Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
What are U doing today?
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What are U doing today? (Ongoing thread)
Jim wrote: "I put up a before & after series of pictures on Facebook of the farm. The most recent photos are over a year old, but it gives you an idea of the biggest changes to the place. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid... "
Thanks for the pics, Jim. You have a beautiful place there and have made a lot of progress in a short time. I love all the space you have. Were you living in KY before you bought the house?
No, Joy. We were living in Maryland. We moved to KY because we could sell our 1/2 acre place in MD & buy 15 acres here outright. That included paying off the mortgage on the other place. Of course, then we went back into debt doing all the improvements, but it was worth it. We still owe less now than we did before.We were lucky to do all this just before the market crashed. A friend who did the same thing a few months later got caught badly.
Jim wrote: "No, Joy. We were living in Maryland. We moved to KY because we could sell our 1/2 acre place in MD & buy 15 acres here outright. That included paying off the mortgage on the other place. Of cou..."Sounds like a good move. It took courage. How did you come to choose KY?
My son & his wife found the area & told us about it. We'd been looking for a rural area with inexpensive land, but needed jobs, too. Marg is more portable than I am that way. Every place needs school bus drivers, but I need a city nearby to find work. Most places seem to have either cheap land OR a good job market. It's hard to find both. James & Chris came down here & found that it had both inexpensive land & a good job market. He told me about it in Nov06 & I moved in to the new house May07. Marg & Erin followed about 5 or 6 weeks later, after school ended.
Jim wrote: "My son & his wife found the area & told us about it. We'd been looking for a rural area with inexpensive land, but needed jobs, too. Marg is more portable than I am that way. Every place needs s..."I guess it was good to be nearer to your kids too.
Actually, we moved down first. James & Chris followed a year later, but Brandon & Mom are still in MD. James is an hour away from us now. Closer than the other two who are a 9 or 10 hour drive away, 5 if we fly, which I won't do any more unless it is an emergency. It's a shame, but such is life. I'm continuing the family tradition of moving further out into the country.
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Nina wrote: "Joy, I once saw an interview taped of Ray Bradbury and was fascinated by the fact that he remembered being circum cised shortly after his birth. When he was questioned about this he d..."Sounds like your memory was almost as startling as Ray's. Remembering drinking from a bottle is quite early. I heard an interesting theory from a conference on different faiths yesterday. It seems when we are born we are instantly labeled; by gender, name, religious faith(of our parents at that time), state(New Yorker, Kansan, etc.) hair color(blonde, redheadL(I had three>) small medium large-place in familyL(middle, baby, first born, only) eyes, it goes on and on and as I started thinking aboutit I realized how true the idea becomes. I was a child who wore glasses. And what of the child who is adopted? Always labeled;like they used to call a deaf and mute child deaf and dumb; thank good ness that has been changed. nina
Jim wrote: "Actually, we moved down first. James & Chris followed a year later, but Brandon & Mom are still in MD. James is an hour away from us now. Closer than the other two who are a 9 or 10 hour drive a..."They say that distance make the heart grow fonder. :)
Nina wrote: "...It seems when we are born we are instantly labeled ..."Yes, Nina, it's interesting to think about those labels. I became "the middle child". Our 4th son is still the "baby" of the family. Indeed, my older cousin was called "Junior" up until the time he joined the army during WW II. I found it hard to adjust to calling him by his real name, Pat.
Jim, After hearing about your place; the weather, storms, horses, sick dog etc what fun to see the actual place. Sounds as if you were quite lucky the day you decided on it. Good luck in the future. In one of your last goodreads you mentioned all the rain and the mowing. My daughter with the two horses and four acres was complaining about the mowing due to all our rain to her brother who lives in Austin and when he told her they'd had seventy days over one hundred degrees she didn't feel so bad. nina
I wasn't complaining about the mowing, Nina! Just mentioning it. The year we moved in was the worst drought anyone remembered. We knew no one & wound up buying small, loose, grass hay for $7/bale imported from WI. We paid $4/bale for large, grass/alfalfa mix this year & had it all in on 3 July. No, the $15 in diesel & 7 hours it costs me to mow the fields is a small price to pay.We had the first July on record to never hit 90 degrees, too! My electric bill has been wonderfully small. All the plants we've added in the 3 summers we've been here are springing up, too. Fungus killed at least one & has caused some problems, but all told, it's been a fantastic year.
As for the day we decided on this place, it was one of those 'meant to be' moments. We'd looked at a place 2 hours south of here for the third time & came up here just before the 9 hour drive back to MD. We drove up a windy road, turned off on to a tiny, windy road with trailers on both sides (some were holding contests on how many cars on blocks they could fit in their yards) dropping off steeply on each side.
