Older entries are now sorted by year...just click on the links at the bottom of this page.
December 28, 2009 -The Christmas Report
Christmas is over, and we are now on the countdown to the New Year! In the photo above, we have my 2 nephews, and my niece and great niece, my
sister and brother in law. Christmas is always at my sisters, you can see what a beautiful place they have. Just perfect for a Christmas day.
The drive up to their place was incredible. Here at home it was overcast and once I got up into the Glenville hills,
there was quite a bit of fog. And that fog had frozen on every surface leaving a coating of rime on everything. With the fog cutting the depth of field of vision,
the effect was mystical. No pun intended. I didn't dare pull over for pictures as with fog and fast moving traffic on that country road it could be a disaster. So
I figured I would get some shots when I arrived. By the time I turned onto the road to their home the fog had disappeared. Some things are just meant to be enjoyed at the
time I guess but sure wish I could have shared the images with you.
The day was lovely, with little Carley taking center stage just being herself! We had a wonderful time and on the
drive back home in the early evening the same area STILL had the rime on everything but it was dark and I was too tired to set up the tripod. All in all, it was a great day.
And now,
we prepare for 2010. How time flies...
December 24, 2009 -Christmas Eve.
Wishing you and yours, all the blessings of the season and a happy, healthy 2010. Pictured is MY Nativity set, or most of it anyway.
I am just tying up a
couple of loose ends and then I do believe I am ready. Mass tonight at 9PM, dinner at my sister's tomorrow. With the
exception of another health issue that popped up this week I'm still anxiously awaiting the Near and Dear One! Merry Christmas!
December 20, 2009 -Carol Night.
On Friday, December 18 we went to the Dominican Retreat and Conference Centers' Carol Night.
The weather cooperated this year - last
year we got snowed out - and this time we had a great show, wonderful cookies and cocoa, and a safe drive home. The choir started off with several
selections and the second part was 'sing along'. Everyone had a wonderful time and a free will offering was taken up
to benefit a local charity that had lost federal funding.
Otherwise, it was a cold
weekend but we escaped the snowstorm that hit the coastal states. I am finished getting things done for
Christmas and will enjoy these next few days. I am looking forward to 2010 - and hoping that the health issues that have
dogged me the past 2-1/2 years will clear up. I'm off of all post-cancer meds now, apparently I am allergic to something in their
composition but they will keep an eye on me with exams every 3 months. I am sure I will just get better and better.
I do
plan on posting my Christmas greeting here, and so I will wish you all a blessed Christmas season
and a wonderful New Year. And somewhere along the line, I'll need to get the Gardenlady pages set for 2010.
A local crane company 'hoists' this Santa and Sleigh every year on the banks of the Mohawk River at Freeman's Bridge. Coming
home from a brief photo op trip with my friend Pat, we stopped and I got this shot. All that needed to be done was
to crop the photo and add the white inner border...the sky provided the perfect backdrop.
Today it is COLD out, the wind is blowing and it was in the single digits. I have to make a trip into Ballston Spa and then
home to do some more wrapping and finish projects. I have a couple more calendars to make for friends and some notecard packs.
Yesterday, the weather service called for about 3-4 inches of snow to fall...starting during the night and changing to a wintery mix. It is now 11:30 and
hubby measured 8-1/2 inches outside about an hour ago. It appears that the precipitation is changing but what a view! I cancelled activity for today
and we declared a "snow day". So, I am enjoying this immensely!
I plan to get some pictures and pages done today, stop back again!
December 7, 2009 - From Fall to Winter
I got back from the Silent Retreat yesterday afternoon. And while I was gone, I watched the world transform as Fall turned into Winter.
Late Saturday morning, it started snowing - huge, Ivory-snow type flakes. A perfect snow globe effect through the area. As we moved in
silence in the Retreat House, the world was cloaked in pure white silence outdoors. The snow continued through the day and when I last looked out at
10:30 PM it was still snowing.
Sunday morning I was up, showered, dressed and out the door as the sun rose and the world was filled with
shining splendor. Every branch of every tree and shrub was coated with snow. A pristine blue sky added a striking backdrop for a couple
of hours before the clouds took over once again. On so many levels, it was a wonderful weekend. More to come later...
December 3, 2009 -Getaway.
I'll be going tomorrow (Friday) on an Advent Silent Retreat at the Retreat House. Unlike my usual "hermit" retreats, this one
will be directed, someone else will be doing the cooking, I look forward to the conferences and the quiet. All I need to do is soak in the retreat atmosphere. After the
past few weeks, it will be welcome.
Be back Sunday night...until then, take care.
November 29, 2009 -Getting things done.
I finally got some work done, and there are now pictures from More Than Just Desserts and also from my trip to
New Skete. It has been busier than I would hope but activity is a good thing. My friend Eileen just had knee replacement
surgery 2 weeks ago and is home and recovering amazingly well. Her spirit is always amazing to me. I will be going
with her tomorrow to the doctors to have the staples removed. Otherwise I am getting ready for Christmas with my cards and
gifts and today, I was one of two people featured in an article in the Daily Gazette. The other was a young girl who also
makes her own cards and sells them at the Katbird Shop (where mine are also sold) I was quite taken with this young lady's
talent and determination! I have been making my own Christmas Cards since 1974, and I am sure in 35 years she will still be turning
out her wonderful artwork. Anyway, photos can be seen here:
In the spirit of humility we give thanks for all that is.
We thank the great spiritual beings who have shared their wisdom.
We thank our ancestors who brought us to where we are now.
We are grateful for the opportunity to walk this planet,
to breathe the air,
to taste the food,
to experience sensations of a human body/mind,
to share in this wonder that is life.
We are grateful for the natural world that supports us,
for the community of humankind that enables us to do many wonderous things.
We are grateful that we are conscious,
that as intelligent beings we can reflect upon the many gifts we have been given.
Tom Barrett
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25, 2009 - Beautiful
I had a treat yesterday as I accompanied a friend to the Monasteries at New Skete in Cambridge, NY. The trip was to pick up
the nuns' famous cheesecakes and as long as we were there, we went over to the monks' monastery as well where I got some
pictures of their beautiful chapels (temples) The above picture is taken in their main chapel- Holy Wisdom Temple.
New Skete is Russian Orthodox, so the beauty of these sacred spaces had me in awe. There are three communities...the
monks, the nuns, and the Companions of New Skete - lay people. The groups are separated by a mile or more and the surrounding area is beautiful as well.
It was a real shot in the arm for me, and a treat for sure.
Today, I have to get a lot done in the
house for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I still have to pace myself but I am feeling a lot better than I did just 5 days ago. Today is pie baking, vegetable prep and
getting the sun room set up for dinner. Can you believe it is this time already?
For a larger view of the Iconostasis
click here . Photos will
hopefully be up soon of More Than Just Desserts, Volunteer Night and more pictures from New Skete.
November 21, 2009 -Moving right along...
I just finished a couple of things around the house, which is a good thing as a couple of days ago I couldn't
do too much. I wrote earlier about how the oncologist prescribed a different drug. This one took 2 days to slam in
with some nasty side effects, most iomportant one being difficulty breathing. As a result, I am off of it for a few
days to see how things go. I'm feeling better today. I am also running back and forth trying to get the dosage for the blood thinner
nailed down. This might take some time, now my blood is TOO thin! It's an adventure...
Only a few days left until Thanksgiving, and
I have a few things to pick up that I forgot earlier. Better to know now than Thanksgiving day! Last year I forgot the
cranberry sauce and ended up spending WAY too much at the local convenience store. They say convenient - not cheap. In between all my
projects I am reading "Three Cups of Tea" which is excellent and I finished "The Alchemist". Another great book.
For now, I'm off for a quick nap...
November 17, 2009 -The Beat Goes On
Hey - I have graduated to 1 x week blood testing. Tooday I had my oncologist visit and he prescribed another anti-cancer drug that
has it's own laundry list of side effectes but maybe this one will work for me! I also found out after an eye exam that I have
corneal dystrophy. And I have to see a specialist. If you get the chance, take the extended warranty on your bodies!
