Parisa: A Warm Welcome and Lovely Food

Idle No More: Flash Mob in Syracuse Yesterday Evening

Lipe Park

View From Long Lake

Adirondack High Peaks

We drove out of Heart Lake early on Wednesday to get home before the predicted snow storm. It was a good idea.

As we left, we met many cars on the way in, people taking advantage of this perfectly clear morning to get up to the wilderness for a precious few hours.

Looking Up the Stream Toward the Breached Marcy Dam from the New Bridge

Hike In To Marcy Dam on Christmas Morning

Ski Jumps at Lake Placid at Dusk

Adirondacks: Second Day of Winter

This snapshot says a lot about the Adirondack winter so far. Taken just now at the Adirondack Loj in the middle of the High Peaks, we see that the ice isn't completely formed and there is still little snow here, although it is snowing right now!  

We have more snow in Syracuse today.

If history is a good predictor, the ice will be at least a foot thick up here by the end of January, for that is when ice builders begin work on the Ice Castle for the Winter Carnival in Saranac Lake. Even in a poor winter, they harvest thick and heavy blocks from Lake Flower to build an awesome and complicated castle. 

More on that during the second weekend in February when we will come to SL for the Winter Carnival Parade. The theme this year is something to do with under-sea adventures. I see a mask and snorkel decorated with glitter in my future.

Winter Hanging Basket

Today, Last Bulbs in the Ground

Iceland: Love

Haudenosaunee Give Thanks For Repatriation of Sacred Objects With Replica Wampum Belt

Fayettevillle: Fleet of Plows Ready...

...and still it rains and rains.

Thank You, Lillie

Lake Ontario at Sandy Island Beach

Wind blasting, surf crashing, water reaching far up the shore, air crisp, not freezing, dog in high spirits. He discovered that he could chase the kitesurfers from shore and had a huge run. Lovely day.

Sandy Island Beach in Late Fall

Kitesurfing at Sandy Island Beach

The Haudenosaunee Trail

Gothic on South Salina

All of these houses have some gothic elements, and all are in the city. Gothic is usually a rural style. The first three are fairly far to the south and were at one time on the rural edge of the city.

This house sits closer in, abandoned. It has lovely details which I will record for another day.

Laughing Buddha

Imagine...

Syracuse Stage: Lighted Panels Enclose Courtyard

Carnegie Library: Renew the Commitment to Learning

Syracuse's classic downtown Carnegie Library, not to be confused with the Carnegie Library up on the SU hill, opened in 1905 as the first Syracuse City Library. 

It stopped being a library in 1987 and became a school for a decade. It is now empty. It could easily become a library again. The interior is intact.

Onondaga County owns it and is looking for a purchaser. 

Let it become a library again! 

It is not difficult to imagine an arts and architecture library there. At street level it would be far more accessible and inviting than the Central Library in the Galleries. 

Give part of it over for a children's library. Many young people already live within 10 minutes of the library. As more housing returns to downtown a small local library, the Downtown Branch, would be ever more practical.

Consider giving space for a technical library, to expand the resources and study space of the revitalized Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central.

Let us not let this significant piece of our past pass out of our hands.

Upper Onondaga Park: December Basketball

Binghamton: In Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Binghamton: Cool Porch With View

Rap-Shaw in Early December

Not another soul on the lake, the air was not particularly cold though the water was, Brenner seems to love going in the canoe and the freedom of the island, the level is extraordinarily low, and the light was sublime. 

Syracuse Sandy Relief Walk and Run

There were runners and walkers, yes, and lots of rain that didn't seem to bother anybody. The highlight, however, was the gang of children at Benjamin's on Franklin dancing Gangnam Style and variations. Never too young to get your dance on!

Thank you Ed Griffin-Nolan, two dozen course guides and Benjamin's for making it all possible. It was great fun, and to date the event has raised more than $9000 headed for Ed's home island of Staten.

Our Two Row Treaty & NOON Booth at Plowshares Craft Fair

Brewerton: Fishing Access Under the I 81 Bridge, Looking Toward Oneida Lake