my new country lane...

The Power is Up!

Okay. I admit it. I am smiling big-time. Our power came back on today, at around 5:15 PM. I still hear my generator running, but only in my mind. Thank heavens! I know I am very fortunate, because many, many people don't have their power back as of yet and might not for days. I truly hope that the power can be reestablished sooner than later for those remaining.




Here is my crew of choice. The group from Missouri. 

They attacked the work and had it done in twenty minutes or so. A big salute of thanks to them for coming so far to help us in our time of need. I told one I'd send a donation to the Univ. of Missouri in their name. I think I'd better follow through on that!




So as the sun set over Winchell Mountain, I headed home to peace and quiet and a feeling of rest. The generators are all quiet on my street tonight. Only the sounds of the fall crickets can be heard. I'm probably the last one on the street who's still awake. I won't be for long.

I have some of the best neighbors!

nuff said!

Storm Day...Posting #3

I was going to leave it at two posts, but just decided to put up a sunny photo from a few days back. On this note people, I'll say good night, and go to bed knowing that tomorrow will be a better day. Right? Right????

Storm Day....Posting #2

Here is our driveway blocker/ road blocker/ power outage maker. 

Storm Day...Posting #1

So a tree is down from my neighbors property across the road. It took out all the lines and blocked our driveway as well. So, Catherine, Clare and George the Cat are playing Bananagrams™ to pass some time.

Storm Preparations

I guess the pharmacy folks didn't want anyone coming in the back door today--sandbagged AND taped shut! Funny thing though...there is a drain all across the front of this door, and now water can't get to the drain. Whatever. They know best.


Everyone. Please stay safe, and be wise in all your comings and goings in the next few days...


We prepared for the worst, now we'll hope for the best.


Talk to you all later.....

Deck of cards anyone?

Walked over to The Sharon Pharmacy sometime after 3pm  today to see how the battery inventory was. He-he..... If you needed camera or watch or some other odd battery, well, they still have some on-hand to meet your demand. However, C's, D's most of the 9 volts were all gone. 
Just a thought.... We knew this storm was coming for about a week right?


So, anyone for a game of set-back?

Prior to the storms

Caught this pic Wednesday morning. The beauty of a swamp can be amazing! Will be curious to see how it wethers the upcoming events scheduled for this weekend. Stay safe everyone!

Chihuahua Rider on board!

The mountain is high
The valley is low
And you're confused on which way to go
So I've come here to give you a hand
And lead you into the promised land
So...
Come on and take a free ride [free ride!]
Come on and sit here by my side
Come on and take a free ride...


Edgar Winter Group

I 've seen plenty of bikes with dogs in sidecars, but had never seen such a small guy in leather pouch on top of the gas tank. "Goes everywhere"  the owner said....

Grandview Farm(#2)

Apparently I did Grandview before in my blog, as the title box filled in as I typed. I honestly don't remember when. However,  I just really like this pic, which I took today,  so I am going to run with it again. 


Hope you like it half as much as I did....

Changing Sharon Skies

       I really am a fan of summer. 


      The furnace doesn't run. I wear shorts every day. Fall is pretty and all, but it means sweaters and long pants and you hear the furnace fire in the morning to take the chill off the house. Winter. Please. I  don't even want to talk about it, except for the joy that Christmas Day, with the true meaning of Christmas Day. That I really care about. Spring. Still kinda cold. Mud. Grey, with hints of green. Sweaters. Pollen.


      I am a real fan of summer.


      The clouds over southeastern Sharon were very artistic this evening at about 7:25pm. The coming weeks and months will bring plenty more I am sure. Don't be afraid to stop, and look to the skies. And make sure you bring a sweater.

Timely repair

I had a culvert pipe get heaved this past winter by good old moving Mother Earth. Friday the folks from Upcountry put me back together with some new plastic underground piping. Timely, what with all the rain that seems to be falling today...

The horses are in the starting gate...

