On Tour with the Franklin

We have left "The Valley" for a week of touring with our 1925 Franklin automobile.  We are in central New York State in the Finger Lakes region.
 It is beautiful countryside and the weather is a little on the iffy side. Threats of rain, but then the sun comes out again.

There have been a few "break downs", but the repair crew has everything under control. 
 Will fill you in on more the the fun as it unfolds...
 This is a short entry because I have to get back to the fun....  
 enjoy the pictures and video of some of the very early cars on this tour.
 Until later.....

The East Run Valley Gathering .. July 24th, 2011

This is the third year for the annual Village of East Run gathering.

 Everybody was there...  and we had pot luck dinner, a fire for roasting marsh mellows, and plenty of stories about the "olden days"....
 One of the most talked about items was the lack of rain in the past three weeks and the heat wave.  Uncle Bob was saying he doesn't think there will be a second cutting on his hay fields.  There was even a discussion about the beavers that are building dams along the stream through the valley.  Apparently, Great Grand Dad used to say if the beavers are building dams up stream,  we will be getting a wet fall, and if they build their dam down stream, they know we are in for a dry fall.  The logic was lost on me, but I have noticed the beavers have stopped building dams along our part of the stream.  So, I'm going to watch the weather this fall... if the beaver are correct, it is going to be a dry fall.  I'll keep you posted about this.

 There was music played in the traditional way...  anyone with a "gift" and an instrument was invited to join in. Even Morgan, and her harmonica got in on the show.

We went out for a "hay ride" behind a vintage Farmall tractor.  The ride went down through the valley and past some of the other farms in the area.  Every one's houses and yards always look neat as a pin and well kept.

The food and tables were set up in Joe and Kathy's new barn... The barn is very new, it still doesn't have the sides put up yet.
 But that didn't matter because the real reason for being there was to have everyone together for a true community spirited gathering.

 When anyone asks how my summer is going, I always say "Everything and everyone in our little slice of paradise" is going along just fine...
 When the folks of East Run gather on a hot summer Sunday in July, you can be sure everything is right with the world.  From our vantage point, there is a calm and good feeling in the air, and if Darla (our valley comedian) gets her way,  the "rain dance" she was leading us with, from her favorite lawn chair will bring that second cutting of hay uncle Bob wants to put up for the winter to feed his cows.

 Until the next time......keep an eye out for some thunder showers!  Have your umbrella turned upside down...
 
 

Home from vacation...

WOW !!!!   The stories I have to share about our vacation are many and fun !!!
 We spent a week on Cape Cod.  Enjoying museums, restaurants, history, and parties.
 JP and I ventured up to Cape Cod to see our friends Matt and Cass from Washington DC get married...  They have been planning the wedding for some time, and had everything in place for a fun time for all !

Even though it rained, and the garden ceremony was moved inside... the event was PERFECT !
 The food, wine, vows, tributes from family and friends, and the setting all combined to make a magical time for our Dear Matt & Cass.

 JP and I found our way to Sandwich Ma. and to my family homestead.  It is now open as a museum, with the distinction of being the oldest home in The United States still owned by the original family descendants who built it.  It is the "Wing Fort House" in Sandwich Mass. Built in 1641. 

 When JP and I pulled up out front, it didn't look like anyone was around the place. So we got out of the car and started looking around the grounds.  Then I noticed the lock on the door was "opened", and I tried the door.  When it opened for me, I started to head into the house. JP got excited about my assumption that I could just walk right into a museum house like that...
 JP; "WHAT are you doing !?!?!?"
 Billy; "Going in."
 JP; "You can't just walk in like that !!!!"
Billy; " Sure I can...  It's my family home after !!!  Isn't it ??? "
 JP; " I can't believe you do things like this...."
 Billy; (looking back over my shoulder) "Come on, follow me..."
When I got inside, I got the feeling someone else was in there, and a creek on the floorboards from upstairs confirmed... JP and I were NOT alone in the house.
 I looked up the stairs and gave out a loud "Hellooooooo"  To which the response was "WHOs THERE !?!"
 I responded with "I'm William Woodcock, a descendant of Stephen Wing !!!!"
 The voice from above came back with " Oh,  Come on up !!! A pleasure to meet you ! I'm Dave Wheelock, the curator of this house for the Wing Family.
 Dave showed us around the house and told us stories about the home and history of the settlement. 
 I'll have to fill you in on my "Cousin Cora"... the last Wing to live in the house as a regular occupant....
 She lived there with her "Girlfriend" as I found out, and they were a couple of real live wires.  As the saying goes... " the leaf doesn't fall far from the tree"...  

