Note... Am working on a Chalk Art Festival here in Old Forge (indoors) at the end of March... more to follow soon...

Chalk Art Festival Comin!

 

Here I am in Seattle, listening to the voice of a woman with a healthy understanding, in my mind... of love

Want to avoid getting sent to the doghouse this year, guys? Watch this. Please.

Beware of the Doghouse- Hilarious! - The most amazing home videos are here

Old Forge Pre-Snodeo SNOWS

 

love never dies...

Don't Ask The Angels How They Fly

Knowing there's only so much time,
I don't rejoice less but more.
Knowing how many things will now
not happen, I wish them Godspeed
and pass them on to someone
down the line. I honor my
regrets, the part of me that
never happened or happened wrong
and proceed on course though
the course is not known. Only
the end is known and some days
it's a comfort. We live on
love, whether it's there or
not and rejoice in it even in
its absence. If I had known,
I'd have come here better equipped -
but that's another one of those
things you can't change - as we
can't alter that part of us
that lives on memory, knowing
all the while that time is not
real and that what we are we
never were in the light of that
timeless place where we really
belong, have belonged always.
And what's left then is only
to bless it all in the light of
what we don't and will never
know or at least not here where
the light is only a shadow of
that light we almost see sometimes -
that light that's really home.


Albert Huffstickler
On my 69th birthday - Dec 17, 1996



A poem worth considering....

Good lord - what talent! Do NOT miss this guy...

barf and upchuck

I wish I could make my lips move so fast...

Satire... don't you love it?

First (HEAVY) Snow - October 29th

 

Me... after long day

See other photos of Life Is Good interiors I have designed
by clicking HERE...

 

Latest "Life Is Good" store in Rochester, NY

 

Claude is the owner of my 3rd "Life Is Good" store.... I custom design interior for owners of Neighborhood "Life Is Good" stores. I have also designed and painted the interiors of stores in Old Forge and Saratoga Springs, New York

My bank teller in Old Forge

 

Could I please just have a receipt for my deposit, oh, and a dog biscuit for Andy?

Some things are worth the risk...

Morning Hike Up Bald Mountain... once again

Catherine Light... self portrait...

 

Why do I feel like I am in northern Jersey - ADK-style

 



Welcome to Long Lake -
Well, one aspect of Long Lake.
This jolly jockey seems a little out of place, especially since a large cardboard warning sign, unseen and to his right, proclaimed the privacy of the dirt road we were about to enter (merely for the purpose of backing up and returning to civilization).

4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

(Pamme Swan and guests at BYOB Tuesdays!

The lineup for the week of July 4th at the Big Moose Inn and Restaurant is just incredible! Great music by both the Moon Dogs of Malone on July 4th at 8 pm and Fritz Henry on July 5th. The new fine AND casual dining menus continue to WOW our guests! Tuesday we offer BOTH a BYOB (Bring Your OWN Blanket) Barbecue on the lawn - see VIDEO below! as well as FINE DINING!
Following our BYOB on July 9th we are hosting our very first STAR PARTY (July 8th) at dusk with local astronomer Steve Durham and his new MEAD telescope (see below)- followed on Friday, July 10th - our every popular First Friday Folk Fest and OPEN MIKE night hosted by Pamme Swan. Where else would you wanna be this summer, eh?

In memory...

Bald Mountain - in years gone by!

http://www.masterpieces.com/bald4.htm
Check out this great link for old postcard
shots of Bald Mountain -

Wintergreen Park, Canojoharie, NY

View Album

Get your own

The trip to Canojoharie...

on the way to shoot pictures of the rare "showy" ladyslippers in the Remsen Bog, decided to drive further... visit this great gorge located just past the highschool in Canojohaire. It was a WOW... with water so warm as it gets superheated while traveling over the bed of shale that forms its bottom... and the 20 minute walk (wear TEVA's and swimming gear, although swimming is officially verbotim) culminates, if you are not careful - in a thirty foot drop over a falls. Lots of kids jump there. I would not recommend it. Tricky. your call....

