We lost a hen yesterday to a red-tailed hawk.

Snow falling in Chapel Hill, so I went for a run as I do on such wintry evenings here. So solitary and serene.

Blossoms on the peach tree. Snow storm expected this afternoon.

Vanilla beans have been resting for nearly six months in a mix of vodka and rum. Today was good day to strain and bottle the extract. Daffodils picked by Erin this morning.

Warmth from a shot of homemade visinata, this bottle made with Cruzan rum and sour cherries I picked in Virginia last Summer.

Cold day. Hot fire. #contrast

In 2020, I will have been in my job at the Duke Department of Medicine for 10 years, I will have been a blogger for 20 years, and I will have lived for 50 years. It feels like the year ahead is one to chronicle. More in this blog post.

Big rains and high winds bringing the snakes to high ground. Shot this from #above as I drove up the gravel road to my house.

The hens are out, scratching and pecking. My omelet this morning was simple and good from fresh eggs.

A walk in the woods, a sight through the trees.

Cocktails last night at Cleveland’s Velvet Tango Room, with Erin, her sisters, and husbands while children were at movie downtown. And snow today for a wintry end to 2019.

My brother-in-law convinced me to create an account with Untappd beer app to track the microbrews I drink. I am mistersugar there.

Family day in Cleveland’s University Circle and Little Italy. Walked through this Philip Johnson sculpture on CWRU campus, where I once chatted with the famous architect.

Saturday Morning in December

Emptied the truck at the dump, stopped for coffee and reading (Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson), got box of pastries at the co-op, walked through farmers market (carrots, Swiss chard, lamb stew meat, winter bouquet ), came home to cut cedar logs for grape trellis (spring project). Now watching Man City vs. Leicester City. Erin and Anna baking cookies with carols playing.

Erin found a single blue egg in the chicken coop this morning, the first from our eight hens.

Just read this Washington Post article that suggests culling the cords that collect at home. That’s what I did at work Friday, and here at home that night. Felt good.

Picking up a growler of Damascus Steel Stout from Craftboro Brewing Depot.

Stopped by Cliff’s Meat Market in Carrboro to get turkey necks, which are roasting in the oven now, soon to be immersed in water for slow cooking overnight, transforming into stock for Thanksgiving gravy.

I don’t spend as much time on the MB Discover tab as I should. There must be a way to look for microbloggers who are artists. I’m looking to hire an artist to illustrate a header image for my Zuiker Chronicles blog. I will be grateful for search tips and referrals.

Worked in the shed, up on the roof, and in the chicken coop. Now enjoying a fire.