Wood Boogers

Got basically nothing done a couple of weekends ago, but ...  had a lot of fun with my son texting back and forth and talking on the phone. It was an off and on communication fest. Topic?  Cryptids. He taught me a lot, and I plan to do more research on my own.  My favorite name of a cryptid category so far is the Wood Boogers. Thus the title of this week's blog. 

The whole Wood Booger thing is Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia's take on Big Foot or Yeti or whatever you want to call this particular creature. The term Wood Boogers was coined by European settlers in that area in the 18th century who found them to be much like Boogeymen. As far as my section of the US goes... mythologically ... the Pennsylvania Appalachian area is full of different sorts of mythical and perhaps not so mythical cryptids -- creatures like Big Foot, Moth Man, etc. Actually there are legends, mythology and folk lore of indigenous peoples across the entire planet  ... have been for a very long time as far as I can tell. 

Anyway - this whole "conversation" started with a post online by a former colleague of mine who posted a trail cam photo taken by a cam owned by a former student of mine.  I uploaded this creepy and mysterious photo to Chat GPT for identification and it was no help because AI saw a bushy tail that I could find no where in the photo -- so  -- I shifted to research through a TikTok link that my son sent me on cryptids.  I/we now like to think the trail cam caught a shape shifter and it is all very creepy. I find it interesting in all of this that I had never heard the word cryptid before.  I sort of like it. I definitely like learning new things.

Thus began my research on cryptids -- flying, reptilian ... even those cute cryptids like the Jackalope of the Great American West. This creature is a bunny with antlers -- a mix of a rabbit and an antelope or deer perhaps.  For those of you who live in this corner of Northwest Pennsylvania, you may remember the "stuffed" jackalope that sat behind the bar at the Deer Head Inn in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania years ago. Of course I also ran across many stories of the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot and the Pennsylvania Squonk of Lumberjack lore.  There is a lot of information out there. I still need to check out the myths and folklore of the Carpathian Mountain region -- apparently there is a lot there of interest as well -- of the super creepy variety.

All I need now it to have an encounter with one -- just one.  I have seen one UFO -- years ago nearby on the road between Canadohta Lake and Union City -- probably in the late 1960's. It was impressive. I am ready for the next step.  A  small Wood Booger a safe distance away would be ideal. I'll readily pass on the shape shifter variety and all the other scary ones.  

Tools by Season

Not in a philosophic mood today and sort of ready to get away from all the serious concerns of the world at the moment ... at least for a little while. For some unknown reason I am thinking about the basic and real tools of life... not mental tools... just physical/hands on/put your back into it working tools. Perhaps it is keeping busy as an escape. 

Now there are inside and outside tools to be sure, but with the change of seasons upon us, I am simply concentrating on the outside implements. I have come to the conclusion that there are basically ten or so important tools that make my life easier.  They are seasonal.

As Spring comes in, first in importance is my Grandpa's Weeder which allows me to dig weeds without bending over.  Second is a knife for serious digging in the soil that I, for some unknown reason, have dubbed the snake whacker. I have seen only one snake in the past twenty-five years and I didn't whack it.  I screamed.  Nevertheless... it is the snake whacker.  Oh ... I cannot forget to mention my trusty battery powered chain saw for small downed pasture limbs. Can't live without that.

Summer tools are those of Spring with the possible addition of a weed burning tool, heavy duty weed whacker (the kind with plastic string) and lawn mower, of course.

Primary for Fall is a competent leaf rake, but also essential is a sturdy battery operated trimmer for cutting back the most stubborn plants at the end of the season -- hopefully well before the snows hit. I do not recommend cutting back in the snow. Plants tend to get slimy and gross ... or worse.

Then in Winter the shovel(s) appear or perhaps a leaf blower that can double as a snow removal device. Oh -- snow plows as well -- how could I have almost left that one out. I don't have a plow, but know someone who does. My plow guy even salts my driveway when necessary.  Huge ...  as there is a slight downhill slope that makes a walk to the mailbox terrifying on an icy day. I am at that stage in life when I no longer joke about breaking a hip. Have been in that stage for a while now. Can you relate?

So...  Those are the tools by season in Northwest Pennsylvania ... or at least the basic ones. Soon it will be time to dust off my shovels.  I have two. I live in a notorious snow belt after all. Winter sometimes comes early and... we have more than one kind of snow here.  If you live in snow country or are a down hill skier, you know what I mean.  If you don't... well... you are missing out on something that can be wonderful and difficult at the same time. You have to experience a true winter in snow country to fully get the meaning of that and to know that shovels come in wimpy and heavy duty.

