Steve spent the day in meetings and was scheduled for another tonight, but flooding in Sunset Bay kept them occupied till tonight. In 24 hours the drill will be completed and they can relax for a bit.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Day 783: First pansies!
A two mile walk in 40 ish temps was wonderful. We strolled through campus since the sidewalks in town are treacherous. I was so happy to spot early pansies sprouting in pots in the front yard. Maybe spring is really on the way. A rapid snow melt has swelled the creeks and flooded our yard again, but we are fortunate compared to many other regions. The east is waterlogged and the west is devastated by droughts.
Steve spent the day in meetings and was scheduled for another tonight, but flooding in Sunset Bay kept them occupied till tonight. In 24 hours the drill will be completed and they can relax for a bit.
Steve spent the day in meetings and was scheduled for another tonight, but flooding in Sunset Bay kept them occupied till tonight. In 24 hours the drill will be completed and they can relax for a bit.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Day 782: Red breasted merganser
Bald eagles have been gathering in the Dunkirk harbor, so today we went down to see them. No eagles arrived today, but I can see why they are attracted to the harbor. There are thousands of dead birds and fish on the ice surface.
I photographed clusters of birds to identify later and discovered one I had never seen before: the red-breasted merganser. It's such a rich environment for birds, that I am again wishing I had a better zoom lens. Time to think seriously about that.
I photographed clusters of birds to identify later and discovered one I had never seen before: the red-breasted merganser. It's such a rich environment for birds, that I am again wishing I had a better zoom lens. Time to think seriously about that.
Gulls in the harbor
Red-breasted merganser
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Day 781: Steve's new Terrain
For the first time in over thirty years, we don't own a van. I remember when Evan and Justin were just two and five, before Colin came along, we went camping in our old Omni. Every square inch of that car was jammed full of sleeping bags, a tent, food, cook gear, toys and clothes. It was wild!
We had a grand time camping that summer in Pennsylvania and New England. Not long after those trips, we bought our first van, a Plymouth Caravan. Adding another baby and all his gear required not only a new car, but also a second tent. The last time we went tent camping up in Canada, I had one tent with Colin and Evan, and Steve slept in the second tent with Justin. It rained constantly and Colin wanted desperately to creep around in the mud. After that, we added a pop-up trailer for the van to haul.
Now, of course, Steve's car is always packed with fire and emergency medical gear for his job. When he retires from that position in a few years, this newer car will be ideal for new camping adventures for two old folks.
We had a grand time camping that summer in Pennsylvania and New England. Not long after those trips, we bought our first van, a Plymouth Caravan. Adding another baby and all his gear required not only a new car, but also a second tent. The last time we went tent camping up in Canada, I had one tent with Colin and Evan, and Steve slept in the second tent with Justin. It rained constantly and Colin wanted desperately to creep around in the mud. After that, we added a pop-up trailer for the van to haul.
Now, of course, Steve's car is always packed with fire and emergency medical gear for his job. When he retires from that position in a few years, this newer car will be ideal for new camping adventures for two old folks.
Grumpy old Molly actually went outside today to enjoy a few hours of sunshine.
What a joy to have warmth for a little while. It didn't last, of course. By 4:00 we had snow, sleet and ice. And next week, the polar vortex is coming back!
The new (to us) 2011 Terrain.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Day 780: Ice Castle
It was a sleepless night after an exhausting day. A ferocious wind storm blew through about midnight and the grill decided to depart the front porch, so Steve went out to retie it to the swing. We'd just fallen asleep when Molly planted herself outside our door and cried her little heart out. Steve got up and fed her and she was quiet for awhile. Then, at 5 am she did it again. This time, I got up and put her in the basement. I guess she missed us. Finally, we fell back to sleep, but it certainly wasn't enough.
The Ice Castle in Mayville
Paddy kept me company while I wrote this morning and made lots of progress on expedition behavior.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Day 779: Sunny Hudson
It was hard to say goodbye to our precious sons and daughter and return to our busy routine. They are all so gracious and welcoming, but they have their own lives and we don't want to be in the way. We did not realize they'd all be off today, so we could have stayed another day.
It was good to have a brief escape, but there's so much on Steve's schedule for this week that he was getting very stressed out as the train chugged west. The huge Coast Guard drill is on Saturday, but there are a few more meetings before it begins. They are simulating a plane crash into Chautauqua Lake with forty passengers. Four ice fishermen will be fatalities, and the passengers will have various injuries. Some will have to be plucked from the lake. Coast Guard personnel will fill the roles of victims in the water and their rescuers. It will be a stressful day.
When we checked the news this morning, we discovered it was minus 14 in Fredonia, while it was 20 in NYC. By the time we got home at 8:00 tonight, the temp was up to 32! Predictions for the day of the drill are dreadful. Flooding is coming later in the week, so actual emergencies could be taking place while half the county is tied up with the drill.
On the long train journey, I was daydreaming about sandals, a gauzy dress and bare legs. I want to ride my bike, swim in our pool and feel the velvety petals of lovely day lilies. Winter seems endless.
I have made great progress on the Expedition Behavior chapter. Between Friday and today, I nearly finished it, so maybe two more days. In the next week, I intend to revise the first chapter entirely to include the section on getting started and probably rename it. After that, I will write the conclusion! I only have fragments of that done, so it will take time. I am leaving the songs, games and activities till the very end cause that will take a month. At some point, I must go through the entire book and plan more revisions.
I actually started thinking about getting readers to do fact checking! I foresee six more months of work revising, editing, seeking consistency and fluidity. This summer, I will not put it aside. Looks like I will be alternating laps and chapters. So close! So exciting!
It was good to have a brief escape, but there's so much on Steve's schedule for this week that he was getting very stressed out as the train chugged west. The huge Coast Guard drill is on Saturday, but there are a few more meetings before it begins. They are simulating a plane crash into Chautauqua Lake with forty passengers. Four ice fishermen will be fatalities, and the passengers will have various injuries. Some will have to be plucked from the lake. Coast Guard personnel will fill the roles of victims in the water and their rescuers. It will be a stressful day.
When we checked the news this morning, we discovered it was minus 14 in Fredonia, while it was 20 in NYC. By the time we got home at 8:00 tonight, the temp was up to 32! Predictions for the day of the drill are dreadful. Flooding is coming later in the week, so actual emergencies could be taking place while half the county is tied up with the drill.
On the long train journey, I was daydreaming about sandals, a gauzy dress and bare legs. I want to ride my bike, swim in our pool and feel the velvety petals of lovely day lilies. Winter seems endless.
I have made great progress on the Expedition Behavior chapter. Between Friday and today, I nearly finished it, so maybe two more days. In the next week, I intend to revise the first chapter entirely to include the section on getting started and probably rename it. After that, I will write the conclusion! I only have fragments of that done, so it will take time. I am leaving the songs, games and activities till the very end cause that will take a month. At some point, I must go through the entire book and plan more revisions.
I actually started thinking about getting readers to do fact checking! I foresee six more months of work revising, editing, seeking consistency and fluidity. This summer, I will not put it aside. Looks like I will be alternating laps and chapters. So close! So exciting!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Day 778: Brunch in Brooklyn
April and Colin prepared a splendid NY style brunch: fluffy blueberry pancakes, crisp bacon, fruit salad, scrambled eggs and our choice of a Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Certainly not something we've ever done in Fredonia.
Colin fried up two pounds of bacon! April scrambled eggs. Both are such gracious and generous hosts. We were all together for a meal... at the same table. Laughing, joking, telling stories and having thoughtful discussions on issues and of course, Star Trek. Such precious time, so fleeting.
We walked for an hour through Prospect Park. It was a joy to see so many families out with sleds, and skis and snowshoes. Lots of children laughing outdoors. It doesn't get much better. That's what we have always done as a family, no matter where we happen to be. Long walks and great conversations. We miss these common rituals so very much, and are so very grateful when we have a few days together.
Then this evening, at Evan's apartment, we ordered sweet and sour chicken, pineapple fried rice and sushi rolls on Seamless Web. Another thing we never do at home. Not just the food choices, but who in Fredonia uses the internet to order a meal and have it delivered to your door in a half hour?
Colin fried up two pounds of bacon! April scrambled eggs. Both are such gracious and generous hosts. We were all together for a meal... at the same table. Laughing, joking, telling stories and having thoughtful discussions on issues and of course, Star Trek. Such precious time, so fleeting.
The Audrey Tree in Prospect Park
Look closely and find Audrey's mouth!
Then this evening, at Evan's apartment, we ordered sweet and sour chicken, pineapple fried rice and sushi rolls on Seamless Web. Another thing we never do at home. Not just the food choices, but who in Fredonia uses the internet to order a meal and have it delivered to your door in a half hour?
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Day 777: Museum of Art and Design
So much has happened in two days! It's our first trip to NYC in deep winter. As Evan says, NYC does a snowy winter better than it does the heat of summer, but what a mess it is!
The train trip was quiet, hot and bumpy. Flowing silently beside us, the Mohawk was frozen over and only a narrow channel was carved by a Coast Guard cutter through the Hudson. Huge heating oil barges crawled upstream pushed by tugboats.
Delayed about an hour, the train pulled into Penn Station at the peak of rush hour. Evan was there and so were a million other people rushing, crushing, pushing, all intent on a distant destination. Dozens of last minute shoppers queued up to buy flowers, inflated balloons and hearts full of candy. Dodging through the crowds, we cut toward the subway and lost Evan completely. There's no place in Penn Station for disoriented out-of-towners. Without crowds or pressure, we function competently, but you can't hesitate for even a moment.
We could barely breathe on the A train uptown to 125th, but then climbing up the stairs to St. Nicholas Street, warm air greeted us! Thirty degrees felt balmy compared to our freezing days in Fredonia. Side streets were piled with snow, cars buried and trash bags buried. Every intersection was a lake of slush surrounded by mounds of ice. Frustrated drivers were digging out cars, spinning wheels till the smell of rubber filled the air, rocking and gunning the engines. Many just let the cars or little Vespas remain buried and wait for spring.
April hosted dinner in her office at 7 Penn. We ate pizza, played pool and visited without shouting. Colin recounted hilarious tales from his first comedy show. He is so happy.
Today, after a Greek lunch, Justin, Steve and I spent hours exploring two museums. First, we viewed fiber and costume art displays at the Folk Art Museum at 66th St. Then, we moved on to the Museum of Art and Design which was incredible. The displays were of art created using fractals, 3-D printers and computer design. More on that tomorrow.
The train trip was quiet, hot and bumpy. Flowing silently beside us, the Mohawk was frozen over and only a narrow channel was carved by a Coast Guard cutter through the Hudson. Huge heating oil barges crawled upstream pushed by tugboats.
Delayed about an hour, the train pulled into Penn Station at the peak of rush hour. Evan was there and so were a million other people rushing, crushing, pushing, all intent on a distant destination. Dozens of last minute shoppers queued up to buy flowers, inflated balloons and hearts full of candy. Dodging through the crowds, we cut toward the subway and lost Evan completely. There's no place in Penn Station for disoriented out-of-towners. Without crowds or pressure, we function competently, but you can't hesitate for even a moment.
We could barely breathe on the A train uptown to 125th, but then climbing up the stairs to St. Nicholas Street, warm air greeted us! Thirty degrees felt balmy compared to our freezing days in Fredonia. Side streets were piled with snow, cars buried and trash bags buried. Every intersection was a lake of slush surrounded by mounds of ice. Frustrated drivers were digging out cars, spinning wheels till the smell of rubber filled the air, rocking and gunning the engines. Many just let the cars or little Vespas remain buried and wait for spring.
April hosted dinner in her office at 7 Penn. We ate pizza, played pool and visited without shouting. Colin recounted hilarious tales from his first comedy show. He is so happy.
Today, after a Greek lunch, Justin, Steve and I spent hours exploring two museums. First, we viewed fiber and costume art displays at the Folk Art Museum at 66th St. Then, we moved on to the Museum of Art and Design which was incredible. The displays were of art created using fractals, 3-D printers and computer design. More on that tomorrow.
A three-D printer created this twisted cathedral dump truck!
Cross bred chairs created by an artist on the three-D printer
Evan and Justin at dinner at Yum Yum Bangkok
Sheep milk dumplings at Kefi for lunch
A weather vane on display at the Folk Art Museum
Brunch in Brooklyn tomorrow!
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