Debra LaValley's Blog

Live Long and Prosper

I love science fiction! Yes, I am a Trekker (aka Trekkie) and even shook the hand of Nichelle Nichol (Lt. Uhura) at a Star Trek Convention. I spend a great deal of time watching the Syfy channel. I love that there is an entire channel dedicated to Syfy. The one thing that I have to speak out about is what the #@(*^#*(#$&#* is WWE SmackDown (aka very fake wrestling) doing on Syfy? What self-respecting Syfy fanatic would EVER watch fake wrestling? Is the wrestling FICTION? Most definitely — but it has NOTHING to do with science. I am annoyed because as I write this WWE SmackDown is on Syfy. I, of course, have switched the channel and am “patiently” waiting until 10:00 pm when the Syfy channel regains its scheduling senses and the season premiere of MERLIN is on. Now that is a real Syfy show! Those in charge of the Syfy Channel …PLEASE “Just say NO to Wrestling!” It is a waste of Prime Time Space!

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone!

December has been a bit crazy this year – but all in all it will be a nice Christmas spent with family. We will miss those who are no longer with us – especially Nana this year. I usually would pick her up Christmas morning and take her to my folks’ house where we would have a nice breakfast cooked by my mother and open our stockings. Santa has always been nice to all of us.

My mother knitted all of our stockings for our first Christmas. All of ours look different. I like the big Santa on mine with the soft angora beard. I can’t believe my stocking has been filled by Santa for 52 years (it is hard enough to believe that I will be 53 on the 26th of December!). I have been pretty good this year – so I am sure that I will not be getting coal. As I sit here watching an All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special – I think back on the many Christmas Eve’s when I was younger when I would lie awake – daring not to breathe – for fear that Santa would know I was awake and pass by the house. Some years, I would swear I heard sleighbells and noises on the roof. It was all very magical.

Tomorrow morning, I will wake up (my mother will barely sleep from excitement and want to be up and unwrapping at the crack of dawn – but she will wait) and head over to my parents’ house – carrying what Santa has left for them at my house … we will eat a delicious breakfast together …and then dig in to the presents. The rest of the family will arrive in the afternoon with their families and the small house will be brimming with laughter and love. It is all very magical – and it isn’t because of the gifts. It is because of the love.

I hope that you find yourself surrounded by Love on Christmas Day … and even if you cannot be with family and friends – remember the great gift of love given to all of us on that first Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

It has been awhile since I updated the blog. I was in “Sunny” Florida on vacation the first part of December. Of course – it wasn’t WARM Florida while we were down there. It was almost as cold down there are up here in NH. Florida was beating all kinds of weather records. We all had a great time at Disney World even though it was a bit chilly. Disney made out big time because people were buying hats, scarves, and mittens! One good thing – in the morning Hollywood Studios wasn’t very crowded and there was not a line of kids waiting to snap a photo of them riding on the land speeder …so I had a turn 🙂

We bumped into Debra Beaupre at the Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. She is currently working for WDW at the Animal Kingdom. It was good to see her – it had been 6 years. I am wearing my first “Mouse” ears. I know they are stunning on me. 🙂

I can’t believe that Christmas is next Saturday! I am way behind in my shopping and decorating. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for? I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I am truly blessed. I am thankful for all the great memories of those who are no longer with us and for all the memories yet to be. We have spent so much time around tables filled with food and surrounded by laughter (and not only at Thanksgiving). It is probably why many of us struggle with our weight (LOL)! Eating has always been associated with family, fun, and comfort. A special Thanksgiving wish out to all those who live across the country or will be away this Thanksgiving – Have a wonderful Holiday! You are all in my thoughts! I can’t wait for pumpkin pie! Safe traveling to all too!

Full "Beaver" Moon

I learned something the other day about blue moons. I always thought they were the second full moon that falls in a month. I recently found out that the original definition of a blue moon is the third full moon in a season of four full moons. Last night’s Full “Beaver” Moon fit into the original definition. I used my Nikon D90 and new Sigma 150-500 mm lens to snap the shot. This shot is cropped, and I tinted the moon blue! Have a great day! It is almost Thanksgiving! OMG!

I can’t believe that my last posting was 10/30, and it is already November 15th. November seems to be the shortest month … just a blur between Halloween and Christmas. November is usually gray and raw … but November is also a month of Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. I am very thankful for all my friends and family. I am truly blessed. (I even have chickens that come to my bird feeder. I always smile when I see the chickens.) Have a great November everyone!

