Odd Foods

I know, I am sorry. I am two weeks late in posting. I have not been out as much as I normally am the last two weeks.  So I tried to make up some time this week.  This post is about Odd Foods. I went to a grocery store and just walked the aisles to Look at different things that have caught my eye,  I knew I had in mind one item and is why I chose this category.  At one time, in the store I visited, I saw they had alligator meat.  That was my catch item. Alas, the truck that comes up from Florida did not have it on this week. So, I had to settle for some other things,  I know in the fish category, on menu's especially, You can find fish like Mahi-Mahi.  They even had it there, but, for me, just was not odd enough to qualify.  Here are a few of the items I found, a few are common, but just am not used to seeing ginger as a root..

Please check out margareetaville.blogspot.com/, As Well as Marks,www.locophotogblog.com, And Lisa's bustershouse.wordpress.com/.  See what they hat to offer with theirs.

One For The "Birds" PhotoPhun

 This one was a difficult challenge this week for me.  The weather in Erie, although above freezing, was just plain ole windy and rainy.  Not much good for going out to find local birds.  Alas, I have to retreat to going back into my stored files of photos taken over the years.  Alas, after having done that, it would have just plain been easier to take a day and go out and shoot them.

 I do have to admit though, this did bring back memories of some of the day trips that I have taken in the past.  Places Like Pymatunning Reseivoir, Down to the lake front, as well as just finding some raptors in the neighborhood.  It is amazing that Red tail hawks stay around all year.  their belly feathers change from the browns of summer to white for fall and winter.  These are the larger birds you see in the trees with the white undersides all Fall thru Springtime.

  Be sure to check out the entries of Lisa,http://bustershouse.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/photophun-birds/, Mark,http://www.locophotogblog.com/?p=605, and Ree,http://margareetaville.blogspot.com/

Some People Just Unclear of The Concept

 I was out paying bills the other day, and ran across this.  I was in-line at traffic light, and happened to peer over at ATM in parking lot.  Lo and behold, I see two people out at the ATM. The van they were driving is behind them. Somehow, I do not think they got the concept of a drive in ATM machine. Van was empty as I drove by, so it had to be theirs. 

PhotoPhun Challenge "Just Desserts"

  When this subject came up, I had in my mind to do something a bit off the track, and not expected from the subject.  In my mind, I had the dream photo all composed as to what I was looking for.  Where is a cop when you need one?  I had wanted to drive by a highway stop of a speeder.  We all know those who have no regard for posted speed limits.  they fly by us at near light speed, and then swerve lanes with no signals, rhyme, or reason.  Just to keep that frantic pace going.  Twice last week on my trip to Lorain, I was passed on my left side by these speed demons, only to have them swerve in front of me at last moment to exit to the right off the highway. Sheesh, do they not have any idea where there exit is, or is it that they cannot slow down prior to said exit and stay in right lanes to exit where they should.  Anyway, I digress.

  Getting to the theme. How timely this one was.  Here is it, the start of Lent for us Catholics.  Tuesday is also referred to as Fat Tuesday. It is last day for debauchery with food, and drink before Lenten Sacrifice time comes about.  We are supposed to give up things for lent. Some countries celebrate Carnival, and people here in the US for example do something akin to that down in the south and that is called Mardi Gras.  Last big blow out celebration before Lent.

  I had to work on Fat Tuesday until 6 PM.  While at work, I was giving consideration to what I was going to do for this challenge.  Everywhere I was driving this week, I had been carrying a camera hoping for the speeder getting a ticket. Alas, no such luck.  Then, a revelation occurred, Even though where I worked that day was very near to the Ohio border, I was less than 3 miles from it, I got the inspiration to go to Aunt Millies!  For those of you unfamiliar with this mom and pop place, it is just beyond Silvercreek NY.  This is approx 30 miles short of Buffalo on Rte 5/20  I put the slash in there because for a small stretch of this road, both routes 20 and 5 are the same road.  This is just short of the Indian Reservation, Like about 2 miles West of the Reservation.

