PA

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Tonight is a full moon... and I am catching glimpses of it off an on as I sit here on the front porch. It has been raining for most of the day... and now there is a heavy bank of clouds that are playing tag with the moon.

I can hear the crickets chirping... and a dog barking off in the distance...

I can see the little brown bats as they dive for bugs under the street lamp...

I can feel the crispness in the air as the weather slowly changes to fall on this ... the autumn equinox...

I can taste the pungency of my bergamont tea...

and I love the smell of the rain on the grass tonight.



((I took my mother out for dinner tonight to a local cafe for garlic hummus and pita bread... fresh from the oven... tea.... and a wonderful Greek salad...Everything was awesome.))


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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You'd think being "out here in the country"... (said in a voice like a Tom Bodett commercial)... that people wouldn't succumb to the drama of life. Or, better said... that people would be too busy with more important stuff. You'd think... living in a city with half a million people... I would be more accustomed to the particular quirks natural to humanity and living amongst the throngs. But I am not.

The past couple of days has shown me, however, that people are people... no matter where you live. And no place is immune to the stuff of life. That is to say... we all get our feelings hurt... we all occasionally feel put-upon and taken advantage of... we all feel like perhaps there is something "greener" somewhere else... or with someone else... or if we just had "blank" ((... insert thing here...))... life would be easier.

There is a song I know with words in the chorus that go.... "It's a hard life, it's a hard life... it's a very hard life. It's a hard life wherever you go. But if we poison our children with hatred...then, the hard life is all they'll ever know."
The song is specifically talking about bigotry... but it really could be applicable to other things as well. Taken further... we can apply it to ourselves. If we poison our own minds to something... it can truly slant our perspective.
IE: if we expect something to be awful... it generally is.

Now, that is not to say that if we put on rose-colored glasses... our entire life will be sweet as pie.
Far from it. But there is something to be said about hoping for the best... and doing whatever we can to bring that into being.
Positive thoughts... then positive action.

Seems like every book I have read lately has had to do with finding your passion in life... and following your dreams. About being positive in a negative world. About not letting things get you down or destroy your goals. About being optimistic in general, and drawing people to you that are also of a positive mindset. I don't think it was a conscious effort on my part to have picked all these books with basically a theme... but there ya go.

And hey... if nothing else...
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." --Albright

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Another week has begun... and it was full of sunshine and warmth today. It has been unusually chilly for here (me-thinks)... of course... I am used to being in much warmer weather. However... with the chill comes the reason that so many leaves here turn such brilliant colors... so I cannot complain.

Today our drive in the countryside took us out over Dutch Hill and into the fields and back roads of Jenkins Hill, Ayers Hill, and such. The leaves are beginning to turn... and the sunset was gorgeous.

A couple weeks from now will be the local "Falling Leaves Festival"... and the gun show. The business stuff/paperwork I have been doing for my mother is finally winding down... and things are almost completely taken care of. There are a couple projects I would still like to do... and a few people yet that I would like to see..... but things are getting there.

But for right now... I am enjoying a warm cup of tea...
and the warmth of the sunshine in these photos...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Somehow, I have managed to lose the better part of this weekend, although I am not sure how this has happened. I have been sick... headache, body aches, and with a fever off and on for several days now. Little things seem to take me forever to finish. It is very frustrating. I am sure it is my Lupus... agitated and spurred into action by allergies.
On the plus side... at least it is a familiar problem... and one I can deal with, no matter how annoying.

Today we had a wonderful visit from my fav aunt and uncle... and I have started reading a couple new books, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, and "Secrets of the Fire King" by Kim Edwards... and tonight I stopped at a local fav place of mine to take my photo for the day...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Exactly 30 days ago... my father passed away.
The sun still greets me every morning.
My coffee still tastes good.
My dog still wants me to take her for a walk every evening.
The moon still cheers me up.
The leaves turn... and time passes on... But I miss him.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Pennsylvania is a gorgeous place. It really is. If nothing else.... my daily drives prove this to me. On the flip side... I have had bad allergies... and a migraine to top all migraines... and I feel as if my body is at war with me this week. It will pass... I know it will.... but in the meantime... I am cranky, sleep deprived and miserable.

Fortunately for you... I will quit whining... and just show some pics :)


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It doesn't look as impressive in this photo... but this is one of the main hills that the kids in my neighborhood learned to ride our bikes down in summer... and sleds down in winter.
Myself included. YIKES.

