bodner044

Do you own anything that is 100 years old?  Last week, our upright piano was serviced by Daryl Frank, piano technician, and he confirmed that it was crafted at the turn of the century.  This was not a complete surprise since I know it originally belonged to my maternal great-grandfather Clem.  My mother inherited it, and the piano lived with one of my sisters for a time until I adopted it. But Daryl was a veritable font of information, confirming some points I already knew, while adding facts about the piano that were news to me. ONE: The piano is made from quarter sawn oak.  This corroborated an assessment by our good friend Neal, the general contractor for our house who knows a lot about carpentry.  Uprights made from quarter sawn oak were the most expensive uprights you could buy.   TWO: The piano was originally stained and shellacked a dark, almost black, color, as can be seen on the inside of the lid of the piano.  This was news (I am not sure I e...

Swallowtails on the river shore  It's quite gray outside today, and I am wavering on my choice of topics for my next post.  Something about the holidays?  It would be timely and cheery … Trail cam photos?  Probably not enough material … A continuation of my summer series?  The sunny shots could warm my bones, and make for some bright mosaics as well.  Ok, that's settled, then.  Call this Chapter 5 of my summer 'book' - see Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 . Pictures from first four chapters Beargrass How do you write your posts?  Do you sit down and just start typing?  Maybe you prepare an extensive outline, college style.  Some of you have your furbabies compose at least part of your post!!!  I usually begin by perusing the pictures I plan to use in the post.  And then I wait for inspiration.   Hmmmm … most of the time it works! Foamflower in front of waterfall Today, my photos feature water - water in the fo...

Are you a collector? What do you collect? Why do you collect it? Is your collection something that you can and do use? Since I began following Mosaic Monday, I have been fascinated by collections featured by so many of you - tableware with a checkered pattern, holiday decorations, flamingos, old books, yarn, mugs … Pajamas, Apron and Slippers I looked around my house and realized that I probably have several categories that approach collections, of varying magnitude.  Today I will highlight my obsession with moose (oops, I guess my title might have given it away). My moose mania most likely began on a backpacking trip to Baxter State Park in September 1994.  Spousal Unit and I bunked in a cabin on Russell Pond, and thrilled to the sight of a cow moose feeding on pond weed in the lingering light of a Maine fall day.  I have been hooked ever since. When our kids were young, family camping trips to the Adirondacks delivered great enjoyment.  But no moose.  We had t...

Fall Fiesta Maple in our back garden Oasis?  In Montana?  Yes!  Oasis is defined as "a pleasant or peaceful area or period in the midst of a difficult, troubled or hectic place or situation".  Pleasant?  Check.  Mother Nature graced us with several weeks of blue-sky, 60-degree weather.  Peaceful?  Check.  Visitor bookings were slow, at only four days.  Difficult situation?  Check.  The world has plenty of troubles; I keep my head down and focus on my 2018 goals.  It might be a bit of head-in-the-sand, but it's my refuge, my safe haven and my sanctuary.  Come join me at the oasis. ONE: COLOR Orange has always been a favorite color, so it's no surprise that I enjoy autumn, with its many shades of ginger.  Decorating for Halloween is a bonus that involves an outside display of pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales and mums. Inside, my focus is our dining room table.  We've had this Halloween tree for many years; nor...