Life in the Bristolwood

Yesterday, Mark decided we ought to get out and get some fresh air and sunshine.  I had some other ideas because I really need some new clothes.  I rarely ever shop for clothing and my wardrobe is beginning to look a little shabby!

I have an Amish friend I write to and I wanted to find the way to her house.  Since her home is kind of along the way, we traveled down a route we don’t often go.  The skies have been so beautiful the past few days and it is a shame to spend time indoors when mild weather beckons….particularly in March!

As we made our way along, the journey really does have a bit of a “retro” feel to it.  Many scenes seem so old-fashioned and when we had to stop as a train went by,  it really did have the feel of the “old days”!

The train ended up being  just two engines.

I think I have figured out how to get to my friend’s house, so I was happy.  A little added bonus!

We reached our destination and shopped for awhile at Sam’s Club.  Then Michelle and I wandered off to the mall and we raced around, looking through racks and racks of clothing.  I did wind up buying a few pieces, but I was so tired, I didn’t even try anything on!  There are a couple of pieces that will go back, but not too bad for a shopping frenzy of sorts.  I really dislike shopping and having to “dig” through racks to find clothing. 

We were finally ready to head home at about nine o’clock.  By that time, we were all tired.  As we stopped at a red light, I was able to open my window and snap a shot of the lights of a small airport….

We got home pretty late and by the time we got everyhing put away, it was nearly midnight.  It’s funny, but we all like traveling, even at night.  The truck is so cozy and Michelle and I sat in the back with Murphy.  The seat is comfortable and I sat and read a book a good bit of the way.

I was looking through my SD cards this evening and came across some photos that I like just because of color, lighting, and composition.  If you click to see them larger, they are even better!

After we took Mark’s mom to the doctor on Tuesday, we were driving down a street in the suburb where she lives and we saw a house being razed.  I have seen buildings being taken down, but never a residence.  The machine made short work of it and a few neighbors stood by to watch.  One of them said she was glad because teens had been stealing her solar lights from her yard and using them inside this abandoned house.  One woman said she has lived in the neighborhood for 36 years and the house has never been occupied during that time.  I always hate to see a house being demolished, but it sounds like this one had been abandoned so long,  it probably was beyond repair….

I was only there for about five minutes and I couldn’t believe how rapidly the house was coming down! Too bad I wasn’t there from the beginning.  I always feel sad seeing buildings going down and then ugly modern ones taking their place!

Mark grew up in this neighborhood from the time he was three, so he will be missing the “big yellow house on Creek Street”!

Ask anyone who owns a Scottie about “the look” and they will look at you with perhaps a strange stare!

Yup, classic Scottie. Need I say more?

I need a vacation. A REAL vacation.  FAR away.

I am so tired.

Yesterday, we went to Rochester, as my MIL needed to go to the doctor.  We were gone out the door by about eight in the morning.  We did some running around and then when Mark asked if we wanted to do anything in particular,  Michelle mentioned stopping to feed the birds again.  I am always game for such things as they are generally good photo ops.  Well, after all the running about,  we went to Mendon Ponds Park a little after six o’clock.  I wandered around some, but seemed like all the birds were hiding from me.

I met a woman along the path where my friend Kim and I had seen many cardinals the first time we went to the park.  (My kids both said they were too tired to accompany me, so I went alone. Of course, I grabbed the small Panasonic camera instead of the Nikon, as it would be too hard to photograph with one hand!)

I only got one semi-good photo of a cardinal and I was so disappointed.

Today was another crazed day.  We had three large trees fall down two years ago in the woods near the road.  Mark always wanted to tackle them,  but it seemed like such a big job.   They were pretty tangled up and messy.  So, this morning, Ben and Mark went down and looked them over.  Ben said he was sure he was up to the job, so he cut the trees into firewood.  It took a few hours and the kids’ friends, Jacob and Jeffrey, came by and helped out, too. The kids stacked all the wood neatly! Hurrah!

While everyone was outside, I was in the kitchen cooking like a maniac.  I made corned beef and cabbage,  macaroni salad,  potato salad,  fresh rolls, and squeezed some fresh lemonade.  By eight this evening,  I was worn out!  I have more photos from yesterday to show, but for now,  I just want to relax!

I cannot believe it but I really don’t have anything much to post!  Things have been rather boring lately…the weather has been downright ugly,  and I’ve run out of stuff to talk about! <gasp!>

Okay, so Saturday it was raining, then snowflakes appeared with the rain.  By Saturday night, the precipitation falling could best be described as “slush”.  By Sunday morning, there was about two inches of slush on the ground!  It was so heavy,  it was almost to no avail to move the messy precipitation.

The kids had an early morning game of racquetball on Sunday morning, and this was the scene as we drove up our hill…

Just to add a little insult to injury, we were enshrouded in dense fog as well as this not-so-nice stuff. As you can see, the plow made a single lane path.

