Day 42

February 11, 2021

My new tires are superb.  

I took a totally different ride today to get to the rookery.  But first I went to the Eye Center and picked up my new glasses.  I haven't driven with glasses on in 4 months.  Really was a very nice change.

And then I drove to Shelburne Falls and went to look at the pot holes.  It was a very busy place today, but I managed to park underneath them and get some photos.  I was joined by a couple of hairy woodpeckers talking away.   A lot of the place was frozen but there was a space where the water was rushing over the falls.  I am always caught up by the power in both the sound and the sight.  The force of the water is hypnotic.

On the calmer side of the bridges a few pair of common merganser were out for an adventure.  

I envy their ability to stay warm while they swim.  The water did not look inviting to me, but I sure would like to swim.

My Grandmother Whiton would have been 132 years old today.  I always remember her birthday.  Today I went on Google in search of information about her life that I didn't know.  Google says she studied piano in Paris before marrying my Grandfather in Oct 1915.  I didn't know she studied piano.  But it was in the New York Times wedding announcements.  It makes sense that she did, but I don't think I ever heard her play.  I don't remember there being a piano in her house after Grandpa died.  Its fascinating what information gets held onto in family lore and what does not.  

I left Shelbourne heading towards Conway and made the right onto Bardswell Ferry from above.  So my rookery drive was backwards today.  I don't usually go to the top of Bardswell Ferry.  There are beautiful vistas from the high road.  There are beautiful farm houses all the way down.  There used to be a donkey in this field .  I stopped to talk to these guys for a bit.  They were all wrapped up and their fur was thick.  They weren't very interested in me.

The rookery was sunny.  Actually Taylor Rd. was pretty sunny.  

There were a lot of birds flying around.  I saw some blue birds and a house finch.  I didn't see any big birds today, but chickadees and nuthatch.

Tomorrow I'll go check out the Connecticut again.  

I have a lot to feel grateful for tonight.  I heard from my first mentor today.  He was just checking up on me.  He doesn't do social media so he depends on actual communication which I haven't been very good at this winter.  It was so nice to hear his voice.  We will get together next week.  

I want to collect some stories about other people.  I thought maybe I could use this blog to explore presenting other peoples' stories along with my photos.  I have a friend who ran across the Country as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's research.   I've never heard his stories about the run.  Maybe I can get him to answer some questions for my blog.  Do you know someone who has done something unique?  And who might be willing to talk about it?   Let me know.  I think it'd be fun to read some new stores.