Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Cooperstown Adventure
I traveled to Cooperstown, NY this past week – mainly to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, but I discovered so much more! Cooperstown is a lovely little village on Lake Otsego in the foothills of the northern Catskill Mountains. I have never been to that area of NY state – I’ve been to the Adirondacks, but never the Catskills area. It was a real treat! The surrounding area is beautiful and the village of Cooperstown is like driving into a town that time forgot……beautifully maintained Victorian homes, a pristine lake, quaint little parks, friendly people – didn’t run into a single rude or unkind person anywhere I went, no big chain stores or restaurants, and tons of history everywhere you look. I have visited a lot of places that I really enjoyed – places that are wonderful to visit, but I wouldn’t want to actually live there! Until now, there has only been one place I’ve ever visited that I felt like “I could live here”……now, there are two: Savannah, GA and Cooperstown, NY!
My adventure was filled with “firsts” for me! I already mentioned it was the first time I visited the Catskills area of NY and, obviously, the first time I was in Cooperstown. But, there were other firsts, as well. I started out on my drive at 5:00 am on Monday morning – taking the scenic route – the first time I’ve driven so far on the beautiful Route 20 – and expected to arrive in Cooperstown by lunch time, which allowed for some sightseeing stops along the way. I arrived in Cooperstown ten hours later – the first time I’ve allowed myself to truly just take my time and soak up all the wonderful sights and places our great state has to offer! I’ve never had the luxury of no set agenda or time line expectations and the ability to just decide to stay extra days, if I wanted to – which I did, actually! 🙂 So, the first day of my adventure was packed with mini adventures throughout the day. I stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast inn – another first for me – I’ve always wanted to stay at a B&B, but never had the pleasure – until now! And, it is the first time I felt like an adventure really needed to be broken down into four blog posts to give each segment of the adventure the attention it deserved! Oh, there have been times when I broke out a piece of an adventure into a separate post so that it would stand alone, but this time was different – I felt like I didn’t have one BIG adventure, I had FOUR big adventures!!! So, you will find four blog posts covering the main segments of the trip – Bed and Breakfast, Taking the Scenic Route, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and this one – Cooperstown Adventure! I spend three short days traveling and crammed a multitude of amazing memories into them! So, scroll down or look at the “Recent Posts” list to the right to find the other three posts to read about my entire experience!
Here are just a few photos of the things I saw and did in Cooperstown – other then the National Baseball Hall of Fame (which has its own post):
My first view of Cooperstown was this main intersection of Rt 80 and Main Street. The village was beautifully decorated with corn husks, straw bails, and fall flowers…..and the trees were a blaze with gorgeous fall colors. The couple standing on the corner made me chuckle – they were taking turns having their photo taken with the colorful tree in the background and an orange leaf in each hand! I wondered where they came from that the fall colors would be such a novelty for them.
It was a lovely day – just cool enough to be comfortable walking downtown, but warm enough to not need a jacket. I checked in at the Bed and Breakfast Inn and took a stroll down Main Street to check out the village. I wasn’t surprised to find a distinct baseball theme to the shops and restaurants downtown.
Shoeless Joe’s – a baseball memorabilia shop
Right next door to Shoeless Joe’s is Mickey’s Place – baseball themed shop and restaurant
One of several baseball themed restaurants that also demonstrates the quaint feel of the village with its brick and vintage wood façade
Another example of the village ambiance
The first evening, I had dinner at a restaurant that came up several times in my research – Alex & Ika Restaurant – it wasn’t anything special. But, the second night, I accidentally came up on this restaurant while driving around town. It is The Pit Under the Tunnicliff! The Colonial brick building is the Tunnicliff Hotel – The Pit, down the stairs to the basement, is a very eclectic pub with delicious food – I really enjoyed it!
Then, there is the pristine Otsego Lake – a large crystal clear, vivid blue lake that borders the town and out along Rt 80 – breathtaking!!! This is a small park one block over from the Baseball Hall of Fame with an historic marker indicating it was an Indian Meeting Place.
And, yes, much to my delight, there is a lighthouse!!!
Downtown is also home of Doubleday Field – the birthplace of baseball!
At the entrance to Doubleday Field is a sweet bronze statue called “The Sandlot Kids”
In this large corner building is the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum — the ground floor is a baseball memorabilia shop and the second and third floors are home to more than 40 wax figures and “The Baseball Bloopers Movie Theater” – what a riot that was – I laughed and laughed!!! The following two photos are just examples of a couple of the more entertaining figures: Wade Boggs on a horse with a cop and Abbott & Costello, which was accompanied by a recording of their “Who’s on First” skit — great fun – it never gets old!!!
The other two major museums in Cooperstown – just a mile from downtown: The Fenimore Art Museum – an elegant folk art museum sitting on the banks of the Otsego Lake and the Farmer’s Museum – a recreation of an 1800s village and working farm.
Following are a few photos from the Fenimore, including examples from the Native American Indian exhibit called “Splendidly Dressed” and shots from the patio where I enjoyed a light lunch and glass of wine overlooking Otsego Lake.
I particularly enjoyed the Farmer’s Museum, which is located across the street from the Fenimore — fascinating!!!
This is the main barn and entrance to the museum. The main barn is home to an exhibit of pick up trucks (work trucks) through the years – including this one:
The first thing you come to after leaving the main barn is the Empire State Carousel — a hand crafted carousel that highlights NY State with names of many of the small towns, points of interest, and interesting facts. The animals are not your typical carousel animals – they are all the different animals that can be found in NY State. Very cool – you know I love a carousel!!!
The 1840s village consists of buildings that were actually in use in nearby towns in the 1800s and moved here to recreate the vintage community. There are people in many of the buildings dressed in period costume and performing typical tasks of the time – they were happy to explain what they were doing and some history around the task.
Spinning flax into linen yarn
Forging a specialized ax farm tool
Removing the whey from the curds in one step of the process of making hard cheese
So, that was my adventure in Cooperstown……one I’ll never forget! It was educational, enjoyable, and so very special! So glad I made the trip!
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum……baseball’s mecca……..the history of the game and all those who made it great preserved and displayed for future generations! Walking through the front doors gives you a feeling of pride in America’s game……continuing on through the building brings a sense of awe and emotion that can’t be described……it conjures up memories of every baseball game you ever played or attended and every dream of meeting one of your heroes! Being there is an education and an affirmation of all the joy that baseball has to offer.
