BACK TO CORNING

I CANNOT RESIST DINERS. The one at the left is in Duanesberg (NY) and has be open since 1930. Wishing to avoid toll roads and ready for adventure, I allowed Richard (aka: GPS) to direct my homeward way from Chatham. Probably, the Diner is the most remarkable thing about Duanesberg. However, it is a town with a history going back to 1823, which history is celebrates every year.

In the event you are curious, I had the day's special: Boneless pork chops with sauerkraut and potatoes. I am still not too sure where Duanesberg is, after miles of back roads and beautiful scenery. That is the problem with GPS, it keeps one on track but, in the larger view of life, one looses track. Somewhat like not seeing the forest for the trees.

I had a fine week with the other Richard (Green) and family, meeting and making new friends and helping keep the local brew pub in business. I also removed quite a bit of unwanted ornamentation from off their new (built c. 1890) home-to-be beside assisting the sheet rock team. During this week the weather finally gave up Winter and presented itself as Spring, celebrated by an impressive night of lightning and thunder. Lots of fun experiences like getting water from the local spring, attending the weekly practice of Richard's group (considerably enabled by the liberal serving of cocktails, a hobby of one of the band members), getting to know the local community gardening group, shopping for items for the new bathroom (plumbing, as it were, the deep mysteries of crappers). I hope you know that the modern flushing toilet was invented by a Londoner named Crapper.

While on the topic of weather, while I was over in Chatham, Corning actually had a tornado alert on April 27. Absolutely unheard of! Not only did we have a warning but an tornado really happened in a nearby town, mowing an impressive swath for several miles but not actually damaging much property.

Back in town, the purchase of the Sterling Street house proceeds, with inspections and quotes. If all goes well, closing will be just prior to my birthday (29th May). I expect there may be a bit of haggling related to necessary repairs along the way. I am very excited about planning the garden. Lacking my own house, I have spent a couple of days Spring gardening for a close friend. I have also rejoined the Master Gardener program (an extension of Cornell University), and the local Gardening Club. On the subject of membership, I renewed place at the local Brew Pub (my own mug, #75, and discounted beer). I must be settling in.

On Sunday last, I attended the United Methodist Church in Richmond, just over into Massachusetts and took this photo. It is not too bad, as my photography goes, and the unpaved road descending and then running off into the distance I find quite inspiring. It makes a great background for my laptop screen.