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-----------------------------------horses grazing in the fields of Gold, PA


So... today; we had alot of company at the house... which is good, but can also be very tiring.

I loaded the car full of recycle-able goods... and headed over to Gold where there is a recycle plant. Unfortunately, by the time I got there.. it was closed. Apparently, it closes daily at 3pm; instead of the 5pm that I was told. Ah well. No bother. It was a very nice ride; and I can do it again tomorrow.

For dinner, my daughter and I stopped at the Sweden Valley Inn again. She has never been there; so we sat and ordered some food. She got the "double baked" potato soup... which was absolutely fabulous... loaded with yummy melted cheese on top. Then she had a salad with shrimp on it. I had a cheeseburger with bacon and blue cheese, and an order or mozzarella sticks and some fries. As a special treat... I had another one of those butterscotch schnapps hot cocoa drinks I mentioned a couple of days ago. It was still just as good as it was the other night.
As a bonus.... we sat more in the dining area this time ... and there are lots of vintage photos on the walls of places around town... but circa 1900 through the 1950's. I was able to take photos of a couple of them... and will post them on my flickR account as soon as I can.


------------------------ "double baked" potato soup at the Sweden Valley Inn


My dad managed to fall in the shower today... banging his hip that he had the surgery on. Fortunately... he didn't seem to do any damage.... I think he hurt his pride more. Problem is... my mom tried to pull him up... and hurt herself as well. Sort of a comedy of errors I suppose.... but not funny at the time.

I mention this only in the context of .... I never really thought about this time in my life. When I was younger, I dreamed of being in love... perhaps having children... traveling.. that sort of thing. And after I got married... I would daydream about growing old with my hubby... always in a "rose-colored glasses" kind of way.


I don't recall however, dreaming of being middle-aged. I don't like to think of myself as middle-aged. I am not sure what that even entails. But I don't like it much. It is very strange to have my kids on the cusp of getting married/ leaving home... and at the same time... being in a position of taking care of my parents and helping them out as much as I am able. It is a very strange in-between time. I am sure I will get used to it.... but for now, it is almost freakish.


------------------------------------the pond beside the Sweden Valley Inn


**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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The wife called and tells me she has no connection tonight. So stay tuned for an update tomorrow!

-- posted by the hubby
____________________________________________________________________

UPDATE:
I am sitting at Mitchell Park here in town... where I have miraculously gotten a connection. I had gone to McD's for one... but they have closed for the night, and thus shut off the Internet capabilities.

So... We came to the park to let Sabrina run around... and low and behold TA-DA!

So... on Monday (yesterday now)... I did alot of errands for my parents. Mom went to the Chiropractor again.. which is good. Things have sort of settled into a routine of sorts. Dad continues to have severe leg/buttock cramps.. and I can't get a hold of his doctor to potentially get a prescription or to get his blood checked. It is frustrating.



The photos for today's post are of the Old Hickory. It was once an Inn and a bar/restaurant... that unfortunately fell into severe disrepair. At one point.. I heard the the Rigas Family had bought it with the intent to turn it into a bed and breakfast... which would have been really cool. Work was started... basically, the interior was gutted and the roof was fixed. However, I think that was as far as things got when the whole Adelphia fiasco happened. Since then, the place was in limbo. It was unclear who owned it... then I heard that some people from the southern part of the state bought it... but didn't do anything. Then I was told that last year it was up for sale along with alot of other properties as a "tax sale." Not sure if that is true.... but it would be awesome if someone would buy it and fix it up.

The Old Hickory has been around forever. It is definitely one of the oldest buildings in town.. and certainly one of the most interesting looking. PLUS... there is the ghost story..... tales of a young man who was "worse for the drink" and got into a bar-room fight over a woman. The young man got shot in the stomach... and as the story goes... because he was "under-age", his body was carried to an upstairs room and draped over a piano. I am not sure if the people thought that he would recover up there... but he passed away. Legend tells that he still haunts the place and can be seen in the upstairs cupola at night... wandering ... and looking for his lost love...