The equipment from Pete Jacquier is all lined up and ready to go at the old Hamlin Farm on 41, just north of Dug Road. The Jacquier's don't waste any time once they get going. You probably can go by tomorrow afternoon and see a cut field, the crop all gone, and equipment in position at another location, ready for the next day. However, it did rain tonight, so there may be some delay till things dry a bit more....

Little Bit of everything....

My day in photo's.....

Poured buckets for 15 minutes (11:18AM)

The sun re-appeared as did Bambi (5:45pm)

It is our anniversary, so our kids treated us to dinner @ The Old Mill in Egremont. We had a lovely dinner with Cat joining us as well, making it all the more special! Storm clouds were building though.... (7:30pm)

My trout dinner was incredibly delicious!

Cat's peach melba sundae (9:30pm)

Tiramisu w/Mt. Washington Blueberries.

KLP

               ~don't you wish you were at our house yesterday?

                                           


                    what can I say?

Good neighbors!

Small towns.
Got to love'em....

Tuesday, after everyone's work day was over, Gus and the other dogs got their masters to gather around the porch for lots of laughs...

oh ya...let us not forget the main attraction......Capt. Gus!

"Speak Gus...speak!"

Meet Lucy!

Okay. First there was Gus, but the family is growing. Now there is Lucy, Gus's little sister. Now Gus will have someone to play with...... Goldendoodles are taking Sharon by storm!

Don't remember Gus....?

Here ya go...

I guess Lucy will be Gus's co-pilot!

http://downcountrylanes.blogspot.com/2011/06/captain-gus.html

Rifles or Pistols?

In Kent last night I did an independent survey. Which gun is more popular, handguns or rifles with the people of Kent? Judge for yourself....

Think it has anything to do with the country image versus the city?

Kent Fireman's Carnival

If your going to go to a carnival, ya gotta eat, right? Cheeseburger, pulled-pork, roast beast, french fries and onion rings. Where's the Prevacid™?

If you know my blog, you know I seldom, if ever, have my family in. But today, what-the-heck? Cat won a prize of cupcakes in the food raffle!

Gotta check the rummage tent. Found a solid old brass bell for 25¢!

I tried in vain to teach Cat my secrets on how to win at Bingo. I won. She didn't. Neither did Henry (Dr.K)--(behind me in top left corner).     I do admire him for coming and supporting. Others could take a lesson from him and his wife and family....

We were all smiles as I had just won $31.50 or something like that.....

Oh ya...what's a carnival, without rides and a tremendous fireworks show at 9PM! Hang on there kid, it's almost over....


I understand it was the 125 year celebration for the Fire Department in Kent this year. Thank You to all those who have served, and do serve, in Kent, and in ALL of our towns!! You all are great, dedicated, caring individuals, and we can't say thank you enough.....

The Black Goose has landed.....

                                                      

The Raven.
The Waldorf Restaurant.
The Iron Works.
The Canopy.
The Country Corner.
Twin Oaks Cafe.
and now...........
The Black Goose Grill.

The long awaited arrival of another option for food in Sharon, other than take-out bar-b-que, xtramart convenience store (take-out deli), JAM (take-out deli again), Mizza's Pizza (uhmm, did I say take-out?) has opened. Wednesday of this week, the doors were opened for breakfast at 6:30AM. Pancakes and coffee. Eggs and toast. In Sharon. Sit down. Finally!

My opinion, for what it's worth. A welcome new business to add to our little business landscape. The food that I have had has been good. The pricing seems fair for this day and age. Nothing on the regular menu is over $9.99, with the exception of one item at $10.50! I have tried something from each "meal" time. I had three pancakes, which were thin and tasty, and not too big, so I could eat them and not feel stuffed. I had a tuna wrap at one lunch which was almost too much tuna. And tonight, my family was away, so I went over and tried their fish and chips, which I thought was very light and tasty.

