Fun at the UTICA ZOO

For almost 60 years I have visited the Utica Zoo.  Back when Maria the gorilla was there and the black bears in the back cage to the trial of a polar bear and baby elephant named Asiannie I have delighted in what was there.  That was before travel entered my life taking me to zoos and aquariums around the eastern USA.

Getting ready to start out and it was cold.  Too cold for Tyler to walk - he needed to be carried by mommy.  That lasted about 2 minutes.  

We found a lion in Tiger disquise. 

The camels were very friendly but quiet.

Mr. Peacock strutted up on walk way and down the other only to turn around and do it again. 

The reptile house was built in 1920 the same year my mother 

was born just 2-3 miles east of there on Tilden Ave. 

The playground of course was the hit of the afternoon as "The Playground Inspector" check it all out. 

 In fact, The Playground Inspector" even got his mom to try out the Python Slide.  To bad we didn't capture her scream on camera. 

Our last stop was to see the sea lions --- 3of them.  

One very very large, one large one and this little fellow who was sunning himself minus the sun.

a surprise at UTICA VELO

Utica Velo - located on Court Street in Utica just west of the brewery 

and Varick Street district - is a small locally owned bicycle repair shop.  Tyler, Kate 

and I stopped in yesterday to see what they had and to meet the owner. 

Tyler's eyes where full of happiness as he looked all the bicycles. 

Tee Shirt from the annual Tour d'Utica.  There are still some available 

so if you want to support a local business stop in and purchase one. 

Thinking it over. 

Trying it out.  

Around the corner

And back again

Yup this is the one. 

 Happy owners - 1 getting a bike and 1 giving a bike

On our way to the car - where it took us 15 minutes trying to get it into my small trunk. 

God's Word

Watching the movie we have anxiously awaited on the History channel.  The BIBLE - the book I live by. I know if you are not a believer that it is hard for your to believe this story of creation, death, redemption.  It must all be accepted on faith. What I have found so amazing is how science has unknowingly proved what the bible has said.

Opening scene is Noah, with his family, in the ark telling the story of the creation.  We all know the story that God told Noah to built and ark.  An ark to float in water because God was going to bring rain--- RAIN , the people have never seen rain before.  This was the first time it would rain on earth .  Such faith Noah had to have - believing that when God says something it will come to pass.
And such faith Abraham and Isaac needed when God said - make me a sacrifice.  Or Moses when six times he obeyed God and Pharaoh didn't "let his people go".  Yet on the 7th time God as he planned showed his ultimate power and Pharaoh gave in to Moses request.

Many people will watch this program and see the little errors that the producer/director put in.  The lamb in the bush (it was a ram),

Get Cooking!

Received my subscription of Cooking Light on Saturday.  When I stop to think about all the mail I get on Saturday - mag subscriptions, check from my flex plan, check from my work mileage - I certainly going to miss those Saturday deliveries come August.  But that is not the purpose of this entry.

Cooking Light (CL) presents a new goal each month.
January was - Veggie Up! which isn't hard for my family - exp. Tyler.   When he gets hungry he'll ask for a stalk of celery or some baby carrots,  an apple, orange or banana aren't far behind.

February was - Get Moving! - a bit more difficult in upstate NY in the winter.  Since I don't go to a gym and mall walking gets depressing and a bit boring, my exercise consists of what I can accomplish out doors -- biking, hiking, canoeing and my fav -- WALKING.

Today, I got back into my walking mode and hopefully I will keep it up.  Left work and started down Elizabeth Street to Columbia before my ride showed up.

March is - Get Cooking! and I am taking the challenge by doing the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday menu.

Today's dinner
Cheesy Penne with Broccoli which wasn't too bad although it needed just a bit more flavor.

8 oz. penne pasta
5 cups broccoli
1 1/3 cup milk
2 T flour
3 T parmesan cheese, divided, fresh
2 T. Cream Cheese
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/8 t. freshly ground nutmeg
2.5 ounce grated Cheddar Cheese

Cook the pasta.
Drain reserving enough water to cook the broccoli

Make a roux sauce.  I used whole wheat and a bit of butter
Add 2 T. parmesan, 2 T cream Cheese, mustard, seasonings and cheese.