(all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

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Today I was able to spend time with family.... enjoying the holiday. I saw both of my nieces and their families, and my former brother-in-law and his wife. It was a time of good food and good fun.
Spring is definitely in full swing here. Trees are trying to bud... the grass is becoming really green in spots... plants are pushing their way through the dirt. Birds are coming around and singing joyfully.... and last night I heard the snorting of a nearby bear whilst taking a walk (yes, I remember my bear encounter last year... ).

Today was also my parent's 58th wedding anniversary. They got quite a bit of company, and dad was able to enjoy the sun on the front deck while visiting with friends. My dad has been having alot of swelling in his legs still; and for the past couple of days... he has had bouts of severe cramps in his backside and upper legs. I can only assume his electrolytes are off... and we are trying to fix that through diet and a multivitamin until we can get a follow up with a doctor. He has been using massage and heat as well... with some relief... but it continues to come with some frequency.... and usually at night.
Mom hasn't had any more additional problems since her episode in the ER... thankfully.

And so .... we are all very grateful for the healthy progress so far..... but very tired.....





These are all photos from a house here in town. The people who live there have decorated the entire yard and house with decorations... including a huge ceramic basket full of ceramic eggs (top photo in this series), lots of bunnies and flowers and such... and these massive ceramic eggs in all colors... scattered about their flower beds. Each egg was just smaller than the average shoebox. It was pretty amazing......

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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The past couple of days that I featured architecture around the town.... I really didn't talk about anything else that has been going on. Partly because I don't want to bog everyone down with useless information... and partly because I am simply overwhelmed.

As I mentioned in a previous post.... my son got engaged to his girlfriend when I was down in Geisinger (where/when my dad had his surgery). I love my son... and I adore his fiance... but it was kinda sad that all this was going on while I wasn't there. Since then, they have been very busy with various preparations... sharing the news to family and friends... and trying to get things organized. They are both in school, and he is also working full time... so their lives are crazy busy at the moment. Add in relatives who aren't so happy about the wedding... trying to find an apartment, minister, church, reception hall.....school, work.... and then add that they plan on getting married on the 23rd. Yes... this month.
There has been alot of additional stress... as plans keep changing... almost daily... for alot of reasons that I really won't go in to... you'll have to trust me on that one... but as a mom, you always want to be their for your children, and this time... I can't.
Fortunately... I am married to a wonderful man... and an excellent father... who is more than handling and helping out with things at home.


Last night I was feeling very tired, and frustrated. This has been a "long haul"... for everyone involved.... and I was feeling a bit tapped out. I was in the kitchen while my parents were getting ready for the night.... when my mom quietly announced that she was having chest pain. It is probably comical in retrospect... but here I was trying to help my dad with his stuff... and running back to my mom who was having chest pain... giving her nitroglycerin... taking a pulse... watching the clock... trying to keep her calm (*no small feat).. and rushing back to check my dad....

Fortunately, my daughter is simply awesome and took over bedside calming and observation for my mom. When the nitro didn't help; and things were getting worse pretty quickly... I called 911. 8 hours later we got back home. Mom had had a pretty intense episode of angina... but fortunately (because of early administration of the nitro and the fact that I bullied her into stopping and laying down... O2... and fabulous care by the ambulance crew and the ER crew)... she was spared any damage.

My daughter stayed at home with my dad... and was excellent with him, and helped him with his care... and helped him keep calm as well. I couldn't be more proud of her.

We all finally got to sleep around 8am.


We got up late in the afternoon... and I went "foraging" for dinner. I decided to head out of town slightly, and took a detour through a quiet road near the woods. (yes... I went on paved roads... no more getting stuck in the mud).



I ended up stopping at the Sweden Valley Inn. This is a fabulous family owned bar & restaurant. I haven't been there in years... but I know the family who owns it.... and I have heard wonderful things....


I was not disappointed.


