Debra LaValley's Blog

Eclipse Mania!

Totality was only about an hour and a half away north of me – of course not today. The highway was bumper-to-bumper and it would have taken hours to drive north. In the Concord, NH area the eclipse was at about 96+%, which was not bad at all. There was only a tiny sliver of the sun not covered. I did not get any decent shots of the eclipse, since I did not purchase a solar lens for my camera. I tried to use my iPhone with an eclipse glasses lens – but I was not successful at getting any decent shots. I was able to enjoy the view with my eclipse glasses. I was at my mom’s in Penacook and shared my glasses with her. My sister Jackie surprised us with a visit too just before 3:00 pm. The eclipse was under way but we didn’t reach 96+% until 3:29 pm so she made the best part of the show.

It became a bit darker, and my transitional glasses did not turn dark. My mother’s crocuses closed up, and we were able to see cool shadows made by the eclipse through the trees. I included a few photos of the shadows below. It also became cooler during this time. It was great seeing kids in the neighborhood with adults all wearing eclipse glasses etc., and enjoying the event outdoors. It was also in the high 60s today! So much better than the snowstorm that dropped about 10 inches of snow last week. Snow doesn’t last long this time of year, thank goodness!

This eclipse was much more exciting than the partial eclipse seen in New Hampshire in 2017. The best that I have ever seen was the annular eclipse seen in Concord on 5/10/1994. They all are very interesting and worth taking the time to check them out. I especially like the neat shadows caused by them.

Have a great day everyone!

Spring is only a few days away. We have been having a very mild winter here in New Hampshire. It is one of the wettest we have had. I think we are currently #4. We have had more rain than snow. I know that it greatly affects the ski industry and snow mobile riders; but I have to admit that I don’t miss shoveling, etc. The rivers are very high right now after about 2 inches of rain fell the other day. The mountains received a good dose of snow so that made the skiers happy. I am looking forward to seeing a bit of green! It has been a very brown winter. Enjoy your spring!

(Re Photo: I took this photo many years ago. It is of a reflection in a puddle.)

Memories after Watching Fish in an Aquarium

Recently, I brought my mom to one of her appointments and there was a large aquarium in the office. My parents bought an aquarium in the early 1970s and had it in our living room behind the top of the couch (it was on a table). My mom was pregnant with my brother Ken. She said it was very relaxing to watch the fish. We enjoyed the aquarium for many years. One memory that came to mind was when my brother Ken (when he was just a toddler) was standing on the couch. My dad was reclined on the couch. Ken reached up and pulled on the side of the aquarium – needless to say there was water and flopping fish everywhere! Another memory was when a very pregnant black molly passed away. My mom was watching the tank when the molly passed. Mom quickly netted the fish and performed a cesarean section on the molly. The babies lived and were placed in a special nursery area of the tank.  I also remember my mom taking a popsicle stick and wrangling a mean angel fish away from the fish it was bullying. The angle fish in the office’s tank seemed to be behaving itself. The tank was always filled with different colorful species (some of my favorites were neon tetras, red-tailed sharks, coolie (aka Kuhli) loaches, and of course the prehistoric looking plecostomus that helped keep the tank clean. After I moved out and had my own apartment, I had my own aquarium for close to 20 years. They really are very relaxing to watch. Fun memories that I have not thought of for a long time. 

Enjoy your day!

Our first winter storm of 2024 happened over the weekend. Our area had about 9 inches of fluffy snow! It looks pretty, but I wouldn’t be sad if we didn’t have any more :) I know that won’t happen. I spent Saturday night at my mother’s since it was predicted to be a bit storm. I did a little snowblowing before I came home last night. I placed my snow boots, gloves, and scarf in front of my heater. Maisey looked quite content curled up on my boots. She is such a cutie. 

I hope everyone is having a nice 2024! 

Merry Christmas to All!

I know it is Christmas Eve that I am posting this – but tomorrow will be a busy day, and I wanted to be sure to post. 

