With Sarasate on the phonograph. A sunny Spanish melody to warm an old dog.
Meteorologists' data may not validate the notion of 'the january thaw', but growing up in Michigan there was always the sense that Winter's grip loosened for at least a couple days. Today is such a day. The sun is shining and warm. The air temperature is above freezing.
Worked til 10:30 p.m. last night. Hopefully with last night's delivery of the project to which I'd been contributing I'll be able to eat supper with the family this week.
A Sunday morning treat after Saturday Mass: Arianna helped Sharon make apple pancakes.
Arianna decided to reopen her museum behind the sofa today. Lots of organizing of the exhibits -- a birds nest, wasp nest, coccoon, various leaves and so forth.
Bruno continues to be surly and argumentative. When he started yapping about our new president's failure to 'bring home the troops' this week, I went outside to fill the bird feeder and chop ice.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Deer Sighting (Again)
Cold, grey.
Woke last nigth again to the on-and-off of the light hanging outside at the corner of the house. The light must have gone off and on a half dozen times. Distracted -- irritated -- I got out of bed. Standing on the other side of the window was a large deer. It stopped eating the leaves off the bush and looked at me. A beautiful animal. I waved, pulled the shade, closed the shutters, and went back to sleep.
Woke last nigth again to the on-and-off of the light hanging outside at the corner of the house. The light must have gone off and on a half dozen times. Distracted -- irritated -- I got out of bed. Standing on the other side of the window was a large deer. It stopped eating the leaves off the bush and looked at me. A beautiful animal. I waved, pulled the shade, closed the shutters, and went back to sleep.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Fox in Fox River Valley
Despite a third week of 10+ hour days, I am sleeping poorly. Last night I woke when the motion detector light just outside Sharon's and my bedroom illuminated the room. On. Off. On. --Distracted I got out of bed and since Sharon was not in the bedroom at all I opened up the shutters to see what was going on outside. Nothing was eating my bushes -- as I'd expected -- but a fox was prowling the flower bed. It walked the length of the front of house and at the large yew near the front door, turned to see if he could scavenge a crust of bread that the squirrels had not yet eaten. Apparently nothing could be found. And he loped off toward the pond -- Lake Sharon.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Report Card
Arianna has nothing to fret about when she brings home her report card. In contrast, while attending Guardian Angels elementary school, I always dreaded it.
Arianna missed straight A's by one point -- the consequence of receiving a C on the Social Studies test she took upon her return to school after her illness. I have no desire for Arianna to get caught up in the 'grade race'. And, it does appear that she's still oblivious.
Arianna missed straight A's by one point -- the consequence of receiving a C on the Social Studies test she took upon her return to school after her illness. I have no desire for Arianna to get caught up in the 'grade race'. And, it does appear that she's still oblivious.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Unser kleine Schriftsteller
St. Catherine of Siena elementary school is a good school. It is not a "progressive" school a la the Elgin Academy, but Sharon and I are happy with the foundations Arianna is learning.
Every year all the children must participate in a writing project -- grade-specific -- that is reviewed, judged, and displayed at the Academic Open House in the Spring. In the lower grades, the children are asked to write and illustrate an original fictional narrative.
Today Arianna spent several hours holed up in her 'writer's studio' (her clothes closet) writing what will be her most ambitious story to date. A multi-chapter story about her Loving Family dolls coming to life to rescue two dolls who separated from the others by an overzealous parent tidying the house.
The writing is strong. We're all looking forward to reading the finished story!
###
Sharon drove her Dad to meet Lester and Myra at their niece's house in Bloomindale today. 'Little Clementine' is 74 years old and -- to use Sharon's words -- "spry". As expected . . . lots of reminiscences.
###
Despite the cold (back down to single digits in Chicagoland), a number of birds were out and about this morning. A group were pecking at the fallen bird seed at the west side of the house so I ran out to fill up the feeder. On my way to and from the garage, I saw two red headed woodpeckers.
Later, at dusk, Sharon alerted the family that the injured deer was prowling around the stash of stale peanuts left in a shoe box near the retaining wall. This is not the first time this particular deer has past through the yard. Not too surprising. But, the injury to its rear left leg is disconcerting. Especially so for Arianna, who would like to be able to lend it medical aid.
Every year all the children must participate in a writing project -- grade-specific -- that is reviewed, judged, and displayed at the Academic Open House in the Spring. In the lower grades, the children are asked to write and illustrate an original fictional narrative.
Today Arianna spent several hours holed up in her 'writer's studio' (her clothes closet) writing what will be her most ambitious story to date. A multi-chapter story about her Loving Family dolls coming to life to rescue two dolls who separated from the others by an overzealous parent tidying the house.