What you don't really notice in the picture, is that it is actually fairly steep and rough... and once you get to the bottom, there is a bit of a hump... and then a slight uphill to the bridge... where you slow down ever so slightly... before going slightly downhill again and going across another street (US Route6).. .and hoping there isn't a truck barreling through town at that very moment.
My hubby's older brother once crashed and burned on this hill...
getting a severe road rash on his face that lasted about a month.
It's amazing what you are willing to try when you're a kid. I remember being very scared to ride my sled down there one winter, as the road was a solid sheet of ice. But then a couple kids dared me... and that was all it took. I made it clear across Route6 and about half way up the other side of the hill before the sled ran out of steam...

And some things don't change. When my son was about 4-5yrs old and we were visiting his grandmother here; he had a scooter. And unbeknown to anyone (he was quite sneaky)... he trekked clear up there and took on the hill with his scooter. Needless to say... he got quite the whoppin' and the hollerin' from his grandma when she caught up with him...
~~~

And this was my photo for the day (below): This is actually a weed... and people here pull them up and burn them so they won't come back. I've always thought they were really really pretty though... and when I came across some today, I had to take their photo. They are very small clusters of buds that grow on leaves no bigger than most grass... but the stems can grow up to about 12 inches.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It's rained off and on all day today... and it was very quiet around town. I suspect that today there were lots of picnics, house parties and such in the area.... lots of burgers on the grill... potato salad... corn on the cob...
children running and playing... dogs barking...

And mom and I got to visit with a dear friend, and wander about her gardens....


About my photos for today: These photos were taken at the house of a friend. She is a lovely person, with an equally lovely house. Surrounded by gorgeous flowers... it was not hard to find things to take photos of.

Some days are easy like this.... others not so much...
I applied a vintage "through the viewfinder" layer, to help the photo on the bottom look more aged. I think it suits it.



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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"...to everything there is a season"... and often quoted bible verse... brought to mind as it will be recited at my father's memorial service tomorrow. I thought about this all day today as my mother and I were taking our daily drive in the countryside... evidence of summer life all around us, even as the sadness of death has been weighing on our hearts...

...and so on it goes...



(photos by Elaine A. Russell)

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Today was filled with the fine details of the memorial service... arranging songs and verses and such in order for a program to be printed, ordering and paying for the flowers, and gathering photos for a video that is being made by the funeral home as a service for the family. It is frustrating... because certain photos we had wanted to include... we just can't seem to find copies of.
In 2005, I had made a point of copying all sorts of family photos that belonged to my parents, and also of my sister's family... and arranged all the photos into boxes at my parent's house. Copies were made and distributed to various family members. It was a huge expense at the time... but well worth it.
Somehow in the interim however... things have gotten wonky and mixed up.
Such is life I suppose... but it is annoying when you are looking for something in particular.
One of the things I hope to do over the course of this coming year, is to (once and for all) get all my photos onto digital files. I have tons and tons... and sorely need to get them organized. Times like this remind me how important it is to me to have photos such as these readily available if they are needed/wanted.


In other news... we went on our daily drive today... and explored some of the county back roads. We saw lovely fields, cows, pigs, sheep, horses.....lots of farmland... we even stopped at a roadside stand and got fresh tomatoes and cucumbers which we ate for dinner.
The photos for today's post are from this drive...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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(you can click on this photo; and see it larger )


I've heard the phrase..."God never gives you more than you can handle..."... and yet, I have to wonder. My mother is devastated. I have seen grief... in so many different forms and stages over the years... as a nurse.... as a family member.... as a friend.... I have seen so very much of death in the past.
Some people handle it with quiet resolution, others anger... but with my mom; the tears just keep coming... shaking with sobs... unable to calm herself... unable to eat... unable to sleep. She has always been a nervous/ anxious/ restless personality.... but this... there is no fixing this. I feel so helpless.

And I seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum... missing my father... and yet... relieved that he is no longer in pain... satisfied in the knowledge that I will see him again some day.
I believe that she feels that way too... it's just that her way of showing emotion is so very different than mine. Neither way is better... neither way is worse. It just is.

I mention this only because it was casually mentioned to me that I must not care or some such... because I was not falling apart with grief.
Needless to say, I know this to be far from the truth.