Otherwise, I am
getting ready for Thanksgiving. I have the 'guest of honor' (The turkey) and I think most of the trimmings I need. It is so hard to imagine it is
next week. I also made plans to go on the Advent Silent Retreat at the Retreat House this year. Someone else does all the cooking and
I get to take in some wonderful conferences. I am not up to the hermitages at this point and this will be a nice break from all of the white coats
I have been dealing with lately! And my friend Pat and I are planning a trip sometime to Magic Wings - I haven't been there in a couple of years. You
know what THAT means...BUTTERFLY PHOTOS!!!!
November 12, 2009 - Blessings in Disguise
Just an update on what has been going on around here.
I am home recovering from last weekend, and my latest bloodwork showed improvement in one
of the numbers so I was able to stop injections of Lovenox (in the belly..ugh!). My levels of warfarin are being adjusted and right
now I get tested every other day. But the REAL story behind the story?
When I was in the hospital, because of the blood clots my tamoxifen was
discontinued and I was advised not to go back on until I see my oncologist. I have been on for a year and a half, and MOST people don't have serious problems
on the drug. But, evidently I did. Since stopping, I am noticing that a few other problems are clearing up...things that
were dragging me down but did it so subtly over time. Like breathing issues. A persistant cough. Fatigue. So I will be seeing the oncologist next week to
find out where we go from here. All I know is that despite the normal effects I am having at present I feel better than I have in a very long time.
So...an example
of how a situation can be turned from bad to good. And I have no doubt that all of the prayers and well wishes had a lot to do with it. God is the Great Healer, and there is good in every situation.
Otherwise, I am getting my Christmas cards made and ready, there is plenty I can do to keep me busy. And I am grateful...once again I will have a major amount of thanks to
give this Thanksgiving. I guess what I am saying is - no matter how bad something might seem, most times you can find the gold in it if you look. I was wondering as I sat in that
hospital bed what the good would be that came out of it. Now I know.
P.S. - Thanks to Eileen (and Dave) who took over teaching my Word class and thanks to my students who sent
greetings they made during that class! And thanks to you who have sent cards, called, and offered help. I am so blessed...
November 8, 2009 - The Weekend That Was
Nothing can get you further behind in your plans than a weekend in the hosptal.
On Friday, I went to my Doctor because I
had a lump, pain and some redness and swelling in my right lower leg. After an ultrasound of the leg I was on my way to the hospital that
adjoins the Medical Arts building because of a couple of blood clots in my leg. Fortunately they were below the knee and less apt to travel but
as a precaution I was admitted and put on medications to handle the problem. SO...not much new to report except there was a
beautiful view of a fabulous sunrise on Saturday morning. Being on the 6th floor in one of the highest spots in the city I had an
unobstructed view! A treat after having 10 vials of blood drawn at 5:30 AM. I do want to thank the staff on A6 for my care. Hard working and dedicated people for sure.
Now I am
back home and have a busy week ahead with appointments and such. But it's a blessing to know that things will be OK as I go along.
For now, it's medication and keeping the leg elevated when I sit. Thank God for laptops *grin*
November 3, 2009 - Seasons of the Heart
I still have to get the photos organized from the Retreat House fund raiser but you just KNOW I had to
get a couple of "artsy" shots. This candle caught my eye so I set up the tripod and set the camera on shutter
priority and used the timer. I was hoping for a peaceful feeling and maybe it worked?
I also have some other news for later but that
will be later. I guess you'll have to stay tuned, no?
October 30, 2009 - SO cute!
Is there anything cuter than a kid dressed up for Halloween? My friend Barbara, who used to be the secretary at
the Retreat House before she retired last year brought her granddaughter Konnor today to the Retreat House office. Of course, she was the star of the show!
October 29, 2009 - And away she goes!!
While on the way home from a job last week, I stopped at Indian Meadows park and took a couple of pictures of milkweed pods.
You have probably seen photos of those here on the site...the real attraction was this ladybug that had landed on my driver
side window. When I got back into the car, the motion caught my eye so I took one picture, then decided
to take just one more. I thought I missed the shot but I didn't. How about that!
In other news, things
are busy as we get ready for the Dominican Retreat and Conference Center (link on sidebar) and their annual fund raiser
'More Than Just Desserts'. It's always a great time, and I should have pictures of it next week.
October 24, 2009 - Shine!
After a very warm day Thursday, it was cooler on Friday. But the clouds parted and the sun shone long enough to get
this photo of a couple of the trees on the grounds on the retreat house. Tonight the rains moved in and I can't
help but think of how perfect this weather IS when you are on retreat - like being in a coccoon. Getting ready for the
weekend which has started...and I better get my butt to bed soon before it is time to get up! Hey, it's only 12:45 AM...
October 21, 2009 - Oops
Realized that my Fall 2009 pages had a heading of Fall 2008. My bad..it's fixed!
Busy on the home front and I am
trying to catch up on some work and getting ready for the next round of classes. I have to get over to the college
and copy handouts, get my class roster, etc. Oh, and start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas...decide on
my Christmas card design for 2009...YIKES!
October 20, 2009 - Winding Down
I had a chance to get out for a couple of short trips the past couple of days but aside from leaves right around my house that are just
coming into their glory, in many places the peak has passed. With many trees bare from some of the winds we had, anything with
color doesn't have the same "pop" it did before. But, that's all right, the seasons move along as they should.
Now
I will concentrate on home things for awhile and get ready for winter. The predictions are for a cold snowy winter. We
will find out when it gets here.
October 15, 2009 - Fall in Upstate New York
I finally made my choices of Fall pictures to post on site. In the past 2 weeks I have done a lot of traveling, a lot
of photo ops out there. I am hoping to get a few more but it looks like I may have the best of the seasons' color
in the pages for this year. Enjoy....
Fall 2009 pictures are here.
October 13, 2009 - Columbus Day Weekend
It was quite a weekend this past holiday weekend. We went to a friends 80th birthday luncheon/party on Saturday, and
then on Sunday and Monday I went to a few places with 2 different friends to get some fall color photos. Sunday was
a trip to Schoharie and Looking Glass Pond and Monday, why NORTH of course, to Moreau Lake State Park and Prospect Mountain. I should have a
page of Fall 2009 pictures up soon...today is a rainy day and perfect for indoor projects. Oh, and possibly a nap? Stop back, photos
will be up. I hope you all had a great weekend.
My friend Pat and I went today to the Watervliet Reservoir overlook, and then to Indian Ladder at Thatcher Park. It was a
picture perfect day - no pun intended - and we walked down in along Indian Ladder trail to the waterfalls. If you have
been there I dont need to tell you how beautiful it is and I will put up a page of the park in a couple of days. By the way - yes, that
is a waterfall behind me.
Tomorrow I will
be finishing up a power point show and then on Tuesday, Jan (the Director of the National Bottle Museum) and I will be heading
up to Adirondack Community College where Jan is giving a talk and I have the accompanying pictures. Should be really
interesting. If you remember, I worked at the Museum one day a week for about a year and we still keep in touch and I still help
out on special projects. I'm looking forward to this...last we knew, 150 people were signed up to attend. Yay!
On Wednesday,
Pat and I hope to head up to Pyramid Lake for the day. Here's hoping that works out. I would imagine the color is peak about now.
September 27, 2009 - Photos from Still Point
Finally - photos are ready from my few days at Still Point last week...pictures
can be seen here.
It's hard to believe it was only a week ago that
I went there, it seems so far away already! Enjoy!
September 24, 2009 - Back Home
Baxk home from a few days at Still Point (link on sidebar) and while I was there I resized pictures from the Dominican Associates and
Sisters' Retreat. I have posted them at another photo sharing site and the link has been sent to the parties involved. For the rest of you,
the photos above are of the participants...one at our lunch break at Moreau State Park on Saturday and the other is
outside the Retreat House on Sunday morning. Larger photos csn be seen here and
here. Can you find the Gardenlady in the photos? It's like "Where's Waldo"...I used a
tripod and timer.