 JP and also did something we never thought would happen to us.... We got married !!!
 YEAH... we tied the knot in Barnstable, Mass, and the Yarmouth Town Hall, on June 8th.
 We didn't tell anyone about it, because we didn't want to upstage any of the wedding excitement already in place for Matt and Cass....  So we secretly "ELOPED" and sent out cards to tell family and friends back home in "The Valley" what we did.

It was a delightful experience for us... and everyone was helpful and supportive with directions and paperwork.
 Even Judge Riley at the Barnstable Probate Court stopped a court proceding late in the day to sign paperwork for us, and was delighted to have us there "all the way from Pennsylvania" to be married on Cape Cod !
 The day couldn't have gone better for us...  The sun was out, everyone was friendly and fun, and the ceremony was delightful in every way.  It was relaxed and pleasant, intimate and meaningful.
 Even though JP and I have known each other for 24 years, and have been living together for 18 years... this was an event we found thrilling on every level. It even made us giggle like school kids every time we looked at each other and realized we ARE married in 5 states, and recognized in two others....
 Wholly Cats... this means we are on our Honeymoon !!!!
 We dropped cards in the mail to everyone we felt should know what we had done... and went about Cape Cod with a renewed enthusiasm for our vacation.
 One of our stops was to have lunch at the Daniel Webster in Sandwich Mass....  it is a very old inn that serves up a great lunch, and has been a regular stop for JP and I every time we are on Cape Cod.

Then over to the Heritage museum to see the cars and the gardens.

When we arrived in Province Town, our first stop after settling in at the Bayberry guest house was to have lunch at the Lobster Pot !!! 
 We met friends who were there from Manhattan for Matt & Cass' wedding, and caught up on all the latest over a bloody mary and lobster bisque.

Well,  I have always intended on keeping these entries short and easy to read through... but we packed so much into our time away... I have to take up just a little more of your time with one last story about our trip....
 This is to tell you about what we found when we got home to "The Valley"....

When we pulled into the driveway... I noticed balloons on the front step, and then white bows on the doors.
JP and I thought it was delightful that our "Valley Family" remembered us with a "Welcome home surprise"...
BUT.... the real surprise was about to reveal itself to us when we opened the front door....

 Our home had been invaded by well wishers who strung rainbow ribbons and streamers all over the place, and cards and signs of Congratulations, and flowers !!!   There was a wedding cake from Aunt Peggy....!!!!! 
 It was all overwhelming and fun...  So we called up everyone and had people over for cocktails and celebrations....
 Our "Valley Family" is truly wonderful !!!!   Our return home couldn't have been any better !!!
 Just when I thought  we were arriving home with no fanfare, and feeling a little "blue" that we got hitched, and there was hardly any celebratory excitement... The friends we love so dearly at home in "The Valley" came through for us !!!
 There isn't any other place I'd rather be.....

 Until the next time....  Stay tuned in.

 

Making friends on Cape Cod

JP and I got onto Cape Cod and found it is easy to make friends with the state bird of Massachusetts.

This turkey visited in the back yard of our friend Terry.  I discovered he really likes Cinnamon raisin bagels.

 JP and I went on a local brewery tour at the Cape Cod Brewery.  Had to buy some to take back home to Eastrun with us.

JP fell in love with an IPA they are brewing for the summer.
Also spent some time at Grey's beach here in Yarmouth Port.... 

 Looking forward to heading out to P-Town and even more fun !!!

 B

Vacation in the summer time

We have left East Run for a little vacation to New England.
Our first stop is Hartford Conn.
Kirby is along with us.  He is doing a great job of keeping the chipmunks in David & Fran's backyard on edge as he patrols the grounds.   The chipmunks have had to figure out creative ways and places to hide.
One chipmunk went up the downspout in the garden, and didn't come back out until late in the night, when the "coast was clear".

