TCC for 2/13/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/13/08
Ghetto temp. 50 F. and steady.
Island tmp. 29 F. Yesterday's L/H: 13/24 F.
Current conditions: Occasional snow/sleet/freezing rain. Mild wind from somewhere...

It started as snow last night, come the morning it switch to sleet, eventually going on to freezing rain. Come the evening it switched around between the three. Quite a bit of freezing rain though, the Caretaker spent most of the day in the Ghetto trying to get caught up on thank you notes that are long overdo. When the wind would pick up, ice from the tree limbs over the Ghetto would come crashing down on the roof. He did get out and about on the Island for a while to take some photos of the freezing rain build up on the trees, bushes, etc. The freezing rain brought down a few branches. While the Caretaker was out taking photographs, one rather large tree limb came down from the maple on the South East shoreline of the Island. The Caretaker was glad to not be under it. However, the Caretaker was not glad about the loss of this limb from the maple, this tree has been taking quite a beating over the years. At the rate it's going, it may only have a few years left, that is if it keeps losing limbs. It would be a real shame for this tree to go, its splay of foliage is quite nice in the Summer, and come the Autumn, it is quite gorgeous. The Caretaker would describe it to you, but instead he has decided to rely on a photograph:


Quite a smash of red.

In other news, the Caretaker is gearing up to make his way to the mainland tomorrow, hopefully the ice will cooperate and not break apart. He's running low on both kerosene and propane, it would be good if he could pick some up tomorrow. The only hurdle, if there is one, is getting from the Island to the ice, that is where it is most likely to be the thinest. Once away from the Island, some four to eight feet, the ice should be plenty thick. It has been about two weeks since the Caretaker has been to the mainland. However, he can't say he hasn't seen anyone since then, two weekends ago he saw some Ice-fishermen, they were about 500 yards or so away from the Island on the ice, the Caretaker didn't speak to them or anything, but he did notice that they were out on the ice fishing. Aside from that he hasn't seen anyone, he has spoken to a few people on the phone, but other than that no other contact with people. The longest the Caretaker has gone without seeing anyone was during ice-out of his first Winter here on the Island, he went three and a half weeks without seeing anyone, that was two Winters ago. Anyway, and now for today's poem in honor of the coming Valentine's Day holiday:

"The Presence of Absence"

I need to know,
What it means
To let you go,
Through that door
For a while,
'Til you return my smile.

Heart grows dark when we part.
I miss you more and more,
By my side through the night,
I love to hear you sigh,
It's okay it's alright,
It's okay it's alright,

Until we say
Goodbye.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/12/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/12/08
Ghetto temp. 54 F. and steady-ish.
Island tmp. 24 F. Yesterday's L/H: 7/20 F.
Current conditions: Snowing, little to no wind.

Last night might have been the coldest night on the Island this Winter, finally. As far as the Caretaker's eye can see (which isn't very far) the Lake has iced over, finally. How long will it last? Who knows. In honor of the Lake fully freezing over (at least freezing over local to the Island, there are probably parts North on the Lake that have still not iced over, anyway), the Caretaker has attached a few extra photos to this update. When the Caretaker first got out of bed this morning he took a peek out the door of the Ghetto and saw a lot of steam rising from the Lake. Steam means that the air is colder than the water, which meant that there was still open water. This did not please the Caretaker. So, instead of immediately getting dressed and going out and about on the Island the Caretaker went back to bed for a short while. Eventually the Caretaker got out of bed, did his 20 minute regiment of Free-form T'ai-Chi in the Ghetto, then got dressed to go for breakfast. He stepped outside of the Ghetto, glanced at the Lake then turned to go into the main house to gather his breakfast. Before he did so the message from his eyes got through to his brain, he took another look at the Lake--little to no steam. AH-HA! No steam means no open water. So instead of going for breakfast the Caretaker went back into the Ghetto for his camera, and thus the attached photos. The light wasn't so hot for photography but at least you can finally see the Lake iced over. When the photos were taken this morning there was still a little bit of steaming rising off the Lake, this was fresh ice.