Gate Night - Trick or Treat 2010

Tonight is Gate Night in Penacook/Boscawen. It is when the locals go out trick or treating. I had 45 kids this year (plus Tim & Christopher who stopped by for a bit) – not bad. It appears witches and vampires were popular costumes this year. I did see a Super Mario, a frog, a princess, angel, and assorted horror-type costumes. It was a little cool but not bad. Below is a poem that I drafted 10/30/1998…for fun.

ALL HALLOW’s EVE

A giant phantom
floats across the sky,
its round-white heart
shines from the inside out.
Its breath tears the leaves
off the trees and sends them
scurrying across the road
like rats.
The spirit world awakens
and sends a wave of murmurs
through the empty streets
cresting toward my door,
shaking it from its hinges.
A shudder and a distant bell
echoes across the eerie night.
Voices are heard –
muffled behind creaking trees,
a chill enters the room –
the sound of footsteps
shuffle across the grass and crisp leaves.
No one is in sight.
Only shadows reaching out across the lawn
and up my front steps.
There is a knock at the door.

“Trick or Treat!”

I can’t believe that Halloween is almost here. This week, I am trying to get in the mood and watching my favorite Halloween movies and specials. I am trying not to eat a lot of junk food. I have not bought candy to give out but went the chip/cookie/cracker route. They do not tempt me as much as chocolate does. I will eat all the chocolate if it is in the house. I LOVE chocolate.

The kids in Penacook and Boscawen go out on Gate Night which is the 30th. The weather is going to be a little cool – but other than that, it should be dry. Concord celebrates on Halloween. It is always nice when Trick or Treat lands on the weekend – it is more fun, I believe for the kids.

I remember going out with a group of friends and going all over Penacook on Gate Night. Most of the time we carried pillowcases to collect our goodies. I would eat every Reese’s that hit the bag and I really liked 3 Musketeer Bars as well. Talk about a sugar rush! When I got home – me and my siblings would trade goodies.

I loved going out into the night – being a little afraid ourselves – wondering who or what was going to jump out at us – while also spooking others a little too. It was great fun. I am always happy to see that kids still seem to enjoy the evening. For the most part – all control themselves.

Well – I will post again soon… I have to watch GHOST HUNTERS 🙂

Sub-Adult Bald Eagle

“It was the best of times . . . It was the worst of times!” It was a bit blustery this weekend – but all in all a glorious autumn weekend in New Hampshire. I LOVE the outdoors and walking through the leaves and taking photos of the landscapes and the wildlife I see. I have walked in the woods all my life and get great enjoyment from it. What I don’t like – is the appearance of the VILE TICKS in New Hampshire. I know that I have ranted about the VILE things in a previous posting this past March when one was latched on to me! Yesterday – I had gone out into the woods to check on a couple of my geocaches and snap some autumn photos. All was right with the world. Then, later that evening – while I was enjoying my television show – I felt IT crawling up my wrist. THE VILE tiny tick (deer tick, I believe – the carrier of the dreaded Lyme disease). I grabbed it and gave it a live burial “at sea.” No pomp – no circumstance … just a wretch and a flush! I spent the next couple hours – doing a full body check times 4 and took a shower and then another few body scans. UGH! I am still twitching. There is no joy where TICKS tread! I can’t wait until there is a ground cover of snow – that stops the vile things!

But for the best of things . . . this morning as I drove to work and arrived at Horseshoe Pond, what to my wandering eyes should appear . . . but the sub-adult bald eagle that I have been seeing in Boscawen sitting oh so pretty in a tree by the pond. I found a place to park the car – stashed my pocketbook in the trunk – grabbed my camera and RAN toward the area. I stopped running when I got close as not to frighten it. It is the closest that I have ever been to a wild bald eagle. They are awesome birds! What a rush it was to see it up close. I actually stopped twitching about the tick for a while.

Stock Photo - Salem, MA

Today is 10/10/10. This date combination will not happen again for 1,000 years! Interesting! It was a gorgeous day in New Hampshire. Fall is here and in a week or two – central New Hampshire foliage will be at peak. I love the fall. It is my favorite time of year. I love the mild days, low humidity, and crisp nights.

I hung my towels out to dry today. It won’t be long before all my laundry will have to be dried in the dryer instead of out on the line. I love the scent of towels and sheets drying out on the line.

Friday, I had received the new lens that I ordered. I was out snapping shots today. The eagle that has been hiding lately – graciously posed for a few minutes this afternoon so I could try out the new lens.

Have a great day!