There's been alot of rain this spring...

 

The wet spring brings out showy lady slippers...
and showy.... what the ?
(Was introduced to this fine dragon in front of the new coffee house in town, "Ozzies"...)
Wildlife in the ADK's is changing. Hope this guy never gets off his leash and mates
with the local deer. Scary thought.

 

Out of this world beauty

 


It's been a while since I have posted anything on this site. My interest waned after the death of my niece, Jamie - on December 12, 2007.
But life - in all its beauty - rises its head and says... sigh... Pay Attention.
Oh, yes.

Hundreds attend sled dog races in Inlet

The pleasure of having these races held here in the area for the second year in a row is great! Stop by - and say hi to sled dog artist Pam LaCombe-Connell and her family (including 7 dogs)- and tell her racing thirteen year old son that we hope the sled doesn't tip again today!

Do you become a bit of a hermit in the winter?

Does the moon ever leak? Let's hope not! See below...

More info at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3249951.stm

On Wednesday evening, February 20th, the full Moon will enter the Earth’s shadow producing a total lunar eclipse. The Moon will begin to enter the shadow at 8:43 pm EST producing a progressing partial eclipse. Totality will begin at 10:01 pm. The Moon will turn a delightful shade of red when totally immersed in the Earth’s shadow due to the bending of our Sun’s red light by our atmosphere. At 10:51 pm the Moon will begin to leave the Earth’s shadow. If the weather permits, experience for yourself this awesome alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon. This is the last total lunar eclipse until Dec. 2010.

The Eclipse of Meaning - and Cognitive Psychology

There are times one needs to dig below the surface. Read this journal article
when prompted to do so....

http://jhp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/33/1/67?ck=nck

Any poems about the Red Moon? The poem below sounds like the early 70's, doesn't it? Or are these thoughts ageless?

Red Moon
by
Diane C. Hundertmark

When the moon is red
and the sky is gray
Then my friend
it is time to pray

When the sun is white
and the sky is red
It is time for us to let
ourselves be led

By the one
who carries the sun

When the world runs red
and it drips of blood
Then it is time
for the spirit of peace to come

It will cleanse the earth
and restore it to
It's once brillant
and natural hue

It will call to the powers
and all that lives
Uniting them together
in the now holy lands

The spirit -- is love
and I am you
Together
we shall build
the world anew

Copyright 1972

ICE SCULPTURES ON MAIN STREET, OLD FORGE

Scott, owner, master carver... www.theicefarm.com



Hummingbird: Foley Hardware, Old Forge




Eagle with Salmon in talons, in front of Conscious Cotton, Old Forge



In front of Wilderness Interiors




Oliver and I, in front of the first carving done by Scott yesterday. More being done today in front of Foley Hardware in Old Forge. the owner, Bill Brooker, met Scott when nordic skiing in Osceola last weekend - and voila! the Makings of an Ice Carving and Sculpting Festival here in Old Forge!

How to shower like a man.

Well, at least I can do a drawing on the mirror...

2 month anniversary

Yesterday was not a good day. 2 month anniversary of my niece's death from leukemia. Got $460 fuel oil bill for the month of January. Found out that the local paper messed up on a half page ad. Blew a presentation to the town board, and had a fight with my boyfriend.

So, I have a choice.

I can sit here wallowing in remorse.
Or, I can climb.

.... have boots, will travel

MOTHER/MUSHER/MAGNIFICENT ARTIST

Sled Dog Artist Pam LaCombeConnell
www.sleddogfineart.com
will be holding a reception Sat. Feb. 23rd from 7:30-8:30 at the Big Moose Inn in Eagle Bay while her son competes in the New England Sled Dog Club's races there this weekend. More info here
www.bigmooseinncalendar.blogspot.com
and www.nesdc.org.