This last part to freeze over probably won't be safe to travel on for at least another day so the Caretaker will not be heading over to the East shore just yet. Also, the weather report for Wednesday calls for snow, then sleet, possibly freezing rain, then snow again. Friday doesn't look so good for the ice either. Either way, hopefully the Caretaker will be able to ski over to the East shore by the end of this weekend or early next week.

Originally the Caretaker was thinking of going over to the mainland today, but decided to put it off until Thursday which is supposed to be a clear sunny day. So instead of going to the mainland today the Caretaker stayed in the Ghetto working on his photography portfolio of photo-cards, hopefully he will make some sales this Thursday.

In other news, for those of you who are into both The Grateful Dead and Jazz music, you might want to check out this week's broadcast of the radio program "The Grateful Dead Hour" they will be broadcasting Sabertooth's version of a Grateful Dead song. What that song is the Caretaker can't remember and he doesn't have handy the album of the Sabertooth album the song is listed on. For those who don't know, Sabertooth is a jazz band thus the song is a jazz version of a Grateful Dead song. To see if the Grateful Dead hour is broadcast in your area use the following link:

http://www.gdhour.com/stations.html

If the show is not broadcast in your area it can probably be heard via the internet from the above website or something. For those of you who are not familiar with Sabertooth, you can learn a bit about the band by clicking on their link on the left side of this blog, it's listed under "Favorite Links". For those not interested in clicking on the link, the following is an excerpt from a review of Sabertooth's latest CD "Dr. Midnight..."

"I don't think I've ever experienced a live recording where I've become as directly involved in the music as I did on this disc. When it comes right down to it Sabertooth's Dr. Midnight Live At The Green Mill is an exhilarating jazz party. Everybody, including the band, are having such a good time that it's impossible not to get caught up in the excitement of the moment. There's nothing quite like listening to live jazz until the sun comes up, and if you can't be there in person, this disc is the next best thing."

To read the full review:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-ovn_1130gemsnov30,0,4586712.story

At least this is where the Caretaker thinks the full review is, if you haven't noticed by now, the Caretaker's filing system is lacking, to say the least. Why is the Caretaker offering up this information about Sabertooth? First and foremost they're a dang good Jazz band, secondly the Caretaker's cousin plays sax in Sabertooth, info on the Caretaker's cousin can be found under Favorite Links, he's the "Jazz Sax Master", which, for the record, is a moniker that the Caretaker gave him, his cousin is way too modest to run around calling himself that. The Caretaker thinks it's funny, but it is also true, don't believe it? Go to The Green Mill in Chicago any Saturday night and you can find out for yourself.

Lastly, today's poem in honor of Valentine's Day is actually an excerpt from a song that the Caretaker came up with sometime last summer, someday he'll get around to recording it and posting it on his myspace page.

"Growing Growing"

Know that the weather is only getting better
As the rain pours down.
We're still together and that's all that matters
While we wait it out.

Stormy hearts, can blow it all away.
Feel the calm, sure to make us safe.

Know that it's better when we are together
As life carries on.
We're still together and that's all that matters
And growing strong.

Hard at times, nothing we can't take.
Made in love, a bond we should not break.

Hold me now,
Say that I should,
Lay me down,
Show how Love
Is growing now
And always, all ways growing
Growing strong.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/11/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/11/08
Ghetto temp. 55 F. and steady, mostly.
Island tmp. 16 F. Yesterday's L/H: 10/32 F.
Current conditions: Light East wind from up the Narrows. Clear star filled sky.

Quite a bit of wind today from the North, it has mostly died down now. The night is bright with stars, only about a quarter of the moon is aglow, quite a bit of light but not enough to drown out the brilliance of the stars. The recent cold has been good for the ice, but not so good for the Caretaker's feet, the floor of the Ghetto gets cold and it reaches through his boots. It is but a small price to pay if it means that someday soon he will be able to ski across the ice to the East shore--which will hopefully happen someday soon. Still a large swath of open water off the North East corner of the Island. The Caretaker was originally planning to make his way over to the mainland tomorrow and get behind the wheel of his car (assuming it starts) to take care of some errands, but given the forecast for snow he may hold off until Thursday. Also, much of the ice immediately surrounding the Island is either still a bit dicey or the open water cuts off access to the mainland. Hopefully come tomorrow morning the ice will be more willing to hold.