The writing is strong. We're all looking forward to reading the finished story!
###
Sharon drove her Dad to meet Lester and Myra at their niece's house in Bloomindale today. 'Little Clementine' is 74 years old and -- to use Sharon's words -- "spry". As expected . . . lots of reminiscences.
###
Despite the cold (back down to single digits in Chicagoland), a number of birds were out and about this morning. A group were pecking at the fallen bird seed at the west side of the house so I ran out to fill up the feeder. On my way to and from the garage, I saw two red headed woodpeckers.
Later, at dusk, Sharon alerted the family that the injured deer was prowling around the stash of stale peanuts left in a shoe box near the retaining wall. This is not the first time this particular deer has past through the yard. Not too surprising. But, the injury to its rear left leg is disconcerting. Especially so for Arianna, who would like to be able to lend it medical aid.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration Day
Today I'm reminded of Inauguration Day 2001. Of sitting in a cold, sunlit kitchen and writing a check to the moving company. This date marks the anniversary of Sharon, Arianna, and I moving from 8500 Ruskin Way to 6120 Moats -- our first house.
I am astonished at how our lives changed so dramatically over the course of a relative short period of time.
I am astonished at how our lives changed so dramatically over the course of a relative short period of time.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
"Balmy"
Rose this morning to a balmy 10 F. Compared with yesterday's -16 F, this is an improvement.
Quiet day.
Sharon and her Dad are working another puzzle.
Arianna had some Brownie materials to work through. I helped her with that.
Quiet day.
Sharon and her Dad are working another puzzle.
Arianna had some Brownie materials to work through. I helped her with that.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
No school
St. Catherine of Siena canceled school today.
I'm not clear why Chicago area schools are closed, but it has to do with the Arctic cold that's descended on the region. I heard somebody suggest that it had to do with bus service. Nobody wants a kid standing on a corner waiting for a bus when it's -8 F, -20 F wind chill.
No doubt about the cold. After we put Arianna to bed last night, I went outside and shoveled the driveway. As I scraped the snow off the pavement, I watched the moon rise and the mercury dip. When I'd finished, the thermometer on the garage read -12 F.
I'm not clear why Chicago area schools are closed, but it has to do with the Arctic cold that's descended on the region. I heard somebody suggest that it had to do with bus service. Nobody wants a kid standing on a corner waiting for a bus when it's -8 F, -20 F wind chill.
No doubt about the cold. After we put Arianna to bed last night, I went outside and shoveled the driveway. As I scraped the snow off the pavement, I watched the moon rise and the mercury dip. When I'd finished, the thermometer on the garage read -12 F.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Just two wrong
Last week Arianna fretted because she'd misplaced her list of weekly spelling word. Today we learned she only missed two words on last Friday's test. No, not a 100%. But two mistakes is hardly worth the anxiety she put herself through.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Off
Sharon told me that she would not be teaching at ECC this coming term. So, she has time off to . . . .
A day of tears (Arianna) and argumentativeness (Bruno).
After Mass I stored away the umpteen boxes of Christmas decorations. Then I went outside and shoveled the patio. I am in perpetual fear of water filling up the window wells and flooding the basement (again). Hopefully, by hurling the snow away from the house, the snow melt will drain 'appropriately'. While outside, I filled the bird feeder, left the popcorn strings on a sapling, and . . . was attacked by Arianna with snowballs.
We played outside for about an hour. She enjoyed herself.
A quiet evening. Bruno and Sharon worked the 1000 piece puzzle on the dining room table, beneath which Arianna fussed with Valentines Day decorations. Meanwhile I came downstairs and posted Christmas photos. So, I'm as 'caught up' as I could possible be.
A day of tears (Arianna) and argumentativeness (Bruno).
After Mass I stored away the umpteen boxes of Christmas decorations. Then I went outside and shoveled the patio. I am in perpetual fear of water filling up the window wells and flooding the basement (again). Hopefully, by hurling the snow away from the house, the snow melt will drain 'appropriately'. While outside, I filled the bird feeder, left the popcorn strings on a sapling, and . . . was attacked by Arianna with snowballs.
We played outside for about an hour. She enjoyed herself.
A quiet evening. Bruno and Sharon worked the 1000 piece puzzle on the dining room table, beneath which Arianna fussed with Valentines Day decorations. Meanwhile I came downstairs and posted Christmas photos. So, I'm as 'caught up' as I could possible be.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Packing up
Cold, grey, snowy.
Woke at 2 a.m. to the sound of Bruno singing, 'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!'