Today’s weather was a bit better, although snowflakes were falling on and off throughout the day but not accumulating.  I may be the snow queen, but slush and ice are two elements I will gladly pass! 

Tomorrow will be a busy day and the sun is schelduled to reappear and the weatherman keeps talking about warmer temperatures.  We shall see….

Well, this weekend has been a very quiet one for us.

The kids went to the mall on Friday and Saturday, they stayed home and just relaxed.  They were up early on Sunday morning for some racquetball at the Y., then came home and crashed for a few hours.

On Friday, Mark and I went with the kids to the mall for eye exams.  I cannot believe it has been two years since I began wearing contacts.  The doctor examined my eyes and discovered my prescription remained unchanged. That was pretty good news!

Michelle has spring break from school this week, so we switched Ben’s schedule around so he could have the time off as well.  I love homeschooling because of the flexibility! 

Michelle is doing quite well with her studies.  Her English professor arranged a meeting with all of his students (120) individually to discuss a paper they had to write for class. (es)  Michelle went in and he immediately told her she had formatted her paper wrong….Oops!  He then began reading.  And he read on without saying anything.  After reading the paper, he asked Michelle what she thought she should recieve as a grade on her paper.  She told him she’d like an “A”.  Well, he gave her an A+!   I had read her paper before she turned it in and felt like she blew my socks off, but was uncertain about what a professor might think!  He told Michelle he had seen 80 students at that point and only handed out one other A!  I am so happy for her….

Our weather has been remarkable.  The day before yesterday, I should have taken a photo, as all our snow was about gone.  The only substantial amounts were along the sides of the driveway where Mark had piled high banks from plowing.  Yesterday, it was pouring down rain.  Then in the afternoon, as the rain was coming down, huge snowflakes began falling with the rain.  By last evening,  there was slush beginning to build up on all surfaces.  This morning, we were greeted by about two inches of slush everywhere!  Yuck! As much as I love the snow,  I really don’t like that stuff…it is like trying to shovel water…….wet and mega heavy!

Late this afternoon,  I needed a break away from the house for a bit so I took a drive down to Woodville to see what might be on the water!  I got a cute photo of a pair of Canada Geese…I think they were looking over the area for a place to nest.  They played peek-a-boo with me through the tall reeds surrounding them.

There were also several Bufflehead Ducks swimming about in the choppy waters of the lake.  Talk about nearly impossible to photograph…..these ducks were bobbin up and down like crazy and they are also diving ducks, which means they frequently submerge themselves in  search of food.  It is like a game of “now you see it, now you don’t”!  They also were pretty far from the shore, adding to the challenge!

I had photographed some Buffleheads last year, up in Canandaigua.  They are beautifully colored.  Although they appear to have black and white coloration in the photo above, (males) their heads are really more like a Mallard’s, changing color depending on how the light strikes their heads.

Certainly not a great weekend for photo ops.  Perhaps some will be forthcoming this week since we are taking some time to do a day trip or two.  Ah well,  rest was nice….and quite delightful!

I guess that would be the most suitable descripton of how I feel tonight.  We were supposed to be up at 5am this morning, but after being awakened by Murphy at 3,  I had a hard time getting back to sleep!  I abruptly awakened at 6 and nearly jumped outta my skin! The kids had reserved the racquetball court from 7-9!

We all hurried and rushed out the door and were only a few minutes late.  After picking the kids up, we were off to Victor for eye exams.  Mark and I had our eyes examined and I got a new prescription for contacts.  It seems nearly impossible I have been wearing them two years already, but I really like them so much better than glasses!  The good  great news is, my prescription is unchanged. 

The kids arranged to meet friends at the mall and Mark and I just hung around and did errands for several hours. 

The temperature today seemed so chilly after yesterday’s early summer temps!  It was well above freezing, though, and our snow piles have receded to nearly nothing!

No photos tonight….I am just too tired!

 I sometimes get so far behind myself….that is, I take many photos that remain on my cards until one day when I look at them and think I should have written about them and put them up long ago. I really am trying to do better,  but it seems like life  often gets in the way.

A couple of days ago,  I went for a small walk along the side of our road.  The day before,  while outside,l I thought I had heard a Robin.  I just put the thought aside as Robins wouldn’t return to the area this early!

Well, the day I went for a walk,  I knew I distinctly heard a Robin singing in a tree.  Since I had the small Panasonic camera with me, I could surely capture the little bird’s photo. Problem was, the wind was blowing up the road mercilessly so it was hard to hold the camera still!

 Not a very nice photo but there is no doubt whatsoever that the bird is indeed a Robin.

Now, I realize I live a somewhat sheltered life in that I don’t go shopping just to look around.  My shopping excursions are generally to grab things we need and run.  So, I probably miss out a lot. (especially since I don’t watch television much either!)

Michelle and one of her friends fancy themselves to be connoisseurs of all things candy corn, so when we were at Sauder’s  yesterday, how could I resist?  I have seen candy corn in Christmas red and green, but Easter colors?

