Ghost Stories

Well since I've been housebound from all this snow it's getting to my brain. I hear strange noises and freak out. This was my grandfathers house and he passed away almost two years ago now. I have to wonder if he is still here watching over. It doesn't help that I am now watching the discovery channel and ghost stories are on. I think though this place is peaceful overall. When I was younger, I was convinced the house I lived in was haunted. The lights went out in my bedroom once and there was no one there to turn them off, the breaker had not been triggered, my radio had stayed on, it was weird. Other things happened that were unexplained. We had a drawer in our bathroom that always had hairbrushes, fingernail clippers, hair ties and stuff like that just thrown in it. At night I would hear someone rustling through it. Sometimes we would find pieces of costume jewelry in the drawer that we had never seen before. I love that book Haunted Northern New York, it has a few places near by and it's just interesting history. Just before Christmas I went to clairvoyant who was doing a group reading. I went with my aunt and she was picked as having two spirits around her. It was pretty accurate.

Getting older

Not that I am any authority on what it is like to be considered "elderly" but I do know that our culture needs to show more respect for the older and wiser. We have so much knowledge to gain from their experiences and more times than not, it seems we let that knowledge pass us by. My grandmother is in a nursing home and she has Alzheimer's. I know she is not the same person I remember her as and it's hard to deal with that. I have learned though that she is a new person who still needs love and support. I bring my infant son to the nursing home to see her and she along with all of the residents perks up at the sight of him. It's amazing to see the transformation that takes place when people decide to share love, and take a little time to talk to these people. One very important thing to do with an elderly loved one is to read to them! I think it is sooo important, and talk about perking up! Finally there is a publishing company that is specializing in books and stories for the elderly. It's about time. I'm going to be mentioning them a lot because this is a very great thing! Ageless-Sages is the name. They have just started up and have their first publication coming out soon. Click the link above to see what I'm talking about.

In there

Dew dripped down the cold yellow leaf and into the mud on the ground
a squirrel scurried under a safe warm rock without making a sound
my breath can be seen and my hands cannot
they are covered by mittens with holes in the tops
and my feet sink into the mud on the ground
and my boots are now dirty and cold
I'm walking the distance from out here to in there
and I'll go home thinking about getting old.

Forest Dwellers

It's now October and a warm one overall. There is more talk of a mountain lion in this part of St. Lawrence county and my husband has seen a big bobcat and not to many deer yet. Is there something or things in the woods? Are there fewer deer this year because of it? I dunno. What are your thoughts?

Summer

Not much rain this summer... I wonder if it will take until mid January to snow again like it did this past winter?

Help Needed

I am in desperate need of financial help. The problem is, in this neck of the woods, everyone is in need of financial help. Our combined income is too much to receive any services, but our debts are too high to obtain a loan or mortgage. What do we do? Not to mention, Iraq Veteran status means nothing. It's disgraceful. No help for those who work their asses off. Declaring bankruptcy is looking more like the option but there has got to be another way. We moved up here three years ago hoping to build a house on the land we bought. The land was raw though, and remains that way to this day. We work day in and day out just to get by. It's no kind of life. We've also got a baby on the way in June, and a looming eviction from my grandmothers house which we've been living in virtually rent free to get caught up on things but now, grandma is in a nursing home and the state will be involved soon. We can't buy the house through a first time home buyers program or a low income housing program because 1. Either our income is over the bracket or 2. Our debts are too high as I mentioned in the beginning. I don't suggest any young couples ever relocate to the North Country. It's rare that anyone succeeds up here. You've got to have quite a lot of money saved in order to survive. This area has chewed us up and spit us out. Canada isn't too far away... I'll try to be positive.

Hush

The wind hushed through the tall pale grass and I felt at once I was free
The wind hushed through the wings of a crow curoius to watch me
The blue ice and snow were frozen in time
And time was frozen still too
Tufts of field straw poked up through the snow and the glitter of snow stuck like glue
Everything seemed to be waiting for something, that something seemed ever so near
It was there but gone in the blink of an eye, the white flash from the tail of a deer.
So hushed was the wind from it's chore to announce
that the message was almost not heard
But it did not escape these cold ears on that day
I listened and breathed it all in.
The crow was then not so curious
For the line between us became thin.

fist posted 4/21/06

Old McCay Chest Freezer

We have an old commercial McCray freezer in our house. It's huge, I'm not sure of the dimensions at this point but I will have a picture posted soon. We want to sell it, just to get it out of the way. It belonged to my grandfather who ran a bar/pizza shop. I've been looking online to see what an approximate price would be, but I can't find much info. If anyone knows about these types of freezers could you please point me in the right direction?

Snow Mobiles

Wow, our strange neighbor across our street was out on his snow mobile until 11:30 last night. I could not sleep. He was driving it up and down the main street (which faces our bedroom window) reving the engine, and just being all out rude. It's one thing if there is a trail near your house, at least you know the snow mobiles will pass on by. This guy was racing back and forth on Main street all night long. He was like a renegade snow mobiler terrorizing the town. What's that all about?! Ugh, I'm tired.

Christmas trees

I just love cutting down my own Christmas tree. There's something victorious about tromping through the snow and chosing the perfect tree from the wilderness that it grew from. Being as though we are not in short supply of evergreens in this area, I don't feel so guilty about cutting them down for selfish, make me feel warm inside beacuse it's Christmas, reasons. I have planted some from the Arbor Day Foundations though, just to keep the balance. Does it help? I don't know. Happy tree hunting!

