The March

 * There is nothing more wonderful than a sister breakfast. We have decided to make this more than an annual occurrence. No food pictures, Just the three of us.

* The Connecticut trip was fun. Since Priscilla was taking one, I bought an air mattress to sleep on too. I figured it would come in handy down the road and couldn't possibly be a waste of money. I was right. It cost much less than a night in a hotel and at 18 inches thick, was very comfy. I was more than pleased with my purchase. My niece, who was moving out of a furnished apartment, did not yet have a bed, and so I told her she could use my comfy air mattress until she procured a regular bed. And then, before we left, I told her not to worry about bringing it back to me but to keep it for when her sister came to visit. It's already been put to good use there as well and I am very happy. (Also, I like it so much that I purchased another! LOL!)

* Work has been going mostly well. There are always the spills, mistakes, and mishaps, but all in all it's been a good move. The other day I inadvertently typed in 66 coffees and put the sticker machine into overdrive. Ha ha! Most days I come home thoroughly exhausted and often find myself taking a nap.

*Our baby (He's "ours" because I live here...) is turning one tomorrow. I don't know where the year has gone, or any of the past 60 for that matter. Little Em is on the verge of walking independently and hate going to bed at night. He is no longer a good sleeper but he's cute and that mostly makes up for it.

* I am checking boxes lately. Finishing (or starting) tasks long put off, like taking my sister off the deed to my house. It wasn't near as complicated as I made it out to be. I'm also looking into having something done about the extra eye lids that have become not just "curtains" but draperies around my eyes. When I mentioned it to my eye doctor, she immediately called in the referral. I have an appointment with the surgeon in May. Maybe one day opening my eyes won't take so much effort. That is my hope.

* Beautiful weather the past few days. I made a quick lake stop this evening. Winter makes a comeback tomorrow and over the weekend. This is March.

Happy Father's Day

It's been a good week. I had a visit with my favorite therapist on Tuesday morning and am paying closer attention to the parts inside that make up who I am. My parts don't always agree; some are confident and brave, and others fear failure and rejection to the point of avoiding activities and potential relationships. The grown up Martha is learning to take care of the child and other parts within. By the time I grow up completely I'll probably be at least 75 and totally gray. I'm mostly okay with that. Life is a process. I love who I am much more today than I ever have in the past.

Yesterday my sister and I took an hour and a half drive south to a destination nestled on a hill overlooking the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in central NY. We were there for a baby shower celebrating the impending arrival of our sister's first grandchild. It was a beautiful day. I took advantage of our all being in one spot to take a photo of the three of us. (Old photo from the same destination.)

A Day of Memories and Memory Making

I took my sisters on an adventure this weekend. We returned to a place of wonder and childhood memories...

Rachel was a baby the first time we camped at Robert H. Treman State Park just outside of Ithaca, NY. We would return when she was a year old, and again a year or so later. Dad always camped in the upper campground at the top of the gorge. It was less crowded and he liked that. His favorite spot wasn't always available, but if it was we camped in the corner site just up the hill from the old mill where the bathrooms were located. Today there is no camping allowed in the top of the park. It is just a picnic ground and I think most of it goes unused and inaccessible to the public. We didn't go to camp though, we went to hike the gorge.

It was a beautiful day full of memories. So many first experiences I remember from this place. Wonderful memories of my mother showing me creatures in the creek; minnows, water striders, and dragonflies. Perhaps I am drawn here to heal...

She taught me how to skip rocks in the creek, and shared a love wading up or down the stream on the flat sheets of slate that line the creek bed.

I learned that Daddy-Long-Legs don't bite and it is okay if they crawl over my leg or along my arm.

We were told never to go into the Gorge Trail alone, but were allowed ample free time to play together in the creek at the top. I didn't take much thought for the rock retaining wall when I was six, but it is what makes this spot on the creek recognizable all these years later. Seeing those cut stones brings back a sense of comfort. This is where I sat on a rock while Dad helped me tie my shoes fifty years ago.