Shine or Hobble

It's getting to be that time of year in Northwest Pennsylvania when flowers and other assorted plants are sending out droopy and tired    messages that they have had enough of the hot sun and occasional pounding rain, or lack thereof, and that they just want to be "put to bed" for the winter.  That "put to bed" phrase I borrow from my wonderful Mom. Fun, isn't it, how some phrases run through families? I can almost hear her saying that.   

I still remember one of my personal "phrase faves" from my when my son was little -- "No, I amn't gonna do that."  Anyway -- I was saying that one to myself when wondering if I should get up and out of bed this morning when I first woke up at 3 AM. "No, I amn't gonna do that."  And that was before I even tried to move.

Wonder where I am going with this?  I am hoping the first two paragraphs bring me to my point which tries to connect preparing for winter and getting up the next morning ... and does so without making me seem crabby.  The meme below sort of speaks for itself and ... if you are one of us who cuts back a bit too long on a nice day as summer comes to an end, and then "feels it" the next morning... you "get it". The meme below speaks for you too.  

I would like to meet the person who thought of this.  My kind of people.

                        Rise and shine! 

               Or rise and hobble with dignity -- 

                either way, coffee's waiting.  

                                                            (The Dadbod Veteran)  

The Saga of Peeps

Without a pet for many years, I recently had the pleasure of the company of a kitten for a few days.  We think she is a girl and that she is about 12 weeks old. We call her Peeps.  I turned 76 the day before she came to stay.  You can see, in that age difference, that the kitten had a distinct advantage, but we made out just fine.  I have lived with kittens and cats before.  I had forgotten what it was like. I do love cats and dogs. My scabs are healing nicely.

Below are excerpts from a bit of writing about living with a kitten after several years of being pet free. I figured Peeps' people would ask about how I made out with her...  so...

Day 1: Kitty exploration in general.  Seems to be just fine.  Ate well.

Day 2: Peeps is settling in nicely and, as I thought, is definitely not the demon cat I was warned about. She is a teeny, precious purring machine and other than liking to sleep on my face or neck last night off and on – no problem whatsoever.   A short time later....

Peeps just cleaned off my desk a bit as I type and is now playing with something over by the fire place that sounds like a piece of plastic – not sure what it is, but is think it is part of my paper cutter … oh wait a minute – she is now sitting on my shoulder after a flying leap from across the room.  It is clear to me at this moment that she did not have  her nails trimmed before her people left. I am sure the bleeding will stop shortly.  Just kidding…  I don’t think she even broke the skin.  Will double check that later – just in case.  

Update -- From the sounds of it now – Peeps appears to be trying to dismantle the doors on the fireplace – good thing she can’t open the doors and mess around inside that.  Curiosity killed the cat after all.  We can't have any kitty injuries. Not on my watch! Six more sleeps.

Day 3: Peeps and I are getting along just fine.  Counting today her fam will be picking her up after five more sleeps.  They warned me that she can be sort of a demon kitty once in a while, but I find her to be more of an attack cat or Ninja as she lurks under my bed only to dart out and attack my feet as I pass by.  This new development is a bit unsettling.... Five more sleeps.

Day 4:  Peeps and I need to be a bit more active today.  Am hoping to tire her out a bit before heading to bed this evening.  She walks on me off and on all night and purrs very loudly – sort of like a jet engine coming in for a landing on my house.  I think she misses sharing a comfy dog bed with her huge German Shepherd buddy and crawling all over her.  No wonder the Shepherd sometimes puts Peep’s entire head into her big dog mouth.  I totally get it. 

Hoping for a good night's sleep, I tried to keep Peeps awake yesterday afternoon, but there is no reasoning with her.  When she falls asleep she is like a sack of warm breathing fur covered Jello. If you even try to stand her up, she just purrs and settles into whatever is underneath her.  She is a teeny cuddling creature… so cute… just a bit too much energy for me sometimes.  Right now – she is the picture of innocence all settled in the reclining chair across the room.  I am wearing a thick hooded sweatshirt this morning so that when she decides to leap onto my shoulders, her claws will have a thick layer of fabric that will offer my skin a chance.  I am not stupid. I have lived with cats before. 

Just got an idea – perhaps Peeps might like to explore the basement today instead of napping.  I could sweep around the edges while she explores everything.  I think this plan has possibilities.  We will see.  Four more sleeps.    

