random reflections

Five in Five: Twinkling Lights

As is often the case, I'm a few days late with my Five in Five post---five photos in five minutes (to be taken on the 5th.) Early Monday morning I was trying to think about what I might do for this meme, hosted by Sandi each month, when I looked up and saw the twinkling lights in our living room. Then I realized we'd added some new twinkling lights this year, and it took less than five minutes to hop up and take these photos with my iPhone. We've had little white lights on our tree for many years now, and purchased the lights for the mantle in Indiana several years ago.

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The lights around our kitchen window were added just last year. We never took them down, but rarely turned them on after the holiday. Now we turn them on every morning and again at dinner time.

We've had a little artificial tree on our patio table for several years as well, and for the last two years some lights on the lower fence. This year Tracy added white lights to our new wrought iron railing around the patio. Once we had them all lit, he decided that the white lights on the tree needed to be changed to colored ones. Even though they can't be seen by more than a couple neighbors, we can see them from the kitchen, the dining room, and from one window in the living room.

The outside lights have been around for a few years, and we've had the wreath (one of three) for probably twenty years. The bows have been changed a few times, though. The small trees on the porch have been replaces at least once. One year, one of them disappeared overnight. So strange. 

The twinkling lights add a festive feel to the house which is more needed this year than any before. COVID is taking its toll here, and we're more house-bound than we've been since early spring. That's not likely to change. If predictions hold true we're in for several more months of serious infection before the vaccine will be available widely enough to make a difference. If only the necessary precautions had not become so politicized in the United States, we might find ourselves in a better situation. Here most people seems to wear masks, but I think they're a little less conscientious about social distancing. The big difference seems to be the increase in family gatherings (even before the Thanksgiving holiday) and indoor dining. I do miss going out with friends, but I'm happy to cook at home.

Thanks to Sandi for hosting this most months this year. I always enjoy the challenge.

October 5 in 5: Taughannock Falls

Well, I missed the link up for Sandi's meme this month, and I have no one but myself to blame. But I wanted to share the fall photos taken on Friday at Taughannock Falls just outside Ithaca. It was a gorgeous (actually hot) day, and we knew it would be the last one for awhile, if not until next spring sometime. One advantage of being retired is the ability to take a road trip on a week day.

Our first stop was Taughannock Falls just north of Ithaca, New York. Our local meteorologist commented that the leaves had past peak in the Finger Lakes, so we were pleasantly surprised to find some beautiful color. The first five photos represent my 5 in 5 for the month, but since I've missed the link up, I'll add a few more photos from our road trip at the end.

We didn't spend a lot of time in Ithaca, stopping just for a few minutes at another state park, Buttermilk Falls. Not a good time for photos here since the sun was behind the falls.

After a stop to buy some pastries at the Ithaca Bakery, we drove up the east side of Cayuga Lake to Aurora for lunch. The Fargo Inn had closed their patio, so we got take-out and found a much better place to eat---the village park right on the lake.

The Inns of Aurora created a 3 mile nature trail this summer, so after lunch we hiked a portion of it. The beginning of the trail makes it appear like a pretty easy walk, so I was surprised to find it really was a hike, not a walk. 

The hike begins just on the other side of the road that runs along the lake. There's a bit of elevation to reach this pretty overlook.

Later on we came to an overlook built for good views of the lake.

I didn't take a lot of photos of the trail, but this one gives you a feel for the open spaces.

Saturday the temperatures were nearly 40 degrees colder, and it was no warmer today. Getting out was definitely the right thing to do.

 

Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt Wrap-up

September is over, so quickly it seemed, and the end of the Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt kindly hosted by Mary-Lou is a wrap! I had just four of the 2o items on the list to find, and two of the alternates. I managed all but one of the alternates---and could have easily captured that one had I thought of it at the time. You can find my first posts here and here. Here are the final finds:

Something that displays a rule - #7:

Something inherited - #15:

My grandmother's diamond, reset in a necklace.

Something with rough texture - #16:

Two finds for this one, I couldn't decide which was the better example.

Something with the number 7 in it:

The day I was looking for this among mailboxes on a walk in Racine, I didn't expect to find such a lovely example!

And lastly, Alternate B - something heavier than your shoe:

My great-grandmother's flat iron which also could have been chosen for #15. I actually use it in my craft room to weight down craft projects after they've been glued.