I sat at the bar area and ordered some food to go. While I waited, it was suggested that I try one of the specialty hot cocoas. They have several "international" selections... the Irish Cocoa includes Bailey's Irish cream; one features Kahlua and cream, etc. I chose the one that had Butterscotch Schnapps in it. WOW. It was freakin awesome (photo below).

Just as I was finishing.. my dinner arrived and I took it home. We had fresh baked haddock with lemon and garlic, home-made coleslaw, fresh applesauce, rolls, and a dinner salad as one entree. The other entree I got was southern fried chicken with french fries. Between those 2 entrees... we had more than enough food for the 4 of us. I also was gifted an entire peanut butter cream pie from the owner's mother... who is a friend of the family, and wanted to give my parent's a gift.
This pie was a thing of beauty.... and I couldn't adequately describe it if I wanted. Trust me. Get some. Total cost for the dinners and drink $26.
I am including a photo of the small pond beside the inn, where there is a family of mallards ...



We are all exhausted. Tired from being sick... tired from traveling to appointments, hospital visits... day to day activities made harder due to stress and illness.... it's been formidable.
And yet... out of this all... such wonderfulness. Well wishes and prayers from tons of people... some of whom we don't even know. Fresh flowers... spring blooming around us... birds chirping.... nice weather.....
A lady not only took time out of her schedule... but came to the house to cut my dad's hair... and then would not take payment; saying it was her gift...
Bags of books sent because my dad likes to read.....
Offers from people to help with transportation when my dad starts his daily radiation soon...
And like the pie that we were given... it's all be wonderful, gracious... and so very very sweet.


*all photos by Elaine A. Russell



See more on the Sweden Valley Inn: here

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** all photos by Elaine A. Russell


I had a friend ask me about the architecture here in Coudersport.
Alot of it is victorian in style; having been built in the 1880's after a big fire wiped alot of the town out.
I don't know much at all about architecture in general; so I can't elaborate on specifics at all. I know what I like... but that's about it. In any case... I thought that I would focus today's and tomorrow's posts on some of the houses around town. Let me know what you think ...










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*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Yesterday I had intended to do a blog post on Mitchell Park here in Coudersport. So many things were going on yesterday though... that by the time I sat down to post... I was too tired to think.

And so, today... I am trying to catch up a little.

There are 2 main parks in Coudersport. One is CARP (Coudersport Area Recreational Park)... where there is a track field, football field, picnic tables, swings, etc. It is a very nice area... and it is used alot by various organizations and such in town... as well as the general public.

The other park, is Mitchell Park. I believe it was named after Robert Mitchell and his wife Dorothy who used to live right across the street from the park. Mr. Mitchell was Mayor in Coudersport for several years... and they were an older couple when I was little... So I am assuming that it was either named for them, or for someone in their family. Unfortunately... I couldn't find any information to confirm or deny this on-line.... so... I am guessing.

At any rate... Mitchell Park is a nice smaller sized park right in town next to the town library. It has a covered pavilion with several picnic tables, and lots of vintage style rides and swings for little kids. Additionally, there are now 2 metal benches towards the back of the lot that overlook Mill Creek as it tumbles and wanders into town.

There is also a really cool bridge that runs across the river here; and connects to the back end of the property where the town pool is. This was an often used shortcut for many people in town.. myself included.





The photos for this post were all taken at Mitchell Park here in Coudersport... I hope you enjoy them...

rest well my friends.. wherever you are

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I should not be this tired... but I am. I am heading to bed... but not before I tell you that my dad came home from the hospital today! I think he had 2 fairly "OK" days in a row... and they wanted to kick him out before something else happened... he he.
And so.... I will tell more tomorrow......

**photo by Elaine A. Russell

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One thing about being where it rains alot... is that there sure are some pretty ducks and birds around. My parents love to watch the birds... and they have their "regulars" that come to visit. Robins, evening grosbeaks, nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, doves, wrens, finches.... the list goes on. There is also a local small group of ducks that come every night and wander through the back yard to get to the river.



