PinTailDrake of Ember

Today three energetic college students came to do the buckthorn removal. This was my bright idea, so I should be triumphant, but I'm not entirely happy about it. Because it is winter, they could not do very much removal of stumps/roots. We have to wait until spring and then anoint them with stump-killing stuff so they will die. Right now it's too cold and snowy. There are two huge heaps of brush remaining to be hauled away. This I expected; the buckthorn killers don't have a big enough truck. The Sparrowhawk has arranged for a different provider to come and take away the remnants on Monday. For more dollars, alas. It's amazingly different-looking now. I'm afraid the neighbors will hate me because I have removed the bushes that screened our yard from theirs. Too bad--they can plant their own bushes if that's how they feel. There are still a few small trees that I guess we'll need an actual tree service to remove. Again, we'll probably have to wait until spring for that. Now it's my responsibility to come up with new plantings to make it look good again before more invasive things take up the space. This is a heavy task that causes some trepidation.

I went to the farmers market to get the free pound of ground beef that was promised as a bonus for buying the immense turkey. I also got two hams--one large and one a tiny boneless one. I would have bought more of the boneless ones, because they are so wonderfully convenient for holiday time, but they didn't have any. I also got some more apples, milk, and butter. And a small jar of lard, which the farmer ladies are rendering for us for the first time. I'll try making pie crust with it. I was feeling rather grouchy at one point during the day, but told myself that no one who has just bought two hams has any cause to feel down in the mouth. Cured pork is my preferred alternative to the Wellbutrin my doctor tried to foist upon me. It motivates me, you betcha. Probably doesn't cause weight loss, though.

I didn't have any cause to cook dinner, because we were invited to a friend's house for our monthly Dante book club. She said mysteriously that dinner was her treat and we should not bring anything. When we got there, the house smelled wonderful and the kitchen was packed with pots and pans full of things. Our host said that for several years, she had not cooked a Thanksgiving dinner, because they had a small household, so they just went ahead and ordered a pre-made dinner. This year she decided she would like to make a big dinner. So we got a round of delicious roast chicken--she doesn't care for turkey--plus all the sides: corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, and fresh rolls. You can't say fairer than that, chief. And then we had our usual lively discussion, which is always energizing and cheering.