Thanks again, Mary-Lou for a very doable list during the pandemic. It took me longer than usual to get started, and I have to admit it is more fun when there's a vacation or two during which you can go looking. But, as always, I enjoyed it. 

 

 

Summer Scavenger Hunt: Round 2

I've been better about hunting down the items for this year's Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt. Today is the second link up, kindly provided here by Mary-Lou who generously creates the list as well as a link to others participating.

Number 1 on the list was a favorite piece of jewelry. I actually have a collection of favorite pieces, most of which were purchased during travels or were special gifts. This necklace (should have looked to be sure it was centered before the photo was taken) started with a purchase of the beautiful hand-made beads at a craft fair we just happened upon in Spring Green, WI on our cross-country road trip 13 years ago. I added them to a black cord necklace, and have enjoyed them ever since. I was inclined to buy all black and white beads, but the creator talked me into these colorful ones, and I'm so glad I listened to her.

Something with a knot (#2) was found in my son's backyard as part of the playground equipment they have for the three girls.

A toy you play with (#4) was easy to find in my craft room.

Also found in the craft room was Something You Have More Than One Of (#5). Anyone who knows me will expect the next photo. These are actually among my oldest stamps, and don't see nearly the use that the newer acrylic ones get. I've been stamping for over 25 years, and when I started these were all that were available. They look great, however, as a decoration in the craft room.

Something That Starts with the Initial of your Name is #9. I'm using my last name for this one.

Number 10 is Something Smaller Than a Paperclip---another find in the craft room.

I had to go to the basement to find #10---Something That Needs to be Thrown Away. We have a set of metal shelves which hold plants that need more light that we can give them in the winter. My husband takes excellent care of them, but totally neglects anything that ends up there for the summer. I can't blame him, however, because he does water all the outside plants nearly every day. It's hard to see in the photo, but even the bottom portion of the green plant has died. It will be gone before winter comes.

Number 12 is one of my favorite summer single-use items in the kitchen---my iced tea pitcher Hold My Favorite Beverage--and makes it as well. The insert holds tea bags. You pour hot water into the pitcher, insert the holder and the tea steeps on the counter. Then the holder is removed and the tea goes in the fridge. I bought my first one in Oregon when Sarah lived there 9 years ago. Last summer I bought a newer version with a longer holder.

And lastly for this round, #13 - An Elastic in Use. Tracy uses bungie cords to attach our bikes onto the car carrier when we take off to ride bikes on the nearby canal or trail. To get anywhere from our house requires riding on the road. I'm not a fan, so we usually drive to our starting point.

I have just four items left on the main list and two of the alternates to find. I ought to be able to finish up by the end of the month, our next link-up. Thanks, as always, to Mary-Lou for hosting!

Five in Five: August

When we moved into our house 35 years ago, the patio was surrounded by an evergreen hedge. It provided some privacy, but more importantly it protected folks from falling off the edge of the patio. That might not seem particularly important except our house is built on a hill and our lower yard is a long stairway away. Children and unsteady adults might step off the edge and then tumble some distance before stopping,

This year the hedge finally had seen the end of its time. The last several years it's been less and less attractive, and this year it had become an eyesore. Matt, our landscape artist son, could not come up with any plantings he thought would provide the needed protection and thrive in our very shady back yard. So we took some of our travel money that had been saved for the two big (aborted) trips this year, and had a wrought iron railing installed. Truthfully, I wasn't sure what I'd think of it, but I love it. Here's a photo (not part of the 5 photos in 5 minutes for Sandie's monthly meme) taken after the bushes were removed.

This fall the area you see to the left of the first steps will need to be landscaped, We're planning to move a large group of  peonies to a sunnier spot in the yard and redo this area. Following are the five photos taken early in the morning showing the new railing,

Here you can see our lower yard. The little shed is ours and our property line goes back to the tree on the far left.

Moving to the right from the previous photo, you see one of two gates installed. This one takes you to a series of stone steps down to the lower yard. Our next major expense is to have the stairs and the stone walls on both sides rebuilt. We had
hoped to have that done last year, but we are still looking for a qualified mason to do the work.

To the left of the first photo is the second gate which leads to the lower patio which Tracy completed two years ago.
You can see the fire pit covered up in front of our two red Adirondack chairs.

Another view of the shade gardens and the second gate.

