New Year Wishes for You,...

This New Year's Eve here on the hill is quiet and peaceful. JenJen is napping on the sofa hassock, I'm here in the recliner. Outside the daylight has faded into night.
My wish for you and all of yours, for my community and for our country and planet is peace, good health, and happiness. Welcome, 2010!

Bang, Bang,...The Bridge is Dead!...

Which 'ole bridge, ... the Champlain Bridge!

Shortly after 10 a.m. this morning the 80 year-old bridge descended into the history books. In 1929 the NY governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was on hand to share in the dedication of the bridge. There was a parade with bands, floats, and many dignitaries. Until this past October the bridge continued to link the two states of Vermont and New York.

Vermonters drove to Ticonderoga, NY, to work at International Paper and New Yorkers drove to various jobs in Vermont. One farmer on the Vermont side owns land on both sides of the lake. The bridge closing has been a hardship on everyone. Kudos to those that have worked so hard to keep ferries going as winter deepens upon us.

So with a bang that was heard at my home miles away, it is now gone. If you want to view the demolition visit the NYS Department of Transportation website.

Goodbye old friend, you served us well until you were just too unsafe to continue. We look forward to the replacement due to be open for the summer of 2011.

Merry Christmas to Everyone,...

JenJen rests after opening her gifts!

From my home here on the hill to all of you, may you find peace, happiness and good health on this Christmas Day and in the year to come!

Cat? Cat,?... Do You See a Cat?....

There seems to be a ruckus going on under my pine chest in the diningroom. I hear a rattle of a kitty toy...
Apparently JenJen has a new "hide out!"

Who me? Would I hide on you, Mom? Not ME!

Goodbye Clarence,...

It was with sadness that I read about the passing at age 104 of an Adirondack icon, Clarence Petty. I had the privilege of his acquaintance a few years ago when he served on the board of an organization where I was employed. He was an amazing man, always ready to chat and tell stories of the Adirondacks. The photo above is from an internet search, published on Flicker by "storycorps." I think it shows that famous twinkle in his eyes,... thank you "storycorps" for sharing such a great shot of Clarence with all of us who loved him.

The NY Conservationist ran a story about Clarence in their February 2009 issue. There he is on top of an Adirondack peak, one of the many places where it was natural to find him. The cover photo for his book, Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty shows him in a guideboat. No matter where he was, speaking before large groups, at his desk writing a letter to legislators in support of conservation, paddling across a remote Adirondack lake, or flying his plane, he was one of my heros. A "hero" with a capital H! Goodbye Clarence, I'll see you out on the land...

Thanksgiving Wishes for You...

More than a year ago I shared this picture of wild turkeys in my back yard. Today is the traditional time to roast a turkey,... I think that most of these have escaped the oven. Unlike our ancestors who hunted turkeys, now we usually buy a specially grown turkey. We add all kinds of yummy side dishes and have a feast.

I will be doing that today at my daughter's home. My three grown children and my four grandchildren, as well as some people that my daughter invites to join our family dinner will be sitting down around 1 p.m. My contribution is always the home made rolls. Also my daughter has me make the gravy when I get there.

So today as we watch parades, eat huge meals and watch football, I wish for all my blogger friends, your families, all our neighbors far and wide, and our fellow residents on this planet, ...good health, warm clothes, a home, friends and a few moments to think of all that you are thankful for. For me, it's all of the above mentioned things plus my good fortune to have a job I enjoy, a camper to travel with, and especially this computer to communicate with all of you good people!

A special "Happy Thanksgiving" wish to you from the hill!

Veteran's Day...

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared, ending WWI. President Woodrow Wilson immediately named the day Armistice Day. As history moved on and WWI was not the war to end all wars,... veterans returned from WWII, then Korea and VietNam and sadly on and on.... It is now a national holiday. I believe it is the only holiday that is never moved from its original date of 11/11.

This year I chose a Korean War Memorial photo to honor our Korean War veterans. I was in grade school at the time of the Korean "police action"... My cousin Tommy went to fight. I remember crying with worry.

Looking back I have known many other veterans,... John, Steve and Ivan who served in WWII, David and many others who served in VietNam. Then came the first Gulf War, my own son had just finished his years in the army, I worried that he'd be called back. He wasn't. And now this war involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan... It does not end. It is sad to say that hostilities have been present since cave man days and apparently will always be with us.

I want to say to anyone that has served,... no matter where or when...you are all my heroes/heroines... Thank You!