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 My friend sent me photos of Tomsk, take a look.







It’s winter there. 

And here I am sitting outside with  my computer.


Well, the weather is definitely different. 

The thermometer will rise to 32°  on Saturday afternoon in Tomsk, light snow and gusty winds are also expected, according to the website of the regional hydrometeorological center.


Here we need some rain. Very rarely does it snow in November.


Here we are getting ready for the holidays.

Russians are doing so too. Some of them are getting ready for The Christmas fast*. This year will begin on November 28 and last until January 6. 

Less religious people are getting ready for the New Year’s celebration. Well, maybe not right now. But with food prices rising, it may take longer to prepare a festive table.


Some few less fortunate people left the city.


In Tomsk  35 conscripts** were sent to the service on November 15th. The recruitment campaign will last until the end of the year. In the autumn of 2024, it is planned to recruit more than 950 people aged 18 to 30 years into the Russian army in the Tomsk region.


Military commissar Sergei Yeger said that conscripts will serve in almost all branches of the armed forces anywhere on Russian territory (from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok). He also said that   military personnel serving on conscription will not be involved in performing the tasks of a special military operation, including on the territory of new regions.


Well, one can hope. 


In the article Darya Berdnikova mentioned that from 2024, conscripted Russians can enter into annual contracts with the Ministry of Defense after a month of service.

And because of the new law (Presidential Decree No. 647) contracts concluded by military personnel are automatically extended until the end of the period of partial mobilization. In fact, all contracts for military service are now indefinite.


You would think why on earth would someone want to sign the contract? Honestly not many boys/men really want to go to war. But I hear all the time that young boys are forced to sign a document. I hear, but Russians (including my own sister) who watch only TV don’t hear that. 

But to each his own.


Meanwhile, on November 12, ten servicemen voluntarily left a military unit in the village of Kochenevo in the Novosibirsk*** region. By November 13, four of them had already been detained. The rest should be detained in the near future - said rbc.ru.


Poor boys. I hope they won't be found.


In Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Far East region), a military court sentenced four military men for unauthorized abandonment of their duty station in the special operation zone in Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the court. They were sentenced from six to eight years in prison in a high-security colony.


One more today's news.


In Izhevsk****, on Sunday night, a drone attacked the “Kupol” defense plant. One person was injured, he was hospitalized in a moderate condition. The head of Udmurtia, Alexander Brechalov, said that there was no serious damage; just broken windows in the workshop building.


Izhevsk is located west of Moscow, about 2 hours away by plane. Another 2-3 hours, and we are in Tomsk. Izhevsk is very far from the front line, but nevertheless it was attacked.





As usual, links to all the articles will be down below. Of course, they are in Russian, but you can translate with Google or just look at the photos. 


*The Christmas fast – one of the most important multi–day fasts in Orthodoxy. It is designed to prepare a person and purify his soul and body before the important date – Christmas.

**There is a law, when boys reach 18 years old have to go to the military for 1 year. 

***If you remember, the distance between Tomsk and Novosibirsk on the highway is 259 km. It is about 3-4 hours. 

****Izhevsk is the capital of the Udmurt Republic. The history of the city is directly connected with industrial production.  It’s known for the Kalashnikov Museum and Exhibition Complex of Small Arms, which displays weapons and documents the Russian arms trade. 




Recourses:

 Дорога ложка к обеду - Russian proverb.

A few years ago, before that ugly war, I was proud to be Russian and passionate about the Russian language. I started a Facebook page where I shared Russian proverbs.

Well, it didn’t attract much interest, and I was very active and flighty—my interests were always quite broad. So, the page was neglected but not forgotten.

I’m not exactly proud of being Russian, but the language is still my native tongue, and I often think in it. Recently, one activity brought an expression to my mind:

Дорога ложка к обеду (A spoon is dear when lunch time is near).

The simple meaning is that a spoon is valuable when it’s almost time to eat.

There’s a story behind this related to recent events. 

About a month ago, I came across a job opening online. I wasn’t really looking or thinking about changing my occupation; it just happened.

As I read through the job description, hours, and salary, I discussed it with my husband and colleagues, and I became very interested in the position. “It doesn’t hurt to apply,” my husband often says.

However, I realized that my resume and cover letter were quite outdated. By the time I managed to update everything, the position was gone, which I expected.

Here comes the proverb: Дорога ложка к обеду.

I don’t complain. I’m glad to have a reason to write here and the mood to do so; it doesn’t happen often lately.




 October 20, 2013.

 I was flying to America towards my unknown future. The unknown future did not frighten me absolutely. On the contrary, it was incredibly intriguing: how will my life turn out, where will I work, with whom will I make friends? I didn’t have questions like “Will I be able to get accustomed?”. The question was: “When?”.  Like many Russian women I’m hardy, determined, and purposeful.






The main thing was not to get lost on the way. The trip was long and inconvenient. I wasn’t worried about geography, I just picked the cheapest tickets. I flew from Tomsk to Moscow, then to Los Angeles and then to Boston.

I have never in my life traveled abroad. I was very nervous about the long trip. I was not  afraid to fly. But all these security, take your belt and shoes off, cell phone out of pockets, endless lines, navigating in big airports. Leaving Tomsk was easy from that point of view. I will not touch emotions though. 

Moscow

  

At the Moscow airport I was surprised by the number of passengers from Armenia (former Soviet Republic) with their numerous Luggage (I even doubted – will the plane take off?). I was carrying only 1 suitcase (25 kg weight). At check-in I was lucky and got a seat next to the window. I was able to see the orange landscape of the famous wonder of the World, the Grand Canyon. The flight lasted 12 hours, a glass of wine was very welcome, I even got a little nap.





Los Angeles

 

Then in Los Angeles, everything worked out well again. I passed through customs, answered once again “interview”-questions of the customs officer, got the suitcase, found the local airport building, checked in for a flight and handed over the suitcase. I even talked to Daniel on the pay phone, after exchanging a paper dollar for coins at the store.  I really like foreign airports. Every employee, regardless of the field of activity, tries to help you. I wonder how they understood my English. Incidentally in Los Angeles I saw palm trees at the first time.

Boston

The wait for the plane to Boston seemed to take forever. Early rise, two flights ( 5 and 12 hours), 5 and 7 hours of layover, time zone difference……I started falling asleep sitting in the airport lounge.  I finally got on the plane. My seat was next to the window again, but I couldn’t enjoy the view from it. I fell asleep. 

The flight attendant’s announcement woke me up when we landed in Boston. I was still on an alert mode and could understand her words about  where to pick up my “invaluable” 25 kg suitcase. But I wanted to be sure and asked the passenger next to me. Americans are masters of short talk ( I’ve heard such an opinion somewhere). A fellow traveler, hearing my accent and learning the reason for my arrival, offered to help deal with the Boston subway. Thanks, but no. I figured out the Boston subway by myself 2 years later, though back then I did not know that.

It was October 21, the second day on the road. Daniel was waiting for me with flowers at the airport, I did not get lost. On the way to New Bedford, I looked around, trying to see something familiar in the landscape. The American autumn forest from a car window looked just  like Siberian. Day was surprisingly warm 75° F. I couldn’t believe I was in America, in another part of the World.





New Bedford

Then I met with the house. Daniel sent me photos of the house. But in real life, everything looked just different, different and unusual. I saw  flower buds on a rhododendron Bush. I was shocked! It’s October! Winter is coming! I thought those flower buds would never bloom. At least in Russia they would just get frozen. But I was not in Russia anymore. The stove showed the temperature in Fahrenheit, electric plugins were different also. I didn’t know that.

Daniel made my first breakfast, an American style sandwich:

  • An Egg fried on both sides 

  • Two pieces of toast

  • A slice of Ham

 

That same day, Daniel took me to the ocean. I’ve never seen the sea in my life, and here’s the ocean! I couldn’t believe it was happening to me: the sound of the waves, the dry seaweed on the beach, the smell of salted fish. I fell in love with the ocean at first sight and for life.

Thus my unknown future began. Then there was the wedding, a green card process, getting a driver’s license, adopting a dog, finding a job, making friends, falling in love with Boston and a lot of things I didn’t know about at the time.

 Another October 20th, another anniversary, another post about the anniversary.







I think I will never forget that date. And I will make sure you too, LOL.


11 years ago I crossed the US border. I went through costumes in Los Angeles, California. But it’s a different story*. 


Was I afraid? Not really.

I thought I knew the English language. 

I thought the American lifestyle is similar to the European (meaning good economy, prosperous middle class, stability,1 month vacation, observing religious holidays).


I never knew how to pray. We were not taught this in the Soviet Union. 

Before my departure from Russia, I prayed the way I could that God/the Universe/Destiny would not interfere with me …at least in the process of getting me ready to move to the US.


I didn’t know if Daniel and I would get alone. 

I didn’t know what kind of job I was going to have. 

I only knew I was adaptable, and had nothing to lose.

I also understood that both Daniel and I were taking a risk or a chance (you choose LOL).

And now, 11 years later, I am so happy and grateful that we did it.

I am happy that Daniel took all the right steps, was patient and trusting, and believed in me. 


Without him, I wouldn't be who I am now. 

Honestly, I don’t think much of myself. I am a very simple person, but just different. 

I guess with my accent I will be different forever. 


But.. Daniel likes to surround himself with something “different”. 


He is the only reason I live in the US.

He listens to me, shares an opinion, answers the questions, explains things and tolerates. He tolerates me being myself.


We enjoy our life together, each in our own way. But together. 11 years!


Can you imagine what we did yesterday on our anniversary eve? We went to Vermont to harvest firewood! Together!



*I will republish my old post about this later.

 I love going on vacation, but I love coming back even more.




I'll tell you about the most remarkable activities for me.

I will try briefly…


We spent one night out of 3 in a tent. (We actually planned to have 2 nights in a tent, but the weather decided for us). 









We visited Sugarbush Farm and Billings Farm & Museum, stopped at a store selling sheds and cottages, looked at the cider production process (Woods cider Mill), met with a representative of the company that will drill a well on our site, and asked questions to city officials. 


And, of course, we admired the beauty of the season. It’s a pity that we couldn’t stop on the highway for photography. 

At this time of the year, tourists travel to Vermont and New Hampshire specifically to admire the foliage.


Daniel heard about the town of Woodstock even before the vacation. Therefore, we began to look for sights that can be seen there. As the first attraction, Google gave us The Sugarbush Farm.

Google says: “Rural farm producing cheese varieties & maple syrups, with walks to view the tree-tapping process.”


Here's what I learned:


A tree must be at last 40 years old in order for it to be tapped. 

The maple sugar season is about 6 weeks long and usually starts in late February or early March. 

Maple sap is the combination of water that is stored in the tree’s roots and natural maple sugar which was produced the precious simmer in the tree. 

The farm needs about 1500 gallons of sap before they have enough to begin evaporation. 

The amount of syrup produced depends on the amount of sugar in the sap and is different every year.


For more technical information on this topic go on the Internet though.


In my opinion, in summer, the main attraction of the farm is the view and the store. 

In the store you can buy maple syrup, lollipops, magnets, hats and all sorts of souvenirs.


By the way, they (farm) also produce cheese there and give you free samples. Unfortunately, I wasn't hungry (that was really unusual), and Daniel tried the cheese (that was ever more unusual).










I almost forgot! There is a map on the farm where tourists mark with pins where they come from. Do you remember the map at Shelly's tea? So, 2 people from Tomsk have already visited Woodstock, Vermont. Two!!!




The next attraction from Google was Billings Farm and Museum. 

Google says: “Working farm & museum dedicated to scientific-farming history, with interactive exhibits & demos.”

We didn't go to the museum. We walked around the visitor center: again a souvenir shop, an apple orchard, an active vegetable garden and a beautiful view of the mountains.


On the way back, in the parking lot, we talked to a local television correspondent. At first I thought it was just a simple “ American small talk”. But then it turned out he needed a few people who wanted to get on TV. And Daniel didn’t mind. 


In the evening at the hotel, we watched TV with the phone in our hands so that we could make a video about the video. We have never been so interested in local news!!! Already at home in New Bedford, I found a link to that interview.

Here












Another attraction of Vermont (according to Google) was The Woods Cider Mill. 

The day we went there was cloudy, cool and slightly drizzling. But we spent an hour there, if not more. The owner offered to watch the “process”. 

Of course, we did not see how the apples were washed and crushed, but we were very impressed by what we saw. Unfortunately I was too shy to take a lot of pictures or videos. 

Here's what came out with a little I had.






About the farm

It is a family business founded in 1798. Currently, the business is managed by the 6th and 7th generations. They raise dairy and meat cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, keep bees and make apple cider and maple syrup.  

Most of what they produce is for family use or sold locally, but the maple syrup and cider products, their main income source, they distribute further from home. Via their website you can arrange delivery = buy and receive by mail. 

Fortunately Daniel and I will not need such a service, because the farm is a 20-minute (or so) drive from our site.


By the way, we bought a gallon of apple cider and a jar of apple jelly. Jelly is very concentrated. I already tasted it at home with French toast - it's delicious. It has nothing to do with applesauce, which I have disliked since childhood.



Old Church, Claremont, NH



Old building, Claremont, NH






Well, that's all about our interesting activities.

I will add links below as usual. 


P.S. A friend of mine (from Russia) said that we purchased not cider but apple juice. I decided to make it clear (at least for myself).

The difference between apple juice and cider, according to Southern Living magazine:

Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. It's also considered a seasonal drink and can be hard to find outside of the autumn months. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a long shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture.


Links:

https://sugarbushfarm.com/

https://www.woodscidermill.com/about

https://billingsfarm.org/

https://rt106market.com/