Women... we are wonderful

Women In Film

Video by Philip Scott Johnson
Pictured ...
Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Norma Shearer, Ruth Chatterton, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Vivien Leigh, Greer Garson, Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, Gene Tierney, Olivia de Havilland, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers, Loretta Young, Deborah Kerr, Judy Garland, Anne Baxter, Lauren Bacall, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Shirley MacLaine, Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Janet Leigh, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Ann Margret, Julie Andrews, Raquel Welch, Tuesday Weld, Jane Fonda, Julie Christie, Faye Dunaway, Catherine Deneuve, Jacqueline Bisset, Candice Bergen, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sigourney Weaver, Kathleen Turner, Holly Hunter, Jodie Foster, Angela Bassett, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Salma Hayek, Sandra Bullock, Julianne Moore, Diane Lane, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Halle Berry

Music: Bach's Prelude from Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 performed by Yo-Yo Ma

http://www.myspace.com/e

Beauty is... as beauty paints

An "Arghhhhh" joke (?) Posted ONLY because I am about to pay my Health Insurance Bill, which at $455 monthly - didn't cover last month's hospital bill

Trying to escape through Pakistan, Osama Bin Laden found a bottle on a beach and picked it up.Suddenly, a female genie rose from the bottle and with a smile said "Master, may I grant you one wish?"

"You ignorant, unworthy daughter-of-a-dog! Don't you know who I am? I don't need any common woman giving me anything" barked Bin Laden. The shocked genie said "Please, I must grant you a wish or I will be returned to that bottle forever."

Osama thought a moment, then grumbled about the impertinence of the woman and said "Very well, I want to awaken with three American women in my bed in the morning. So just do it and be off with you!"

The annoyed genie said, "So be it !" and disappeared. The next morning Bin Laden woke up in bed with: Lorena Bobbitt, Tonya Harding, and Hillary Clinton. His p*nis was gone, his knees were broken, and he had no health insurance.

God is good.

Big Moose Lake Snowmobile Racing

Snowmobile Fashionistas?

Weather Report

ARgghhh! I am planning an event this September based on something begun in England, called National "Talk Like A Pirate" Day. My friend Fritz Henry (he's in my list of favorite solo performers - if you scroll down this blog)...
is going to perform at this (he is great at talking like a pirate). Well, I could give him a run for his money this morning. It's early. My old (only 4 months old) computer is now resting in Davey Jone's locker, and I just ordered a notebook from Dell. The good news? My new business has a better credit rating than I do. The bad news? I had to choose between purchasing a computer and paying my hospital bills from surgery last month. Hillary, you better straighten out the health care system if and when you make it to the top.
Because I make a living here thanks to the computer, you can see why this was a no-brainer decision. However... "ARGHHHH!" and "Shiver me TIMBERS?" ... makes you wanna walk the plank.

Anyway, speaking of "the top" - this morning, I am going to don my rain gear and climb. No, not a 46er. But up Bald Mountain. Super Bowl weekend was a caloric orgy. . . but man, wasn't that final catch wonderful? I have a new respect for these guys. Not only are they in top shape, but they know how to stay focused.

Not a bad thing. . . (ARGHHH!)

In the jungle.....

IN DA JUNGLE DA MIGHTY JUNGLE.......by hippo n doggy - The best bloopers are here

John Crimi, Outdoor Education Specialist, Gander Mt. Sports

John and his wife have been to
Africa big game hunting many times, and will be sharing their experiences at an Outdoor Wilderness Weekend offered at a former hunting/wilderness lodge called the Big Moose Inn in Eagle Bay. Call them for a brochure - and enjoy this slide show I made featuring shots of John's trophies.
Now, I must admit, I have mixed feelings about this... as I am new to this world. But, it warrants exploring. Enjoy this demo - and share your thoughts....

Hunting and Seeing Africa...

3/8 - New program on Hunting and Seeing Africa at Big Moose Inn!

