Bogieblog

Wedding Mishief

What is a wedding without decorating the couple's vehicle? WS figured we had plenty of materials to work with, so he set about doing up Ray's bike - Rebel was an interested spectator (and contributor of beer cans).

 
When Ray saw the bike, he about died laughing. He decided that he and Christine had to take it around the lake, so Rebel fetched Christine and Bear:

 


 

The cans took a beating, but they only lost one:

 
WS and Rebel also did a little something to their truck, which was out of view and I am unsure when they found that little surprise (after we left the next morning anyway):

And, to start their wedded bliss right, Christine found a 4-leaf clover.

 
We had a great time, Ray and Christine seemed to enjoy the antics, and no one was hurt - so I would say it was a successful day.

Sunday Ride

Last Sunday we gathered our stuff early, hopped on the bike, and rode over to Jimmy's to meet up with the folks going on the ride. Christine and Ray, Jimmy and his latest girlfriend (LG), SIL (sans BIL - who was out of town) and WS and I made up the group. We were hoping the Ray's son would join us, but it was not to be.

Bear, of course had to go with Ray and Christine (he's always a welcome addition to any ride). While everyone got their stuff together (ate breakfast sandwiches, loaded up etc), Bear snoozed for a bit:

He seemed to know when we were finally getting serious about the ride and were making final preparations:

 

We finally came up with a route to take thru the day and left about 9:45 AM. Destination, Sebago Lake in Maine. According to Mapquest, this is a little over 151 miles and 3 hours away, using main roads / highways if traveling thru Portsmouth, NH. We wanted to avoid highways and Portsmouth, as there was an airshow going on, so we chose a route 131 miles long and closer to 3.5 hours, using secondary roads.

It was a lovely ride up to the lake, with the wind cooling us down from the eventual 90+ degrees. Once we were going around the lake, it had its own cooling effect.

We stopped for lunch about 2PM at Charlie Beigg's in Windham, ME. W stopped there because it was an eatery with an enclosed and covered deck. They also didn't mind having Bear with us (he was passed over the railing so he didn't go in the building and violate any health codes). No one else was using the deck because of the heat, so we didn't have to worry about keeping the conversation down to a respectable level. The food was very good and so was the service - looking at the website I see they won several awards in 2009:

• 1st - Best Overall Restaurant
• 1st - Best Burger and Fries
• 1st - Best Happy Hour
• 2nd - place for Best Seafood behind Bob's Seafod

We really lucked out when we happened to pick them! if you are ever in the area, I definitely reccommend stopping there.

Here is the group where we parked for lunch - we even found a bit of shade for the bikes. There were only a couple of trees big enough to give shade, but they were a bit of a walk to the eatery, so no cars had taken advantage of the shade.

After an hour or so, we got back on the bikes and headed back for home.

 

The above picture is of the Group behind us (SIL in the foreground, Ray and Christine, then Jimmy and LG), somehow WS gets to play tour guide on a lot of the rides. Not that he has ever been to the places he gets to lead to, but somehow rarely does anyone else want to take the lead.

We finally got home about 7:30. Tired but happy to have spent a hot day cooling off in the breeze.

Last Sledding

WS didn't go sledding last Sunday even though we had gotten over 21" of snow through the week. The snow was very wet and slimey, making sledding more difficult, and WS was very sore from all the shoveling of roofs.

He, Jimmy, and some other guys went up north to the Cannon Mountain / Twin Mountain region to snowmobile. Probably the last sledding of the year - we have plenty of snow left at the Bogie manse, but even 1 mile away the trails are bare (and closed).

He remembered to take the camera along, so I will share some pics with you:

   This was the first picture WS took so I assume it is their starting out point.

  This is the group that WS went with - obviously he is taking the picture, so is not featured within the group. Jimmy is on the red sled to the right of the two green sleds.

  Someone got stuck and had to dig his way out.

  Broken ski - the tip is sticking straight up and the rest of the ski is flat on the snow. The guy managed to get it fixed well enough to keep going with the group.

  Ridge top - found to be a sheer drop off on the other side. Good thing Gabe hit a rock that stopped him!

  On the way home
 
WS had lots of fun and will be sore for the next day or two, but well worth it for him.

Thanksgiving Feasting

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the fridge is groaning under the load of food still in it.

Monday, WS invited Jimmy over for Thanksgiving, though he usually has several places to go on this day, this year his only choices were too far away. So instead of the small ham and mashed potatoes that I was planning on fixing for the two of us, I had to plan on at least 4 (Jimmy eats for two every day).

The small ham I had previously gotten truly was not enough to feed the three of us, so Tuesday I went to the store and got a turkey breast to make sure we had enough meat. I also decided that a pie was in order along with some dinner rolls. I had sweet potatoes and fresh cranberries already, but was unsure if I would use them.

Wednesday evening I mixed up the green bean casserole so all I would have to do is place it in the oven. I also made a chocolate pecan bourbon pie.

