TAking a ride

It is Monday and I realized I haven’t blogged since Friday. I just was busy..so sorry. Let me tell you what’s been happening. 

Last week we had the stump removed from the front yard. I’ve never seen a machine that does that and it was quite a process. When the tree was cut down there was a hollow spot right in the middle which means that old crab apple tree had been dying from the inside out. It was time for it to go. But I still miss its shade. 

Don and I took a ride the other day to Gowanda in New York State. It is about an hour from home. It was such a pleasant day for a ride. Don always loved to fish and he often went up to the Cattaragus Creek to catch steelhead trout which came up the creek much as salmon do. He would hook into a big one and loved the thrill. Many times he’d bring a cooler full home. He took me down to two spots where he fished. It is so beautiful there I can understand how much he loved it. Unfortunately with his COPD he has to give all that walking and fishing up. It is a horrible disease that limits your activity. That is so hard for a man who was always strong and active. 

On the way we saw some interesting things such as this yellow submarine...

And this crazy house. 

But what we really went up there for was to go to the small fruit market. When Don fished he always stopped there to bring home some produce fresh from the local farms. We stopped at that same market and I brought home a trunk full of squash, peppers, pumpkins, and cauliflower. I love the vegetables of fall and will make some butternut squash soup soon. We had stuffed peppers for dinner that night which were delicious. 

These orchids are not just beautiful but are rare because they have so many blooms on the plant. We visited Bill and Jan and she has raised orchids for over forty years. She took me to her basement where it is like a botanical garden with two large stands full of the most gorgeous orchids I have ever seen. Bill and Don have been friends since they were in high school. Jan was a high school biology teacher. They gave us some of the last tomatoes and peppers from their garden. 

This picture is from a few weeks ago but I thought I’d add it since we are catching up. At the Willow Dale cemetery pond just a stone’s throw from my house there is a gathering every year of men who love model battleships. The drive them around the pond shooting at each other and have a great time. 

This beautiful building is the administration building at Allegany State Park, the largest state park in New York. The park is only a few miles from Bradford and on Saturday night I joined my friend for dinner there. The small restaurant is on the second floor and we enjoyed a delicious dinner there. The lake you see is Redhouse Lake and we drove all the way around it to get to the restaurant. It was such a lovely drive. 

Now you are all caught up on my activities. Besides doing all that yesterday I had a burst of energy like I haven’t had since forever. I took advantage of that and cleaned the garage, trimmed bushes and a small tree, put away some summer things, cleaned out my summer closet, changed my bed, and did all the laundry.  Whew! It felt so good to have that much energy for a change. 

Will I walk down this street again?

There are some images you just don’t forget. The picture above is in Aix en Provence, France. I had the most marvelous vacation a while ago with my best friend Yrsa and her cousin and her boyfriend. We were driven all over Provence and saw things that most tourists don’t get to see. Our last three days were spent in Aix. There is a famous street with a moss overgrown fountain where we went shopping. Everytime I see a picture of that street I imagine myself back there beneath the plane trees. So I chose that photo to paint at my last class.

Calum Scott, Leona Lewis - You Are The Reason (Duet Version)

Isn't it wonderful when you make a new discovery? Last night I was trying to get to sleep and listening to Pandora when this artist came on. It stopped me in my tracks with his haunting voice. I had to goggle him and find out more only to discover that he was a contestant in Britain's Got Talent. Calum Scott has gone on to have a singing career. I hope that you enjoy this duet. I think it's amazing.

Sleepless

I know you’ve had one...a sleepless night.  I go through periods where I can’t sleep. I get sleepy and maybe even fall asleep for a few minutes but I wake right back up and am wide awake. So...I lay there  mistakingly thinking I will go right back to sleep if I just lay still. After an hour of that I try listening to a podcast on my iPad.  Thanks not such a good idea since I’m interested in what they are saying and it doesn’t put me to sleep. So finally at two I got up to go in the sunroom and watch tv. My body must have thought that I started the day because I was wide awake at three thirty. Even though I wasn’t tired yet I went back to bed and finally fell asleep about four. Yes, I’ve tried melatonin which relaxes me but doesn’t make me sleep. I’m careful about not having chocolate or caffeine after noon. But it happens once in a while. You too, huh?  

Does Mother Nature know it’s fall?