Wanna think outside the box?
check out the Outdoor Wilderness Program coming at the Big Moose Inn in March... which includes a slide show by John Crimi and his wife called "Hunting and Seeing Africa".
Get in the mood by visiting here! then call the Inn for details at 315.357.2042!
Talk about thinking outside the "Blue Line".... (grin)

Jamie's presence lingers in the halls of the many hospitals in which she stayed before she died last month. She and her sister, Mel - were google-eye fans. . . as is evident in this photo.
This blog was started, in part - in order for me to share the beauty of the Adirondacks with her as (we had hoped) she recovered from leukemia. She passed away on Dec. 12th.
Jamie was well-known for a ten year old. Her efforts at fund raising were carried on CNN - and her home town favorites - the Buffalo Sabres - are continuing to work towards Leukemia research in her memory.
They will soon be playing a game and dedicating it to her memory. Each will be wearing one of her designer wristbands. They knew and loved my niece well.

Whenever I climb, I think of her.
And what part of one's day is Not about climbing? . . . I climb out of bed, out of the car, out of the hot tub, out of trouble, out of drunken sleep, out of - despair.
Google eyes? Oh, yes.

The Adirondack winters give us plenty of opportunities to climb.

On Skiing the Brea Trails in Boonville, NY

12 miles of skiing... from Boonville to Pixley Falls State Park.
Wow... these trails are maintained with a double track - and everyone from aged grandmas to tiny tots were out enjoying the course.
I can't help but reflect on how easy it is to follow a track already laid out, as compared to bushwacking through the wilderness, which is how I normally travel emotionally. I will post a few pics of the falls and hope to go back there to ski again soon.
The trails follow an aged canal system - I look forward to reading more about the history of the area. Returned.... wanting to read poetry - and stumbled upon an article in Ploughshares about the work of Elizabeth Bishop, whose work I had not read in a few years. The piece was called "The Art Of Changing Your Mind"... google it if you are a poetry fan.
Pre-set cross country trails are not necessarily helpful for practicing this artform... instead they provide relief from the need to make any decisions at all. For this gal, who limits herself to three decisions a day, at most, choosing the Brea Trails on a day of rest (Sunday) made sense.

Mt. Adams Success

Images from Mt. Adams climb.

What do these shots capture?
Two dogs negotiating difficult crossings.
Left unseen...
two people doing same.



A few thoughts.
Up isn't easy.
Up is easier than down.



When sliding down - keep arms close to your sides...
(or risk having them accidently ripped off on the way down).

Did I mention my fear of heights?

When I am queen...

When I am queen, I shall forbid anyone from buying grey cars.
Have you noticed that there is an influx of overly sedate colors in the parking lots these days? What's up with that? Are all us boomers just sitting back and waiting to die? When I die, I want to be buried in a yellow convertible. Or while driving one.
AND when I am queen, I shall make it a rule.
ONLY Red cars can be sold in January, Blue in February, Chartreuse in March, Melon in May (oops, forgot a month there). You get my drift.

Mmmmmm- I am on a roll today. Not enough of something in my system.

HEADING TO THE HIGHLANDS

Taking the high road. Lots do it.
So will I, in a couple of hours. Mt. Adams.
I've been up since 2:30 am, as usual. Chicken soup is cooking on the stove top. Smells great.
I've showered, checked the email. Will write a press release (John Kribs and his son, Orion - will be playing next Saturday night at the Big Moose Inn. Orion was honored by having been chosen to be part of their 3 volume CD set of North Country musicians - (chosen over his father!). I can't wait to meet them - John started a couple of well known bands - Johnny and the Triumphs and Raquette River Rounders.
Anyway - I found photos of someone's Nov. hike up Adams - see here.

I have lost my camera (I think it fell when I was packing my swimming gear into the car last week. Until I find it, or a new one - my photo entries will be borrowed or bleak.
Old Forge area is happy this weekend, as the snow has been good. Snomobilers should be up in droves. I will cross country ski tomorrow.

Now, to work on a music video for a friend before daybreak.

Mount Adams

Leave before dawn - to Tahawus.... Upper Works... this time to cross a suspension bridge, and climb 1800 ft. to the Fire Tower - and, with any kind of luck... make it to the top to take a few shots. Gulp. Stay tuned.

