B & B Free Vets Night Stay

What a nice way to say "Thank You" to past and current American Veterans! The Blue Heron Inn in Findley Lake is participating in B & B Free Vets Night. Only one room still available (as of 9pm on 10/18/10). The free night is on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. If you are local, this could be a nice stay-cation. If you live further away, maybe you can add on a few more days and enjoy the peace and quiet of our small town. Plenty of scenic drives, local wineries, Peek 'n Peak, and just plain laid back time to relax.

Here's the link: http://www.theblueheroninn.com/special-events.html

Don't wait too long to check availability and book your stay.

Cheaters Piss On The Rural Community

I've thought about this all day today. Cheating, cheap community members can't find their way clear to pony up $5 to participate in the Community Yard Sale that was held today. It's the same every year. One year it was a Town Board member. For several years it's been a judicial clerk. Every year it's been people who like to benefit from the community organizing that is done to promote the event but can't pay a lousy $5 to help defray the advertising costs and be put on the map. I've got news for you low life's - everybody who joins or has a map knows who you are. You are talked about all over town. Yes, we are nice to your face but behind your back, we know that you cheated. Part of the "rural characteristic of the community" is that we care about our neighbors. Here's a suggestion. Next year care enough to sign up, pay your extremely modest $5 and get on the map. Quit being a deadbeat neighbor.

Xenophobia?? In Findley Lake??

In my opinion (hereafter IMO), restricting voting membership to only Town of Mina residents is patently wrong on several levels. The easiest way to understand the issue is to look at a situation. The boundaries for Town of Mina stretch about 2 miles towards Erie, 3 miles towards North East, 5 miles towards French Creek, and maybe 6 miles towards Sherman. You can live about three miles from Findley Lake, within the Mina boundaries, pay your "membership" dues to the Watershed Foundation, and have a vote at the annual meeting. You can live 2 miles from Findley Lake, just over the border in PA, give all the money in the world to the Watershed Foundation, and have no vote because technically you can't be a "member".

You may be seriously in love with Findley Lake (the Lake that is). You may have interests and abilities that would benefit and augment the organization. However, if you don't live in Mina, you not only can't be a voting member, your desire to be a voting member is construed to mean you want to take over the board ... and do what????

Do we hear the words xenophobia and good old boys club yet? Time to grow up and grow a set. The Foundation needs it's membership to grow. Most people join organizations to support them. Most people don't want to be on the board (which meets monthly by the way). Most people don't want to have to attend a hot, long annual meeting and go through the dog and pony acts of presentations and reports. However, most people don't want to be second class citizens. If I live in Mina, donate to a non-profit, and get to vote, then someone who lives 2 miles away in PA, donates to the same non-profit, should have the right to vote. In fact, they may be more passionate about the lake than I am.

Time to realize that it's not a private lake any more. Time to realize that accepting Town, County, and State funds means access for all. Blather that allowing condo owners to become real honest to god okie dokie members would cause an influx in people wanting boats allowed through the gate on weekends shows just how "old boy" this network is. You say no member is allowed to get the gate unlocked while another guy is bewailing how much time it took over the holiday weekend to let boats through the gate. In other words, you do it for the current member but you don't want to do it for non-Mina members (should we ever have any). Look at your own rules and ask why you go against them. Its the way you've always done it!! Wake up, move on, get out of your rut.

As a non-profit, you should be open to anyone willing to pay the "membership". Every paid membership should have a vote at the annual meeting. And by the way, every board member should have paid their dues before the first January meeting or withheld their voting on the board until such time as they do pay them, since membership is determined by PAID DUES, not just because you fill a board slot.

Of course, the above is only my opinion. I'll keep paying my dues until they really piss me off with the good old boys, outsiders need not apply attitudes. Then I'll gladly keep my money at home.