Place pasta, broccoli in a bowl,
Pour sauce over and toss to coat
Garnish with remaining parmesan.

I might have added more salt to the water.
More pepper and mustard.
I didn't measure the cheese because of space and time.

Needed another vegetable or a salad.

Wednesday  - Shrimp Linguine
Friday - Hoison Flounder

Homeschooling - it's my chioce

I'm putting this on my blog space because I believe that education of our children is our responsibility and no where in the Bible does it say that government should make the decision of where children are to be educated. 

USA Trying to Deport Christian Homeschooling Family Knowing They Face Persecution
Uwe and Hannelore Romeike are Christians and the parents of six children. When their kids attended the German public schools, they were bullied and harassed because of being Christians. The parents began looking into the schools and what their kids were being taught. They found a number of objectionable and inappropriate things in the textbooks that they didn’t want their kids learning.

They strongly believed that their children would receive a better education grounded in biblical principles by being schooled at home rather than having their children indoctrinated by the German schools.

Home Schooling Not a 'Right,' Says US Justice Department

In a brief for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, made assertions that are alarming from the standpoint of defending religious freedom.

In a brief for a political asylum case involving a persecuted, German home-schooling family, Holder asserted that a parent’s right to educate his or her child is not fundamental, and is only breached if the right is removed from all people. This assertion contradicts earlier claims by the U.S. government that religion and freedom to practice it is an individual right.

First we Plow, Then we Play

After a visit from Winter Storm Nemo!!!

Promises of a February Snow Storm brought some snow to our house but 

a whole lot more to other areas of the Northeast.  As true to snow storms, the next day is 

usually a glorious one with a blue sunny sky. 

 Of course before any playing can be had one must first shovel our and plow. 

James would usually do the plowing but he is still recovering from his surgery. 

Doug was the official plower today and his one comment was ---- it's cold out. 

  

Tyler and Gramma Jeanne watched from the upstairs rooms while plumes 

of snow were thrown 20 - 30 feet into the field. 

 Watching and Waiting

 I get the job of shoveling:  porch to greenhouse, greenhouse to greenhouse, 

my house to Gramma Jeanne's house and so it goes. 

I was the snow shoveler growing up and it still brings a sense of satisfaction. 

 Tyler knows that visiting in the winter means some sort of snow.  

He wasn't disappointed. 

After a while out in the snow and greenhouses, it's time for some indoor play.

Off with the boots, the socks, the snow pants, the mittens and get down for some 

serious sensory play    or  

What happens when the flax seed body buddy springs a leak. 

It's the worlds

In Cyclo Cross.  This year for the first time ever, the worlds are being held on US soil and in of all places, Louisivlle, KY.  There is no bike race like cycle cross,  the steeple chase of biking.  

Back when Josh was "young" our weekends in the late fall 

and winter would be filled with these races. 

We literally covered the northeast from our home town in New York 

up to Maine and down to Baltimore. 

I remember in Baltimore there was a group called the B's. 

 It was a vastly sized group and when they would pass by......

it sounded like a entire hive of bees. 

Cyclo Cross takes place regardless of the weather or conditions. 

 If you were lucky you would have a beautiful sunny day.  

 Many times Josh would race in the snow which of course 

would be in a melting stage so the mud would build up to inches deep. 

 That would ultimately lead to the need to switch out your bike so the 

"pit" crew could wash down the wheels and gears. 

Cross is done on a small course that a rider would do laps around. 

 Slower bikers would be passed by faster ones at times.  

Today, February 2 in Louisville, KY the worlds are being held.  With several categories that were supposed to span the weekend.  However, because of all the snow and rain that dear ole L'vill has received, the Ohio is expected to crest tomorrow morning and flood the venue.  

So, all cats are being held today.  

I find it amazing - technology that is. 

I am here in Utica, NY watching live on the computer the 

women's elite race and searching the crowd for my men. 

want to learn more about this exciting race