Serendipity

I'm always up to seeing new kinds of wildlife and here in Wisconsin, I was able to see and watch a new creature that is unfamiliar to me.  The 13-Lined Ground Squirrel is something that we do not have in NY...and this one was particularly amusing as the images show! 13 Lined Ground Squirrel (aka Striped Gopher) does not (to me) seem like a gopher, yet they are listed in that category.  Part squirrel, part rodent, part chipmunk...these little animals seem to be an all-in-one creature! On my first days here, the following 3 photos were taken out in the yard.  Then, this particular fellow (or female as I have no way of knowing their sex) was very shy. I had to use the zoom to even get a close-up view of him... And try as I might, he would not sit pretty for me! Yesterday, while outside, he was back in his favorite part of the yard...and has since grown accustomed to my presence.  I was able to get several poses of him...   Here's looking at you...LOL ...

Coming from New York, where the speed limit is set at 65 mph on the highways, imagine my (pleasant) surprise upon seeing that I could make better time (though only by a few minutes over-all) heading for Wisconsin!  I had to snap a picture of it...just because it was something new to me!  LOL  "Chicago" 168 miles.  Seeing this sign brought a kind of apprehension because I knew this city was another big one.  Being a country girl and never having visited anything bigger than Rochester or Syracuse, NY...I worried that I might get my directions wrong and get totally lost in a strange city.  My fears were unfounded...I made it through without any problems!!! All I can say about seeing the skyscrapers buried in the clouds is...wow!  Little town gal sees a big city (in daylight...I went through Cleveland and Ann Arbor in a blur)...was amazing!   Another thing that was astounding was the amount of traffic that I was in.  I am sooo not used...

Water tower in Holly, MI It's always interesting to visit quaint little towns that are off the beaten track, and my friends, Laura and her mom, Cynthia took me to such a delightful little town called Holly, MI. Cynthia wrote about our little adventure and the township, adding to it some of the fun facts we learned in the process.  Holly boasts a haunted hotel and numerous antique shops ... more than I have ever seen in a small area! Wow!  I've always found it fascinating to wander through shops...the stories behind the articles, we can only imagine ! What follows is my photo story of the places we seen, the shops we walked through, and some interesting items of note.  Enjoy! Haunted Holly hotel front of the hotel   one of many antique shops main street Holly Candle Shoppe a restaurant Another antique store Clock in town center Another water tower Mural of times past

I have to apologize to everyone for taking so long to get back to my blog and my journey to Wisconsin.  As life so often does, it can become quite busy...and I won't deny that I am truly enjoying the peace and quiet here! I left New York State on the 6th of September driving a nearly new yellow Penske 10' moving van, and made my way toward Highland, Michigan, where I would stay 2 days with a dear friend.  The day was a perfect one for driving...not too hot and not raining...all was good! My co-pilots were two 3-month old kittens...Smokey and Lily.  They were all snug in a carrier...and did very well...to my amazement!  During the entire trip to Michigan, not once did they toilet in the carrier...but let me tell you that the minute I fixed up their litter box...they were in it in a flash!  I was so proud of them! The only times that I stopped were to refuel, grab a snack to eat and make sure the kittens were okay...as I put their food and water dish in wit...

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; ... - Life isn't always fair; - And maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge.  His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they thems...

I don't know how often this old recipe gets used anymore, but it is the absolute best recipe for the moistest dark chocolate scratch cake I have ever found!   It uses no eggs or baking powder, but rather baking soda and vinegar as the leavening agents.  It's easy to remember and easy to put together: stick all the ingredients in a bowl and mix! Depression Chocolate Cake 3 cups flour 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons salt 2/3 cup cocoa 2/3 cup oil 2 cups cold coffee 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 teaspoons vinegar Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased cake pan(s).  Bake @ 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, depending on your oven. Cool and frost with your favorite frosting! Enjoy!

Well folks...I am still here in NY ...my plans fell through at least for the moment.   I am frustrated, hurt, angry...but I can't say whether it's more at the Uhaul company or myself for not following my gut feelings. When I reserved the truck back in the first week of August, I was told that all I would need is a $100 deposit and the balance would be due when I returned the truck at my destination.  In all honesty, it seemed TOO simple...and between then and the time that I was supposed to pick up the truck, I called several times to verify and re-verify that the information was correct...talking to a different woman every single time.  Each time I called...I got the same answer...$100 deposit and the balance when I got to Wisconsin and returned the truck. As scheduled, I went to get the truck, and low and behold...my gut feelings were confirmed...the whole balance was due BEFORE I even took the truck!  I was devastated (to say the least) because I did not hav...