We'd seen enough similar places to just KNOW we were wasting our time. For instance, one place had 1 acre of level land that flooded & 18 acres on a super steep hill side/cliff. These looked similar, except no water.
Then the land leveled out, the places got nicer & a couple of miles later we hit this place. Rolling, with 2 ponds & woods. 2 barns & a new modular home. We weren't thrilled with one barn or the house, but that was minor. We drove the 9 hours home & put an offer on the place the next day. When it was accepted, we took a cash offer on our place that was well below what we wanted & it was a done deal. A month later, the bottom fell out of the real estate market. Best move I ever made - besides marrying the Boss that is.
;-)
Jim wrote: "... As for the day we decided on this place, it was one of those 'meant to be' moments. ..."Funny how some things just seem to be "meant to be". Eddie and I met (in 1959) just a half hour before he went home from a resort which we were both at in MA. We almost missed each other. We were both from NY, but had to go to MA to meet. :)
We had one thing in common to draw us together in the beginning... our love of water-skiing. Our first date was a water-skiing date in NY, on the Hudson River in his new 16' wooden boat. We were married 6 months later and went snow skiing on our honeymoon.
It's not so much what's going on today, but rather, yesterday. Anthony and Eric has tickets to the Yankee game, one of those monumental games when Derek Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's record of hits for the Yankees. Anthony even captured the moment of Jeter's record breaking hit. He better get the film to the store ASAP.They sat there in the pouring rain, through 2 rain delays and finally got home at 5 AM. What a night for them. I'm so happy they were there.
Jackie wrote: "It's not so much what's going on today, but rather, yesterday. Anthony and Eric has tickets to the Yankee game, one of those monumental games when Derek Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's record of hits for..."I heard about Derek Jeter's record on VPR radio today. I don't follow sports much, but I envy people who enjoy watching them. It's a great pastime... something to get excited about. Nice father/son bonding too.
I don't watch sports on TV. My Dad had season tickets for the NY Giants and the NY Rangers, now those were games worth seeing. Never did care for baseball, too slow for me Miss Speedy Gonzalez. Don't like football anymore, but I still love hockey. And I enjoy watching soccer too. Both are fast paced.I do like Derek Jeter, though. His squeaky clean reputation is important to me as a parent, since he's a role model for so many young boys, and girls. Especially in these days when you hear of sports figures involved in steroid usage, recreational drugs, guns, dog fighting and sex scandals, it's a breath of fresh air to watch DJ in the news with his various community based projects. He's truly an inspiring young man. He's worked hard for what's he's got and he deserves every bit of it.
Jackie wrote: "... I do like Derek Jeter, though. His squeaky clean reputation is important to me as a parent, since he's a role model for so many young boys, and girls...."Good point, Jackie.
When I see what's out there for our kids to emulate, it's quite disturbing.
Tree/bush moving today. About a dozen, all told. Thank god for the front end loader. Mowed the lawn too. Basically, just work, but it was a lovely day for it. 53 this morning to 75 this afternoon. Sunshine & gorgeous.
Nice weather makes that kind of work more pleasant.
Jim wrote: "... Sunshine & gorgeous."Ah, yes. Long may it linger.
Actually, we're hoping for some rain. It's been pretty dry the past couple of weeks. Digging yesterday was tough. Mom said they got over 4" the past couple of days, right after she transplanted some stuff. Perfect!
Jim wrote: "Actually, we're hoping for some rain. It's been pretty dry the past couple of weeks. Digging yesterday was tough. Mom said they got over 4" the past couple of days, right after she transplanted ..."Yes, Jim, rain does have its advantages. :)
We're going to Sushi Yoshi for a late lunch with my Mom, her BF and Eric. It's a really good chinese restaurant but very expensive. Today is their Customer Appreciation day, where everything on the menu is half price, sort of puts it at the same price as other chinese restaurants. But they are good and worth it. We go a few times in the summer when they are open. A lot of places close down for the winter here.
Jackie wrote: "We're going to Sushi Yoshi for a late lunch with my Mom, her BF and Eric. It's a really good chinese restaurant but very expensive. Today is their Customer Appreciation day, where everything on t..."Jackie, thanks for mentioning the Sushi Yoshi restaurant.
LINK: http://www.lakegeorgesushi.com/lakege...
"...on rt9 in Lake George just south of the LG village"
I've never been there. Our son loves hibachi grills. I'll put it on our list of restaurants to try out.
MENU: http://www.lakegeorgesushi.com/menu.pdf
How often do they have "Customer Appreciation Day"? Half price is a good deal!
Once, at the end of the Season. They close their doors for the winter tonight, but they have another one they open now for the winter in Killington VT. It's too far for me to go just for dinner.
