Run Fox Run

We missed the first big storm of the winter, as instead of shoveling snow we were digging in the Caribbean sand — about which more soon. But since our return we’ve had two good snowfalls, and done some quality control on our sleds. Photos in the Snow Daze album.

After swimming class on Sunday, we headed into the city to see the Goldsmiths of Greenwich Village.  We’ve often enjoyed promenading along the Hudson together; this time we were ambitious, and headed north to the Chelsea Piers carousel.  It was, shall we say, brisk outside, with a ferocious wind that whipped our faces pink.  Sadly, the carousel was closed for maintenance.  (Bloomberg!  What gives?!)  We consoled ourselves with another thrill ride of sorts: a stroll along the High Line on our way back for a feast prepared by Aunt Joan.  Along the way, the girls took control of the camera, so what follows is the High Line through their eyes.

Dear readers, can you tolerate another post about how awesome is Don Roca? This time from the point of view of his appreciative wife?

This year marked the first time we hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. We did not make our customary hajj to Northern California, though Rossmanns, Goldsmiths, and Strouds were all much missed. (Not to mention Group mongeese and Spruce families). We did not shamelessly invite ourselves over to Ray’s or Gary’s. Instead, we invited Grandma Jeanette and Grandpa Dave to make their own pilgrimage east from Pittsburgh, and we were thrilled that they accepted. Toby ordered a prime rib from the local butchery (not the little prize turkey; the big one), and prepared a fine feast.  The prime rib; creamed spinach; Yorkshire pudding; and, for the traditionalists, cranberry sauce. The girls brazenly stole Aunt Diane’s idea and made hats for all our guests, plus a few friends who hadn’t made the journey.

As the chef worked, the rest of us took a walk through the neighborhood to collect the last of the autumn leaves. The first snowflakes were too damp, too sparse, to be quite believable…but soon, a true flurry fell as we walked, heads tipped and tongues out to catch the flakes.

The list for which I’m thankful is too long to enumerate here, but the bullet points are these: family; friends; health. Creamed spinach and sweet potato pie are mighty fine too! Lots of photos of our holiday weekend in the Thanksgiving album.

Though I have typically described this project as my attempt to bring to fruition Jenn’s request for a sitting area in the back yard, it really wasn’t about that. I never liked the juniper bushes out there and considered that corner of the yard a total waste of space. More lawn doesn’t really make sense because it has a significant slope. So this project was nominally about transforming a small bit of unused space into something more functional. Chairs and fire pit to appear in the early spring. However, this work wasn’t really about curb appeal.

It was about being able to sustain hard physical work over 10 weekends and seeing a long project through. It was about hearing people say, ‘That’s going to be a lot of work for one guy”, knowing it would be, and doing it anyway. Don Roca Landscaping in full effect. As “Fast” Eddie Felson said, ‘I’m back.’

View from the Porch about 5 years ago. Didn’t take a “before” picture for this project.

View from the middle of the backyard. And yes, 6″x6″ pressure-treated wood is heavy.

View from the corner of the driveway. And yes, those rocks are &#*%($ heavy.

View from the top step. Mighty fine!