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Not Much, But Something

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                                                                                                    Flowers! I am so glad I planted 250+ daffodils last fall. Did I know it would be just what I needed this spring? I got them at the end of the season and on sale in mixed bunches. It has been a delight seeing all the varieties bloom at different times to stretch out the beauty. These tiny multi-flowered ones are so pretty. I had to think about what I filled the past week with, as it seemed like nothing much in retrospect. I went on a group bike ride with the hiking group which was fun and nice to see old friends I haven't seen since the fall. We did a mere 16 miles but it got my blood pumping. The book club meeting went very well and was much more organized this time. We discussed Trail Of The Lost  about hikers lost on the Pacific Crest Trail and the efforts put into finding them. It was a sobering read and led to discussions of our own safety when out in the wild. Not two days after
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Signs Of Spring

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The critters are out and about again. A walk along the Mohawk with Susan, AJ, Sheila, and Esther, followed by lunch at Panera. Very slow progress at the town beach renovation project. Progress is slow, but work is getting done.  Just the usual walks along the river, on the Tech Park trails or in the neighborhood are keeping me active and fit. The weather has suddenly changed to spring like temps in the 60's so I even took a bike ride on the Rail Trail yesterday. Annette and I hiked in the Tech Park and were amazed at the damage from the ice storm. Natures' pruning just produces a different habitat for the forest creatures. All the precipitation has flooded part of the trail. We found a way around the new lake. Lots of downed trees and limbs littered the trail. Signs of spring! I really wasn't interested in driving up to the Adirondacks into the totality of the eclipse, so I was fine with 98%. The sky was covered with light clouds, but I was able to see the eclipse with the
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Again With The Winter

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The crocus survived the ice storm and s l o w l y spring seems to be happening. Planting all the bulbs last fall was so successful, that I'm going to buy some stakes to mark the next planting spots. I'm trying to figure out my next steps in life and not doing very well, as in I don't know where I'd like to direct my attentions. It seems morbid, but if I imagine I only have a year left to live, and think what I'd like to do in that year, that should lead me to my next step, right? In the meanwhile, I went to have my stitches removed on Monday, then met AJ for a hike at the usual Vischer's Ferry Preserve all the way to the dam. It was a nice 6.5 mile walk on a very spring like day. My scar still looks pretty rough, but like last time, a week or so more should improve things quite a bit. The dam at the far end of the towpath. While I was out walking, the garage door guy called and wanted to install the new door the next day.  The old door was original to the house
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Icy Times And Surgery Recovery

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 Monday 3/25/24 It's the second day after the storm, and the trees are still encased in ice making for a very pretty walk yesterday. Sparkly sunrise. The deer tracks in the yard show they were visiting last night. Sparkly garden. The deer were desperate to get something to eat last night! The lake didn't freeze though. The sound track was the tinkling of ice as it was falling from the trees, cracking of branches in the woods as they finally gave way to the heavy burden. The birds were trying to find food in the places not iced over, poor things. Temperatures will rise to 50+ today, so that will be the end of the ice. Now I can peruse the garage doors in the pamphlet left by the guy putting in my new door. And distract me from worrying about the surgery this afternoon. Tuesday 3/26/24 The surgery was a bit easier this time since I knew what to expect especially since it was on the other side of my face in almost the exact same position. So eating is a challenge as I want to mini
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Storm Update

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 Well that escalated quickly. We were supposed to end the day of mixed precipitation with an inch of snow. Instead, we got a quarter inch of ice covering every surface, then 6 - 8 inches of snow on top of that. I did not go to the concert because a state of emergency was declared in my county, and I had no intention in driving in a whiteout snowstorm, new tires or not. The temperatures for the next two days are going to be the coldest all winter, excuse me, spring. It is spring, right? The ice coating was sparkling and pretty. I guess I'll be shoveling the driveway tomorrow morning! Note my neighbors tree bent over from the weight of ice and snow in the background.  I have two in my front yard in danger of breaking under the weight as well.
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Spring Is Turning Out To Be Harsher Than Winter!

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 Saturday 3/23/24 This cartoon is appropriate and mirrors the situation in my garden perfectly: The first day of spring has come and gone and this is what my garden looks like this morning. The daffodils will be okay, but I'm afraid the crocus are done for. Luckily there are some groupings of crocus that have not flowered yet. Behind these daffodils is the one clump of tulips I have. They were planted 30 yrs ago and amaze me by flowering each year (when they are able to avoid the deer). I have high hopes for them this year and have sprayed them with Deer Away since they emerged. I went to the Flower and Garden Show yesterday to give my soul a lift and look at the gardens that local companies put on display. I was left underwhelmed. In years past, the displays were themed, creative and inspiring. As with most companies, they have devolved into sales pitches and left the creativity out. Nevertheless, I basked in the flowers, the ideas that presented themselves, and a bit of inspirati
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Meandering

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Some of the early daffodils (Peeping Tom) and crocus are happy for the early warmth.   Thursday 3/14/24 The second bike ride in as many days is in the books. Yesterday I needed to pick up some books from the library and I really hate to jump in the car for such a short trip. Instead, I found a light back pack type bag and hopped on my bike for a 10 mile round trip into town to pick up the books. Wouldn't you know they were three very heavy books so my ride home was an enhanced workout. Today I met Amyjean for a ride on the Mohawk bike path down to Cohoes and the falls. Two sunny days in the 60's has everyone out enjoying our early spring. We covered 20 miles, stopped for banana bread muffins and a photo shoot at the falls. They are not Niagara Falls, but they are impressive when raging like they were today. I think this is a mink I spied running on the hydropower works. The spring runoff is in full force. Friday 3/15/24 Today was all about getting the crown installed on my toot
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