The annual pillow migration has begun. I’ve retrieved all the cushions from the glider and the adirondack chairs. Some will be stored. But the three that are the back rests on the glider move to the loveseat in the living room. They work the best there. The pillows that I had on the loveseat (including the red checked one above) are, at best, filler during the spring and summer. I search every spring for indoor/outdoor pillows that will work on the glider or sofa, so I can have two good sets, but so far, I only have one.
Don just left for a rehearsal in the city and the loveseat is in a state of disarray, so I’ll take a picture of it later today.
We spent several hours shoveling yesterday. The snow was heavy and wet and there was a lot of it. Don wanted to do it all because I wasn’t feeling well, but I wasn’t going to let that happen. It was exhausting. We took a break for a while, went back out and shoveled some more, but the snow was even heavier. And our muscles were complaining. So we did everything we had to do to make sure Don could leave today and I could get out if necessary. There’s still a bit to shovel, but there might be some melt today, so I’m hoping I can avoid that. Still not feeling tip-top.
We hobbled around the rest of the day. I treated myself to some hot chocolate. We made dinner and watched the tube. All the while, we were saying that we couldn’t wait to go to bed!
We were cheated out of the pleasure of watching the first snow, which is usually gentle, with maybe a few inches falling. Nope. We got a big storm and giant mess.
Oh, in case you’re wondering, we didn’t use the snow blower because it tends to eat up the Item 4, or gravel. Since we just had the driveway done, we trying to insure that it stays in place. It’s impossible not to get some in a shovelful of snow, but there’s much less. If we had someone plow the driveway? Forget it. We once watched in horror as a guy plowed our driveway, depositing the snow and half of our new gravel along with it in a pile across the road.
I have heard four rifle shots while I’ve been writing this. Hunters. I despise hunting with every fiber of my being. I want to find them, grab their damn guns, and tell them what I think of them. Obviously, that’s a fantasy, but the intensity of my feelings about hunting are not a fantasy. And please don’t bother with any of the usual defenses of hunting. In truth, there are none. Not in this day and age. The most egregious excuse is that it’s a “noble” cause, that the hunter is just helping to thin a population that will starve over the winter. I’ve never believed that for a second. It’s about killing an innocent, magnificent animal and finding an excuse to do it.
My dad, gentle soul that he was, had a bow and arrow and went hunting every fall for a number of years when I was in high school. He never killed a deer. Because, when up against it while aiming at a defenseless animal, he knew it was wrong. And he stopped any pretense of hunting after that. We had many arguments about hunting before he stopped, but it wasn’t until several years later that I realized that he deliberately missed. That he didn’t have the heart to do it.
I talk about this every other autumn, it seems. We live in the country. I see these guys wearing camouflage in local shops and at gas stations. It’s an unfortunate fact of life here. I can’t wait until hunting season is over. Unfortunately, it just opened today and it goes until December 9th.
Wonder what it would be like if animals had the guns and we were the prey?
Happy Saturday.
I worried about you guys and that heavy snow but glad you got what you needed to do done. I dislike hunters and can’t even think about them without feeling sad. I have NEVER understood having dead animals hanging on your walls.
I shopped a lot yesterday and my legs hurt today. I found lots of things for the Grands stockings and some fun decor. I find I’m needing the joy of Christmas early this year. No trees up until after Thanksgiving but I’m looking forward to it all. Meeting with Sara today to plan Thanksgiving menu. Trying to please all with something they want means lots of food. Rest and feel better sweet friend.
I’ve been contemplating putting our tree up a bit early this year, but I won’t do it until December. My birthday is next week, then Thanksgiving. Can’t do it until a bit after that!
Good morning Claudia,
I do not envy you dealing with the snow.
I am totally against hunting. I know herds are specifically managed to have surpluses every year so hunters can kill animals.
I think it takes a sick mind to enjoy killing another being, and find it unfathomable. That said, I feel it’s just as bad to pay others to do the inhumane raising and killing of other animals so that one only sees the almost unrecognizable pieces in the supermarket or on the plate as s/he cuts them up to eat them.
I wonder how many people would be eating flesh if they had to do the killing and look into the eyes of those other animals.
Factory-farmed animals have terrible lives, and at least wild ones have their freedom and, one hopes, a quick death when hunted.
Totally agree. The killing of any animal makes me ill. Longtime vegetarian of 32 years.
I once asked my father why he never went hunting. He said he knew what it was like to be hunted and he would never do it. Dad was wounded in Europe in WWII. We are a non hunting family!
