The last three weeks have provided numerous sightings of the two Bald Eagles that make Findley Lake their home. While the waters were still pretty open, you could see both Eagles (one smaller than the other) sitting on the trees on the big island. Now that the lake has mostly iced over, we have only been seeing one of the Eagles.
Yesterday morning, it landed in the trees on the small island, right off downtown Findley Lake. It sat there probably for 1/2 hour while crows dived at it. Undoubtedly there was also a lot of avian name calling. Eventually the Eagle lifted off, showing an admirable disdain for the squawking crows.
Today there was an even better show. We first glimpsed the Eagle as it flew from the lake, over Sunnyside and up towards the ridge, near the church camp. It swooped back over Sunnyside near Point of View cottage and flew up the lake to an area of open water just opposite Addie's Restaurant. It was just outstanding to watch this big bird swoop over the open circle of water, back and forth, braking and hovering, obviously with the intent of catching a meal. One of our party thought they saw something in the water, possibly a duck, but nothing surfaced while we slowly drove up Sunnyside. It was one of those "why didn't we bring the camera?" moments.
If you are traveling near Findley Lake, take a drive down Shadyside and up Sunnyside while watching the trees on the islands, open water areas, and trees along the lakeside near open water areas. The Bald Eagles of Findley Lake are thrilling to watch.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Happy Holidays From A Holiday Loving Agnostic
I like Christmas, Hanukkah, and would love to celebrate Kwanzaa. I haven't tried to do all three in the same year since getting ready for Santa is already overwhelming.
In the spirit of the season, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful holiday and a great New Year. Whether you celebrate a specific special event or just the joy of good friendships or family gatherings, I hope you have a wonderful time. Even if you are spending the holiday alone, just know that I wish you the best.
I've been finding a lot of interesting articles on Slate.com so for your edification, here's some quirky holiday reading links:
http://www.slate.com/id/2239149/ Gives some of the history suggesting neither a virgin birth nor a divine father for Jesus. Before you get distressed by these heretical ideas, there does exist a body of ancient texts that support an alternative view. Also, the author points out that the story would be just as compelling if Jesus was, in fact, the son of Joseph. He would have been a man, imbued by God to save human kind and ultimately resurrected. Would the miracle of a man (born by and of humans) becoming the savior of the world been less to us today? Did we need the divine father to make the savior more important?
http://www.slate.com/id/2238708/ The story of how Jews, over the last 5 centuries, dealt with Christmas Eve. I found this article fascinating. Much of what it talks about has gone by the wayside as the Ecumenical movement has brought a measure of understanding and tolerance to the world view of religion (not enough in my view). Lets just say that, as my way of celebrating Nittel Nacht, I spent my time at a Christmas party tearing toilet paper into single use lengths. None of the recipients of my largess would tell me whether they used 4 or 5 sheets so it was rather a crap shoot :-) as to how many sheets to use. It was actually a pretty soothing occupation.
http://www.slate.com/id/2239252/ This is the story of how Swedes in Sweden spend one hour in front of the TV today. Their tradition includes watching an old Disney holiday show, as a family, at 3pm on Christmas Eve. When I say tradition, I mean really TRADITION. Named after Donald Duck, it is called Kalle Anka for short. Read the article as it's fascinating. Wish we could have watched Kalle Anka tonight at the Christmas party. I have no doubt that we would have been in stitches, as the cartoons in it date from 1920's through 1950's and haven't been sanitized based on current political correctness. Apparently it's considered forbidden to tape/record Kalle Anka so the only way to watch it is in front of the TV, in Sweden, at 3pm on Christmas Eve.
At our household, we're rather behind because of sickness. Our little Charlie Brown tree is still in it's bag in the basement. We did decorate the outdoors and inside of the front porch but not much else. Boxes went out Tuesday. Most of the cards have been sent. I think we are short some gifts for the Grandchildren so might hit the after Christmas Sales on Saturday to stock up for when we eventually celebrate the holiday with them. We are giving ourselves a generator so we've pretty much cut out lots of other gifts. My big gifts were some Crowley's Cheese (mild and sage), a trip to Blair in Warren PA where we bought decorated sweatshirts and several other items, and a lesson (to come) at the archery place in French Creek. Plus, my darling husband has been very tolerant while I've been sick with a bad cold. I bought him a diamond knife sharpener (came with a micro-mini tool), a Collin Street Bakery fruitcake, and I'm still asking for him to pick out a few more things.
In our household, just being together is a palpable enjoyment and everything else is just glitz. We remember what it was like in our lives "before". Living in this haven of love, no matter what happens in the world, no matter how finances are tight and health is a worry, nothing ultimately takes away from this moment and every moment together. Our 18th anniversary is the day after Christmas. Even though I'd like us to live long enough to celebrate our 25th and then 50th anniversaries, if it ended tomorrow, I could only feel blessed with our life together.
In the spirit of the season, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful holiday and a great New Year. Whether you celebrate a specific special event or just the joy of good friendships or family gatherings, I hope you have a wonderful time. Even if you are spending the holiday alone, just know that I wish you the best.
