Thursday, May 24, 2012

I have been in deep thought this week about our writing assignment for the Sinclairville Writers Circle.  We had to come up with an analogy similar to Forest Gumps quote of "life is like a box of chocolates...."  Well after some long quiet hours, although not so quiet due to the many books on cd I listen to, I have finally come up with an answer to the assignment.  Here it is world, are you ready?  "Life is like a carousel ride."

Here is my reasoning, I thought of child on the carousel, everytime they go around they always act surprised and happy to see the parent still standing in the same place.  Isn't life like a carousel ride for adults as well?  No matter what we do, what new seat we decide to take it all comes full circle, and yet we are always surprised at the ending.  For example, this year I have a new car, a new route for the eab trapping; and yet I keep seeing the same areas over again.  I am always surprised to see them, but the funny thing is they have not moved, but I have.  A few weeks ago I was in deep thought about the "what ifs" in life, you know what if I did.... or i did not do.....  Now I wonder, would it all have wound up the same way?  A different seat on the carousel, and yet the same outcome.  Maybe I would have gone a little bit higher on another seat or adventure but in the long run it would have all resulted at the same end.  I could have got off in a different location, but if I got back on I would have still ended up surprised that it still goes in a circle and I will see the same result.  Hmmmm, makes you wonder doesn't it?  I spend way too much time alone in the car.

Speaking of the car, a funny thing happened today.  Here I am going along minding my business somewhere in Schoharie County and up ahead I see a large black animal walking along the side of the road.  Now this is a remote area keep in mind.  So my first thought is, damn that is a big black bear, hmmm what are you suppose to do when you are in your car and you see a bear?  I need to get to my next trap, so I am going to keep going, I am bigger so it needs to worr,y not me.  Besides my car needs a new paint job anyhow.  As I get closer though I realize it is not a bear, .........it is a cow.  Just a small wee little cow, but a cow just the same.  So I cautiously pull up next to it, I can see it now, I worry that the cow will get scared and it runs into the car and causes alot of damage.  It happens to my mom with deer, it could happen with me with a cow, right?  Now here is the funny thing, the cow just turns around and keeps following me, it ran right next to the car.  Apparently in Schoharie County they don't just have black labs that run next to your car, they have cows that run next to your car.  I sat there and just kept driving and I started to laugh my head off.  Of course the camera was in a box in the backseat, so I don't have a picture so you will have to just believe me.

The scary animal encounter though of the day, was also in the backwoods of Schoharie County.  After drinking alot of water and tea and being alone, I decided to ....well you know.   Just as I was getting ready, under my feet the grass started to slither.  Yup, there was a snake right under my boot and it was not happy.  Needless to say I crossed the road to take care of business and from now on, I will always look twice on the side of the road before I drop my drawers.

I hope you have enjoyed my adventures and deep thoughts of the week.  By the way Rebecca was an excellent book and I would highly recommend it along with All quiet on the western front.  But Main street by Sinclair, not so much.  Till next week, where we will be touring the mohawk valley and west to syracuse.


Toodles.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Good bye Vermont, hello New York.  It is now day nine on the road and I must say that I do believe I am going crazier.  Yesterday while working in the high peaks I found on top of a small peak a playground for giants.  There is no other explanation for what I saw, which I do apologize I did not take any pictures of due to the fog and rain.  But right there on top of the hill were piles of boulders systematically spaced in a circle in a large field.  The first thing that came to mind was that they must be playing a marbles game and I had interrupted them mid game.  Now this will give you an idea as to how tired I am, I honestly had to pull over and figure out what the next logical move would be for the giants.  I kid you not. 
Now on another note I was so happy to find a natural food store outside of Stowe the other day.  It was just north of Wilmington and south of Stowe, sorry I don't remember the name of that little town.  But this store had so many really cool items.  I picked up goji berries, hemp milk, hemp seed, Mocha Stout beer, and Kombucha.  I was the happiest over getting the Kombucha, I had read about it in the raw cookbooks and I was not able to find it anywhere around home.  I decided to save it for my breakfast for the next day, I figured it would be a great way to start the day full of energy.  Boy was I wrong.  I took one sip of the drink and I just about threw it up right away.  It has to be the most awful thing in the world, why do people drink this?  The only thing it gave me energy for was to run really fast to the bathroom.  Ugghhh, so three donuts, a glass of cider, and two muffins later I think my system has absorbed enough other stuff to flush the Kombucha out of my system. 
So after a day filled with excitement I guess the message of the day is, learn how to play  marbles with the giants and stay away from Kombucha.  By the way, the next player has to hit the third pile from the right and that will break up two of the other players and he will get the most marbles.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mothers Day everyone.  As I travel through Vermont, for the sixth day in a row, I saw a sight today that made me stop and think.  I am not sure where exactly where I was, somewhere on the east side of the state.  The area was devastated last year by Hurricane Irene.  There are still bridges that are out, and homes that are still laid in ruin.  What struck me today was the sight of a lone man in a cemetery.  He was hunched over and so small looking.  I could not tell if he was visiting the grave of his own mother or maybe the mother of his children.  It made me pause though in my busy traveling day, and be thankful.  Thankful for my own mother.  Thankful for the time I had with my grandmothers.  Thankful for those moms that have helped me raise two wonderful boys.  Thankful for being a mom myself. 
So on this day, it took one lone man without saying a word to me, to make me be thankful.  As you go through your day or travel near and far, stop for just a moment.  Take a breathe and hug those that are dear to you.  I am sure that lone man did hug those that are dear to home when he could, but today and he stood in a cemetery and talked to them through his own thoughts.  I am sure he would give anything to hold those dear to him.  So out of respect to him and his lesson, go and hug someone and tell them that you love them.

