Here are a few photos from our recent nor'easter. This one was a multi-day event, with very different phases.
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| One can always tell when a storm is imminent. The shore birds gather at the edges. |
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| The northeast wind was surprisingly cold. |
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| As the first part of the storm got closer the wind was whipping and very few were out and about. I did meet a Maremma Sheepdog and know enough about the breed to keep my distance at first. |
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| Although the seas started out with some gusto in the morning... |
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| ...they calmed down significantly by night... |
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| ....and in the morning we woke to a fresh coating of snow. |
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| He was very disappointed that all I had in my hands were eggs. |
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| We could hear the coyotes howling and yipping not too far away and thought it would be best to round up everyone. |
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| As winter ends we begin our next season; mud-season, which sticks around surprisingly long, and is followed by black fly season. |
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| And then I realized that not only did I have eggs, but also bacon. |
52 comments:
Dear Muffy,
That looks like a Fenn School cap to me. You wear it well ("The way you wear your hat. . ." as the old song goes). I was up in Concord just a couple weeks ago, taking my squash team to matches against Middlesex and Concord Academy. Concord is one of my favorite towns. Our own, Portsmouth, RI,because it was settled by Anne Hutchinson and her fellow dissenters, built no official church for the town center to grow up around. What we gained in religious freedom we lost in eventual New England quaintness. Anyway, I still like your cap, and it is still snowing here.
You like like a 18 year old school girl in that last photo! Cheers!
@Michael - It is indeed a Fenn School cap. I "borrowed" it from my husband, who grew up in Concord and went to Fenn. (A couple of my ancestors were fellow dissenters with Ms. Hutchinson, kicked out by my husband's ancestors.)
The weather guys blew this one but it was great day spent outdoors with the kids.
Speaking of the ancestors, I spent a good part of this latest boring storm reading the 18th century Journal of William Wheeler. He was a local here who lived on the harbor and made careful notes of the weather, the trade, and the comings and goings of the neighbors from the 1760's through 1845. I can tell you, be REALLY glad we have OUR weather, our bugs, and our plagues instead of THEIRS! The snows, storms, shipwrecks and epidemics they dealt with every day under primitive conditions are remarkable. We have gotten SO soft!
Very cute pictures! As an Atlantan, I am envious of the Northerners that get snow. I hope your Golden enjoys it.
It has been an odd few days of weather to be sure. I am glad that we got some snow out of it, although I hope it is our last. The birds and wildlife have returned to our part of the shoreline so I'm hopeful spring will soon follow. Tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day Parade here promises to be slushy and windy but, I hope, not too chilly.
We even had some snow here in central KY, it was wonderful. I love the color of your jacket. Contrary to the myth not all women here in the South wear bright colors, but I could easily wear that shade. You look as pretty as ever, stay warm.
@Greenfield - That sounds like a very interesting read. This morning while doing laundry, I was imaging the differences between how we do ours and how our colonial ancestors did theirs. (Which probably wasn't very often!) And I still think of running water as the ultimate luxury. You are right - we are soft. Soft but grateful.
Just love the pictures...We just had a huge controversy in our town about having chickens...I am a huge proponent, but don't know about my town! The snow was beautiful down here in Bronxville...just breathtaking...
Dear living souls,
I must write. All this chatter about snow is unusually inconsiderate of you. You may recall that it never snows where I now ‘live’. Never. Ah, well, I will let that abide.
Of far greater importance is tonight’s cocktail party here at the Hattiesburg Country Club. I need to dress not only to impress. I need to positively ravage my male competitors. Hey, just because you’re dead doesn’t mean that dressing well is no longer the single most important thing in er, ah, ‘life’.
Actually, I have a plan. I am surrounded by nouveau riche, poseurs, dentists from the Upper West Side, insurance brokers from Missouri and other undesirables. Last week, I moderated the Prep and went uncomfortably unnoticed. I am not letting that happen again. My haberdashery is my armor and it will not be worn without vanquish. These lesser lights with whom I share Hell need to be put in their place.