The big day came and while WS raked and mulched leaves, I vacuumed and did some cooking. I woke up thinking that a pumpkin pie was also needed, so I made that while the bread machine was beating up the dough for the rolls. We had 2 bananas that were very ripe, so next I made banana bread. Next the turkey breast went into the oven, then it all came down to timing.

Jimmy arrived in early afternoon and we kept him from starving to death by bringing out a shrimp ring (WS had found it for 1/2 price - nice!), cheese and crackers (WS had cut up the cheese Wednesday night) and chips with onion dip (which WS had also prepared the night before). While we were eating, we watched Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back. Jimmy has only seen the first Star Wars (okay, the 5th in the series, but the first out on the big screen). We had been itching to watch the movies again since going to the concert, so it all worked out.

About 5, I peeled potatoes and started cooking them; while they were cooking, I did up the rolls and got them and the green beans cooking. The last thing was to make up gravy (I decided against sweet potatoes or cranberries). WS cut up the turkey while I was pulling everything out of the oven and mashing the taters.

At half-time the end of the movie (which coincided nicely with the readiness of the food), we piled our plates high with food and started in on the 6th, um 3rd, oh to heck with it, Return of the Jedi. About half way thru the movie, the neighbor came over to chat for a while. After he left, we broke out the deserts which had waited patiently in the back room (everytime I went in there for something, I gained 10 pounds from the wonderful aromas) and watched the rest of the movie. Did I mention that Karen had stopped on her way to her daughter's to drop off a carrot cake? We certainly didn't lack for sweets!

The meal was declared as delicious by everyone. The movie night was a success (although we still have the next 3 movies to go). Jimmy was encouraged to come back for another night of feasting and lightening of the load on the fridge.

Hope everyone else's Thanksgiving was spent with good company and good food. Next up Black Friday and buying an exercise machine to help compensate for all the calories!

Riding With Bear

Last weekend we went for a short ride with Jim, Rebel, Christine & Ray. Chris and Ray bring their dog along on rides and somehow I have never gotten a picture. This time, I had the camera, and remembered that I needed to get a shot:

 

Chris and Ray roam the US (mostly Florida and NH) in their travel trailer that has a storage area for their bike. They are used to having Bear's picture taken. They have met a lot of people from both the US and abroad just because of Bear.

Convoy

Last weekend was very busy and crowded. I'll start by explaining a little background: Harry and Heather sold their house and are moving to Indiana. They closed on the Indiana house last week, and everyone was already in Indiana - but their stuff wasn't. WS and Jim had been asked to help drive trucks (2 vans, a dump truck and Harry's truck) back to Indiana. The deal was that Harry would get their bikes to Indiana too, and Jim and WS would ride back (after taking a few detours to see some of the South)

Harry and his two nephews showed up Friday night (having driven straight from Indiana). I was surprised to see them, and even more surprised, as they headed out for dinner, at Harry's "So it's not a problem if we stay here right?"

After telling him that we had no spare mattresses, but plenty of blankets, pillows and one couch, he offered to go to Concord to a motel if it was a problem. After discussions on comfort (or lack there of), but willingness to play host, it was decided that they would stay here.

After they had left to find something to eat, and I started feverishly vacuuming dog hair and clearing out the workout room, WS sheepishly explained that he "thought" he "might have" volunteered to host them during one of their phone conversations. Ah, well, okay then.

Last Cookout for Friends

Last night we had a cookout as a last get together for some friends that are moving to Indiana. I managed to make an awesome marinade for steak tips, bought some really good potato salad and WS grew some nicely sweet corn. Added to the mix was a fresh tomato and basil salad (provided by Heather) and some died-and-gone-to-heaven chocolate chip cookies (from Karen). Jimmy and his girl friend provided heathy appetites (as they were ordered to do).

Harry and Heather will be moving out of state by the end of this month - it should be a good change for them so we are both happy for them and sad they are leaving. WS and Jimmy will most likely help drive the two U-hauls and dump truck out for them. The plan is to trailer their bikes behind one of the vehicles so they can have a nice ride back. Although not quite like the two week trip to Sturgis, it will give them a short and enjoyable break.

Me - I'll hold down the fort and enjoy the break myself!

We're In Good Shape

It turns out that we are the lucky ones; we only lost power for 3 hours on Friday. Some friends that live in Henniker, and whom we visited on Friday night, still have no power (yes, we visited them while they had no power and used flashlights/candles to see). They have a woodstove, so can keep the house warn. But, like 33% of the households in this state, they are on a well for water. No electricity, no water pump, no water. They came over last night and she took a shower before settling down to visit with HandH, Jim and Karen (we had a houseful last night). Then they filled a bunch of water bottles to take home.

