by Judy Handley | Nov 24, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 328: A Fun Family Walk
Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Weather: Sunny and Cold; High Temp 42, Low Temp 31 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
What a delightful day. First thing this morning, Justin and I headed to Plymouth to visit Plimoth Violin. Justin’s violin of many years was in dire need of repairs, so he brought it with him, and I found Hollis, the owner of Plimoth Violin who said he could repair it while Justin is here. Hollis makes and repairs violins and Justin had a good time trying out different violins. In the end, he decided he wanted his old one repaired, so we left it and will pick it up on Tuesday on our way to the airport in Boston. Being in Plymouth gave Justin and I chance to check out the venue for the Day of Mourning for the indigenous people of Massachusetts that we will be attending tomorrow. No turkey for us until Friday. But if you are observing ‘Turkey’ Day, I hope you enjoy friends, family, and food.
By the time we returned to Family Central, that would be Heather and Jed’s, it was time for a lunch of soup and salad and quesadillas for kids. Coco and I then went to pick up Shadow for a late afternoon family walk. We met the rest of the gang at Peterson Farm and walked the ridge, successfully found a geocache which was a little journal in which Ollie and Coco wrote notes. We returned to our cars just as the sun was going down. We then did a hurry up drive through Woods Hole and out to Nobska Lighthouse where we crossed the road and climbed down the rocks to the water’s edge.
The sunset was nice, not spectacular, but still beautiful and we enjoyed every minute of light as we walked on the boulders along the shoreline to finally climb back up a steep incline taking us back to the lighthouse.
I had Sam assisting me from the front and Justin from the back in order to climb that steep hill, but I made it. The walk though Beebee Woods and views on the walk along the water gave us all a renewed appreciation of the beauty of Cape Cod.
I just tucked Coco into bed and Shadow is keeping watch over her. She decided she wanted to do an overnight at Oma’s. When we got to the cottage, we went down to the basement and played table shuffleboard and got a doll and a couple of stuffed friends to bring upstairs with us. Then we started a new puzzle and read together until lights out. It is so special to spend some quiet time with my only granddaughter. There’s not a lot of quiet time with the four grandsons, but they seem to be having a wonderful, wild time together.
by Judy Handley | Nov 23, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 327: They’re Here
Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Weather: Partly Sunny, Windy, Cold; High Temp 39, Low Temp 26 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Right now it is 29 degrees outside, but WeatherUnderground says it feels like 18 degrees F. That is because of the wind. And it is freezing out there. Not the best weather for Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco’s arrival. But the important thing is that they are here. Their flight was about an hour late and there was a medical emergency aboard that was a little unsettling. However, considering the delays and issues some people are having, this seemed like an easy flight. When I saw them walking toward the van, I couldn’t believe the wash of emotion that came over me. I had meant to get an arrival photo, but I completely forgot about that when I saw them. I just jumped out of the van and started hugging. I hope we never have to be apart this long ever again.
When we got to Heather and Jed’s, the kids took off to do their thing. Before long, Ziggy, Jonah, and Ollie had bonded as a group.
The oldest, Sam, and the youngest and only girl, Coco, went their own ways. Hopefully Ollie, just a few months older than Coco, will spend more time with Coco tomorrow. But tonight, it was a guy thing. I’m going to have to think of some special things to do with Coco. But right now, I had better get to bed as we have an early start tomorrow. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful family and I want to have plenty of energy to have fun with them every minute that we are together.
by Judy Handley | Nov 22, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 326: Under the 24-Hour Mark
Date: Monday, November 22, 2021
Weather: Rainy Day, Getting Colder; High Temp 57, Low Temp 55 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
The low last night was 55. Tonight, it is forecast to be 32. And just in time for Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco’s arrival, the low tomorrow night is supposed to be the coldest night we have had this fall at 27 degrees F. That is freezing for sure, and it is going to be quite a shock coming from the warmth of Puerto Rico. But cold or not and ready or not, I can’t wait to have my whole family together. At this point, the Jet Blue flight from San Juan should arrive in Boston at 6:08 pm. But that has changed a few times recently, so I will wait until take-off to be sure. In any case, I’m leaving here around 2 pm as I have to make a stop on the way and fight rush hour traffic. I’d rather be early than late. In less than 24 hours I am looking forward to a great big group hug.
by Judy Handley | Nov 21, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 325: Two Days to Go
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Much Warmer; High Temp 57, Low Temp 55 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
In less than 48 hours I will be picking Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco up from the airport in Boston. I spent today continuing to get ready for their visit. More cooking, more food shopping, more delivering food to Heather’s since we will all be eating our meals there. I wish I could say I am done. But I am not. I know I’ll be working right up to the last minute.