I enjoyed my time at Still Point, took a lot of pictures and the leaves are
just beginning to turn. The weather was beautiful, I enjoyed the semi-quiet...birds, chippies, squirrels, crickets, frogs
and cicadas can be quite vocal! I also got a lot of sleep and did some reading. I will have photos of Still Point up soon.
In the meantime, it's
back to business on the home front. Driving to Saratoga today to drop something off I passed the Charlton Tavern which is coming along beautifully and - wonder of
wonders - there is a new house next to it, replacing the house that was also destroyed in that awful fire. So good to see.
September 18, 2009 - Week Recap.
It's been quite a week - a lot of projects that needed to be done amid all of the usual suspects. One fun diversion
came when 8 of us "girls" went out for dinner, then to see "Menopause - the Musical" at Proctors. All I can say is that we roared...I
literally laughed so hard I cried. Funny, funny show!
I also want to mention that I haven't forgotten sbout the pictures and hope to sort out
and organize the few hundred that I took over the past 2 weeks - covering some events. First, though, I need some
serious down time. And that is scheduled right after one last hospitality event on Sunday morning. Pehaps I can get a start tomorrow on the
pictures before my recharge.
September 14, 2009 - Itinerant Retreat.
This past weekend was an unusual one, and a different kind of retreat for me.
After my volunteer work at
the Retreat House, I stayed for a Dominican Sisters and Associates retreat from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. The
main event was following the history of the foundress of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de'Ricci - Lucy Eaton Smith.
Our journey took us from the Retreat House to St. Agnes Cemetary in Menands where Lucy (Mother Catherine de'Ricci...she chose St. Catherine's name
in religion) is buried. We also saw the graves of other Sisters, including Lucy's sister Lillie and her mother.
From there, we drove up to Saratoga Springs,
Glens Falls and Fort Edward to see the places Lucy lived and worked (this was in the 1800's). Lucy was the founder of retreat ministry for women - the same
ministry that continues today but also has some programs for men as well. I will have some pictures, and a link for the Associates and Sisters that I
spent the weekend with to order prints of that weekend. An exhausting but exhilarating experience!
September 7, 2009 - Rising from the ashes.
A brief (so far) photo journal of the reconstruction of the Charlton Tavern
can be seen here.
I will try to get over
to Charlton every couple of weeks to add photos to the page but for now you can see how beautifully this project is
coming together. A 'Good News' story for sure. Enjoy!
September 7, 2009 - Busy days again.,..oh my!
After a very busy week last week, we went to a beautiful wedding Saturday late afternoon-evening, attended a clam steam
with friends on Sunday (pictures coming soon, I hope) and today it was cool and overcast and a perfect day to...nap. Three hours worth.
Now, 'Summer' is over for the most part, classes start up this week, I have one more retreat to attend that is
coming up and all of the fall activities at church, etc are beginning to happen. The leaves have begun to turn very slightly in some
parts. Last week when I came home from Pyramid, on the road out of Putnam Pond there were small trees already a brilliant
red.
I also have pictures of the Charlton Tavern...it is really coming along. I dont get there all that often but enough that you see
real changes happening. It's going to be beautiful! For now, I better get some work done and get to bed at a reasonable hour (not).
September 3, 2009 - The memories are here.
Pictures from the retreats at Pyramid Life Center are ready...
you can see them here.
On the first page of photos there
are links to my photo sharing site at Fotki, where you can see larger images and retreatants can order
prints of the group shots. There are 2 pages of location shots and the last page is a selection of group photos. Enjoy! If you
attended and would like to stay in touch, email me at (remove spaces I inserted between words) gardenlady @ gardenlady . us for an invitation
to the group 'PLC Family' that I started.
Special thanks to Sr. Monica, Fr. Paul, Sr. Carol, Dr. Harry Owens for being such
a pleasure to work with. Thanks also to all of the hard working young men who took such excellent care of us!
August 31, 2009 - Down from the mountain
I got back from Pyramid Life Center early this
afternoon. A lot to tell you all about but right now I'm finishing laundry and tired out.
We had a good week...a lot of rain at times
but somehow, you can overlook things like that. I got out in the kayak a couple of times and the photo above was taken on Tuesday. It's rare
to have loons come so close to the kayak but this one did, and when I get a page up you will see her baby as well. I enjoyed seeing everyone
again, and making some new friends as well. PLC is such a special place.
On the way home I took the
long route - stopping briefly at Eagle Lake and Putnam Pond, then down thru "Ti" - Ticonderoga - through Hague, Silver Bay and over Rt 8
to pick up the Northway at exit 25 (Brant Lake). Tonight, I am sitting in the WARMTH of my room and marvelling how a little inmsulation in the walls
makes a place so much warmer. It's good to be home again. Check back, I will get photos up
of the lake, and of the people.
August 22, 2009 - Checklist
I think everything is ready. And the laundry is caught up, the housework done, and it has been a quiet but busy
day "double checking my knots".
We had quite a storm yesterday, 2 inches of rain in about 45 minutes. Incredible
thunder and lightning. It got very dark just before and you could just tell we were about to get pounded. On my way back from the
retreat house there were some flooded roads and yards turned into swamps. Today it's sticky out again. From the forecast,
"Bill" is going to affect (rather IS affecting) the east coast but I dont think we will catch much here. He's probably too far out. Good.
And so, until the 31st, take care and enjoy the last of the summer! Keep your fingers crossed that the two retreats go well!
August 19, 2009 - Yikes!
It's been a zoo here and I am still working on the presentations for the retreats. I know that everything will
work out just fine but you still get that 'Oh no' feeling just before. And revision seems to follow revision.
Add to that a lot of other things going on and trying to get things just so on the home front and, well, lets say I will
really be glad to get this show on the road (as it were).
In other news, the heat and humidity we had for about 3 days
seems to have backed off somewhat. We had a couple of heavy downpours today and it is much more comfortable in the house
tonight. We have a couple of window air conditioners but they were hard pressed to keep up. Nope, we don't have central air.
But we're thinking about it. Think they will have 'Cash for Clunkers - air conditioner' categories?
August 16, 2009 - 'Sundaes' photos and a little more
And
tonight it is very warm and has been quite muggy outside. For those who have waited for pool weather, it's here.
On the home front I have a lot of loose ends to tie up before retreat...there are some finishing touches to be done and
then making sure everything on the home front is caught up. Hard to believe how quickly summer has gone, isn't it?
August 11, 2009 - Where does the time go?
I realized late last night that it had been awhile since my last entry! Now unless I am away, which wont happen for a
couple of weeks yet, I try to get at least a little blurb up. Somehow, a week slipped by as I was getting things caught up. Or
so I thought. Ever clear something off the plate only to turn around and three more things appear on the To Do list?
Of course you have!
I am still catching up but got over to Sundaes on Sunday, the annual Ice Cream Social at the
Retreat House. The rain that was predicted held off and we had a good day with a few new people stopping by to see
what the Retreat House is all about. I will have pictures up sometime in the near future...yep, it's on that list. I hope
everyone is enjoying the summer - we have had some REAL summer weather the past few days with a break in the monsoons!
August 4, 2009 - Gonna Build Me an Ark
We have had a couple of days without rain (wow). According to NOAA in Albany, we set a new record of 9.91 inches of rain in July.
My garden has not needed any hose watering this summer, and things are blooming as you can see by the coneflower photo above.
This also means the mosquitoes are out in force. I shudder to think of what this would translate into as snow!
Otherwise, aside from things that needed attention around here I am busy getting ready for my retreats at the end of the month. Time has a way of passing quickly, doesn't it?
I went up to Pyramid Life Center yesterday
with hubby and my friend Pat for an 'escape to the mountains'. We took a few pictures of course, had a picnic and walked around or sat in
the Adirondack chairs on the dock watching the water. This little fellow was enjoying the sun and the flowers, and I am
simply awed by the heart design on his body. Meister Eckhart said 'Every creature is a Word of God'...and so they are!
