Winter Walking Place

I think I have found the place where I can walk for at least most of the time in the Winter.  I was concerned about walking most of the trails that I have been walking, because they are isolated, and the hills and valleys that the trails cross would make good places to slip and fall.

So, yesterday, I explored North Ponds Park.  I think it will be ideal.  It is outdoors, and I can't stand the thought of walking in circles indoors.  But, the path is asphalt and the ground is level.

There are plenty of other people on the path, though it isn't overcrowded.  I think that, in the Winter, it will be even less crowded, but that there will be enough people around so that someone would find me if something happened.

Pretty and there's another walker, way off on the other side.

There is pretty scenery, that I think will be quite lovely, though a bit stark, in the snow.

One thing that might be fun to try are these fitness stations all along the trail.  What a great way to get a little upper body exercise, along with the walking.

But, yesterday, the main attraction had to be the hundreds of Canada Geese who have, temporarily, taken up residence on the main pond.  I hope that they're resting, and not planning on staying for the Winter, because I'm pretty sure that these ponds freeze over.  A few gulls have found safe haven there, also.

I know that there are several sub-species of Canada Geese.  These seem to be a different type from the geese who occasionally visit my feeders.  They seem smaller, with shorter necks and a slightly different shaped head.

Pretty things, aren't they?  Their feathers are so crisp looking and well -defined.  But, I'm very glad that they're choosing to poop here, rather than on my lawn.

Out of My Rear Window 11/28/10

Dark and cold and still today.  I had a great picture, with lots of birds, from my rear window, but, somehow, it got corrupted and I had to delete it.   Here's a picture of my bird bath.  First time I have seen ice form on it.  I don't worry about it in the Winter, as we're very near the Bay and birds can get water there.  Besides, it seems to be mainly the squirrels that use it.

Dad

It's been a quiet two days around here.  Thanksgiving was a time of reflection, and I won't stick my nose outside the door on Black Friday, so I just kept reflecting.  In these two days, my thoughts have turned often to my Dad.  He was the anchor of my life, the steady, loving presence whose love was always there, always unconditional.  My Aunt once said that "Dick was born a gentleman, he didn't have to learn how." 

So, I thought I'd share a few pictures of him with you all.  There aren't many, and, as I don't have a scanner, they aren't the best in quality, but I hope you will be able to get a picture in your mind's eye of the man who was always at the center of my life.

This is Dad when he graduated from Mechanic's Institute.  Dad was born in 1903, so this picture would have been taken somewhere around 1921.  Dad didn't finish high school, but went to technical school instead.  Mechanic's Institute later became the Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

Dad was a very happy bachelor, until he met my Mom.  He was 40 when he married her, and 45 when I was born.  This is the picture that my Mom always carried in her wallet.  I think that it was probably taken in the late 1930's or early 1940's.  When she died, I put it in my wallet.

  

And, this picture, with my Mom, was taken in the 1970's.  It's the only portrait I have of them together.  He just grew handsomer, as he grew older.

 

People say that I look like my Mom, but that I have my Dad's personality.  That's fine with me.  I couldn't think of a more wonderful person to take after.  Though, I think I am very glad that I got Mom's hair, rather than Dad's lack of it.

Happy Thanksgiving from We Who Rule

The human servant is taking a little break from blogging today, so we whose house this is decided that we would show you all how we spend Thanksgiving Day.

Lying about blocking the register. 

Lying about looking out of the window.

Lying about on the servant's bed

And, just plain lying about

We who rule know the importance of getting our beauty rest.

Ya Think?

That this may be why the hawk got one of the mourning doves the other day.  He didn't even have to aim, just drop down and grab. 

Lake Birds - Late Fall

Last week, on one of the cold, but bright and sunny days we had, I had a chance to spend a few minutes down by the lake.  There was practically no wind, and the lake was clear and about as smooth as I have seen it.

It was very quiet.  There were no songbirds in the woods by the shore, no swans, black or white, and not even very many people enjoying the view.

But, the Mallard Ducks were still there in force.  The cold didn't seem to bother them, as they floated serenely.

Played splash in the water

Preened and groomed

And, maybe, practiced flapping their wings for a trip further South.

But, they weren't the only birds by the lake that day.  The Sea Gulls were out in force.  They're brash fellows, not shy at all, and one of them let me get quiet close.

His only comment, a somewhat exasperated "You lookin' at me?

Out of My Rear Window 11/21/10

Cold and brisk today.  The feeders have been very quiet all morning so far.  No birds around at all, nor any squirrels.  There is a pile of mourning dove feathers near the feeder, but that's been there for a couple of days, so I don't think that's the cause.  Maybe they feel as depressed as I do today.

I'm depressed because we got some very bad news yesterday.  There is a case of EHV1 at the track.  This is a serious neurological disease that affects horses.  One barn has been quarantined.  Because we volunteers travel from barn to barn, we came to the unwanted conclusion that we cannot go to the track until quarantine has been lifted.  We go from barn to barn getting listings, and we don't want to unwittingly carry the virus from one barn to another.

At least, I'll have more time to blog.

Out of My Rear Window 11/14/10

Better late than never, I guess.  Here's the view from this morning.  Definitely Fallish, though we're having a lovely warm spell.  The goldfinches are still busy.  This picture was actually taken during a slow period.

They ARE the cutest little birds.  And noisy!  Every time I go out I hear them chittering away.

Fatty Lumpkin

Oh dear, do you think that Rachael might need to go on a diet?

A Moment's Panic

Oh boy!  Just had my grey hair generating moment of the day.  I looked out of the window at the bird feeder as I was passing by.  I saw a bright flash of yellow, that looked like it was on the side of the feeder away from the window.  Oh no, thought I, someone's canary or parakeet has gotten loose.  How in the world am I going to catch it?  Then, I looked again and saw that it was a yellow Maple leaf, stuck to the side of the feeder.  PHEW!

Out of My Rear Window 11/7/10

A hint of frost in the air this morning, and, evidence that it snowed, just a wee bit last night.  Can Winter be far behind?  I have been absent this past week, so busy that I haven't even had time to read blogs, much less work on my own.  This month will probably continue that way.  I'm down to the track a lot, and on the phone and the internet even more, trying to get horses placed.  I miss all of you, and can't wait until things slow down, and I can start visiting again.  I'm determined that I will, at least, keep up the Out of My Rear Window Sunday segment.

Oh, and just in case you think I was kidding about the snow, here's a couple of pictures for proof.  Not much, but enough to count, I think.