I admit I’m not a fanatic when it comes to baseball, but I do love the game. I remember being at bat on the field at Waterport school during gym or recess, hitting the ball as far as I could, and running the bases with all my might. I remember the feeling of accomplishment whenever I was able to make it to home plate. I remember cheering on my brother at his little league games – he played for the Carlton Clippers – and going along when the coach took the team to the Tastee Freeze for ice cream to celebrate a win. I remember sitting in the cheap seats with a dog and a beer watching the Rochester Red Wings play a double header on a warm afternoon. I remember my first major league game – it was on a business trip in Pittsburgh and I got tickets to see the Pirates play at Three River Stadium – I remember entering the stadium and thinking that this was not just any baseball game. I remember a very different feeling when I watched the Orioles play at Camden Yards in Baltimore. And, then, the absolute thrill of a lifetime when I saw the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium – the old stadium before it was closed. I don’t watch a lot of baseball on TV – I think it loses some of the excitement on TV – but, I follow the Yankees and catch their games every now and then. Yes, I’m a Yankee fan – loyal in good and bad years!
So, visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame has been a dream of mine for many years – it was on my bucket list and, when I moved back home, I put it on my “things to do and places to see” list. This week, I was able to cross it off both lists! I drove to Cooperstown, NY with the main goal of fulfilling this dream. I did it. I walked the hall looking at the exhibits, reading the stories, feeling the emotion well up inside me. One of the brochures has a quote that sums it up nicely: “[The Hall of Fame} is a place of grace and class…You arrive expecting to tour baseball’s past. What you discover is your own…It is pictures of places you’ve never been and belongings of people you’ve never met. Yet you are drawn to its scuffed baseballs and gritty photographs as if they were your own. And in a way, they are.” ~ Bill Pennington, The Record (NJ)
The museum motto is: “Preserving history. Honoring excellence. Connecting generations.” Says it all!!!
The Hall of Fame was founded in 1939 by local hotel owner, Stephen Carlton Clark to provide a permanent, safe place to preserve baseball’s history and to attract tourists to Cooperstown – a town suffering after the Great Depression. The first inductees were actually elected in 1936, but they and approximately 20 others chosen after them were formally inducted at the June 12, 1939 opening. The Hall boasts a collection of 38,000 bats, balls, uniforms, gloves, etc. 130,000 baseball cards. 2 million research files. 500,000 black and white and color photographs. 12,000 hours of recorded media. And counting….. I spent about an hour and a half on day 1 and only made it through the first of three floors. On day two, I was there for almost 3 more hours touring the second and third floors and revisiting some areas on the first floor……and, I’m sure I missed something!!!
So……on with the photos and my personal experience at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:
The main entrance
Looking down the street across the front of the building
As you enter the hall on your way to the ticket counter, you see this amazing exhibit of Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente called “Character and Courage”. I was struck by the photos behind each bronze statue of the men posing with children – each one wasn’t just a photograph of him playing baseball, but doing something with a young fan – the true spirit of a baseball hero!!! This one exhibit set the tone for my entire experience!
The plaque beside the “Character and Courage” exhibit.
Just beyond the ticket counter is a display honoring the current year inductees – Hank O’Day, Jacob Ruppert, and Deacon White. Along with these three inductees, the 2013 ceremony also formally recognized 12 members who were elected to the Hall of Fame during WWII and could not attend due to travel restrictions during the war – most notably, Lou Gehrig and Rogers Hornsby.
John J. “Buck” O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award display – in 2008, this bronze statue was dedicated and the “Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award” was created with Buck being the first honoree for his career and contributions that spanned eight decades. The award is given out not more than once every three years – the second honoree was Roland Hemond in 2011.
I got a big chuckle out of this cow in pinstripes with catcher’s mitts on his horns located just under the massive sweeping staircase.
The Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery is an impressive oak and marble lined room with section after section of inductee plaques – each section is marked with the induction year and the bronze plaques of those elected to the Hall of Fame in that year. The very first induction class and the most recent classes are at the head of the gallery in the Rotunda.
I arrived late the first day and only had time to do the first floor, which included this gallery. There were only about 8 or 10 people viewing the plaques. I was such an emotional experience – there was no sound, except for the foot steps of those walking from section to section – no one spoke, except for an occasional whisper from someone who found one of their heroes. It was really quite humbling.
The first class of inductees was in 1936 and included Christy Matthewson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Walter Johnson.
Along with the many stunning bronze statues, there were also wax figures – this one is of Babe Ruth, who can be found in many different formats throughout the museum!
Here is a testament to exactly why he is still considered the greatest in baseball history!
This is the entrance to the Babe Ruth room – a room dedicated to his memorabilia and stories!
In “Chasing the Dream”, another room dedicated to a specific player – Hank Aaron – you can follow his career and contributions to the game.
The following photo is his Atlanta Braves # 44 uniform.
Adjacent to “Chasing the Dream” is “One for the Books” – a room dedicated to all the records set throughout history – here are a couple photo from this inspirational room:
Most consecutive games played set by Lou Gehrig and beat by Cal Ripkin, Jr.
Records were also set in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League – Sophie Kurys set the record for most stolen bases!
And the most unbeatable record of all………The Yankees for most World Championships!!!!
The Pride and Passion room is dedicated to the history and contributions of African American ball players with special recognition to Jackie Robinson!
Movie clips and memorabilia from the recent movie of Jackie Robinson’s life – “42”
There is a room honoring the women who kept the game going while the boys were off serving our country in WWII – Diamond Dreams
Memorabilia from the Women’s Leagues
A nod to the movie, “A League of Their Own”
More memorabilia from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League
And you can’t ignore the movies that glorified baseball — many, many, many movies with baseball themes over the years! There is a room dedicated to movies – displays, items from the movies, and clips – lots of clips! This display includes information on “A League of Their Own” and “Field of Dreams” – two of my personal favorites!
Aside from the specific exhibits and displays, there are rows and rows and rows of displays from each and every team in baseball history. I, of course, focused most of my photos on anything associated with the Yankees, but here are some examples of the displays that can be found throughout the hall:
The Orioles – the second team I sometimes follow, if the Yankees aren’t involved!
And, then there are exhibits featuring players – like the next two photos of actual lockers from Yankee Stadium with uniforms and things from Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig
And then there were statues of the game, in general…….just outside in a small courtyard, there is a sculpture of a pitcher and catcher at regulation distance showing the action of a pitch
This shot from behind the catcher
And this shot from behind the pitcher
In the same courtyard – one commemorating women in baseball
And one winding up for a throw!
This display is outside the “Sacred Ground” room – an exhibit dedicated to reliving the experience of going to the ball park!
If you ever make a trip to the Hall of Fame, don’t miss seeing “The Baseball Experience” – I almost skipped it because the line was long and the wait was longer than the 13 minute film! I am so very glad I didn’t give up and leave!!! It is a short 13 minute film all about experiencing baseball – it starts out with silhouette figures of sandlot kids and their excited voices and their mother’s calling to them in the background and goes on to everything I mentioned earlier that I (and likely everyone who ever experienced baseball) remember! It tugs at the old heart strings and warms the heart! And, the session ends with the entire audience singing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and cheering!!! You wouldn’t want to miss it!!!
