cemetery visit
Topic: cemetery
Hazel and I made a cemetery visit today to do a little housekeeping in the children's section. Afterwords we were in no hurry to get home, so we decided to drive around a little and see if we could find some relatives to say hello to. On one sweep around we chanced upon a solitary old man sitting near a new grave. He was dressed neatly with a white ball hat and a white shirt. He was sitting facing a new grave, slumping over. As we watched from a distance, the slump became more exaggerated and we could watch no more. We left him alone to finish his visit. We both agreed, as we talked about it later, that the old man probably would not have to be alone too long before he would join her. It seems to work that way often, especially if the man is the survivor. Hazel and I have been together as kids and now old folks for over fifty years, and if I am the one left here alone, I am sure it would work that way for me. The loneliness I think would be unbearable for me. Hazel and I still talk to each other constantly every day and when the silence comes, if it comes that way for me, I would not want to stay long here alone. Hazel, I am sure, will be waiting to catch me up on all the news.

Here is the picture I sort of promised last night.

On the Road and Punta Gorda news
Topic: On the Road
All is well in Punta Gorda, if you can forget having to put your house back together and having to deal with builders, repairmen, insurance companies, and people trying to make a quick buck out of someones misfortunes. But everyone is well, but no air conditioning, or electricity at all, no running water, just about all the stuff we take for granted on a daily basis. But the kids, after having the bejesus scared out of them are back to normal having a good time on the beach as the parents have to find housing for about a month. But if someone asks them 'how was your weekend?' think of all they will have to say.

Here at home, we decided to do a little hiking today and try one of the trails we discovered near Kenyon college a week or so ago. As I think I mentioned, Hazel and I used to be 'walkers' and prided ourselves on logging in quite a few miles. But time and circumstances change things, (is that what is otherwise known as s--- happens?). I now have scrap metal in my hip and Hazel since having to undergo a meniscus repair on her knee has developed blazing arthritis in the knee, so we have had to scale back our hiking to a walk, but if you want to do it badly enough you'll do it, and we really do enjoy it even though we probably go about a fifteenth of the distance we used to do. Anyway we walked up a trail through 'Grassland' going up hill. Above the Grassland is what they call their Pine forest. We could not make it that far as the joints were screaming, but next time we will.

I want to share a picture Hazel took in the Grasslands that I think is quite pretty.

Well, it won't let me for some reason; only nerd's with more knowledge than me would understand, so I will show it next time, I hope.

Topic: punta gorda
As you know the hurricanes ground zero was Punta Gorda where my son and family live. They survived with no injuries except property damage. The town was pretty much torn apart though. I am sure the army will arrive today to assist and whatever else they will have to do. My son etal are going to a friend in Naples where they have water and did not get hit too bad. They will need a place where they can have a quiet moment or two and attend to themselves before they face what will be a large task getting things back in order.

Topic: punta gorda
We're a bit concerned today about the storm in Florida. This is our sons first storm since moving there and we don't know if they will stay home and ride it out, or get out of there as the governor is requesting.

3:38p.m. Now we are really worried. I contacted them and they are going to ride it out and they have upped the storm to category 4 and they live in the Port Charlotte area, right in the path of the damn thing.

Mohican State Forest
Topic: Mohican State Forest
We took ourselves to Mohican State Forest for a little walking excursion. It was a beautiful day, warm with a little breeze on occasion. Our legs were tested now and then as the terrain is a lot of ups and downs. In some places on the lake side of the trail, if you were a little inebriated or just stupid, the fall could be a tad hurtful. In some places it is straight down almost to the water. On the other side of this rail fence was one of those places.

Below on the lake the boats were pulling things, people, or just going bat out of hades. Looked like fun.

Back near the lodge was this bridge that was begging for Hazel to pose on it, so I coaxed her and she reluctantly agreed. Isn't she cute. Just above here was the lodge where swimming, shuffle boarding, and wine drinking was going on. We think we may book a room next month and enjoy a few of what they offer.

County Fair
Topic: County Fair
Today Hazel, her sister Joyce, and I found our way to the County Fair. Expectations to see something new are not too high as it's the same year in and year out, but it is a quintessential American small town event. It should be taken in slowly with it's events and aroma's. Pure down home, farm celebrating moments that probably are the same now as they were fifty years ago. For us non-farm types, the aroma's sometimes are a little acute but that's all part of it. We looked in on the Senior Queen judging and it was a pleasure listening to the ladies reminiscing about a long life.

No event would be complete without the bingo game and the fair was no exception.

We chanced upon the Calliope player in between her musicales and she let Hazel take her picture. Her hat caught our eyes.

And last but not least we took in all the animals and a judging or two. As we were leaving Hazel took this horses pic and he seemed to be saying we shouldn't be butting our NOSES in their private time and stuck his nose out at us to illustrate his disdain.

It was fun.

On the Road(s)
Topic: On the Road
In the last week, Hazie my friend (also my wife) has had us on the road(s). We have had some setbacks in recent times which makes it harder for us to walk like we used to. But this year we have just scaled everything back, but are still able to get out and about. Hazel is becoming quite handy with her camera, which is good, but it is bad for me because she captures me mostly in my best position, sitting down.

On the Kokosing path they have this plant conservation area right off it and a little pond and some nice chairs in the sun. Could you resist?

On our Lake Erie outing she snapped me sitting down again on a less comfortable rock, but look at that ship behind me, doesn't it look curved?




Our last 'walk' was at Malabar farm when the weather was great. You can notice the path a little in this picture.




Well that ends the travelogue for the moment. Happy trails to all. (sorry about that)

Topic: Kokosing Gap Trail
Today the energy returned and we made it to the Kokosing Gap Trail or some such name, whatever it is a beautiful walking or biking path. We shared it with some bikers, not the motorized kind and a female deer who peeked out of the woods twice and then took off. The wife was snapping pics like crazy, 60 some she said. Thank God for digitals, nothing to get developed. After we got our exercise we drove to the deli on the Kenyon campus and had them build us a couple good sandwiches and ate lunch on a bench with birds begging for snacks. After returning home, I had a little energy left so I revved up the lawn mower and did my homeowner duties. Tomorrow I will be tired again I think, but today was good. I'll check the wifes pics and if there is a good one, I will post it here

lazy day
Mood:  lazy
Topic: This and That
We put off our walking trip until tomorrow because we got going too late and frankly all excess energy seemed to have got up and went away. I considered for a while mowing the lawn, but I don't seem motivated to do that either. I have been sitting on the back porch in a rocker with my feet on the porch railing letting the cool, less humid, breezes almost put me to sleep. Perhaps I'll consider doing it later today, or maybe not. But tomorrow for sure we will go 'walking' on the trail.