So, dear MuffyMen and Women here are my two choices:
1. “Prep Fighting the Battle of Who Could Care Less.” This actually is my favorite, but I am letting y’all decide. This cocktail hour wardrobe consist of my 39 year old navy Lacoste worn un-tucked over cream Castaway embroidered shorts one size to large so they hang about my sculpted hips. No belt. My older son’s Middlebury flip-flops. No U-trou (commando style). This attire screams: “I am so cooler, better bred, richer, better educated and in general grander than the rest of you inconsequential swine that it is beneath me to dress in conventional cocktail attire for you (and, in case you didn’t notice, your wives are digging my get-up big time and wondering who that suave man in the baggy shorts might be and whether he is single).
2. “Prep Simply Perfect”. I have rocked this once or twice with some success. This set of apparel is so stunningly dead-on Prep aristocracy that all who pass in its wake are left bewildered and not too slightly diminished by the experience. Of course, it all starts out with the shoes (doesn’t every killer ensemble?). For my Prep Perfect, I usually choose my Alden #8 loafers from college, shined to a patina seen elsewhere only in the Vatican. These shoes are so perfect, so proper and so vintage that they simply end debate. Next, my father’s blue blazer from Trippler with monogramed solid gold buttons (we share the same initials). This is worn over a white button down from Chipps purchased during law school and my son’s country day school emblem tie (sold to the school by Vineyard Vines when Vineyard Vines was known to only a few hundred of us). Filling out the look are sharp creased lightweight flannel trousers from Brooks, my Smathers and Branson (son played Lax with Branson at Bowdoin) belt with large Ys stitched all over and, of course, dark gray socks (yes socks, you bourgeois no-nothings). The sharp-elbowed, streaked blond Lacrosse moms usually swoon over this outfit. I just smile at them and impart: “You married a loser in thin-wale corduroys and an ill-fitting blazer from Nordstroms. You should never have gone to that mixer at Cornell in 1974; see what you settled for?”
Cast you votes dear Muffyites. In the end I will probably ignore all of you, but you can dream.
We got very little snow here in Eastern PA with this last storm. We broke the doldrums with PHS's Phila. Flower Show yesterday. Nice pictures you Muffy with the hen, great smile. You sure have Martha Stewart beat. Bacon? What Bacon? We don't have any livestock on our 3/4 acre, although we have considered loaning a few sheep from my brother-in-law to mow the grass. Last morning a fox made his way across our back woods.
Ferd seems to have hijacked the bolg again with his eloquent satorical comments. In response to him: Saint Andrew's School, Middleton DE (remember Dead Poets Society?)holds it's annual "Coast to Coast Toast" her in April. My attire is something like this: my 20+ yr old BB penny loafers, with1944 pennies (the year of my birth), a traditional BB blue blazer (with real cut-through botton holes on the sleeves, a pair of Bill's kahaki's properly cuffed, the St. Andrew's old school tie and the rowing motiff belt (yes I crewed-thank you Eliza B.) My best to current Headmaster Tad Roach and his wife, Elizabeth.
Muffy those are absolutely wonderful pictures of you!
Muffy,
You have a lovely youthful exuberance about you!
April is fly season here also. We combat the flies with a effective
outdoor fly trap my husband found plans for on line. We first saw one used
in a state park and then started seeing variations of the state park fly traps
on golf courses. Our fly trap does a great job of catching a wide range of sizes and types of biting flies! You need one of these! Here is a link about a trap similar to ours.
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~insects/greenheads.htm
Thank you to Mr Aldrich for all the WONDERFUL photos he takes for the daily prep.
