Jim sailing

P1010840
Originally uploaded by suemcgill

At the end of July, we took sailing lessions at Chautauqua. It was really fun and exhausting! Personally, I had an exciting week!! Sailors will recognize that we each had our own little Sunfish.

Monday - my boat capsized, turtled, and I didn't have proper shoes to get it back up. My lifevest was too loose and Caitlin, while trying to get me back into the boat, slammed my body against the side.
Tuesday - I fell out of my boat and was coached to "go get it!!!"
Wednesday - I think the staff felt sorry for me and offered to take us out on a Precision - a larger sail boat
Thursday -- my little trip on the Lake ended when the wind died. (and I was towed back)
Friday - I took pictures and had a wonderful time!!!

I would recommend taking lessons!

Kitty and Catmint

This is Max - he just loves catmint and can spend a lot of time sniffing, exploring, and rolling in it. One bush is almost completely misshapen because he has enjoyed the fragrance and experience of getting the leaves rubbed all over his body.

I enjoy spending time in the garden with Max ~ he is pretty good about staying around. He sits and watches the people go by the house. He is about 11 years old and has a companion, Duffy. We got both cats from the animal shelter and they are about the same age.

Inniswood

One of my favorite places is the Inniswood Metro Gardens, located near my home. I have been a volunteer there for four years and love it. The people are very nice and gardeners are a special group. They are very patient and kind to one another. Last Wednesday, a group of us went Plant Shopping -- we design about 75 planters on the grounds. It is certainly a fun activity!! Today I went for a work session -- we dug up the tulips under the Sweet Gum Tree bed. The tulips are composted. I couldn't find my fellow workers when I first arrived, so I toured the grounds (in search of the group). I was lucky to see the bright bluebird - must have been the male - at the birdhouse (I know where to look!)

And, I also spotted some beautiful allium -- there are many throughout the grounds, but these are particularly gorgeous with the purple bloom!!! It was a lovely day!!! I was inspired to work in my own yard for some time.

I'm so happy the levy passed to renew the funding for the Metro Gardens!!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!!

Beginner's Luck!

I'm so excited! I was contacted by a person with a publication in Ft. Myers, Florida to seek permission to possibly publish one of my photos that are on Flickr. The photo on the right is the one in which there is interest. It is a picture of the manatee, with Jim on the right, viewing a demonstration.

The picture on the left is my husband, Jim ~~ the manatee ~~ and my brother, Miles. We spent the good part of the morning in February, 2009, at this park and really enjoyed watching the manatees. People were canoeing and many children were listening to guides and studying all of their surroundings. I would recommend attending this great place!!!

Bluebirds!!

Today was most exciting!!! I walk the Bluebird Trail at Inniswood today we SAW the pair of bluebirds -- building a nest. We check inside the boxes and Nancy is pointing to the Bluebird Nest. As we left, we saw two of the bluebirds -- I was able to capture a snapshot of the female with nesting material. Last week, there were no nests in the 18 boxes we monitor. This week, in addition to the bluebird nest, we saw one we couldn't identify, and one was a nest made of moss. Let's hope that this year we will have some success in the bluebirds return!!!

This is a picture of our projects. Mine is in the center -- a sweater that reminds me of the ocean with colors of green and blue. On the left is Carol's hooded sweater; right is Del's sweater and top (beige) is Sherrie's sweater.

Here are other classmates, Carol and Rebecca with their projects. We are all knitting sweaters -- starting at the top and knitting down.

Knitting Class

I'm enjoying my knitting class!! Here is Stephanie, our instructor, talking with Sherrie. We are sitting with all the beautiful skeins of yarn. The class time goes by so quickly.

March 24, 2009

It's fun to learn something new and that's what I'm doing! I hope to share my projects, ideas and thoughts, and plans. I enjoy reading my friends and family blogs. Perhaps this will be another exciting adventure!!