Category: Seasons

  • It snowed

    We had our first snow of the year yesterday. Not much, just enough to dust the roof and some log piles. Some years it’s sooner, some later, but in Ohio, you know it’s only a matter of time. And no matter how prepared you think you are, it’s always a bit of a shock to the system. I always tell other people (and hear it from them as well) that I like having four seasons, the first snow is nice, blah, blah, blah. Sometimes I wonder if we just say that to convince ourselves that it’s not so bad, because we’re stuck in Ohio, and we know it’s going to be like this until April…

    In spite of any griping, I really do like the seasonal differences, and for the most part, enjoy living in Ohio. I do think that having a winter is great, as it allows everyone and everything to rest for a bit – I don’t know if I could go full speed year-round if I lived in southern California. Winter gives us an excuse to recharge, and while the focus shifts to inside projects, it’s a little more laid-back than during the nice weather, when the rush is on to get everything done before the cold hits. It’s a time for comfort food, and an opportunity to gain any weight you lost while eating only vegetables for the past three months 🙂 And since it gets dark so early, an opportunity for early bedtimes, if only we could take advantage of it… Here we go.

  • Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm

    Saturday afternoon, while in Pennsylvania, we ended up at the annual Harvest Festival at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. Quiet Valley is vintage America, a “non-profit, educational corporation dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage… a living museum.” On this weekend, they had a multitude of booths set up showing demonstrations of a plethora of skills and crafts from yesteryear, including butter churning, yarn dyeing, basket making (using straw and split oak), rope making, an outdoor brick oven, preparing sauerkraut, apple butter churning, a smokehouse, and many resident farm animals. Pretty much everything I want to learn how to do. Does it make me weird that I couldn’t give a hoot about the latest iPhone, but a vintage cider press sets my heart racing?

    We didn’t get here until a bit later in the afternoon, otherwise we could have spent a lot more time walking around. Very informative and enlightening, and I picked up a few ideas along the way. If we lived in the area, I’m pretty sure I would find a part-time job here.

    Cider press. Anyone looking to be rid of one?
    Blacksmithing.
    Lots of cast iron cookware around.
    Candle dipping.

    Yarn dyeing – amazingly, using all natural products.
    The gardens were mostly fallow this time of year, but there were a few things left.

  • Weekend getaway to the Poconos, part 2

    Another highlight of the trip was visiting the town of Jim Thorpe, whose history started with the nearby discovery of anthracite coal, and continued with the advent of the railroad. It’s been on several lists for best small towns in the U.S., and it’s a nice mix of history, architecture, and natural scenery. Fun fact: at one point, over half of the millionaires in the U.S. had homes in Jim Thorpe. Nestled in a valley next to the Lehigh River, it is quite the quaint little borough. While we were there, we rode the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, visited the Asa Packer Mansion and Old Jail, and wandered the fall festival that happens every weekend in October. With the chill in the air, the beautiful leaves, and the cozy feel of the downtown area, it made for a very pleasant afternoon.

    That’s Jim Thorpe up the river valley.

    Asa Packer Mansion.

    The Old Jail.
    View down High Street.

  • Weekend getaway to the Poconos

    Well, we got to take our sort-of annual trip without any kids. Of course, since C came along, what used to be a week-plus excursion has turned into a long weekend. Not complaining though.

    We stayed a little closer this year, and headed to northeast PA and the Pocono area. As I’ve mentioned in the past, we tend to find ourselves in the mountains in the fall, and while this wasn’t quite as dramatic as New England or the Blue Ridge, it was still a very pretty area, and not as crowded. They don’t really cater to amateur photographers either – while there seems to be a stop about every three miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there was nary a scenic overlook to be had on an entire five-hour drive. So we had to make do and pull a few U-turns to find random clearings on the side of the road…

    We started the trip driving northeast of Wilkes-Barre, going almost to the New York border before meandering down along the Delaware River toward Honesdale, where we had our home base set up. Actually, right outside of Honesdale, at a lovely little B & B called the James Manning House. If you’re ever in the area, spend a night or two here; you won’t be disappointed. The breakfasts are outstanding, the company is entertaining, and the cost is less than most hotels in the vicinity, which don’t provide near the level of service you’ll receive here.

    The first day had the best weather – 70s and sunny. It did cool off after that, but at least most of the rain held off, unlike last year. I took it easy on S this year because of the extra person she’s carrying around, so no strenuous hikes – only a few more months until that excuse is off the table… 🙂 We saw some nice scenery, had some good food, checked out some history, and of course, no trip would be complete without finding a few waterfalls.

    Lots of windmills along the tops of ridges out here.

    More to come later this week…

  • Lightning bugs

    Ahh, another one of those quintessential summer things, lightning bugs… So, I was wondering if the difference between lightning bug and firefly is regional. I’ve always heard them called lightning bugs around here, and many other areas, but some places we’ve traveled, they seem to be fireflies. Anybody know?

    Anyway, while the drought is most definitely keeping mosquito levels down (no complaint from me there), the lightning bugs seem to be extra prolific this year. I’ve been out the past few nights after sunset, and have been amazed by the numbers of neon yellow flashers floating around. The closest comparison I came up with is that it’s like standing in a dark stadium with thousands of camera flashes (which, incidentally is a complete waste – most flashes only illuminate several yards in front of the camera, so that action a hundred yards away? Makes me laugh every time). I wish I could take a picture or video to capture it, but unfortunately, cameras aren’t quite as awesome as the human eye, so the only option is to experience it in person. The natural world is pretty cool.

    One thing I’ve also noticed is that the flashes appear to be getting shorter. When I was younger, it always seemed that the light was more of a slow pulse (which made it easier to track and catch them), while now it’s more of a quick flash. Maybe it’s just because you move so much quicker when you’re younger, so everything seems slower. Or some unfortunate by-product of global warming.