This mated pair are just adorable. He follows slightly behind her no matter where she goes; always pausing so that she eats first and such... I'm not sure if mallards mate for life... but these two sure seem to get along well.



This afternoon, my daughter and I went slightly out of town on Route6 west to what used to be Dr. Clarence Baxter's home. My parent's don't seem to know who owns it at the moment... although I did notice that it's been for sale for a couple years now. It is a gorgeous piece of property... nestled in a luscious pine-wooded area.



At this property, is a whole flock of Canadian Geese. They are beautiful. My daughter and I walked around for a short while... watching the geese swim in the ponds, and wander about the grassy areas....honking all the while at our intrusion in their space....




And so... these were my photos for the day. Not much else is really going on. I feel ... to a certain extent... that I am simply treading water and biding my time here. I am not sure how very useful I am; save for driving my mom back and forth to the hospital, and talking with my dad. I do a little laundry, wash some dishes, burn the trash.... walk the dog. Simple stuff.
Well.... that and answer the phone as it is constantly ringing....


I went to the grocery store late this afternoon, and got some goodies.... Kristin and I made butter and garlic roasted chicken breasts, and a pan full of fresh veggies (yellow squash, red/yellow & green sweet peppers, fresh mushrooms, celery, scallions, garlic, & snow peas). I also made acorn squash slowly cooked in the oven with butter, brown sugar, raisins, cashews and almonds as a sweet treat....oh, and pickled beet eggs and whole wheat bread from the store.... good "country cookin' "...



...and so.... I will bid you all a safe and happy goodnight.....



*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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(photos by Elaine A. Russell)


My dad was feeling much better today.... although I think he tried to do too much; and by afternoon he was wiped out. I am so grateful that he is feeling a bit better though.
You have no idea.


In other news: my son and his fiance are planning their wedding for April 24th... yes, it's coming up soon. It sounds like arrangements are moving along very well for them... which is awesome.
I wish I was there to help more... but perhaps this is the way it is meant to be.

And ... in spite of today's weather (rainy cold windy and then snow wannabe stuff)... I went out and took a bunch of photos of the A.A.S.R. buildings... also known locally as "The Consistory."

The original portion (on the farthermost left in the photo above)... I believe was originally the mansion belonging to Mr/Mrs Isaac Benson... early prominent citizens of Coudersport. The house was left to the Freemasons in 1913 (there is a stone with this date on the front corner of the middle portion). The original portion is quite Victorian looking to me.... while the rest of the building was built in 1928... and to me, seems more Gothic. Either way, it is a very impressive building. Inside are a billiards room, dance halls, a Cathedral with a massive pipe organ and a stage, a cafeteria, dining halls, meeting rooms... it is massive.

One article I saw said that the original "house" portion was built in 1899; and that the consistory itself "stands as the largest in the country and yet sits in one of the smallest cities to have such an establishment."
When I was a teenager, I used to waitress and such at Masonic events held there. I have never seen more than the dining halls... but I am told it is pretty fabulous.
Both sides of my family have a long history of membership with the Masons... but I really don't know much about it at all.

My favorite thing on the grounds is the old carriage house. I believe it is simply used for storage now, but I really love the architecture of it.
And so... I hope you like the photos... and I will include the links I found related to this building.

(the Carriage House)

(the Isaac Benson Home)

(middle portion... and main Entrance)

(the last addition)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Links:
Coudersport Consistory Link

Wiki link: Coudersport

Wiki article on the Scottish Rite

History on the Consistory House

website for AASR

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**all photos by Elaine A. Russell



Today was a blur of: cleaning cars, burning trash, doing laundry, and such.
It was basically another really long day... but it ended with a fabulous dinner at Fezz's Diner. The original building was a diner in 1954; and it was bought several years ago and restored to it's former glory. The inside is all vintage... right down to the napkin holders, and the vinyl on the seats.


The menu can be seen here



We had a great meal (I had steak and eggs, hash browns and toast)... total cost for 4 people was just under $40.



