ST. ROCCO'S ITALIAN FESTIVAL...

Every summer, this little sandstone church holds a GIGANTIC event in the quiet hamlet of Hulberton.  The hours....12-6pm.  We got there at 12:25 and had to park almost half a mile away!  The three main events are eating, Bocce and music.  What a classic affair.  First we bought tickets (I should say our friend Judy bought tickets) that we could use to buy the food. The most popular item is eggplant parm and people like us drive many miles to get it. We tried shells with sauce and cheese, Italian sausage with peppers and onions and left with some fried dough.  They also had a farm market and sold baked items (we participated in both of those departments). At 1pm a three piece began started playing and people were dancing on the grass.  I was found by Christy, a friend of Jenny's that has become a very good friend of mine.  Every year her husband Paul participates in the Bocce Tournament and we like to support his team.  Believe me, there are some 100% Italian speaking, golden oldies who give these younger guys a run for their money.  It makes you think that you are back in the old country. Just another "out of the movies" experience that you get when you live in this area.

ON THE WAY HOME....

When we went over the bridge in Hulberton, the Canal was serene.  When we were ready to go over the bridge in Brockport, there was a boat waiting to pass.  Perfect day for boating, and once again there were some biggies parked at the Welcome Center.  Won't we have fun when we get our canoe out there...

MORNING SUN

Chilly with fog down to the ground.  In no time, the sun burned it off and the day is beautiful.

FOR THE COYOTE....

It's happening before 8 o'clock now!

TIPPY CANOE AND THE SKOOGERS TWO....

Well!  Did we have fun this afternoon.  We drove out to Waterport to what must be the canoe and kayak capitol of the world.  Every color, every size and made from all different materials.

Looked at all the options and Gary settled on a Wenonah Fisherman, 14', Forrest Green canoe.

We will have a third seat put in it and will be able to paddle or row it.  I am so psyched!  We went for a trial run in their pond and it moved through the water so easily.  Of course Phoebe went with us and did very well...she has never been in a boat of any kind.  I did not take my camera or purse since there was always the possibility of going overboard.  I grew up on a lake and rowed my brains out.  Also sailed....but no experience with a canoe.  We look forward to going on the canal, lake and local creeks.  ...and I'm sure the grandkids will all love it. Yoohoooo..... 

DRIVING THROUGH ALBION...

The architecture in this village shows off the beautiful sandstone that is found in this area.

AND WHAT WAS WAITING FOR US WHEN WE GOT HOME YESTERDAY AFTERNOON?

A few days ago I called a Tree Service Company that has delivered us tons and tons of wood chips over the past several years.  They did not call back, but I can be patient.  When we got home after an appointment yesterday, there sat a dump truck full of chips directly in front of the entrance to the paddock!  One HUGE pile.  You could not even walk around it without shoveling some of them out of the way...and this is the gate the grain delivery man goes through to get to the barn!  What were they thinking?  I could not get a wheelbarrow of manure around it!!!  Even though we were having company for dinner in 2 1/2 hours, I decided it was time to move some of this stuff.  Because the chips were much nicer than usual, I put them in the run in part of the horse barn.  When I get my next load of sawdust, it will go on top.  It looks great, we shall see if the horses like it.  Today, we will be forced to move the rest of the pile one wheelbarrow at a time...and they thought we had a front loader!!!

TODAY'S WEATHER....

Started out grey, and now it is getting sunny with some steam.

AROUND THE FRONT PADDOCK...

  

Our front paddock is covered with cement.  It was there for cows that lived here over 50 years ago, and the first thing I wanted to do was remove it!  Am I glad we didn't.  Gradually it has built up with dirt, and now grass is starting to grow on it...if I'm lucky, it will be totally filled in next year.  When it is wet out there, the mud can only get so deep.  As you can see, the horses have their own backboard.

THE MORNING NEWS

I have a little tv in the feed room (out in the barn) and I listen to talk shows and news while I am doing chores.  Before I went out this morning, I got a comment from Gayle who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska.  People up there seem to really like Governor Sarah.  On the news today I learned more about her...she played basketball in high school, is an excellent marksman, was on the cover of Vogue a short time ago and her nickname was "Baracuda."  Then I heard Newt say that she was exciting and Joe Biden was boring.  John (the Maverick) McCain was not going to pick someone boring.  Being a woman does not mean that Hillary supporters will automatically swing over to support her.  Hillary had and still has a huge following because of what she stands for, not just because she is a woman.  There is absolutely no comparison.  Yet, people have every right to make choices....just don't underestimate the minds of the women in this country...they know the difference.

FRIDAY MORNING (LATE POST)

Cool and grey ....ended up warm and muggy....

CANALSIDE...

A lot of big boats today.  Bikes are available for no charge at the Welcome Center, as are wagons (if someone wants to take one to the grocery store).