On Saturday we followed the signs that said "due to Covid-19" we should hike down the Gorge Trail, and back up the Rim Trail, a 4 1/2 mile hike. In all our camping trips there as a child, I'd never hiked the Rim Trail, so that was a new experience in a well loved and familiar park.

It was a beautiful day and I am forever grateful to my sisters for going along and making me smile. (Yes, my legs are feeling the burn. I don't know how many steps are in the "Great Staircase" but my phone tells me I climbed 65 floors on Saturday. LOL!)

Random Acts

The day started out pretty much like any other until I went out to get in my car for work. I was greeted by an unexpected sight... a random tired had been placed on the hood of my car sometime during the night. I was suddenly "tired." (Ha ha!) I unlocked the door, put my things inside and went to find my son in law. "Can you help me a minute?" I asked him. I didn't want to drag the tire down the front of my hood and I was afraid it might be too heavy for me to lift. "Whose is it?" he asked. I told him I didn't have a clue. A silly kid trick is what I suspect. There was no damage done and I went on my way.

I drove to Canandaigua to visit my sister Priscilla for the afternoon. We had a yummy lunch together, talked for a long time, and enjoyed each other's company. I was feeling "tired" on the way home, so I stopped at the Dunkin Donuts drive-through halfway there. I ordered an iced coffee. Half decaf. I don't like making small purchases with my debit card, and the only cash I had on hand was rent money. I reasoned with myself and decided to take a ten dollar bill from the envelope and replace it when I arrived at home, but when I got to the pickup window the smiling server told me my bill had been paid by the person in the car ahead of me. Oh, Lord! You're always watching and know just when I need a bit of encouragement along the way...

I've been having a few internal struggles this week, so I called my sister Rachel to see if she might be interested in a walk. Walking usually helps. But I got only the answering machine on the other end of the line. I decided to go for a ride and knock on the door of my friend Karen. We shared a cup of iced tea and a socially distanced visit, me on the bench just outside her door, and she on the inside. She always has a word or two of wisdom and a few scripture verses. Tonight's takeaway, already written on an index card and placed within reach was Psalm 94:19. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. How cool is that? 

On the way home from my random visit to Karen, I saw a shirtless white guy riding a unicycle. I found that fairly random too. Sorry, no photograph. LOL!

Autumn Sister Outing

Before it gets too far in the past...

We thought it might be fun to visit Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, ride the lift, and see the fall colors. There was a fall festival planned there to add to the fun. We didn't count on the miles long line of traffic (both directions) waiting to get in. A drive that might have taken ten or fifteen minutes (the one down the road to the ski center) took nearly two hours! Yes, we were that patient, and we had prepaid tickets for the lift, like everyone else in line.

 

Rachel and I had planned to meet up with our sister Priscilla and nice Audra. (She is "nice" but what I meant to write was niece.) They arrived before us, ate a bowl of chili while they waited, and were in the lift line when we pulled into the parking lot. By the time we got in line for the lift, they were either on the way up or already at the summit. The fall colors haven't peaked yet and there was still a lot of green on the hills, with a few patches of brilliant orange or fiery red here and there.

On our way up we saw a bunch of people walking down the slope and a few climbing up. "Run, run!" Rachel called to three little boys going up. I've never been on a ski lift so it was a new experience for me.

Once we reached the top and looked around, I called Priscilla again only to find they'd gotten bored, opted not to wait in the line to ride the lift down, and started the descent on foot. Rachel and I spotted the Macarollin food truck and decided to have a bit of macaroni and cheese with bacon. We listened to some music, looked at some wool products, and decided to get in line for the lift ride to the bottom. It was an hour and a half wait. Ha ha! We made some friends in line and let the guy behind us, whose family had gone down on foot, ride the lift chair with us. It was about ten minutes to six and getting rather chilly when we finally made it to the front of the line.

They say patience is a virtue. It was a day of waiting, but I think we enjoyed almost every minute of it. We never got agitated or bored, but we never caught up with Priscilla and Audra either. By the time we got back to our car they'd likely been home for hours.