There's is a tree farm in Kendrew Corners on 812 towards Heuvelton/Ogdensburg that lets you cut your own tree and they serve you warm cider! Went there last year with a friend and we found a great tree.

1844 House

Great restaurant: The 1844 house in Potsdam. All meat is bought from local farmers. They use local veggies when they are in season too. Bread is from the Carriage House Bakery. I'm very excited about it. It's about time. We need to be more responsible with the food we eat. I also know for a fact that the food is mouth watering good. The money stays within the community. It's great! Let me know if you try it out. I like to promote places like that. Click the link. http://www.1844house.com/

originally posted 5/16

Cougar

In Old DeKalb, my brother-in-law claims he encountered a cougar. (Cougar, Mountain Lion, Puma- all the same animal) He said he heard his dog barking at about 5:30 a.m. and he went out to investigate. He then heard a loud growling sound, that sounded like a cougar. He shined a flashlight around the property and said he saw the animal in a tree. This was the begining of October and some leaves were still on the tree. He said he didn't get a good look at it but his dog (a Shephard Husky mix) put her tail between her legs and stayed right by his side. He saw a tan body of a big cat and white on it's face. He had his gun with him and he went to load it but when he put the flashlight down, the creature jumped out of the tree and ran off. The year before, the neighbor called and said he saw what looked to be a big cat up on their hill. Are there mountain lions around here? The DEC website says not likely but there is a small chance. My brother in-law is convinced. I have heard other stories too.

Robert Frost

The Sound of the Trees
I WONDER about the trees. Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our dwelling place? We suffer them by the day Till we lose all measure of pace, And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air. They are that that talks of going But never gets away; And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older, That now it means to stay. My feet tug at the floor And my head sways to my shoulder Sometimes when I watch trees sway, From the window or the door. I shall set forth for somewhere, I shall make the reckless choice Some day when they are in voice And tossing so as to scare The white clouds over them on. I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone. -Robert Frost-

Moose everywhere

I can't remember a time when there were this many moose sightings in St. Lawrence County. I would love to see one up close. Heck , Id like to see one far away too. I've only ever seen a moose in pictures. Sad isn't it.

Some times

Those were some times we had under wispering willows
some times I think back to those days
I layed my head dreaming on leaf pile pillows
I wished for my life to stay paused that way
It's harder now to trust as I did
Things were so simple living life as a kid
the willows are still there and might always be
I still love to watch them sway
I sometimes think back to when we played under those trees
and wish that my life had stayed paused that way

Bible thumping

I've just started to read the bible a little bit. No reason other than boredom, but it's worth a look. I suppose you can't argue religion without knowing the source. So I started with your standard Christian bible, nothing extreme...except the stories. Ok, Genesis is always a heated debate and frankly it is a beautiful uncomplicated sugar-coated story about the origins of man. Done. Then I skipped to Job. It's scary. It's about this guy Job who is the happiest, most faithful man on the planet. He love God, God loves him and everything is rosey. Then one day Satan approaches God and says "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan then makes a wager with God that Job will not be so happy and faithfull if everything is taken away from him. God, without much of a fight I might add, hands Job's life over to Satan with the understanding that Job himself must not be harmed. Oh, but Satan kills Job's children, livestock, and destroys his house and land. God... completely ok with it. Job... not so much. He gets pissed at God and self detructs out in the desert and his friends try to cheer him up but they can't. But, In the end Job gets new children, land, livestock, and a house and he and God have a good laugh and they're on good terms again. Did I miss something? This is what the bible has in it? This is what Christianity is based on? Since when is God a gambling buddy of Satans? I think I've been sheltered from this stuff. I guess Good & Bad isn't so black and white after all. I need explanations...

originally posted 1/29/06

Father

He told me many things but showed me more than he knew.
Sincerity was intended many a time he told.
Watching made me wonder only after he wasn't there.
Wondering caused me uncertainty.
I waited for him to tell me more.
He showed me how to listen for untruths.

(fist published 1/9/06)

Bad winter good winter?

How's it gonna be. I keep hearing different predictions. Most are saying the winter will be hard this year though. I'm inclined to believe it. The hunting season should be a good predictor. People are getting prepared now, they know the north country can be brutal. What do you think?

Tomatoes

My tomatoes still have not rippened! Everyone around me has fat juicy red tomatoes and I still have green ones. I'm hope to be seeing red very soon. I had the sweetest corn I have ever tasted last night. My mother had bought it from a stand somewhere near Pyrites I think. I'll have to confirm that and post the actual location of the stand so others can discover this amazing corn. It tasted like someone had sprinkled sugar all over it. It's true!

Debt Angels

I need a "get out of debt free" card. I can't believe the setbacks we have had financially . I'm not one of those people who max out credit cards on frivolous things. I am even a pretty good book keeper and accountant. I know there are many others in the same boat. There has got to be a network of caring people who donate what they can to a general fund for those in need to access. Once I got on my feet I would most definately contribute a large sum back into the fund. If anyone out there knows of a system like this, let me know. This working 40 + hours a week is not cutting it. I work very hard and I have only ever taken a day off for two funerals and an occasional clean house day. Where are we getting? The economy is getting worse. Cost of living is going up and the pay rates are still the same. We don't have debt collectors calling us yet but who knows how long we can keepp our heads above water. I'd say we're are about chest deep in debt. As soon as we get it down a decent amount, something else hapens. I need a solution.