On waiting -

The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

dumping physical memories

my computer has been crashing and alerting me with this warning - "Dumping Physical Memories".

Mmmm.
Wish it were so easy.

Hard to dump most physical memories.
Is that a bad thing?

Depends.

Tomorrow I will climb an almost 46er.
It's supposed to snow.

I'm ready.

On halfway measures

Jokingly, I had told a friend I was going to start a blog for people who climbed halfway up all the 46ers. Enough already! Say I! Even us alpha women need permission to forgo "going all the way" and "giving it all you've got". We are driven. Driven to succeed. Driven to have, do, eat, shit... do everything to the max.
Give it a rest! Say I!
Half a mountain's better than no mountain!
Half way is better than "NO WAY".
. . . oh, birdseed! . . . .

For some things, half is not whole.
I shall practice
giving myself over to tasks that are difficult.
Balancing my checkbook? Nah.
Flossing regularly? Nah.
Living with integrity?
mmmmm . . .
Full throttle.
And I shall practice it... by climbing.
All the way.
46ers...
here I come....
mumbling, bumbling, bellyaching.

Openings....

What strange dis-ease caused this opening, I wonder. Unsettling.
And beautiful.
Nature is always offering openings, isn't it?
Openings to create - and conversely - destroy.

I came upon this poem by Wendell Berry this morning before I went snowshoeing
on the golf course in Thendara where this photo was taken.

An odd place to reflect on wild things... a golf course.
In season, golf courses are tightly manicured paradises. Yet, this distorted tree lives there.

And in winter, it is as wild and forbidding during a storm as... well, any field.

Here are Berry's thoughts on wild things...
Click here. . . and rest in the peace of wild things.

Cross Country Skiing Long Lake and Raquette Lake NY

Some Cross Country possibilities within 35 miles or so!

Cross Country Skiing Long Lake and Raquette Lake NY

Andy At Ampersand

Up, up and away!

Thoughts on the "ampersand"

The ampersand itself is a symbol used to link two thoughts, ideas, separate entities together.
Today, Norm & I climbed Ampersand.
Today, Andy & Oliver climbed Ampersand.
Today & tomorrow, I hope that Norm & I, & Andy & Oliver, will continue to be so linked by this sexy little piece of punctuation. Some climbs are steeper than others.

From Atop Ampersand Mountain..

A steep climb today - but well worth the trip up (and the pleasure of sliding almost a mile down in the natural snowchute made by fellow snowshoers as a result of their own climb to the top.)

Take Time To Party

FOLK FEST AND OPEN MIKE:
100% Homemade MUSIC offered this Friday (and once monthly) at The Big Moose Inn... on Big Moose Lake. Hosted by Hamilton Folkster Pamme Swan (www.PammeSwan.com)
Begins at 8:00, and features guest musicians, open mike. No cover charge.
Their new by-line at the Inn is "Don't make a reservation, make a memory" - and this is my shameless plug for THAT concept. Call the www.BigMooseInn.com... I know they have rooms available for the weekend, too!

Roll With The Moment

This little video embeds my attitude for the coming year...
and last year provided plenty of practice!
Roll with the moment. And climb.
These pics are from the New Year's Day climb
up Castle Rock overlooking Blue Mountain Lake.
Enjoy the view.
Cathy

Happy New Year from Castle Rock, snowstorm!

A great snowshoe!
Details of this Blue Mountain Lake climb can be found here.
As the article notes, this climb is one of the most picturesque views from
a small mountain in the Adirondacks. . . and was a good 4 mile snowshoe. A solid base, with snow falling in huge powderpuffs most of the walk. Yeehaw.

For Cross Country Skis? One of the best Inlet has to offer!

Walter and his wife moved here from Germany decades ago, and started their cross-country touring and rental shop here at the edge of Fern Park in Inlet. Even with two new hips, Walter is a hard man to keep up with on the hills of this quaint town in the Central Adirondacks. And you won't find better prices on cross-country skis, with a healthy selection of used skis for beginners.