In just a little while I will be back up there directing my retreats
but it was wonderful to just enjoy a picture-perfect day up north. So for now, my longing for the mountains has been
somewhat satisfied and tonight it is dark and rainy out. A wise choice to go when we did.
July 26, 2009 - A Garden Lady's Garden
I suppose after taking pictures of everyone elses garden, I should show my own garden this year. We are just about
at peak right now...a good crop of flowers and mosquitoes as well. This is the view I dream about all during the
winter months...come on out, my garden pictures are here.
P.S. don't look at the weeds *grin* I need more Deep Woods Off before I work out there!
July 22, 2009 - A wonderland of Lilies
After a few busy days, and a job this morning, I took off to Still Point to check out their blooming day lilies. Rowena had
emailed me last night and said that they were open if I was interested in stopping up to see them. You don't have to ask me twice!
WELL...I expected a few lovely flowers and was hardly prepared for the fabulous display that I saw! All of her work with these beauties
really paid off, I was speechless. And that's hard to do. The overcast skies cleared while I was there and I took quite a few pictures
of the expanse of blooms plus a few individual flowers. Enjoy this latest trip to Still Point...
the pictures are here.
July 21, 2009 - Yikes
It has been a busy 3 days, we have been helping friends move from a house into an apartment until they find a new home (or have one built).
They also have the factor of combining another household with their own - Mom is moving in as well.
It's hard to sort
through years of living in one place, and all of the accumulation that we tend to do. I know that in my own home I go on periodic cleaning sprees where
things get the "heave ho" but with health issues the past 2 years that hasn't happened. It will now, though. How much do we REALLY need? Tough decisions as
there are so many things that hold so many memories.
On another note, I've been taking some
pictures in my garden, and my friend Pat and I get out at least once a week to some place for pictures and ice cream (of course). Can we
hit new places and perhaps decide who has the best? Never say we are not trying! At any rate, I hope to have a page of blooms up soon -
if I ever get the time!
July 18, 2009 - Storms 'R' Us
We are a little more than halfway through July now, and it has been a cooler than usual summer with plenty of rain and
some pretty impressive storms. The dehumidifier works overtime in the basement and with some of the storms we have had the
usual puddles down there. I am glad it is cooler (nothing really above the low 80's) - because of circumstances I find I am
usually uncomfortably warm. Today was nice though - sun, kind of humid to me but a little breeze.
I hope to drive over to Charlton because they have begun rebuilding Charlton Tavern. I have just a few pictures...
one or two of the foundation and one a little over a week ago where walls are up. From what I saw, it appears to be post-and-beam construction. I know
they wanted to maintain the integrity of the original structure as far as they could. I am interested in seeing what has
been done since I last drove through.
July 14, 2009 - Working in the Garden
Today was a perfect day for getting some major league weeding done out in the garden. This beautiful cardinal and his lady are
frequent guests in the yard, more like family. When I took this shot, she was at the feeder and he was keeping a watchful eye on her.
I have been doing a little at a time out there - for two years the garden didn't get the attention it needs to keep weeds down. Even though it is
mostly perennial, it still needs tending. And I have been doing that a little at a time. Flowers are opening and right now things are looking much nicer.
One area, though, looks like our new neighbors may have sprayed Roundup and hit some of my edging vines and shrubs. Sigh.
I also need to stain the rails on the deck - I'll get to it! Eventually. Tomorrow is hubby's birthday so I don't think I
will do too much in the way of yard or housework. Birthday dinners are always at the Outback...can't wait.
July 12, 2009 - All the latest...
It's been a few days since I posted, and an online friend wondered if things were OK.
They are, it was a very busy week and in between
things that needed to be attended to, I got all of the train garden photos organized, numbered, some selected for a new page here
and all saved to a CD for Mike. I just got the page done now.
In other news, I took my laptop and turned it over
to Windows 7...completely removed XP from the machine and my friend Dave and I (mostly Dave) installed the evaluation version. It
went in clean and I'm impressed with how it works. It has the aero appearance of Vista and seems to have the stability of XP. Some of the
terms are a little different but it seems to me to be fairly easy to navigate. It reminds me of the Mac OS in many ways. From an
early assessment, maybe Microsoft got it right? It's surely much better than Vista, which I never did install. It is also running
Morro - Windows' new security suite. We have already pre-ordered the OS when it is available this fall.
At any rate yes, all is well and you can see
more photos of Mike's garden here, along with a link to my
site at Fotki where ALL of the pictures have been uploaded. Enjoy!.
July 7, 2009 - Catch up...
Actually, it's almost July 8th but who's looking?
I got over to Mike's Train Garden on Monday and got a few more photos. He was
having an open house and many people were coming over from a convention in Hartford CT to see the trains. What a nice man he is...he had
soft drinks and food for the visitors (I travel with my Diet Pepsi...LOL!) and I spent a few minutes talking with him
and his assistant - a 16 year old young man who has quite a bit of knowledge of trains and the railroad in general. I enjoyed my visit and
will have more photos up, plus a link at Fotki sometime soon.
Otherwise, we had a couple of beautiful days and then today
we had a couple of whopper storms pass through. Didn't lose our power for a change, however. I'm keeping busy, taking pictures and
have to settle down and get my presentation for next month done. All in good time.....
July 4, 2009 - Independence Day!
Happy 4th - stay safe! By the way, 'Gardenlady' is 6 years old today.
July 3, 2009 - Oops...
I think there was a slight problem with my coding of the Still Point page. Lower case-upper case issue. Hopefully it is
fixed now...SO sorry! IF you are still having problems seeing the pictures, try clearing your browser's cache. That should work.
Senior moment over, back to work.
July 2, 2009 - Rainy Days are good for something...
We seem to have been stuck in a rain cycle...my recent trip was an exception but since I got back we have had a LOT of rain, some
heavy storms, and it is on the dark side most of the time. But these days are good for getting things done indoors. Mainly,
I am getting my digital files cleaned out and fresh backups made. The 4th of July weekend is coming up and I don't have any
particular plans except to relax, perhaps take a day trip.
On Monday, I hope to get back to one of the gardens that was
on the tour - Mike Ledley's Train Garden. Mike is having an open house and members of NMRA who are at a convention in Hartford CT will be touring
his garden. Hopefully he will have good weather for the running of those amazing trains! Stay safe...have a happy 4th!
June 30, 2009 - Back from Still Point
I just got back this afternoon from a very quick stay at
Still Point Retreat Center and already
I miss hearing the bullfrogs and seeing the woods outside the window. It was a much-needed break in an
otherwise busy schedule...and I'm so glad I went. Now, I can look through my photos and relive those 48 hours - and so can you!
Pictures are here.
June 24, 2009 - Downtime
In a few days, I will be heading out for a private retreat at one of my favorite places - Still Point. I will be staying in the
very small cabin back in the woods...I haven't stayed in that one in over 3 years. It is a tiny place and
as you can imagine I'll be quite content there. I wont be there as long as I would like but teaching still goes on and
I have to be back for that. After the past month, the downtime will be very welcome! It is also the first time I have stayed there in the summer.
The photo above is of that cabin taken about 2 years ago - they have since screened in the deck area. I'll bring back pictures!
June 21, 2009 - 2009 Garden Tour
The 7th Annual Soroptimist Garden Tour was held yesterday...and the rains held off until about an hour before the tour finished.
My hat is off to the gardeners who had to deal with some severe weather conditions in the days before the tour. A lot of extra
work went into cleanup and everything went off as scheduled. As always, I am amazed at the beauty and creativity of the people
who participate and this year had a couple of return favorites and some new and amazing gardens. The link on the sidebar is now active and
you can also view them here.
June 16, 2009 - Glitter
Anyone notice that the fireflies are out? My yard is glittering tonight!
And finally, I put a new Pictoral Quote up (see top bar for link) Only took me 2-1/2 months...
Little victories, you know :). I started taking the garden pictures yesterday and we have some splendid ones once again. Wait until you see them...
AFTER the tour! I will be trying to get pages done as I go along as it is quite a project.