Only TDP protagonist, his Ferdness, could take a post about a New England Nor’easter in the direction of a dressing for a cocktail party at a country club for the Confederate privileged. I’m kinda off to a slow start this morning for reasons I won’t go into, but what came to mind after reading Ferd’s rumination was an image of him as Ty Webb strolling into Hattiesburg Country Club. Anyway, I’m sure Prep Simply Perfect Ferd is a big hit with the sharp-elbowed, streaked blond Lacrosse moms in his blazer and shined-up cordovan loafers. I need him to return, however, and provide clarification on something. This proletariat sailor from backwater Naptown doesn’t understand why the socks?
Off for a second cup of coffee and a late breakfast…
Oh, just one more thing. Perhaps also an explanation of the brick wall with over and under windows profile photo while explaining the sock thing?
Oh my god, I own everything your wearing. Should I be on that list with you and Amelia Earhart?
*snort*
Don't overthink it Ferd. Doubtful there are too many Hattiesburg belles who went to mixers at Cornell in 1974.
Dear Ferd,
I am unsure of the postage required to reach your new accommodations, but in any event I hope this message finds you well.
You raise an excellent question, and more importantly expose an even deeper dilemma beyond the sartorial choice involved. Let's briefly eschew the menial components of this decision and delve straight to the core. What is the appropriate level of narcissism required to instantly overcome 374 other patrons sharing that, "awe-inspiring space that gives an outstanding view of the 18th green and the immaculate grounds of the golf course through floor-to-ceiling windows?" How do I know that 374 is the number of other guests? That is another well published fact regarding the HCC Ballroom and I have it on good authority that fire codes are strictly enforced. I hear that the chairs are well upholstered as well. But I digress...
Back to the core. The answer lies in your description of the guests, who have so clearly earned their attendance. It appears from what you describe that no redeeming qualities can be found. It also seems that your unfortunate situation is compounded by the only attendee to possibly decipher an Lax reference is your Missouri insurance agent who once had a brief connecting flight there during a sales club trip to Big Island for a stay at the Hilton Waikaloa Village. I hear their dolphin adventure is life altering. But remember, you have a never ending after-lifetime to enjoy this storied venue, and its best amenities and circumstances should be reserved entirely for you.
I fear that any semblance of "Prep Perfection" bears the chance of misinterpretation as attempting to impress or more horrifically trying to compete. That simply won't do and now is not the time to subdue your passions. This is not a time for feigned aloofness, but rather an all out assault of True Prepdom. Unlike these interlopers, it is crucial that there is no ambiguity regarding your attendance being a matter of choice and not of kismet.
Appreciating the fact that you have properly packed for any situation; stick with option #1. I assume that the embroidery on the shorts is the confederate flag, as no amount of irony is ever wasted. And, ditch the flip-flops for the loafers, as I also hear there is a lovely 24' by 24' hardwood dance floor that is available and not to be missed. Grab a cocktail, put on your best smirk, and prepare to be adored.
Warmest regards,
Simon
PS. Tell Payne Stewart I said hello.
Kathy-
Thanks for your link about the greenheads, which I copied out to a word doc.
JDS
You have such pretty chickens. Love seeing pictures of them. Glad you are able to keep them protected.
Thanks, Muffy for the lovely pictures!
Here, in Ct., I think that we got more snow and it's the worst kind; the heavy, wet, nasty, cement-like stuff that does really terrible things to the privets and what's now left of ( after Sandy and the year before's cement-like snows )my arborvitae. Ergo,my pictures aren't as "pretty".
Ferd...........why on earth did you highjack this thread's comments with your Jonathan Balser-like label dropping, very un-U/nonPrep post?
If you don't understand the literary allusion, get yourself a copy of "DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE". It might not be to your taste; however, you always come off sounding exactly like the pompous and extremely unPrep husband of the "heroine's" husband! Or, in old school prep school-speak/slang....you're being galosh !
Not familiar with this Ferd character. Is he a living human being or someone's unfunny attempt at satire?
Love, love, love the blog. I wear the same type of clothes that you wear. But what do wear when you have to dress like "a girl?" This has no relation to the storm post - just wondering.
Thanks,
Jen
According to Ferd's fans, his postings are good examples of "Yankee humor". Perhaps we'll get lucky and he'll post a brief introduction for Muffy's new readers.