Today; after we had appointments making preparations for services on Friday... I took my mom to eat at a local burger shack type place. The owners are friends of my parents, and it was nice to visit with them. We got to talking about cars... and the owner went and got his 1959 Thunderbird to show me. He is only the 2nd owner... and the car has only 62,000 miles on it. Pristine! Gorgeous! Classic!

And I thought of my dad... who soooooooo loved vintage cars... and could feel him smiling...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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--->photo by Elaine A. Russell

Sometimes the best laid plans... still go awry... and you get "benched." Today I was met with challenge after challenge... until... with much encouragement from the hubby and the daughter... I just gave up on leaving for PA for today.

No matter what I did... it just wouldn't/ couldn't/ didn't pan out the way it was supposed to. I finally came to the conclusion that this just wasn't my day to travel. And so... the jeep is packed... the house is clean... the laundry is caught up... and I will try again tomorrow.

I have been in daily contact with my mom... and the reality is that I may not make it back to PA before my father passes away. That said... my dad and I have had several conversations about this very thing... and I feel comfortable in the knowledge that he knows how very much I love him... and knows it is OK to let go. I do however, want to be there to help my mom as much as possible when that time comes.. and so it was with great frustration today that I just couldn't get it together.

Some days are like that... and I have to believe that there was a reason for it.

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...................................................photo by Elaine A. Russell


Often, I am given to very vivid dreams. As a kid... it was very disturbing. Now it seems to be sort of a running joke with my hubby and myself.

Last night I dreamt about a person from back in PA. ... well known and well loved. He was a physician most all of his life... caring for almost everyone in the County as far as I could tell. A General Physician... now, basically an unheard of occupation in today's world of specializing and compartmentalizing. He was a doctor for so many years... he delivered children and grandchildren ... all in the same families. ... as well as helping so many pass on with comfort and dignity.

Compassionate... as he suffered so many personal losses as well. Knowledgeable... diagnosing so may people long before the aids of technology we have now. Giving... active in his community, church... and so many charitable organizations. A family man, husband --father -- grandfather.

I think of his wife ... also known and loved throughout the community. Now, caring for him; as well as herself in these past few years... plagued by illness. It is a sad thing. And yet, I can't help but marvel at all the good these people have done over the years. How many lives they have changed.... how much grace and love they have shown.

Growing up in a small town definitely had it's positives.... one being... getting to know marvelously good people such as these. Integrity, honesty, compassion, a strong work ethic, giving back to your community, loving and caring for family, living lives of faith and hope... all lessons learned when looking at the lives of people such as this.

Bless you... Dr and Mrs....

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(Philadelphia airport... art display by Myungjin Choi)

Today was a long day of traveling... but it was actually pretty nice. I had lay-overs at each stop.. so I had time to walk around and see things instead of rushing from gate to gate.
the bad part... of course, was getting only 2-3 hours of sleep before my first flight... which was way to early in the am for my comfort.

(flightlines in Phoenix)

From Williamsport, PA... I went to Philadelphia. I was fortunate enough to get a fabulous Philly pretzel and a drink.
From Philadelphia, PA... I went to Phoenix, AZ. It is a pretty nice airport, and there were lots of interesting things to look at ... including some pretty cool art displays.
From Phoenix, AZ... I came back to Albuquerque. I was really hoping for a window seat.. and I was fortunate enough that the only passenger to not show up for the flight was the person who had the window seat next to me... So I was allowed to slide over and enjoy the view. I also made friends with the flight crew, and after the flight... the pilot showed me the cockpit and controls.. and even let me take some photos. It was really cool.

I got home around supper... and needless to say... it is great to be home.

(flying into New Mexico)

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Tonight is the last night I will spend in PA for a little while...

I am leaving tomorrow afternoon, and my niece is driving me to Williamsport, PA. I will stay overnight, and will be leaving at 5am for various flights that will eventually bring me home to ABQ.
And so today... I was trying to finish up a plethora of projects. I went to a friend's house... she recently had heart surgery and is still recovering... and so... I took a couple hours and tried to do some weeding in her gorgeous flower beds. She didn't ask me to do it... but I know how much her flowers mean to her; and I know she hasn't been able to do it for quite awhile. In the end... I got the largest of her beds (which runs the full front of her house) done... and she in turn, allowed me to dig up some white bleeding heart plants that had over-run another bed.

I took some of these plants to another friend... who was overjoyed... and immediately started to find a place for them in her yard. I still had a bucket-full.... so I took them to my mother's house.