It was 82 degrees out there yesterday.  This is not a typical fall in Bradford. I spent some time outdoors putting away some more summer things. If I do a little each day I will get it all done before the snow falls. I am still holding on to the summer flowers for a little while. 

  Today I plan on spending some time in the basement.  We do not have a full basement in our house but do have a finished room where I have been putting bins from the attic. Today I need to go down there and sort and rearrange and organize. It is more convenient for me to get my seasonal decorations from the basement instead of pulling down the attic steps and getting up there. 

  Some of the Basement is taken up with boxes and boxes of things I have gathered for a sale.  They will be loaded into my car next weekend and I will take them all to my sister’s house where we will have a huge sale the following weekend. That will leave some empty space in the basement. 

It is good to let go. 

I don’t deal in abstracts

I don’t like abstracts. I like realism. I like things that resemble what they are not some far out composition that is lauded for it’s placement of squares. I never dug Picasso or Pollack. I may not be sophisticated enough for the higher principles of art but I know what I like. 

So taking a class in collage was a new experience for me. Last week we spent all our time painting papers which we would use this week to tear in pieces to collage. Susan is an excellent instructor and showed us three short videos demonstrating collage techniques. 

The we played around with painting and using materials. It was an interesting session and it was freeing to just use gauze and string and randomly paint on the paper. 

But this is not something that I would be interested in pursuing. I will stick to painting landscapes and flowers.

In the interest of full disclosure Susan put on some music to paint by. I love music of all kinds with two notable exceptions....rap and jazz. She put on jazz. To me jazz is just like abstract painting. It is random and the melody is hardly discernible. (To me anyway). I don’t mean to be judgemental for there are many out there who love both and that is fine with me. This is just a personal preference. I guess at this stage of the game it is good to know thyself. 

Bedraggled

Bedraggled...left limp or wet as if by rain

Yesterday I took down all the little Black fencing that surrounded my picket fence area. 

The flowers are fading as they put out their final blooms. It seems that most of the plants are looking worn out and shabby. I really think that it is time to let go of all the annuals.

But it is hard when they are showy like these impatience.  

The herb garden is way overgrown and needs tending to   All this week I have been under the weather and not feeling that great. 

A Little aside...as I was sitting on the porch swing two chipmunks practically ran right over my feet.  

This morning I went over to have my hearing checked. I have hearing aids and love them. No sense missing out on conversation. Everything is fine.  While I was there I stopped at Marshall’s to see if anything would jump out at me. Nope, nothing.  I have no desire to shop lately. Can you believe that Tammy?  

Tomorrow is my last time at Mayville to compete a collage. I have certainly loved taking that class. 

Insistence

Have I ever told you about how insistent Sadie can be? Even though she can’t walk she has a way of getting me to do exactly what she wants at any given moment. She really doesn’t like me to be on my ipad for some odd reason.  Every time I pick it up she decides that she doesn’t like it and whines and carries on until I put it back away. She also doesn’t like me to talk to Linda on the phone. Wherever she is she will come to me and bark and whine and sit up to tell me to pick her up. She wants to be held a lot lately and comforted. At night she insists on being on Don’s lap. And every time..I mean every time... I do exactly as she wishes. 

The celebration continues

Yep, that’s my hubby enjoying a 26 ounce prime is as we celebrate my birthday at the Western Door a fine dining restaurant at the Seneca Allegany casino. 

The service was top notch as we had two waitresses who served our every need.  We started off with a basket of five different breads...focaccia, honey wheat, savory scones, pretzel bread, and Italian. Along with that we had three butters..plain, savory herb and sweet apricot. The salads were huge. I had a wedge and Don had the garden salad. 

The side dishes were so large that we split a baked potato and some broccoli. I had a filet mignon which had so much flavor and melted in your mouth. 

It was a real treat and a great date night out. 

Here’s to new experiences

On Friday I tried a vegetarian restaurant for the first time. Cece and I plus a friend of hers< Susan, went to Mayville for a collage class this week. Cece had discovered this little restaurant in Jamestown, NY that she had enjoyed and I suggested we eat there for lunch. 

I love it when I can find things on the menu that I don’t recognize or are unusual. And the Labyrinth Press Company had many things in that category. 