The mud season and black flies are causing me to re-think & amend my fantasy life to avoid those two things: Daffodil and dogwood season in Virginia. Summertime on the Maine coast; autumn in Chatham; December wherever the grandchildren are; winter in the British Virgin Islands.
As usual, love the pictures. Isn't it great to be near the water when a storm is approaching? (Obviously unless the storm is called "Sandy").
To His Ferdness:
Any "Prep School Stud" worth his Weejuns -surely- knows that the ONLY way to "prep" for the function you describe is to pop awake late, open one bleary eye, run through a cold shower Endicott Peabody would assign as penance and THEN, with ZERO malice aforethought, throw on the FIRST clean clothes that tumble of their own accord out of dresser and closet. This may, or may not, include no particular order of threadbare layers, surmounted by a shapeless down vest with the feathers leaking out. Bonus points for one red and one green sock, you know which sides. Hair to be Whiff'n-poofed by the breeze made by your convertible turbo Saab. Which of course is dirty, with egregiously bald tires and plenty of empties rolling around beneath the seats.
Upon arrival, grab yourself a drink and slouch elegantly against the nearest mantelpiece. ANY women worth the effort will throw themselves at your feet. This will, of course, be confined to the group with thick ankles and tiny pearl stud earrings . . . and trust funds. Which is key.
Though hijacking Muffy's blog is a bit, well . . . you ARE hanging out with (eek!) Yuppies these days. Don't let it show! :)
I love this blog. Why do any of you resspond to Ferd IF annoying???...IGNORE IGNORE! If you tolerate so be it -
Greenfield - Brava!
Oh, I love the pics of you with your hens! Do you have many? I guess I don't have any idea how many hens the average household needs to keep them in fresh eggs. I often buy local "overages". Perhaps it is this way everywhere, but around here you can pick up fresh eggs on the honor system (usually $3/dzn) out of roadside coolers! I love getting my eggs this way, it feels so...neighborly! I sometimes get honey and pickles and preserves this way too.
Is your lovely hen a Rhode Island Red?
(I'm leaving the side conversation for the wittier folks -- despite being an actual Yankee, I don't see the humor in it.)
Ferd: The gift that keeps on giving. On March 2 he bid this blog adieu and has only left...what...150 comments since then? Better to let Muffy be the star of her own blog.
@WendyBee - Yes, she is a Rhode Island Red. We are down to six hens and have stopped replenishing for now. I too love the honor system!
@Sartre - Oh, we already have enough of me. :)
Muffy-
As an Arizona girl I always thought coyotes were native to the southwest.
As they in New England as well?
@Annica Benning - We have many coyotes around and they sound especially eerie at night. But the bear on the property last night was even more so.
There is an interesting article about the coyotes of New England at
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/17/for_coyotes_at_least_study_finds_new_englanders_a_special_breed/
I don't imagine with the winter you've had you are getting very many eggs. A friend of mine that used to raise chickens was always threatening to butcher hers about now every year because she wasn't getting much.
Coyotes have become more prevolent in Western Pennsylvania the last few years too, not too many reports of attacks on livestock so far though.
One sees coyotes on the Cape. One evening I was sitting outside with a friend who commented "I wonder where that dog came from?" It was no dog but a coyote. In the fall you hear them in the woods-the sound is unnerving.
How did they get on the Cape: the Bourne or Sagamore Bridge?
We don't have a fly season that I'm aware of, but because we got so little snow this winter we are expecting a fearsome fire season this year.
Although we live in town, our neighbor has seen a coyote on our front lawn. We have a small dog so this gives us pause.
A large and robust pack of coyotes go howling down through my swamp nightly, setting up a wonderfully unearthly howl. We've dubbed them "The Wild Hunt."
My dogs join in the howling chorus like a barbershop quartet until it's utter bedlam out here!
