Week Fifty-Two - Finished 52 for 2013

Everyone should read one Christmas story every year. If you are a mystery lover, this would be a delightful holiday read

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Week Fifty-One - 1 To Go

Konnikova makes a strong case why we limit our multitasking. A good observation on her part too bad others (the Watsons of life) cannot see it.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Snowy Owl

Even though the weather took a blustery turn, Joan and I decided to go for the Snowy Owls that have been sighted in Montezuma.

After crossing the bridge over the Seneca River just passed the Potato House Joan spotted a Snowy Owl perched on a telephone pole on the north side of Rte. 31. Since other birders were parked along the highway and causing what appeared to be a traffic hazard. We pulled into the Potato House parking lot and took a photo.

We drove through Savannah and around the areas adjacent to Spring Lake Road. On Van Spoor Road we visited with two other birders who pointed out several juvenile eagles atop of the muskrat mounds.

Heading home we notice a Snowy Owl on the roof top of the building on the south side of Rte. 31. We parked behind another birder.

Here we get a close-up look at the Snowy Owl.

Week Fifty - 2 To Go

Quick read for series fans. After having done hard time in writer’s block due to Elaine’s demise, Woods seems to have recaptured his flair.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Week Forty-Nine - 3 To Go

Richard Castle expands his fun franchise with the super spy exploits of Derrick Storm. Indulge in guilty pleasure read this ghosted novel.

 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Week Forty-Eight - 4 To Go

If as a reader you abhor plot based on religious mystery or if as a reader you relish lots of killing, this book may not be for you. But if as a reader you are a fan of Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport read on.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Annual Osage-Orange Road Trip

Even though the weather has been hit and miss for a week, after lunch Joan and I decided to make our annual trek for osage-oranges. As we approached the outshrits of Union Springs cars were backed up at the Indian's gas station. Gas was listed at $3.31.

The Mill Pond on Rt. 90 was calm with a few Mallards swimming near the road. The Factory Street pond was clear of duck weed and several ducks including Gadwall, Blue-Teal and Mallard were gliding around.

Entering the village of Aurora we drove slowly up to the Morehouse residence. A smile broke over Joan's face. Two weeks ago we were here and there was nothing on the ground. Today the area under the Osage Orange tree was teeming.

We filled several Wegmans bags.

After making a U-turn we drove into the village.  There were no birds swimming near the Wells College boathouse. We took the road to Long Point State Park. Along this road Joan pointed out some bittersweet. We pulled over and gather a couple of bunches.

Passing the Long Point gatehouse we parked near the new trail system. Here we gathered a bags of rose hips.

Just south of us 5 Cedar Waxwings flew onto a tree top.

Continuing on to Scipio we pulled adjacent to our other favorite Osage-Orange tree. But since Aurora had proven so fruitful we decided to leave this crop for others.

Arrived home just in time to see the crows taking over the backyard.

Former adventures:         November 19, 2009

                                         November 14, 2010

                                         November 13, 2011

Week Forty-Seven - 5 To Go

Stuart Woods’ soap serial continues. In this episode Stone Barrington’s life seems to be back on course. Found this quick read an improvement over Woods’ recent works, which were like James Bond meets Maxwell Smart.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Birding - Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Entered the Auto-Drive loop and came upon the above sign. This area honors Larue St. Clair, a volunteer at Montezuma for over 20 years. Today there was only a lone Canada Goose in the lagoon.

Continuing on the Auto-Drive came upon many ducks.

Blue-winged Teal - Gadwell - American Coot

American Coot

Ring-necked Duck

After coming up empty at Benning Marsh and driving out of the refuge there on the wire fence that separates the Auto-Drive from the NYS Thruway was a Red-tailed Hawk.

Pulling out of the refuge on to Route 89 noticed a bird in dead tree across the highway. Driving into the North Spring Pool parking area got a good look at a Rough-legged Hawk.

Headed to East Road and the Knox-Marcellus overview. In a tree at the end of the northeast treeline were six juvenile Bald Eagles. After awhile they left to soar around the area.

 Another great day for birding.

