The Years To Remember

 I decided to spend Memorial Day weekend with my mom and the rest of the family. She appreciates the company and I get to visit siblings and my favorite thrift stores. Waiting for the fireworks to begin, Corning, NY Along with a few chores like tree trimming, I've been learning about the new bike. I probably should have done this before I bought it, but it was an impulse buy for sure. I rode it across town one day on a shorter 8 mile ride and was pleased with it. I took few photos as it was a fairly uninteresting ride unless you're into factories or farms. I did stop at a bridge to watch the carp for awhile - they are spawning and they are huge. I would guess between 2 to 3 feet. The river was teeming with carp. Saturday ended with the fireworks display just like last year.  Sunday, after making a strawberry rhubarb cake, I took a 20 mile bike ride to Addison and back. It is a more comfortable ride than my road bike; shifting gears is so much easier as is braking. The bike mig...

 Tues. 5/23/23 After heaps of diligence and persistence, I've lost 7 pounds in 5 weeks. This is going slower than I'd hoped, but it IS working and I'm still motivated, so persist I will! This week with the bike in the shop I've been walking each day and I added a circuit training video into the mix to speed things up. Hopefully the bike will be ready tomorrow and I can add that and kayaking into the routine. It is certainly warm enough to kayak, but the wind has been blowing which makes it not much fun. There are many families of geese on the ponds and lakes where I walk. Weds. 5/24/23  So here is how it goes when I decide to mow the back lawn. Clear the lawn of hoses and other tools I forgot to put away, fill the gas tank, mow about 1/4 of the lawn, get clippers and take down a few branches that are in my way, drag them out by the curb, mow a bit more, get rake and bag leaves blown into the fence,  cut down a big tree branch that has grown over my walkway, mow some mor...

Friday 5/19/23 Columbine Today began with a walk before it got too warm. I took a short detour into an estate sale because I'm curious (nosy), didn't have any intention of buying anything, and had no money. Nothing was of interest so I continued and saw some wildlife making an appearance. There were six deer, but they were on the move. Since I volunteered to drive to the concert tonight I got out the vacuum and cleaned out my car, then took it to the car wash and gas station. We drove into Albany for dinner at El Mariachi which was very good. I've always wanted to try a mole' sauce so I did - it was yummy, sweet and spicy. Before the show we walked around the plaza a bit and took some photos.  A photo op of my girl gang in front of the Capitol building. The Egg where the concert was being held. AJ captured, modified, and captioned this, "Switzerland Or Bust Eggheads." Our trip is getting closer. Soon it was time to head in for the show. We watched a BeeGees tr...

  I can't resist a bunch of sunflowers! The thought of no activity this week was just too difficult for me; Monday was enough! While the temps were in the fifties yesterday morning, I went for a 3 mile walk and immediately felt better for it. Then to the garden store for a few more plants and Home Depot to pick up some materials for a repair job on the columns on the front porch. Do I know what I'm doing? No, but I'll give it a try since I'm in a self imposed isolation this week. I just look so intense with these unhealed brows. The temperature on Weds.  dropped into the 40's and there is a freeze warning for the night so I'll be able to take another walk, but no line dance tonight. Today's walk was a perfumed event with all kinds of wild honeysuckle. Another 3 mile walk is done. Thursday - I feel bad that my friend Annette hit a deer on her way back from line dance last night. They are everywhere these days but seem to be staying away from my yard and flowe...

 Walking, biking, and gardening have been on the agenda the past few days, along with wine on the deck with friends, and shopping a bit. I really hate the shopping. My eating plan is going well too, as long as I don't eat out too much or at least plan ahead. My salads are getting more inventive. They say to eat the rainbow! Mothers Day was spent on the bike trail with a friend. We did the Glens Falls to Lake George route for 19 miles in about 2 hours. Near Glen Lake, Photo credit: Susan L  There are more hills so it was a definite workout. We took a walk around the village as tourist season seemed to be starting early.  Lake George trail head, Photo credit: Susan L Lake tours have started. After our ride, we stopped for a nice dinner at Common Roots Brewing again. This time I had a Brussels Sprouts bowl with chicken - it was just perfect for me.  On the way home I decided to stop at the Wilton Wildlife Reserve to satisfy my curiosity. I've passed it so many times and...

Garden time. While the paint was out, I gave the chairs a coat. It is almost 3 weeks since I decided to do something about my "extra winter fluff" and get back on Noom. I have dropped 4 lbs which is very slow progress. But it is progress in the right direction so I''l take that, and I'm going to keep it up. My indoor greens garden has reached a point where it provides enough for  a salad every night for dinner. I alternate between Southwest chicken, or Thai Salmon salad, or just a grain bowl with brown rice and veg. It has been a very long time since I've indulged in pasta. On our hike in Moreau State Park Monday, we all agreed we are tired of gaining and losing the same 10  pounds over and over again. Maintenance is not an easy thing for any of us. The weather was just perfect for hiking. Upper 60's and just enough of a breeze to keep the bugs from feeding off of us too much. It is fun to watch the woods come alive in the spring. This tiny, newly hatched ...

 Well this was just the perfect spring weekend both for the weather (70 and sunny) and the people (few). The 21 inch snow storm took a huge branch off the top, but she's still glorious. Friday was Cinco De Mayo and the monthly dinner with old work friends. Dale outdid herself in the menu and the execution. Janice and I arrived early for a garden tour and then kitchen duty with stiff margaritas. We assembled Mexican pizza, shrimp quesadillas, and chicken empanadas and an enormous bowl of guacamole with mango and pomegranate arils as well. Then to top that, Dale made the most perfect lemon meringue pie I have ever seen or tasted. It was such a fun evening with Dan and George as well. Yes, I'm the fifth wheel in the group, but it works. Perfectly crisp crust. Saturday and Sunday I spent in the garden very happily weeding, mulching, planting, cleaning, and whatever else needed doing outside. I took a quick trip up to the plateau to deliver blue and yellow baptisia to Janice and had...