Monday, June 20, 2011

15 Miles on the Erie Canal



Sunday we drove to Lockport with our bikes, parked at Upton Park, just east of the locks at Lockport, and started off on our bike adventure.



What a beautiful day it was for a bike ride. We had decided on Lockport to Gasport (listed at around 8 miles on our map) because it was our first time on this trail and we also got a late start -- around 3:30pm. The weather was just right, warm but not muggy, not too windy. The scenery was great -- the canal, the houses on both sides, some quite fancy, a few small boats & kayaks out on the water. There were other bikers out as well as runners, walkers, families with baby carriages, and a family (or herd) of Canada geese trying to claim the trail as belonging to them and their goslings.

It was an easy ride down the dirt/stone/sand trail with the wind in our faces going East. We figured that would give us a tail wind.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Had a Great Birthday

That was last week, but I didn't get to write it down then. The family generously supplied me with presents.

Gordon gave me a new back-pack which I have already started using in place of the older book-bag back-pack that Kim had given me when she quit using it. It was on its last -- what, not legs. The lining was flaking off inside & the zippers were wearing out -- even the reflective tape was wearing off. Anyway, the new one is made for a woman & fits well. It loads from the top & is long, rather than sticking out when loaded.

Kim sent a new pump for my bicycle. It attaches to the bike, but she says she doesn't leave hers on it for fear of it's being stolen. It's a good one & I'm happy to have it. When we take longer rides, I'll be sure to put it on the bike, even if I don't for going back & forth to the library to work.

Barb sent a certificate from Barnes & Nobel. It came as an email & can be used several ways -- either in the store, or on-line; and either for real (paper) books or Nook books. I decided this would be a good thing to put toward Nook books & after Barb made a recommendation, I downloaded a book for later reading. It's great to know that with it on the Nook I can get to it anytime, along with others I've downloaded.

As a fitting end to my birthday, Gordon took me to Chanderson's for dinner. We both had different fish dishes, which we cut in half before we started. We took the other half home & had another meal the next day. We've started doing this when we eat out. It keeps us from over-eating, as well as giving us a second meal later. Both ways we win.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Osama bin Laden was killed Sunday night

Now that the charismatic leader of al-Qaida is no longer alive, how do I feel, and what happens now -- in our country, in the world?

Some gathered thoughts from others while I get mine in order:

From Michael Caine: Celebrate? His killing does not bring back 1 life he had a part in taking. In life he hurt innocent people; his death may accomplish as much. Celebrating death when someone's life can not be celebrated? Can killing, even someone who caused much violence & destruction, work good? W/ so much hatred & misunderstanding already causing harm, have we thrown gasoline on fires around the world?

From Dona Schaper: In this early time after Osama bin Laden's death, the nation turns to the meaning of the word closure. Ten years ago a terrible thing happened. The anniversary itself is begging us to close this account and its accounting. If revenge could have worked to create closure, revenge would already have its revenge. In the death of the personification of the terrorist act, we have a chance for another kind of closure. Enough, we say, when there is enough blood upon blood. Bastante, in the Spanish, which often has a stronger sound.

Me? I understand the reason for wanting to go after Osama Bin Laden, as the leader who planned the 9/11 attacks and others. It was such a horrendous thing, it's natural to want to go after the leader who planned such destruction and killing. Okay, now we've done that. After 10 years, he was found and killed in a firefight. Where are we now? Does this bring closure? Is this the end of terrorism? I think not. When does violence end violence? I saw a quote yesterday which I believe:
"Yes, it is love that will save our world and our civilization, love even for enemies." MLK, Jr.
We need to get beyond violence and retribution somehow. We need to realize we are all a part of the same family - the human family. As such, we have much more in common that we have realized up to this point. We may have different religions, different cultural customs, different languages, different colors. But we are all still members of the human family and live together on one planet. We need to learn to care for each other or there will never be an end to wars. I pray we learn this.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Not a day to ride a bike!

With the weather due to deteriorate as the day goes on, with winds expected to be 25-30mph and gusts to near 50mph, it is not the time to ride the bike. I don't want to get blown off! I will be walking & not driving, however. In my backpack I have a fleece with me for when the weather turns colder this afternoon & also an umbrella in case it rains before I get home.