Well, this last photo might not specifically have anything to do with spring, but I just took it a little bit ago waiting for Michelle while she is at school.

I just like the way this photo turned out. And speaking of ducks,  wow, have the Canada Geese been flying northward.  This morning,  Angus felt compelled to awaken me at 4:45 ( yes, there really is a 4:45 AM) .  While I stood outside surrounded by pitch black darkness,  Angus poised himself in an “alert” stance.  I got a little nervous, because I could hear a sound off in the distance as well.

At that point, I pulled the Scotties in just a bit closer to the house.  After a little while,  what must have been a huge flock of geese flew overhead.  They squawked and made noise like crazy for a long time before things settled down again.  That was the strange noise I couldn’t identify before!  The rest of the day,  I have heard countless flocks passing by….

Definitely sure signs that spring really is just around the corner.

Today’s awesome weather with sunshine and mild temperatures threw not only me, but Mark and Ben into “let’s skip out on our responsibilities today” mode!

After dropping Michelle at school today, we went over to Lowe’s and WalMart to bide some time until Mark’s doctor appointment at 8:30.  We then headed to the doctor’s office as Mark had an appointment to get a tetanus shot.  Last year, Ben, Michelle, and I all got our shots, but Mark needed a booster as well.

I went in with Mark to see the doctor and she is just the most wonderful doctor, ever!  Since Mark was her first patient of the day, she sat down and chatted with us as well as giving Mark his shot.  We had such a nice visit, it was almost like seeing our friend instead of going to the doctor! She is leaving on Friday to go to Haiti for several days to help.  Her heart is so good and I pray she has a safe and productive trip.

After the doctor’s visit, Mark and I came outside and the weather was beautiful!  We got into the truck with Ben and the two Scotties, and I mentioned perhaps a day off would be beneficial.  I didn’t have to twist any arms….Mark and Ben both agreed!  I mentioned a drive down Routes 5 &20 and Mark thought that would be great.

With no particular predetermined destination in mind, we set off.  We drove through Geneva, Waterloo, and on to Seneca Falls.  As we drove along,  I mentioned to Mark that there was a new WalMart down a side road.  Mark turned and thought we should just take a drive around to see what stores were there.  It was then that I remembered Priscilla, a visitor to this blog, had mentioned a Mennonite store located “somewhere” nearby.  Mark entered the store name into the GPS and we were only about 1/4 mile away!

We drove over to the store and all three of us went inside.  WOW! This store is even bigger than the other store I often visit. They are really a big grocery store with goods from food to a nice assortment of books including many on Mennonite and Amish living and beliefs.  I could have spent hours and hours there, but it was so crowded, it was tough getting around! The young Mennonite girl who checked out my order said that the fine weather brought customers out in larger-than-normal numbers.

We will definitely be visiting this store again. (and again!)

After looking around in the store,  we pulled around the back of the store so Mark could look up sites of interest on his GPS.  I looked down the small hill below us and saw a little stream meandering along.  In the stream were a few Canada Geese.  Now, in and of itself,  that is nothing unusual, but these geese were acting ***weird***!  They were splashing about in the water as though they were taking a bath to get good and clean!  I do know that geese need water to breed, but this didn’t appear to be in the minds of these geese. (unless a good bathing was needed prior to courtship!)

One of the geese was hysterical….comical…such a comedian!  The goose did a barrel roll several times…..round and round and round.  Don’t believe me? Click twice on this photo and it will PROVE I am not exaggerating!! Honest!

In all my hours and hours spent watching geese, I have never seen the likes of that before!  I didn’t bring my telephoto lens with me so I had to crop this photo in order to catch the barrel roll!

As an aside, Mark laughed as we drove out of the store parking lot.  The employees are all Mennonites and their autos were all parked in one area.  There must have been 20 cars….maybe a couple trucks….all black!  There was nearly every make represented in…..black!

We drove on a little further, keeping our eyes on the clock, as we needed to pick Michelle up again from school.

After arriving back home,  Mark wanted us to rinse all the salty dirt off the truck.  As we pulled into the driveway, there were some spots in the gutter next to the driveway that had dammed up, sending water spilling over the driveway.  While Michelle went down the driveway with shovel in hand to remedy the driveway,  Ben got out the pressure washer and rinsed off not only the truck,  but also the Explorer.  Ah, both the driveway and the vehicles look much better now!

I helped Ben wipe off the hose and wind it up, then put the pressure washer away.  By the time we were ready to go in the house, dusk was quickly settling in.  As I walked from the garage to the house,  I had to grab my camera.  This solar lamp is in the side garden next to the house.  The little lamp had been buried under snow from the last storm.  I wondered about it, but was surprised when I saw it glowing this evening! It just poked through the snow today, so you can see how much the snow sank down and melted today.

I think Ben, Mark, and I are all refreshed from taking this unplanned vacation day.  One of the greatest benefits about homeschooling is that we are able to take off a day every now and then without losing a day….Ben always makes up his work when we get back home.