Winter in Shushan

It is exactly a year since we first visited Shushan & I said to Michael, " If I am going to have a house here in upstate NY I want it in this village". On my other blog, I mentioned our visit on Christmas Eve. So here we are. Who could have predicted it?
All good so far, even the 21 hours without power were tolerable as it was a mild 3 C that day. But we worked out the action plan for future power outs, in addition to torches, and wood for the stove, we need water , as the pump for the water tank also stops. Some locals seem to have a back up generator.

We have only had a little snow so far, in the photo above you may just see the flag at half mast , in remembrance of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre. This event has had a shocking impact on everyone, as you can imagine. If they can just change some of the gun laws it might help to prevent this happening again. Only a few commentators mention the need for greater support for those suffering a mental illness and their families. Unfortunately, the gun lobby has a lot of influence here. And as we know too well in Sydney, gun laws don’t stop people killing others when they have a mind to.
People we meet express sorrow that we have witnessed this event during our visit. 

We have been relaxing with family & friends , and as other members join us, look forward to a Christmas Day of feasting and celebration.
We have also taken a few drives , to Vermont as well as in the local area. I am still amazed at the beauty of this region.

Not the best photo, taken with the phone . 
Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Autumn in the district

Well they call it Fall. Whatever...we are missing it as we are in Spring! But the colours not so brilliant, due , I am told , to the drought this summer just passed. Thanks Susie for the pix.

These are photos of the walks around Lake Moreau:

Last Day of Summer

Friday 21 September marks the end of Summer. Sorry not to have seen it. The peaches have been shared among neighbours and family. Or dried so that we may enjoy them later. ( if we can recall where we have hidden them from folks who go looking for them, someone knows who I mean!!!)
The maples are changing colour, soon the autumn colours will be splendid, but we will have to wait another year for that pleasure.

Fruitfulness

We have this large peach tree , when Kate, the previous owner visited she was astonished at the amount of fruit, as last year it has 2 peaches only. I hope she drives by to take some home.

Spot the tomatoes

The bears and the bees

Our Neighbour dropped by, and explained the reason our  peach tree was fruiting so well was due to the fact that he also had a peach tree. So the bees were busy.
Then he went on to tell M that he woke one night to discover that a dam and her cub were demolishing his hives . Well, we know bears like honey!
 He is  contemplating buying a new brood of bees, a considerable investment of around about $150. When one day while in the supermarket, a woman rushed in saying " call the pest exterminator , there are bees swarming in the carpark" " Hold that call", he replied, "I'll be back to collect them."
 A satisfied customer for sure!

Irritating pop ups

called "Text Enhance" grr. Appeared last night when I was updating using Firefox. I have moved away from Firefox, which I used to love. I believe we don't share the same values any longer!


Anyway, here is a secret message for Katja!

Another job done!

He is so clever!

A brief road trip

Yesterday we went to Mt. Greylock to meet friends for dinner at Bascom Lodge. It was  a hot drive, the temperature being in the mid to high 30's (C) 90's (F).
The dinner was fine, the company was excellent, and the views were spectacular.

The site forms part of the Appalchian Trail

Subalpine environment-expand this picture

The Fiesta ware at Breakfast. Bascom Lodge is furnished in the style of the Arts and Crafts movement. Stickley furniture and all. Tempting to pop a chest of drawers in the back of the ute & zoom down the hill in the pouring rain & thunderstorms of the night. But my getaway driver was drugged with Cab.sav.!!

This area was only just over an hour away from home so it was an easy and pleasant journey. On the way home we spent a brief time in Bennington Vermont in my feeble attempt to rescue the American economy. :-))

Things I notice: cool clear water

One summer back in the 90’s , I spent a few nights at the University Women’s Club of Toronto.  It was conveniently located to a number of places I wanted to visit, while waiting for a friend to join me and set off for Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

It was warm day & night.

But I noticed that when I poured a glass of water from the bathroom tap, a film of condensation would form on the outside. The water was cool, not cold. I pondered how the water could be so cold when surely the pipes must have warmed up, as they  do in most parts of Australia in which I have lived. The B & B staff could not help me, they shrugged as if to say they had never thought about it. Well why would they?

Here in Shushan, we have our own water supply, each home that is. The water condenses on the outside of the glass, on the outside of the tap & on the loo tank, (yesterday I thought the loo must be leaking, until I realised it was the condensation.)

 The water is clear, cool and wonderful to drink. Aren’t we blessed?

Pictures to see .

Later today, I want to write about a few things I notice.
But for the time being, in case you keep popping back:

Day Lilies

Roses are attacked by "Japanese Beetle". Why is it that where ever one lives, we find that pests are deemed to be invaders from elsewhere. In Australia we have a variety of "German" cockroaches. Whatever, here you witness the beetles into some serious family planning.

 Scenes from an early morning walk:

Love from Shushan

Remember the view in January from the front door

It has changed!

HERE FOR A BRIEF VISIT

Happy in the barn, setting up a workshop!

 

Well I made it across the Pacific. My arms are tired! But the house is looking great. And the garden greater. And we eat home grown greens. Soon reds and yellows too!

Building the post for the letter box

The walk to the Battenkill RIver

Then and Now

Thank you for telling me about Mollis azaleas!

 When we put in the offer on the house at the end of January, the lawn was brown and the trees and shrubs had no leaves. Now that is all changed!

Those sticks turned into those brilliant orange blossoms!

This looked quite barren when I first saw the house. But below the surface many things were quietly waiting....

The gardener has been growing a veggie patch

New (Second hand) Barn doors with windows so the worker can let in the light and keep out the cold

 View of the railway station, now the US Post Office, from the front door, taken in January

the back lawn just before mowing!

Blooms

The garden now looks so lush and green. When I saw the house back in January, it was more like a drought affected Australian garden , brown & barren . Getting used to gardening  in a cold climate will be a challenge &, no doubt, a few mistakes. M has planted out some vegetable seeds. A neighbour told him how grateful the rabbits & woodchucks will be!

Spring is creeping up the path

Taken, I guess , with the Ipad

Azalea bush view. M bought some curtains & huge pelmets at auction.
Modifications required to install them