First Spring Paddle On Nine Mile

Could this be the hill where Rhoda Loomis had her parties?


Bill with his Nine Mile Swamp Souvenir! A beaver chewed branch!

March 28th was a beautiful day and Nine Mile was Busy. I counted five canoeists and 4 kayakers including Bill and I. The canadian geese and the wood land ducks were nesting all along the shores of the swamp. They weren't to happy with us of course not knowing that we meant them no harm. It was a little erie listening to the trumpet like honking reverberating through out the leafless trees. Bill and I counted 3 productive beaver dams. You could also see where the beavers, when the swamp was frozen, would go out on the ice a trim up the hanging branches like little barbers trimming up bangs! I love nine mile swamp and its so interesting to see it in all the different seasons. In a few months there will be growth 8 feet high along the shore with all kinds of water lilies, dog wood and other plants which will block the view inland.
The waters were clear and cold with a pretty strong current kayaking out. The way back was much quicker of course going with the flow. I think we were out at least three hours. Every time I kayak Nine Mile I can't help but get sucked into the long ago life of the Loomis Gang. This spring kayak with all the plant life still struggling to grow allowed me to look into the woods and imagine where these rowdy cowboys hid the stolen horses. The swamp is actually a lake silted in so the surrounding are pretty flat and surrounded by a sparse population of homes and farms so its pretty quiet. You can hear cars on Route 12 in the distance. Other than that its mother nature in its finest. God's Pocket as Anna La Bastille would say. A penny for my thoughts

March And Happy Spring From The Sunny South Hamilton Gang!

First one up as usual. White rabbit in the flower bed and a mourning dove overhead.
Spring! The lawns are not yet green but the bulbs are pushing up shoots of green and yellow tired of being frozen in the dirt and hungry for warmth and sun. Like us all who live in Central New York. This winter has been a unusually long one. Just grinding!
I'm thankful to have been able to go to Florida if only for a week!
It was a windy week down there but warm! Bill and I hoisted up the kayaks once again and drove to DC to see Kelly and Steve and the boys! Had a grand time there watching Scooby Doo re-runs! I remembered the song and started singing it as I loved Scooby Doo when I was a kid! They are STILL playing the same episodes! Amazing. I also learned that Casey Kasem is the voice of Shaggy.
Bill and I rose up early the next day to get on the road. DC traffic is a horrendous thing. I found myself at one point in a layered landscape of bridges and ramps streaming with cars all going the same direction and with ONE person in each car. Driving at speeds of 80 miles an hour. I was white knuckling the dash in front of me. Amazing! I was petrified. Nothing like traffic in front of my house. Five cars tool on by in the morning on their way then the same tool on back in the evening. In the summer there are a swarm of horse trailors, tractors and manure spreaders and thats about it! One day I looked up and there in my window was a big red tractor trailer in front of my house with Budwiser printed on the side. A beer delivery man obviously lost. I went out and jokingly said that I would tell him how to get to route 12 for a case of Bud. He laughed. I told him where to go. No bud but thats ok as I can't stand the taste of Budwiser anyway.
Florida was fine. Walked everyday. I went garage sailing and bought a used diamond back 10 speed bike for 15 dollars! Florida wheels and she's a beaut! Red! Bill filled the tires with air and off I went!
I did the usual meal planning and cooking giving Bill's dad a break from the kitchen and me something to do.
Unfortunately the pool was just to cold to swim yet. I did get to jump the waves down on the beach the day before we left.
It was spring party weekend! Oh an the kids were out in full force! I'm pushing 50 here so it was entertaining to see all these beautiful young bodies clad in strings and tatooes! Guzzeling beers, challenging the waves and just having a great time!
We also got to kayak twice. Merritt Island was disappointing. Trash everywhere. Bill and I both agree New York's lakes, canals, swamps and river are much more scenic. I look forward to the first nine mile swamp kayak hopefully soon.
Last night I had the family over for a first spring dinner party! I pankoed up some Cod and baked it till it was moist and crispy.
I mixed up some homemade tartar sauce using my veganaise mayo with chopped green onion, touch of barbecue sauce and a few dashes of chipolte. Sweet potato fries and homemade cole slaw accompanied by a delish lasagna my mother brought. It was one good meal. The night began with wine on the front porch watching the cats play in the front yard and welcoming the geese as they flew in honking!
A fine time

HERstory 2009

I morphed into Rhoda Loomis for Mad Art's 3rd annual HERstory with calico cowgirl, Reyna Staganaro on the mandolin!
I'm pleased to say we were pretty durn good. My song "Ode To Anne" is quite a long story song and perhaps a wee bit wordy. People with ADHD would have a hard time with it. I pulled it off quite well if I do say so myself.
We were the first act up and left at intermission. I really wanted to stay through the whole event. Bill said the fog was pretty thick and driving wouldn't be easy so we got a quick bite to eat at Nichols and Beal and got on the road. Driving home from Hamilton was the WORST drive I ever had. I couldn't see ANYTHING all the way home the fog was so thick!
Here are a few shots from Ed took with Reyna''s camera. I had on my Oma apron for the sound check.