I then went to one of the local nurseries... and bought a whole bunch of plants ( perennials and annuals)... to add to her pots on the patio, and to fill a bed just under the living room window. If my father is able to ever come back to the house... it will be this window that he will be able to look out... and hopefully be able to see some flowers. I also got her a stunningly gorgeous Fuschia plant that is in a hanging planter for her front porch. This will attract hummingbirds... which she loves... and will be able to see from her kitchen window.

After eating supper with my niece... and visiting with my dad... I found myself at 9pm -- weeding that over-run bed under the living room window that was full of weeds; and trying to get all these plants into the ground... and into planter boxes... and into hanging pots.
I finally finished around midnight.

Now I am doing a last load of laundry... and enjoying a lovely cup of tea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe in the whole philosophy of "Pay it Forward." If I am able to help someone have a better day by helping them a bit... planting flowers... weeding to make things look a little nicer... whatever... then I feel that the joy that it brings them will become a contagious thing. Perhaps they will in turn do something nice for someone else... and on it goes...



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Today has been an interesting day.

I was told that the American Black Bear... the one of my encounters... was trapped and moved to a secluded area just a few days ago. And I also was told (and noticed) that there is a photographer about the area with a pro set-up... who happened to be taking photos of the same things I have posted these past few days. Apparently someone reads my posts? or perhaps it is coincidental.... either way... it's flattering.

I also had a well-meaning individual mention that after being here for 3 months... that my business was probably down the toilet at this point. Probably true... although I hope not. Be it good or bad; my art/photography/jewelry business has definitely been on the back burner while I helped out the parents....but I would not have chosen to do anything any differently. Sometimes in life; you have to make choices like this... and while it's been extremely difficult, I would have felt horrible if I had not helped.

Ah...but enough of that.


The other day I took my mom for a drive to Brookland, PA. I am not familiar with the area at all... but it sure was some gorgeous scenery. We went in that direction.... because I had been told about the All Saints Episcopal Church there; and was told about it's architecture and beauty.

I was not disappointed.

From what I gather... the congregation was around for several years prior to the current building being built in 1888. It is a stunning building, made of grey stone... with a gorgeous woodland setting that makes it look straight out of an English fairytale.

I was not able to see the inside; but I am told it has a font made of Italian marble, and some stunningly beautiful stained glass windows. These items were either donated by, or in memory of Henry Hatch Dent; whom I mentioned in a previous post as being the person who donated the clock for the courthouse building in Coudersport.
(it's a small world here...cue the music to "It's A Small World".. )

At any rate... the photos for today's post are photos of All Saints Episcopal Church.



*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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One of the most amazing attractions in the area here; is Cherry Springs State Park.

Only about 15 miles out of town...just a short drive... is this worldwide renown site for stargazing. It is known for having some of the "darkest night skies on the east coast" of the United States, and was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of "Twenty Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks."

I could go on and on.... how it was land to the Seneca Indians... how this area was a huge part of the lumbering boom of the 1880's... how it was the site of a CCC encampment... (there were 8 of them in Potter County)...how the land is the plateau of the Appalachian Mountains, and surrounded by the Susquehannock State Forest ...(and home to tons of wildlife and vegetation)...

...but really... it is late... I am tired... and this site HERE... tells it so much better than I ever could.

So... here are some photos ...

..................................photo of young men in the CCC

...................................the main pavilion; built in 1939

.......................................astronomy domes



............................................all photos by Elaine A. Russell


(*the CCC picture is a photo of a photo ... which is on display at the park)

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photos by Elaine A. Russell


First thing after I awoke ... I somehow got convinced into cutting my niece's hair... and all I kept hearing in my head was Bones from Star Trek... " I'm a doctor Jim, not a barber... " well...She likes it... and I guess that is all that matters.


I took my mom to the hospital to see my dad; but merely dropped her off for a visit with him alone... I decided to take the afternoon off. I'm not sure how that decision went over with *the masses*.... but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I went on a drive through some of the Susquehannock State Forest... which happens to have an area not far from town. Even though it rained the entire time I was in the woods... and even though it was really coming down at times... and I was soaked.... it was absolutely fabulous.

Anyway... now I have some pics to play with for a day or so... if they turned out....

On the way out of town... just past the nursing care facility... is a farm that my mom says used to belong to the Leet family. Not sure if they still own it... but it certainly is picturesque... and there were several families of Canadian Geese there... so I stopped to take a couple pics....