THE LAST FRIDAY IN APRIL...

is Arbor Day.

 We happen to have a community that knows how to participate.  Brockport has a Tree Board that has raised funds and planted trees since 2006.

 That woman taking the picture of me taking a picture of her is Margay Blackman (retired Professor of Anthropology at SUNY Brockport), the force behind these efforts.

 Today she had a LOT of help.

 A team from Buildings and Grounds (College).  Can you see Gary in there?  He is pretending that he works with them.

 Over 20 students were there from the High School along with a group of 4th graders.

Thank you Rosemary and Buck!  What a crew.

 There were also community members who helped.  Above, is Ian Blount, member of the tree board and designer of the Arbor Day t-shirts.  (Gary tries to get in all the pictures).

 Today 20 trees were planted (several near the college in celebration of it's 175th anniversary).

That brings the total up to 180!

 As you can see, these people were not afraid to get their hands and knees dirty.

 When I took this shot of Ray, Mary Pat, and Rich...Ray wanted to know if it was for worldwide publication  and I said "of course."  Feel free to leave a message for Ray!

In just a few hours, all was accomplished.  Cooperation....

Brockport is fortunate to have so many caring people.

Thank you Margay for all your inspiration.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY AND THE BIG FARM FRIEND BLOG HOP

7:45am at Skoog Farm.

Two days ago it was 80 degrees....yesterday 60....and this morning in the 40s.

Spring.

To view more beautiful skies and other farms around the world, click on the logos in my sidebar.
There are also many sky shots below, along with some info on The Erie Canal.  Check it out.

BLOW THE MAN DOWN!

 Last night we were spared.  The weather was not too bad.

 Around 60 when I went out to the barn....

 It was blowing....

 and blowing.....

 and blowing.

 Don't let those blue skies fake you out.

 The temperature was steadily dropping...

 the sun made it bearable.

 Must have been in slow...did not finish until 9:45.

The kitties were all snug in their hideouts.

 When they came into the house, Seymour headed straight for the dryer.  He must love the warmth.

 Phoebe

 and Gucci sacked out this afternoon.

How the blossoms are staying on the flowers is beyond me.

Is it like this at your house?

 A very unproductive day for me.  Too windy. When I went out to do chores, Masterpiece went down to roll.  He got up easily (now that his blanket is off).  What a good boy!  That bum knee does not help him at all.

 His youthful body has left him, now that he is 33.  He's lost the most muscle in his back end.

 

Abbe looks ready for a nap.

 

Over and out!

Night all.

PS....on my way to take a shower the sun was starting to set and I just had to get out my camera.  The wind had finally lost some of it's punch.

ONE OF NEW YORK STATES GREATEST TREASURES....THE ERIE CANAL

 Several years ago I came up with an idea called ART WALKS ON WATER.   I had been working with an Art & Aesthetics committee in our community to place public art in Brockport and wanted to take it a step further.  Thought it would be a great idea to have a piece of art in every port or waterfront along the 524 mile New York State Canal System.  230 towns.  The biggest art gallery in the world! 

A presentation was made to the Canal Corporation and they thought it was a good idea.  By then, we had placed an 18' sculpture next to the Welcome Center, which sits near the Erie Canal.

 100 volunteers man this Welcome Center 7 days a week, registering boaters and giving visitors information about the area.  Generally the Canal opens May 1st.

 If you have been following my Journal, this sculpture should look familiar.  It was produced my our friend Bill Stewart....you have seen many of his pieces in our house and out in the yard.

This one is called "Howdeeee."  It is 18 feet tall,  made of metal, and greets all the boaters as they visit our port.

This is one of the packet boats that can be rented through Mid Lakes Navigation.  They are generally rented for 1 week at a time to people who have first passed a "driving" test.
Generally there are bikes on board so the passengers can go exploring at each port.

The Canal Corporation invited me to speak at a conference after they learned of my idea and it was the first of many.  Numerous communities have made an effort to place public art near the canal, but so far the most successful efforts have come through Mark DeCracker and his project....Mural Mania.  (Check out what has been accomplished on the website below).

Yesterday I received a phone call from H.B., who was one of my biggest supporters.  Although I have not been actively campaigning over the past year or so, progress has been made.  She works for the Erie Canalway Heritage Corporation Commission.

"The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and staff, in partnership with the National Park Service, collaborate with communities and organizations to preserve and interpret our heritage, invite visitors to explore what makes us unique, and ensure a vibrant future for the 2.7 million NewYorkers who call the Erie Canalway home."

Their website: http://eriecanalway.org
is an encyclopedia of information that can introduce you to the many sites and activities available along this waterway.  For example, once you get on the site, go to EXPLORE and click on the ARTS.
Enjoy and learn.

To be continued.