  By 6:15, I was in my car, and headed East.  I was on a mission.  Not much could deter me then.  I had a goal, a dream, and an empty stomach.  Hmm, am unsure of which one had driven me the most, but that can be left for a discussion for another time. The meals there are always filling.  Unlike other places, that when you order a bowl of soup for an example, you would get like an over sized coffee mug, and that is their bowl.  here, soup is served in the same sized bowls that you would have as part of your fine china dinner set. The rest of the meals are never skimped on.

  The meals are always so good, and filling, by the time I get finished with dinner, I never have room for dessert.  When I really find one that I want, I always have to ask for it to go, and given the hour drive back home, it gives me time to make room for dessert. So, now that you have been teased enough by all my writing, I am going to post some of the photos of their desserts.  Even now, days later, my mouth waters just thinking of what they offer.  Hmm, things like 7 layer cakes, fruit pies, Cream pies as tall as maybe 6-7 inches tall, cream puffs, chocolate covered strawberries, Bear claws (full sized), Danishes and so on.  I have made you wade through this much so now, rest of this blog will be left for your visual enjoyment.

I also invite you to view the other PhotoPhun participants, Mark (http://www.locophotogblog.com/), Lisa ( http://bustershouse.wordpress.com/), and Ree ( http://margareetaville.blogspot.com/ ), and see what their take on the challenge was for this week.


  For next weeks challenge, as we still are experiencing snowy, or maybe just wet weather, this challenge will be an indoor adventure.  In a food store, find something of which you find odd to be there. ODD FOODS

Life Experience Gleamed From Red Green

I wish I could say that I am the creator of the original thought of this, but, alas, I cannot. I did first hear this on the Red Green show. On one of his spots of wisdom, he had talked about growing up from youth to adult. He mentioned that he noticed time passing. As a youth, when he went to some themed restaurants, and had to visit the restrooms, he had noticed that above the stand up urinals was the sports page of the day. And the thing that he noticed over time was that as a youth, he barely had time to register that there even was a paper on the wall, and he wondered why it was there.

As he came to grow older, he noticed that he spent a little more time standing there while he was going, and had enough time to scan the headlines at least. Well, as more time progresses, he know realizes that he has enough time to be able to read whole articles. Now now there, it not that he is passing that much more fluids as an adult, it is just that it does take more time to be able to pass it.

As I now am coming to that age, I to have to say that yes, I do now notice that I have a little more time to read what is there rather than just look at a monochrome painted wall. There is more to see than just headlines.

Damn, I am even starting to look like him!

Wanderlust Gene at Work

As many of you know, my siblings have inherited the wanderlust gene from our father. On Sundays, it was his job to entertain the kids, and not only his own, but some of the neighbors as well as cousins. He would take us for rides with no particular destination in hand. At times, especially in the fall, he may have a gallon of cider and a bag of hardrolls. We never travelled with maps, and GPS was not even the dictionary at that time. We would allow fate to decide what road to take, and to see where it took us.

Back then, we were always amazed that we eventually got to a road that we recognized and we found our way home. Now, as an adult, I realize that he just knew the county and knew even if we were on a new road, we would eventually cross a road or highway that he knew. It at that time added to the aura of dad knowing all and never getting lost. Well, if I had children, I am sure that for some years, it would be the same. I would not look at road map, or if I did, it just would not be in front of the kids before I determined where we would eventually arrive somewhere.

Sunday Sept 19th, 2010, I was feeling the call of the road and the wanderlust called strongly upon me. I hit the road as we used to do on Sunday afternoons. I went to one of our favorite haunts from yesteryear. This was a favorite that we had to hit at least once a year and normally around the fall time. Alas, no children of my own and no nephews or nieces to take to enjoy the call of the road, I made the trip solo. This time, I was at the wheel.
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I have had the hankering to go to Pymatuning Reservoir. Had to go see the carp go wild. They have just remodeled there, and updates availability for handicapped. Last time when I started out as driver on Sunday drives, taking my father rather than the other way around, I had to push him in his wheelchair on the edge of the narrow road of the spillway and when you get to the bridge, there was room atop the bridge for relative safety for wheelchair. Now, there is a paved path right near the water for the whole distance and it has a fence up as well.




Photo above shows some of the feeding frenzy that occurs. Next below is a photo of the fish right at the shore as they wait to try to ambush the visitors and get their bread. They are all along the shore and just out of range are the ducks and geese and sea gulls.