Not much else to report from here on the Island. In other news, today's Valentine's Day poem is perhaps best described as experimental.

"Sweet My Sweet"

Sweet My Sweet,
How does the wind blow a lilly,
When the heart weeps for a scent
That catches the mind in a dream?

Always across oceans
Love is spent on rings and roses,
Feelings and whispers, serious and silly.

Your love casts a line that reaches deep,
Draws in tight to my heart,
Making feelings complete.

Together we swim in and out of,
Over and under, above and below,
And all around each other
In the eternal joys we reap.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/10/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/10/08
Ghetto temp. 47 F. and rising.
Island tmp. 20 F. Yesterday's L/H: 28/31 F.
Current conditions: Light snow, wind from the South mostly mild, occasional gusts from the West to North West.

The day started out mostly mild, even quite a bit of sun and sky, but then the wind began to pick up from the West shore. Blustery at times. Occasional snow falls, late afternoon there was a snow squall. Dark, thick clouds, high winds, blowing snow, etc. Overall a quiet day for the Caretaker, some outside work in the morning, some inside work in the afternoon. In the morning before the wind picked up, out on the Boathouse South dock in the sun it was rather pleasant, such that the Caretaker decided to engage in some Free-Form T'ai-Chi Ch'uan. This is the Caretaker's own brand of T'ai-Chi, unlike traditional methods of T'ai-Chi; Free-Form is not intended to be meditative, not that it can't be, but the focus of Free-Form T'ai-Chi is activity for both the body and the mind. What is Free-Form T'ai-Chi? The movements of Free-Form are similar to traditional in execution but that is about it. There are no set moves, you continually make them up as you go along. Having to continually make up the moves serves to stimulate the mind, thus not just providing exercise to the body, but also the mind. The Caretaker will expand upon this at another time.

In honor of Valentine's Day this week, the Caretaker has decided to include some "poems" in the posts leading up to the holiday. Some of the poems are from year's past, others will be new. The intent will be to cover some of the many aspects of love, this first one dwells on a cynical view of love. Should you be in need of some nice sentiments for the one you love, and have yet to come up with something, by all means, feel free to make use of what you read here over the next few days--that is if you should find them worthy enough to repeat. If you'd like, use them whole or in part, or as inspiration. If you'd like, pass them off as your own (for personal use only), or perhaps, the more likely, for comic relief. Whatever you do, be sure to have a happy Valentine's day and do whatever it takes to make it special. The Caretaker does not recommend the following poem as a "sweet nothing" to share with your loved one, but being the first of the week today he decided it would be best to dispense with it at the beginning.

"Love Is So"

Love is language,
debated.
Love is bondage,
overrated.

Love is so erogenous,
so fluid.
Love is so ambiguous,
so stupid.

Love is joy,
all the anger.
Love is coy,
all the stranger.

Love is so plenty when new.
Love is so much to so many.
Love true,
Happens so few.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/9/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/9/08
Ghetto temp. 44 F. and rising.
Island tmp. 31 F. Yesterday's L/H: 23/29 F.
Current conditions: mild breeze from the South 5 to 10 mph, light sleet.

Colder temperatures of late have iced over much of the open water. Hopefully the trend will continue. For the first half of the day the Caretaker spent his time organizing and cleaning things up outside. For the later half of the day he spent his time cooking. One of the things he did was to do some cleaning out of the refrigerator. He came across a tub of crumbled blue cheese. The Caretaker rarely if ever eats real blue cheese by choice, big fan of the dressing with hot foods, etc. but the real deal? Eh. Soooo, obviously this blue cheese is left over from some time in the Summer, chances are the "freshest" it could be is from late September. The Caretaker's first thought was to just throw it out, he wouldn't be too inclined to eat "fresh" blue cheese, even less inclined to eat "aged" blue cheese. Then a question came to him, does blue cheese go bad? or does it just get "bluer"? Doesn't blue cheese start out "bad"? So this blue cheese, at least 5 months old is actually better? The Caretaker has yet to come up with an answer to this, and so he has decided to keep the blue cheese. He doesn't anticipate getting a hankering for blue cheese anytime soon, however, if it does prove to be safe to eat, and should things here on the Island get dire, the blue cheese might not be such a bad thing after all. It could prove to be quite handy for flavoring rice.