What are you waiting for?  Go hug someone :)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Vermont is very beautiful this time of year.  The flowers are in bloom, the trees are just coming alive and the peepers are singing.  But as I admire the sites my belly keeps telling me to feed it.  Thankfully in every town there is a country store or deli.  On day two of being Vermont I noticed a large and attractive deli located in North Bennington, called Powers Market.  It is a large white building that sits on a corner, the eye catching element though was the green striped awning.  Something about it told me that it was calling my name for dinner.  So after a long day of hanging purple traps in the lower half of Washington County I stopped by the Powers Market.  I was not disappointed, nor will you be when you stop by.
On first entering the deli, take a look to your left at all the really neat books on the shelf above the counter.  Upon closer inspection most of them were by local authors and many old playbills.  They have a wide variety of specialty sandwiches, ranging from vegetarian to the meat lover.  For me, I choose the Red, white and blue.  It is a sub with roast beef, marinated red peppers and a horseradish sauce with blue cheese. Now the sauce is a combination that normally I would look at it and say, " what were they thinking?"  They were thinking double yummy.  Now either I was really hungry, or that sub was really good, but it did not last more than ten minutes. 
Now to pick something to wash it all down with, just head to the back of the store.  There you will find lots of beverages, ranging from sodas, coconut water, and many adult beverages.  Oh all the decisions, I don't now if I am up to the challenge.  But the thirst had to be quenched, and the Blue Fin Stout won out. 
If you should ever find yourself traveling through North Bennington, stop at the Powers Market. You will not leave hungry nor thirsty.  If you do though, well then, take a drive up to Castleton, VT and visit the depot station.  Its only a drive of two hours.  But I will tell you more through pictures of that deli,.....tomorrow. 

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The start of a great adventure

I am very lucky to have the job that I have, I do not say this tongue and cheek, but with all seriousness.  It has allowed me to spend time with my boys, during most of the year, and it has allowed me to satisfy the gypsy that dwells deep within me.  I have known about the gypsy for years, but it has not raised its head till the past seven years; and now it is trying to be heard even more.  So, I gladly listen to it, and when a job comes up that I am able to travel, I grab my suitcase and run away with it. 
This trip I am gone for ten whole days.  That is alot of time to be away from the boys, but thank goodness for Skype.  We are able to still do our reading at bedtime and interact with each other,which consist of making  goofy faces at each other to keep us laughing.  I hope my room mates will enjoy Mrs. Piggle Wiggle as much as the boys do, because they will hear the last three chapters for the next few nights.  We are traveling to Vermont for the next eight days, and I do mean all of Vermont.  I will get to see everything from Bennington to St Albans and everywhere in between.  I wonder how many red barns  will I see?

Yesterday I traveled out to Bennington from Western New York in the most unpleasant of weather, Rain, Rain and more Rain; atleast it wasn't snow. It is better to have the rain on a travel day than on a working day.  It is not very pleasant to be raising your pole fifteen feet into the air to hang a trap that has metal on it during a lightning storm, nor as the rain is pelted into your eyes.

But as I traveled , it was not the mountains that tugged at my heart as I approached Bennington, but it was a valley that almost made the steering wheel make a sharp right hand turn.  The Mohawk Valley to be precise.  During the past seventeen years the Mohawk Valley has become a second home for me, and for my boys.  Where else can you go to dig for diamonds, be intrigued by the Erie Canal, tour a gun manufacturer( which i still have not done) and rediscover your love of baseball?  As you crest the hill on Route 90 heading east and begin your decent into the valley, it is hard not to have a smile cross your face. 
If you are hungry while you are visiting the Mohawk Valley, there are alot of great choices.  From the chicken riggies to the thin crust pizzas, there is something for everyone.  I can not tell you all of my favorites, and some of my not so favorites, this time.  So the best advice I can give you is, stay tuned and I will share with you all the wonderful adventures that this gypsy has while quenching the thirst and hunger of adventure, demanded by the gypsy within me.  Together we will share with you the dairy barns, diners, hotels, bars, tourist traps and hotels as we travel all over the place.  Tomorrow I will share the really neat and yummy food and drink I found in North Bennington this afternoon. 
Cheers everyone and thank you for coming  along on the adventure, with me and my gypsy.