The comments I have heard from others have all been positive, with some being almost crazily impressed, which is a good thing I guess. I myself am very happy to have them here, and I wish Bob and his family and staff the very best. Running a successful restaurant is a hard thing. Running one in a small town, even harder. Then throw in today's economy. Wow! It takes so many things to fall into place and be right for a place to be a long-term success. I hope that the townsfolk will support it as often as they can. If they don't, it will be hard for the long run.

So best of luck Robert. Keep that good product coming, the prices fair, and the place clean and fresh, with good help and I'm willing to bet you'll do well. Sharon is a great little town. It's been begging for a place like you've put together. So Go get'em!

Vvvvvrrrrooooommmm at the plaza!

 A few Saturday's back, we were standing and visiting with a customer in my store when I looked out and I sad "whoa, what's this coming in...". Following a white Dodge Charger was this string of 'super-cars" that all pulled in and parked in front of Webster Bank. I went out, camera in hand and just got real nosey. Cars come thru Sharon all the time going to Lime Rock. That is a given. A pack never stops and has a corral in the plaza however. These all started the day out in Fishkill, New York and were out "touring". Each driver gets to drive each car for one hour I believe they told me. It is done by a business, and anyone can, if they can afford the price, participate. Tempt any of you into starting to save your loose change?

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing  $225k

2012 Audi R8  Starting $115k

Ferrari 430  Price: 200k+

Jaguar XKR Convertible  not cheap...

• Bentley Continental GT   Also expensive...very!

Rear seat TV...keep the kids happy..

Come On! Lets all get AMPed up!!

Our economy stinks. Our savings are dwindling. Oil is expensive. Gas is high. Everything in Connecticut it seems is getting crazy! Making donations is getting harder and harder. Ambulance. Fire. Hospital. Everyone needs help it seems. Whom do I help?(all if I can!) However, there is this other little project going on that I want to throw my blog behind with today's entry. I have been there since the start. I will be there till the end. I am a member. I hope you too might consider the following: AMP.


 I want to say this. I firmly believe in a project called the American Mural Project. It is the concept of local artist Ellen Griesedieck of Sharon. It is coming to fruition and will be located in nearby Winsted. This is no small project. How's 120 feet long and 48 feet tall sound?

We caught up with Ellen @ the Winsted mill site, at a open-house picnic, meet and greet last month. It was our first trip to the site. This thing is going to be incredible! I find it a bit humorous but by no means funny as to the size of the project and the size of Ellen....Five-foot something maybe? But do not let here size mislead you. This lady sees size as only size. A four-letter word of which means no worries. After all, that's what will make it all happen. The size...... 


Do not worry, for Ellen is firmly in charge, has the vision, the passion and has no fear!

Meet Eddie Hill. His truck pictured here is probably fourteen feet high. Maybe more. Trucks are big. And they play such a big part in the life of America. But the truck is only as good as the driver in the seat, behind the wheel. That's where Eddie Hill came in. Big truck. Big man. And he'll be residing in Winsted, for all of America, and the world, to come and see. I like that man Eddie. I do want to meet him someday.

So friends, neighbors, visitors, supporters of my blog. I am sending out this request. Check out AMP. Click on the links above. Or Google it, or Ellen.... whichever. Take some time and see what is going on up behind the hedge on one of Sharon's side roads. It is just simply amazing! See what is coming. See the commitment's that have been made. Dig into it for twenty minutes. See if you aren't suddenly finding yourself saying whoa and clicking on another link or two. That's my challenge to you. The rest (making a donation) will come if and when it's right. Be it $5.00 or $25.00, or whatever. You'll know what's right for you. And if you can't make a pledge, maybe you can do something else that will help the cause. Visit the mill for one of the tours. Invite a friend who can help. Forward it (the link or this blog page) to a friend or friends. I challenge you. Click on a link today. Learn.


 The gauntlet is tossed. I dare you......


Come. See and feel the pulse. And perhaps you too will be AMPed up.


Thank you.