June 15, 2009 - Relay Pictures
I managed to sit down for awhile this afternoon and get
the page up for Relay. Next project is waiting in the wings and that's not counting the Garden Tour gardens. I started taking
pictures of them this morning, and photos will continue through the week. For now, come along to an awesome event...
Last night's Relay for Life was every bit as moving as I had heard and then some.
We got up to the field around 4:30 in time
for the Survivor's registration. Walking around I watched people pitching their tents, and the athletic field turned into a small
community. Literally - people had grills, decorations, bubble machines, you name it. I registered, got my tee shirt (survivors wear
purple shirts so it is REALLY easy to pick them out in the crowd. We were treated like royalty - there was a reception at 5:30 and we got a
chance to mingle with others who have been on the same path. The opening ceremonies were at 7PM, each survivor is called
by name and gets a medal and after opening remarks, the survivors/caregivers take a victory lap and then others join in. I was blown away
by how many people turn out to help with all of the details, especially the young people.
The relay continues with people constantly walking the
track until the Luminaria Ceremony at 9:45. I took quite a few laps myself in between chatting with friends and water breaks. Music was lively until the ceremony, and after all of the candles - and there were hundreds of candles
lining the entire track - were lit, the names of those who have died were read, and everyone took another lap in silence. Seeing all of those lights, it still brings
tears to my eyes. That was the part that affected me the most...well, that and the children survivors...
We are planning on attending next year and I
was talking with someone who wants to get a relay team together for the all-nighter. We will be there. I also want to point out and thank Congressman
Paul Tonko (D-NY21) who was on hand for remarks and posed for a picture with hubby and myself. I meet Paul at various functions and he is one real gentleman
in my book.
I have gone on enough for now, I will get some pictures up along with that page for Aunt Katies flea market and of course, the upcoming
garden tour. Whew...
June 12, 2009 - OH YEAH!
RELAY FOR LIFE....TONIGHT! It is raining lightly this morning but clearing is predicted by afternoon.
Also, I set up appointments to take the pictures of the gardens that will be on
the garden tour next Saturday. So many wonderful people and some VERY interesting sounding gardens. I think I
could use a few more hours in a day. But then again, who couldn't?
June 9, 2009 - Quick note
I did get to Aunt Katie's Attic and the outdoor Flea Market on Saturday. Things have been hopping over here so I have to get a page up
soon. Well, I HOPE soon. Lots on my plate which is a good thing (unless you're waiting for pictures *grin*). They will be up soon, it
was a gorgeous day with no wind-rain storms for a change! Stay tuned!
June 5, 2009 - Relay - and remembering
Just one week from tonight, I will be attending the Relay for Life - and supporting their fight against cancer. I will be walking the
Survivors Lap, and hope to get photos of the event as well. The Relay event will go from 7PM on Friday June 12 - 6AM on Saturday June 13.
I am doing a little local fundraising as well...nothing huge but every dollar counts. If you are a local friend, I've already badgered you somewhat *grin*
If you remember, last year I had a photo of a 'bracelet' I got at a Relay breakfast fund raiser right after my surgery. It was
a simple bracelet engraved with the words 'Fight Back', which is also here on my profile. I wore that bracelet all through treatment and
believed in the concept. And I saw a LOT of people at the one center I went to who were all actively involved in the same goal.
What I learned is that cancer is a word - it doesn't have to be a sentence. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all of those
who battle this disease. Hey - I'm kicking butt - in hopes that one day no one else will have to.
Meanwhile...(I dont usually embed videos BUT...) enjoy what was my battle song, the song I wore out when I got plain tired. Written and performed
by Melissa Etheridge, another survivor and a bit more well-known!
It's June 1, and I have a couple of pages to put up this week!
Over the weekend I went with
my friend Kathy to Looking Glass Pond where we got quite a few wildflower pictures and walked the 1-1/2 mile loop on a
day that started out with intermittent showers and ended up windy and sunny. Some pictures will be up hopefully soon.
And then this morning, hubby and I got up early so we could be at Lock 9 at 6:30 to see the Onrust leave it's
'port' alongside the barge and begin her journey to New York City. She will be sailing back up in the River Day Festival
from June 6-13. It was COLD out there this morning but so worth any discomfort to witness the final prep. and her
trip through the lock and on her way. I'm finally home, thawing out and sorting out my pictures. Check Back!
May 27, 2009 - On their own
Today was the day for the little birds - we saw one fly off into the arborvitaes and when I came home from running an
errand, the second bird had flown, apparently. They are nearby and I did get a glimpse of one WAY up in the hemlock tree,
and one at the birdbath.
So, that little saga winds down and they start their new life with wings. Yesterday's post
has the link to the page with the last pictures. This monumental event happened on our 37th wedding anniversary! How cool is that?
May 26, 2009 - And then there were two...or so it seems
An update on our little baby robins...I put some more pictures up on
the second page. They really look like birds now and I expect they will leave most any day now. One maybe sad note, it appears we lost
one of the robins...where there were 3 yesterday I am only seeing 2 today. With all their stretching and wing flapping it
is very likely one fell out and met his demise. We had to move the nest up the other night when a neighborhood cat
tried to check them out late at night. I heard the tripod fall and we had to take steps to save them if we could.
That's the down side of nature, up close and personal.
May 25, 2009 - A bit of history
I had the opportunity to get over to Lock 9 on Sunday afternoon and get a few pictures of the Onrust- a hand built replica of a Dutch Yacht that was built in 1614. You can read all about the
project at the link previous, and the Onrust pictures are here!
May 22, 2009 - Update on the baby birds
The baby birds are all growing and changing so fast! This morning, hubby came in and said we had a 'situation' developing
out at the robins nest. The babies are getting SO big, and with the parents launching off the nest all the time for food
the nest was beginning to tilt. We were afraid it might fall off the wreath. What to do...what to do?
I thought
a little bit, then got my tripod and used it to 'bolster' the nest. The babies were packed tightly inside, and nary a
movement as if they knew how precarious their situation was. All is well now, and I hope this will hold until they fledge. I posted
some new shots on the 2nd bird page... check them out... 4 new pictures are here!
May 19, 2009 - They grow up so fast...
If you are following the progress of the baby birds, I have added a second page as I follow the growth of the
babies through pictures. They change from day to day now... latest pictures are here!
May 17, 2009 - Farrah's Story
I didn't watch 'Farrah's Story' on Friday night...but I did watch the full documentary tonight on MSNBC.
Being a cancer survivor for almost one year now I felt maybe it might hit too close to home...but in an
even more intense way for Farrah. The story was not easy to watch but my admiration for this lady can't be measured. To show the
fight for what it really is...frightening, brutal at times. Yet that triumph of human spirit in the face of incredible adversity; she
portrayed cancer as the demon it is and fights with amazing dignity.
I am a lucky one...I still have an area being watched and
there are the seemingly endless visits to the oncologist and the tamoxifen. I will come out OK but SHE...after all kinds of treatment walks that fine line now
between life and death. And amid all of that, she wanted to leave her legacy of courage - a courage that is played out in countless lives every single day.
No ball of fluff, this woman. What an amazing spirit she is. Sometimes miracles are people...and the way they live out their
lives. This is one such miracle - the poster beauty that didn't flinch in the face of cancer and fought from the violation of her own privacy to tighten
legislation to protect the rights of others. And she never lost her faith. Quite a lady.
P.S. - I'm REALLY tired of reading the slams in the news
regarding Ryan O'Neal. He has been there for her in all of this. That says a LOT. Take it from one who knows. End of rant.*smile*
May 16, 2009 - Ordinary Miracles
Over the past 3 days, I have taken a few pictures of the baby birds outside my front and back doors. Tonight, I decided to put a page
up so you could see the progression from eggs to the wee birds! With everything blooming, and this new life right under my nose I am totally
absorbed in following these tiny sagas. So, I am sharing them with you... pictures are here!
May 14, 2009 - New Life!
I had the feeling this morning that something was up at the robins nest. For the first time I saw BOTH birds at the nest, and
things were just 'different'. As you can see, we have the 3 babies, so far so good. I noticed there is not a shell anywhere, and it is so
clean around the nest. I grabbed this picture while both robins were in the side yard and then hurried back inside. She
doesn't seem afraid of me but I dont want to chance having her abandon her nest because I am out there too much. Beautiful, aren't they?