"When things GET dire?" you ask. No running water, marginal heat, sequestered on an Island during ice-in, when do things GET dire? When the Caretaker, in desperate need of something for dessert, and nothing else is left but cool-aid and rice, cooks some rice in cool-aid and eats it as dessert, which would probably follow a meal of rice cooked with "aged" blue cheese. However, the Caretaker is a long way off from being that desperate. In fact, just today the Caretaker cooked up a big batch of potato, corn chowder. Well, he was only mildly desperate today, not for having to make chowder from corn and potatoes, in fact it was a soup base that his step-mother was kind enough to give him, thank you, rather he was mildly desperate because one of the ingredients needed for the chowder was milk. The Caretaker has no milk on the Island, so in it's place the Caretaker whipped up some rice milk from scratch and used that instead. Certainly not as creamy as dairy milk, but the rice milk certainly worked well enough. If he wanted something creamier, he could have made soy milk from scratch, if he had planned ahead, but he didn't, and he didn't want to wait the 8 hours it takes to soak the soybeans before the soy milk can be made. So, he made rice milk and made the chowder with that, the Caretaker will be enjoying this chowder for the next few days, it should keep him from having to try the blue cheese.

So after the Caretaker finished cleaning up from his cooking and mealing, mealing? Why not? "Eating" is so... the last some odd thousand years or so. Now a days, those who really enjoyed their food: "mealed"

For example, the phone rings:
"Hi, I'm calling from the United Divided Workers for the Gainfully Unemployed, are you familiar with our cause?"
"Can you call back at another time? I'm mealing."
"Oh, sorry to interrupt, please enjoy your meal. I'll call at another time. Good-bye."

Or:

"So, how was dinner at your in-laws?"
"Good."
"Good? How good?"
"It was mealy."

Anyway, you get the point, not sure if the Caretaker does, but that's for another time. So the Caretaker finished with the dishes, was he dishing? Meh. Right. After cleaning up the Caretaker replenished his kitchen water supply, then got rid of the waste water. While out for the water it had begun to snow. There was little to no wind and it was a light to moderate snow, what the Caretaker would call a pleasant snow. It almost seems to give off a warmth.
A maker of quiet moments,
Beautiful white, blankets the ground.
This most pleasant downfall
Wonderfully surrounds.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/8/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/8/08
Ghetto temp. 44 F. and rising.
Island tmp. 24 F. Yesterday's L/H: 25/37 F.
Current conditions: Little to no wind, half the sky is wide open, star filled points South and West from the Island. The other half of the sky is dense with clouds, lounging low to the ground points North and East from the Island.

Still further loss of ice. If the Caretaker wanted to he could bring the canoe over to the East shore, drop it in the water and start paddling. The open water appears to reach almost all the way over to the East shore of the Lake. The weather report calls for snow tonight and tomorrow, if it turns out it doesn't snow, the Caretaker will probably go for a paddle to see how far indeed the open water does reach towards the East shore. Not much, if any, in the way of open sky and sunlight today, not much in the way of either of the two this entire week. Perhaps next week. Then again, perhaps the coming snow will be enough to ski one. Perhaps.

--The Caretaker

TCC for 2/7/08

The Caretaker's Concern 2/7/08
Ghetto temp. 52 F. and rising.
Island tmp. 26 F. Yesterday's L/H: 24/36 F.
Current conditions: Light snow, medium to large flakes. Little to no wind.

It was a decent snow fall last night, however the wind was such that much of the snow was blown right off the Island. Although a considerable amount of snow did remain, x-c skiing on the Island is not yet an option, there are still a number spots that are too thin of snow--a complete loop of a usable size is yet to be had.

The blowing wind has opened up the Ice between here and Clay. The wind has been blowing from the Narrows for the past few days at such a sustained force that the Caretaker is somewhat surprised that much more of the ice has not broken up. Eventually the wind died down today, hopefully it will stay away with the coming cold temperatures so all this open water will freeze over again.

This dark water glares out of the surrounding bright snow covered ice like a gash, and the wound seems to be only getting bigger. Hopefully the cold will come soon, hopefully it will be deep, hopefully it will reach into the water and heal it over with a thick layer of ice.

--The Caretaker