Day 5:  Peeps slept through the night last night with no walking on my face or trying to sleep on my neck.  I fed her three times yesterday instead of the two times that were suggested + she had exploration time in the basement – plan to do the same today while I am cleaning down there… and she has already gobbled down breakfast... the first of three meals. Am hoping this sleeping through the night will continue.  I get up early enough as it is. (Note -- a second time of basement exploring didn't work. Peeps definitely has a mind of her own and her own agenda.)  Three more sleeps.

Day 6: All’s well here.  Peeps has settled in nicely, but in a fit of zoomies and her decision to repeatedly attack my feet by biting them, she earned a time out in my bedroom for about a half an hour yesterday afternoon. I have decided that I need to wear thick socks at all times.  Her little teeth are very sharp. Needles. She looks so bright eyed and innocent, but when she gets going, she is a challenge.  Don’t think she speaks English yet, but basically she is doing well here without her fam. 

My Granddaughter texted yesterday in response to a couple of pics I texted her. (The only time Peeps holds still is when she is sleeping.  Photos are rare.) She asked that I tell Peeps that she misses her.  I did. Peeps just looked at me with a blank, but sweet kitty expression and softly bit my thumb.  We are working on communication skills.  I definitely like having her around, but… two more sleeps. 

Day 7: Peeps, who is the size of a large sandwich roll, knocked the heavy lamp off the table next to my reclining chair yesterday while I was talking on the phone.  That seemed to end the zoomies for that episode. The lamp is totally fine.  I may have to knock it off myself today to calm her down when she is zooming. She goes from cuddly little fur ball to monster kitten flying around like a attack bat. She loves having the chairs back from their reupholstering, btw.  (They were just returned today.)  She can fly from the book room doorway, a few feet away, to land on an end chair, jump from there to the table and after a quick slide across that - skimming the centerpiece as she goes by – land on the chair at the other end of the table.  It is impressive.  I think I should remove the centerpiece at some point to give her a clear slide.  She tends to like to do that in a leap, fly, jump, slide, repeat mode.  She amuses herself.  It’s all rather astounding.  If I could get her interested in sliding everywhere, I could borrow her once in a while and never have to dust again. The problem is, as I mentioned before, she doesn't speak English yet. Or it may be that cats just do their own thing or that she is ignoring me.  I should know that really. Okay am off to see what cord Peeps is chewing on now. Those sharp little teeth!  One more sleep.  

Day 8: Peeps is doing her leap and slide thing across the dining room table at the moment… she sounds like a herd of baby elephants who can run very, very fast.  Ah Peeps!  It’s going to seem so very quiet and calm once you go home this morning to your family of people and your dogs too. Am thinking that especially the Shepherd puppy, who is the size of a small camel at this point, has probably missed the little Peeps.  They are an odd pair of buddies.  Wonder what it is like if they both get the zoomies at the same time??? I am almost afraid to ask if that has ever happened? The older, more mature and sensible dog, seems to ignore them both.  Smart one.

Peeps can come again to hang out another time. I will rest up and try to be ready. Hopefully she will understand English by that time. Do cats outgrow Zoomies?  I am trying to remember.

Piece of Cake

 Remember as an innocent child when you just knew that adults knew everything and had all the answers to all the questions?  Ah youth! Those were the days.  Now in the last half of my 70's, it seems to me that aging and the "adulting" that comes along with that are definitely not all they are cracked up to be.  Actually I think I have known that for a long time -- maybe since the late teenage years.  I find, and have found, however,  that it is sort of amusing to watch myself work through the process.

I have been the chief cook and bottle washer of my home for many years.  Hope to be able to continue in that role for a long time to come.  It takes effort  -- seems more now than when I had the energy and stamina of youth and...  two wonderful kids still at home to help out. We were a good team. Sometimes I now have to hire out the occasional exterior chore that I do not want to do (or cannot do), but the interior is still basically my domain except for the big heavy chores and repairs that are beyond my skill set which is basically almost everything except using a semi colon properly which rarely comes in handy.  Case in point is installing a new capacitor in an AC unit a few days ago.  That requires expertise way beyond me. Fortunately for me -- I know people who know how to do that. Then again there is the situation of ... I know someone who knows someone.  That is how I found the guy to wash the exterior of my house, clean out all the gutters and the scrub the outside of all my windows.  Perfect. That was a good day. The smell of cleanliness came through the walls. Amazing... and I didn't even break a sweat. I love a project like that. You may have noticed that neither of those jobs requires punctuation.

