Day 45: Marriage for all

On this Valentine's Day, we hope that one day soon, all Americans will have the right to marry the person they love.  

Day 44: Kingfisher

Stopping on the Risley Street bridge, we heard a bird call of loud, metallic clicks, much like an alien out of Star Trek.  Along the creek bed, we caught sight of a large gray and white bird that darted down to the surface and snatched a fish from the freezing water.  If I continue to photograph birds, I will need another new telephoto lens to capture them more clearly.

The construction crews are making rapid progress on the new science building at the college.  A huge crane is now lifting steel beams into place while ironworkers are hoisted up in bucket lifts to bolt and weld them together. 

Day 43: Black Sky

Forty-one years ago today we became engaged after knowing each other for just seventy days.  Steve couldn't wait till Valentine's Day to ask me to marry him and give me a diamond ring.  Seven months later, we got married.  How fortunate we were to find each other and share a long life together.

Dark clouds filled the sky all day.  After dinner, we drove along the lake shore so I could capture light breaking through the clouds and scenes of the harbor.

Day 42: Blowing Snow

We woke to a dusting of snow, but throughout the morning six inches blew in from over the open lake.  The equipment seminar begins our backpacking season.  Family members and leaders were excited to learn.  The student leaders and Mark T. were very helpful as they offered anecdotes and advice to anxious parents.

The afternoon was spent working on sets and costumes for Fiddler while the wind whipped the snow around.   For only the third time this winter, Steve used the snow blower.  Quite suddenly, as the sun was setting,  the wind stopped and the sky glowed pink.

Day 41: Burnham's Hollow

Craving green and variety in the landscape, we walked our favorite trail in Arkwright.  Today, no guns were firing, but shotgun shells littered the forest floor.

Day 40: FMS Quest begins!

Thirty-five students registered for Quest in Fredonia and we met them today for the orientation class.  Most of the student leaders attended to introduce themselves and lead the "human knot" activity.  Even though the group is small, we had a great time with the activities.  They were very responsive and respectful.  Shane is our only fourth year leader and I talked to him about leading Quest in the future.  He will consider it, but he wants us to stick around for another ten years!

It was another gorgeous day, although the wind was sharp.  Snow is on the way!

Day 39: Snow drops

We enjoyed another mild day for our walk and discovered a clump of snow drops blooming by the creek. In the field across the street, Paddy's kitty friend stood guard over a herd of deer.

This afternoon, we enrolled thirty four eighth graders for Quest which is not quite half the number we had last year.  It's so puzzling.  Several of the student leaders are distressed and cannot understand why the eighth graders don't want to go on Quest.  We will take enrollments up to class tomorrow, so maybe we'll hit forty.  It's time for a serious discussion about the future of Quest.