Up again at 6 a.m. but hadn't the heart to greet the day until 7 o'clock, at which time I pulled on my boots and began to shovel the driveway (again).
It had started to snow again just as I was finishing up the driveway last night. Apparently it had snowed all night.
###
Wonderful breakfast: pancakes (homemade, of course) and bacon.
###
Today we put the Christmas tree away.
It's such a tedious process. Sharon was very organized, but -- as is often the case -- her Dad got ahead of her and just started piling ornaments on the sofa.
Neither he nor Arianna were especially 'chipper' today.
###
It snowed all day. Literally. After supper I went outside again -- the third time in two days -- to shovel the driveway. All told, I've spent about 5 1/2 hours shoveling the driveway. I hope it doesn't snow tomorrow.
###
Watched Prince Caspian after I finished the driveway.
Woke at 2 a.m. to the sound of Bruno singing, 'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!'
Up again at 6 a.m. but hadn't the heart to greet the day until 7 o'clock, at which time I pulled on my boots and began to shovel the driveway (again).
It had started to snow again just as I was finishing up the driveway last night. Apparently it had snowed all night.
###
Wonderful breakfast: pancakes (homemade, of course) and bacon.
###
Today we put the Christmas tree away.
It's such a tedious process. Sharon was very organized, but -- as is often the case -- her Dad got ahead of her and just started piling ornaments on the sofa.
Neither he nor Arianna were especially 'chipper' today.
###
It snowed all day. Literally. After supper I went outside again -- the third time in two days -- to shovel the driveway. All told, I've spent about 5 1/2 hours shoveling the driveway. I hope it doesn't snow tomorrow.
###
Watched Prince Caspian after I finished the driveway.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wake up call
Cold, grey, snowy.
Two hour commute this morning. Thank goodness I had the sense to fill up my car with gas!
When I got to my desk and turned on my computer, I was greeted with a flurry of messages from colleagues -- working from home today. In fact, I later found out that my manager telephoned the house to advise that it'd be okay for me to work from home. Of course he telephoned at 7:30 a.m. -- just about the time I was crossing the Des Plaines River.
A quiet, productive day at the office. I was the only person from my team who actually made an appearance. Thankfully, the folks with whom I was scheduled to meet had braved the elements too.
The snow stopped around 1 o'clock. The drive home was easy. So easy I ventured to Woodfield to run into Franklin Covey for a 2009 organizer insert for Sharon.
The driveway awaits . . . a good 3-4".
(90 minutes, tops!)
Two hour commute this morning. Thank goodness I had the sense to fill up my car with gas!
When I got to my desk and turned on my computer, I was greeted with a flurry of messages from colleagues -- working from home today. In fact, I later found out that my manager telephoned the house to advise that it'd be okay for me to work from home. Of course he telephoned at 7:30 a.m. -- just about the time I was crossing the Des Plaines River.
A quiet, productive day at the office. I was the only person from my team who actually made an appearance. Thankfully, the folks with whom I was scheduled to meet had braved the elements too.
The snow stopped around 1 o'clock. The drive home was easy. So easy I ventured to Woodfield to run into Franklin Covey for a 2009 organizer insert for Sharon.
The driveway awaits . . . a good 3-4".
(90 minutes, tops!)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Spelling Words
Arianna was beside herself with tears. When it was time to review her spelling words for Friday's test, she discovered the list was nowhere to be found. Mommy and Grandpa did their best to help, but they could not turn up the list. By the time I got home from work the crisis had ended and Arianna was confident that that she'd do just fine on the test.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Out on the lawn . . .
. . . I thought I saw something move. As I pulled into the driveway, my headlights barely illuminated two large Whitetail deer. I thought it odd that they didn't bolt.
After I pulled into the garage, I got out of the car and peeked around the corner of the garage. The deer were still there. Sharon opened the kitchen door and handed me the keys to her car, which was parked along side the cottage garden. I told her about the deer and waited a moment or two before walking to her car. Arianna would have an opportunity to see 'em before they ran off.
But they didn't run off. I walked out of the garage and down the driveway and got into Sharon's car with both the deer staring at me.
Before I sat down for supper I looked out the front window. There they were sitting on the front lawn.
After supper . . . still there. I opened the front to toss out the bread crust from Arianna's supper and although one of the deer stood up, neither of 'em seemed all that interested in me.
Only now -- three hours later -- were the deer moved to head back to the woods the surround Jelkes Creek.
Unusual.