First thing this morning, I went to Heather’s to get a haircut. Heather is our family barber of choice because she does such a great job. Thank you, Heather. They were working on getting the big room over the garage that we call the Red Room ready for Justin and family. It is called the Red Room because of the rust red carpeting, so I guess I can say Heather and family are rolling out the red carpet for JJZ&C. Heather has arranged to borrow bikes for Ziggy and Coco and we have winter coats for everyone. I made more trips to the grocery store. On one of those trips, I had to stop to fill up the car. I get points each dollar spent at Stop and Shop. Usually I get 10 or 20 cents off on every gallon. Today I got 70 off each gallon. Proof that I have been spending plenty on groceries.
by Judy Handley | Nov 20, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 324: Gratitude Graffiti Wall
Date: Friday, November 20, 2021
Weather: Sunny and Cold; High Temp 46, Low Temp 37 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
Food prep for the upcoming week continued today. The experiment today was making a grain free pie crust from scratch. It is made of almond and cassava flour. Making the crust was a little tricky as the dough doesn’t hold together like one made with wheat flour, but now I know it is possible. It won’t get a taste test until tomorrow. I got the crust in the pie pan and then put it in the freezer. Tomorrow I will thaw it and make a pie. If the frozen and then thawed crust passes the taste test, I will make and freeze the other crusts needed for later in the week. The pies I made as a taste test a week or so ago were made with store bought frozen gluten free crusts. They were just okay. I’m hoping the homemade grain free crust will be better.
In the early afternoon, Heather, Ollie, and I headed downtown to Main Street to write on the Gratitude Graffiti Wall being sponsored by the Waquoit Congregational Church and a number of other Falmouth organizations. 
It is a big piece of canvas on which you can write or draw your gratitude statement. Ollie drew a peace symbol, Heather expressed gratitude for this community, and I wrote that I am thankful for my five grandchildren who brighten my life every day.
I love watching them grow into responsible earth citizens. I also share Heather’s thankfulness for the Falmouth community and Ollie’s wish for peace in our world.
We really couldn’t leave downtown without visiting Eight Cousins bookstore. While Heather and I were perusing the book displays, Ollie noticed a Christmas tree in the store with paper ornaments, each with a child’s first name, age, and a specific interest. He asked Heather what this was about. She didn’t know, but we inquired and found out that each ornament represents one child in this community who could use a few extra Christmas presents this year. Ollie wanted to choose a younger child and he picked a seven-year-old girl who is interested in princesses. He found a princess book and bought it for her. Another show of gratitude for the afternoon.
Tonight, I talked to my friend Lynne Kirwin in New Zealand. It is spring there, soon to be summer, but like here, they are still dealing with Covid. While we were talking, she sent me a photo of the brown Labradoodle that lives where she is currently house sitting for a friend. As soon as we got off the phone, I sent her a photo of Shadow. He is still a wild one, but I am so grateful that we share a life together. I might have to go back downtown and add a note of gratitude for my best buddy. 
I have had him for exactly 2 years and 3 days, so it was time to for a then and now photo comparison.
by Judy Handley | Nov 19, 2021 | 2021 Life Logs |
2021 Life Logs, Day 323: Beginning Food Prep for Next Week
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2021
Weather: Sunny and Windy; High Temp 60, Low Temp 30 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Cottage, East Falmouth, MA
What a difference the wind makes. Yesterday the high was 64 F and too warm to wear a jacket. Today was only 4 degrees cooler, 60 F, and a winter coat was not enough even though the sun was shining. I needed gloves. The difference was the wind. Tomorrow is not going to be as windy, but the high is forecast to be only 45 degrees F. I’m pretty sure I’ll need both my coat and my gloves for my walk with Shadow tomorrow.
Today I moved from house cleaning to beginning the food preparations for next week. As I have mentioned, Justin and family arrive on Tuesday and will be here for six days. They are staying at Heather’s, but all ten of us will eat our meals together there. We certainly don’t want to spend out precious days together slaving away in the kitchen, but we do have to eat. So, I am doing the bulk of the food shopping prior to their arrival and spending this weekend making things that can keep or be put in the freezer. I only have 96 hours left to get things done before they arrive, so I had better get to bed so I’ll have the energy to get lots done tomorrow.
The sunset was nice, not spectacular, but still beautiful and we enjoyed every minute of light as we walked on the boulders along the shoreline to finally climb back up a steep incline taking us back to the lighthouse.
I had Sam assisting me from the front and Justin from the back in order to climb that steep hill, but I made it. The walk though Beebee Woods and views on the walk along the water gave us all a renewed appreciation of the beauty of Cape Cod.
