26 years ago . . . .

September 3, 1988
We said "I do"  In a morning wedding with afternoon reception.  It was a lovely late summer / early fall day like today is in Western NY.  We had so many good friends and family present.  All our college friends from New England, some we have not seen possibly since then, but still in touch. Our Best Man, met our Maid of Honor at our wedding and then 3 years later . . . they were married!  Life could not be better.
               I made my wedding gown and would make it completely different if I had it to do all over again.   I also think about - Who do I know now that I did not know then but that I would invite to a wedding today.  That is kind of an interesting concept to think about.   So, no big plans for today- a nice dinner at home is all besides all the regular house chores and work etc..

Memorial Day 2014

Before the Parade!

View from the Hammock -dappled sunshine, gentle breeze, summer's coming!

Sweet Scones and Doughnut Muffins on the deck with Tea of course

The current Read . . .

After breakfast with Korean War Veteran Grandpa Bob

Every year the boys march with Scouts from in Town to the cemetery, where a short ceremony will take place, the Middle school band will play a few numbers, the Legion will lay a wreath and fire some shots. We give thanks for the Veterans of today and of yesteryear for those that remain with us and for those that have passed on.  We can have this public ceremony to thank them today because of their service to protect our freedoms- you only need to watch World News this week to see how precious those freedoms are.
                   We went out for Breakfast afterwards and got my Dad to tell a few stories.   He served in the Korean Conflict in Sapporo, Japan on the Island of Hokkaido in the National Signal Core as an Interceptor. He listened to Morse Code during all of his shifts and translated it.  He told us on the boat ride over- he did not have a job.  He was in the middle of about 5 berths deep for sleeping and his head was by a water fountain and frequently he would get sprayed while sleeping.  On the return trip he worked in the on-board bakery. " oh we made jello and pie bars for the men in big sheets"  " we used some steam to cook the jello until we found out it was not safe"  "The officers and their wives got real round pies. We had a little cooking area and we cooked eggs or things if we got hungry, it was a good job"  He served there for 3 years.  I would love to interview him and record it on video- these times and stories are fading fast.   Happy Memorial Day to one and all.  We are blessed.

December Daily or almost . . . .

So my purpose in December Daily or almost is to try and capture some shots of the season, to record what we see, do think or experience in this very full and very short season of waiting.  . . . .

This is a favorite decoration of mine . . . . I do not have a Elf on a shelf but I do and could have a pig on a shelf! Growing up we had an Elf on a shelf . . well he sat on the refrigerator and watched us eating morning and night.  We were told that he was keeping an eye on us for Santa. He looked just like the current Elf on a shelf but he did not move around. He stayed there all the time.  He did not play any tricks or anything either, in other-wards he had no special powers.  We were captivated none the less by his powers to talk with Santa and report on our behavior.  It seems that I can remember some tattle tale activities between my sister and I at times.

One might think this pig was visiting Seattle with that Lego Space Needle behind him! ha ha

Windows of Boston

Lots of detail

Sunburst and rain cover

Loved the Trees and the detail below it

Simple

So solid and Strong

Ornate Church windows

Shutters on this one

Beautiful window box, simple lines

Notice Hearts in the Wire work

Jail windows . . .

While on a 7th grade trip to Boston this week, I took all these pictures of windows. IT was interesting to see the different Architecture and the plantings . . .  I live in the country rurally but I do love a little city now and again. It is great fun to imagine what goes on behind the windows . . .probably no different than my rural windows that look out on trees, fields and views that never end. Totally love all the window boxes. Someday I hope to have some here at Chestnut Hill.

Cannon Crew

War of 18 12 replica Cannon built by Scouts Last year for Canada Brigade in the Fall. This is the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 on the great Lakes and many towns that were part of it are having special celebrations. This was the Cannon Crews first hometown parade!!  Way to go!!!

GCM cooking, Fossils, Fun

Genesee Country Museum is a favorite place of ours. My kids have been lucky to attend summer programs here over the years. It is a living history Museum so when they attend a program they move into the 19th century, clothing and all. Civil War Soldier Camp and Intermediate boys cooking were among the Camps this summer. Boys cooking is in a basement/outdoor kitchen of Hosmers Tavern c. 1818 The Walnut cake and Ginger cookies were favorites but the Cows Tongue was definitely talked about the most. They boiled it, skinned it and then ate it. It was a rainy week and they then often ate inside the Tavern. They ate in the room shown above. This structure was renovated so that you can now go onto the 2nd floor and see the sleeping quarters. Most Village structures do not allow for this. I was also told that they are looking at opening it up to families for weekend stays - in peroid costume , food and Chamber pot.
They already offer this experience at the Pioneer Cabin. A good time had by all.

The Rock walls that are by Thomsens tavern c 1808 are filled with fossils as above and my daughter was thrilled to discover them. the heart rock was in the wall - never know what you will see if you are looking!

