Day 16.021: All quiet on the beach

We had a little walk on the beach on Saturday morning - before starting the DIY activity of the day. We didn't see much of interest, but it was very nice to be outside.

The weather was kind for the time of year - cold but not bitterly so unlike the predictions for next Saturday which has us waking to double-digit negative temperatures (in °F).

Day 16.020: Downy behavior

We saw two downy woodpeckers again at the weekend. They seemed to be getting in each other's way at times and we wondered if it was some kind of territorial dispute. On closer inspection maybe it is courtship behavior - albeit a bit early unless they know something about the arrival of spring that is not obvious to the rest of us.

Day 16.019: Exile #2's Sunday Column #426

Exile #2 writes...

We often have National Public Radio on in the car. It's a national treasure and full of shows that make you want to listen to the end, even once you’ve reached your destination. On Sunday mornings, our journey is perfectly timed to catch the weekend puzzle section. Whilst, on our way to and from the beach yesterday, we heard about a mysterious internet scam involving Nespresso pods, then a tale about an American scientist who was called upon to forecast the weather for the D-Day landings. This being the age of the podcast, however, we don't have to wait in the car any more to hear the gripping conclusions, we can track them down later. But it’s worth it. If you don't already, and you're ever in need of something to listen to - dig in to NPR!

Day 16.018: Installation completed

We had a new fridge installed a couple of weeks ago. It’s predecessor was ready to be replaced when we moved in and has lasted a further 9 years so we’ll call it a success. 

We had to take the top cabinet down to make room for the taller unit.

Today I managed to get it back in place - a little shorter than it used to be. 

Day 16.017: Puzzle Mania

This huge crossword was the centerpiece of the New York Times Puzzle Mania at end of last year.

We completed it last weekend along with the seven part follow-up puzzle to find the prize-entry answer. It was a couple of weeks too late to send it in, but it felt like quite an achievement in any case. 

We continue to do the normal crosswords from the daily paper (although on the iPad app rather than on actual paper) and Exile #2 does some of the other puzzles. Good for us old folks to keep our brains active - along with our dancing feet. 

Day 16.016: Back to school

After dinner, Exile #2 and I walked down to E5N1’s first Maine school for the first in a series of adult education swing dance classes that she bought for my birthday. 

We had fun and even learned some things. We’ll see what five more sessions can do for us. 

Day 16.015: Mo’ snow

As of now - more snow falling (from the sky again). It’s due to transition over to rain overnight. It’s hard to imagine what heavy rain on top of so much snow pack will do. I guess we’ll find out. 

Day 16.014: Icicles and snow falls

The sun came out today. At lunchtime, there was so much snow falling out of the trees it sometimes felt like being in a snowball fight. There were also an impressive array  of icicles. 

On the other hand, the roads were clear enough to allow us to go about our days as normal. tomorrow evening comes the third act of our week of winter storms. We’ll see how this one turns out after two that have not disappointed us. 

Day 16.013: …and snow on

Today was another day of considerable snowiness. I’d guess we had 8 to 10 inches. We cleared it in two sessions - early morning and late evening and a neighbor did a pass with a big snow blower after one of the snow plow passes in the middle of the day. It’s kept everything looking pretty and in any case I try not to complain about wintry weather during winter in Maine - its absence is more disturbing. 

Day 16.012: Exile #2's Sunday Column #425

Exile #2 writes...

Finally, Maine looks like it’s supposed to look at this time of year. We had 5 inches of snow overnight from Thursday into Friday, and it was the kind to stick to the trees, making everything look lovely. Icicles formed along the eaves of our garage to add to the prettiness and today we briefly had a beautiful blue sky to set it all off perfectly. We are expecting another decent fall of snow tonight, and perhaps some more on Wednesday, so we may be feeling less enthusiastic about it all by then. Still, for now, we are pleased.

E5N1 is also pleased as school will once again be shut. The high school students no longer have snow days (they have the pandemic to thank for that) but he will at least be able to spend all day in his pajamas, and probably will.

Day 16.011: Snow and fire

The snow has stayed in the trees with surprising resilience - it’s very pretty. I happened to be out in the street as a few rays of the setting sun found a path through the clouds to light up the tops of some snow covered trees to enhance the sight even more. 

Day 16.010: Snowy

Our day started early with the need to get our trash to the roadside ready for collection. It was a bit more involved than usual:


We also took some time to appreciate this:

and to watch as the snow continued to fall:

Day 16.009: Pileated; pile later?

We saw the pileated woodpecker for the first time in a while at lunchtime. It flew around giving us some good glimpses of its impressive wings with their bright white patches while it investigated various trees  near the end of our yard.

It's just started snowing - what seems likely to be the biggest storm of the season so far. Whether it amounts to a "pile" remains to be seen.

Day 16.008: No longer content…

…with simply blowing his own trumpet, E5N1 is now also playing my French Horn in one of the school ensembles (at least that is the plan). 

He seems to have a love/hate relationship with it, which is familiar from my own experience. Unlike me, he plans to keep up his trumpet playing rather than switching. 

Day 16.007: Constructed

Exile #2 mentioned that I had been constructing. In my case it was this fun and challenging model which was a birthday present from her brother and family (thank you!)

Day 16.006: Catch-up from Portsmouth

I forgot that I had some photos on the "big camera" from our visit to Portsmouth last weekend.

Here are the birds I spotted:

A pair of American black ducks (probably)

A female bufflehead

Three distant male buffleheads

A blue jay

We wondered if the gray birds with the blue jays were gray jays, but no - they were northern mockingbirds

Day 16.005: Exile #2's Sunday Column #424

Exile #2 writes...

After our trip to the museum on Friday and decidedly chilly walk yesterday, we opted for some indoor entertainments this afternoon. I tackled my second Christmas jigsaw and made Rosie the Riveter look a little more like herself. Meanwhile, Exile #1 did some construction of his own but I’ll leave that for him to show off another day.

We heard yesterday that the head of the Maine Center for Disease Control is moving on to a national position. It’s hard to imagine us even having heard of Dr Shah in other times, let alone anything about his career progression but he has been a constant and reassuring presence over the last few years, providing regular public updates and frequently answering questions on local radio and TV. Maine has had one of the highest vaccination rates, no doubt due to his efforts (and those of his colleagues, who he would be quick to praise). Somehow he’s also managed to encourage Mainers to be kind, considerate and hopeful, without it seeming cheesy or preachy. We wish him every success in his future role. Thanks for looking after us, Dr Shah!

Day 16.004: Cooling sea breeze

We experienced the cooling effect of a rather stronger wind than could be called a sea breeze in our visit to the coast at Biddeford Pool today. Of course, when it’s cooling you down from actual temperatures around freezing it feels just plain cold. 

Still, we had a nice walk and I talk some pictures of waves and birds I still need to investigate. Here’s one of us for now:

…and yes there is a story behind the hat, but I won’t be telling it today.

Day 16.003: Maine illustration

We had a surprise trip to the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk today (last minute vacation day decision) to see this lovely exhibition of illustrations from Maine - so good!

Such varied work but so great to appreciate this art that might otherwise be seen as secondary to the work or product that it is connected with. 

Day 16.002: Snow by day, rain by night

We had a fresh coating of snow today. First it decorated the deck tree

and then it covered most things

but as the sun went down it paradoxically switched over to rain. At time of writing, it’s a slushy mess that will probably give way to plain old “wet” by the morning.