Poltrack Blog

I had a nice lunch with my Mom at the Northeast Cafe in New Boston, NH. As we dined we watched large chunks of ice flow by in the raging Piscataquog River . It occurred to me that somewhere they were going to get jammed up. I didn't have to travel far downstream to find the spot. This was a result of our crazy New England weather. First a blizzard, followed by subzero temperatures, rain, fog and springlike thaw. This is just the start of the story, the ice is still gathering and another cold snap is predicted. Looking downstream (Route 13 in background) while standing on The Todd Bridge presented a field of large ice chunks. A number of people had gathered to look at a beaver dislodged (pun intended) by the gathering ice. I was too late to see it. As I stood on the bridge the water was beginning to creep over the roadway This shed was being flooded Looking up stream, those speeding ice chunks kept coming.

In spite of two back to back snow and ice events, the roads were in good condition for travel on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, We gathered at my mother's house in New Boston on Christmas Day for a ham & turkey Christmas dinner. A Teddy Bear sports the Santa hat my dad used to wear  Streaming some Christmas tunes My sister Susan did a great job on food preparation for both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Ginny enjoys a laugh Isaak & Joshua zone out with the little screens Jesse sports his Smith Brothers beard It was nice spending some time with my grandnephew Alex My sister has a new sewing machine than can do some fancy stitching  Forget the television image, we had the real thing Alex prepares for a gas attack A new sleeping bag for a junior fireman Here is a classic from my childhood, the drinking bird  and it still fascinating to watch Source Wikipedia The drinking bird is a  heat...

I'm dreaming of avoiding a White Christmas like we did in 2015 but in reality we hit the SNOW jackpot. On Christmas Eve we got a snow/ice mixture but avoided losing power. By the mid afternoon the roads were in good shape so we were able to visit my sister in New Boston for our annual Christmas Eve festivities. It is snowing on Christmas Morning and hopefully it will taper off before noon so the family can visit for a brunch and Christmas gifts. Merry Christmas to all of you, be safe and happy in 2018. Susan found some seasonal chair covers at her recycle center. My sister and I have a mutual appreciation for recycling centers. She has her room at the transfer station and I have my Green Center . Lizzie made a big hit at dinner by providing an Ambrosia Salad. Alex was happy to have his own plate with cold green beans Blowing out candles with Grandma A longtime Polish family tradition is sharing a Christmas Wafer ( opłatki) Alex set up a race car...

On Sunday folks decorated the New Boston Rail Trail with non-breakable Christmas ornaments. It was nice event with hot cocoa served at the end of the trail. Gathering at the trail head with ornaments in bags Grandma Susan Carr assists her grandson hang an ornament Bending a tree to get the ornament high off the ground Alex gets an assist from his dad Alex gets more ornaments Hot cocoa was a nice touch Susan warms up with the cocoa A sample of the ornaments   www.poltrack.net

On Saturday I had the opportunity to tour the gardens of Ken Vengren and Harrison Kendall. They have converted their backyard into a beautiful garden. A mixture of colors and textures An attractive chicken coop A Wisteria vine climbs over a weathered pergola. No blossoms yet Skittles Sculpture Lupines and Giant Allium Sedum and Thyme Susan enjoys a laugh with a friend Whimsical fountain Weathered Barn The Shade Garden It wouldn't be a garden party without hats Ken & Harrison's home Harrison chats with hos guests Pathways Fruit, cheese and mimosas A place to sit in the middle of the garden which is usable for three seasons and when a wood stove is added, year round. Wide angle view It was difficult to photograph the garden on such a bright day with deep shadows and brilliant sunshine.  Weeping blue spruce looks like some kind of creature   www.poltrack...