I ordered the African Peanut Burger (with the egg on the side) and it was delicious. I also got a cup of Asparagus Paremesean soup with potatoes,onion and thyme which was out of this world. I would go back just for a bowl of soup sometime. 

The counter person was so friendly and personable and we got to talking about our mission to go to art class and she paints also. This little cafe is an order at the counter type of place with a lot of specialty drinks. Cece ordered a pumpkin latte. (That’s Susan in the red)

In the alley beside the restaurant there was a sign indicating a potter’s studio but we didn’t have time to explore it. Maybe next trip. 

On the way up to Mayville we did make time to stop at The Artist’s Loft, a unique store which represents many artists. It was just filled with creations ranging from paintings to jewelry and glass creations. I must go back when we have more time to explore it without rushing. Since Saturday was my 74th birthday I treated myself to a bracelet and earrings. The owner of the store and I were chatting and she is the silversmith who created the things I had picked out. 

At the Depot this week we painted background papers for collaging using many methods of getting texture and unusual materials. Next week we will tear or cut these pieces and paste them to make collages. Our instructor Susan is so enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoys the process of teaching us that I always learn so much. She makes me want to enjoy the process of art and not dwell on whether the results are perfect. 

All in all it was another perfect day. 

Goodbye tree

Today I am saying goodbye to this glorious crab apple tree that has stood in front of our house for all the 45 years that we have lived here. When I come back from Mayville today it will be gone. Don has wanted to cut it down for a few years now and says how nice the house will look without it there. I have disagreed and pointed out that it not only gives us shade but provides a place for the birds while they are waiting to get at the feeders. 

How can you not miss this spectacular pink spring tree?

And how the fallen buds make dotted art on the ground. 

It looks like a Serraut painting. 

How proud Don has been of his grafts and the apples they produced. 

Now the once proud tree is broken. I don’t know why I am feeling so very sad at losing it. Is it because it is old? And I am old? Do I somehow relate? Or do I dislike change? I feel like I’m losing a friend. I am glad I’m not going to be here today to watch it fall. (Tears are falling, I’m such a baby). 

All gone....

CHANGING SEASONS

It’s coming. My favorite season. No, the leaves aren’t changing yet although I found a few had fallen on the trail. And even though the weather still feels like summer I know change is in the air. For us in the north it means getting ready for winter. In the fall we have to put away everything we dragged out at the beginning of summer…all the tables, chairs, cushions, statuary, sculptures, pots, urns, and the swing. Clearing off the courtyard and breezeway becomes one big chore. But it has to be done because our winters are very harsh and if you want something to survive you need to protect it. Most of our outdoor things go into the shed but the cushions and delicates have to come in the house. Some we gather together and put a tarp over for protection from the snow. But it’s not quite time for that yet.

Another yearly chore at this time of year is getting out our winter seasonal clothes. We have a completely different set of clothes in the cold weather. We don’t just add a sweater we completely change out our closet to add long sleeved tops and long pants along with boots, gloves, scarves, hats, and heavy coats. (yes, I have way too many hats and scarves).

But until it is time to do all that I will enjoy all the warm weather.

"I believe in magic. Subtle, everyday magic. Each morning before I give myself a chance to doubt otherwise, I smile knowing that this day is laced with wonders, and it’s my plan to focus on finding them."

–Suzanne Robbins

Crisp..or hot, hot, hot

The fog was laying softly on the hill this morning above the University. Usually in September we have crisp, cool mornings followed by warm days but blame it on global warming we are experiencing such hot weather. It made 90 degrees today at our house. We got the air conditioning just in time and enjoy having the whole house cool. I went out long enough to water the flowers and cut back some of the dead stems before retreating once again into the house. These last days of summer like weather seem lazy to me. (Or maybe I’m just tired..and lazy). I went to Olean today to return overdue books and found some new ones to read. I am half way through Nicci French’s  Sunday Silence. It’s a great page turner and easy read. I also started Creativity, Inc which is the nonfiction story of the creativity of Pixar. Today someone came to talk to Don about taking down the crabapple tree in the front yard. The tree was there when we bought the house 44 years ago and I have loved watching it grow. Don grafted on regular apples and I have made pies from those over the years. This year we didn’t have a frost to kill the buds in the spring (global warming again) and there was an overabundance of apples which weighed down the limbs so much that one broke off and the other dipped right to the ground. So it is time for it to be taken down. I will miss my good friend.          