This afternoon John & I attended activities in the MNWR Visitor's Center in which Larue St. Clair was honored for his 20 yrs. as a volunteer at Montezuma. As expected, a gift was presented to hi - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=550477&MLID=NY02&MLNM=New%20York%20Cayuga#sthash.iHBG7Tna.dpuf

This afternoon John & I attended activities in the MNWR Visitor's Center in which Larue St. Clair was honored for his 20 yrs. as a volunteer at Montezuma. As expected, a gift was presented to hi - See more at: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=550477&MLID=NY02&MLNM=New%20York%20Cayuga#sthash.iHBG7Tna.dpuf

Week Forty-Six - 6 To Go

One of John Grisham’s finest. This sequel is truly a legal fiction event that should be read by anyone desiring to see the connection between law and race in the history of the South.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Walter G. Robinson

William H. Seward

Walter G. Robinson was the owner and one of the principal stockholders of the Robinson Monument Company in Auburn NY.

Robinson is best known for his sculptural depictions of American statesman William Seward, including the 1888 statue which stands at the Seward home in Auburn, NY.

 

 Seward Park

Walter G. Robinson produced several cemetery monuments and sculptures for Fort Hill Cemetery and other cemeteries in the Auburn area. These include the bas relief portraits of General Emory Upton and his wife Emily, the figure of Christ overlooking the Woodruff Family plot in Fort Hill, and the military motif monuments marking the graves of General A.J. Alexander and Captain Myles Keogh of Little Big Horn fame.

 Captain Myles Keogh

Another Robinson piece still exists today in Auburn NY. This is a drinking fountain commissioned by the W.C.T.U. (Woman's Christian Temperance Union) in 1896. Robinson used Indian limestone to create a simple design modeled after Grecian style drinking fountains. The fountain today in located along the foot path in Hoopes Park.

W.C.T.U. Fountain

Syracuse vs. Ryerson

Emily got Dorian’s takeout sandwiches (Zeus, Hera, and Hermes) and Michael got Syracuse Basketball tickets (Carrier Dome - Section 211 Row M Seats 4,5, & 6)

Joan and I went to Syracuse and had dinner with Emily and Michael. Then Emily, Michael and I walked to the Dome to take in the Syracuse-Ryerson game. On the way in Michael visited with a Cazenovia co-worker and a former elementary school classmate.

Although up there, the seats gave you a good view of the court.

Syracuse looked rugged at times but C.J. Fair and Dujuan Coleman played well.

C.J. Fair

Dujuan Coleman scores first points of second half.

Jimmy Boeheim was his pensive self as he critiqued the rookies' performances.

Jimmy Boeheim - Adrian "Red" Autry

Looks to be another good year for Upstate New York basketball. Bring on the ACC.

Week Forty-Five - 7 To Go

A friend gifted this novel to me. A quick enjoyable read. Flashback: The Fugitive meets All the President's Men.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Week Forty-Four - 8 To Go

"Who doesn't have a secret?" asks crazy Ruth.

Penny is at the top of her game. Hope this is not the last book in this series. 

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Tim's Pumpkin Patch - 2013 Visit

 Although the day was threatening flurries Joan and I trekked out to Tim's Pumpkin Patch for our annual Fall visit.

Looking East out of the barn

The weather gave us a break and we arrived dry. A school group of  inner city kids were just entering the corn maze. The brisk wind carried their giggles and shrieks across the farm. But could not get a smile out of the door keeper.

Joan picked out some gourds and Indian corn.

I checked out the goats.

After paying for our purchases and making sure we bought a molasses cookie, we departed.

Week Forty-Three - 9 To Go

This edition to the series brought to mind the Kingston Trio’s Worried Man. Jack had me worried that he had become overly pedantic. But thanks to the final four lines in the novel I won’t be worried long.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Eaton Birding Society - Beechwood State Park

The Eaton Birding Society visited Beechwood State Park today. Lyn Jacobs led the walk. The group consisted of 11 birders including a first timer - Martha from Honeoye Falls.

The eastern parking lot was filled with salmon fishermen so we queued in the western parking lot.  Under Lyn's lead we headed down the trail. We approached a new trail - Hill & Dale Trail.

This trail certainly was named right. Some of us quickly improvised walking sticks to help us navigate the steep inclines and descents. The highlight of this trail was viewing a Pileated woodpecker, a Northern Flicker and a Red-bellied woodpecker exploring cavities in the same tree.

Lyn led us on another new trail - Overlook Trail. There along the Ontario Lake shoreline were three fishermen.

Returning to our cars we observed a Hermit Thrush (a life bird for me) and an Eastern Towhee.

Did not get directions to the breakfast diner. Thought I knew the way. I did not. So took a side trip to Sodus Bay and completed four geocaches.

Another great day for birding.