Sometimes Cloudy, Then Sunny

6:29

7:16

8:53

Fishing Off Woodlawn Creek

It's just after 7:00 and the sky is starting to lighten to the north, but is still gray to the southeast. It's surprisingly warm, 58º at the moment but it won't get much warmer during the day. It rained quite a bit last night, an inch and a half but today looks to be partly cloudy but dry. It's 9:04 and I paddled for an hour, in sunshine, darkness, two or three drizzles, and one pouring rain. I loved it. 

Woodlawn

Kayak Morning

Northern Sky

Southeastern Sky

Blue Northern Sky

Yesterday was a typical Saturday except Evie was in Phoenix, celebrating with her sisters, her Step Mother Dorothy's Life.

Sisters

I was up early, too early, and waited for some light, for the sun to rise before I went out for a paddle. I was rewarded with photos of a couple of herons and a beautiful morning sky. I knew I wanted to get in a bike ride despite the heavy wind warnings so I was on my way to drop off the trash by 9:30, after finishing the blog of course. I then drove to Lakewood, and did a quick run through Wegman's, picking up a few things for the next few days lunch and dinner. I was home by 11:30, put things away, and then drove to MayvilleKy to ride. I biked Webb's Trail, then Sea Lion Drive easily, but the last leg back to Mayville Park was into a 20 to 30-mile-an-hour wind. I literally stood still at times. While I was struggling, I could tell someone was behind me, coming fast and I thought they must have an electric bike. Nope, just a young woman pedaling easily past this old man. Ah, youth,

Biking Through Leaves

I was home by 1:00 and it was lunchtime. Earlier, before my trip to Wegman's I made a pot of Manechevitz split pea soup. It's easy, looks like gruel, and is tasteless. Still, I ate it along with a turkey and cheese sandwich. I watched some football and wondered what I was going to do the rest of the afternoon. It was too windy to kayak or even go for a walk in the woods so I read and napped briefly. I watched some football when I was tired of reading but then, at 4:00, I went out and raked dead fall from our willow tree for twenty minutes, courtesy of the high winds. Once I filled another pail with deadfall, I mowed the front yard, as leaves whirled around me from the wind gusts. Once I was done, the yard looked great and Evie would be proud. 

Windy Afternoon

Dinner was easy, just heat up the leftover chicken parm, rolls and make a salad. I have to admit it was not as good as the night before but it filled me up. I watched the third Salander film, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. Once that was over, I watched a couple of innings the World Series and watched Philadelphia go ahead by one on a home run by Kyle Schwarber, then fall behind on a three run home run over the center field fence by Cuban born Yordan Alvarez, and that was the game. I also watched a few minutes of the Alabama/LSU game but missed the overtime win by LSU. 

Moon Over Chautauqua Lake

An Amazing Sunset From My Sister In Law Claire's Home in Gilbert, AZ

A Colorful Lake Morning

7:15

7:43

It's just about 7:00 as I start this and I have been up since 5;50, alas. It's still dark and to be honest, I am looking forward to Daylight Savings Time on Sunday. The sky will lighten an hour earlier and I can kayak by 7:15. I was surprised by how nice it was on the lake this morning, a light wind, spectacular sky, and a couple of herons, 

Kayak Morning

Into The Sun

Lots of Gaggles Of Migrating Geese

Heron In The Leaves

A Wading Heron

Friday was a strange day, mostly because Evie was in Phoenix with her sisters. I thought back and I don't think we have been apart since I retired in 2009. 

Evie And Her Sisters In Arizona

Where ever we traveled, whatever we did, we did together so it's strange to be home alone. I tend to keep the same routine but it's not the same without Evie's 'good mess' in the kitchen, making lunch or prepping dinner, and me cleaning up. I guess what I am saying: I don't like being 'home alone.' 

That being said, I did enjoy my Friday because it was a sunny and surprisingly warm day, one where I spent a good deal of it outside. I kayaked for close to an hour, as usual, and came home and finished the blog, read it twice, then had my breakfast. I made up my mind to keep busy but did not head to Bemus to bike until 11:30. I think I was so late to bike because I was trying to finish my book, The Winners. Anyways, I rode Lakeside Drive, Long Point State Park, and ran into Joe and Jan once again. We seem to pick the same day, time, and trail. It was a good ride although I worked up a sweat going out, was chilled heading back because of the wind. Fortunately, I brought my backpack with an extra fleece in case I needed it. 

Long Point Blue

Trail Of Leaves

I was not home until 1:00 and had lunch, Evie's cauliflower soup which I defrosted, a can of sardines and crackers, easy and healthy. I watched the first episode of an old HBO series called Boardwalk Empire. Once I was through with lunch, I was determined to finish my book before it expired and I literally just finished it as it disappeared from my Kindle. I really liked it, The Winners, part of Backman's trilogy about hockey in a small town in Sweden. I also recommend his A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, both made into films by the way. Here's a brief description of The Winners: 

“Keep it simple,” Backman writes. “That’s a common piece of advice in hockey, as it is in life.” He goes on: “The problem with both hockey and life is that simple moments are rare. All the others are a struggle.” In straightforward prose, Backman explores these other moments — including ones involving sexual assault, homophobia, xenophobia, child abuse and hockey fanaticism.