More on Ice Fishing Findley Lake NY

Here's some more information about ice fishing on Findley Lake. I stumbled on this video on YouTube and it gives you a great understanding of the lake and how to ice fish here. The animated map is super! First and foremost, you don't have to walk the length of the lake. It's obvious that these guys parked in greater down town Findley Lake and started walking (and fishing) heading south. Note that where they really started to catch fish was near the "waist" of the lake almost half way between the ends. On the east side right at the waist are the public picnic tables and parking area that parallels Sunnnyside Rd (Rt. 426 heading out of town towards Corry PA). Just park there and you will be near the best area that they found.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfpy8O7StM&feature=related[/url]

Ice Fishing Is Nice Fishing

If you are an ice fisher person or know one, here are two websites that have bulletin boards/blogs touching on current ice fishing in Findley Lake.

http://www.grizzlygary.com

http://www.IceShanty.com

I've been posting comments to both regarding access so for all of you ice fisher persons, here's where to park and ice fish on Findley Lake:

1. At the public picnic tables (concrete) on Rt. 426 south of greater downtown Findley Lake located about half way down and at the narrows between the two "ponds"
2. Along the side of the same road (also called Sunnyside) across from the church camp, Camp Findley.
3. At public parking area in downtown Findley Lake next to the market. Right now, access to the shoreline may be impeded by piles of snow. Also, for what it's worth, I just don't see people setting up and ice fishing there.

Not being an ice fisher person, I can't give you first hand info on conditions but I can tell you what I see.

At the narrows (#1), parking will definitely allow at least three pickup trucks to be parked parallel to the road but nicely off the road as the state has cut out a strip for public parking there. I've seen both shanties and just tip ups there. Because of the location at the narrows and because of the depth, it doesn't seem like people go far off shore to find a nice spot. Access on foot is through a cut out in the retaining wall. Persons with mobility impairment may find this a little challenging as the "steps" are deep.

Down at the church camp, you are parked on the berm so be careful exiting or entering your vehicle's drivers seat. Walking down to the ice may be easier, I'm not sure here. I do notice that some people go fairly far out into the lake before setting up shop.

Temperature right now is 33 degrees. The Dunkirk Observer had a short report 1/21/10 that said ice fishing on Findley Lake was producing some nice pike using small suckers and large golden shiners. Again, not my area of expertise. Here's a link to the DEC rudimentary fishing map of Findley Lake: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/findlkmap.pdf

Findley Lake Sporting Goods/Hardware just north of the blinker on Rt. 426 carries worms and fishing supplies in case you forget something. The local restaurants (downtown and out of town) serve good food, beer, or just a nice hot cup of coffee. If you can come for more than a day, consider staying locally. Plenty of shopping and recreational activities for the non-fisher people in the family.

Hope to see you around town, with your stringer full and a tail to tell.

Never Ending Bowl Weekend

So far, we've watched the "Mixing Bowl", the "Porcelain Bowl", and now we are watching the "Soup Bowl". With probably 20" of new snow on the ground and still falling, watching Bowl games is an normal way for folks to spend the holiday.

Unfortunately, I apparently lack the gene necessary to have a favorite team. I root for the underdog and for any team that doesn't have Brett Farve. While this was a less pronounced aberration before high definition TV, now it has become very obvious. Much to my husband's dismay, I find sports games in high def to be totally disorienting. The players look like Foosball players. I almost see the handles as the little plastic players mindlessly run around the field.

I wasn't always this way. When the Yankees and the Dodgers were both in NYC, I was rooted to my transistor radio listening to the games. Games were played in the daylight back in my day. Once the Dodgers moved, the heart went out of the game. It became just another money maker for high muckimucks and the little people, the ones who used to fill the bleachers, became just another pocket to be fleeced and tossed away.

I've spent my free time today doing laundry (oh - I guess I was doing the "Washing Bowl") and making Spicy Lentil Soup (for filling our Soup Bowls once Pittsburgh manages to lose their lead and the game in the fourth quarter).

Pretty soon we will go out and try our hand at clearing off the snow in front of the garage.
Such is life in Findley Lake in the winter.

OOPS, an addenda to above. Got the plowing done and now are watching the "Toilet Bowl". I guess tonight we will move to garage verbiage for the "Carburetor Bowl". Now if that doesn't get your sports blood fired up, you are welcome to come watch You Tube videos with me.

Wrapping Up The Year

My thoughts on a few topics:

Zoning - the gift that keeps on giving. Trying to thread the needle of protecting individual rights while avoiding deterioration of the neighborhood. With the wonderful citizens who took the time (repeatedly) to go sit through boring meetings, monitor proposed changes, actually READ the zoning law and promote good ideas - hurray for you. The zoning law seem to be finally getting near birth (rebirth?) and I actually am OK with most of it. Kudos to my significant other and friends for sitting through repeated rants as I sorted out the proposed law and it's ramifications.