We also realized that the other end of our street has no power. The other end starts past the trailer that is the next house down, and on the opposite side of the street from us (after that, the power comes in from the other direction). Usually we can see porch lights and such at night, but that side is dark. The first clue was that WS and Jimmy (who was here all of yesterday) said that they thought they heard a generator. The hills and trees do funny things to sound, so you can never be sure from where it is coming. WS thought it was coming from a large farm at the top of the hill down the street (I know that sounds weird, but "up" the street is taking a left out the driveway and "down" the street is taking a right out the driveway). That house is approximately 1/2 way between us and the end of our road.

As I came home from getting pizza for the crowd of people we were hosting, I looked up the ridge and determined that the generator is most likely from an older, and smaller, farm where maple syrup is made. It is about 7/8 of the way between us and the end of the road. They had some lights going, but the rest of the ridge is dark, which means that Clement Hill doesn't have power either. We also know that Bear Hill road in Hilsboro is still closed (we normally take that road to Henniker when we see the aforementioned friends, but it was closed on Friday night too).

PSH crews are working around the clock to restore power. Tree cutting services are also out in force; we saw a convoy of tree cutters when we were in town yesterday morning, and I witnessed a convoy of electrical workers when I went to get pizza last night.  The temps yesterday were in the high teens and at this time it is 4 degrees - but at least the winds finally calmed down late last night.

Hopefully people have found a warm place to stay, or have woodstoves to stave off the cold!

Mileage

An interesting thing happened last weekend when we went to visit some friends. We were called something we have never been called before. Oh, each of us has been called words that have started with “A” and “B” and I know I’ve been called the “C” word – but I don’t recall ever having been called, either with or without the Wonderful Spouse, the “T” word.

It all came about as JR was talking about seeing a friend off his, Keith, who had flown in from

California

. JR hasn’t seen this person for 15 years (maybe it was 18 years – doesn’t really matter). This person owns his own small business, so I assume puts in lots of hours at work. It is also important to note that JR has not flown, driven or walked out to

California

since he moved away, so the onus is not completely on Keith.

According to JR, the reason Keith hasn’t been out here before is he is tight with his money. Note – money is not tight for Keith, rather Keith is tight with money – and the evidence is that Keith hasn’t come out to

New Hampshire

before this. JR goes on to comment to WS that, “Keith is the only person I know that is tighter than you with money.”

Now I realize JR had had a few beers. But he certainly wasn’t in too rough a shape to recognize that we are the people who have: given him loans (no interest and pay us back whenever you can); given him a stereo system that was in perfect working order and only a couple of years old (which he is still using), because his stereo died; given him chairs to go with his kitchen table; given him 1^st or 2^nd dibs on any furniture we were planning to get rid of; always gone to his place with our own soda or beer so we don’t drink his; always gone to his place to see him because he can’t seem to be able to find the road to our place.

He also knows of other friends that we have done those exact same things for. But, we are tight with our money. Yep, Okay, whatever you say JR.

So that is the current running joke at the Bogie household. We have gotten a lot of

mileage out of it, such as “Sorry,  I was squeaking so loudly I couldn’t hear you.”

Yes we are rather simple people, why do you ask (and why are you staring at us like that?)

Bad Medicine

Next week I have a doctor’s appointment for a routine check-up. I haven’t had a checkup for at least 5 years (and I think it was more like 7). I don’t go to doctors, not because I don’t like them, but because they don’t seem to be very effective for me.

I have had plenty of problems that either went undiagnosed or mis-diagnosed. The people that have made correct diagnosis are not what people consider true medical professionals; chiropractors and physical therapists. There is a lot that I could write that would make my position more clear, but I am not writing a post about myself, so will leave off.

Our fried Terri had a heart attack last weekend. She had more than 1, she had bunches of them over a 10 day period.

A little more than 2 weeks ago, she went to the doctor complaining of chest pains. He informed her that she had bronchitis and gave her antibiotics. She dutifully took the antibiotics and endured the chest pains for a little more than a week.

Saturday morning, she woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep because of the pain. She waited several hours, until her husband woke up then asked him to take her to the hospital – maybe they could give her stronger antibiotics to get rid of the bronchitis.

At the hospital she told them her problem and that she needed something to make the bronchitis go away. They took her blood pressure and hooked her to a monitor. Blood pressure was down to 78/40 and the monitor showed worse.

She had a stint put in one artery that morning and will go back to have a stint put in another artery in a couple of weeks. Her heart is severely compromised because of the many heart attacks that she had over the course of the week. She tells us that the pain that woke her up Saturday morning was mild compared to what she had endured all week.

She is a couple months younger than I am. She works two jobs, takes care of her family, has taken her Mother-in-Law into the home and takes care of her. She is stress personified and her family history is one of heart problems developing in the early 40’s.

For whatever reason, her doctor couldn’t figure out she was having heart attacks. Instead, he made the decision that bronchitis was the probable cause since it has been very common in this area for the last couple of months.

I am bitter about her experience and with that, I don’t know why I am bothering to go in for a physical. I still have no reason to have confidence that they could ever diagnose an actual problem, much less find a potential problem