Cricket

Sad news. Our "young" dog Cricket died quickly and unexpectedly Sunday evening, October 28th. She had been acting oddly starting mid-afternoon - not eating or greeting us at the door with the usual sock in her mouth. By 10:00 she couldn't move and by 10:30 she had passed away - quietly and I'm convinced without pain. Both Nicki and I were with her.

The "old" dog Samantha seems accepting though a little confused.

This is going to take some getting used to.

Cricket was at least 10 years old. No services are scheduled. Burial will be in the family backyard plot after cremation.

John & Nicki

Taste of Ellicottville

The day after Jim's retirement party (see below) the siblings all rendezvoused for the Taste of Ellicottville. Lots of good food and beverage, manageable crowd, and warm but tolerable weather. And afterwards relaxing on the homestead porch.

Jim's Retirement Party

Brother Jim's retirement party - held at Rooney's Restaurant (more info here) in Rochester, New York. Attended by all his siblings, associates from his newspaper career, and the "coffee club" of Geneseo - a good crowd. A good time was had by all.

California Trip - Oakland

July 12-21

Oakland - Picnics with Sarah's friends and Sergio's family and a trip to the movies where we met with the Simpsons.

California Trip - Pacific Coast

July 19-21

Nicki and I drove up the California coast on Highway 1 as far as Mendocino. Stayed at the Little River Inn just a couple miles below Mendocino, with a great view of the ocean from our room's porch. Ate a late supper rocking in our chairs watching the moon's reflection setting into the ocean, had a fire going in our fireplace and listened to the waves all night. Next day drove back to Half Moon Bay where we met Sarah for beach walking and supper at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company before heading to the airport for our overnight flight back to Ohio. Smooth flight. End of vacation.

California Trip - Yosemite National Park

July 16-17

Yosemite National Park - Two trips into the valley. Sarah and Sergio climbed to the bases of the Yosemite Lower Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Nicki also did some climbing but not as far. Much more crowded than Sequoia National Park - lots of foreign languages.

California Trip - Hetch Hetchy Reservoir & Evergreen Lodge

July 16-17

Evergreen Lodge - Great place to sit on our cabin's deck and watch the shooting stars - and good dinner and breakfast.

Hetch Hetchy Valley/Reservoir - A movement is underway to remove the dam and return the Hetch Hetchy Valley to its natural state which would be similar to the Yosemite Valley.

California Trip - Sequoia National Park

July 14-16

Sequoia National Park

Crystal Cave

General Sherman Tree - World's largest tree (by volume - not height).
Moro Rock - A granite dome and challenging climb for old people.
One bear and cub sighting, several deer.

Osprey at Quaker Lake 6/24/07

Nicki and I spent a Sunday afternoon at Quaker Lake in New York State's Allegany State Park. Nice that you can launch from near the spillway without needing to enter the park and pay the entrance fee. There were several kayaks on the lake. We had just about decided that there wasn't much wildlife on the lake and were heading back to the launch when we came upon a pair of osprey perched on a tall old dead tree. They were reasonably cooperative and allowed a bunch of photos before moving on down the shore to a new perch. We may have even seen a flying eagle from a distance. And on the drive back to Little Valley we noticed an osprey nest on the edge of the park. For better versions of the photos go to my Picasa site and use the slideshow button.

Alumni Dinner 2007 & Poetry

Photos from the Little Valley Central School annual alumni dinner held Saturday, June 23rd. And more photos from famous Little Valley native (and contemporary) Ira Joe Fisher - weather reporter for the Saturday Early Show and poet who recently wrote Some Holy Weight in the Village Air (which has references to Little Valley experiences we all share). Joey was the featured speaker at the dinner and also did a poetry reading the following day - a very unusual event for Little Valley. A good time was had by all - including a Sunday breakfast at Dina's in Ellicottville.