A New Day

This morning a bright new day dawned. I got up at my usual time, drove toward work, and then took a small detour when I was just about there. I didn't have to be to work until nine o'clock this morning. My sister Priscilla had a meeting at her school at nine o'clock too. Since we had the chance, we jumped at it, and met up for an early breakfast at The Log Cabin.

The parking lot, which is full of classic cars on their web site, was pretty much empty, but the door was unlocked so we ventured inside. For half an hour or so we had the entire dining room to ourselves and I found it very nice to have a morning meal with the sister I don't often catch up with. I ordered an omelette with broccoli and cheddar cheese, and home fries. (Notice the photo is old and was not taken at the Log Cabin. It was taken somewhere in the Adirondack Mountains several years ago when this sister and I went off on an adventure.) I saved half of my omelette and half of my potatoes for lunch.

Work was busy and I got out at closing time. This was planned and will be the same tomorrow, only I won't be going out to breakfast. After work I went to my sister Rachel's house. I worked on a jigsaw puzzle with her mother in law, and Rachel fed me a hotdog, some potato salad, and "trucker sized" chunks of watermelon. It was a good day and I am tired. Now that my room is cooling down, perhaps I can go to sleep.

My Best Friend

One day last week, on my way home from work, I was feeling teary and alone. "Lord," I said, "I don't have a best friend anymore, and I need one." He answered with a gentle reminder. "What about your sister Rachel?" he inquired, and I had to agree that she is very likely my present best friend. When I got home and turned on my computer, I found she had been messaging me at the very moment I'd been telling God I didn't have a best friend. How is that for an answer to prayer?

I was supposed to meet the Cabinetmaker yesterday afternoon, but our plans changed. I knew my sister was going to be home alone for a few hours, so I gave her a call. We decided to meet up, grab a few tacos at QDOBA, and work on a puzzle. It was a good idea. Tonight she sent me another message. "Working on the puzzle..." it said, and so I went over to help her finish.

Today Was Good

It was a rather nice kind of Saturday. There were no appointments to rush off to, and nothing terribly important to complete. I didn't sleep in, but I didn't get up terribly early either. I made it to both the bank and the pottery studio.

Having a key to the studio is interesting. I let myself in to a dark and deserted building, warmed by the firing kiln and smelling like clay. I did a little of everything today; wedged some clay, glazed some pots, trimmed a few cups, and flopped some bowls. Here and there a few other shelf renters trickled in and out. It's become a comfortable place with mostly comfortable people. Stress and tensions melt away when I am there, and this is a good thing. I stayed a few hours and left feeling relaxed if not prolific.

On the way home I decided to stop and visit my sister. The puzzle we'd started Wednesday evening waited on her dining room table. She offered me a cup of tea while we finished putting it together. I didn't overstay my welcome, and headed for Wegmans and hour or so later. The Barefoot Lumberjack was on his way to Wegmans too. We met in the parking lot so he could retrieve a few tools he's left in the back of the vehicle I'm now driving.

I hadn't intended to take a nap today, but not long after my return home, I curled up on my bed and drifted off. I'll probably be awake all night doing online jigsaw puzzles. Ha ha!

Rachel and I had our picture taken at church last week. I'm sporting my allergy face from Saturday's visit to the zoo. Today I bought some new medicine to combat the pumpkin I turn into when the molds and pollen start flying. I hope it starts working soon so I can get my eyes open again.

Wind, a Runaway Slide, and a Dinner Date

A potpourri of weather, that's what the radio said. It was windy but pleasant when I went out for lunch this afternoon, but a few hours later the gusts were brutal and snow was dancing in the breeze. Lots of wind damage out there today. Six tractor trailers were flipped in the Rochester area! Crazy!

On my way home I picked up a runaway kid's slide... It was blowing into the neighbor's yard from the driveway of a vacant house where it spent this past winter. Yes, I took it home for my grandson, but last night I'd messaged the owner to ask her about it. She hadn't answered my note yet, so I sent her another telling her I'd "rescued" it. It didn't even need to be washed. It was already clean from the recent rain. Number Nine thinks it's fine.

