Where does Time Go?

 I made a post here on November 9. The next one was today the 22nd. There is MUCH that has happened in the days in between. I'll try tomorrow to fill in some of that.

Kia Sedona Serpentine Belt, Tensioner, NY State Inspection

My 2011 Kia Sedona van this morning.

Yesterday I dropped my 2011 Kia Sedona van off at Main Auto Parts in Watertown, NY to have the NY State annual safety and emissions inspection as well as hd them replace the serpentine belt and belt tensioner. the tab for that came to $403.40 BTW, $21.00 of that was for the NYS inspection fee.

The tab for NY State inspection, derive belt and belt tensioner

Usually when I drop one of my vehicles off somewhere for a repair I have the Better Half or my Celebrity Brother meet me, pick me up, or whatever. They were both incapacitated. The BH was very sick for 2 days with vomiting and other issues. My CB was still recovering at home after 5 days in the hospital with a c diff infection. SO, my daughter S picked me up at the garage and drove me back home to Chaumont. Later in the day I needed a ride back to the garage to pick up the repaired van. This time my grandson JJ's girlfriend came out and picked me up. That was particularly nice because it gave me some one on one time with her. She is a most wonderful, kind person. (Very pretty too.)  J and her have two beautiful young children also. 

First Snow and Pickled Garlic

 

Freezing rain on our car today in Chaumont, NY.

Awoke this morning to snow falling. It was a light snow, sticking to the ground and outside objects. As day wore on it was more drizzling rain mixed with some snow and at one point it was freezing rain. Laid low today, checked in on Celebrity Brother Al as he recovers from prostate removal 10 days ago or so. Late in afternoon made some pickled garlic. Here is the recipe I used. This is first time I've tried it. 

Yesterday was a nice enough day that I painted a couple more boards for my ongoing side porch repair / rebuild. I also spent a couple hours with CB Al yesterday. His recovery has been quite painful at times and making him miserable. 

First snow of the winter season was accompanied with some freezing rain.

Made some pickled garlic today.

Painted porch trim boards yesterday.

Maple leaf on first snow and freezing rain.

A Trip to the Emergency Room

Last night, at 2:00 AM the Better Half woke me. She was in excruciating pain coming from her  lower back, right side. She has been experiencing pain in that area for some time, we figured it was related to her long time back issues that have a years long history. We arrived at Samaratin Medical Center in Watertown at 3:00. They concluded that she has a kidney infection. IV antibiotics were administered as well as some pain relief. We left the ER at 8:00 am. She was feeling well enough by then that we stopped at Shorty's diner for breakfast. Picked up prescriptions at Kinneys. At home we both dozed off and on a few times. About 2:00 I made some chicken soup. No rain today, some sunshine, pleasant, high temp of 44.

Yesterday I took my Celebrity Brother to his appointment with the doctor that removed his prostate. After I dropped him home and went to Wal-Mart and shopped some medical supplies for him. He is coming along ok, no longer needs the catheter, but  he is clearly somewhat weary as he recovers. The BH and I went back to his house late afternoon with couple more items for him. It rained most of the day. It was dark, dreary and miserable weather. 

Beautiful Day, Raked Leaves

My 2011 Kia Sedona van at Al's house. I unloaded 5 bags of leaf mulch
behind the shed. It was a beautiful day for outdoor work.

Yesterday (Sunday November 2) was a nice day here in the North Country. Sunny, high about 50 dgrees. I took down our Halloween decorations and stowed them away for next year. Then spent 3 hours raking and mulching leaves. I rake the leaves up into large piles and then take the lawn mower to them, chopping the leaves into a fine mulch. In recent years I dump the bagged leaf mulch behind my brotherAl's house in Calcium. He has been filling in a large section of hillside, slowly extending the yard. Al is recovering from prostate gland removal. His son Tim was there as well as brother Ron. I dropped off some Halloween candy bars we had left over from Halloween night. 

Halloween 2025 Steve Hunt Creations

 Halloween, Friday October 31, 2025

Steve Hunt house, Main St, Chaumont, NY, Halloween 2025

My neighbor down the street from me, Steve Hunt, has been creating some interesting sculptures. The photos I present here are of his home decorated for Halloween. 

As for us, we had our usual array of Jacko' Lantern string lights and inflatable. Nothing too elaborate. 

Halloween itself was rainy, windy and temperature in the high 40's. This put a damper on number of trick or treaters, even though the rain subsided for most of the evening. Last year we had 163 trick or treaters, a record number. This year we had 75. We bought 4 boxes of full size candy bars totaling 138 pieces. Bought at Sam's Club for about $150.00 Heather & Dave and their sons and girlfriends came over. Had some food and couple of beers. 

Steve Hunt house, Main St, Chaumont, NY, Halloween 2025

Steve Hunt house, Main St, Chaumont, NY, Halloween 2025

Steve Hunt house, Main St, Chaumont, NY, Halloween 2025

Steve Hunt house, Main St, Chaumont, NY, Halloween 2025