Westward Journey

This was a project to wrap up the Unit on Westward movement. The kids re-created the homesteads that were won in the Great Land Rush. they have spent many weeks traveling the westward trails and making choices that affect them in positive and negative ways. Each Students Homestead was quite different and they all seemed to have a good time doing it. The room smelled very sweet secondary to all the cans of frosting. These Hands on Projects really help to bring home the message. It is unfortunate that more activities like this are not available.

Remembering . . .

God Bless America
Thank you.

Maple Weekend 2011

Sights of a maple weekend. Time in the woods, with friends and family. Mother natures sweetness at its best. we went away for Maple weekend and are still making syrup at home. It is a short season for such a lovely thing. Such a wonderful way to start Spring and to just sit back and enjoy the simple pleasures of Syrup making.

Biking the Canal

Low Bridge - everyone down, Low bridge for were coming to a Town . . .

Scouts drove Sat. AM to the Port of Buffalo . . . . then over 2 days rode/cycled their way back to the Port of Pittsford. 103 miles, to many bridges to count. Lots of sore legs! Way to go boys!
Green Lock is at Lockport NY
Erie Canal is another wonder that we locally take for granted, Cobblestone houses fall in that category as well but save that for another post. It is truly amazing to think they dug this "ditch" as Governor Clinton referred to it as by hand. Can you imagine anyone today doing that much manual work?

Brigade 2010

Last weekend was International Scout Brigade- Re-inactment of War of 1812 in Canada
This brings together scouts from all over the USA and Canada to reenact the War of 1812 which was fought on the shores of Lake Ontario. The boys always look forward to this. Many make their own Muskets in the summer for this event.

Be Brave

Most of our Obstacles would melt away if instead of cowering before them we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. - Orison Swett Marden



Our Forefathers were brave, they faced many obstacles and walked through them both together and alone. the shear fact that America has created what it has a democracy is actually really amazing. When you look at the really big picture and all the many cultures coming together, things are not at all perfect but we have created a good example of teamwork, if we overlook the many flaws that people will readily point out.


Enjoy your Freedom this 4th of July!

Remember . . .

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. ~Joseph Campbell

Memorial Day 2010 more Marching and flag planting, Marching with Boy Scouts marching in the Middle school band. IT is very hot and we try not to melt. In the cemetery it is quiet and we hear words to remember that those that have gone before us have gone with a purpose, to make our Country Free and give us opportunities that much of the world still struggles for. They have gone out to be peacemakers to live by example and to do the right thing. They are good citizens. They have given up families, jobs and lived in less than adequate surroundings to do these things and more. If you see an armed service member- say Thank you. We see and hear about all those that are in Combat but behind each of them are 100's more providing support, taking care of the injured, trying to make better equipment or improve communication so very many things that all come together to make the soldiers job as easy as it can be, Is that ever an easy job? So today, pause and quietly give thanks. It is because of those that have gone before us that we can honor them in this way.

Yesterdays Treasures

The front runner of the Microwave?

Their were no plastics in the 19th century- that is the 1800's

Slate, wool, chalk
Paper was expensive back then.
Love going to the Genesee Country Museum twice last week- one field trip and once for Sprits of the past ghost tour on a rainy spooky night!

Theres no place like Home

Our Humble home built in 1822 most likely as a log Cabin and then expanded into Plank wood. It was built in three parts, the center, the front and then the far back. The center section still has logs for rafters in the roof. There is a lot of post and Beam exposed in the stairway, bedroom and bathroom. I have been thinking and talking about the house history this week as a 4th grader choose our house to do a report on . I gave him as much as I know which is not much and a bunch of photos. We know this was an old Stone Quarry. We have all kinds of rock on the property and you can see where the hill is carved out next door. It was a big farm, barns across the road. 3 wells. We know where the outhouses were and have recovered some interesting things from the dump area. We wonder a lot of things- how many kids, animals, did house members fighting the Civil war? Where did they come from in New England? When you live in an old house there are always questions. All those that have come before - what did they think, what did they stand for,what hardships did they endure? What stories do these walls have to tell? What have they seen? We are Recycling, re purposing at its best, but we have no closets, no garage, damp basement and lots of insects!!

Seaway Adventures

So on Sunny Sunday the 19 we set off on Lake Ontario Parkway for a Seaway Adventure . . . . . . . The Seaway runs from the Hudson River all along Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
On this first picture you are looking at
Lake Ontario not the Ocean.


















Starting out on Sunday the weather was Stellar!! It deteriorated as the day went on. next is the Lighthouse at Golden Hills State Park Barker NY
This is part of a State park that has Camping right on the Lakeshore.

Apparently you can rent out the Lighthouse Cottage as well.
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=111 will link you there.












So when you drive the lake parkway and then Rte 18 west you end at Old Fort Niagara / Robert Moses Parkway
There is a light house there as well. We had plans to go to the Fort but in order to get to the Aquarium quicker we skipped it. We did however stop at the Whirlpool State park which is the topic of the third Photo. You can even hike down into the Gorge. We are just fine at the Rim. Lots of ground bees observed near the Whirlpool park.








last photo is of the Lighthouse at the harbor at Westfield. It is so old looking and Yoda's favorite.