I've been finding a lot of interesting articles on Slate.com so for your edification, here's some quirky holiday reading links:
http://www.slate.com/id/2239149/ Gives some of the history suggesting neither a virgin birth nor a divine father for Jesus. Before you get distressed by these heretical ideas, there does exist a body of ancient texts that support an alternative view. Also, the author points out that the story would be just as compelling if Jesus was, in fact, the son of Joseph. He would have been a man, imbued by God to save human kind and ultimately resurrected. Would the miracle of a man (born by and of humans) becoming the savior of the world been less to us today? Did we need the divine father to make the savior more important?
http://www.slate.com/id/2238708/ The story of how Jews, over the last 5 centuries, dealt with Christmas Eve. I found this article fascinating. Much of what it talks about has gone by the wayside as the Ecumenical movement has brought a measure of understanding and tolerance to the world view of religion (not enough in my view). Lets just say that, as my way of celebrating Nittel Nacht, I spent my time at a Christmas party tearing toilet paper into single use lengths. None of the recipients of my largess would tell me whether they used 4 or 5 sheets so it was rather a crap shoot :-) as to how many sheets to use. It was actually a pretty soothing occupation.
http://www.slate.com/id/2239252/ This is the story of how Swedes in Sweden spend one hour in front of the TV today. Their tradition includes watching an old Disney holiday show, as a family, at 3pm on Christmas Eve. When I say tradition, I mean really TRADITION. Named after Donald Duck, it is called Kalle Anka for short. Read the article as it's fascinating. Wish we could have watched Kalle Anka tonight at the Christmas party. I have no doubt that we would have been in stitches, as the cartoons in it date from 1920's through 1950's and haven't been sanitized based on current political correctness. Apparently it's considered forbidden to tape/record Kalle Anka so the only way to watch it is in front of the TV, in Sweden, at 3pm on Christmas Eve.
At our household, we're rather behind because of sickness. Our little Charlie Brown tree is still in it's bag in the basement. We did decorate the outdoors and inside of the front porch but not much else. Boxes went out Tuesday. Most of the cards have been sent. I think we are short some gifts for the Grandchildren so might hit the after Christmas Sales on Saturday to stock up for when we eventually celebrate the holiday with them. We are giving ourselves a generator so we've pretty much cut out lots of other gifts. My big gifts were some Crowley's Cheese (mild and sage), a trip to Blair in Warren PA where we bought decorated sweatshirts and several other items, and a lesson (to come) at the archery place in French Creek. Plus, my darling husband has been very tolerant while I've been sick with a bad cold. I bought him a diamond knife sharpener (came with a micro-mini tool), a Collin Street Bakery fruitcake, and I'm still asking for him to pick out a few more things.
In our household, just being together is a palpable enjoyment and everything else is just glitz. We remember what it was like in our lives "before". Living in this haven of love, no matter what happens in the world, no matter how finances are tight and health is a worry, nothing ultimately takes away from this moment and every moment together. Our 18th anniversary is the day after Christmas. Even though I'd like us to live long enough to celebrate our 25th and then 50th anniversaries, if it ended tomorrow, I could only feel blessed with our life together.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Swim Float's Lament
I wonder as I wander up and down the lake,
Why no one has noticed, is my owner a flake?
I wonder as I wander just like early last year,
Why no one will rescue me, why I am left here?
(OK, try and sing it now, it's pretty close)
This is the second time in 2009 that a poor swim float (who's owner will remain unnamed) has taken to wandering loose on Findley Lake. In the spring, it wandered South, making it all the way to the big island. It hung out there, apparently seeking some kind of companionship, until it finally moved north again. It spent some time looking for it's family (who apparently didn't really care about it). It was finally returned to it's mooring.
This winter's perambulation finds our intrepid swim float heading North. It should be moved, post haste, as it is in the navigable channel of the lake and some poor, demented snowmobiler, whipping down the lake, might run into it. Only problem is that it appears to be frozen in place. Technically I believe it is also now non-compliant with our zoning and town laws regarding swim platforms.
Being easy going myself, I think the owner should realize that sometimes swim floats (like trees) just get up and go for no reason. I certainly think that neither the Town, the Zoning Officer, NOR the Watershed Foundation should take any action until maybe July and then, they should politely offer to tow the float back to it's mooring. That would be the friendly, rural, way of helping a fellow citizen.
Why no one has noticed, is my owner a flake?
I wonder as I wander just like early last year,
Why no one will rescue me, why I am left here?
(OK, try and sing it now, it's pretty close)
This is the second time in 2009 that a poor swim float (who's owner will remain unnamed) has taken to wandering loose on Findley Lake. In the spring, it wandered South, making it all the way to the big island. It hung out there, apparently seeking some kind of companionship, until it finally moved north again. It spent some time looking for it's family (who apparently didn't really care about it). It was finally returned to it's mooring.
This winter's perambulation finds our intrepid swim float heading North. It should be moved, post haste, as it is in the navigable channel of the lake and some poor, demented snowmobiler, whipping down the lake, might run into it. Only problem is that it appears to be frozen in place. Technically I believe it is also now non-compliant with our zoning and town laws regarding swim platforms.
Being easy going myself, I think the owner should realize that sometimes swim floats (like trees) just get up and go for no reason. I certainly think that neither the Town, the Zoning Officer, NOR the Watershed Foundation should take any action until maybe July and then, they should politely offer to tow the float back to it's mooring. That would be the friendly, rural, way of helping a fellow citizen.
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