June 29, 2016

My Erie Canal Cruise

We started on a bus to Herkimer, NY. A two and a half hour ride with a half hour stop on the way. There we boarded a great platoon type boat that seated 50 of our group. The captain was amazing and he and the crew were so friendly. In the city of Little Falls we rode slowly on to Lock 17 while the Captain explained all about the historic story   (along with some very funny trivia)   about the Erie Canal and the locks. Right now the Lock 17 is the only operating one in this area that connects the Mohawk River to the Hudson River.



After we were dropped off to the historic land and home of Nicholas Herkimer  (look him up on the web to learn more about him)   who built his house in 1764 near the present-day city of Little Falls, NY, on the south shore of the Mohawk. On the grounds we were treated to a fantastic barbecue (included in the tour) where period costume guides gave a tour of the home and gardens and a presentation of the heritage of chocolate. We even got to climb on and ride a hayless wagon from the boat to the home and lands of Nicholas Herkimer.

This photo on the left shows a giant bench formed in two hands on the river bank. Great art form isn't it. I wasn't able to take photos of the Herkimer property as there was so much going on I actually forgot. At least I got photos of the lock even though the photos don't do justice to the tour. Below are the photos of the actual going through the lock. Click on photos for full size.

Be blessed. Until next time my friends.



June 27, 2016

Street Art: Grounds for Talent

You don’t necessarily need fancy qualifications or expensive equipment to get started. What is required is talent. All around the world artists are at work, saying what they want to say on their own terms. And the talent shines. I've always been fascinated by street and building art so I usually manage to find something that catches my eye and believe me this did. I couldn't find the artist but whoever they are, I applaud their unique talent. I think you will find it fascinating too. I just love the way he/she worked it with the background trees too.


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Yesterday I went to the movies with my sister Phyllis to see the new movie "Independence Day", I'm sorry to say it was a disappoint for the two of us as we loved the first one. Hard to believe that was 20 years ago. I won't say why we were disappointed as you might want to see it for yourself. It's a shame that a lot of second versions of movies don't live up to the hype. Ah well.

Wednesday is my Erie Canal trip and I hope to take photos for you to see. Now lets hope the weather cooperates. So until next time be blessed my friends.

June 23, 2016

Card Days & Trips

Every Monday as long as nothing comes up, my two sisters and I get together and play cards. We usually end up playing our version of Hand and Foot. This past Monday my sister Phyllis was on a Maine vacation so my sister Louise and I got together and played at her home.  (I won for the first time in months...LOL).  When I got home I found photos my sister Phyllis sent me in email on some of her trip. I thought I'd show them to you. The top one is the harbor from the steps of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. The bottom photo is a view of Boothbay Harbor from the bus.:

Phyllis took them with her cellphone. Looks like a great place to visit. She came home yesterday. I haven't seen her yet. The three of us have different personalities but since we were born we have always gotten along.  (Louise is the youngest in the middle, Phyllis is on the right).  They are my dearest and closest friends besides being my sisters. I'm so glad we live close to each other. I'm the oldest of the three.

Have a blessed day ahead.

June 22, 2016

Back On Track 2

It's been quite awhile since I did any kind of exercise and yesterday I started my routine with the Body Gym. I must say it felt good and left my body in a little pain. But I'm going to continue doing the exercise. I'm only devoting 9 minutes each session as the DVD suggests and I am getting into the habit of doing it first thing in the morning. Believe me I found 9 minutes plus another 7-8 minutes of warming up before long enough. If I keep this up for a couple of weeks I know the sessions will get longer and easier. What I like about it is a lot of the leg movements were the same I had to do when I was going to physical therapy only doing it with the body gym. The equipment looks like nothing, but believe me it's far from it when you are working out with it. Hopefully I will continue with it. Keep me in prayer my friends.

Until the next time, be blessed.

June 20, 2016

Beauty Of Nature



Photos were taken by my niece Joelene this past Sunday

Have a blessed day ahead.

June 18, 2016

Back On Track

After losing 60 pounds the past two years, I have gotten a little lazy and put back 12 of the lost pounds. I haven't exercized in awhile because of my bad knees and legs, But I'm determined to lose that extra poundage and get back into an exercize routine that is low impact and gentle to my knees. So here I am trying out the Body Gym that Marie Osmond sells on QVC. Keep me in prayer that I'll continue with my plan. My grandchildren will be here for the first time in years (8 years for my granddaughter and 3 years for my grandson) in August and I want to look good for them.


Here's my grandson Dominic who is now 23 and my granddaughter Jessica, her hubby and my 4 great-grandsons. The oldest is 12 and the youngest is 2. This will be the first time I'll see her two youngest ones. I can't wait. I miss them so much.

Have a Blessed Day ahead.

June 17, 2016

Back On Line

It's been quite awhile since I had a regular blog again. I never thought I would start up another one and just stay with my poetry blog. But I find after the past few years I really missed keeping in touch with old blog friends and hope my friends would come for a visit and a cup of coffee or tea and visit for awhile. I don't promise to post every day just when I have something to share with you. My life has been filled with family around me especially my wonderful sisters and nieces. I also belong to a senior citizen group which meets once a month and take day trips to different places. We have one coming up on the 29th of this month for an Erie Canal Cruise on the Hudson. I will take photos and publish them here.

Here is some info on the cruise: For 90 minutes on board one of the Lil’ Diamond vessels, your United States Coast Guard licensed Captain entertains with tales of the canal: why it was known as Clinton’s ditch, how it was constructed, how it opened our western lands and help create the America we know today, how and why it was expanded and why it’s still important to upstate New York culture. We cruise in the beautiful Mohawk River and in a man made section known as a “land cut”. The tour passes through massive guard gates, the Historic Fort Herkimer Church, which is one of the oldest surviving churches in New York State. A common sight along the Plantation Island Wildlife Management Area are birds such as green and blue herons and the occasional bald eagle. The vessel then enters Lock 18 at Jacksonburg, one the last remaining locks operating with all original 100 year old equipment. Your Captain fully describes how the lock operates. The vessel enters the lock, the gates close behind and suddenly but smoothly the lock house seems to rise in the air as slimy walls creep up along the vessel while being lowered twenty feet. An experience not soon forgotten. The Captain has an “open pilot house” policy where passengers can come into the pilot house and visit (except when maneuvering around docks or locks). This provides you with great photo opportunities. The cruise is 90 minutes of history, entertainment, humor, calm cruising, and pure family fun!

The trip includes a bus ride there and back, a BBQ lunch and a land tour (I'm not sure where) Should be a fun and long day trip. Until the next time dear friends. Have a Blessed Day Ahead!