Once I finished it, I napped briefly then decided to get something done in the yard because the leaves from our tulip tree had made a mess of our side yard. So I got out the mower and spent a half hour mulching the leaves, saving the front yard for later today. It's still too dark to see what the yard looks like but because of the winds, I am sure lots more leaves have fallen. 

By 6:00, I was on my way to the Seezurh House in Bemus, meeting Linda and Ron for dinner. We were surprised at how empty the bar was on a Friday night but it was noisy as ever. I usually order the fish fry but decided to go crazy and ordered the chicken parm which was really good, enough so that I will have it for dinner tonight. It was fun to see Linda and Ron and we both have trips planned. They are going to Philadelphia and we are heading West to Dallas and Kansas City in ten days. It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away. I was home by 8:15 and watched The Girl Who Played With Fire, the second in a trilogy featuring Lisbeth Salander. It was not over until 10:30 when I went up to read and hopefully fall asleep. 

Home Alone

6:58

7:32

7:33

Well, it's another brilliant morning of blazing sunshine, the reflection on the lake blinding. I kayaked for close to an hour but basically chased Canadian geese, no eagles or herons, alas. Still, it was a beautiful morning on the lake except for the duck hunters whose shotguns sounded like cannons. 

Kayak Morning

Looking North Towards Woodlawn

Yesterday was a different sort of day, starting with an early waking, then an hour and a half drive to the Buffalo Airport. Evie was flying to Phoenix for six days, meeting with her sisters. Flying is not her favorite way to travel but she seemed fairly copacetic. What do you think? 

Anyways, she seemed to enjoy it because of a couple of fellow passengers. At least the flights were on time and she seemed cool and could smile.

Loving it?

While she was in the air, I was on my way to Devil's Hole State Park, on the Niagara River. What should have been a forty-five-minute drive ended up being an hour and fifteen minutes because I forgot to check highways on my Apple app, So I ended up driving through every neighborhood in Buffalo until I reached the park. Actually, it was fun and enlightening as the neighborhoods were all well taken care of and many of them reminded me of bungalows in Euclid where I grew up.

Finally

Gorge Trail

Niagara River

Whirlpool Bridge

About eight or nine years ago, I took this same bike ride, on a trail along the Niagara River all the way to American Falls. It's about five miles one way, at times only a few bushes separate the trail from a two-hundred-foot cliff. Needless to say, I was a bit uncomfortable getting so close so, at times, I left the trail and took another biking path, farther from the Niagara Gorge. 

The Falls

Rapids

Looking Towards Canada

Niagara River

I rode around the Niagara Falls State Park, then out to Goat Island and back, seemingly the only tourist on a bike. I relaxed at the Falls and had my lunch, a peanut butter, and jelly sandwich, and Fritos (thanks to Evie). I then biked back to Devil's Hole State Park, passing a few hikers, but no bikers. 

Beer Time

I then headed home, via highways, across the Grand Island Bridges, to Interstate 90, stopping at Exit 58 to get cheap gas at the Seneca Nation gas station, then browsed at a great country western store, almost buying a pair of waterproof shoes but 12's were too small, 13's too big, the story of my life. I then stopped in Fredonia, at the Tuscany Market but again, I walked out empty-handed.  On my way home, we always said let's stop and get a beer at the Stockton Hotel but never did it. Well, I did it and had a beer with two guys and a very talkative gal behind the bar. 

Evie And Her Sisters, Jean and Claire, Gilbert, Arizona

I didn't get home until after 4:00 but happy with the way my day went. I relaxed on the couch, napped briefly, and read my book until dinner time at 7:00 when I heated up a wedge of moussaka and a roll. It hit the spot. I decided to rewatch the Swedish version of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo for some reason and it was a good way to while away time before bed. I also watched a bit of NFL football and read some in bed, It was an interesting day.

Early Rising

7:11

7:21

It's almost 7:00 and we are both up enjoying our coffee, a second cup for Evie. The shoreline is just becoming visible, with an almost imperceptible glow. It's 42º and should get up into the 60s on another sunny fall day. We are off to the Buffalo airport at 9:00 because Evie is flying to Phoenix today to visit her sisters until next Wednesday. What am I going to have for lunch and dinner? 

Kayaking Yesterday Morning

Fog Lifting

Yesterday was a long day for me because it was too foggy to kayak before 10:00 and yoga was canceled so I was bored with nothing to do except have another cup of coffee, read more bad news about the democrat chances in the upcoming election, and finish the blog. By 10:00, the fog had lifted enough for me to see Long Point so I went out for a half hour. I did see an eagle but once again, he was scared off as I pulled out my camera. After kayaking, I did a few things around the house then drove to Lakewood, stopping at the bank and Aldi's, picking up a few things for the week. 

When I got home, Evie was in the process of making a moussaka, having roasted the eggplant and made a meat sauce. She took time out to make me a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and I watched my show although I am tired of it. Neither of us did much the rest of the afternoon. I read and read hoping to finish my book by tomorrow when it's due. Evie relaxed and did some wash, making sure I have everything I need for the next couple of days. I did get outside at  3:30 because it was such a beautiful afternoon, with not a ripple on the lake. I mowed, raked, and took more leaves and twigs up the hill, trying to keep up with the leaves.

