Seasonal crafts
My last horticultural therapy class at Ann’s Place to create seasonal decorations was packed with clients. As can happen sometimes, they were a bit surprised when they opened their bags to find a variety of objects that were far from obvious in their use. “Let me show you what we will be making today,” I […]
Christmas tree construction
Decorating the Christmas tree, our latest and largest harvest, is more a marathon in our house than a sprint. Spruces (Picea) tend to have a lot more open spaces than do firs (Abies) within their branches making room for a great number of decorations to hang from the tree. The first order of business is […]
A simple flower
In preparing for the holidays, there is a tendency to go all out in decorations and floral excess. But sometimes a simple and single flower can be just as effective. This picture of a paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus) rests on my wall and was taken over 30 years ago in our first house. The afternoon light […]
An unseasonable afternoon
On an unusually sunny and warm afternoon in the mid-50s F, Juana and I make our way down to New Haven harbor to kill some time. The mostly rocky shoreline has few people and action except for an elderly man feeding the birds with great bursts of bread crumbs. It is low tide, and a […]
Christmas tree time
It’s a great day to cut down our Christmas tree! Over a decade ago, I decided that it was silly (and expensive) to go out “over the river and through the woods” to purchase a tree when my property has plenty of space to grow tiny conifers. So I planted over a dozen seedlings and […]
Final tally: 410 miles
After a short day of 30-plus miles we roll into the Amtrak train station around noon with a total of 410 miles under our shoes after 8 days. It is amazing! The day starts under a thick haze from fires on the West coast that persists the entire morning. We bicycle through the grounds of […]
Another act of kindness: Day 7
I have never thought of Ted and I looking particularity needy, but I am beginning to have second thoughts. Around noon yesterday, we wind up in Amsterdam looking for lunch. But as it turns out any restaurant near the trail is closed. “Do you know of any places we can get lunch?” I ask a […]
A sunny ride: Day 7
We leave our motel early to get a hardy breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Canajoharie. Neither of us are disappointed and we fuel up for a shorter 44 mile ride to Schenectady. Canajoharie is a lovely town with wonderful architecture and buildings. An abandoned Beech-Nut factory that used to make baby foods (and is […]
A muddy, rainy slog: Day 6
After a delightful breakfast discussion with some fellow travelers, Ted and I leave yet again on a rainy, cloudy morning. Today’s slog of 65 miles to Canajoharie is our longest trip yet and with rain expected for most of the day, we expect to get wet. Approaching the Mohawk River, the trail is nicely paved […]
A random act of kindness: Day 5
“Would you guys like to come in out of the rain?” she asks unlocking the front door of the Three Pines. “The stove isn’t on but we could rustle up some sandwiches for you.” Ted and I go from despair to elation. We’ve been on the Erie Canal trail all morning and are drenched from […]