This evening I met my sisters for dinner at Proietti's. Once upon a time, when we were little girls, Prioetti's was a pizza shop. There was an open counter where the cooks rolled, and hand tossed the pizza dough. It was fascinating to watch and that pizza crust was the best around. I haven't had anything like it in a long time. The owner was there at the restaurant this evening so I asked him if he still hand tosses his pizza dough. I think one day I'll splurge on a good old fashioned pizza, close my eyes, and pretend I'm back at Proietti's with Mom, Dad, and my sisters for an evening out.

Ah, Success!

I did it. I climbed the trail to the top of Mount Jo. I stood at the summit and gazed at even greater mountains. It was pretty awesome... (This will be a long post but it'll be done and I can move on to other things tomorrow.)

We started out Sunday afternoon by dropping kids off at Beaver Camp in Lowville, NY and then headed north, deeper into  the Adirondack Mountains. We stopped along the way to take a few pictures...

 (Stillwater Road) We drove for about 20 miles on two dirt roads in the backwoods. That makes for one dusty car!

 Shoes on a wire over Big Moose Rd. in Eagle Bay, NY

Our first and only bear sighting. I thought I was watching a big black dog cross the road. Why "bear" never entered my mind until Priscilla said, "Look! A bear!!!" I can not tell you. The best photo of him remains in my mind where he still looks like a big black dog sauntering across the highway.

The "Super Moon" over Long Lake on Sunday evening.

We stayed in Tupper Lake the first night. The room was clean, comfortable, and very musty smelling. The owner was nice and friendly, but we decided to pay for the single night, take our things along with us, and give ourselves the option to stay somewhere else the following evening.

We did a little bit of driving in circles, not unusual when you're unfamiliar with a particular area, had a good breakfast, and headed for Mount Jo which is a little beyond Lake Placid.

 Breakfast.

 Just starting out on our mountain hike.

 On the trail. We took the longer, easier way rather than going straight up. It was a good idea. 

 Froggy friend

 Stopping midway to rest and eat a snack.

 Continuing on. That is the trail, not a creek bed.

 The reward, a majestic view from the top of Mount Jo.

 More snacks. Priscilla is excited. :0)

A fellow hiker took our picture for us, and Priscilla took theirs. I'm pretty sure that farthest peak in the corner behind me is Mount Marcy.

After our hike we headed down to Lake Placid for some walking and browsing in the shops.

 Ski jumps from the 1980 Olympics.

 The view from a balcony where we stopped for some iced coffee. This is Mirror Lake. If I hadn't been so tired from our hike, I might have thought it a grand idea to rent a boat of some kind.

 Fancy hotel next door to the coffee shop. Can't even imagine what it must cost to stay there, but I loved all the activity going on.

Upon hearing we didn't have a room for the night, a woman from one of the Lake Placid shops recommended we look into a travel lodge down the road. (this is her store) Monday evening we checked into a beautiful room with a king sized bed and went to bed before the sun set.

The next morning we ate breakfast at the Country Bear Diner (no credit cards accepted) in Wilmington, NY and headed for Whiteface Mountain.

We needed to kill some time and get the coffee out of our systems so, on the recommendation of a staff member, we climbed the trail to Stag Brook Falls. 

 Beautiful! 

 At the waterfall.

Me and Priscilla

(This is my longest post ever. Are you still there?)

 We took the gondola ride up Whiteface Mountain rather than hiking, but when we got to the top we found we were not on Whiteface like we'd thought. We were instead welcomed to the summit of "Little Whiteface Mountain." The view was astounding in spite of our mistake. That is Lake Placid in the background.

 While on the summit, Priscilla's cell phone rang (We were off the grid for most of the trip.) and she found our old friend Allan on the other end of the line. He will be visiting from Minnesota this coming weekend, in town for his 50th high school reunion. 

 Priscilla on Little Whiteface.

 Whiteface Mountain. Our destination for the next trip.

 Sign at the summit.

On our way home we stopped for ice cream in Long Lake, NY and then later for coffee in a little town called Inlet. There was a nice little bookstore there that sold coffee and I bought a book of Adirondack stories called "Leaky Boots". It was a nice end to a fun, first annual sister trip. Well, I think think it should be an annual thing anyway.