turn to snow or not. It's 32 degrees damn near on the nose so I guess we'll see. I could look at the forecast but I think I won't bother.
Did I mention that I'm here in Queensbury, New York with Nancy and Evan for a Christmas celebration? Who knew I would wake up before daybreak to find that rain had fallen overnight and the temperatures outside were well above freezing. At this time of year? The hotel is largely unoccupied due to the absence of snow and tourists that typically flock to destinations like Lake George during the holidays. The roadways are less congested, the restaurants less busy, and the lines formed to avail ourselves of such services altogether less long and more civil. Even the continental breakfast at the hotel this morning was less than bountiful as I remember it in prior years so I ate alone as Nancy and Evan slept fitfully back in our room. It's possible that they step up their game as the morning gets on but not likely given the absence of cars, kids, and ski equipment across the board. The lake too has probably not even begin to freeze and they may have to give some thought as to what they want to do if the Winter Ice Festival scheduled for February has to be postponed or altogether cancelled due to a lack of cold weather. But my coffee is sufficiently hot and expectantly stimulating so none of these issues concern me one way or another for the time being.
I do wish these chairs were more comfortable here at Starbucks. I'm guessing that is by design. They want you to be comfortable but not too comfortable. Not so comfortable that you will camp out, use their internet, and leave no places for other customers searching for a seat while they stand idly by sipping their beverages and contemplating their mostly miserable and predictable lives. I try to get here early before the crowds arrive and the noise of the morning becomes annoyingly intrusive. I am all at once bothered by people sitting too close, the din an ever increasing drone of chatter and equipment, and the pre dawn light giving way to what appears to be a dim but hopefully promising day. Promising in the sense that seeing family will be a delight and we will enjoy each other's company as we do each year at this time if only for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. One would think that with gas prices under $2.00 that we might see more discretionary spending hereabouts but the roads and ever present malls are quiet, online sales have reportedly been only modest, and many of the financial markets around the world are in or going into recession. Perhaps the writing is on the wall and elsewhere. No crystal balls are necessary.
We have a few little things to exchange at the party today and we're happy with the grab gifts we bought. They are sufficiently sassy such that they will likely be traded or otherwise sought after by folks who chose less desirable gifts. There is a serious temptation when giving grab gifts to give away those things you received but didn't need or want. I wish Nancy had been more vocal about a gift she received before we arrived here in New York. I told her it would have made a nice gift not as a grab but as a gift for one of the attendees in todays gathering. She didn't bring it up so it didn't come with us and that is that. We bought a bottle of alcohol for a grab gift for a change this year. I've seen bottles of wine in the past but nothing like a nice bottle of scotch, whiskey, etc. We'll see how that goes. As I sit here thinking about it there has been very little drinking at parties in years past although that has changed a bit more recently.
Well, okay. I'm sitting here the day after the party trying to collect my thoughts. I decided to sleep in to get a bit more rest. None of this bullshit about running off the the coffee shop before the crack of dawn. You try sleeping on a mattress that sags in the middle and then tell me that you got a good nights sleep. I also don't have a lot of time this morning since we have to check out of the hotel in an hours time. Nancy is out for a walk back at the hotel and Evan is sleeping in. His corn starch stores are in short supply so I may need to make an emergency run to one of the local markets before we get on the road. God this coffee tastes good. I've got my ear plugs in listening to one of Steely Dan's earlier albums so that's sweet. What about that last minute run last night to find something to eat. I just did not have enough to eat at the party so should have paid more attention to that when we were there. It was not for a shortage of food that's for sure. Denise brought her lasagna; Lise made deviled eggs; Terry put together a terrific mac and cheese dish; and I think Terry made a lovely ham for the occasion. Terry made a nice fruit salad as well and I complimented her on her efforts and outcome. Where does one find blueberries so juicy, plump, and sweet in the dead of winter I wondered aloud. She took no personal credit for the sweetness of the fruits but did want us to know that she was totally responsible for the resulting collage of colors and textures. An interesting approach to food preparation for sure. It was first rate so I was happy to join the chorus of those singing her praises for putting it all together.
