Ribs...

Ribs...

Years ago a family dinner in the summer meant spare ribs grilled at my folks. So late this morning when I was thinking about how after three weeks my mother still hadn't stopped by my house and seemed to think she needed a printed invitation before she would darken the door, I decided to invite her and my brother's family over for dinner, and ribs seemed like the only possible menu.

It turns out the invitation didn't need to be printed - she came on the strength of a phone call - and brought fresh sweet corn and cream puffs. Marilyn brought two outstanding salads. Nora baked chocolate chip cookies packed with, well, chocolate chips. And Pete gave me needed advice on using the new Weber grill.

Did I mention I was stuffed? And satisfied. Happy.

Great food and a nice family housewarming party. There were even a couple big ribs and cream puffs left over. We missed you, Joe.

Local readers: I have a lot of left over iced tea, made from spearmint from my back yard. By tomorrow I'll have lots of ice. Stop in before 4pm for a glass. If you think you need a printed invitation, here is what you do: Select File, Print at the top of the screen!

So I'm slowly settling into the new house. Funny, it doesn't feel like digs. It feels like my place.

Take a breather...

Take a breather...

I was going to walk downtown to pick up a few things for dinner tomorrow night, but it started pouring. So I'll post instead.

Since July 4 life has been way too busy, and blogging has not pushed very high up on my list. Part of the problem is that once I get out of the rhythm of blogging, it is kind of hard to get the flow going again. And part of is that I've been unpacking and getting settled in every spare moment that I'm not at work or playing music or doing a zillion other things that seem important at the time.

So I am in my new place. I really like the house. The neighborhood is also great. Two doors down I have Halley and the Comets. My first day here they all brought me "Welcome to the neighborhood" drawings, and a couple days later Lizzy Comet put a drawing in my mailbox. So sweet. I have artwork on my fridge!

Saturday I tore up my dining room carpet. The seller told me that there was good hardwood under the carpet, which they had put down to protect the floor from their dog's toenails. They were right - it is a nice oak floor. I've made that room into my music and dining room. In a couple of weeks I get a piano (1/2 on loan from Ben) and I plan to put it in there. There is nothing that beats hardwood for organic resonance when you're playing violin, so it is really nice.

Another highlight are the four East-facing windows in my bedroom. It is nice to wake up to dawn breaking. I don't know how they'll perform in cold winter months, but right now they are great.

Then of course there is what Chad dubbed the Garage Mahal. Jerry says I puff out my chest when ever I talk about it, but I don't believe him. Still, I know it is the envy of every Red Green male in the city of Goshen.

Speaking of Red Green, I cranked up my ancient shop smith over the weekend and put together some shelving for my kitchen cabinets, and a box for vermiculture. Then Sunday afternoon I stopped over at Lew's Bar and got a bag full of red worms. I am now an organic composter.

I need to get my dishes washed, so posts about my trip to Pelee will have to wait a little longer. Let me know if either of my readers are still out there!

Back again...

Back again...

I'm back! My Verizon-imposed hiatus is over. (Don't let me get started on verizon). I'm in my new place and slowly settling in. I love it. The house and neighborhood feel great!!!

I have lots of ideas for posts, but no time to write right now. Tomorrow I leave to visit L on Pelee Island.

Stay tuned...

Patriotic Duty...

Patriotic Duty...

If you are a true American patriot, you really must read this exposé of Dick Cheney. (You'll probably have to give the Washington Post an email address.)

My apologies to my Canadian readers - not for posting an american-centric link, but for the acts of this elected official.