Happy Halloween! ...

My few hours as a blonde at the school party for K-6 this afternoon! Even my own son and daughter-in-law didn't know me!

A Ghost to be Afraid of?...

This little fellow is guarding my carport,.... I'm sure he will scare away all the goblins this Halloween!

I've had him for years, he has a bulb inside that lights up,... I fell in love with that face and my grandchildren all ask when "Casper" is going to come up from the cellar.

Happy Halloween, Casper!

7:45 a.m.....

Looking east from my back door,...


Looking west from my front door,...

A view like this today makes me forget about my morning coffee ... well,... almost!

4-H Cookie Time!...

This evening the doorbell rang and there were two young boys selling 4-H cookies and candy bars. The proceeds from this goes to fund award trips to the state capitol, state fair and "Club Congress" at Cornell University. As these boys are my grandsons I immediately chose several packages to buy!


If you aren't familiar with 4-H, here is the website,... http://www.4-h.org/ and the wikipedia page,... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-H . My grandchildren are third generation 4-H club members. A great-grandmother, a great-grandfather and a grandmother were 4-H club leaders. I guess 4-H is a family thing!

Frosty Morning,...

After a glorious sunset the night before,...
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear,...


The maple leaves have fallen, but the sumacs still hold on,....


Tiny threads of frost cover the deck railing like a fuzzy white blanket,...

And frost beads decorate the chairs,...

The camper is at dealer's for winterization and service, my grandson has mowed my lawn for the last time, and he's helped me get some camping equipment stowed away in the cellar for the winter. It's nearly time to turn the page to winter,...

Saranac Village,...

Last evening I was invited by a friend to go with her to an evening of music at Saranac Village at Will Rogers. What a fun evening it was! Featured was Dave Nichols and Spare Change, check them out at:

http://www.myspace.com/davidnicholssparechange

Saranac Village at Will Rogers is a seventy-unit retirement community. It occupies the historical building built to be a "cure" home for theatrical tuberculosis patients. This photo is taken from their website listed below.

http://www.saranacvillage.com/index.shtml

The current residents of Saranac Village enjoyed the evening of music and chatting with Dave and his band members during their intermission.

A "good time was had by all" as the social accounts of olden days used to report!

Why Do I Love Camping?...

Because,....

Freighters going by just off the shore of our site,....Canada Geese stopping to rest on their way south,...
A full moon rising,...

Sunset over the St.Lawrence River,...

A great campfire to end the season!

Hurry Spring!

A New Skyline,...

Driving home today from a long weekend of camping these wind turbines stretched along this ridge in Clinton County for as far as the eye could see.


Some people here in the Adirondacks find anything that mars a ridgeline or view to be offensive. This sight, rather than offending my eyes, fills my heart with hope. I do not know about the quantity of production , the mechanics, or the merchandising of the power generated. But I do believe we need to explore more of this! I wish i could put one here on my hill!

Just Because,...

There is a long flower box on the deck beside the restaurant at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.

Above is Dusty Miller, and below is a mix of several things in their last glory before heavy frost gets them.
This tree near the walkway to the restaurant is either Mountain Ash or Pin Cherry. I can't identify in this picture as there isn't a good shot of the leaves and how they grow on the stem. Any readers want to give a definitive answer here?

I posted these pictures "just because" I like them! I especially like the red berries.

Worth a Look!...

This past Sunday at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake the exhibits on the lawn included some crafters. My usual posts stay pretty clear of advertising for individuals. However, I think this person's work is outstanding. I was drawn into his display by the vibrant colors in his artwork.
Then he told me it was not photography! He lays his flowers and woodland items on the scanner and works in a completely darkened room. The results is amazing. As I am paying for home heating oil now I only bought a $2 bookmark. His larger prints are very reasonably priced and I will purchase one in the future. For a visual treat check out "Earthy Originals" at

http://www.earthyoriginals.com/ . I think you will like this artist's work.

At the Peak?...

On the way to Blue Mountain Lake a few days ago the weather was mostly dreary. But a few times, and just at the right time, the sun peaked through. These scenes are taken on the "Blue Ridge" road between North Hudson and Newcomb, NY. I think the fall foliage colors are at peak in that area.

Making Cider,...

Sunday was the Harvest Festival at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. This cider press was run by old fashioned steam power.



I'm not sure of the mechanics of the steam engine, but you can see the steam coming out of the pipe.
The apples were pressed and the cider ran through the screening and into the pan. From there it was offered to the crowd for tasting. Mmmmmm.....good!

A Trip To Our Past,...

Sunday morning a friend and I set out for a day trip to Blue Mountain Lake and the Adirondack Museum. Heading south on I-87 the view to the west is Rocky Peak Ridge and Giant Mountain.

The sky was overcast and the air chilly. Unfortunately the fall foliage was not looking its best under those conditions.

As we headed west on the Blue Ridge Road this pond looked dark and forbidding rather than bright and cheery as it would have under a blue sky.

Arriving at Adkirondack Museum,....

After arriving another friend joined me for lunch in the museum cafeteria. This view was at our elbow as we sat next to the vast windows in the dining area. I recommend the cream of turkey soup! Perfect for the dreary day.

One of my favorite stops is the Sunset Cottage. This sleeping cabin was part of Camp Cedars, designed by William West Durant for his cousin Frederick Clark Durant. The "twigging" decoration is a favorite style for cabins and furniture of this vintage...in the late 1800s. Twigging has enjoyed a revival and is widely used by Adirondack camp builders and furniture makers today.

How enjoyable to read a book and relax by these windows.
But this narrow bed does not look very comfortable!
A closeup of the twigging decoration.

After enjoying a visit to Sunset Cottage there were many other attractions to see. I'll have more for you tomorrow,.... to plan your own visit visit the museum's web site:

http://www.adkmuseum.org/ .