Jackie wrote: "Once, at the end of the Season. They close their doors for the winter tonight, but they have another one they open now for the winter in Killington VT. It's too far for me to go just for dinner."Too bad the LG location of Sushi Yoshi isn't open during the winter. Our winter choices are so limited. Tamarack Restaurant closes during the winter too, like so many others. We like Tamarack Restaurant, although we hardly ever go there.
Our son sometimes skiis in Killington, VT. I'll have to tell him about Sushi Yoshi's location there.
Yes, he'll like it, it's a NYC-worthy Chinese restaurant around here. The chinese food is so bad here, I have to make my own. That's why I am so happy when Sushi Yoshi is open, even if it is limited time.No offense to anyone, but the further you get from The City, the worse the food gets. No one makes pizza like NYC, or anything else for that matter, our ethnic food is the best anywhere. I am so spoiled when it comes to food. People here will tell me I have to try a restaurant, that it's so good and when I do, I think it's awful. Us NYC born-n-bred are a stuck up bunch for the most part, we don't really believe other cities exist, and if they do, it doesn't count because they're not NYC, and they definitely don't know how to cook, LOL.
Jackie wrote: "No one makes pizza like NYC, or anything else for that matter, our ethnic food is the best anywhere."It's true of biscotti too. We had friends who used to buy biscotti in the Bronx and bring it to us here in the North Country. I love to dunk it in my coffee.
It's true of all the food; it's a tough town, you'd better be exceptional or you won't be in business very long.
A decent hero is impossible to find around here. I had a Quizno's & actually loved it. Lack of options & a year without any. That's one thing I really miss about going to the Island, is the food. REAL spaghetti, lasagna, bratwurst & a lot of things I can't spell like spetzla (german noodles). Various shell fish on linguine... Growing up, besides ethnic delis, I had ethnic grandparents & parents around that cooked wonderfully; German, Italian, Polish, Swedish & more. The plus side of being a Heinz 57.
Jim wrote: "A decent hero is impossible to find around here. I had a Quizno's & actually loved it. Lack of options & a year without any. That's one thing I really miss about going to the Island, is the food..."Jim, you're making me hungry! There's a food stand in Ticonderoga which makes the most delicious sausage, pepper, and onion heroes/wedges. I indulge several times a year. :) The place is called "The Wind Chill Factory". They sell soft ice cream too.
Off to the doctor today for my knee shots! OUCH!
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Off to the doctor today for my knee shots! OUCH!"good luck and let us know how you feel afterwards.
Jackie wrote: "Yes, he'll like it, it's a NYC-worthy Chinese restaurant around here. The chinese food is so bad here, I have to make my own. That's why I am so happy when Sushi Yoshi is open, even if it is limi..."Being from NYC and LI, I was unpleasantly surprised to find no one made hard rolls. First restaurant we went to in GF, NY they asked me if I wanted my hard roll toasted. My face must have looked like a big question mark or HUH? The bakeries in NYC and LI (most in LI are now gone) made such wonderful crispy breads. Breakfast on the run was a buttered hard roll and a cup of coffee. Memories!
Getting my temporary removed and the permanent crown put in today. Bowling league starts tonight, too! Haven't bowled since the last day of the league which was in April. Usually, I try to go once every few weeks. Let's see how I bowl tonight! LOL
Linda wrote: "good luck and let us know how you feel afterwards."The shot in my knee (a lubricant) was a bit painful, but only for a few seconds. So far, I can't detect any changes, but there will be 2 more shots, a week apart. They say that by the 3rd shot I may feel some relief.
Linda wrote: "Being from NYC and LI, I was unpleasantly surprised to find no one made hard rolls...."I've always loved hard rolls. I dunk them in my coffee. Nowadays I buy the baguettes at Price Chopper, long thin loaves of French (Italian?) bread. The crust is crisp and chewy... good for dunking.
Linda wrote: "Getting my temporary removed and the permanent crown put in today. Bowling league starts tonight, too! Haven't bowled since the last day of the league which was in April. Usually, I try to go o..."
Good luck at the dentist, Linda.
What was your bowling score?
What about bagels? I can't find a decent bagel to save my life! Price chopper does make good bread, I have to admit. Did you ever try their Dakota bread, or their 4 Cheese? Heaven from the oven!
Jackie wrote: "What about bagels? I can't find a decent bagel to save my life! Price chopper does make good bread, I have to admit. Did you ever try their Dakota bread, or their 4 Cheese? Heaven from the oven!"The bakery department at Hannaford has good bagels. Have you tried them? Also, just off of Exit 18 on the Northway, there's a place called "Lox of Bagels and More (Moor?)". I found the following webpage:
http://reviews.metroguide.com/o.asp?o...
I haven't been there recently, but I remember enjoying their bagels.
