Halloween 2024 at Our House in Chaumont, NY

Our candy supply for 2024 Halloween Trick or Treaters

Halloween here in Chaumont, NY was exceptionally wrm and nice. A bit breezy and 72 degrees. That resulted in a record number of trick or treaters showing up at our door. We always hand out full size candy bars that we buy at Sam's Club. We had 140 candy bars and had 160 trick or treaters. When we got down to 20 bars grandson N and his girlfriend ran to the Dolar General and picked up a couple of mixed bag  small bars. Thast carried us through to the end. Most years we average 100 to 120 trick or treaters. 

Me enjoying a beer and the warm weather, all set for the Trick or Treaters.

Total Solar Eclipse Photos in Chaumont, NY.

 

Total solar eclipse in Chaumont, NY. photo by Gary Walts.
Sony a6000 camera and Minolta 500mm f8 mirror lens.

Yesterday, April 8, 2024 we experienced a total solar eclipse here in Northern NY. Personally I and a few family members witnessed it from our backyard in the village of Chaumont.

We grilled some smoked sausages, had some salt potatoes and Cole slaw. We had a nice wood fire going in the fire cauldron and lit some tiki torches to add a little ambience to the transition from light to darkness. 

One f the most notable things that happened was a large number of mosquitos swarming about  when the darkness came on. There was also a distinct rapid drop in the temperature. It dropped from almost 60 degrees down to 52 degrees. 

For the most part the sky remained clear throughout. A small amount of clouds were about, but the view remained good. We had a wonderful and memorable day. We were all quite amazed by the experience. 

View looking toward my neighbors place during the eclipse, Chaumont, NY 2024

Smoked sausages on the grill. Cheddar bacon and cheddar jalapeño flavored. 

This is a composite of two photos. I'm not sure I really like it it or
did it quite well enough.

Eclipse day food. Smoked sausage sandwiches, oil and vinegar based Cole slaw, and salt potatoes.

We got a fire going well before it got dark. (This is a fire cauldron created by artists Will Salisbury and Greg Lago, two good friends who are no longer with us. I miss them.)

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

Family members view the eclipse in Chaumont, NY

New Years Eve & New Years Day 2024 Kia Sorento Rear Brakes

Grilling jerked chicken wings and enjoying Red Stripe beer in Chaumont, NY on New Years Eve.

New Years Eve saw mild temperatures and no snow in Chaumont, NY. The ground was bare. In early afternoon I grilled some Jamaican jerked chicken wings. The Better Half made some deviled eggs. We boiled a pot of salt potatoes. Served it up with some Red Stripe beer, a brew from Jamaica. 

We declined an invite a small New Years Eve party at B & M's house in Rutland. However, having eaten early in the afternoon  we felt differently by 6:00pm. So we decided to go drop in on them. They were surprised & happy we showed. We left after a couple hours getting back home about 9:30.  I stayed up to ring in the new year by watching the NY City Times Square ball dropping countdown. The BH hit the hay a half hour earlier. 

We drove the BH's car (2019 Kia Sorento) and on the way the brakes started making a scraping, gritty sound. 

New Years Day I replaced rear brake pads on our 2019 Kia Sorento.

New Years Day I inspected the rear brakes. The pads were wrrn down and needed replacing. Rotors were worn some, but not to where they need replacing. 

Called Auto Zone. They were open. Set of rear brake pads were $28.00 and tax. 

January 2nd 2024 finished rear brake pads on our 2019 Kia Sorento.

Before I got them installed H & D called. We went to their house and grilled hot hot dogs, drank beer & wine. Played Phase Ten, a card game. Good fun. Got home around 10:00pm. Had some egg nog with vanilla whiskey and coconut rum. 

January 2nd I was mildly hung over and finished the rear brake job on the Sorento.