After I pulled into the garage, I got out of the car and peeked around the corner of the garage. The deer were still there. Sharon opened the kitchen door and handed me the keys to her car, which was parked along side the cottage garden. I told her about the deer and waited a moment or two before walking to her car. Arianna would have an opportunity to see 'em before they ran off.
But they didn't run off. I walked out of the garage and down the driveway and got into Sharon's car with both the deer staring at me.
Before I sat down for supper I looked out the front window. There they were sitting on the front lawn.
After supper . . . still there. I opened the front to toss out the bread crust from Arianna's supper and although one of the deer stood up, neither of 'em seemed all that interested in me.
Only now -- three hours later -- were the deer moved to head back to the woods the surround Jelkes Creek.
Unusual.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
[ Place holder for pix ]
Der alte Hund ist ein armer Mensch. Er hat nur eine alte Kamera. Er schießt immer noch Film.
Carl's camera
Carl's camera
End of a Holiday
Grey, cold, dry.
Arianna doesn't want to return to school. This is troubling. She used to be 'ready' to get back to St. Catherine's and her pals.
Sharon, Arianna, and I went to see The Tale of Despereaux at the movie theater. Three thumbs up. --Much better than Bolt.
A quiet Sunday. The house is filled with the aroma of homemade chicken soup.
After Mass, Arianna made french toast for the family. More puzzling in the dinning room.
Arianna doesn't want to return to school. This is troubling. She used to be 'ready' to get back to St. Catherine's and her pals.
Sharon, Arianna, and I went to see The Tale of Despereaux at the movie theater. Three thumbs up. --Much better than Bolt.
A quiet Sunday. The house is filled with the aroma of homemade chicken soup.
After Mass, Arianna made french toast for the family. More puzzling in the dinning room.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years Day 2009
Cold, grey, and windy.
Last night Arianna stayed awake until 11:30 p.m. CST. That means she was able to celebrate the coming of the new year, Eastern Standard Time. This is a first. About which she was rather proud.
Again familial tradition held sway in the Kilarski - Rudorf household: Everybody contributed to the completion of the 750 piece puzzle Grandpa received from Bruce and Laurie. Then, a few hands of Uno Attack -- Auntie Barbara and Uncle Greg's Christmas gift to Arianna followed by not one -- but two -- Abbott & Costello movies. At precisely 11:59 EST, we abandoned the Buck Privates for Times Square. Arianna -- exhausted -- roused herself from Mommy's lap to distribute confetti. Sharon dashed into the kitchen to retrieve the bottle of sparkling Peach juice.
10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . giggles, glasses in hand . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .1!
Happy New Year!
Confetti floats across the living room.
Glasses touch.
We begin anew.
###
New Year's Day passes without any fanfare.
At Mass -- which Arianna slept through (literally, at home) -- I learned her friend's Mother gave birth to a son a month earlier than expected.
At home, I watched a bit of the Winter Classic hockey game on the television, filled-in the 2009 kitchen calendar, fit a piece or two into the next puzzle we're putting together, and spoke with an old friend -- somebody with whom I've not spoken for more than two decades.
This evening we played more Uno Attack and watched the PBS broadcast of Daniel Barenboim conducting the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Day concert.
Why must holidays pass so quickly?
Last night Arianna stayed awake until 11:30 p.m. CST. That means she was able to celebrate the coming of the new year, Eastern Standard Time. This is a first. About which she was rather proud.
Again familial tradition held sway in the Kilarski - Rudorf household: Everybody contributed to the completion of the 750 piece puzzle Grandpa received from Bruce and Laurie. Then, a few hands of Uno Attack -- Auntie Barbara and Uncle Greg's Christmas gift to Arianna followed by not one -- but two -- Abbott & Costello movies. At precisely 11:59 EST, we abandoned the Buck Privates for Times Square. Arianna -- exhausted -- roused herself from Mommy's lap to distribute confetti. Sharon dashed into the kitchen to retrieve the bottle of sparkling Peach juice.
10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . giggles, glasses in hand . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .1!
Happy New Year!
Confetti floats across the living room.
Glasses touch.
We begin anew.
###
New Year's Day passes without any fanfare.
At Mass -- which Arianna slept through (literally, at home) -- I learned her friend's Mother gave birth to a son a month earlier than expected.
At home, I watched a bit of the Winter Classic hockey game on the television, filled-in the 2009 kitchen calendar, fit a piece or two into the next puzzle we're putting together, and spoke with an old friend -- somebody with whom I've not spoken for more than two decades.
This evening we played more Uno Attack and watched the PBS broadcast of Daniel Barenboim conducting the Vienna Philharmonic's annual New Year's Day concert.
Why must holidays pass so quickly?