And finally, the view toward our neighbor's home, and a peek at the fence Tracy is building along the property line. It replaces six or seven straggly arborvitae that had foliage only on the top. We have a lot more light on the east side of the house since they've been removed. The other advantage (we hope) is that it will keep the deer from crossing through the backyards. It's a work in progress. Eventually all the posts will be evened out and we'll add solar lights to the tops of them. We've just added several lovely solar lights in the shade garden and on the patio and they add a lot of ambiance at night.

I was afraid that the railing would make us feel closed in, but it actually has had the reverse effect. It feels more open--we can see through the railings, but couldn't see through the bushes! In addition the furniture can be set against the railing so there's actually more room on the patio.

Joining in with Sandie for her monthly meme, 5 in 5.

 

 

Good-bye July, Hello August

It's time for the One Little Word recap for July. July was the first month I really didn't track my progress. I'll chalk it up to being away the first week of July so my routines didn't get established. The truth is, however, that July was the month last year that I more or less gave up on my OLW and just let it go. We're halfway through the year and it's been a tough one in so many ways, but I'm still COMMITED to working on the projects I set out for myself in January. Not all of them are calling to me right now, but there are enough to keep me going. Here's July in pictures:

There are a couple of photos of grandchildren sent to me---Caleb on his new 8-speed bicycle (#19). His dad says he can't keep up with him any more; he's way too fast! The three little girls on a bench after they'd been berry picking (#24), and Hannah in her "hiding" place for hide-and-seek (#29). Sarah says Caleb is such a good big brother, he pretends that he can't see her for awhile. On the 6th, you can see the rocks Caleb, Hannah, and I painted with alcohol inks. They came out great and it wasn't anywhere as near messy as I expected it to be. On the 21st, Skylar and Ella came to bake sugar cookies. That was a first for me in the summer, but they disappeared as quickly as they do in December. The photo on the 26th shows our patio without the almost "dead" hedge that has surrounded it since we moved in 35 years ago. The 27th shows the new railing that was installed that day. Our patio sits at the top of a hill, and there needs to be some protection against folks stumbling or running off it and tumbling down the hill. I wasn't sure what I'd think of it, but I really love it. We have a much better view, and the patio actually seems bigger since some of the furniture can be placed right against the railing. I'll have more photos later. There are photos from our walks and bike rides, and the 31st shows some of the cards and images I colored over 115 days.

I did finish the #100DayProject and continued coloring every day until the 30th in order to finish the second of the 30 Day Coloring Challenges that ended on July 3oth. Even more amazing to me than the completing the project was that almost all the projects were posted on Instagram---something I rarely did, but expect to continue to do on a less frequent basis. 

I made NO progress on purging the photos in my Photo Library, so that's high on the list for August. Also on the list is to get back on track with daily walking which fell by the wayside with the travel. By mid-June we'd walked a minimum of 2 miles every day for 57 days. Then we left for Wisconsin, and although we walked while we were there we definitely got out of the daily habit, and I've found it hard to get back to it. The goal for August is 5 days a week---6 would be better! On the crafting side, my goal this month is to use new stamps and dies that have piled up as I worked on coloring projects. I'm off to a good start already finishing two cards this week with unused (though one was hardly new) stamps and dies. 

Reading was not a problem. I read the five books I set out to read, and read two longer books to Caleb over Zoom. I counted them because I loved both novels, as did Caleb. Tomorrow we start Harriet the Spy. It's his request, and I hope I like it more this time than I did the last time I tried to read it. Unlike June, I enjoyed all of the books I read in July.

The Authenticity Project was just for fun. It and Liturgy of the Ordinary were part of The Unread Shelf Project. I also went through those shelves with a new question to ask: If I saw this book in a bookstore, would I purchase it? The answer for 12 of them was "no," and they're in a bag to donate to the library once they begin to accept donations. I'm guessing that won't happen until the pandemic is truly over. Fortunately, you can now pick up books curbside by appointment, and just this week you may enter the library after signing a document and getting your temperature taken. 

So now it's August, and today is Sarah's 40th birthday. I wonder if she's as surprised by that fact as I am. Her congregation held a birthday car parade yesterday afternoon through the church parking lot. (FYI: Sarah was wearing a mask for the parade, but took it off for this photo.) Someone made a huge sign, and it was delivered to their front yard this morning. They had a beautiful stained glass window hanging made for her, and brought a cake over as well. When we had our FaceTime call, the house had been decorated by Dad and the kids, so it was as festive an occasion as possible during the pandemic.