Above is my new Nativity scene made in Bethlehem and carved out of olive wood from the Holy Land. It is small, but I think it is lovely. It is also safe from a certain cat. 

I decided it would be fitting to end this post with St. Luke Chapter 2 verses 11-14 as written in the Grant family Bible given to me many years ago from my Great Aunt Marguerite (aka Aunt Peg). It appears to have been published in 1888.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Blessings to All!

Holiday Merriment has Begun!

I bought myself an Elf on a Shelf and have been enjoying creating daily photos with “Max” the Elf. Above he has been levitated above my little Christmas tree by Grogu (aka Baby Yoda, The Child). My tree only has lights. I did not dare put ornaments on the tree because Maisey is too curious with the lights. So far, the tree has stayed upright!

December has been mild, and I am not complaining. Today is raining, and it is currently 61 degrees! I am ok with no snow. We have had an inch here and 2 inches there but it has melted quickly which is fine with me. 

I will be posting again in a few days. Have a great pre-Christmas week! Enjoy!

Maisey looking out upon the first snow of the season here in Boscawen. Everything was very brown and dreary and the blanket of snow brightened up things a bit. It is now raining so the snow will not stay long. It is getting dark way too early now that the clocks have been turned back!

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it!

Take care, and I hope this finds you well!

Halloween is Coming!

October is my favorite month! I have been busy decorating my apartment. I haven’t really put out any outside decorations yet. I limit my outside decorations since I have been going to my mom’s for Trick or Treat (Gate Night aka 10/30) to help her give out candy. I don’t want too many outside decorations since I won’t be home to Trick or Treat.

The foliage is not too colorful yet, and I fear that we will not have much color here. We had too much rain and the leaves have some sort of blight. Most of the leaves are turning brown or a light yellow and just falling off. So far we have not had a frost. If I get some good foliage shots, I will upload a few to my blog.

Enjoy your Autumn!

Happy September and Labor Day Weekend!

Labor Day Weekend this year is in for lovely weather. Today, will be about 80 degrees in my area. I would rather have it a bit cooler, but at least it isn’t humid. Nights have been cooling off nicely. Last night, we had a campfire at my mom’s house. It was great weather. There were only a few mosquitoes around and they didn’t seem to be biting. We could hear the football game announcer and cheering, etc. from Merrimack Valley High School. It appears they lost. Better luck next time. I saw three nighthawks fly over us. My first nighthawk sighting of the year. They are migrating.

I have nothing much scheduled for the holiday weekend. Traffic was pretty brutal last night. Many were heading north to the lakes and mountains. Growing up, we always went camping on this weekend. I have very fond memories of family camping trips.

Earlier this week, I was fortunate to see a 3 point buck munching on apples on Water Street in Boscawen and managed some nice photos. You can click on my Flickr photostream to see my recent photos including the buck. I rarely see bucks.

I hope everyone has a fabulous and safe holiday weekend! Take care! Debbie 🙂

Back from Vacation

My mom, Aunt Mary Jane, and I were at The Lake (Newfound Lake) again this year. We spent the last week of July and first week of August in our regular waterfront cabin at Belmore Court. We love the private beach and our our fire pit. There is nothing like having a campfire on the beach with such a great view of the lake. Newfound Lake as always been our family favorite. My sister Mary Beth and her grandson, Lucian, rented the cabin behind us for the first week. It was fun sharing time with them. We also had a big family day on our first Friday. Michael, Rachel, Ethan, and Clara were in New Hampshire visiting from Oklahoma. We had not seen them for about 3 1/2 years or so. They came to the lake. They were joined by Danielle and family, Christie brought Jaxon, Hannah, and Raegan, and Christopher arrived with Crystal and Aela. A great time was had by all. It was a beautiful day.

It is such beautiful place. So peaceful and relaxing. It was extra nice this year since I wasn’t going back to work. LOL. I am loving retirement!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer!