After working diligently to complete the blog class offered I exhaled. This is the first time I've blog inhaled since. I tend to work on my computer for the serious things in the evening. This often turns out to be a bad decision because if I stop to proof read etc. I tend to fall asleep. This has become worse since I've been banned from caffeine products. AH the Golden Years!!!!!!!
In my absence a trip to visit family in Granite Quarry, NC was made. A very nice and interesting area. There are large deposits of Granite stone there. Even a house built on the stone or so it appears. I have a picture of it but don't think it is filed where I can retrieve it easily. A good excuse to post again soon and include the picture.
While there a health issue arose and I spent an overnight in the hospital. I will say that health care there was as good as I receive locally. That got me a chance to see my Grand Kids in Quarryville as we took three days to get home. I drove all the way for other health reasons.
June and July were filled with graduation parties, birthday parties along with other busyness to attend to. All of a sudden August arrived.
The August highlight for me was attending the 150 th anniversary of the Zapf family in America. They emigrated here from Bavaria, Germany settling in the Watertown, NY area. I am in the 5 th generation in America my Mother being a Zapf. They were expert cheese makers and that is what they worked at after arriving in America.
Reading some of the family history I discovered that my Grandfather, F. Casper Zapf, received the first degree in Chemical Engineering given by Clarkson College. The year was 1924. Grandpa took that degree and used it his entire working life at General Electric in Schenectady, NY.
Being of German descent and cheese makers there was Limburger at the reunion. It has been way back when I tried Limburger. I've aged, mellowed or other things are failing. I tried it and actually like it. I'm sure it was high quality Limburger but even so it "smells." I was told the key is to get it past your nose and you are good to go. For me that was not a problem as I put a slice on a cracker and went for it. It is very smooth, almost soothing to the pallete. We also had homemade German potato salad. Store bought can't hold a candle to that.
Regarding the smell of the cheese. My son Paul and his wife were with us. On his own he tried the Limburger a couple times. While standing there he remarked that there must be a farm nearby. Amy replied "Paul you're holding it in your hand." As Paul took a whiff he said "oh I guess I am." It was good for a hearty laugh from all of us.
It really was a great day in Watertown. I met lots of new people and learned lots of family history. As I look forward to another Zapf gathering I'm looking forward to the rest of summer and the fun that can be had.
TAFN, Gene
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Eagles nest live
Good evening after a beautiful sunny 72 degrees at my house. I only know that because of the indoor/outdoor memory thermometer. This was the first of my two days on the road. It didn't start out no nice as it was 34 degrees when I left my home in Port Dickinson at 5:15 AM. Not quite as early as the farmer does his chores but close.
Last Friday at one of the deliveries I was given the following site which has kept me returning to check on the birds regularly. http://wavelit.com/media/702/Eagles_Nest_Live/ A web cam w/audio has been put by this eagles nest by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation. It streams 24/7 so you can see the full lives and activities of the mother, father (every so often) and two eaglets in the nest. Before I go further please note that when going to the web site you will have to wait for it to do a couple promos. Then it should go direct to the picture. If it doesn't, click on the play arrow and it will come up.
When I first started watching the eaglets were sleeping most of the time, waking only to be fed and then flopping back down to sleep or rest. It appears they either sleep with their eyes open or are just resting. For a day or two their movements were a struggle. More like flopping to where they wanted to be. Now they raise their heads more and stand trying to move around more. I think they are normal children. Yesterday they were scrapping at eachother. For awhile it appeared to be an on going battle. Finally they lay back down to rest.
The mother is tolerant of pressures around her. There are some black birds that are not happy the eagle is in the neighborhood. They will dive bomb her and on occasion have landed on her tail. It has been suggested that these birds may have nests and young in the same neighborhood and view her as a threat to their existence.
When I first started viewing the mother only left the nest for a very short period. Now she is gone 20 - 30 minutes at at time. This time element is another reason I don't think she views the black birds as a problem. When she is gone the black birds don't come around.
These are fun to watch. I hope any of you that view will share the same feelings.
Shortchange Gene
Last Friday at one of the deliveries I was given the following site which has kept me returning to check on the birds regularly. http://wavelit.com/media/702/Eagles_Nest_Live/ A web cam w/audio has been put by this eagles nest by the Hancock Wildlife Foundation. It streams 24/7 so you can see the full lives and activities of the mother, father (every so often) and two eaglets in the nest. Before I go further please note that when going to the web site you will have to wait for it to do a couple promos. Then it should go direct to the picture. If it doesn't, click on the play arrow and it will come up.
When I first started watching the eaglets were sleeping most of the time, waking only to be fed and then flopping back down to sleep or rest. It appears they either sleep with their eyes open or are just resting. For a day or two their movements were a struggle. More like flopping to where they wanted to be. Now they raise their heads more and stand trying to move around more. I think they are normal children. Yesterday they were scrapping at eachother. For awhile it appeared to be an on going battle. Finally they lay back down to rest.
The mother is tolerant of pressures around her. There are some black birds that are not happy the eagle is in the neighborhood. They will dive bomb her and on occasion have landed on her tail. It has been suggested that these birds may have nests and young in the same neighborhood and view her as a threat to their existence.
When I first started viewing the mother only left the nest for a very short period. Now she is gone 20 - 30 minutes at at time. This time element is another reason I don't think she views the black birds as a problem. When she is gone the black birds don't come around.
These are fun to watch. I hope any of you that view will share the same feelings.
Shortchange Gene
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Musings
This is not the best picture for which I apologise. It was taken in Quarryville, PA at the SOLANCO Fair parade on Sept. 20, 2006. SOLANCO = Southern Lancaster County. The parade starts +/- 6PM and as you can see it is dark now. You name it and it probably is in the parade, for a $25 fee. This is a quick shot as the parade route is jammed with people. This is "serious" business. So much so that you bring your lawn chairs the day before and stake your claim with them to where you are watching the parade. If you have not staked your claim you better come early to find the few remaining spots. The parade starts pretty much on time and ends when the genuine steam driven Calliope (card read music machine) goes by. Music I love.Oh yes, the picture. Almost forgot, well not quite. It is the Lancaster County bookmobile. Next fall I will try to get a better picture to post. The reason I didn't get a better picture is this.
I get to involved looking at the antique tractors etc. and don't get to the bookmobile.
The above photo is a friend I've made since going to visit my son Philip. Philip live in Buck, PA which is just west of Quarryville, PA. Ralph K is one of the most genuine men I have ever met. He is pulling someone else's trailer for advertising in the fair parade. Take a look at the sidewalk in the back of the photo and you will see I wasn't kidding about crowds.
Ralph has two JD antique tractors. He gets a young fellow to drive the other one in the parade. I can't remember a time when Ralph isn't smiling and/or laughing. He waves to everybody because he knows every body, well almost. This is community.
Ralph lives a reverse life. By day he sleeps, does chores, works on the truck, rides his bicycle from the house over to the barn and anything else that needs doing. By dark of night he does milk pick up at many farms in the area, including a large number of Amish farms. When his first pick up is at an Amish farm on Sunday night he'll say "can't start till midnight tonight." The Amish are strict about that.
When Ralph's tanker is full or all the stops make he takes the milk to one of several places. Hershey's often gets first dibbs and will take the milk if the butter fat level is to their standards. If not it may go to cheese or somewhere else. Then it is back home and to bed.
I love the SOLANCO Fair for this reason. There is no midway. It is one of the last "pure fairs" left. The closest to a midway they come is the tractor pull. That goes to midnight or later. There are the serious pullers all the way down to the "also rans." From time to time you will see a father and son combo where Dad is teaching his son the ropes. Family, I like that!
Inside the show barns are the crafts. Everything from clothing, quilts and all the usual. There are the vegetable growing, cooked items competition. There are a few levels of pumpkin decorating. An aside....My grandson entered his first pumpkin. All week Sheri was trying to prepare him that he might not win anything but it was fun entering etc. We all went in and this is Kyle's pumpkin with a 1st place ribbon on it. "So much for that lesson" said Sheri.
Hay, corn, processed foods too many for me to remember at this hour. All judged with awards given.
Then the livestock showing. All are judged with awards given. Then on Friday night the winning animals are auctioned off. If I recall correct this is a requirement. If Philip reads this he can set me straight on that. I love to watch the auction. One of the spotters, Jim, is also a friend I've made there. He is no spring chicken, a retired successful farmer. Sold his farm which is still operating and is enjoying his retirement. He is a spotter at the auction and I love watching him work his area. He carries a stick and waves it at his people trying to get them to bid. Jim sets an example by buying a couple animals from the kids. Sponsors also buy animals. Local restaurants buy animals. One thing that stands out in my mind is the gratefulness shown by the kids. Almost without fail after the animal is sold and back in the stall the owner will come into the gallery and thank the person/group that bought their animal.
Food is superb. Hoffman dining has specials all day with different groups making the meal of the day. Milkshakes are "the real deal" there. Pure milk with pure ice cream. After drinking skim milk the difference stands out instantly.
For a guy raised in a city environment I sure do appreciate the finer things in life. For three days in September the finest things in life are found at the SOLANCO Fair.
Shortchange Gene
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Almost there I'm told
Today the good Prof notified me that I'm almost there. The way I posted my You Tube video isn't Politically Correct. The good Prof offered assistance which I would accept should all else fail.
To be truthful I was ticked at myself for not figuring out how to post the correct way. There is some German in me. My Dad told me I'm of "mongrel" background. So that allows me to be stubborn at times because it might be in my heritage. The video that follows is the result of perseverance.
Now to what led up to posting the video. Last week I was volunteered to take a family to NYC for some business. Their original appointment was at 8:30AM at the Federal Plaza. This is down in the south of Manhattan and close to the Tribeca area.
We were originally going to leave at 2AM so as to be there in plenty of time. Plus avoid the bulk of inbound rush hour traffic. The appointment had been changed to 10AM but they still wanted to leave at 2AM which we did arriving on the NYC side of the Holland around 5:30AM. At that point traffic was moderately comfortable. We parked and got some breakfast. Within an hour traffic was bumper to bumper with horns blowing and lots of drivers mouths going. Just as glad I was on the outside of their cars.
I will say that uniformed police and uniformed traffic police were doing a good job of keeping intersections open when traffic lights changed. In this area it was noticeable to me the different attitude toward the traffic police. I have been in other areas of the city where they were not obeyed or respected. I drove charter bus there for 3 years so I've seen plenty.
Some things are the same no matter where you are. Going into Mickey D's it was evident that there were several early morning "regulars" there. They all sat in one area and shared a paper. Their banter was centered around what was the hot item on the paper page they were looking at right then. One group would finish to be replaced with the next shift of people. Then there were those that were in a hurry and couldn't stand still. Or they had other problems.
After my charges headed for their appointment I walked around the area some. It was still rush hour. Maybe I should say it was the intense part of rush hour. It seems that it is rush hour all day in one sort or another. Mid morning the intensity lets up some. Then from 12 Noon it slowly builds to the evening rush hour.
Now, those that think their commute to work is too long think about this. At 6AM a Martz bus pulled up to a corner on Broadway and dropped off several passengers. They were commuter workers because in that stretch of Broadway you don't pull to the curb unless you are a bus. Martz is out of Wilkes Barre, PA and I know they run daily commuter buses to and from NYC. A bus company out of Allentown, PA does the same thing. Easily 60-80 buses between them. That may be a conservative number. We would see them parked all day on Manhattan's west side waiting till time for the return trip.
It seemed like everyone carried a lap top or a back pack or pulled a wheeled case of varying styles. There were people dressed to the hilt. There were the casual dressed. There were the blue collar clothes. But all had some sort of extra baggage.
A bit about Mickey D's. I have not been in a fast food in NYC that is styled any different. This one was 20-25 feet wide but very deep at the street/serving level. Minimal seating at the street level. The restroom was in the basement of which I have never found it different. Additional seating is on the second level. I got a free newspaper from a street box. Went in Mickey D's and got my "senior" coffee. Took both upstairs and found a single table right by the window that looks out on Broadway. Alternating sips of coffee, reading the paper and watching a sea of humanity rushing here and there I occupied my time. After awhile my charges came out the the building across the street.
After the necessary in preparation for an auto ride we retrieved my van from the parking garage to the tune of $38 + Tx and were on our way out of "Dodge." I like New York and am eager for a return trip. I have this wild idea that I'd like to live there for 3-6 months or more so I could experience what it is like to live that way. Having said that NYC always looks good in the rear view mirror.
Whatever this lacks in quality it has in quantity. Enjoy the risky video that follows. Whatever you do "don't attemt it at home."
Thanks Prof for jacking me up!
Shortchange Gene
To be truthful I was ticked at myself for not figuring out how to post the correct way. There is some German in me. My Dad told me I'm of "mongrel" background. So that allows me to be stubborn at times because it might be in my heritage. The video that follows is the result of perseverance.
Now to what led up to posting the video. Last week I was volunteered to take a family to NYC for some business. Their original appointment was at 8:30AM at the Federal Plaza. This is down in the south of Manhattan and close to the Tribeca area.
We were originally going to leave at 2AM so as to be there in plenty of time. Plus avoid the bulk of inbound rush hour traffic. The appointment had been changed to 10AM but they still wanted to leave at 2AM which we did arriving on the NYC side of the Holland around 5:30AM. At that point traffic was moderately comfortable. We parked and got some breakfast. Within an hour traffic was bumper to bumper with horns blowing and lots of drivers mouths going. Just as glad I was on the outside of their cars.
I will say that uniformed police and uniformed traffic police were doing a good job of keeping intersections open when traffic lights changed. In this area it was noticeable to me the different attitude toward the traffic police. I have been in other areas of the city where they were not obeyed or respected. I drove charter bus there for 3 years so I've seen plenty.
Some things are the same no matter where you are. Going into Mickey D's it was evident that there were several early morning "regulars" there. They all sat in one area and shared a paper. Their banter was centered around what was the hot item on the paper page they were looking at right then. One group would finish to be replaced with the next shift of people. Then there were those that were in a hurry and couldn't stand still. Or they had other problems.
After my charges headed for their appointment I walked around the area some. It was still rush hour. Maybe I should say it was the intense part of rush hour. It seems that it is rush hour all day in one sort or another. Mid morning the intensity lets up some. Then from 12 Noon it slowly builds to the evening rush hour.
Now, those that think their commute to work is too long think about this. At 6AM a Martz bus pulled up to a corner on Broadway and dropped off several passengers. They were commuter workers because in that stretch of Broadway you don't pull to the curb unless you are a bus. Martz is out of Wilkes Barre, PA and I know they run daily commuter buses to and from NYC. A bus company out of Allentown, PA does the same thing. Easily 60-80 buses between them. That may be a conservative number. We would see them parked all day on Manhattan's west side waiting till time for the return trip.
It seemed like everyone carried a lap top or a back pack or pulled a wheeled case of varying styles. There were people dressed to the hilt. There were the casual dressed. There were the blue collar clothes. But all had some sort of extra baggage.
