...And The Rain Keeps Pouring In Corning NY

Today's photos were taken at the end of June and beginning of July, during the week my son was visiting. We'd all hoped for clear weather so lots of short trips and grilling could fill our days. It didn't happen that way. Every day featured some sunshine, but also included rain at some point or other.

If you enlarge and look closely at each picture, you'll see raindrops, even on the leaves of the flowers above.

Too much rain is not good for the benches.

Four trees were cut down in between downpours. Now the homeowner, friends, family and village workers clear up the branches.

I rode back to the State of Maryland with my son on July 6 and am here for a couple of weeks. Would you believe, no rain (except for a couple of 2-3 minute sprinkles) until last night and today it continues, on and on. We've stayed close to home. He's been working an average of eleven hours a day and I've got a leg that's giving me trouble if I use it too much.


A Vacation Glimpse of Maryland and DC


We love to eat out and have many, many choices between Washington D.C. and Baltimore MD ~ Annapolis, Alexandria, Laurel, Columbia, Silver Spring and many others. So far this year we've concentrated on the nearby Waugh Chapel Towne Centre. What a fancy name for a shopping mall! I've noticed that this mall, as well as others in the area, have huge multi-story apartment complexes built right next to them. Out your door and you're in this new mall. We've eaten at Wegmans Market Cafe and Elevation Burger. (I originally said we ate at Red Robin, but realized after a couple of days that we checked out Red Robin and they weren't open yet, so we went next door to Elevation Burger.)


More Vacation Photos From Maryland


Saturday's prediction is for 85-degrees Fahrenheit and low humidity, so we might travel to D.C. Stops may include the U.S. Botanic Garden to see the blooming Titum Arum (corpse flower or stinky plant). Also, I have a gift for Koomo--manager of Chocolate Chocolate in downtown Washington, D.C. and serious collector of shot glasses.


Maryland Vacation

Riding the Northside-Southside Bus

The morning started off with a quick downpour and then settled in to “hot and humid”. I walked to Wegmans and boarded the bus when it came back round to start the Southside route.

I left the bus all the way across town so I could get a look at the new Park Avenue location for Corning’s Salvation Army Thrift Shop (aka Salvo). While waiting for the bus’ return, I also perused the goods in the Dollar General store, then sauntered over to the nearby Peaches’n’Cream for a child-sized dish of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Mmmm, yum!

Walking in the heat didn’t appeal to me, especially when carrying an umbrella (just in case!), a small bag of purchases from Dollar General, my pocketbook and the dish of ice cream.

Oh no, the seats outside the ice cream store were soaked due to the rain. Across the street, however, bordering the cemetery, was a stone (concrete?) wall. I crossed and settled down on a shady portion of the wall.










At this point in time, I realized that my camera batteries had run down. So, I switched to the iPad and its built-in camera.







On the bus headed back to Corning’s Northside, I couldn’t resist taking more photos. Not through the dirty windows beside me, but through the fairly clean panes on the doors.


The Alternative School for Math & Science (ASMS).







A couple of houses on First Street.







An east end view of Founder’s Pavilion.




The building behind the cars is Guthrie Corning Hospital Cancer Center.




Back at the bus stop where the driver takes a five-minute break.







Almost home, I walked the last few blocks, just for the exercise and glimpses of beauty like this.




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Cemetery on west side of Park Avenue ~ August 2011

I wonder if even the locals can figure out where this is. I just happened to glance up one day and noticed it. Amazing how a different approach can change a view. Is there a view you love? Try taking a few steps left or right and look again. Or step up on a rock. Or lay down on your back.



Newspaper boxes on the corner are becoming a thing of the past as the Internet becomes more popular.



Hiding in a front yard on Corning's north side.



Vinnie and Eddie, a couple of Brooklyn transplants and motorcycle enthusiasts.



Crocuses


I hope you're clicking on these photos to enlarge them and better see the details.



No words needed!



Daffodils






Everything is greening up quickly.



This is how most tulips look in Corning today, including mine. They will be opening within a day or two. I counted 25 in my tiny garden. Can't wait to see them!



Can you believe that beautiful green grass?! Already needs cutting all over town.



West Market Street. On the left is Three Birds Restaurant. Years ago it used to be a car dealership and an elevator transported cars to the upper floors for display. In the middle is the old McClintock Hotel and bar. Gone now. On the right, the lower floor housed the Shoe Doctor for many years. Upstairs was an apartment. I lived there for several years. Too noisy with a bar next door and several across the street! Otherwise a great place to live.



Tommy Hilfiger, one of the newer establishments on Market Street.






Waiting patiently in Wegmans parking lot.

One Robin, One Crocus And Blue Skies

As we ease out of winter into spring, I've seen one crocus blooming in my garden. Squirrels have dug up and/or chewed the tops off most of them. I'm hopeful, however, because I see a few new ones coming up out of the ground--crocuses that is, not squirrels!

The changing of seasons is like the beginning of a new year and a good time to honor what has been accomplished not only in our gardens, but also in our lives. And, a time to prepare ourselves (and the soil) for whatever is about to arrive.

I invite you to click on each photo to enlarge it and enjoy all the details that can be seen in the larger view.