So……that is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum…..in a nutshell!!! There is so much more to it than I could possibly ever capture, here! All I can say in closing is that I truly enjoyed this adventure – it made me feel good!!! How amazing is it that we have such national treasures like these that touch our lives and stir up wonderful memories and personal experiences and emotions!!!??? If you ever have the chance, go…..experience…….enjoy…..feel!!! You won’t regret it!
Taking the Scenic Route
I’ve had an interest in visiting Cooperstown, NY for many years – mainly because of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I put it on the “things to do and places to see” list when I first moved back to Albion. I finally decided to do it now – before the nice weather ended and became wise to push it out to another summer, but, hopefully, late enough in the season that the leaves would be starting to turn. I new it was down south and east of here…..somewhere…….but wasn’t sure exactly where it was. So, I got on Map Quest to figure out what route to take. Map Quest really wanted me to take the NY State Thruway….boring!!! And the alternate route it provided was taking Rt 104 east and something else later on in the trip to head south to Cooperstown – that didn’t seem like a good alternative, but would be more scenic, so that’s the route I was likely going to take. Both options gave an estimated travel time of about 4 hours. Well, I was talking to a friend about the trip and told her the routes that Map Quest was recommending and her advice was to get out a map and look up Rt 20 – she was sure it would take me to Cooperstown and be a much prettier route! I looked it up and saw that 20 did, indeed, take me very close to Cooperstown – I just needed to catch either 28 or 80 south from 20 right into Main Street in Cooperstown! But, when I plugged it in a trip estimator, it was showing the trip would take 5 hours, instead of 4….however, it looked like a great route through the Finger Lakes Region! I debated the options with myself and finally decided to get up early, leave by 5:00 am, take Rt 20, and – given some time for a few photo stops along the way – arrive in Cooperstown before lunch!
So, with a plan in hand, my GPS on the dashboard, and a map in the passenger seat, I headed out…….and TEN HOURS later, I arrived in Cooperstown! There were so many wonderful things to see and do along the way and I really didn’t have any pressing need to arrive by lunch time……so, I just took my time and enjoyed my trip!!!! I am so very glad I did!
Here are just some of the great experiences I had taking the scenic route!
I must say, Gabby (my new GPS) was very helpful on this trip! But, she kept trying to get me to skip over to the Thruway and stop this longer route – she’s all for getting me there the fastest way possible! I wouldn’t give in, though! To keep her from trying so hard to get me off Rt 20, I set it up for shorter, intermediate goals that helped her think “OK, it isn’t worth heading north to catch the thruway”! The first thing she helped me with was finding a place for breakfast! I left the house at 5:00 am with nothing to eat. By about 7:00, I was starving!!! I was coming into Canandaigua, so I asked Gabby where the nearest restaurant was. The first choice was Patty’s Place – sounded quaint, so I attempted to go there. But, street construction made finding a place to park near the diner nearly impossible. So, I took the second choice – The Villager Restaurant and Diner! Good choice!!! With my belly full, I was back on the road!
The first place I stopped for a photo shoot was the Montezuma Winery! I was just tooling along and noticed this place set back a little from the road. I chuckled about the name and felt compelled to turn around and get a photo! I didn’t go in or check it out, so I have no idea why they named it “Montezuma Winery” – but, the reason I just had to stop and take a photo was because I instantly thought of “Montezuma’s Revenge” and wondered why anyone would want that thought linked to their wine!!!??? I pulled into the parking lot, snapped the photo, laughed a little, and got back on the road! That was the LAST “quick” stop I made all day!!!
Route 20 goes right through the Finger Lakes region and in several spots skirts right along the top edge of most of the Finger Lakes, so the views were incredible. But, it was the next town I came to after the winery that really got me off track! As I started to drive through the lovely town of Seneca Falls, I began to notice signs for historic sites that I knew would be fascinating to see. The first one that I knew I had to stop for was the National Women’s Hall of Fame! I followed the signs and located the building on Fall Street – the main street in downtown. But, when I got out to go in, I discovered that they were closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday……today was Monday!!! UUGGHH!!! I was so disappointed!
So, I looked around downtown and tried to go to the Visitor’s Center across the street – thinking maybe I could just pick up some information and be on my way! But, they were closed, too! It was going to be another hour before they opened and I didn’t want to wait around for that. But, I noticed a distinct theme about women throughout the town – like this store devoted to items only made by women! Unfortunately, it was too early to shop, here, too.
So, I got back on the road, but before I could leave town, I noticed a sign for the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. I pictured a park like setting that wouldn’t need to be “open” to enjoy, so I followed the signs to find it. WHAT A TREAT!!! Yes, it was a park, but they also had a Visitor’s Center that was open and if I waited just a 1/2 hour, I could go on a park ranger guided tour of the historic church that was part of the park. So, I decided it was worth hanging around there. I wandered around the park and the Visitor’s Center and learned that this was the site of the very first Women’s Rights Convention — long before the Civil War and the Suffragettes and all the rest that I knew about from my history lessons! I had no idea that Seneca Falls played such a huge roll in the history of women’s rights (or, if I did learn it, I had long since forgotten)! In July of 1848, a group of women were having a party in a nearby town. At this party, they decided to organize the convention. Within a few days, they had a draft of what was called the “Declaration of Sentiments” and plans for the convention. They secured a location – the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Seneca Falls, which was becoming known as a congregation interested in freedom of speech for all groups – and invited friends who spread the word and invited more friends. The organizers – Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha Wright, Mary Ann M’Clintock, and Jane Hunt – hosted the First Women’s Rights Convention ever held in the United States on July 19 and 20, 1848. In those two days, the gathering of three hundred people discussed and edited the Declaration of Sentiments and resolutions calling for equality for men and women under the law. The document was signed by all 300 attendees, including men and women and became the baseline document that all future women’s rights movements and resolutions were built from. I spent close to two hours here and found it absolutely fascinating!
This is a monument to the “Declaration of Sentiments” – a wall with water continuously flowing over the words from the original document etched into the stone! Beautiful!
Inside the Visitor’s Center was a gift shop, library, and several exhibits, including several groupings of statues of the pioneers of the Women’s Rights Convention!
Once I was done with this amazing experience, I hit the road, again……
My next stop was in Auburn. I drove by a stunning church that I was drawn to. I turned around and went back for a closer look and some photos! This church is the Trinity United Methodist Church and it is incredible!
Then, I came upon Skaneateles and Skaneateles Lake. I had heard of this town many times – pronounced like Skinny-atlas, but have never been there. I think it was one of the towns we rode through or near on the train ride to NY City when I was fresh out of high school, but don’t really remember! As I drove into town, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful lake and lovely look of the town. I stopped by the lake to walk around and then walked downtown a little. I spent quite a while there just enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The park by the lake was so elegant and the lake was so crystal clear and clean that I really was tempted to get a bottle and scoop some up to take with me to drink!!! It was a great place to visit and walk around for a while, but looked just a little too rich for my blood – not a place I’d likely afford to stay for long, if you know what I mean!
So, back on the road, again……
I was driving along and came up upon Cazanovia Lake. It was interesting because the road went right along the shore line – literally! There was a small parking area that you could get off the road for a scenic overlook – which might imply the need to look down on something, but it was actually right at the edge of the water – and an historic marker. If it weren’t for the row of boulders, I could have driven right into the lake without the least bit of a bumpy ride!!! When I got back in the car, I noticed my GPS actually looked like it thought I already DID drive into the lake! hahahaha
Just past Cazanovia, I saw signs for Chittenango Falls – a place Mom had mentioned that she thought it might be worth taking a side trip for. So, I took Route 13N – a long, narrow, winding mountain (big hill? not sure which) road. I came up on the Chittenango Falls State Park and parked the car. I then walked a trail to the falls……..OMG……..it was definitely worth it!!! There was a rushing creek (not sure if it was considered a river or not) and a series of waterfalls – a smaller one, a couple of ledges, and then the big one that actually fell over several ledges that made it jog a little on the way down! It was so tall……down to the continuation of the creek/river in the gorge below! How beautiful! I stood there just gazing at it for the longest time! A lady walking her dog came by and we chatted for a while – she lived nearby and said that people around there don’t realize what a treasure they have, here! I was in total awe of it! I took a bunch of photos – none of which do it justice, but you get the idea!
A sweet ten hours after I left the house, I arrived at my intended destination – Cooperstown, NY! I had a wonderful day of discovery and adventure! For the first time ever, I do believe, I had the luxury of not having any real set time line I had to meet and no specific time of arrival requirement! I also had the luxury of deciding to spend another night in Cooperstown to compensate for not getting there early enough to get a good start on my planned activities while there – if I wanted to – which I did!!!! I could just take my time and enjoy the beauty our great state has to offer, learn some new things, gaze at some breathtaking views, and just get there when I get there!!! How amazing is that?
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And, then, on the drive home, I gave in and took the Thruway to get home as quick as I could to see my girls!!! The scenery was really quite different! I have no idea where these were taken – could have been anywhere – the scenery was the same the entire way! At least the sky was gorgeous!!! 🙂
Bed and Breakfast
One thing I have always wanted to do is stay at a Bed and Breakfast Inn. I’ve never really had a chance to…until now! As I was planning an adventure to Cooperstown, NY, I thought I might check out the local B&B Inns as an option for accommodations. I discovered that this was the perfect trip to consider this option because the town is loaded with them and well suited to this type of experience! I took my time and researched them all – quickly eliminating any that were not within walking distance of the downtown/Main Street area. Once narrowed down to those close to downtown, I researched each one extensively – checked out their web sites, sent emails to ones that I needed more info about, and read the reviews on Trip Advisor. (BTW – I’ve never used Trip Advisor, before, either – if you haven’t utilized this site to help plan your trip, I highly recommend it – great info can be found there!) So, after all the research, one Inn stood out as the one I wanted to book for my very first B&B experience!!!
Main Street Bed and Breakfast on, you guessed it, Main Street in Cooperstown was my choice. And, I have to say, it was the PERFECT choice! The photos on their web site and Trip Advisor won me over, immediately! Oh, the other inns had photos that piqued my interest, as well, but the photos of this one just seemed to speak to me. I was so hoping that they weren’t building me up for a disappointment – you know how sometimes you see photos in a brochure or web site that look amazing and then, when you get there, all you can think is “how many centuries ago were the photos taken and were they even taken of the same place?”. But, I can tell you with all honesty that the photos that drew me to choose this inn pale in comparison – they don’t begin to do it justice! I was not at all disappointed! The other deciding factor was the reviews on Trip Advisor – it was the only one of the ones that I narrowed my decision down to that didn’t have ANY customer ratings under a “Very Good – 4” and the 4s were a small percentage of the whole! I was impressed! Not that I actually decided against any of the others because of low customer ratings — NONE of the inns I researched had an overall bad rating and I quickly discounted the bad comments as coming from people who wouldn’t have been happy if they stayed at the Ritz located on Main Street in Heaven – you know the type! I will say that, from what I read, you couldn’t go wrong with any of the inns in Cooperstown. But, I am so very glad I chose this one! The final decision was due to the lovely comments from past customers that just seemed to have an edge over the others and, especially, because of the photos!
Main Street B&B is owned by Ron and Susan Streek, who are the sweetest people I’ve met in a long time. One thing I was concerned about staying at a B&B was how I would feel staying in a stranger’s home – that’s what you’re doing when you choose a B&B – you’re literally choosing to stay at someone’s home – someone you don’t know! I wondered if it would feel awkward. But, there was nothing to worry about, here! When I arrived, Susan met me at the door and I immediately felt like I was visiting an old friend. Susie showed me around the common areas and my room. It was such a lovely, comfortable home. Right away, it was the subtle details that grabbed me – like Susie greeting me like an old friend and finding out quickly that I preferred tea to coffee and that I would likely be ready to crash after my long drive and desire to head out to start my sightseeing. When I came back after a walk downtown, a little sightseeing, and dinner, I put my things in my room and came down stairs to read for a little while in the sitting room. Susie came in to see if I would like a cup of tea and find out if I needed anything to make my evening comfortable. The next morning, she was concerned that I might be chilly and brought me a shawl and a hot cup of tea while waiting for breakfast. The bed was extremely comfortable (none of that stiff feeling I usually get from sleeping in a different bed) and the house was very quiet (no unfamiliar sounds to wake me in the night). I would quickly recommend this as THE choice in Cooperstown to anyone I know planning a trip there. My first stay at a B&B was so enjoyable, I would definitely consider another B&B over a hotel when traveling, again…….however…….this first experience set the bar so high, that others may have a hard time meeting my new expectations! 🙂 My original plan was to stay one night and drive back home the next evening, but, I decided it was better to stay a second night and drive back after a good night’s sleep…….and, my experience the first day/night with Ron and Susie helped make that decision an easy one!
The house is a quaint Victorian home built in the late 1800s. I didn’t take a photo of the front porch, but can tell you that it is very inviting with chairs and a hammock to relax and enjoy the quiet neighborhood. Since I was gone during the warmer hours of the day, I didn’t take advantage of the front porch, but could easily imagine how wonderful it would be to sit our there and read, if the evenings had been warmer.
To the left of the entrance, there is a comfortable, impeccably decorated sitting room. I enjoyed that room for reading and morning tea!
The entry hall and stairway to the second floor welcome you with a warmth that is immediately felt!
A full country breakfast is served in this delightful dining room. On the first morning, breakfast was a plate of fresh fruit (super ripe and bursting with flavor) and coffee cake, peach upside down French toast (to die for), and sausage with orange juice and tea! On the second morning, I realized I totally forgot to mention that I was allergic to cheese! When Suzie mentioned she was making baked eggs, I asked if it had cheese in it! I felt horrible when she said yes! But, despite my insistence that she not go to any extra trouble (the fruit and juice were plenty to eat), she whipped up a plain omelet, bacon, and an English muffin with some amazing homemade blueberry jam – a quickly put together breakfast fit for a queen!
There are three rooms to choose from. I chose the Queen Anne room with a large four poster bed and Queen Anne style furnishings – a lovely room! The bed was a dream to sleep on – plush and high (the top of the mattress came just about waist high on my short body, so I had to get creative to get in, but it was sooooo worth it)! The room had air conditioning (which I didn’t need this time of year) and a TV with cable (which I was too tired to watch more than a few minutes). After my long days of sight seeing, I was happy to crawl into this bed, wrap up in the warm covers, and fall sound asleep before 8:30 each night….and slept like a baby all night long!
There was a full bath in the room – I was happy to read that when researching it – not all B&Bs have in-room bathrooms!
I was so happy to have met Ron and Susie and be able to stay with them while in Cooperstown! It was a lovely experience and really was the icing on the cake for my adventure! Thank you, both, for your gracious hospitality!
Talk To Me, Maggie…..
Last week, Tuesday, I got in my car to drive to Letchworth State Park – not a difficult trip, but not one I’m used to (only driven there once before in my adult driving life). So, I plugged the address in my trusty Magellan GPS, Maggie, and headed out. It wasn’t long before I realized Maggie wasn’t talking to me! I have no idea what I must have done to deserve the cold shoulder silent treatment, but she was refusing to speak! Oh, she was gladly showing me the way, but the best part about having a GPS is the talking feature so you can be directed without taking your eyes off the road! But, my previously loyal friend and traveling companion had failed me! I pulled over and shut it off and on several times, played with the volume and the speaker control….nothing convinced her to start talking, again! I started to panic, but shook it off!
The independent woman in me was just stubborn enough to keep going, anyway. I really didn’t have the time to turn around and go home to print off the directions – besides, if I had to read directions, I could just as easily read the screen as Maggie silently showed me the way. I was fine — it got a little confusing as we got closer and the turns came more frequently, but I made it! Then, on the way home, I decided to not even turn her on…….she betrayed me when I needed her the most, so I was not going to give her the satisfaction of using her, again! I just kept heading north and west until I found a familiar town and route and was home free!!!
I arrived home and got right on the computer to research new GPS units! My first thought was to get another one just like Maggie – she was the second one I’ve had of the same brand and model – the first was an older version (Sissy) and started to have some problems when I bought Maggie to replace her. But, as much as I loved the 7″ screen for visibility and ease of entering info, it was heavy and awkward. So, I asked a friend which one they have – I liked their GPS we used on a recent vacation! Their model was discontinued, but I found a similar version with some added features. So, the next day, I went to Best Buy on the Ridge to get one!
And, now, I have Gabby – a lovely Garmin – and, so far, I adore her!!! I haven’t made any long trips, yet, but set all my options and settings and even picked a great sounding English accent for her. I used it for a couple short drives around town and am very happy with her! The best part??? She not only talks to ME, I can talk to HER — she has voice recognition, so I can speak commands, instead of just typing them in! COOL BEANS!!!
So, goodbye, Maggie – sorry for whatever I did to make you go silent on me, but I don’t have the patience to deal with a GPS that won’t talk! And, hello, Gabby – may we have many, many great adventures together!
Recent “Stuff”
I envision far away friends and family who rely on this blog to keep up with me are thinking I am sitting around twiddling my thumbs a lot…….WRONG!!! I’m not spending my retirement in a rocking chair on the porch…….although, I do keep wondering where those “quiet, slow retirement years” are! I keep myself pretty busy – maybe too busy – if I slowed down a little, I might have more time to write! 🙂
So, I thought I’d take some time this morning to share some recent thoughts, photos, and mini adventures.
First – I took a photo at church last Sunday that I absolutely LOVE! I shared it on the church blog I write – click here to check out that post. But, I want to share the photo here, too, because it is such a peaceful, lovely photo depicting a beautiful sentiment – it is of the altar adornment placed by a friend of mine in honor of her mother’s birthday. I love the photo and am so glad I snapped it.
A couple weeks ago, the Ladies Luncheon group from church went on our annual lunch at the Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park. I love going there and always try to capture a little of the beauty in photos. Here are a few I took this year. Also, you can view more photos of Letchworth from last year’s post by clicking here.
The flowery pathway to the entrance to the Glen Iris Inn
The Glen Iris Inn
The front door all adorned for Autumn
The beautiful entry hall, reservation table, and entrance into the dining room
The Glen Iris is located right across from the Middle Falls – which I believe is the most spectacular of the three beautiful water falls in Letchworth
On the way home from Letchworth, I decided to not use my GPS (topic for another post) – just drive north and west until I found something familiar. The route took me through Wyoming (no, I wasn’t THAT far off track – Wyoming the village, not Wyoming the state!). I drove by their Village Hall and had to turn around and go back for a closer look. It is a stunning building! I wish this photo hadn’t come out so dark — it doesn’t do it justice at all, but didn’t realize it wasn’t a good photo until I was home and downloaded it……wasn’t about to go back for another shot at it!
With all the rain we’ve been having, I’ve noticed a lot more mushrooms pop up in my yard! Mostly in the back yard and mostly just little ones in clumps of 4 or 5. But, last week, I was walking back from the mailbox and one in the front yard caught my eye. At first, I thought it was a ball that made it into my yard from one of the little girls who live next door. But, when I got a better look, I realized it was a HUGE mushroom……with a smiley face on it!!! I ran and got my camera and went over to get a photo! Unfortunately, once I got up close, the smiley face wasn’t as prominent as it was from a distance, but at about 6-8 inches across, it was still pretty darned impressive. If you look closely, you can see a dark smudge under the two “eyes” and imagine that was what looked like a big smile!
A few weeks ago, I opened the patio doors to let the girls out for their morning constitutional and immediately saw the most breathtakingly beautiful flower blossom I think I’ve ever seen! My neighbor to the back has a lovely wild flower garden just the other side of my fence that I enjoy throughout the summer. She inherited the garden when they bought the house, but tries to add something to it every year. I don’t know if this is one that has been there before or is a new addition, but it is the first time I have noticed it blossom. I was mesmerized by it! I ran upstairs to get dressed so that I could go out for a closer look and a photo! I discovered it is a hibiscus – I wasn’t aware that they would grow this far north, since they are typically a tropical flower, but apparently there is a hearty variety! I am having a few new plants put in before the planting season ends and told the landscaper to be sure to include at least one of these! Incredible!!!
Another recent mini adventure was a drive to Olcott Beach on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I love going to Olcott – it isn’t very far, is a nice drive, and I always see or do something fun! This trip, I went with a friend and we made a couple stops at other attractions that I have never seen before.
On the way to Olcott, we stopped to see the 30-Mile Point Lighthouse – gorgeous!!!
On the boardwalk at Olcott, they were celebrating the end of the season – a guy with a guitar was singing for the folks who were eating lunch!
It was a VERY windy day at the lake!
This handcrafted “lady” in the flowers made me smile!
After we left Olcott, we travelled further west on Rt. 18 to Wilson – I’ve never been to Wilson. We stopped at the Wilson Harbor and had lunch at the Wilson Boat House – right beside this lovely strip of shoppes and lighthouse.
I love scallops and noticed an appetizer called “scallop cake tower” and was intrigued! I ordered it and fell madly in love! They are just like a crab cake, only made with chopped up scallops — YUMMMMMMM!!!!
Another spot along our wonderful Lake Ontario that I visited recently for the first time is Yates Park. After the Beef on Weck Dinner fundraiser at the church, Mom, a friend of ours, and I went to a Lyndonville Lions Club event at Yates Park on the lake. They had a 50s-60s band that was excellent called Crash Cadillac. We sat on the lawn in the park and listened to the music. It was such a pretty night! And…..you know me, I couldn’t be that close to the water without gazing out at it and snapping a few photos!
And, finally, now that I think we’re all caught up (at least with the noteworthy stuff), I’ll leave you with one more photo…….one stormy night a couple weeks ago, I was driving up Main Street headed home and the sky looked quite ominous! I pulled over and got this shot!
Beef On Weck Adventure
I’m tagging this as an “adventure” because it is my blog and I feel like calling it an adventure! I went to a place I’ve never been before with my Mom and a couple friends from church and had an interesting afternoon……so there you have it…….an adventure!!! 🙂
There is a teeny tiny place in nearby Batavia called the Pok-A-Dot. I’ve driven by it many, many times – it is right on busy Ellicott Street so you can’t miss it – and never once had the urge to stop in and try it out. It just looks like one of those places you should probably avoid in the interest of your personal health and well-being. But, over the past few months, I started hearing that it was THE place to go for Beef on Weck sandwiches and I recently noticed a banner on the front window that claims “Famous for our Beef on Weck for over 60 years!” (the photo below from the internet claims over “56” years, but it has recently been updated to “60” years). So, a couple friends and I decided we were going to go and see for ourselves. Today was the day……Cathy, Judy, Mom and I met up in Batavia for Beef on Wecks.
First of all, for those who aren’t from Western NY – you’re probably wondering “what the heck is a beef on weck?” Well…….Beef on Weck is a Western NY specialty. It is a mouth-watering sandwich made from thinly sliced, tender, juicy roast beef piled high on a Kaiser roll dusted with coarse salt and caraway seeds (called a Kimmelweck roll). The weck roll is toasted and dipped in the beef juices before the beef is piled on and then the sandwich is served with a side of horseradish (so the wimps of the world can “go easy” on the heat) – see the photo below, which was found on the internet, not taken at today’s lunch – sorry – I was hungry and busy talking, so I didn’t think to snap an actual photo. Just about any restaurant worth eating at has Beef on Weck on their menu – whether they do it well or not! Nothing will ruin the whole experience faster than dry beef or a stale weck roll, but I’ve had some pretty pitiful examples of what should be an amazing sandwich!
So, what did I think of the Pok-A-Dot? Did their Beef on Weck measure up to their claims? Was it all worth the 20 minute drive to Batavia?
The first thing I noticed is that the folks that started this place (over 60 years ago it started out as a hot dog stand) and the ones that run it now need a spelling lesson. The restaurant is pronounced “Polka-Dot” – like the dot pattern that is seen on the exterior, but they spelled it “Pok-A-Dot” – “Pok”, like “Pot” with a “K”. Hhhmmm – interesting! Also, the banner boasts their famous “Beef on Wicks”, instead of the proper spelling – “Beef on Weck” – made with a kimmelweck roll and shortened to wEck, not wIck. But, that has nothing to do with the restaurant or the sandwich, so I’m just making a nit-picky point……because, it is my blog and I can!
The restaurant is the diviest of dives – very small with about 6 small bistro style tables, a lunch counter with lots of stools, and three outdoor picnic tables that were obviously the “smoking section”, given the number of ashtrays all over them. Look up “greasy spoon” in the dictionary and I’m sure a photo of this restaurant will accompany the definition. But, it wasn’t uncomfortable and didn’t make us rethink our decision……the looks inside were actually not at all unlike what I had expected from my drive-by glances, but it didn’t have the yucky “feel” that I assumed from driving by — I would absolutely stop in there to eat again. And, the food was good – nothing we had or that I saw others being served was greasy or like eating a heart attack waiting to happen! Just goes to show – looks can be deceiving, for sure!
All four of us ordered the Beef on Weck – duh, that’s what we went there for! Two of us had French Fries, one had onion rings, and one ordered the fried pickles to share. Everything was VERY good!!! The weck roll was soft, fresh, grilled nicely, and just the right amount of coarse salt on top. There was a butt load of tender, juicy roast beef – I had my doubts when it was first placed in front of me – it looked rather over cooked and dry, but it wasn’t dry at all – it was really quite good! I got the fries and they were crispy and not at all greasy – VERY good! I didn’t hear how the onion rings were. We all tried the fried pickles and they were very good with a nice house-made dipping sauce that was sort of like a thousand island dressing with a slight kick to it.
So, yes – their Beef on Weck is worth the drive to Batavia – very good! Although, I must say, as good as it was, it wasn’t the BEST I’ve ever had – that honor still goes to the Village Inn right here just north of Albion in Childs.
The only disappointment? The horseradish……I always sniff the horseradish before putting it on so that I know how much to use. I like it with a nice bite to it – I want to feel it cleaning out my sinuses and bring a tear to my eyes, but not so much that it takes my breath away. This smelled mild, but not bad. So, I slathered on a good layer of it, expecting at least a bite or two to give me that sensation I love! But, no dice…….I barely tasted it and none of that foggy essence that waves up through your head at all.
So, we all enjoyed our lunch — good food and fun conversation among friends – we were all glad we went and will likely go again, sometime!
After lunch, Mom and I stopped in at the Public Market just down the street a ways. They had some beautiful produce, delicious looking baked good, and some pretty crafts, including quilted items. We mostly just looked, but I couldn’t resist getting a 1/2 pound box of all natural, homemade dog treats – peanut butter flavored paw prints – for the girls. I gave them each one when I got home and they went NUTS-O for them!!!
When I got home, I met the landscaping guy – there are a few things I want him to do before the planting season ends and now I’m getting ready to head to Bible Study at the church. A fun and productive day……and the weather was to die for!!!
The British Are Coming…..
What is it about the British? We declared our independence from them many, many years ago and, yet, we still find a fascination with them. The Royals. The Aristocrats. The titles and classes. The accents. The traditions. They capture our imaginations and our attention. It is also a fascination for me because of my heritage – my Grandmother’s ancestors were (as far as I have seen) pure English with immigration to America as recent as 3-4 generations before me! I, myself, am a mongrel with my Grandfather’s Irish and German thrown into the mix and Lord knows what added in from my birth father’s heritage. But, regardless of all that, I am still attracted to just about anything involving the United Kingdom – I say that because it isn’t just England that intrigues me – I find anything Irish to be an addiction, as well.
But, it isn’t just me — I think most of America finds a certain interest in the British and keep them imbedded in our culture on some level. Where would Rock and Roll be today without the British Invasion? How many American televisions were NOT tuned in to the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles – surely that is a number much easier to count than those that WERE tuned in! Who wasn’t anxiously awaiting news of the newest royal baby? Would there be such a thing as “super models” if not for Twiggy becoming a world-wide sensation in the 1960s? And, it is for good reason that our PBS stations carry BBC television productions – they wouldn’t if the ratings didn’t warrant it! Yes, the British are a fascinating bunch – especially when the story involves old England and the very rich, titled society.
I do so enjoy watching movies and programs that show the history of England and the people of the old days – Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc. I love the costumes, the accents, the formal way of speaking, the respect for position and tradition, the architecture, the scenery…..and so much more! Surprisingly, though, I never let myself get interested in shows like Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey……until recently!
I wrote a couple of posts ago that I recently got hooked on Downton Abbey – I finally gave in to the talk from friends and on Facebook about how wonderful it was. I caught myself up on the first three seasons and fell totally in love with the stories and the characters! It is a wonderfully scripted and acted show with an incredible insight into the lives of both the aristocrats and servants in a large household in early 1900’s England. It shows how so many totally different people can live together in one house and share in each other’s lives, yet live in totally different worlds separated by class and stations in life….and the separation isn’t just between the family and the servants – it also includes distinct levels of respect and prominence within the family and across the servants. I enjoy watching the traditions, beliefs, and expectations unfold in each episode. I wonder where we lost our need to embrace civility and manners and how the world would differ if we still dressed for dinner, had expectations of proper etiquette, behaved in a manner befitting an appropriate reputation, cared how we are perceived by others, and sat down as a family for tea and cakes in the middle of the day – every day. I can not wait until the fourth season begins in January and hope that it goes on forever!!!
While waiting for season four of Downton Abbey, I find myself craving similar stories. I remembered there was an older series on BBC/PBS called Upstairs, Downstairs that I never watched while it was on. I understand there is a memoir of an English housemaid that inspired both the Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey stories. So, I looked for it on Amazon to stream the shows. I didn’t realize that there were actually TWO Upstairs, Downstairs series – one which aired in 1971 – 1975 and a reprisal which aired in 2010 – 2012. I watched seasons 1 and 2 and LOVED it!!! Then, I started watching season 3 and wondered what happened — it was in black and white and a different set of characters and obviously in an earlier time period – but, the same house – I was VERY confused, to say the least!!!! So, I read up on the series and found that there were the two – I obviously watched the reprised series first! HAHA!!! So, I stopped watching season 3 and went back to season 1 of the original series and that’s where I am, now! The original series isn’t as well done as the reprised series and far from as exquisite as Downton Abbey is, but it is still very enjoyable. I have a lot of episodes to watch — there were five seasons in the original series and I intend to stretch them out over some time and not cram them all in quickly, like I did Downton Abbey (three seasons in less than 3 days) – I hope I can stick with that plan so that I can enjoy them for a while. I do hate, though, that there were only two seasons of the reprised series – that was quite good and I would have liked to follow the characters a while longer.
So, here I am watching and learning about and adoring a culture so far removed from what we experience today. I may just have to throw a good old-fashioned tea party to bring a little of it into my real life to compliment it in my fantasy life!
Where have all the Bloggers gone?
Once upon a time, long, long ago, I used to log on every morning and click on Google Reader and Blog Surfer to check out all the new posts on the blogs I followed. There were many of them – mostly friends with blogs, some of which became friends because we were local Sanford bloggers and read each other’s writings and then became friends in the real world. Some were written by people I didn’t know from places I’ve never been, but enjoyed the stories and information they shared. I looked forward to the list of new posts that would come up on my Google Reader and spent time reading them all before starting my day. Then, the number of new posts began to slow down and, soon, there was only the occasional new post! It was sad to see that! Then, Google Reader and Blog Surfer shut down and I no longer had an easy way to know when one of my favorite bloggers put up a new post. But, they are all in my “favorites” – I have a folder just for all the blogs I have enjoyed in the past – there are 31 of them! Every now and then, I click on each and every one to see if anyone posted anything new and exciting to read about. But, alas, most remain stalled at the last post written long ago. Today, after several months of not checking, I decided to see if any have been updated………..only one had something new to read and actually there were a FEW new posts on that one, which I read with great pleasure!
I, too, don’t post as often as I used to, but do still love to blog! It is a great way to share my thoughts, but mostly it is a creative outlet for me. Sure, I hope there are readers out there that enjoy what I have to write, but, honestly, I really just write for myself, friends, and family.
I started blogging in 2007 after I accidentally found a local blogger that wrote some funny stories about his children and his adventures. He was moving to Sanford and wrote about the things he and his family were discovering. I sometimes would comment on his posts. After a while, I decided to give blogging a try. I wasn’t sure how long it would last or what I would find to write about, but I really enjoyed it and it took off! Click here to read my very first post written on August 13, 2007 – it was short and awkward, but it was a start! I always loved to write stories – back as early as grammar school. In high school, I took creative writing and dabbled with some with poetry, but found that stories were my favorite outlet, so blogging just seemed the perfect medium for me to use. Over the years, I’ve shared a lot of adventures, thoughts, movie reviews, and just silly ramblings with the world……….I flatter myself in thinking that my humble writings are being read by the world! HA! Yeah, I have had a lot of hits on my blog (as of today, 42,779 since I changed to using WordPress instead of Blogger in Sept 2008 – add about another 5000 from when I was using Blogger), but in the past couple of years, not so much – I average about 20-some hits a day, now. But, that’s OK – like I said, I mainly write for myself and my friends/family, anyway – it is just an ego boost when I see in my stats that I received a lot of hits on a particular post and that some of those hits were from places far, far away!