Up in Vermont, it went from winter to mud season in one weekend! The photos are great and further affirmation of my belief in the power of bright colors for surviving winter. This latest storm was strange in that its impact seemed to vary very widely among otherwise similarly-situated communities, at least here in New England-aspiring Connecticut.
Just an update on what passed for our last (and almost first) snow of the season last week. It was wet, heavy and short-lived. More to the west and north, as usual. But at least it was good for a day off and we always need the moisture.
It's always nice to hear from H.R.H. Ferd and it's interesting to learn that he's in Ms-sippi now. However, much of what he says I do not understand. His epistles from overseas are much more interesting, not that I understand them any more. Did someone say he went to Cornell? One of my wife's grandfathers graduated from there. He married a girl from Elmira College.
Aaaah, snowfall and the sound of coyotes. Bliss!! We got a big ol'nuthing down here in Northeast PA, yet our news outlets had everyone hysterical and racing to the market for staples. Yes, Maremmas are very protective of their "flock." They need lots of room to run and a "job to do" or they can become quite cranky. Beautiful dog, though. As usual, beautiful pictures of mother nature, your adorable chicken, and that gorgeous golden! --Holly in PA
To 'anonymous' that told Ferd to say hello to "Payne Stewart". I seriously doubt that the wonderful Mr. Stewart is in 'hell', but if he were Ferd wouldn't give him the time of day because he was from Missouri.
Mr. Stewart would also be better dressed and have all the Belles attention, sorry Ferd.
Photos très charmantes, Mme. Aldrich...
Agreed about Mr. Stewart. He unfortunately departed way too soon. My reference was a bit obscure and had to do with him having his very first PGA win at the Hattiesburg Country Club in 1982. So, if hell IS the HCC then I'm sure Payne wouldn't mind that so much. Take care :)
Dear Muffsters,
Once again I am assailed from the four corners of the Earth, from the South and the near-South (nod to you dear Sartre-Stuff on the Main Line). I am not understood, I am a blog hog, I returned after saying goodbye, I have slandered untold masses of humanity, and now, the worst of the worst, been accused of having attended Cornell (Muffy, why is it that a small percentage of your readers are dyslexic, so that where I type Harvard, they read Slippery Rock University?).
Cornell, dear children, is a state-owned university that provides a broad spectrum of educational opportunities for the masses, such as its renown Hospitality Major (where the curriculum, I am told, is ever so slightly less difficult that a Bio-Chemistry Major at Yale). Cornell, being a public institution, also is well known for (how does one say this politely) a diverse student body, 98% of whom come from Long Island or certain zip codes on the Upper West Side of New York or Westchester County. To even remotely conjecture that I, your beloved Ferdness, would attend such an institution is beyond understanding to me and is, bluntly, a very serious libel.
By the way, Payne is not here but Bear Bryant is.
Roll Tide!!!
Ferd,
Please note-
Cornell is for the most part a private institution. Only 4 of its schools are public.
I was under the impression that Ferd graduated from Yale and Princeton. But since we're on the topic, it's my modest view that the only institutions worthy of being considered entries in the Prep pantheon are the following:
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Dartmouth
Bowdoin
Colby
Bucknell
Honorable Mention: Bates, Trinity, Connecticut College, Wellesley on a good day, G'town, Boston College between Monday thru Thurs only (D1 Sports get in the way), Williams, Hamilton, etc.
To Anon@ 3:38: Your assumption is correct that Ferd is a Yalie. Whether the Ferdmeister ever actually graced the halls of Princeton with his presence might be up for debate.
"Ferd" I guess is something of a troll, and I hope his comments about Cornell are intended as a joke, though a lame one. Cornell is a private university though its schools of life sciences, labor relations, and human development are state funded. Its colleges of arts and sciences, architecture, medicine, law, business, etc, are privately endowed, students from all over the country and the world attend, and it is a member of the Ivy League.
Oh how I enjoyed these photos of you and the snow. It isn't often that we get to see a close-up!
What a gorgeous green fleece!!
--EM
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