One of the really cool things about the diner is the tons of memorabilia all over the restaurant. Records, model cars, vintage photos and postcards... all there to see. Original recordings are featured on the tabletop jukebox selectors, and there is a really cool jukebox in the larger dining room in the back.



Needless to say... it was alot of good food; and alot of fun!


Kristin is feeling slightly better; although she still has a terrible cough and stuffy head. Mom is still "under the weather"... ever so slightly better now that she has been taking antibiotics and steroids for a few days. Dad had a horrible day.

Hopefully... tomorrow will be better...

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Last night around 9:30pm; it started snowing. Really snowing.
Huge, wet flakes came down ... and it was a beautiful sight.



Of course, by the time I woke up; most all of it was gone... having melted in the morning sun. It never did get much above 35 degrees today... although if you stood in the sun; it felt much warmer.



Today was a rough day... and here I am after midnight... trying to make some sense of it all.

I am failing.

I did have some wonderful moments today... gazing at the snow... the rays of sun peaking through the pine trees in the backyard.... seeing this babbling brook when I took a break and drove around a bit....


Sometimes moments are all we have... and I am thankful that some of them are supremely awesome. Today was a very rough day for my parents. Dad had a horrible night; followed by an equally bad day. Can't eat... can't rest... can't sleep... can't breathe well.... and mom is worried sick. On April 4th; they will be married 58years. Hard to imagine... and I am sure it is even more difficult for them... not only with each of them being sick.... but having to spend time away from each other is very hard for them; as they have rarely been apart these 58 years.
I just feel completely helpless and useless....


Kristin and I went for a drive this evening to Port Alleghany where one of my husband's brothers lives. It was a very good visit. And...It was an easy drive. We happened to pass this sporting goods store on way. The bear was pretty awesome... just odd... and funky and wonderful.



And then we saw this ultra fabulous vending machine out front.... yes sir --ee bob... get yer live bait right here in the vending machine! Cuz you never know when you're gonna need worms....

Mind you ... I absolutely love fishing... but even this was a little too funny to pass up :)

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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So... do I need to tell you that it's raining again?


Spent the later afternoon/early evening at the hospital with my dad... who seems slightly better today. He didn't get much rest; as he was having trouble breathing. He is now on oxygen.... probably not a good sign. However, he was able to eat a little more today... including a pickled egg that I got for him from the cafeteria.
I am very pleased with the hospital cafeteria here at CCMH. I realize that hospital food (in general) has a bad rap... but they do a really good job here. I went down to get myself something to eat... and all the food was fresh, healthy... and tasted wonderful. And tell me... how many hospitals offer freshly made pickled beet eggs, home-made pies... and real meatloaf?



I also stopped at the Hershey Farms Market on Route6. They had gorgeous flats of spring flowers in.... and I was able to get a lovely flat of beautiful Johnny-Jump-Ups and a really pretty pale ivory and pink mum. I had already bought a big planter, and dirt... and now I am going to fix them all up into a nice piece to sit right near the front deck of my parent's house. This way... it will greet anyone who comes to the house.
I had gotten a new birdfeeder as well for my parents, and this morning I made sure all of the feeders were full and outside. Mom and dad love to watch the birds... so that will be nice for them I think.



The photos for today are from Hershey's new shipments of spring plants. They had primrose, tulips, pansies, mums, gerbera daisies, lilies.... and the most gorgeous hydrangeas I have ever seen.


Links:
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital: see here
Hershey Farms Market: see here


**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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I took some time this afternoon to go and take some photos. Just outside of town on Route49... in Colesburg... is the WaterWheel Farm. I think it is still owned by the Regis Family, who live nearby. Either way... it is stunningly beautiful. Even with winter's coat still on.... and spring but a whisper away... it is still gorgeous.



And so... Kristin, Sabrina and I all walked around the farm, ponds and such. This red winged-blackbird kept calling to me... but stayed just far enough away that I really couldn't get a great shot of him.... but I tried.



