A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ECCENTRIC

Day 32- Aman's Farm & Market, an Irondequoit Icon- Farm to table is the best and freshest way for us to be eating. Not only is it healthy it supports local farmers and brings locally grown foods to tables within our community.                                                         One of my favorite markets right here in Irondequoit is Aman's Farm & Market, 2458 East Ridge Road. I like it for many reasons, the history, the atmosphere and the quality of goods they sell. In the spring & summer they have an excellent selection of plants. From hanging baskets to vegetable plants to flowers and shrubs, a little of everything, all at great prices. After our time at home with this pandemic it won't be long until we can look forward to some brightly colored flowers to liven up our landscape. Aman's has some of the most beautiful, large baskets at great prices.                         Gorgeous baskets from Aman's       Inside they have a market a

Day 31- The Importance of Heirlooms- Family heirlooms are more than just things, they are a link to our past. They are items that tie generations together and the stories connected to those items represent our past. It is so important for my generation and those after to preserve our history so that it is not lost forever. My parents rarely talked about the past when I was growing up and I have very limited information about those before us. I have learned about our lineage through apps like ancestry and findmypast. I knew very little about my maternal grandmother as she passed away 2 years before I was born. My maternal grandfather passed when I was 5 so I really never got the chance to get to know him.  I remember when I was about 4 I got my foot stuck in his reclining chair. I do remember more about my paternal grandfather he passed when I was 10. I was lucky to have my paternal grandmother until I was in my early 20's. But still I didn't see her a lot. We lived in N

Day 30-                           The Cunningham Carriage and Car Company                                                                           One of my most loved discoveries is located on Canal Street in Rochester's, downtown area off Main Street. The street is home to several old factory buildings, a complex that was the business of the James Cunningham, Son & Co. Cunningham was one of Rochester's most influential carriage and vehicle manufacturers known world wide for  quality vehicles of luxury. The business was originally known for its carriages but they went on to produce hearses during the Civil War, luxury automobiles and ambulances in the early 20th century.  The Cunningham factory was once an essential part of Rochester's economy employing in excess of 500 workers.  Cunningham worked alongside his workers and became a father figure to many that he had mentored.  Though a workplace injury would eventually slow him down  he continued to be in

Day 29- A Drive Through Scottsville- We took a drive along the river today, down Scottsville Road through Scottsville to Garbutt and Mumford. I love this drive. I love the wonderful old time worn cottages that flank the river, many in need of repair, so rough and tumble and they looked even more so on today's gloomy, rainy ride. The water's of the mighty Genesee were high today and rising from all of the rain. I can't help but think of the worry that those Scottsville Rd residents must have on days like today. As the waters rise they are living with a real threat of damage to their homes and property. Hopefully the river will recede soon and lift the burden from all that live at or near it's banks. I just love this cute little home. Notice the circular side to the right of the door. So unusual.                                                                   We kept driving on Scottsville road until we came to the strange house with all of red hearts on i

Day 28- Second Hand Shopping Post Pandemic Trip Idea's- There are so many really fun second hand places to shop in and around Rochester and I would like to share several of my favorites. Second hand shopping has been such a trend in the last 10-15 years that it is getting harder to get your hands on really good stuff, with more people collecting and reselling than ever before. From clothing and furniture to kitsch and vintage tchotchke's I have got some places for you to try. Hopefully this will help if you are looking for something special.  I personally like the really junkie junk, the stuff you can rehab or turn it into your own treasure so one of my favorite places to dig is the Goodwill outlet, or "The bins" as everyone calls it,  4 Chameney Terr, next to the public market.  It's dirty and gritty but a treasure trove if you have the patience to dig.  It definitely takes a special kind of person to be able to rummage through bins of trash, but I find it

                                                                          Day 27- A Friday drive to Avon and Geneseo- We took another great drive to day. This time we went south and landed in Avon and Geneseo to another favorite place of mine. If you drive down Route 39 (Avon-Geneseo Rd) to Hogmire Rd, Huston Rd, Roots Tavern Rd or Nations Rd you are in for a treat. Nations Rd is particularly pretty and today, even though a bit gloomy it was still like heaven. If you wait until dusk you can treat yourself to the majestic beauty of the short eared owl, the harrier, the screech owl or the many other grassland birds. Many of them, particularly the owls and harrier search at dusk for food. It is common to see one swoop down and grab an unsuspecting field mouse or vole for it's dinner. You may even spot people on horseback as well. This area is known for fox hunting so you may spot some hunters with hound dogs out for a stroll. The Genesee Valley Hunt Club is located on Roots Tav

Day 26- Finding what is important in life. a reflection-                                          I often sit and reflect on the things that have become important to me as I get older. My husband, my children and my ability to choose what makes me content are what bring me the most happiness. I used to beat myself up when I was younger and the kids were both still at home. I wondered whether I did and said the right things and whether I spent enough time with them and if I loved them enough. We had some issues when the children were younger and nothing I did seemed to make a difference and it has always weighed on me. I wondered if they would grow up to be as happy as I had wished they would be? I felt defeated sometimes and alone.  I know now, later in life now just how good of a parent I have been. They are both smart and loving towards others, successful, happy and healthy. Why do we spend so much of our time listening to what others say and why do we seek their approval?

