Taughannock Falls Trumansburg NY

See the people, where they should not be . . . .On the ledge . . . .at the very top 215 feet vertical fall

Taughancock  Falls

 Martha and Erik

Native Bee Balm

Goosefoot Maple seed chains

  So once a summer my husbands family converges on a State Park in the Southern Tier - often at the base of Cayuga Lake or Seneca Lake.  We like Cayuga Lake even if it is farther because they have Purity Ice Cream in Ithaca and we like to go there for an Ice Cream afterward,  For me this year it was Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream and I have yummy pictures but they are on my phone and not available right now to my blog . . .  We have been attending this reunion for 28 years and it is interesting to see those that were young back in the day now have young of their own and so the circle continues.  Where will your summer travels take you?

Weekend Wanderings October 2015

These are from last weekend 10- 17/18-2015  but it has been a busy week so I did not get hem posted sooner. Hoping to go somewhere different this weekend.  Lots of life and color still out there. It was quite cold last weekend- snow in the air and lot's of Bird activity!!  There is nothing better than getting outside- so centering and inspirational.

Lilacs and Blue Bells . . Spring is here . . .

      We wait a long time in these parts for Siring to show her glory but when she does, she does not disappoint us.  We have had some very hot days already and then some cooler ones - she does not seem to be able to make up her mind.  Alas the flowers have all been most lovely to enjoy!!

Snowstorm Linus . . . . .

  With a name like Linus this storm just conjurs up images of wrapped up in quilts reading books and drinking tea or cocoa.  Although the thoughts danced through my head . . . the driveway was calling to be shoveled and the dinner made . . .  I love the night or day immediately following a big storm.  It is very quiet outside and the earth is blanketed in such thick white downy snow.  Often there are not any animal tracks yet and it is pristine.  This was definitely the case with this storm.  I only wished I had more time to be out in it but work was calling early the next morning . . .   all said and done I think we got about 18 inches, then we keep getting 2-3 inches each day on top of it.  The piles are getting pretty big.  The wood pile is bigger still though so we are in good shape.   We do not have a snow blower so we shovel the old fashioned way, a little at a time and the it is all done. 
Hoping everyone is snug and safe for a 3 dog night-  the opposite of the dog days of Summer I think .

Christmas Tree Picking 2014

There may have been a little sun but it was bone chilling and I do not want to know what the wind chill was.

The final selection!

Goat on the loose!

Loved the sheep!

October Everyday . . . .

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
―Albert Camus

Barnum Pond 

 Paul Smith, NY 

9/2014

Just thinking . . Sept. Full Moon setting

Harvest Moon setting on Tuesday Sept. 9, 2014 

This moon has been so beautiful both at night and in the early morning when it is setting.

"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others."

Albert Schweitzer

Well from when I first went to put this up and now . . . I have listened to the Funeral of a Fallen Police Officer in the line of duty in our city.  This quote honors him and the tireless work in the community to serve, & protect others while putting his own life at risk.   May his family and co-workers find peace in the days to come. 

Labor Day Camping 2014

Bald Mountain

Our lovely very waterproof home away from home

Our Noah Tarp keeps us nice and dry!

Fall Beauty

Fourth Lake

Just perfect end of Summer photo don't you think?

Lovely Sunset with Loons calling on the water

This Blog has been eating Blog posts . . . I have written more than you have seen.  I am not sure quite what to think of it but trying to not get to frustrated by it.

 Obviously this trip was about 10 days ago . . . but it was a lovely albeit short getaway to the ADK for a little respite with Nature and friends.  This trip left at least 18 hours after it was supposed to- we were just not ready and it seemed to make no sense to get all stressed out over something that should have been restful.  So we took a little more time to get ready with less stress but it made for a short trip.  Of course the rain on Sunday also shortened it up quite a bit.  Heavy rain does not make for friendly mountain climbing/hiking. So we packed up and hit the road for home. Looking back at the images- it was so very lovely in so very many ways!
         We enjoyed the view and Friday evening the Loons on the Lake were so very talkative it was incredible.  We went hiking-on Saturday and visiting with friends. Our campfire on the cold night- Friday was the campfire that never happened- as we talk about it because the wood that we got was fireproof wood- it would not take off and burn for any thing. Hot tea on a cool morning, the quiet of the Lake and Forest are so restorative.  You can see we are among the minority and are still tent campers.  Driving around the campground it was readily apparent that tent camping is dying. So many campers and RV's. While tent camping although not always comfortable it is certainly simple. Although I still applaud those with RV's that are getting out and spending time in Nature.
        I think that spending time in nature is so very important and whatever way works best for you is great!  I think it is the simple aspect of camping in general that appeals to me. Time to do just one thing at a time. Less multitasking that has become the everyday of this busy world we live in. Time to sit, to think , to watch and listen.  Time to be.   May we all find this simple time of being,  somewhere in someway in our lives.