There is a creek that feeds the several ponds on the farm... and it was bubbling with fresh cool water from the hills surrounding the farm ...



Sabrina found several gopher and rabbit holes to investigate... and was having a wonderful time frolicking about. We weren't there maybe an hour or so... but it was timed right so that we had the opportunity to see the sun beginning to set while we were there...



We then drove to get my mom from the hospital from her visit with my dad. My mom is quite sick with the bronchitis... her cough is just awful. She is on a good dose of steroids as well as antibiotics now... and the meds are giving her some fits as well (hot flashes, really flushed and sore cheeks, upset stomach, etc). I think she is just plain wore out.

Kristin also came down with the flu this am... although tonight she seems a bit better for having taken some medicine and gotten out in the sun...




And then there's my dad. He is not doing well. Seems like every day he is getting a little worse. He is on nebulizers now for a bad cough, and continues to be distended in the abdomen and very swollen in his legs. Additionally, he is becoming somewhat lethargic... and has no appetite at all. I just don't know what to do...



On the home front... my son and his girlfriend have gotten engaged... and are planning their wedding! They are anxious to begin their new life together... and want to get things moving along. So much has happened while I have been gone... I just can't believe it...

And tonight my hubby told me that he picked up this week's issue of the ALIBI ( the local ABQ newspaper we get)... and it looks like I have WON their annual photo contest in the category of "manipulated images"... holy cow!

It all seems like such a merry-go-round at the moment.... I can't process it all. But I am trusting that everything will work out just the way it is supposed to... and I just need to "keep calm and carry on"... as the saying goes.....


**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Everyone seems wiped out today. Not sure if it is the weather (still raining most of the time)... or just everything catching up with us.... but it is one of those days when you wish you could stay in bed. Even Sabrina is content to curl up on a couch and let the world disappear for a bit.
Fortunately, I made a big pot roast the other day in the crock pot... and I do have some photos for my blog... so I just need to get a photo for the day ( for my 365 photo every day - photo challenge).



A friend of mine asked me yesterday where I find all the interesting things to take pictures of. I am not sure that my "subjects" are exactly riveting... (especially today)... but I try to take photos of things that perhaps we see every day.... but don't really see. I try to make what most people see as "ordinary"... perhaps a bit more extra-ordinary....



The photos for today were taken over a 10 minute break from running errands yesterday. I stopped near the Hershey Farms on Route6; and took 4 or 5 photos of the cows, the geese... the creek... simple, ordinary things that the people here see every day. I added a retro color filter scheme... to make them all look a little golden; a little vintage... and that's it. I'm not really happy with the photos of the cows... but they were being shy, and every time I tried to get a little closer; they would take off. Plus... using a simple point and shoot sometimes has it's limitations... and in this case... not much of a telephoto zoom. Some days are like that....



And this last photo is our submission for this week's Echo Challenge. Brenda (my partner in crime) did the photo of the guitars and I did the photo of the stickers. The theme for this week was "collection."
You can see everyone's entries here
And here is a link to Brenda's Blog

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(waiting areas near the laboratory and the radiology department)


It's been raining all day..... and I spent most all of today at the hospital.... in addition to my dad being sick.... now my mom is as well. The doctor's don't think she has pneumonia... but something pretty darn close to it. So, she had appointments, lab work done, x-rays done, etc.
Once we finally got her taken care of, then we visited with my dad. He seems to be having greater amounts of pain, and quite a bit of swelling in his legs... but he moves fairly well in spite of having the hip surgery. His appetite is poor... but then... he hasn't been horribly active.



(the aquarium on Long Term Care )

And so... I got to wander around the hospital quite a bit. I worked here from 1986-1990; when I got married and moved away. There are complete sections that are new to me... and it can be somewhat confusing.. . but the core of the hospital is the same. I can still find my way to the cafeteria and such. I ran into an a friend who works on housekeeping there. She is awesome. After working at so many different hospitals all over the US; I can honestly say that Charles Cole is one of the cleanest hospitals I have ever seen. Some of the decor and such still look circa 1950-60's.... but I think that this just lends itself to the charm of the place. It is a larger place, but definitely has a home-town feel... which if I were a patient... I would really appreciate.