Day 25- Well, so far I haven't lost a pound but we have had some pretty awesome drives around Irondequoit in the last few weeks. We have found some things that we didn't know existed and revisited some places we have been before. Today we drove thorough The Flats. If you drive down Seneca Park Ave off St Paul Blvd it's pretty cool and very flat. There is lots of open space, untouched green spaces and a ton of deer. It's a bit of the country right here in our town. There are old homes and a new tract of homes, homes from the late 1800's and early 1900's, and homes from the 1950's, 60's and 70's, a nice mix. At the end of the road there is a walking path that will take you right up through Seneca Park to the south and as far north as the O'Rourke Bridge and beyond. A great wooded walk on a nice day.  The flats neighborhood connects to another neighborhood by way of Van Voorhis Drive. Another drive through the woods to get there which I find

Day 24- Our 16th President Abraham Lincoln- As long as I can remember my favorite President has been Abraham Lincoln. He fought for causes that he believed in, including working to abolish slavery. I read my first Lincoln biography when I was in the forth grade and I was hooked. Abraham was born February 12, 1809 to Nancy and Thomas Lincoln. Both of my brothers-in-law, Mike and Glenn share a birthday with our 16th president.  Lincoln was born into poverty but notwithstanding he self educated and became a lawyer, a whig party leader, and a US congressman from Illinois. Pretty impressive for the son of a poor farmer! He lived a very hard life having lost several siblings and his mother at a young age. He tragically lost two of his own sons when they were very young, forever changing him. President Lincoln suffered from clinical depression for most of his life.                                                     Lincoln was elected to the Presidency and served from 1861-1865. On

Day 23- My Hygge There are so many things to love about life, so much to explore and so many places to hunt for hidden treasures. Those treasures mean different things to so many people, all in different ways. You can find creativity in so many things and many places, from a photograph or a painting, from a drive in the country or the city. Some find they are most happy when they are with friends, out to dinner, at a game or just at home. I find my hygge (cozy as defined by the danish) in the things I have collected and the things I create. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with friends and family but my sweet spot is at home with the things that make me content. As long as I can remember I have been attracted to odd collectibles. I was always rescuing Mom's cast offs, bits of her jewelry, a broken watch or some of her old photos and greeting cards to save for projects on a rainy day. As long as I can remember I have had an urge and desire to create things. Whethe

Day 22- With Pipe and Book-Lake Placid NY                                             One of my favorite life long memories is going to Lake Placid as a family. We tried to go every year at least once and fall was our favorite season to go. The air was crisp and fresh and invigorating. The perfect season for a hike or to read a good book. We would spend our days exploring and visiting places like Santa's Workshop and quaint little towns like Keene and Keene Valley, Jay, Ray Brook and climbing White Face Mountain. The area is so rich in history and beauty you can go there every year and still find new things to discover each time. At night we would walk the town of Lake Placid, have dinner at our favorite restaurants and enter our favorite book store "With Pipe and Book". The minute you walk in the door the smell hit your nose. Cherry, rum, bourbon whiskey and maybe even cavendish?, the very smells I remember all to well from my father's pipe tobacco. Memories,

Day 21- Happy Sunday Everyone!. I hope you find a nice way to enjoy the day. Maybe take a long drive or cook a nice meal or just relax watching or reading something that makes you happy. Maybe even play with your furry friend. Today I want to talk about our little girl Trixie and how she came about. What made us decide to get a Collie at this time in our lives. These puppy commitments are probably better left to young families not those getting ready to retire but we were ready. We knew that their was going to be a lot of work involved but we never imagined just how much. Collie pups can be a handful and we knew that going in. They are smart and very expressive but they are also a herding breed. Herding is a natural instinct for them and it is very hard to curb that behavior. They nip almost constantly as pups, legs, ankles, hands, just about anything they can grab, and it hurts, BAD! Their baby teeth are hooked and razor sharp. Art and I had been talking about Colli

Day 20- WOW! 20 days of my blog already. I can't believe it and I am so humbled by all of you that have been following it everyday. Thank you! I am trying to keep it real, keep controversy out of it so that everyone can just have something pleasant and hopefully enjoyable to read every day. Today was a bit of a low key day for us. We hung out at home, had a few appointments with roofers (over the phone) because we need to have our garage roof done ASAP as it has a small leak. They do a satellite view and provide an estimate that way which is really interesting.The roofer said that because it is leaking, it is essential and they can start re-roofing immediately. One thing checked off our list of to do's. Covid19. Hopefully today we will order the lumber we need for the deck from Matthews & Fields. They are really excellent with their delivery. We have used them many times in the past and they have been very accommodating. We are planning on replacing all of the decking

Day 19- The Thursday Drive- There is so much beauty in the unexpected. Every corner you turn or road that you drive can hold something so special, thought provoking and magical. That is what happened on our Thursday afternoon drive,  through our beautiful town that is surrounded by the most precious of resources, Lake Ontario, The Irondequoit Bay and The Genesee River. Irondequoit like many of the towns in Monroe County has some of the prettiest homes, hidden roads and unusual places. We have explored many of the roads in town but I know there are many more to be found. Today we took a long and winding drive, not to far from home in East Irondequoit. We drove down Hoffman Rd and came across a fruit farm in the middle of a residential neighborhood, with horses too! (a better camera is on its way) The snow was just starting to come down which made for a beautiful scene. Although the day was a bit gloomy the drive was still very nice and the horses were just majestic. We

Day 18- The Lilac-                                        There is nothing in the world that smells as beautiful as a Lilac. As a little girl I can remember my parents had bush after bush of Lilac in every color, deep purple, lavender, pink and white. They all smelled heavenly! I waited each spring for them to bloom so that I could take the biggest bunch of them to my teacher at school. Mom would help me pick them and we would carefully wrap them in wet toweling and beautiful tissue with a bow. The delight it brought to my teachers face was shear happiness to me and nothing made me feel better. Year after year I brought Lilac's to all of my teachers every spring and year after year I enjoyed the joy on their faces, that first smell that lit up their eyes. They took their place on my teachers desk until the last flower had wilted and fallen.                                                                                                      Today I have the same beautiful