Deer - really smarter than we hunters. Have spoken with numerous veteran hunters who were skunked this year. Now (of course), the deer are eating the foundation plantings, standing along the roads, and being very visible. Only one small deer in our freezer but I wanted three.

Death - it's been a hard year for friends and family. Step children's Mother died after a long illness, sister-in-law's Mother died unexpectedly but due to long standing health issues, and good friend's Father died after a slow fade for several years followed by a quick downward spiral.

Money - always short but at least the mortgage is paid off.

Wildlife - been a good year for seeing Eagles, Swans, Deer (except during hunting season), birds, and other small mammals.

Sweatshirts - bought three at Blair in Warren PA and couldn't be happier. Just couldn't find what I wanted in the chain stores.

Food - can't beat the prices at Erie County Farms. It will be open January 5th. Super assortment of greens and veggies, good prices on meat. What I really liked was going there about noon, then getting home early enough to cook up some of what I bought and freeze it as complete meals (pork/kale/sweet potato). Stuff to buy at Sam's Club include gluten free crackers and cocoa coated almonds. Real food and actually good for you. Don't forget the packs of Orbit or Trident Gum with Xylitol. Helps prevent cavities by preventing bacteria from adhering to your teeth. One kind of Trident will actually help build up the enamel too.

Dog - he's only ten years old but I'm already starting to mourn in advance of him dying. He's become more and more a family member. Don't know how he could be doing that but he is. He's funny, slightly OCD, and thinks that he has a vote in family decisions. Did I mention that he is funny?

Bald Eagles of Findley Lake

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.

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.

14 Tundra Swans today

After our usual breakfast in Greater Downtown Findley Lake, we took our regular ride around the lake. Ninety-Nine percent of the time we go counter clockwise by heading south on Shadyside. Once we turn north on Sunnyside, the road is at a distance from the lake. Where the lake edge curves around to border the road, the swans were close to the edge of the water. It's the first time that I've had a chance to see them feeding. They upend just like geese and apparently they they are happy to associate with the the geese. It was a funny sight to see, large white bird fannies and small white bird fannies, all flashing skyward as the birds chowed down on the goodies Findley Lake has to offer.

Tundra Swan Update

Just a quick note to let you know that we have added three Tundra Swans to our little flock. Now the total of swans on Findley Lake is seven. A ride around the lake yesterday gave us a good look at the new swans. They appear to be a family group as the smaller one still has a grayish tinge to his white feathers. Also, they were separate from the original four swans. Currently the weather is pretty nice for Tundra Swans, who can tolerate much worse conditions. Temperatures were below freezing last night but it was mostly calm. Yesterday's rain had both hail and snow mixed into it but again, not much wind. Today its gray and damp with temperatures around 40 degrees. Until the next big storm blows them further south, they should be with us for a while.

Winter in October

The first snow has now officially fallen in Findley Lake, on Thursday, 10/15/09. It started in the morning as mostly rain with big snowflakes mixed in. By evening, we had snow laying on the wet ground.

Here at home, we started swapping out the winter clothes two weeks ago. First to be switched out was my husband's stuff. Cotton quarter socks and half of the cotton crew socks were traded for calf length cotton socks and a large supply of wool socks. Decent tee shirts were swapped out for turtle-neck and mock turtle-neck shirts. Fleece, wool, flannel, and long sleeve cotton shirts appeared in place of the short sleeved lighter variety. Shorts definitely moved into storage.

The following week it was my turn. Tank tops, which had basically not been worn this summer, were swapped for mock turtle-necks. Fleece and flannel shirts replaced the short sleeve ones. I happily switched from cotton socks to my extensive assortment of wool blend socks. They are becoming my shopping downfall.

Each year I swear that I have enough wool blend socks. A good supply is OK since they will be worn from October through April. However, Sam's Club has again brought in a supply that just calls to me. I ended up immediately buying one set (four pairs) in the blue shades for a little less than $13.00. Unfortunately for our budget, there is also a brown set and I have very few brown wool socks. See where this is headed?

One tiny justification for the wool socks is the amazing length of time that they last. Over the last five years, I have not had to get rid of a single pair of wool socks. Since mine are worn and washed regularly for seven months out of the year, they hold up really well. Plus, their warm and attractive.