 The birds and squirrels in the back yard aren't safe either.

 We visited with our friend David R. and looked over his car collection.  He is an avid Hupp Mobile collector.  We went out to lunch and drove in his Studebaker station wagon.

Motoring along in stylish 1950's comfort !!!!

 And certainly you knew there would be cocktails while we are on vacation....   After all, it is five-0-clock somewhere.

From Hartford we will be heading to Cape Cod. 
 Cape Cod have always held out interest due to the history and slower pace of life there... once you get off the main roads and highways.
 We will keep you up to date as we continue this adventure.

 Until later,
   B.

A Tropical Heatwave

It seems summer has arrived here in East Run on the high speed express train from the tropics !!!!   It is very unusual to have temps in the 90's at the end of May. But that is exactly what we are getting.  It was 92 degrees yesterday, and due to be hotter today. Never mind talking about the humidity....  it is on the Verge of unbearable.
 But, the nice thing about all this warm weather is the garden has exploded into a fury of color. The flowers in the meadow have started to open, and even the native plants in the woods are in bloom.
 Just the other day my friend Trixy called and asked if I wanted to take a stroll over the hillside to look for the native Lady Slipper orchids that always seem to come up in just the right place.

When we first come upon the Lady Slippers, it is always such an impressive moment.  There they are, in the woods with dappled sunlight filtering down through the trees, and pink blossoms scattered around the woodland floor.
  The Iris in my own garden have opened and are being showy.  Rewarding me with strong stems and copious amounts of flowers. 
  When I talked last year about the lack of blooms on my Iris with a noted authority from upper New Jersey. A dear friend of mine who basically got me started in growing Iris. He said, "Billy, I think you are giving them way too much attention, just ignore them and they will reward you with flowers"... He was right !!!   I left them alone last year. No mulch, fertilizer, just enough water to keep them from drying up and blowing away.  The results are astounding !!!  Thank you Dennis !

   Even Kirby, The Wonder Dog of "The Valley", thinks I've done a good job where the Iris are concerned.
 Well,  I have to close for the moment.  We have a friend visiting from England this week, and it is time to get the coffee going and start moving for the day. It is always such a treat to have visitors from far away places. So many people have found their way here to "The Valley" and we always hear the same thing from them.  "This is a slice of paradise"....  We know how lucky we are to be here and enjoy our quiet surroundings, with our "Valley Family" and everything that comes along with being here.
  I'll try to get more added here soon,
 Now that the weather is shaping up...  there are so many things that need my attention.... I think Kirby is getting a bath today also. 
 Until next time.

If April Showers bring May Flowers, What do May Flowers bring ?

The answer is :  Soggy lawns and muddy puppy dog paw prints across the hardwood floors.
 Still raining here in Eastrun !   It is almost becoming a joke, only it isn't funny.  There have been very few breaks in the weather, and even less sunny moments.  Being a sun worshipper, I'm starting to feel a little like the flowers in the garden, craving some golden rays of sunshine.
 Today my week on my own comes to an end.  I will be picking JP up at the airport this evening.  It is amazing how fast a week can go by. 
 I had dinner with some friends during the week. Went on an artist and pottery studio tour on the weekend, worked in the yard between raindrops, and organized my workbench in preparation of the next phase of the 1928 Franklin car project.  It doesn't seem like much was accomplished when I write it down, but every day at the end of the day... I was worn out from all the activity.  Then there is looking after Kirby, cleaning the house, and making sure I look after myself.  I can see how easy it would be to become a hermit if left to my own devices.
 Trixy e-mailed me recently... she mentioned something about taking her Big Red Jeep Wranger on a "Deep woods exploration" for ferns.  I'm glad this expedition is HER idea.  The last daffodil run we made was MY idea, and she was caught off guard by poison ivy.  At least this time I can't be blamed as the reason for any mishaps of that nature.  I think its time to get Trixy a better pair of gardening gloves.  The kind that go half way up your arms.
 I'll keep you posted on how it goes.....
 Until next time.