What does it mean?

While visiting Mom last month we went over to Alvirne Cemetery in Hudson, NH, where Dad, all of my grandparents, and several aunts and uncles are buried. The above tombstone is nearby the Smith plot. I'm still scratching my head trying to "divine" the meaning.

Biking the GAP

It was a perfect weather day here in SW PA today and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) was calling me for our normal 20 mile ride from Ohiopyle to Confluence and back. It was a good day for sights. Somewhere in the photo below is a doe with two fawns.



This is 6 Mile Island, so named by me because it is 6 miles from the starting point. Not very creative but a good progress marker.
This little stream valley is one of my favorites along the trail. There is always a blast of cool air coming down the hill -- very refreshing!

There were several fly fisherman in the river today.

The big picture -- Confluence, PA.

This snake caught my attention as I rode by. I stopped and went back in the hope that it was a rattlesnake, which I had never seen in the wild. It wasn't. Appears to be a Black snake.

Nikki came with me and read her book club book while waiting. Had a good lunch together at the Ohiopyle House Cafe.

Irises at Hopewell

A patch of Japanese irises is somewhat hidden along the edge of our grove. Here they are for all to enjoy in a vase given to us by our niece Meg. The perfect vase, n'est pas? :)

Butterfly Garden at Powdermill

Several years ago Nikki and I made a gift to Powdermill in support of the capital campaign to build the new building, for which I was responsible as Director. We wanted there to be a focal point for kids and decided on a butterfly garden in memory of Tina. The garden was a long time in coming, but thanks to Dr. John Wenzel (new director) and Cokie Lindsay (lady who makes things happen there) the garden is now staked out, fenced, and planted. Plant selections and layout were done by Martha Oliver, a nearby resident and well known in horticultural circles.

We could not have been more pleased with what we saw on our first visit. The garden was designed with kids in mind and signage to be installed will educate adults as well.

Our thanks to the team -- John, Cokie, and Martha -- for making our vision a reality.

The bees seem content as well.

Our Serviceberry Tree

Our serviceberry tree here at Hopewell has anchored the sunken garden of our east terrace for many years and has been a stellar performer. When the berries have ripened, as they are now, the tree is a magnet for cedar waxwings, as seen above. We've had as many as 20 in the tree at the same time. This year a scarlet tanager also dined here.