And isn't there a bagel place in the shopping center where The Red Lobster is in Glens Falls? I used to enjoy stopping there for a bagel.
I'll have to try the Dakota bread and 4 Cheese at Price Chopper.
I never heard of Lox of Bagels, but I will definitely check it out. One thing I really miss is Jewish Delis. I could die for a real corned beef on rye. I called a friend of mine because he's Orthodox so I thought he must know where I can find a Jewish deli. He laughed and said Good Luck.
The Dakota bread is gone by dinnertime and the 4 Cheese is half gone before we even get home. I take it out of the grocery bag, and bring it in the front of the car with me. It's addictive. And delicious.
Another ethnic food that's hard to find is the kind of Pecorino cheese which my aunt in Brooklyn used to serve with spaghetti. You can find Pecorino grated cheese in the supermarket but it doesn't have the same taste as my aunt's. I tried buying it in a specialty cheese shop once, but it still wasn't the same.Tonight, online, I learned the following facts about Pecorino cheese:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pecorino is the name given to all Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk.
The word pecora means sheep.
Four main varieties of aged Pecorino are:
Pecorino Romano
Pecorino Sardo
Pecorino Siciliano
Pecorino Toscano
They are hard, dry cheeses and are good for grating.
Aged pecorinos have a sharp, pungent flavor. They range in color from white to pale yellow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Above info was from the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecorino
http://www.epicurious.com/tools/foodd...
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/equivale...
It's that sharp, pungent flavor I remember. It was probably Pecorino Siciliano. I wonder where I might find it.
A friend at work stepped into my office this morning & told me the 'flower fairy' had visited me. She brought me 4 huge bags of flowers; Japanese Iris, Roadside Lilies, some kind of really low growing primrose & some kind of grass that gets a flower (not lariopea according to her). It filled my wheelbarrow to over flowing, but I got about 2/3 planted tonight.We need rain!!! The one corner where I was digging was like rock.
Jackie wrote: "I never heard of Lox of Bagels, but I will definitely check it out. ..."Lox of Bagels is on the left after you get off at Exit 18 and head toward Glens Falls. It's not far from the Pizza Hut and Hess gas station on that street (Main Street). I think it's open only in the earlier part of the day. I'll have to check it out... and also buy some bagels. :) As you can imagine, they have all kinds of spreads for the bagels.
BTW, Main Street becomes Broad Street as you cross the border between Queensbury and Glens Falls.
Jim wrote: "A friend at work stepped into my office this morning & told me the 'flower fairy' had visited me. She brought me 4 huge bags of flowers; Japanese Iris, Roadside Lilies, some kind of really low gro..."Post photos when the flowers bloom next year, Jim. I've always preferred growing flowers to growing vegetables. :)
BTW, you never know what goodies an office friends might bring. It was through an office friend that I got our first Maltese dog, jorji. The friend gave me two Maltese puppies, no charge. My sister took one and I kept the other.
jorji (click on thumbnail for larger photo)
Jackie wrote: "I never heard of Lox of Bagels, but I will definitely check it out. One thing I really miss is Jewish Delis. I could die for a real corned beef on rye. I called a friend of mine because he's Or..."
Would be fun to take a ride to Manhattan, Bronx and/or Brooklyn just to visit the Italian Bakeries and Jewish Delis and bring home loads of goodies!
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Jackie wrote: "What about bagels? I can't find a decent bagel to save my life! Price chopper does make good bread, I have to admit. Did you ever try their Dakota bread, or their 4 Cheese? Heave..."Brueggers was at the Red Lobster Mall. Since been replaced with the Verizon store.
Panera's bagels are good. Not the same as Lox of Bagels which I prefer. However, Panera's has some good breads. Several of their salads are good, too.
I would love a flower fairy to stop at my house. Not too many places where flowers would bloom. The parking area by the garage is the sunniest. I'm going to plant some seeds my sister gave me - trumpet vine -which attract hummingbirds. When I looked this flower up on line said it was an invasive plant. They are quite pretty. Anyone have experience or knowledge of the trumpet vine?
We have trumpet vine all over & it's a weed, but a pretty one. You see it growing wild along fences all around. I planted one last year on a corner of the fence & it barely hung on. Then this year, it exploded. It put out branches 10' long. I've twined it along the fence & one is even blooming. Another that I planted at the same time is still tiny, but alive. Maybe it will take off next year. I got the seeds from one that is in a holly bush. I've tried hard to kill it, but it keeps growing. I've taken the cut off pieces & tried to start new plants. I buried a few 1' sections in the garden & that's taken off. Others I put in sand don't seem to be taking root, though.
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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The past year or so has been more refinement. The gardens around the house, better trails in the woods & the fish pond by the back of the house. None of it is too easy to see in photos.