Lilac Festival May 18th 2013

 This last May, I was invited to go to the Lilac Festival that is held yearly in Rochester NY.  This will be a short written blog, but, with a lot of Photos.  Besides, there is that old saying of, " A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words."    So, sit back, and enjoy the photos.

As you can see, there is more blooms than just Lilac along the way.  Also, coming up soon, will be some photos from an arboretum. Here, we saw cacti in bloom as well as a few orchids and other  plants. Even came across a quail.

And as a finale, my hostess, who was the mostest in making this weekend come to be.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

  Once again, Spring makes herself know. Today, I went out and scoured the neighborhood.  All told I drove less than five miles round trip total from the house.  I was lucky enough to have as a navigator  Aunt Mary. It was warm enough to take her 90 year old body out to see the sites.  Along the way, we would stop at the side of the road to ooh and ahh as we saw blooms we liked mush to the consternation to some other drivers on the streets. First few photos are just in our immediate neighborhood.

This first one is of what I think is a weeping cherry, but, fair warning, I am not positive on many of these.

This one here has some purple buds on it, and they are just starting. I know, it really does look bare, but, it is a different color.

 Another that is just in the start of its bloom. Almost looks like cotton.

This one as well looks like a weeping cherry.

The next section below is a little more out from the neighborhood, In some, you can see just the green starting rather than flowering blooms.

This last section below is nothing but Aunt Mary's yard.  Some of these I know as Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Tulips. I even got to play with macro a little bit.

For some strange reason, the blue flower caught my attention below. First two views are kind of looking almost straight down, and last of the series is straight on from the side.  This is a teeny flower.

The last two photos are of the Lilac Shrub. It is just starting to bud. These photos show the buds at about only two inches in length. I will add more photos are they mature. Sorry, I do not have smell-a-vision as yet, so you will not be able to inhale their smell.

Last little thought, if you would care to see any of the photos enlarged, just click on them and they will show much larger.  Enjoy Spring while we have it.

Picture Says A Thousand Words

This is a short blog. Concerns Facebook a little. Someone came up with a photo with Quote from Bill Cosby, and it says a lot about Facebook in my opinion.

End Of An Era, Please Shut Off The Lights and Close The Door

  Today marks an end of an era spanning over 40 years in the neighborhood. Today, Feb 03,2013 is the last day of business for a pizza establishment in the old neighborhood.  We moved to our location on E. 30th. St. in Erie PA, back in June of 1963.  I do admit, I was young.

  Well, as we grew in the neighborhood, we started to expand our horizons.  I was only 6 that year and I was not allowed to cross 28th. St. as I was too young to cross such a busy street.  Although, we could cross with older supervision.  As we grew up over the years, we explored our neighborhood more and more.  We had walked as far away as the baseball parks.  We weren't supposed to be that far, but, kids will be kids.

  Eventually, the baseball fields were torn down, and the ground leveled and paved.  This tract of land ended up being built as part of urban sprawl and a Hills Dept. Store was built.  Further development brought us a Super Duper Grocery store.  Alas, these are not places for kids to play, so our realm of exploration widened.  Now we come to Perry Plaza.  Tucked away in the corner was a Bowling Alley.  Not only that, but also for refreshments, we also had a Pizza Shoppe, it had a name Pizza Plus.  One of the plus's to this place was their Super Manhandler subs.  It was large enough to feed four or five of us hungry neighborhood explorers.

  Over the years, just like everything else, prices go up.  That is to be expected, but, even after all this time, the price for a 22" sub ends today at $ 11.75.  I was lucky enough to stop in Friday evening to have one last one for the road.  I am now in my 50's and I cannot walk as far as I could as a kid, but this was still the place to go for my Super Manhandler.  If I have people come to visit at my house, one night I was always sure to introduce them to this delight.

  As soon as you would ask for a Super Manhandler they would ask if you also wanted Banana Peppers and Onions on your sub.  Here is just the bottom of of the inside menu board showing the price.

   Alas, also posted in a few choice places inside the shop were these confirmation notices from the staff.  On a final sad note, I post this here.