May 10, 2009 - Fiesta!
Dont you just love a carnival?
This past week, and ending today, there was a family carnival down in Collins Park.
Of course, that is always a great opportunity to take a few pictures and enjoy watching the people. It seemed to me that the games
were set up so SOMEONE won, which was a really nice thing. All of the food favorites were available and of course the RIDES! Someday
perhaps I will get up the nerve (and take a ton of dramimine) and get some shots from the Ferris Wheel. Come on along... pictures are here!
May 7, 2009 - MORE new tenants
Things get more interesting as I discovered a nest in the floral swag over the FRONT door!
We can't crawl out the
windows so, we are trying to minimize how often we run out the door. So now we have active nests in two locations. For this
shot, I had to stand on a ladder and use a mirror. New life all around! The best I can guess is that these are
house finch eggs. FIVE of them. Word must have gotten out that this place is a certified Wildlife Habitat.
May 6, 2009 - Home Improvement
Earlier I mentioned that we were building a new deck (well - not so much WE as hubby) and I thought a page with a few
before and after shots would be nice. I still have to stain the rails and landscape but that will get done once our robins hatch, fledge and
leave the nest right outside the door. Check it out... pictures are here!
Hopefully I will have some Spring 2009 pictures up soon as well. It's just finding the time...
May 5, 2009 - Birthday Girl
Sometimes it is hard to believe how time passes so quickly. This past weekend my nephew and his wife threw a 2nd birthday party
for my great-niece Carley. She had quite the day, and really did so well considering all the excitement and the lack of a nap. Come
on along and join us... pictures are up!
May 2, 2009 - The new tenants
Picture 1 is the nest that I saw when I came home. The robin laid one egg a day for 3 days and now she is 'in residence'. So, we are using the front door.
I am working on getting the pictures up from the Mark Rust concert, plus a few nature shots as well. Have a great weekend!
It is hard to believe that I haven't written in a week, but things have been so busy.
The retreat went very well, and I
had some new attendees which is always delightful. The weather was sunny which made for a great day to get outdoors during
'Personal Time'. To be honest, it was actually hot, and it got much hotter before things cooled down on Tuesday. The Mark
Rust concert on Sunday night was a hit as always. I will have a few pictures up later on. On Monday, I got out for a walk
along the bike path near Lock 7 and found a beautiful spot that deserves a revisit.
On the home front, the back deck is almost finished...
the rails are being put up today and I have some grey stain to match the composition decking and the house itself. I just have to
redesign the area garden-wise and things will be grand! Meanwhile, the leaves are all opening in the trees and there are blossoms
everywhere. What a great time of year. Oh - I also have a 'tenent'...a robin built a nest in the grapevine wreath outside the
back door and there is one egg so far. Dont see her too much because of the deck work but things will settle down after today.
Update at 3:30..the deck is finished and we now have TWO eggs in the nest. Work came to a halt for a few minutes while Madame laid her
second egg. Normally there are 3-5, with an egg a day on the average. Stay tuned....
April 23, 2009 - The day after Earth Day
Suddenly, "Global Warming" seems so far away...it is on the cool side and the wind is cold. One good thing is that I didn't
mind being inside getting everything ready for the presentation. Plus, making sure the house is in order and work caught up.
It is supposed to be low 70's by tomorrow and into the 80's by Saturday. Fickle weather! It is better for the deck work though.
Things out in the yard are coming along - both the deck and the garden. Have a GREAT weekend.
April 21, 2009 - Back to the Woods
Christman Sanctuary! I went on Sunday in the late afternoon just for a walk and to get a few new pictures. The day was
beautiful and I took my time...noting that the trout lilies and trilliums are emerging and all of the ice seems to be gone.
Today we are getting some much needed rain, we are waiting for a lumber delivery (redoing the back 'deck' - properly termed
'wood patio') And I am finishing up work on a presentation I am giving this weekend. The weather is supposed to be grand and
the flowering shrubs and trees are beginning to bloom. Ahhhhhhhh Spring...welcome!
April 18, 2009 - Pictures are up
It has been a busy day, catching up on a few things here at the desk. But I did get the pages done from our trip to the Joseph Popp Butterfly
conservatory in Oneonta on Thursday. Enjoy... pictures are here.
April 17, 2009 - A Splendid Day
This beautiful little bird was one of several brightly colored birds at the
Joseph Popp Butterfly Conservatory
in Oneonta NY. My friend Pat and I went out there to celebrate my birthday, and also had lunch after our visit.
The conservatory is smaller than Magic Wings and not as many butterflies but the birds..oh my! Beautiful colors. Also there were turtles
and koi, iguanas and a gecko...I was one happy camper despite the heat and humidity. I will have a page with more photos up
soon. Later that evening, hubby and I went out to a great dinner at one of my favorite places. It was a busy, productive day with
abundant sunshine and temps around 60. Perfect.
For now, it's off to work!
April 12, 2009 - Happy Easter
After a busy Lent, I'm sitting back tonight enjoying the quiet. Dinner is done, the dishes are washed and I've been
working on those pages I promised you. I have one more page to do...of the ducks and geese at the park but I may
wait and see if I can add to it this coming week. I also got a new (to me) computer, picked up from
Technology Surplus here in my hometown. It is a little beauty with a 160GB hard drive and 2GB RAM...a step up from my present
7 year old machine. So, I have spent a lot of time installing programs, migrating my data, and now that it is humming along
I will clear a lot of data and programs off of this one and hubby is going to learn how to use it. Yes, he doesnt have a computer and
yes, I dont know how to work a remote control for the TV. Strange technology in this family.
I
hope to get a photo trip in this week...perhaps checking out a small butterfly conservatory in Oneonta on Thursday.
At any rate, before I forget, the photos are up for the
We are in the middle of the Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and then the Easter Vigil Celebration tomorrow night.
We just got back from the ecumenical Cross Walk...one that is always a reflective way to remember the Passion of the Lord.
Things have been quite busy, so I still have a couple of pages to get up. For now, from us to you - Happy Easter!
April 6, 2009 - It's been busy!
Just for fun, here is Pat trying to tell the geese where to stand for a photo op. Do they listen? No...
That and many more pages up soon...Aunt
Katie's Open House, the bowl-a-thon fund raiser for Habitat for Humanity...my camera is still cooling off.
Stay tuned. It's rainy out so it is a good time to sort through pictures!
April 2, 2009 - Newest Information
How can you tell Spring is really here? The 2009 Garden Tour link on the sidebar is active!
Clicking on the lily photo will
bring you to the information page - there you can find out where to purchase advance tickets. The tour this year is
dedicated to the memory of Susan Rosenthal, a well-loved and active member of Soroptimist International of Schenectady. For
a few years, she co-chaired the tour, and I had the privilege of working with her. She is missed.
March 31, 2009 - The Day Before April
On this last day of March, which IS going out like a lamb, I worked some more in the garden and then went over to Central Park
to take a few pictures of the ducks and geese. In the newest Pictoral Quote
one sweet little duck was the inspiration for the latest quote. And, every March 31st, I remember a poem from my childhood written by
Mary Carolyn Davies titled 'The Day Before April'...
The day before April
Alone, alone,
I walked in the woods
And I sat on a stone.
I sat on a broad stone
And sang to the birds.
The tune was God's making
But I made the words.
Enjoy our Spring, and the good things she brings
March 29, 2009 - Back out again
Pat and I charged up our camera batteries and went today to the Home and Garden Show at HVCC.
Walking through all of the exhibits, we had a glimpse of
the weather and blooms ahead, and that's a very good thing. I got away with only purchasing a new wreath for the front door for spring and summer. Come join us,
pictures are here
March 26, 2009 - Cloudy days
Today, the clouds are moving in for some expected rain...which I am sure will be very good for the grass and emerging plants.
I have laundry going (so what else is new) and checking my list for tonight's Soup Supper at the parish hall. Word Class started
last night so things have been busy.