I'll hope for riding weather tomorrow -- or Saturday.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Yesterday a bike ride before work

Yesterday, Tuesday, I had some extra time & it was sunny and getting warm (got up to about 80º before it poured), I decided to leave early for the library. So I rode to the Arcade park and went around the loop through the park twice before I needed to head to work. It amounted to a little over 3 miles and it felt so good because the weather was warm.

Today it's warm also, though we're do for yet another storm late this afternoon or evening & rain for the rest of the week. It is expected to be cooler by Friday also. Spring seems to be coming in fits & starts this year and it's been just about the wettest April on record here.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Saturday showers then sun & almost 70º

I did bike to the library on Friday, even rode half way to the park just to go a little farther than just straight from home to the library. It was chilly, but there was no wind, so it was much better than yesterday. On the way home it started to rain, but again, not bad.

Today it rained in the morning & then cleared & got sunny. Gordon & I did a bit of yard work in the afternoon. He took down the old fence between our yard & the Howards' & raked up debris. I yanked up a fair amount of the ivy that is covering up our "rock garden." Now you can see the rocks that edge it at least. There is still a lot to do, but it's a start.

Then we decided to go for a short bike ride, so Gordon oiled his bike & pumped up the tires. We were both tired from yard work, so we didn't want to go too far, and he's on call so he didn't want to be too far away in case he got a call. We started out for the Arcade Park & then on the way back went up Water St to North, to West St & then back home on Main & Park. It amounted to 3 3/4 miles. Not a lot, but it's a start at least. More will come.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Bike Out of Hibernation

With tomorrow being Earth Day, it's high time to get the bike out of hibernation and into use. So last night Gordon kindly oiled what needed it & pumped up the tires. This morning I packed my pannier & set off for the library -- into a stiff wind that had snow in it! It's really time to be done with that, but there it was. So, instead of biking a bit in the wrong direction before heading for the library as I'd planned, I just went around Mill St to Main & then straight to work. The wind was making my eyes tear, so I just didn't want to try going any farther this morning.

Hopefully, tomorrow the wind won't be so bad. The temp is supposed to be a little better too. You'd think with Easter being as late as it can possibly be, the weather would have warmed up by now. Oh well, it will soon & we'll be sooo ready for it we'll be really grateful & appreciate it all the more.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Still some snow!

Snow showers last night during & after Arcade's combined churches' Palm Sunday Cantata. Cantata was very well attended and listed to a sizable choir (over 40) perform excellently for about an hour. It seems each year gets better. This years was directed by Dona Roll & Donna Warner and several of the area pastors had speaking parts as well (ours was in the choir). We really have some talent in Arcade, and the talent to bring it out of people as well.

Snow showers off & on this morning & forecast still calling for snow showers off & on through Thursday!

Saturday was very rainy and extremely windy. We were under a high wind advisory (or warning - don't remember which) all day. Needless to say, I did not bike to Beaver Meadow after working at the library. We did go, though, and took in two old TV's to their recycling area set up for the occasion. We had a delicious vegan lunch & enjoyed all their environmentally friendly displays. It was a good afternoon, just not on the bike.

Soon I hope.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The First Flowers!

This morning as I left for Curves, I found 2 early daffodils in the garden. The taller of the two was more than a bud, but not quite out full yet; the shorter one was in full bloom -- guess it just couldn't wait! Calling for rain today, but just misting this morning which probably hastened their blooming. Spring is here & finally the weather is starting to catch up with it.

This Saturday Beaver Meadow is celebrating Earth Day. They will have doings all day -- teaching about solar power and alternative energy technologies, a drop-off site for electronics recycling, nature walks and much more. For everyone who shows up on a bicycle they will provide lunch & half off the entrance fee. I work at the library until 2, but would like to do this, though due to time (they're open 10-4) I would have to do as they advised me & park the car at Java Center Post Office & ride from there. Perhaps we can do this. Gordon is on call, but if he's back by 2 he could pick me up at the library & drive me out to Java in time for me to ride from there. Then if got another call, I could ride home. The main obstacle is that my bike hasn't seen the light of day yet & needs oiling and tires blown up. Oh, and it's supposed to rain on Sat, but that "shouldn't" stand in the way. We'll have to see how it work out. Anyway, it's a plan.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Still waiting for the Real Spring

The picture from my last post in February would be a bit of an exaggeration for today, though we have had snow the last couple of days (again, still?). But the flowers are starting to peek up just a bit, so we know it's coming.

