This week started off with an early drive to Rochester for choir practice. Today we were going to be singing our Mother’s Day song during Sacrament meeting. Sister Neckles had the music all arranged in plastic folders and placed paper clips on each page to make it easier to turn the pages during the performance. There were nine pages and I really appreciated her efforts for us. We sang our song and Erik remarked that the ladies held up their portion of the choir really well. Considering that there were only 6 of us singing, I hoped that we could do it properly. I have a meso-soprano voice and I am always cognizant of not over powering the other members of the choir. During practice, Sister Neckles told me that I was holding back too much. Oye, oye, oye! It’s a fine line.

Driving home, Erik said that we were going to drive a different way home that would take us along the shore of Lake Ontario. We went south to the 104 and then headed east. Using my sense of direction, I directed him to drive along certain roads and then we ended up on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. It was beautiful and I saw an interesting phenomenon on the lake within the water. It’s fascinating to see the homes along the waterfront. Some are beautifully developed (mansions) and others are properties that have been held in families for generations and they are the original lakefront homes, overgrown and neglected. It reminded me of Gull Lake and the village which has the same thing going on.

I had the joy and honor of video calls with 4 of my children and their children. Technology makes life so enjoyable with being able to see all their faces and converse with them. I learned a cute story about our 14 year old grandson, who in science class, was told that whoever memorized the periodic table would receive a cake. I don’t think she knew that in our family, we have identic memories that really helps us to learn quickly. Our grandson memorized the table in two days and then presented to his teacher. She got a funny look on her face and at the end, he asked her if he did something wrong. She replied, “No, it was perfect!” She wasn’t expecting to have to buy a cake for anyone but, surprise, surprise, Carter was able to bring a chocolate cake home for his efforts.

Our 2 year old grandson spent his first night away from his mother. Her Mother’s Day gift was a night at a hotel all by herself with her books, and peace and quiet. He wasn’t very happy with his dad and sure didn’t want his mama to not be at home where he expects her. There was a lot of ballyhooing going on late into the night. Our son is a wonderful pickleball player and our grandson watches carefully what his dad does and teaches but he took a long back swing with a paddle and destroyed the television. Neither dad or son was incredibly happy with each other. It had been a rough night! The good news is that his baby sister to come is healthy and doing well in mama’s tummy.

Our Calgary grandchildren decided to go rogue and stripped off their clothing, leave via the front door and ride their bicycles through the neighborhood. My dear daughter was exasperated and embarrassed. I told her that it runs in the family and that they came by it honestly. My dad tells me that when we lived in Germany, I stripped off my clothing and headed outside. My parents found me in a dirt pile in the neighborhood, happily playing and getting dirty. I think I was saving laundry for my mother!

Monday was a day that Erik and Mark planned for us. We were heading to Watkin’s Glen State Park for a hike. We took the Gorge Trail. It was incredibly beautiful (huge understatement)! The park attendant took one look at us and suggested that we go partway and then return along the same trail. Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout. It would be amazing to camp there.

We entered via the south entrance. Wanda & I decided to visit the ladies room before the hike. It’s not a long hike and would probably only take us just over an hour. We decided to take a little bit of toilet paper with us in case of emergencies. Little did we know, that there would be zero chance of having any privacy anywhere to have a break. Both Wanda and I are not fans of height and as we entered the gorge, I thought to myself, “This may be a little or a lot crazy!” The trail is only 1.5 miles long but has an elevation climb of 500 feet with over 800 stone steps. The trail is not very wide but is passable by two people, side by side.

We stopped at the point of no return and talked with some people from Brazil. They were young and I said that they could easily do the last 180 step climb to the end (which I was questioning if I should do it, thinking back on the park attendant). They came back and said that they decided not to do the climb. We rested at this point and this is where we learned that Wanda, Erik and myself are all 62 years old and graduated from school the same year. Mark is the older brother of the group being 6 years older than us. Then we decided that we were going to give it a go. Erik is like a mountain goat and he would have no issues with the 180 step climb. Surprisingly, my 7 day a week workouts made it easier that I thought. When you are dragging around excess weight, you have to work hard to do things. I have built up so much core strength and leg strength that I didn’t struggle like I thought I would. Along the trail are signs with reminders about calling 911 for emergencies. We joked that hopefully we wouldn’t have to use it! It was 27C today and it was really nice to be in the shade in the gorge for our journey.

We made it to the top and then realized that unless we all hiked the gorge back, the car was sitting in the lower parking lot and we were stuck. While we were trying to decide which route to take back to the car, Erik made the decision to go back, get the car and return for us. He ran the south rim trail in 17 minutes!! He stopped to take a photo of the top of the waterfalls because he said that his heart rate was a tad too high and he needed to rest for a bit.

We loaded up and went into Watkin’s Glen for some lunch. This is a fascinating little town. It is the home of the Watkins Glen International. There is an automobile track near the village. It hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix for twenty years (1961-1980). It has hosted road racing of various classes, including the World Sportscar Championship, NASCAR and IndyCar. The track is currently owned by NASCAR. In the sidewalk, along main street are plaques commemorating various race car drivers and their wins. A person never knows what they will come across in their travels.

Lunch was spent at a lakeside hotel/restaurant with a pier in front. I had a glorious salad with delicious veggies and roasted apples. Seneca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes where this village is located. It’s very picturesque and quaint. I found a lovely shop and was able to buy a small Nativity set with woodland animals. We picked up information about a sailboat tour and will probably make plans to come back for that. It’s called the True Love.

After our trip, we finished up our usual Monday chores (laundry and cleaning). We slept really well Monday night, hahaha!

While walking about the neighborhood, I met new people who had a sign on their lawn that I got a big kick out of (D.O.P.E.), The Department of Palmyra Efficiency. Of course, I had to stop and talk to them. I learned that Linda had run for the position of Mayor and that Rick was a hunter and fisherman like Erik. We discussed the affairs of the town and the area. We told them where we were living and that we are in Palmyra for a year.

The blooms of the week are outstanding! Japanese Wisteria, Japanese Snowball Bush, Hydrangea, and Iris’. A new bird that we heard was the Chimney Swift.

Chimney Swift

We were blessed to have a great week serving in the temple. Tender mercies abounded and I feel so blessed to be here with kind hearted and loving workers and patrons who come to the temple. God does know us and knows where we need to be and when.

On Saturday, we headed to another grocery store that the Whiteheads gave us a heads up about. It’s called TOPS and we were delighted to find it. We receive weekly flyers about specials and sales and it was great to be able to go and see what they had. We had gone to a Trader Joe’s on Friday and I was underwhelmed. Too much packaged products; too much that I don’t need in my life.

We look forward to the Temple Workers devotional on Sunday. Each time it is a joyful and rich experience. We will have the opportunity to hear a General Authority speak to us.

Considering that we are near the home of Kodak, I wanted to share this quote with you:

Life is like a camera, focus on what is important, capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if things don’t work out, take another shot.

Have an amazing week, don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy the rays of sunshine and let joy enter your heart. Let your spirit be guided by good and you will be richly rewarded.