So anyway  ...  another perk available in our times to those of us who don't know how to do stuff ... YouTube videos.  They often prove to be a huge help if I remember to search for them.  Thankful for people who take the time to make and post videos. I think, actually, that I may have written about this before. Anyway ... videos are not as fun or as interesting as real people are, but they can be helpful and sometimes amusing as well.  A couple of weeks ago I was able to learn how to remove toggle bolts (those thingamajigs with the sort of inside out or backward wings on them).  I wanted to take two of them out and not ruin dry wall in the process.  I was impressed with myself in trying -- even though I was a total failure when attempting the first method I discovered on YouTube which entailed using an old wine opener.  (Oh how I would have loved to tell people that I successfully used an old fashioned wine opener to remove toggle bolts from dry wall.)  I also used "the" YouTube to help me with instructions for preparation and use of spackling and then sanded, and touched up the spots with 25 year old paint.  The bolts were removed, the dry wall survived beautifully, and a new framed counted cross-stitch project was hung.  Ta Da!  You can teach an old dog new tricks.  I am living proof.  Turns out the whole process was a "piece of cake".  

Piece of cake. Strange expression ... right?  Thankful that American English is my native language. It is so weird. Bet you all know what I mean in that. I would have a hard time learning all its idiosyncrasies if it were my second language. Seems like I was "on a roll" today -... language wise ...  Piece of Cake. Adulting. Cracked up to be.  Chief cook and bottle washer.  Break a sweat. Thingamajig. Old dog/new tricks.  Communication is sometimes very interesting.   Happy Thursday!

New Jeans

I ordered three pair of American Eagle jeans last week and they arrived in no time. Must mention -- the three different styles I ordered sold out almost immediately after I placed my order.  Did I need new jeans? No, I did not.  Do I love them?  Yes.  Reasonably priced?  I would say so in comparison to many I have seen ... plus ...  they were "on sale". Do I feel good about my purchase? I do ... on a couple of different levels. New jeans are fun for one thing, but there is more....

Had I ever heard of Sydney Sweeney before an American Eagle jeans commercial involving a simple play on words? No, I had not. Apparently this ad sparked a flame that fueled a hubbub that turned back on those protesting in a rather impressive way - - some say the protest became a total fiasco for them.  Impressive backfire.   I admit that I enjoyed the entire process.  I am thinking American Eagle, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, liked it as well.

You wage your protest, I will wage mine.  Apparently I am not alone in being sick and tired of the assault on common sense and of what appears to be a total loss of a sense of humor or of an appreciation of word play.

Good for American Eagle. Good for Sydney Sweeney. You stand your ground quietly and with dignity against an assault of raging attention seekers.  Sadly, in their own way -- fixated within their limited vocabulary-- they are also missing out on comfy jeans.

Watch the power of the silent majority. The pendulum swings both ways. It's time is now. 

Some think that perhaps its time is past due.

Take a HIke

 I have written about fun and funny t-shirts before -- but I have to mention the one I heard about recently that promoted walking and enjoying the "wilds".  A good friend of mine was wearing this "Take a Hike" t-shirt when someone in proximity was offended and felt it necessary to have a confrontation with her about it.  People seem to be more like that these days... more in your face. I think it's stress related and that it comes from not getting your own way when you think you are entitled to it.  That's a whole other concern... one I don't feel like writing about because I am sick of that a type of condescending behavior and ... I don't want to give them any attention.  They have had enough as far as I am concerned. Perhaps it is time for them to sit down and reevaluate a bit.  I say they should do their pouting, whining, and criticizing alone... perhaps in front of a mirror so they can come to appreciate what they look and sound like.) Once fashionable ... cultural condescending, confrontational outrage is on the way out. I am so tired of this nitwittery and meanness. Please....  You live your life; I will live mine.

Anyway, switch gears -- the central idea of the whole first paragraph brings me to my new doormats. (Yes, you read that correctly -- new doormats.) Recently I purchased not one, but two door mats... one for the front porch door and one for the kitchen porch door.  They are cheery WELCOME mats each with a tree of life featured prominently.  I love them.  They are warmly welcoming. There was a large selection of reasonably priced sturdy mats at this place, and ...  I have to admit, I was amused by and tempted by another door mat that read:  "Go Away!"  I passed it over and "went nice" because I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings, and I don't think everyone would find it as funny as I do.   

My sense of humor is not appreciated by all.  I know this and do try to manage it properly.  My family and close friends understand and, thankfully, we can laugh together.  It's bonding to share or to at least appreciate a sense of humor that is, to some, a bit twisted.  This bonding is also a blessing.  I am thankful... especially in this time of cultural unrest when others seem to be so willing to tell others how to live their lives and to attempt to limit others' word choice and freedom of speech. They seem to have lost a sense of humor. Perhaps they should take a hike, enjoy nature, and get some fresh air. Perhaps they could use a more welcoming door mat.