What a perfect response from your dad. My dad served in WWII and he never glorified the killing of any living being. Thanks so much, Judy.
I’m sorry you’re having to deal with all the wet, heavy snow – especially so soon. It’s gently snowing here and looks like we’ll only get a couple of inches. I’m OK with that.
Even though I’m not a vegetarian (and it’s something I wrestle with time to time), I absolutely despise hunting, too. I can’t stand the gun shots here either. And then when people post their “trophies” on FB, I’m absolutely done. How they can be proud of something like that, I just don’t understand. Or hanging dead animal parts such as antlers or stuffed fish on the walls of their house? Disgusting to me.
If I see a house in a decorating magazine or online with animal heads on the wall, I’m out of there. I agree.
This year especially, it seems animals have been armed and humans have been the hunted victims in many places throughout our country.
Yes, I absolutely get and agree with your point, but I was really talking about our birds and fish and forest animals being armed. The elk, the bears, the deer, the foxes, the rabbits, the fish and the gentle birds, like pigeons, doves, turkey and game birds.
But man is an animal as well. And man does hunt and harm his fellow man. All of it is horrific to me.
I am with you on the hunting, except if it is poisonous snakes! But where we live now we don’t have those. Thank Heaven. I blame all the hunting stuff on patriarchy. What we need is a matriarchy. In gov and in life.
Amen, Jan!
We got the snow, also, here in Upstate New York. I spent yesterday shoveling, too. Taking today off! I agree with you about hunting. When I was first dating my future husband, he thought it would be great If I went duck hunting with him (we both loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, etc. together up until then). I was stunned at first since I had repeatedly told him I was against hunting, but then agreed to go. Once at the spot, I told him that if he plans on shooting anything I was going to warn the ducks. And I did. I stood up and waved my arms around every time he/the rest went to shoot. Soon we left. He never went hunting again! Not any kind despite pressure and a lot of “teasing” from his father, brothers and friends.
Good for you and good for your husband! Love this story!
We come from a non-hunting family and I am so glad! I cannot understand how hunting beautiful, innocent animals can be “fun” or “sport”. As for posting pictures, I think that is the most disgusting thing. Seems sick to me.
I think so, too. Completely disgusting. Thanks, Dottie!
Hope you and Don can get a little rest and the snow melts soon. The pillows are lovely.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Big time hunting country here in Pennsylvania too!…Don’t agree with it and hate when I drive somewhere and have to look at guys driving around with a dead deer hanging on the back of their vehicle…they are so proud of themselves!…Then our local newspaper takes pictures of them if they take them to the office and publishes them in the paper!!…Sick isn’t it?
Very much so. I don’t get it. All for a brief moment of feeling superior and powerful, when, in reality, it’s fueled by insecurity and weakness.
Two of my three brothers hunt, Claudia – and I couldn’t agree with you more. I simply can’t comprehend how they can look into the face of a defenseless animal & take its life. The rest of us in the family haven’t been very shy about letting them know our views, but of course they’re going to do it anyway. It’s become like politics, we don’t discuss it anymore because we know we’re not going to change any minds. But every once in a while, when I can’t stand it, I’ll say something [sometimes even under my breath]. I’d LOVE to imagine their reactions if they were ever to come face-to-face with a rifle-packing deer. That’s probably what it would take to change their heinous behavior. Oh well. Everything’s melting up here – hope you guys start to get The Melt too! Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
I’m glad the rest of the family calls them on it, Janet. I don’t know if you read it, but a commenter said her dad, who fought in WWII, wouldn’t hunt. He said it was because he knew what it felt like to be hunted.
Deer hunting started today here too. I’ve always despised it and, back in my smart-mouth teen years, used to asked relatives who were hunters if they were going out to kill Bambi’s dad. Over the years I learned of course to just not even talk about it. Always glad when it’s over with.
When I saw all your snow yesterday I was worried about the two of you shoveling. That heavy wet stuff can be dangerous. Take good care of your sore bodies and let’s hope you get a good long break before the next siege.
I wish the season wasn’t so long. Three weeks to get through.
Hi Claudia, I am enjoying your snowfall for you from California :) I do understand how you feel about it though – we lived in Ithaca for a couple of years! And the hunting – oh my. I remember our first season living there. I was absolutely horrified driving through the smaller towns and seeing what they did with their “prize.” We had deer around our apartment and I loved leaving apples out for them. Feel better soon! xo, Christy
It is truly horrifying. I’ve taken to playing music so I don’t hear the rifle shots. Thanks, Christy!