A bit about Mickey D's. I have not been in a fast food in NYC that is styled any different. This one was 20-25 feet wide but very deep at the street/serving level. Minimal seating at the street level. The restroom was in the basement of which I have never found it different. Additional seating is on the second level. I got a free newspaper from a street box. Went in Mickey D's and got my "senior" coffee. Took both upstairs and found a single table right by the window that looks out on Broadway. Alternating sips of coffee, reading the paper and watching a sea of humanity rushing here and there I occupied my time. After awhile my charges came out the the building across the street.
After the necessary in preparation for an auto ride we retrieved my van from the parking garage to the tune of $38 + Tx and were on our way out of "Dodge." I like New York and am eager for a return trip. I have this wild idea that I'd like to live there for 3-6 months or more so I could experience what it is like to live that way. Having said that NYC always looks good in the rear view mirror.
Whatever this lacks in quality it has in quantity. Enjoy the risky video that follows. Whatever you do "don't attemt it at home."
Thanks Prof for jacking me up!
Shortchange Gene
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What I've accomplished.....Thinking
I spent 30 years inside the four walls of IBM. Great years and great experiences. Mr Watson was a great thinker which led to great innovations. So much so that on most desks was a plaque that simply said THINK in black letters on a white background. That was the company motto.
This class caused me to THINK outside my box. When you don't have to do much of something you can become stale. While I don't think I became stale I have become crusty or dry like bread. Stale to me is yuk, dead, rotten...... Crusty can be made into stuffing for a turkey or whatever.
Create a blog? What is that? Sounds like something other people would do. What"s in it for me?
Why would I want a blog. Obviously someone figured out there was something in it for me and offered to teach me how. Thank you!
In 2005 my wife and I took a cruise with our daughter and her husbands family to the Baltic. That story is for another blog. When we got home there were loads of digital photos to display. A friend of mine, a retired IBMer, left their computer behind when they retired. They asked me if I had a web site. A web site? I don't even have a blog. If I had one I could have sent some photos that way.
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to create a Blog. Unpleasantly surprised at how difficult it is to manipulate a blog at times. Actions I thought were supposed to happen didn't or are still floating in cyber waiting for me to find them. I surprised me at times too. Something would be happening I didn't want to happen. A little experimentation and "oh look, it isn't doing that anymore."
The photo experience was fun. I will share more pictures later on too. I learned how to share them with anyone that wants to look. Found out they can be enhanced in most any way you desire. I'm able to get them from Flickr into my posts but am doing so the long way. For some reason the "cut and paste" thing has not sunk into my skull. But I figured out how to work around my thickness. That in itself makes me feel good. At my age going the long way around is just going slower. I seem to be heading that way.
Taking the time to take this class has made me realize there is a whole world of things out there I might get involved in. I mentioned the violin in a previous blog. I actually got it out yesterday, tuned it up and drew a few strokes of the bow across the strings. Rusty? You betcha I am. I won't be touring Carnegie Hall for sure. Tour, I won't even be doing that. But just playing it the short time I did made me realize there is something more for this Old Dog.
Just realized this is a first for me. The first "online" class taken. Would I do it again? If it was something that interested me, you betcha. Might even be convinced to try something that didn't interest me just to broaden my horizons.
Till our next venture, Shortchange Gene
Posting You Tube
I attempted to post the video showing the little video box with the start arrow in it. After two attempts and getting an error message I'm posting it differently. If you go the this address you will find it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfOivQW_8 I used to think this was a "guy" activity until I attended a few activities of this nature. The "gals" are into it just as much if not more that the guys.
If my failure in posting with the little TV window in it keeps me from getting the prize, oh well, so be it. I don't buy lottery tickets either.
I think I know the trick to get the truck up in the air. Will be looking for you readers comments with your ideas of how. I might be wrong and you can tell me.
Shortchange Gene
If my failure in posting with the little TV window in it keeps me from getting the prize, oh well, so be it. I don't buy lottery tickets either.
I think I know the trick to get the truck up in the air. Will be looking for you readers comments with your ideas of how. I might be wrong and you can tell me.
Shortchange Gene
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