(vending machines on the 2nd floor)


(a familiar view)


And so... almost all the photos I took today are from the hospital. It is very challenging sometimes to continue with the 365 project... especially on days like today... but I think it is helping me to grow as a photographer... to see things in what most view as the mundane.

And now.... off to take some Tylenol for my continued headache *going on 48hrs now*.... and maybe do some laundry before I head off to bed.


(rainy night parking lot blues )

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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-----------------------------------a collage of photos taken at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital today



Today was one of those weirdly busy days... I ended up driving alot of people different places... to the store... to get groceries... to get movies.... out for dinner.....to the hospital and back... just different things. Kind of a "hurry up and wait" kind of thing at times.....
The hospital that dad is getting his rehab at is Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. It is the closest... and basically.. only ... hospital in the area. The next closest is about an hour away. And the one that dad had his surgery at is about 3hrs away.
CCMH is a good hospital. It has undergone sooooooooo many changes since I last worked there in 1990. But then, that is to be expected.
Dad had a bad day today. Alot of pain... still alot of swelling.... poor appetite... and generally not feeling well. He promised to take some pain meds tonight and try to rest......



........................................................................... a couple photos from one of the few alleyways in Coudersport. The mural was painted on the back of this building when I was in high school, by some fellow high school students. I think it still looks pretty cool.
I also love the brickwork on the buildings here. Alot of the downtown area features buildings built around 1880... so they are all brick... with Gothic and Victorian touches here and there. This is the backside of one of the buildings... and I just love the old iron staircase....



For dinner.... Kristin and I went down to Fox's Pizza... (formerly the Tastee Freeze when I was a kid). It still looks exactly the same as it did in the 1970's.... only the food has changed ever so slightly. You can still get pizza, burgers, fries, and soft serve ice cream and sundaes... but now they also offer Gyros and sub sandwiches, mozzarella sticks and other "fast food" items.
When I was a kid... they actually had a brown bear in a pen out back for "tourists" to gawk at... fortunately... they do not do that anymore. It's one of the few places for people to hang out at.... and the ice cream is still pretty good.....PLUS... ya gotta love that they still have gumball machines with cheesy toys in them.....



And then there was this guy... just taunting me from his perch on a porch in town. Nothing screams EASTER... like a plastic light-up bunny . My mother-in-law would've loved it... so in her honor, it became my photo for the day.....
---------------------------------------------------> all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Links:
Charles Cole Memorial Hospital: here
Fox's Pizza: here
Info on Coudersport, PA: here

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Today was somewhat relaxing.... I woke up very late... and sat out by the river for a little while. I was able to get some photos of crocus and cinquefoil flowers... sure signs that spring is well on it's way and settling in. I saw robins.... and even some bees!



And I was able to visit with my parents... my dad is quite sore and swollen today. He thinks it is from the transfer in the ambulance... too much stress and lying down ... he thinks. But... he is progressing with his walking... which is just amazing.



... as the sun came to rest in the Allegheny mountains... I took my mom home to rest for the night. Then, my daughter, my nephew, and one of my nieces and I all went to "Olga's Cafe" in town. The featured band tonight was an Irish group from Buffalo, NY. The band's name is "Cairde", and normally they have 4 members in the band, but one was absent tonight. They were quite good...but then, I love Irish music. There was a couple who came with the band; who were trained in Irish dancing, and they got up and did some jigs.... as well as help leading some audience members in a dance... which was fun.



And we enjoyed the atmosphere at Olga's... warm and welcoming... with excellent food... and (in my case)... a good glass of Riesling. We all shared "bangers and mash" (sausage and mashed potatoes), spinach dip with chips, a vegetarian goat cheese (small) pizza, and a buffalo wing panini. Everything was really, really well made and tasty.