But, back to my fellow bloggers. I MISS YOU!!! Maybe some of you will read this and find it to be a motivation to start writing, again – I sure hope so! If you have abandoned your previous blogs and are writing on a new blog, please send me your web address so I can once again enjoy your thoughts and adventures. And, I’d love to find bloggers local to the Albion / Western NY area to follow! I know you’re out there………I just need to find you!!! 🙂
Thoughts on a Thursday
Time for a good old Brain Dump…….so, here are some thoughts that are rattling around in my head on this lovely Thursday afternoon!
First of all, it IS a lovely Thursday! For weeks and weeks, it has been either hot and muggy or raining! What a yucky way to start off the summer season! But, today, the sky is a gorgeous blue, the clouds are white and fluffy, the breeze is gentle and cool (but not too cool), and the sun is out in all its glory! It is a pleasure to have all the windows open in the house and feel the breeze flowing through and have it feel comfortable – an occasional gust that is ever so slightly chilly, but mostly pleasant and comfortable……..LOVE IT!!! Then, outside, the sun is warm on my skin – but not too warm! Just PERFECT!!! I am placing my order for this day to repeat every day for the rest of the summer……….
On a day this gorgeous, I find myself day dreaming at my desk — I pause and just gaze out the window at the amazing sky and listen to the wind chimes as the breeze brushes past them causing them to play their happy tune. I just sit and watch the leaves rustle in the trees and the hanging plants on my porch sway and the clouds slowly move across the sky. How peaceful and calming and wonderfully joyful…….I so love my house and my neighborhood!
I am sitting here writing this while eating a couple of lemon cream cookies that I bought at the Amish general store last Sunday. They are sooooooo good!!! Such strong lemon flavor in the creamy center – I’d be hard pressed to find a LEMON with this much lemon flavor! HA!!!
I was going through a box of things that haven’t been unpacked, yet…….yeah, I know – it has been almost 2 years since I moved and I still have boxes that aren’t unpacked – don’t judge me…….anyway, I found an angel with a chain to hang it up – too heavy for a Christmas ornament, but very pretty! I had it for a long time, but never found a place to hang it at my old home. So, I took it out of the box and put it on my desk in the den so that I would give some thought as to where to put it. As I looked out my den window at my gorgeous weeping crab apple tree, it hit me!!! “I’ll hang it from a limb on that tree”, I thought! I took it right out and found a nice sturdy limb to hang it from, but was sad to find when I got back in the house that the other limbs hid it from view from my window! So, I went out and moved it to another limb – one I knew I’d be able to see it when gazing out my den window. But, as I pulled into the drive way the next time I went out, I discovered it wasn’t visible from the street!!! Hhhmmm…….so, I put it out towards the end of a limb that wasn’t obscured by any other limbs – it isn’t as sturdy, but it is visible from the street and my window! Mission accomplished! It looks so cute out there swaying in the breeze and bouncing in response to the movement of the tree limb! I’m happy!
I had some out-patient surgery this week – nothing too major – a hernia repair, but it couldn’t be done laproscopically, so I had full anesthesia and a smile-like incision about 3-4 inches long just under my belly button. I have prided myself on being able to say “I’ve never had any surgery in my life…..knock on wood”! But now, I can no longer say that! Oh, I’ve had a couple of procedures that were “technically” considered “surgery”, but nothing invasive where I was literally cut open, innards manipulated, and stitched back up……until now! Through it all, I’ve learned a couple of things: 1) they really should put you under BEFORE taking you into the operating room – I was wheeled in there in a wheel chair and it seemed very UNimpressive to me! I expected to see the fancy operating rooms you see on TV shows, like Grey’s Anatomy – you know, a big sterile looking room with the gallery seating around the top of the room and a whole team of doctors and nurses and a lot of high-tech equipment and an operating table that looks like a comfortable bed and windows that look out to the scrub room……….um, no – what I saw was a neat, clean, but very small, ordinary looking room with a few people waiting to prep me and an operating table that looked like two padded 2×6 boards nailed together in a cross – I was helped up onto the longer of the two boards to lay on and my arms were placed outstretched onto the shorter board! Of course, this is a very simplistic description and it was more than that – it was actually surprisingly comfortable and it tilted to make it easy for the surgeon to get at the spot he needed to get at and the arm pads were angled comfortably. But, when I first saw it, the only thought that came to mind was a lethal injection table at a prison – not a pleasant thought as I was being wheeled into surgery – especially when it was my first time and I wasn’t sure what to expect! Once I was on it, my thought was of the Crucifix……a better thought, but still not one I would have liked in my mind as I was being prepped for surgery! Don’t get me wrong – it was clean and nice and not at all “scary” and I’m sure more than just the anesthesia folks joined the team after I fell asleep, but after my initial impressions, I really would much preferred to have been asleep before I went in there and kept my vision of the fancy operating room from Grey’s Anatomy in my head! 2) the second thing is that I now know EXACTLY what people mean when they say “you never know how often you use your stomach muscles until you have an incision in your belly”!!! OMG – there is literally NOTHING you can do without straining your stomach muscles and when they hurt from surgery, that becomes painfully obvious! And, please, God, don’t make me have to cough or sneeze!!!
Today, as I’m starting to feel a little human – still very uncomfortable and moving slowly, but much better than yesterday, which was much better than the day before, I realize I’m getting a little stir-crazy with a touch of cabin fever! I adore being in my home – sitting at my computer looking out my den window or out on my patio soaking in the lovely weather – but, I have never been one to be told I HAVE to do something!!! The fact that I’m told I shouldn’t drive until at least the weekend makes me want to get out and take a ride somewhere – but, I know the bouncing and getting in and out of the Equinox won’t be pleasant. The fact that my body is telling me to take it easy and not do too much makes me want to go shopping or visiting or something that gets me out of the house and moving, but I know I’ll pay dearly for it, if I do. So, I’ll behave and give myself a couple more days of healing……it has only been three days since the surgery…….but, I’m really fighting the urge to get out and play!!! 🙂
I’ve recently discovered Downton Abbey on PBS! I see posts on Facebook by friends who love the show and wondered what it was about. So, I started streaming season one using Amazon Prime through my Wii – I figured I’d watch a few episodes here and there and get caught up with the first three seasons sometime before season four starts in January. Well…….I got started and couldn’t stop!!! I watched one episode after another and found myself up at 1:00 or 2:00 am saying “just one more episode and then I’ll go to bed”! It took me just three days to get through all three seasons!!! What a wonderful program!!! The characters and actors are incredible – they suck you right in! And in season three, alone, I went through a warehouse full of Kleenex!!! Simply heartbreaking! I can not wait until January when season four starts and I can finally find out how they are going to deal with this latest tragedy! If you haven’t seen this show and you have access to streaming capabilities or Netflix or something that will allow you to catch up with the first three seasons, I strongly urge you to do so…….it won’t take long to become obsessed and zip right through them all to catch up – even though you have until January!
Well, I think I’ll take advantage of this marvelous day and go read on the patio while the girls lay in the sun……..
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