Her birthday card this year featured hedgehogs (a favorite of hers) but I also thought the kids would like it as well. These are about as cute as you can find. I love them rushing up the hill with gifts.

It's easier to see the "grass" in this photo. I can't remember the last time I pulled out my fringe scissors, but I'm glad they've survived the multiple purges since I bought them years ago.

 

Five in Five: July Edition

I'm late this month in joining Sandie in her 5 in 5 minutes meme. Seems that travel knocked my schedule out of whack! Yesterday, however, I was in our front yard admiring our hydrangeas, and took 5 minutes to walk around and photograph some of them. They're blooming later than usual this summer, but are also more prolific than they've been. We have seven in our front yard, several in the back yard and around the patio, and one new one that somehow we planted in my cutting garden. It's one of my favorite, and I cut the two blossoms and brought them inside before I decide on this theme for 5 in 5. But although inside it, too, was taken in the 5 minute time limit. We'll start with that one.

I absolutely love the color of this one. We're doing some major renovations around our patio, and next year I'll move this one up there---hopefully with a few others.

When Matt redesigned the landscaping in our front yard a few years ago, he planted this hydrangea tree. It starts out pure white, and you can see it changing to pink in this photo.

Also in the front yard are six hydrangeas that don't grow quite as tall as many of the others. They are just beginning to bloom, and usually produce blooms in pinks, purples, and blues.

For the last several years we've only had 1-3 blooms on this hydrangea which is just outside our dining room door. These make a wonderful bouquet,
and I have a pitcher full of them inside.

This hydrangea is behind the previous one, and is probably close to 5 ft. tall.

These are my favorite summer flowers because they bloom all summer, make wonderful bouquets, and some of them dry beautifully as well. For the last two winters, I've had a vase or two filled with the dried hydrangeas from our front yard. 

One Little Word: A Very Late Update for June

Our trip to Racine to see Sarah, Adam, Caleb, and Hannah spanned two weeks from the end of June to the beginning of July. It threw me off totally in terms of evaluating my OLW intentions and setting some new ones for July. 

I did keep up with a photo every day, although I took some liberty with this collage, inserting the three little girls' "last day of home school" photos over the course of three days. Betsy had them get dressed up as if it were the last day of school and they were happy to oblige. Had school been in session it would have ended for the elementary students on the 17th. Skylar "finished" third grade; Ella, kindergarten, and Maddy is still in preschool. There's no word here, yet, of whether schools will open in September and, if they do, what they might look like. Then, of course, parents have to make a decision whether or not they feel the options available are safe. I don't envy any parents that decision. Sarah and Adam are already wrestling with it. Caleb's Montessori school is set to reopen for five days a week. Wisconsin, however, continues to see a surge in Covid-19 cases, and there is a general unwillingness of folks to wear masks. We didn't enter any stores while we were away, but Sarah and Adam have taken to ordering almost everything online to be delivered or picked up curbside. Many other photos are from our hikes, and some of the fun we had in Racine. You can see Caleb taking one of his Tae Kwan Do classes via Zoom on the 26th. Dad is helping out as he practices his kicks. I documented our daily lunch at home on the 12th. If the weather permits, we eat on the patio and play a game of cribbage while we eat.

I also kept up with the #100DayProject, doing two coloring pieces a day when I missed a day due to travel. 

There was lots of reading time in June, both on the patio, in the morning, and in Racine. I read seven books:

(There was an issue with Typepad formatting these books this time. It's never been a problem before. I couldn't get to left-justified margins without these sentences. Who knows?)

I really enjoyed both Marilynne Robinson books. I'd read Gilead years ago, but was glad to have reread it. It's the first of three linked books about two ministers and their families during the 1950's in Gilead, Iowa. Not a lot happens, but both books are beautifully written and the NYTimes described Gilead as having a "spiritual force that's rare in contemporary fiction," and indeed, I wished at the end that I had underlined major portions of it. Sarah was reading I'm Still Here . . . while we were there, and I picked it up as soon as she finished it. I've since ordered my own copy, and our church is sponsoring an online book group about it that starts Sunday evening. The Pull of the Moon was my book for The Unread Shelf. It was a quick read, but not particularly satisfying. I wasn't a huge fan of The Bookshop, our couples' book group choice, but most of our group seemed to like it a lot. Such a Fun Age wasn't as engaging as I expected it to be. Tracy always says that movies and books that get rave reviews rarely live up to the expectation. In this case, that was true. I also loved Rebecca Solnit's memoir. Memoir is one of my favorite genres, and this one has a very unique take on the genre, but one I really enjoyed. Solnit is a historian and activist who writes extensively on feminine issues and the environment. She's had a fascinating history.