And now I am back at my parent's house... enjoying a warm cup of tea... and about to tuck in.... with Irish jigs dancing in my head.... and a warmth in my heart....


............................................................................................All photos by Elaine A. Russell
Links:
The band.... Cairde: look here
Olga's Gallery & Cafe: look here

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Today as a treat... I took my mom and my daughter to Erway's Family Restaurant in Coudersport, PA. The Erway family has been in the area for several generations, and are in the farming business. I remember always getting Erway's Dairy milk... and going to the barns to see the cows. Now... there is a restaurant (*think a smaller Cracker Barrel)... a old time candy section... a farmer's market type fruits and vegetables area.... feed for birds, dogs, cats and such... and in the spring/summer/fall months... there is a huge plant section. It's always fun to wander about and see what's available.
So... today we ate an early supper in the restaurant (I had a Philly Cheese steak with all the goodies... homemade fries.. and a cold coke. Kristin had a crab cake sandwich with homemade applesauce and potato chips, and mom had a deluxe chicken salad with homemade rolls).
But-- most people go to Erway's for the fresh homemade pie. Their menu features 13 different kinds of fresh pie... served with local made Perry ice cream in any flavor they have.
The photos show our servings of Blackberry pie... with black raspberry ice cream for Kristin; and vanilla bean for me. (total bill was $35... 3 entrees, 3 drinks, 2 desserts)




Then we went out to the various other areas... and in what is usually the plants section.... were these huge bins of baby chicks (Rhode Island reds, a black variety, and a golden variety). I am against the selling of baby chicks, ducks, and bunnies at Easter. To me... it encourages people to buy these little babies for small children who are (for the most part) too rough on them... and lose interest after a week or so... leaving the poor creatures unattended... abandoned... set "free"... or doomed to perish in a small cage somewhere.
Now. I know that the farmers/ranchers need to earn a living... I just feel bad for the animals.
Having personally owned/ rescued several bunnies over the years... I know all too many bad stories of mistreated critters who were originally gotten as an "Easter pet."
So... getting off my soapbox.... Erway's was doing an awesome job with the animals. They were in large, safe bins with clean litter.... lots of fresh food and water... and warming lamps for the chicks. The bins were tall enough that most little kids couldn't randomly grab at the animals or tease them. The bunnies even had some cardboard on the walls so that they wouldn't chew at the plastic on the bins... and it would give them something safe to nibble and scratch at. I give them many many props.
(these 2 photos are by Kristin.. and show the cause and effect of my actions)

And I suppose that I am no better.... having seen their cute cuddliness... I was immediately drawn in. I took a few photos (no flash... and I did not disrupt the critters). And I only very briefly held the tiniest of the bunnies who had somehow gotten stuck mostly under the cardboard walls and seemed stuck.... so I helped him up and out.... gave him a little snuggle (while my daughter took a photo) ... and put him very gently back with his siblings. Mind you... I held him for maybe a minute or two at tops.... and as you can see from this photo.... I immediately got red eyes and much swelling/ itching and such.
I have always been allergic to most every animal... but after years of having rescue rabbits... I became increasingly allergic to them. But... I simply ADORE rabbits. ... and could not resist.
Was it worth it? You betcha :)


(photo of me holding the baby bunny ...by Kristin)

(all other photos by Elaine A. Russell)

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...barefoot in the backyard.... warm grass and moss under my toes...

...snowdrops blooming in a neghbor's front yard...

...a childhood friend's house (also a "station" on the historic Underground RailRoad)...


...white birch at the local Patterson Cancer Center...

...views from a typical barn in the area...
(all photos by Elaine A. Russell)


Today was an odd mix of answering countless phone calls... taking a few pictures... doing laundry... getting groceries.... visiting with my dad.... cooking... cleaning... and (later) visiting with my mom who got back from Philadelphia late tonight.
It's late. I am exhausted... but I am thinking that (hopefully) things may be beginning to settle down.