But, it looks like we have a good shot of March going out like a lamb. A good thing
as it certainly blew in like a lion!
Addendum 8:30 PM...the rain is here, light but welcome. AND, I'm going to the Home
and Garden Show at HVCC with my friend Pat this weekend. We'll take flowers where we can find them! Of course, I'll
bring my camera. Tonight's Soup Supper went well, Helen gave a great talk on her trip to Palestine.
March 23, 2009 - Heart in the Mountains
Yes, I'm still 'there' in my mind. The photo above was taken from a rest stop along I-87, and the mountain that is
farthest to the right is Mt. Marcy - the highest point in New York State.
Back home here, the weather was
chilly today, the high was about 35 and it was windy. More moderate temperatures are on the way in, which will be
good for all of the plants trying to get started. I am looking forward to the blossoms, the warm sun, the spring breezes and
rains. Things have been so busy that I felt that this winter went by quickly. I don't think too many people would
agree with me however. But Spring comes and takes you by surprise, as Lilja Rogers writes:
First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us And now before the eye can focus... Crocus!
March 20, 2009 - A trip to Pyramid Lake...
YES! A trip to my favorite place with my friend Pat! Come on along, pictures are here
March 17, 2009 - Happy St. Patrick's Day
A quiet day on the home front that started off with green pancakes. Can you see St. Pat rolling his eyes right about now?
I remember growing up, we dyed the mashed potatoes green, put green in our beverages...all the usual crazy things to celebrate the day.
I DID draw the line at putting green food coloring in my hair, I was always worried it wouldnt come out! Anyway, I hope you
all had a grand day...mine was quiet but I did get yard work done. A lot of trimming and the garden is full of dead leaves and
*ahem* rabbit poop. It was close to 60 and felt SO good to be outdoors working.
And as we head toward April I hope the
'Luck of the Irish' stays with me THIS year. For it has been just about a year since my cancer diagnosis, and TWO years ago in April I
broke my wrist, then battled mono and other delightful things. (Detect the sarcasm?) Third year will be the charm. At the most, there can't be any news I haven't heard before!
Life is filled with changes and challenges. It is up to us to make the most of them, learn from them, GROW from them.
March 15, 2009 - One of those days
No, this isn't a rant...it is a beautiful day here in the great Northeast. The temperature is around 50
and I have the scent of sweet spring air in the house. The snow is just about gone and I will need to get
started clearing the garden for new growth. Today however, I have a meeting at the Retreat House. Great weather for that too!
Later this week, I will be taking a short trip up to Pyramid with a friend, to
be there when a worker comes in to check on something before the season begins. She was heading
up and asked if I would like to join her. Well, I didn't have to think about my answer for too long. Of course, I will
bring my camera. Presently, they are calling for a rain-snow combination up there. The rest of the week is shaping up
to be busy with Lent activities at Church, and meeting to design the cover of this years' Garden Tour. Time is flying.
I also need to run into Charlton and see if there is anything new at the Tavern site. I used to go thru once a week but I am temporarily laid
off from one of my jobs so I dont travel that way like I did. There may not be anything new yet but I can pop on over and see.
March 10, 2009 - A Gardenlady pin
My neighbor's son finds some of the most unusual and neat things...and he brought this for me when he
came to visit last weekend. It's a little under 2 inches long and has all the gardening tools. Is that great or what?
Thanks, Paul!
And, just for fun, here's my little great-niece who will be 2 in May...we caught a pensive shot and
a giggle shot. They grow like weeds, don't they! Of course, she's an angel :)
:
March 8, 2009 - Waiting on Spring
And of course, that means ice jams on the river, as the photo above shows. Rain is due later and the river is already beginning to
run over it's bank in a couple of places. A sure sign of spring around here.
In other news, we had
dinner at my nephews today and enjoyed a tour of the new
home, a wonderful dinner by my niece and of course the baby who is now 'Miss Toddler'. I miss having
them as close as they were, but they are now closer to my niece's family which is a good thing too.
For now, I am ready to turn
in. We shall see what developes overnight, as they are calling for a wintry mix. Stay warm!
Update on March 8, the wintry mix has arrived, and changed to snow.
BIG wet snowflakes that stick to everything. The river (as of this morning) will most likely be over Schonowee Ave by later today if the wet weather keeps up.
It is also creeping up in Jumpin' Jacks parking lot. It must be Spring.
I plan on linking the progress to the tavern photo in the left sidebar as more pages are made. Enjoy.
March 1, 2009 - Friends helping friends...
That was the theme for todays Charlton Tavern and Maloney Family benefit.
I bought a couple of tickets and we went over today to
check out what was happening. To say it was a HUGE event is not overemphasizing. The turnout was incredible, we were there for about an hour out of the
eight hours it was scheduled for, and people were everywhere. I took a few pictures which I am getting ready for a page but I have to
say that you couldn't get the feel of how enormous the crowd was from the photos. Every room in the Elks Club was jam-packed, and it was a
beautiful day today so people were also outdoors. Cars were lined up all the way out to Macelroy Road, parking was wherever you could find it.
Yet, through it all I noticed people were patient and in high spirits.
I also got the go ahead from the family to take pictures of the
rebuilding and post them here. While I cannot stress enough the tough times these people went through in that week in January, the
outpouring of love and support that I saw today is a sure testament to how well-loved they must be. They have given to the community for many years and
now the community is giving back. It is a day I will not forget. So check back; pictures WILL be up. And to the Maloney family and their friends...
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
...an old Irish poem, from the part-Irish Gardenlady.
Things were pretty quiet while I was on retreat, the snow predicted never really materialized but the wind sure did!
Nevertheless, I did get a little walking in and some pictures taken, reading, and writing in my journal.
The pond was still well frozen, enough that you could walk on it yet
one of the streams had a couple of open spots. Driving up on Sunday I noticed some of the hills and fields were almost bare and at Still Point itself I would guess they didn't have any
more snowpack than we have here. All kinds of birds were at the feeders, I saw cardinals, chickadees, titmice, juncos, nuthatches, goldfinches, sparrows...plus some downy woodpeckers.
No matter what the weather the feeder is a busy hub of activity.
I enjoyed the peace, the deep stillness and seeing the stars out the window by the bed at night. I had the same cabin I stayed in last November
and the one room keeps 'housekeeping' to a minimum. Simple meals, simple pleasures, like a step back into a less stressful time. Spending time there you understand more fully the
inspiration of the likes of Thoreau, Muir, and other naturalists. There is never an end to the things you can learn if you are quiet enough.
I should have pictures up in the next
couple of days. There is a lot to sort through and choose! In the meantime it's back to the real world and a busy life.
February 21, 2009 - Countdown...
Only about 17 hours to go before heading off on a short 'hermit' retreat, I was delighted to see that there is snow in the forecast. It may be slower going to GET there but it should be
lovely once I AM there. I have my list of things to remember to bring and the camera batteries are charged. Have a book and a journal...
Today I got the laundry done and the
house is clean (well, it's never dirty, really). I dont have any presentations for a couple of months so it will be dedicated to reading, thinking, and just being in the Presence. I can picture the
snow-covered trees and see the fresh white ground already. I have a lot in life to think about and be grateful for. A busy life doing things that I love to do, a return to health (although slower than
*I* would choose) and so much more. Retreat gives me time to keep everything in focus, and enjoy the beauty around me. I leave you with these words from William Sharp -
There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass,
every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance.
Be well!
February 18, 2009 - A snowy night...
With just a few days to go before I head out on retreat, we are getting some snow. The forecast calls for snow showers for the next
few days which is fine with me, it will make things quite picturesque. At least I think so!
On my way into work yesterday
I bought 2 tickets to the benefit on March 1. I also got a couple of pictures of the tavern site...with the heavy equipment sitting
amid the charred remains that are slowly being cleared. I hope to soon be taking pictures of a new Charlton Tavern as it is being built.
Being that it is about 12 miles from here I wont be able to document it as often as I would like but I am sure there will be enough photos
to tell the story.