Below is a shot of where the tourist stand is and you can see the railing and the walkway is to the left of this.


Here, they try to serenade you. Anything they can do to get you to give them some of your bead. Quite a trio this group was. Such three part harmony.


Of course in every combo, there has to be a soloist, that or it is just more hungry that the others


Here is a link to youtube video I shot of the feeding frenzy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIN4xg79s84

What Is Your Favorite Whine?

Can it be, "I want to go to Miami!," or "Are We there yet?," "How Soon?," Well, yesterday 3-27-2010, ours was I WANT TO GO TO "WINE ON THE LAKE!'' It was held at Erie Convention Center on the bay front. It was my first time to attend. This was my Christmas present to my brother Phil. he had made a comment way back around thanksgiving that he was thinking about getting a ticket to check it out. I had figured, No brainer what to get him for Christmas. Alas he had to wait another 3 months to actually experience his present. I hope that the wait was worth while for him.

Also attending were my friends Margie and Bert. Plans were made, and we planned on going together as a group. We decided on dinner first. Going to a wine tasting, did not want to go on an empty stomach. We decided to give us time, to meet for dinner at 4 PM. Wine tasting was to start at 6 and run to 9. Figuring early start to dinner would allow us to be sure that we finished in time to make it to the convention center on time. Knowing that there is limited parking at the center, we did not want to arrive too late.

I do not know if it was because we arrived so early or was it meticulous planning, but in any case, we were finished with dinner by just after 5 PM. A leisurely drive had us arriving at 5:30. We were early! That is so not a family trait! We got great parking, only approximately 25 yards from the front doors. We entered and joined the queue. This line was not too long, maybe a hundred people ahead of us. VIP passes allowed some people to enter earlier. We chatted in line and just were able to enjoy the view from the wall of windows to our right.



Just before 6 Pm the cattle chutes were opened and we were herded in. Just inside the gate, they took our tickets and then we proceeded to get our complimentary wine glass, and bag of coupons, and guide to who was where and what vendors were present. Luckily, since we were at the head ( nearly ) of the line, we got in before the crowds really hit.

In the first ball room, the floor was all carpeted, and all vendors were against the walls. Center floor had some tables to stand at to enjoy one another's company and to soak in the ambiance. Center floor was a small stand of which a string ensemble played music for your enjoyment. As you step up to a vendor, they were all so very friendly. They asked what sort of win you like, and then they would relay what they had that might meet your criterion. They would give you a sample and you could sniff, taste, and enjoy the experience. They were available to answer questions. Alas, that option quickly died as the building filled with eager samplers. You got the impression of a very popular bar with a very thirsty crowd. Do not get me wrong, was not pushy or bad attitudes, but just so many people there wanting to sample all of what was available in our region.



Into the next ball room, this one had tiled floors, and also had vendors in the center space. Some of the center space vendors had more room and more people to dispense samples. Not only was there wine available, there too was vendors selling cheeses, and fruits, as well as vendors selling jewelry and art. There was also even a vendor selling yachts. I guess the tie in for that one would be that you could drink wine on the lake all summer. lol Also, as an added bonus, a chiropractor had a small booth set up where they offered a few minute should massage. Sitting kind of backwards in a chair, your face goes into a doughnut hole and you lean against it while you get your massage. Also, for entertainment, this conference room had a trio playing. Again, there were some tables around, as well as this time some chairs.


In the photos posted here, I tried not to show all of the crowds. Had attempted to shoot around them. At one point, I rec'd a tap on the shoulder with the question, " Excuse me, are you Mikes brother?" I peered upwards towards the ceiling likes to face who had asked me the question. It was a young and very tall gentleman, and I said, possibly, because I wanted to be sure of which Mike he was referring to. Turns out he is my sister in laws nephew Mark. We chatted a while, and went on to sample the wares of the vendors.


We had heard from one of the vendors that the original wine tasting last year was all done in the first conference room where we entered. From what they said, it was very crowded and very hot!. Even with all the room we had, the rooms both had definitely warmed up. Every here and there, you could feel the cool air from air conditioners come on and blow down on ya. I am sure I had a great time, and hopes that everyone else did too. And also, they were selling their wines as well as letting you sample them, so of course, we had to walk away with some bottles.