Everybody who was anybody was there. Is that a good way to sum up the extended family? Everyone was in good spirits and were it not for an extended sidebar about dental issues and deductibles one might have inferred that everyone was in the best of health. Oh, and there was another sidebar about tests for alzheimers and how the test night have been more difficult than the disease and how the lot of us in attendance might have fallen short had we too taken the test. Thank God you passed, we all proclaimed with unanimous glee. Like making the grade somehow ensures that you won't wake up some day not knowing the names of your spouse or significant other. I was reminded this morning that there was at least one participant who had nothing to eat at the party. Yes, I did notice that, I said. What was that all about? I've known people who would no sooner partake of party favors or other culinary delights than slit their wrists into an open sewer. But this was different. Were I to guess, I would say that it had everything to do with the rigors of discipline imposed by her coaches and others overseeing this individuals routines related to gymnastics than anything else but that is pure speculation. The child seemed no worse off so no one probably noticed one way or another. Surely, someone in authority who was familiar with her requirements might have made the appropriate accommodations but such was not the case.
We took a drive though Lake George Village just to touch base and it was very very quiet. If there were two cars on either side of Canada street that sat bumper to bumper I didn't see them. Most shops have been closed for months and the town was in serious hibernation mode. We drove through town in a matter of seconds with unobstructed views of the lake which appeared for some reason to be riddled with white caps despite a seemingly benign breeze blowing in from the north. It was colder than it has been so we didn't get out of the car for the time we spent in the village but enjoyed what little time we spent there. Getting reacquainted with an old haunt if nothing else is a nuanced experience and worth taking in if you have the time and inclination. We did and we did. I meant to ask Krissy where she thought one might find investment opportunities in 2016 but never got the chance. I think her area of expertise is taxes and estate management so not sure she would have an opinion one way or another but of all the folks at the party I think I might have been curious as to what she had to say. Perhaps next time. We'll have another opportunity to see them come Fall of 2016 so I will look forward to seeing them then.
We're back in New Hampshire now and I'm waking up to several inches of predicted snow with additional accumulation expected throughout the day. I think I was really on a roll with my writing when I was in NY but feel that tide ebbing ever so slightly now that I am back at home. I think there is something to getting out of your element from time to time if for no other reason than to spur your creativity what ever that means. For me anyway, it represents an opportunity to freshen the view and I welcome it in no uncertain terms. Nancy will not go in to work today given the weather and I heartily endorse that decision. No sense in taking any unnecessary chances and storms of any kind are just not worth venturing out in if you can get away with it. There is enough snow so that shoveling will be required and we will have to go clear the paths around Nancy's mom house before the day is out. I can hear the ice pellets blowing against the bay windows here in the back room so there may be an icy component to deal with before this storm blows off the coast and out to sea. We missed spending time with Nancy's family at Christmas given our trip to Lake George so that was too bad and we'll want to try to schedule better next year whatever that means.
We'll spend most of the day indoors today maybe cleaning up here and there and getting ready for the New Year whatever that means. We'll roast a chicken and some vegetables later on today and I have an apple pie to make which I have the ingredients for but just have not had the chance to throw it together. Evan has been looking forward to the pie so we'll try not to keep him waiting. It's probably a good day to get the wood stove going too and I moved some wood into the garage last night in anticipation of doing just that. I'll see if I can't get over to my elderly neighbors driveway since she has a rather large snowblower which may be overkill given the relatively small amount of snow were expecting to get in total throughout the day. It will take more effort to drag that machine out of her basement than is worth so I'll try to beat her to it. It's a good solid sleet now and I'm not sure if this is supposed to turn to snow or not. It's 32 degrees damn near on the nose so I guess we'll see. I could look at the forecast but I think I won't bother.