For now, it's back to work here at the desk, and make my final lists for supplies to take along on my trip. Now,
the question is, what will I forget?
February 15, 2009 - Rebuilding History...
I got an email the other day from someone who found a reference to the Charlton Tavern on my website. If you read the page in
mid-January, you remember how I mentioned that the tavern had burned to the ground in a devastating fire on
January 10. Electrical in nature, the fire engulfed the 200+ year old building in a matter of minutes leaving only a fireplace
and smouldering ruins.
Well, the community is banding together and holding a benefit to help the family and to hopefully rebuild this
beautiful facility that is called The Heart of Charlton. I placed a button in the sidebar that will take you to the website for
more information. Hopefully, I can photo-document some of this history-making event as well.
February 10, 2009 - It's that time again...
Only a few days left until Valentine's Day, so, the Pictoral Quote Page has
my greeting for all of you. Although I may post between now and the day itself...I wanted to be sure I got THIS page up!
We have still had some warmer weather,
and the snow is melting down. The snowbanks have that dirty-gritty look we usually see in March. As I sit here I
wonder if spring will come in early or not. Something tells me this melting is quite temporary though. Out in the sun
room I have an impatiens plant that has been in bloom since I brought it in back in late September. It's looking a little tired but
if it hangs on, I know that spring will rejuvenate it. For now, it is a touch of the garden right here in the house.
February 8, 2009 - February Thaw
We are a little late with our January thaw...warmer temperatures the past 2 days have brought about a lot of melting. In
the backyard, the path to the garage is now grass instead of packed snow and ice. One thing this will be good for is
reducing the height of the snowbanks, there are intersections where you couldn't see traffic coming on the cross streets
until you were halfway out into the intersection. It was a good day to open a couple of windows and let fresh air
in without the heat firing up.
Otherwise, it was a quiet weekend and I got some photos resized to make a page for the
parish Cabin Fever dinner last Saturday. Pictures are here
PLUS, I got the date set for my Spring presentation at DRCC in late April, and I will be off
in a couple of weeks for a few days at Still Point - in my favorite cabin. I am hoping that we have some fresh snow by then
for new pictures. The place is just beautiful in the snow!
February 1, 2009 - Super Sunday
The Steelers won the Super Bowl and now things quiet down in the world of sports (until the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the
Spring).
Here on the home front, it was a quiet weekend otherwise...last night however was the parish Cabin Fever
potluck dinner. Usually held on the last Saturday of January following Saturday night vigil Mass, it is a nice way to
get together and share all sorts of food, good conversation and song. My contribution was baked penne with
sauce and ricotta.
And now, it is February. To me, even with all of
the snow and how busy it has been, it seems that it was just New Years Day last week. The Spring semester has begun at the
college and I'll be busy right through the summer, from what it looks like now. Teaching the evening classes can be a little
bit of a challenge. Knowing these folks come in from working all day, you have to keep things lively and not overwhelm them with
too much information all at once. It's rewarding though, and there is no feeling like the one when a student 'gets it'...suddenly
the light comes on and they begin to master a new thing. Yes, life is busy, productive, sometimes exhausting but ALWAYS worth it.
I hope to have some photos up sometime this week. Until then, stay well!
January 30, 2009 - It's Friday Night
...and, it's snowing. Big, fluffy Ivory Snow-type flakes that started about 90 minutes ago.
As an update, we got
perhaps 7-8 inches out of the storm on Wednesday. The snow changed to sleet, then freezing rain, then rain before changing back. So,
what we had packed down. The snowbanks are getting pretty high. I would guess it is safe to say that it is a real old-fashioned
winter.
And so, it is good timing for our Parish Cabin Fever Dinner, which will be held tomorrow night after Mass. Potluck meal,
just an all around good time. Maybe we can serve up some sno cones?
January 26, 2009 - Guess what?
Winter Storm watch for Wednesday. Now - it's still a watch, not a warning. With amounts predicted for 7 inches
to a foot. What will we see? Who knows. Whatever it is, it will affect the early morning mid-week commute. Stay
tuned...
In the meantime, enjoy this photo I got today in an email with the caption 'You know winter in MI is almost over when you start
to see the deer wandering around again.' Thanks, Bill! LOL!
January 24, 2009 - A Trip to the Katbird Shop
Winter getting you down? I stopped today at the Katbird Shop (see left sidebar for link) and while I was there I got to enjoy the
antics of Kathy's cats Ralph (left) and Ophelia (right). You know I'm always traveling with my camera, and I couldn't resist getting a few
pictures as they posed and played. I thought you might like a smile for the day so I have
created a page with photos here
January 19, 2009 - A Winter Drive
This morning was warmer than it has been, sunny and gorgeous blue skies. So, we went out through the countryside and I took pictures of the
snowy landscape. It felt good...this is the first real outing specifically to take photos in a long time. Enjoy,
pictures are here.
January 18, 2009 - Halfway through January
It sure is hard to believe that January is half over.
We had a quiet weekend, and today I made a holiday-type dinner
just because. Turkey and all that goes with it. We had a friend over also, and we all watched 'Mamma Mia' after dinner. My nephew and
his wife gave us the DVD as a Christmas gift...it has to be one of the best movies around for pure fun.
Tonight, we had about an inch of fresh snow
which is nice in that it keeps the yard looking clean and white. The temperatures have warmed up a bit but in some spots the roads can still be slippery.
Otherwise, I'm keeping busy at the desk and beginning to think about spring and the garden. It is NEVER too soon to plan!
January 14, 2009 - Alberta Clipper
The newest Pictoral Quote is a beautiful muse on frost patterns. With
the weather getting colder, the designs on the storm door glass and windows can be breathtaking.
It is a time when you can hear how cold
it is getting by the sound of your boots or car tires on the snowpacked roads and walkways. While we are not as cold as some of my
friends in the upper midwest there is no doubt - this is close to an old-fashioned winter. What will determine if it IS an old fashioned winter
will be how many days we have temperatures hovering around zero or below.
Shall I put the kettle on?
January 11, 2009 - End of another weekend
We ended up with about 6-7 inches of new snow, and scattered snow is slated for most of the week.
The retreat went off today as planned, half the
people couldnt get there but those of us who were there had a wonderful time. I have to say getting there was slick
in spots but by the time we left, the roads were better. My thanks once again to the Sisters for all of their
help, and for the wonderful lunch (vegetable lasagna and salad). Brownies for dessert and coffee and pastries available all day.
It doesn't get any better than this! I am looking forward to the next presentation, probably in May.
If you notice,
the banner photo has changed again. I always used one photo but when I changed it at Christmas, I got email where people
said they loved it. So, I will try to change it now and then. That photo was frost on the window in my room at DRCC on New Years morning.
January 10, 2009 -Just stuff
There is a Winter Storm Warning out for the area tonight into tomorrow. I will have to see if
this changes the presentation I am slated to give tomorrow. Depending on how clear things are,
and how much snow we actually get will determine that, I am sure.
In other news, I was
saddened to hear in the news that the Charlton Tavern burned to the ground early this morning.
I pass by the place weekly, on my way to Ballston Spa to work. A grand old building over 200 years old, and now it is gone.
We have eaten there a few times, somewhere in my massive archives of photos I think I have pictures. A piece of history lost...
Here is a photo I nabbed online of the building:
January 5, 2009 - A Favorite Prayer
I thought I would share it here, as we are FIRMLY entrenched in Winter
A Prayer for Winter
We give thanks for the blessing of Winter;
Season to cherish the heart,
To make warmth and quiet for the heart;
To make soups and broths for the heart.
To cook for the heart and read for the heart,
To curl up softly and nestle with the heart,
To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart,
To dream with the heart,
To spend time with the heart,
A long, long time of peace with the heart,
We give thanks for the blessing of Winter;
Season to cherish the heart. Amen
Despite very cold weather and some slippery roads there was a nice turnout for a beautiful evening. My thanks to Sr. Chris, CSJ for the
presentations, Fr. Jack for celebrating Mass and of course, the Dominican Sisters and staff for all they do, all year long.
:
