Looks and feels like fall

This was the Hartstown Swamp after church this morning as seen from 322 by my iPhone. The sun was on the trees in the background. North of that you can see the rain.

My front yard a few minutes later as seen by my camera. There were dark storm clouds everywhere punctuated by blue sky and white puffy clouds. This patch disappeared quickly to be replaced by the dark clouds behind these trees.

Later there was a storm in the distance on the way to Meadville but clear to the south.

And almost sunset over Pymatuning with still more rain to the north.

Fall is my favorite season. I'm happy to be back in turtlenecks, to turn the air off, to not have to coat my skin with bug repellent. I love the changing colors and the brightness that the trees bring to drab days. I'm not fond of ordering fuel oil but no season is perfect. Always something to look forward to.

Holy Cross Day 2012

Mornings

The hill visible when coming into Meadville on 322 was obliterated by fog one morning in early September 2012.

Clouds from the north are unusual. Most of our weather comes from the west tho much of the precipitation goes around us for some reason. The spot of red is the roof of the Lago Winery.

Friday cat blogging on Tuesday

PuddyTat has wanted attention all day for some reason. Could be the weather. She doesn't seem sick. I wish I could find a way to get the plastic stitches out without taking her back to the vet and another huge expense.

She came down for treats with LittleOne.

Then LO came out to ask for scritches.

Eventually PT wandered off and Jellico, LittleOne (he's always around if there is possibility of food) and Tim got treats too.

Friday cat blogging and not

You want I should get up? I think not.

At least s/he doesn't eat catfood. Wonder how long it would take to mow the front yard this way.

Friday cat blogging

Friday cat blogging on Sunday

LittleOne and PuddyTat share some chicken. The kitchen window needs washed.

St Philip's Episcopal Church, New Hope, PA, 15 Jul 12

On my way home from BCF I detoured via New Hope to visit Father Michael Ruk who has a new parish there. He attended Christ Church when he was a student at Allegheny College so he is sort of a foster son of the parish. Our choir sang for his ordination at the cathedral in Pittsburgh and our rector at the time was one of the people who vested him. Dumb me forgot to take a photo of him.  

St Philip's is one of the smallest active church buildings I've ever seen. The entire church, roof and all, would probably fit inside the Berkshire School dining hall. I'm not sure how close the interior is to Christ Church's Walker Room but it can't be much larger. 

This is the entrance to the church complete with a red door.

This is the altar space.

This is the rest of the room from the altar. I told you it is tiny. I think there are three rows of thankfully moveable chairs, 4 across on each side of the center aisle then more chairs lined against the walls. The piano can be seen in the left corner and there is a coffee pot on the right at the back. The person who played is excellent. There is what I assume is the sacristy at the left and there is a small bathroom opposite it in the "hall".

Outside there is a small garden area I didn't photograph because I had already disturbed some people there who seemed somewhat unhappy about something. And there is this labyrinth one of which I wish we could build.

The people were very friendly. Most introduced themselves. One lady is a Thiel grad. I didn't count but there seemed to be around 30 in attendance. Many more at the early service I was told. They sang very well and participated audibly in the liturgy. I decided that small buildings definitely have benefits. Something to think about with our vestry retreat coming soon.

It must have been a good sermon because I remember much of it.

The church people seem to reflect the community which is diverse, artsy, intellectual and fascinating. I found that both comforting and comfortable. I highly recommend St Philips to both residents and visitors and New Hope certainly has its share of visitors.

BCF Sheffield 2012, Week 1

Sorry folks but I didn't take many photos this week. Here is all I have.

This is the man who created a wonderful performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis - Craig Hella Johnson at the Berkshire Choral Festival on Saturday 14 July 2012.

Mary Wilson was our soprano soloist - one of maybe two or three sopranos I would walk across the street to hear sing. She is as nice as she is talented. Love her!

These are the people I especially love to sing and spend the week with.

It was a good week.

New neighbors

The neighbors' rabbits got together.

Thumper, the father, is really friendly. He always comes to say Hi when I take the garbage up.

Feeding more than cats, possums and raccoons...

2012 Fireworks

The moon watched as people assembled to watch the annual fireworks at Pymatuning Reservoir, Jamestown end, 30 June 2012. There were people everywhere.

Many sat on the dam to watch.

Vehicles were parked as far as the eye could see on every square inch possible.

The setting sun was beautiful.

The sunset continued.

And continued for an hour.

To a fiery end with the lights of the boats assembled to watch.

The photos are embigginable.

PuddyTat

She has had serious eye drainage for a month or so but I couldn't catch her. When I returned from Edinburgh, the eye was obviously blind. I was able to swoop her into the carrier finally. The vet said removing it would be best. They dissected the eye and said it was a mess but they couldn't find what had caused the problem. Now PT is confined to the cathouse at the back of the garage. She learned to manipulate the cone quickly fortunately and won't get hung up on anything. The problem will be keeping her in there.

After being held for the first time for two hours at the the vet she seems to have decided that isn't all bad. She came to be scritched when I returned after giving her some time to adjust. Guess I will take antihistamines and do that occasionally. Wish I could have her in the house. She is a sweet cat. I hope she heals quickly without complications. She is to be confined with the cone for two weeks but I won't be home that long.

2012 daylilies plus

BCF Edinburgh 2012 photos

Are here. I have done minimal editing and left in some that are blurry. Enjoy. 

Meanwhile this is a portion of the window behind the organ at Greyfriars Kirk.

And I kept privately snickering that it looked like McDonald's arches from where I sat.

Different neighborhoods - updated

This is our lake - Pymatuning Reservoir. Quiet. Fishermen in their boats of various sizes with 18 hp motors. Newfies gathering in one of the shelters.

This is the other lake - Conneaut Lake. Full of people in highpowered watercraft of all sizes and types, some not too learned.

And this was Conneaut Lake today after church. I saw a huge black cloud and immediately thought about the dangers of boats, motors and sparks. I doubt you can see it in the photo but you would see blinking lights, an ambulance and people lined up on the road to watch. I don't know the full story yet. I hope nobody was killed. There have been several such accidents very recently - last Monday at the Erie Yacht Club and two weeks ago on Chautauqua. If you own a boat with any enclosed space, you need to learn the dangers of starting the motor and especially of refueling before you ever put it in the water!

The photos are embiggenable.

UPDATE: Apparently nobody was hurt in the boat fire. Whew!