Winter Wonderland

Seeing Fall and spending Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year (all set in white for Winter) was a very special treat. As the saying goes "Everything Old is New Again". 

While we missed our beloved home in Tucson, especially the old times with family and friends, we got to meet and enjoy some special times with son John as well as Todd and Flo Olden (new friends).

As I'm oft heard to say, it's not the destination but the journey. It's hard to let go of the past, but it's more important to enjoy our blessings and look forward to the future.

Winter Whites

We made a trip in November to our Camp to make some betterments and improvements, and got the chance to enjoy Winter again. It's been 17 years since we last lived in NY before relocating to Tucson in '99.

Our plans are to use our place on the river in the traditional Snow Bird tradition, that is for Summer and Fall. However, we really enjoyed seeing the beauty of both winter and the Adirondacks.

With life slowing down for us, we're enjoying our homes, nature as well as  lots of home cooking and simple living.  As usual, I'll continue to work on our photo journal of life. This will include lots of nature and home fun with family, including both Tucson and the Adirondacks. We're planning on returning again to the river in May. Last but not least, we enjoyed our road trip and we'll be doing the Blue Highway twice a year. This fulfills our dreams of really seeing the USA and some new and exciting adventures.

Originally, we were thinking new log cabin, but now we've got real 2nd thoughts. We've come to more fully appreiate the mid-century, real camp we bought. Both Paulina and I share lots of nostalgia of days long gone of our memories of life in the Catskills and Adirondacks. Having added all the betterments and improvements, we'll postpone further consideration of the log cabin for some time (if not permanently). We now see our Summer Place as a real paradise.

Our place on the river is set in the midst of lots of lakes, rivers and woods. It was a real plesture to see and photograph our community and neighbors.

Slideshow of our time with Todd and Flo Olden ❤️️🎟 My visits to both Billy's 220 acre tree farm as well as our visit to the farm have been the high point of our stay. Todd has owned and developed the farm over the past 32 years. Besides the gardens and livestock, Todd maintains his lumber mill and crafts for his contractor business. Besides their well, they have a complete wood burning heat plant as well as several wood stoves and fireplaces for heating. Todd's approach to Sustainable Living is a model for us all. Both Todd and Flo Olden also produce a local farm stand as well as a school on their property for their arts, crafts and lifestyle 🏞🏡🐣. In addition to their organic eggs, we will be supplied with lots of goodies, i.e., pork, chicken, sausage, fresh and canned veggies, fruited Brandy, etc. Hopefully, I'll get some photos of the school, 3 weaving looms, etc .. and perhaps attend Flo's home schooling 

Sustainable living at it's best

We'll be dring back to Tucson in February and we're looking forward to renewing our life and times with family! For many years life was filled with business, travel, hosting and dining out, but now we're even more excited living a quiet and peaceful life. Family, friends and our associates have mostly gone on their way, but we'll always treasure all of our many memories (and photos). Paulina, Son John, Lucky and I will continure to enjoy the mountains, rivers and all of God's Blessings as long as we live!

Working on our tennis & volley ball court .. as well as using our bbq and gazebo for some adding more summer sun. 2 ponds for Lucky and Me

Summer fun is filled with lots of outdoor nature, exploring our 149 acres and the mountains, rafting on the river and playing in our ponds, as well as using our camp to add some new fun (tennis/volleyball, ping pong, bbq, coffee at the Gazebo and decks)

Thank you God for Everything

Mountain life in the West and the East

Appreciate what we have!

Home, Sweet Home