Spring & Summer and beyond this year look like they will be busy with more times off work than in most years.

This Saturday we have a one-day retreat/program near Syracuse where the Commission on the Global Church will be putting on the program. We will be talking about how our church got to be named as a Global Mission Church. There are other presentations from others as well. We expect it to be a full day -- starting with leaving here around 5:30 to get to Syracuse by 8:30.

Starting early -- Kim has invited us to go on a week-long bike adventure. It's along the C&O Canal & should be very pretty in late September. The starting early part is that we need to start training for it. So, the weather being what it is & my bike still hibernating in the garage, I rode the Exercycle for a half hour and covered 6.6 miles. It's a start. I need to do more & do it on the bike & on the roads, but it's a start.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ready for Spring!



The day of Arcade's 40th Annual Winterfest celebration was one of the snowiest, windiest we've had. It lived up to it's name. It was very appropriate for Winterfest. There were even snow sculptures this year, the first time they've had those in 5 or 6 years. That was good to see.

Now, however, I am ready for the end of winter weather. As much as I really do like snow, I'm just tired of the very cold winter we've had. More days in the teens or below than I remember for a while. But it has been pretty to look at.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Tunisia, then Egypt, perhaps Libya shortly. What next?

On Saturday, January 15, a day after Tunisia's president was forced into exile by massive street demonstrations, the Middle East was still reeling, with calls for copycat protests reverberating across the Internet, in cafés and on street corners as far afield as Jordan and Yemen. For the first time in the history of a part of the world long calcified by autocratic rule, a dictator had been forced from office by a popular revolt, and it was all broadcast live on television

On February 11, 2011, Egypt's president, Hosni Mubarak resigned after weeks of protest in Cairo and other cities. People gathered in Tharir Square in Cairo and refused to leave until Mubarak stepped down, which he finally did. He had been in charge of Egypt for 30 years. I heard it said that 2/11 was like our 9/11 (but only in the sense that things took a life-changing turn on that day, I would say)

How it looks like a similar revolt of the people is happening in Libya to force Col. Moammar Gadhafi to step down. He has been in power since a bloodless coup in 1969. It's hard to tell today how the protests will turn out.
Feb 14, 2011, three days after the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, calls went out on Facebook for peaceful demonstrations in Libya against Gadhafi.
Feb 16, Roughly 200 protesters took to the streets in the coastal city of Benghazi to show support for lawyer and human rights activist Fathi Terbil, according to witnesses. The government announced it was nothing serious.
Feb 17, State-run media reported that the government released 110 political prisoners and that a committee would be convened to consider major changes to the government. Calls were posted on websites for a "Day of Rage" on what is the five-year anniversary of an incident in which security forces killed at least a dozen protesters.
Feb 19, Protests continued to turn violent, however the death and injury toll is unclear. Witnesses said protests have erupted in cities across the country.
Feb 21, Early Monday morning, Gadhafi's son Saif al-Islam Gadhafi appeared on state television to warn demonstrators that if their protests do not subside, the country could fall into a civil war. Late this afternoon, The Arab League announced it will hold an urgent summit Tuesday about Libya, Egypt's official news agency reported.

Then there's Wisconsin, where the governor is trying to end collective bargaining of the state's public employees. Massive protests are going on there as well and the Democratic legislators have left the state to prevent the legislature from having a quorum to pass the bill that would enforce this.

To me, the demonstrations in Wisconsin by the affected people and their supporters, don't look a whole lot different from the protests in Tunisia, Egypt & Libya. They are all protesting for what they consider their rights which the government is either trying to take away or not recognizing. Hmm. Wonder what state might be next.