End of a family era

Today was my Uncle Pete's funeral, he was 86 and had several medical issues though a recent diagnosis of acute leukemia brought him to the end. He was one of my father' brothers and the last of the siblings to pass away. There were 13 total, 7 girls and 6 boys. Those were the days of large families, working farm and holding down a variety of jobs to support their family. One of his sons is an ordained priest who performed the service and another son did a reading and the oldest delivered a the eulogy. It was a wonderful remembrance of his life. I think my generation of cousins have been fortunate to have had terrific Uncles and Aunts and Uncle Pete was one of them.

Turkey Tribulations

Bizarre and ridiculous, probably not so much but irritating at the least. Now that the temperatures are becoming more seasonable and the snow is receding the local turkey population has been making daily visits to the yard and beneath the bird feeders, pooping, scratching up exposed grass and flower beds and pooping some more. Here on the weekend I go out and spook them away but during the weekdays while I'm away at work they have their way. I cleanup the best I can raking the debris away though some of the poop is gooey I do what I can for what they leave on any pavement. All said I admire them as local wildlife and don't mind the occasional turkey or two with their poults wandering across the lawn during the summer. When I see a flock working their way through the brush I'm hoping they are keeping the tick community under control. Presently I wish they'd keep their snoods and wattles in someone else's yard.

Weekend wandering

As winter weather is showing signs relinquishing it's hold on me Carol and I ventured out for a 2 hour ride to the Owls Head Transportation Museum for their Midcoast Model Festival. My brother-in law Jim displayed a few of his remote controlled (RC) planes each hand built as did many other enthusiasts.

Other exhibits included ships, other watercraft and several other modes of travel. All this in a setting of restored antique automobiles and aircraft. The museum itself resides in a hanger type building next to a tarmac, runway and supporting buildings where they hold a number of events each year of which we've attended several. I'm starting to think it might be time to get a membership. The return trip included a couple of stops to Maine mainstays that we had never visited before. First Moody's Diner where I had a shrimp roll with fries and coleslaw, Carol had the fish sandwich. Afterwards we stopped at "Big Al's" which is a big bargain outlet store a large assortment of household, tools, knickknacks, and a bunch of other items. We left which a few little treasures for ourselves.

Fingers crossed but not my toes

Not to jinx anything but winter seems to be winding down a notch. Still plenty of snow piled up that even with milder temperatures it will be awhile before we see open space in the yard should we not experience a big storm. There is some snow in the weekend forecast but no prediction on amounts yet. In the meantime I've been hobbling abouts with a ailing small toe on the right foot. According to my podiatrist one of the joints of the little toe and the one next to it are rubbing enough to have caused sore which hurts like %#$@ when pinched into most footwear. The solution, surgery to scrape down the joint part of the bone where the two meet and your jaw would drop to the floor if I told you how much that will cost. Sure, insurance pays a portion but with a high deductible my wallet will sting as much as my toe.