Deer in the Yard

We've been seeing a doe and two fawns in the back yard. Friday I was able to snap this photo of the doe. Called her in with my own imitation fawn baaa. That was really very cool.

Lovely July 4th Boat Parade

Beautiful weather and imaginative decorations thrilled the enthusiastic crowd at the Findley Lake Boat Parade on July 4th. With a theme of College Football, the rivalry was intense. Eight motorboats and six pontoon boats went head to head, striving to win the peoples choice Grand Prize. When the over 150 votes were counted, the overwhelming win for the Crum Family's "Wossamotta U" pontoon boat returned the traveling Breter Cup Trophy to them for another year.

The five judges for the Motor and Pontoon Boat divisions did not let offers of candy or other favors intrude on their serious deliberations. First Place in the Motor Boat division was awarded to Anderson Family, who decked out their boat and themselves in a sea of red for OSU. Second place went to the Proctor/Kelleher Family decorated as the ever-popular Notre Dame. In the Pontoon Boat division, First Place went to the Schneider Family who were Penn State Proud. Second Place went to the Jusiak Family saluting the University of Findley Lake. Many participants stopped by the judging tent to thank the Findley Lake Community Foundation for organizing this year's event.

Wacky Wren

I could hear the wren singing from inside our house, with all the windows closed. He was really carrying on. Then I could hear little feet landing on the pellet stove exhaust pipe.

Carefully peaking out the window, I found my little wren removing pieces of grass from the nest in the pipe. He wasn't taking them to another nest, he was just flying to the fence or a branch and dropping them. Back and forth he went, stopping each time to sing and then remove a bit of the nest.

Maybe the missus didn't like the softness of the nest. Certainly there is enough dog hair hanging in the net on the fence, suitable for lining a nest.

Listening to him sing is really uplifting. He has so much enthusiasm and the song is so cheerful. What a nice musical interlude he gave me today.

Wildlife Babies and Birds

We've been having a fun time watching four groundhog babies grow up. I like watching them browse out back. When the sunlight hits them at the right angle, they look blond. What I can't decide is if it is two families combined or one Mother with four babies. Yes, they do dig holes around the property, and in the barn, and in the hay shed. Since we don't have horses right now the holes are less of a concern. If they start digging into the house, they're toast.

Last week my husband saw a doe browsing along the back edge of our side acre. She had a fawn with her and according to my husband, the fawn just attacked her for lunch. No "please" from the fawn and no "not now" from the Mom. I saw a doe nursing a fawn last month, along an interstate about five miles from our house. Apparently everything else stops until Junior gets fed.

We've had a little male House Wren doing a lot of singing near the back of the house. I started hearing strange sounds coming from the pellet stove exhaust so went outside and took a look. Sure enough, the pipe was plugged with twigs from the fir trees close by. Doing a little research, I found out that the male wren may build up to 8 rudimentary nests in his quarter acre homestead. The female will inspect the offered residences and once she chooses one, will start to fill it with softer material. I keep a net bag of dog hair, from the resident spoiled house pet, for the birds to use. Only the male sings and he is so cute, basic brown, sitting on the fence with his little tail flicking up and down. I've seen the female and I think she has taken up residence in the pellet stove exhaust but I'm not absolutely sure. I even bought some "freeze dried meal worms" to feed these little birds. Meal worms are suppose to be attractive to blue birds, indigo buntings, and other worm/suet eating birds.

The bird feeder has become a problem due to the persistence of a local raccoon. It's a medium size animal and I am loath to dispatch it at this point. It doesn't come into the dog's yard as far as I can tell. It can access the bird feeder by climbing the yard's fence on the outside and dumping the bird seed out. I quit putting out seed for quite a while but now that the wren may have a family to support, I've started putting out very small amounts of seed with a side of meal worms. Apparently I'm also feeding a family of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks. We have Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, one of the white striped sparrows, and a few finches. All the Chickadees seem to have disappeared. I even had two eat from my hand during the winter. Of course, the feeder was empty, it was freezing out, the wind was blowing, and I was cement headed enough to stand there like a statue with seed in my hand pretending to be a bird feeder. The husband, standing inside, warm and content, found the scene charming if a bit goofy, since I wasn't wearing a coat.