3:42

We did have a nice happy hour, with Fritos, dip, and popcorn, and enjoyed a Manhattan, to celebrate Evie's trip. The moussaka was cooking while we were enjoying the late afternoon so after our drinks, all Evie had to do was plate the moussaka and we had a great dinner. We watched the final two episodes of Kleo on Netflix, then Jeopardy, and ended the night with some of the Cavs/Celtics basketball game although we missed the fourth quarter and overtime. Fortunately, I have it saved. 

Fog In The Morning

7:32

It's just after 7:00, still pitch black out there and I have been up since 6:00, alas, unable to go back to sleep. The morning looks cloudy but it may clear up some in the afternoon. I won't count on it. There was a heavy fog warning for our area so I may have to put off kayaking for a bit. Unfortunately, yoga had been canceled so it looks like I will have a long morning. When I stepped outside at 7:30, to take my first photo I was greeted by the sound of a leaf blower, the bane of neighborhoods nationwide. 

The Boys

Yesterday began with a brief paddle because of the drizzle and the fact that I was leaving for breakfast in Erie with my good friend, Stan. We were meeting basketball buddies from our college and coaching days at Bob Evans in Erie, just off the Peach Street exit. We try to do this twice a year. Needless to say, it's always fun getting together with these guys and reminiscing about the good old days when we played and coached. Three of them grew up together in East Cleveland, John and Don, both played for John Carroll and coached many years in either Cleveland or Painesville. Obviously, we had lots to talk about, many memories of playing together after our college careers in Cleveland leagues, and when I was the basketball coach at Reserve, we played both Don and John's teams a couple of times. So we have lots of memories. We sat around after breakfast, in no hurry to get home but finally, we were on our way home by 11:30, vowing to see each other again in Spring. 

Heron Wading

I was home around 12:30 and Evie was happy to hear that I did not want lunch. She had been busy catching up on laundry and starting to pack for her trip to Phoenix tomorrow, always an onerous task, trying to figure out what to bring and packing it all in a carry-on suitcase. Good luck. I am trying to finish my book, The Winners (670 pages) before Friday when it is due. So read, napped briefly of course, read some more than got fed up with sitting around the house and went for a walk around the Victoria/Woodlawn woods as the drizzle had abated. I was out for about 35 minutes, covering a mile and a third, just enough. 

Victoria Creek

Fallen Leaves, Barren Trees

Blue Skies

Evie had a Zoom call with her sisters and finalized their plans to meet in Phoenix, the first time all four will get together in a number of years. After the call, Evie made another pan of mushroom gravy, added the rest of the rotisserie chicken, and served it with mashed potatoes for our dinner. Yum, just like in a diner. We started another film but ended up not liking it much so ended up as usual, with Colbert, Jeopardy, and another episode of Kleo and that was it for the night.

Wet and Warming

7:38

8:33

It's still dark at 7:05 and I have been up since 6:30. I woke to a drizzle, a wet but warm morning of 53º. It supposedly will rain on and off most of the morning then stop but still be overcast. At 9:00, I am being picked up by my friend Stan and we are going to Erie for breakfast with a couple of friends, both basketball players from high school and college. We try to get together once or twice a year and trade stories. It's just starting to turn gray and I wonder what it would be like to kayak with a headlamp? I did get in a 25-minute paddle, in a light drizzle but the lake was like glass, not a ripple, not a boat. I loved it. 

Kayak Morning

Long Point

Northern Sky

Solitary Loon

Yesterday was not much fun. For one thing, I didn't get in a paddle because of the rain. And we had to be downtown Jamestown by 9:15 for a doctor's appointment for Evie. She is still having trouble with her back so not only did she see a doctor but got a blood test and three X-rays. Fortunately, I was able to have breakfast at the Allen Street Diner just across the street from the hospital while she was busy. And Evie was lucky to get both her X-ray and blood test done in a reasonable time despite the fact the hospital was busy.  We then stopped at Wegman's on the way home and did a quick run-through, catching up on staples and picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner. 

Neat, Little Diner

We were home by noon and Evie made a couple of ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch to go with a bow of ramen. I watched my show, Endeavor which is surprisingly literary. Morse, after all, attended Oxford, and his knowledge of everything is vast. Neither of us did much for most of the afternoon, either watching TV, reading or trying to nap. I find if I sleep in, I rarely nap. By 4:00, however, I went outside and got a few things done, the worst, raking the leaves from behind our garage. I easily filled up a couple of pails of leaves and it's the second time in a week I cleaned out the garage gutter. 

By 5:30, Evie had homemade gravy made for our chicken dinner and we were able to relax in the living room with a glass of wine before dinner. We had mashed potatoes to go with the chicken and gravy as well as a salad. We started another series on Netflix called Godless, set in the Wild West and of course, we were not impressed. We then watched Jeopardy's Champion Week, a Hometown, and the first half of the Browns game. They actually won it I saw this morning.   Yay!