Do not click to make it bigger - we like it small!

One year after my radiation treatments, and two years after my surgery, there seems to be no prostate cancer present.  We'll check again in 6 months, but in the meantime life is good!

 

Inside the Violet Barn

Click images to embiggen!

Ice Discs

Found these "ice discs" (for want of a better term) in a small stream flowing by The Violet Barn in Naples, NY.  The water is on it's way to Canandaigua Lake.  The little cluster of 7 discs at the center of the picture is particularly interesting.  There appears to be a small one forming in the foreground.  I think these were formed as the bits of foam from the little waterfall to the right out of the picture began to freeze with more foam freezing at the edge as the current swirls around.  The discs are about 6" to 10" across?

Evidently there are rarely very large ice discs formed.  You can Google "ice discs" for some more pics, or click here for a nice pic of a big one.

And we are cutting the school budget?

I usually don't borrow from others for my blog, but I have always been fascinated by bad grammar, and other evidence of  general ignorance.  Thanks to friend Jason Tenant who posted this on Facebook.   Not sure where he got the picture, but there is no Sunset Blvd. around here.  A special shout out to my old friend and high school science teacher - Richard Hunt!  I'm a country boy, so I was very familiar with possums - and cats - before I got to his class, but he certainly would never let one of his students out into the world this ignorant.  To their credit, this finder of lost pets did know how to determine the animal's sex --- perhaps leading to the "Not very friendly" attitude. 

Wonderful Discovery!

We discovered that by putting two different hanger pieces on the back of our latest dancer, she has two very different and wonderful poses.  This is the first time we've done this, and it is quite exciting!  Two different dancers for the price of one, or buy two to hang together on your wall in different poses!

Good News

I know some of you have been waiting for these pictures?

I am really not a big fan of having Doctor's putting me into big machines, or in this case sticking a camera down my throat, looking for something that needs fixing!  These pictures were taken by the same guy who has taken pictures of the other end a couple of times.  It turns out that these days they don't like to treat good old fashioned heartburn without first going in with a camera to see if there has been any serious damage.  This time I don't get to pay any extra money, and they don't even want me back in a year to look again!  The little samples they took were just ordinary healthy meat!  You can bet that was a nice letter to get.

My favorite moment?  I asked the good Doctor if the little camera has a windshield wiper?  Kind of a messy environment to take pictures in!  The solution --- a small jet of water sprays on the lens washing away any odd junk encountered along the way!

New Dancer for 2010

Our latest figure - new for 2010.

Click on image to embiggen!

Somewhat hard to get excited about designing right now, but this is actually a very nice figure.

Our usual $65 retail for 15" high version - $175 for 29" tall version, and $20 for a small one on a frameable greeting card.
Plus shipping.

As usual, lots of color choices available for dress and for skin tone!

Time to go get the gun?????

I used to watch those "Golden Memories" buses go by and comment.... "If you ever see me riding in one of those, go get a gun and shoot me."

Now, my Dad and I are front page news in the local "Golden Times" newspaper!

Yup!  That's me on the left above..... doing exercises sitting in a chair!  "How can that be called exercise?" I used to say.  After a few minutes in that chair, I knew that either I was old, or out of shape, or maybe exercise in a chair is real!

Click here

for a very nice article about The Wolk Senior Center in downtown Rochester, NY, and some of the story of my family, and our process of growing older together.

Life is very good, and I have nothing but thanks for the opportunity to grow old with my parents, and with my grandchildren, and with my wonderful wife Cheryl!  And many thanks to Lifespan and their programs like The Wolk Senior Center.  The highest thanks are reserved for ILS (Independent Living for Seniors) and the wonderful people who provide help and friendship for my family!

 Photos by Jack Haley ( A very nice guy)

Photos borrowed from "Golden Times" newspaper published by Post Newspapers of Canandaigua, NY.

Maya & CJ Tuesday

Spent a great day with Maya and CJ today.  Maya is just incredible, and CJ is pretty much the same without the constant conversation!  With all my genealogy expertise, I still can't figure out how Maya and Maeve are related ;-)