I'm not planning any big changes for July. The #100DayProject ended a few days ago, but I had already started my second 30 Day Coloring Challenge hosted by Kathy Racoosin so I'll finish that up. There's the usual stack of books, many more photos to purge, and some online classes I'd like to take.

Mostly, I'm trying to stay as positive as I can as the virus spirals out of control without any serious leadership from the federal government. Fortunately, our county has remained pretty stable, and in NY everyone is required to wear a mask before entering any indoor establishment. I've read of instances where folks have refused, but in the few places I've been I've not seen anyone without a mask. We returned from Wisconsin just a week before rates there went up enough that anyone coming into NY from Wisconsin must quarantine for two weeks. The list of states for which that is true is updated almost daily. Now people coming to NY on public transportation are met by officials and must complete a written document so that contact tracing can take place if necessary. I hope it helps contain the virus, which is beginning to rise statewide again. There doesn't seem to be any end in sight, and I find it incredible that there are still people who believe it's a hoax, and won't take it seriously. 

Ah, well, here's to the health and safety of all of us during the rest of the summer. I'm so grateful to be secure, safe, and have access to beautiful outdoor spaces during this lovely time of year. May the same be true for you.

 

 

Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt

I'm ten days late in getting this post up. You can find the other link-ups here at Mary-Lou's blog who generously provides the list as well as a link to others participating. I always enjoy these summertime hunts. Although I was slow to get going, I've ended up with photos for eight of the prompts.

Caleb with his decorated bike for the neighborhood Fourth of July parade: #3 Something with the colours of your country’s flag.

This bridge on one of our hiking trails is constructed of multiple triangles: #6 Something in the shape of a triangle.

This leaf is definitely bigger than my hand. We found it walking around a gorgeous neighborhood in Racine. #8 A leaf longer than your hand.

One day when we were out walking, Adam and the kids passed us on their bikes. #14 Something with wheels.

This peony is naturally round as are its buds. #17

Also found on one of our hikes at home near the Irondequoit Bay were folks out in their kayaks. #18 Something that can go in water.

This might be pushing the prompt a bit (#19 A rock with color in it.) These are rocks with color on them. Caleb, Hannah, and I painted rocks with alcohol inks while I was visiting.

And finally, for the first link-up, Alternate C: Something with four sides.

It's not too late to join in the hunt if you're interested. Photos must be taken between the 1st of June and the 30th of September, so there's plenty of time to play along. Here's the list if you're interested. (I copied and pasted the list, and can't get it to center with the numbers! One of Typepad's idiosyncrasies.)

                        Summer Scavenger Hunt

1. A favourite piece of jewelry
2. Something with or in a knot
3. Something with the colours of your country’s flag
4. A toy you play with
5. Something you have more than one of-stamps
6. Something in the shape of a triangle
7. Something that displays a rule(s)
8. A leaf longer than your hand
9. Something that starts with the initial of your name (first or last)
10. Something smaller than a paper clip
11. Something you need to throw away
12. Something that holds your favourite beverage
13. A rubber band/elastic in use
14. Something with wheels
15. Something inherited
16. Something with rough texture
17. Something naturally round
18. Something that can go in the water
19. A stone/rock/pebble with some colour in it
20. Something with the number 7 in it

Alt A. An animal statue
Alt B. Something heavier than your shoe
Alt C. Something with four sides

Five in Five on the 5th: Peonies in the Park

Today is June 5th, and time for Sandie's monthly challenge, 5 in5,  to take five photos in five minutes. With that challenge in mind, I took a series of photos in Highland Park of the gorgeous peonies. Although we live just a short walk from the park, our peonies are just budded. Sadly, there aren't a lot of buds on our peonies again this year despite applying some fertilizer twice this spring. Not a problem for the peonies in the park which are just gorgeous.

And finally, my favorite.

And as always, thanks to Sandie for hosting this meme which has sent me off with my camera every month for several years now.