Strange Summer in Findley Lake

I am not one to make a final pronouncement on global warming. I do believe that it is happening, as it has happened in the past. How much of it is man-made is hard to quantify but it stands to reason that we, as humans, have participated in the current warming. Whether modifying our energy and other habits can have an effect is up for grabs but worth trying.

That said, this has been one of weirdest Spring and early Summer weather I've seen in a while. March had some nice weather. April was so-so. May was cool and we had frosts more frequently that was pleasant. I'd put the chrysanthemum cuttings that I'd nursed all winter outdoors, figuring the weather was OK. Next think I knew, we were rushing out at bedtime to bring them back indoors. My big pot of Lemon Grass (an Asian seasoning used to a tropical climate) thinks it's gone to HELL. All winter it limped by on the enclosed front porch, extremely cool. We started putting it outside and then had to yank it back in. Then out, then in again. One of these days, it's just going to quit on me.

Yes, our last frost date is somewhere around June 15th so frost in May was to be expected. Unfortunately, the frost continued into early June. A walk around our property last week showed not a single apple on our three trees. Since they are in different locations with different exposures, the micro climate for each is different. I expected at least some apples but there were none.

On the good side, our energy costs have been very modest. The natural gas bill has dropped significantly for May and June. While temperatures were cool outside, the house was able to hold it's comfortable temperature with little need for the furnace. Ditto for the electric bill. Over the last few years, we have needed to install window A/C's in May because of the heat. We have now reached June 29th with no A/C's installed. I would say we had possibly two evenings where the temperature was above 70 degrees. Up until maybe last week, night temperatures outside were in the mid to upper 50's. We are starting to hit the low 60's consistently now. Every morning, the question has to be answered - shorts or long pants.

Tomorrow, Tuesday June 30th, the weather is suppose to be rainy and between 57 - 60 degrees. As I said, weird weather.

Turkey Sandwiches with Vidalia Onions

How can you beat turkey sandwiches? Giant Eagle whole grain sour dough bread, real mayo, grilled turkey breast (see yesterday's post), big slabs of raw vidalia onion, salt and pepper. Trying not to overeat but it's hard when something tastes that good.

Living in the Country and Technology

Since we live in a snow belt but formerly worked in Erie PA, where they get less snow than we do, I've always been proud to say that we ignore weather reports. Where we live, the weather is what you see out the window when you get up. When we were working and had to drive into Erie daily, a weather report was pretty meaningless. If you got up and there were two feet of snow, you started digging. The cars had extra cold weather clothes, towels or blankets, and flashlights. Weather reports here are frequently wrong, no matter how high tech the equipment so being prepared is a way of life.

Saying all that, yesterday our little digital outdoor thermometer went on the fritz. Since there is an outside sender and an inside receiver, both requiring batteries, we will have to replace both sets. Meanwhile, it burped out a temperature of 32 degrees last night so we hustled in the plants on the walk. Somehow, I just don't think it really was that cold. For one thing, when I stepped out at 11pm, I was comfortable. That would definitely not happen if it were freezing. We even check it to decide long pants or short, crew socks or cropped, jacket or short sleeves. I guess battery changing is in the plans for tonight.

Choppy Gray Day on Findley Lake

While the weather has been reasonably nice, it has also been unseasonably cool. This was brought home when the natural gas and electric bills arrived. Both were unusually low (what a welcomed surprise to our checkbook!). May saw temperatures at night in the 50's with an occasional night in the 40's. Days were in the 50's and 60's. As long as there is no wind, our house holds it temperature fairly well. With lights and computers running, we generate a fair of amount of heat so with moderate temperatures outside we stay comfortable. On cool days in May, we ran the pellet stove for a few hours. Neither the furnace, using natural gas, nor the pellet stove (which requires electricity to run) were used much and our utility bills reflected that.

Now it's the middle of June and we are still getting by with only screens in the windows. Sleeping temperatures have been refreshingly cool. Normally we install the A/C units in May but so far, we haven't even needed a window fan. It's so nice to not hear the ching ching ching of utility bills ratcheting up.

Today is a good example of this strange weather. Late in the evening and it is 60 degrees out and 73 degrees in our family room with just the TV, computers and light on. Today was gray, rainy, windy and Findley Lake had a chop on it. The big blue weed harvester could not operate because of the wind and chop. There was one teenager fishing on the end of a dock. Everyone else had the sense to just watch from indoors.