Random

Sean is getting so big. He is ten now and starting fifth grade.  

Just had to show you my glitter eyes courtesy of Sara. 

I used to hate doing self portraits..thought it was vain. But I took an online course about it a while ago and lost that feeling. 

Bought a new top at Ivy’s..my favorite store in Tennessee. 

Not a very clear picture of the new hall light.  

Today is haircut and color day. And my art class too. It will be good to get back to painting. I’ve missed it. I’m getting caught up at home..laundry, etc....and putting out a little fall decorations.  

Sign

I was browsing through some Flea Market magazines and came across these two signs.

This is the beginning of a new day.  You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.  When tomorrow comes the day will be gone forever. In its place is everything that you have left behind. Let it be something good. 

I loved that sentiment. Then I found this one...

Darling,

 The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you.  Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision, your heart, your soul.  So laugh and sing, dance and play, write and draw, Create and build, love and shine. Stay true to yourself. Embrace beauty and live life as only you can. 

That one brought tears to my eyes for it perfectly described my best friend Yrsa who passed away three and a half years ago. If anyone has a soul mate Yrsa was mine. We shared so much and she knew my soul. I think of her weekly now instead of daily but sometimes there are certain little things that just remind me of her and make me cry. 

By the way I have another “visit” story for you. While I was at Ryan’s I was in the bedroom when I heard a sound like a vacuum cleaner running. I came out to see why and passed Sean in another bedroom laying on the bed playing his device. As I walked by the bathroom I saw the hair dryer which was plugged in blasting away hot air on high. I turned it off and then asked Sean if he had turned it on. He said no and that he thought I was in the bathroom. Don was in the living room. There just is no way that a hair dryer turns itself on. The switch was difficult and clicked on and off. I am convinced that someone is trying to contact me since I have these strange occurrences all the time.

.

Kay, Yrsa and me 

Transition

Moving from summer to fall.  This large green bowl from Portugal is perfect for the orchids. 

I ordered a new light for the refreshed hallway from Wayfair. It is a tad large for the space but I really love it. Don is my electrician thank goodness. 

Home once again

I love to travel but there is nothing more satisfying than opening your back door when you arrive safely from your trip. The road to home always seems longer than when you start out on the trip fresh with anticipation. After a week away it seems you have been gone forever. Walking into your kitchen and the idea of sleeping in your own bed is delightful. 

   I had a wonderful time with my Tennessee family and Chris who came down. The grandchildren keep on getting older and I spent as much time as I could playing with them. Of course they were in school, except for Sara who ended up with a stomach bug and had to stay home a few days. Ryan also had a few days off and we had some great family time. I also swam in their pool and enjoyed the new deck that Chris and Ryan had put on at the beginning of summer. On the way home we stopped at Chris and I got to spend time with both my grandchildren there. Dan had just gotten back from work in Hawaii and he and Gretchen had been to Toronto. Next week he will be in Charleston. They live life large. 

    I shopped a little (and I mean a little) at my favorite stores. In Kirkland’s I got a large mirror to replace the one in the hallway that I moved to the end of the fireplace. Everywhere I went the fall decorations were in full force. You will be seeing a few of the new ones that I bought later. It was 94 down there so I wasn’t out in the heat shopping for sure. I have found that I can’t take the heat as I did when I was younger.

    So today will be one of getting everything back in order. The flowers in the picture above were gathered together so that Evan could water for me while we were away. This season in early September I am always torn between wanting to extend summer with the flowers being at their peak or tossing them all in favor of mums. All over the internet there are blogs who have already put up all their fall decorations. I am going to hold off a few weeks before all the pumpkins come out at my house. The decorations will be a little easier to get out this year since I moved them all to the basement instead of the attic. 

   Fall is always a time for renewal and since I was a teacher I’ve always felt the Fall was my January where resolutions were made. After a week of eating out I am eager to get back to dieting and exercising. 

   Sadie loved being with family also. She is getting worse because her back foot is now collapsing. It is getting time to let her go. She struggles to walk even to go to the bathroom. Otherwise she doesn’t walk at all. It is a hard decision but one that soon has to be made. 

  I don’t want to end on a bad note so I will say....Chris is getting an award from a company in China for a project that he has been working on. He is a mechanical engineer in research and development for Tyco Electronics.