That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

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Nietzsche must have been speaking about plumbing when he penned this statement. If not, I’m sure he would have agreed that plumbing issues would definately qualify. The morning started with a blocked toilet. It should have been an easy task. A … Continue reading

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Water and Soggy Uggs

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It turns out all the science stuff I teach my students has come back to bite me on my soggy Uggs. Stuff like water becoming less dense when it freezes, which is a sciency way of saying water expands when … Continue reading

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Christmas Day Massacre

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Spoiler Alert!!! Do not read this post, or look at the photos, if you have a delicate stomach. December 25 started as any other winter day on the Concord River — brilliant sunrise; crisp, cold air; ice on the river, … Continue reading

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Shades of white!

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Last Saturday brought the first real snow storm along with a multitude of ducks from all corners of the river. At one time, I fed over one hundred beaks. It was like the wedding dress race. Ducks everywhere, rushing for … Continue reading

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Here comes Suzie Snowflake!

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Oh, the weather outside is snowy, and the ducks are oh so hungry. And since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Breakfast was served on a blanket of white, which the ducks … Continue reading

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Sunrise … Sunset

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“One season following another … ” The changing of the seasons, like my river, flows steadily by. It seems only yesterday I was exchanging the lavender candles for the spiced pumpkin. Now, I crave the earthy pine candles. The roses … Continue reading

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Hallowed Tidings from the House on the Concord River

No goblins visited me on this misty hallowed night. I could hear their laughter from the distant streets but my dark avenue remained quiet. My bowl of candy still sits, each delightful treasure waiting to fall into some child’s Halloween bag, but, alas, the wait seems to be endless. I’ll bring the candy to school tomorrow and let my students feast as they learn about enzymes.

Instead of making flight arrangements, the ducks are behaving like it’s spring. Every ornithologist worth his or her weight in feathers knows Mallards don’t mate in the fall. Check out the video. These two were obviously absent for Mallard training 101. Or, perhaps they thought migrate translated into “my mate.”

Seems a little feather pulling is good for the soul.

A pair of cormorants have been hanging out on the beach and opposite river bank. The ducks don’t seem to mind, since fish are the diet staple for the newcomers. It wouldn’t make any difference to me though. With over 31 ducks to feed, what’s two more beaks?

The opposite shore is the perfect spot for some wing drying.

drying wings

Now it’s time for the Look At the Cool Pics I Can Take With My New Camera segment.

I hope Santa brings me a tripod for Christmas. I’ve been a very good girl this year.

The last of the cherry tomatoes ripened over the weekend. I was reminded of the book Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury. “The wine was summer in a bottle.” Well, my single ripe tomato was summer, 2013, in a firm, red package. Sunshine, warmth, grass, crickets, stars, the river, herons, and ducks, all packaged for the tasting. Pure paradise.

Blessed Samhain. :}

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Well spank me twice and call me Hobby!

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I thought he was dead. Along with his right leg, I thought Hobby was down in Davy Jones locker, or whoever has a locker in a freshwater river. The last time Hobby visited was in August. Jill (my friend) and … Continue reading

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Holy carp!!

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Along with sunfish, the carp of the Concord River abound. Fishermen troll up and down the river hoping to catch that elusive mother of all carp. Tales are told about five foot fish pulling duckings to the depths of the … Continue reading

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Fair thee well, Summer!

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Like the monarch butterflies, red-winged blackbirds, Baltimore orioles, and ruby-throated hummingbirds, Summer has flown away. A few hummer stragglers visit the nectar feeders, but the majority of them are now in sunny Florida. Perhaps they’ll stop over at Disney for … Continue reading

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