Neal A Maxwell has told us, “God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability” (“It’s Service, Not Status, That Counts,” Ensign July 1975). I have loved this quote for many years because I have a loyal heart. I am loyal to God, family and friends. Because of this loyalty which in turn can also be dependability for me, I stand in amazement at how God increases my capabilities to do things that I wonder how on earth I could possibly do them. There are days in this past week that I thought to myself, “Are you sure you can pull this off?” The gentle reminder is that I am not on my own and neither are any of you. Yes, there are days that I am gobsmacked by what I have accomplished and have a knowledge that those instances where I felt overwhelmed, heavenly hands stepped in to help me.

Erik and I have been asked to fill in as shift coordinators at the temple on Wednesday evening shifts. Thanks to our experience in the Calgary temple, we have an idea of what needs to be done. This means that we will prepare the shift schedule with all the assignments for the workers on that shift. We oversee the shift and in my own terms, “We are good at putting out fires.” When unusual circumstances pop up and they do regularly, Erik and I are versed in how to handle situations quickly and kindly.

We had our first Wednesday evening shift this week and praise God, everything went well. It gives such a feeling of peace and happiness to know that we are stepping up and using the skills and talents that we have been blessed with.

This week we have switched Saturdays with our neighbors. They will work a double shift this week and we will work a double next Saturday. That gave us the opportunity to book a walking tour in Palmyra which also allows us into 5 museums this month. We started at the Pal-Mac Aqueduct Canal Park.

During the presentation, we learned about the aqueduct and how it was used. Palmyra-Macedon Aqueduct Park is a tribute to the remnants of past iterations of the Erie Canal, which continues to pass through here, just not in the same manner as before. In the early 1800s, engineers had to segregate the canalway from natural waterways—to control flooding. At this very spot, a wooden aqueduct with stone abutments, carried the canal over Ganargua Creek (often called Mud Creek).

As the years went on, and the canal was rebuilt larger and more advanced, other flood-control measures made aqueducts like these unnecessary, and they were dismantled. The canal was moved slightly to the north, and a portion of the former aqueduct was modified into a flood-control outlet that dumps into Ganargua Creek. This outlet is the waterfall. The stone abutments still stand, covered in greenery and crumbling. The southern canal towpath now serves as part of the Canalway Trail, carrying hikers and cyclists over the creek.

We learned that the waterfall is no longer in use and they brought in tons of rock to fill in where the aqueduct was crumbling and disintergrating. There is a power house built where the creek goes through just south of the Erie Canal. It amazes me that the original canal was called Clinton’s Ditch (named after the Governor, Dewitt Clinton) and all 96 miles were dug by hand. There is a bridge which is the orginal bridge built over the ditch but now I call it the bridge to nowhere. The canal used to flow there and now because of diversions, it’s a bridge to nowhere. The park is kept up nicely and the bridge has a fascinating story of how flooding moved the bridge into a farmer’s field and his cows were using the bridge. It was decided to move the bridge back and restore it to it’s former glory instead of being a cow’s footbridge.

We are loving living in Palmyra, “The Queen of Canal Towns”. Good fortune smiled upon us whilst on the walking tour. I heard a klaxon and wondered what it could be. It seems a boat had called ahead to use the lock. Our group waited and chatted with the lock operator. He used to be an operator down at Lyons where there is another lock. It was absolutely fascinating to watch the boat enter the lock and then pull up alongside the edge of the canal. Then the lock operator closed the lock behind the boat and once the water had finished rushing through the lower part, the next part of the lock opened so that they could carry on towards Lyons. I chatted with the men on the boat as they were moving the boat for an uncle.

Someone thought they saw a snapping turtle in the canal, but when I went to look, the realization hit that said turtle was actually a dead raccoon. I thought I saw air bubbles coming from the “turtle,” but in fact, it was a decomposing raccoon.

Notice that I am sparing you the photo of the “turtle”. In New York State, we see opossums and raccoons on the road, not surviving the impact of vehicles. So different from Alberta, where we see porcupines, skunks, and gophers on the road. The deer are smaller here and yes, unfortunately, are casualties as well.

We watched a trio of kayakers coming through the creek side which later merges with the canal. They were paddling with a young child and had gorgeous weather for their journey. The Canada geese were also paddling down the creek with their goslings. A glorious day, it was!

On Monday, I had an appointment Canadaigua with the nurse practioner. Erik dropped me off and I went into the clinic. Funny thing, they weigh you every appointment! I know that I’m fluffy, but I actually appreciated that my weight was lower than the previous month, hahaha. After the appointment, we drove to the pier and walked down the boathouse row. The hot dog vendor told us that back in the 70’s, boathouses sold for between 5 & 7 thousand dollars. Now they sell for $250,000. Now, they are fixed up and are quite nice inside, enough that a person could live there. We’ve been told that Canadaigua lake is the warmest of the Finger Lakes.

Erik and I wanted to drive along the shore line and look at properties and the views that they had. It was spectacular and brought tears to my eyes to see the beauty and serenity of that area. We drove far enough that we ended up turning around at Wegman’s organic farm. It’s interesting that the grocery store supplies it’s own organic produce. What a lovely day!

There are a few ice cream shops around and I said to Erik that we were going to Pulcini’s on highway 21, just a couple of miles north of Palmyra. We ended up chatting with the owner, Dave, and he explained how he got into the business and how he is set up. His family orginated from Italy and I asked him how they ended up in Palmyra. Everyone has a story and I love to learn about everyone’s life. Dave was the only boy in a family with 5 sisters! The set up for the business is in the countryside and he even has a little trail to walk the property. Erik and I opted to walk after having our ice cream. We saw fruit trees, a little grape orchard and a large garden. A delightful place to stop with wet wipes available for cleaning up and plenty of picnic tables and shade. I already know what I want to try on our next stop at Pulcini’s.

https://magichouserecipes.com/recipes/best-broccoli-salad-bacon

This week was a broccoli/cauliflower salad week. I made a large salad and it stays well in the fridge. Next week, Erik asked for 7 Layer salad, another of our favorites. We popped up to Walworth to the Tops grocery store for a few needed items and now we are set for another week. I’m trying to decide what to cook for Erik for Father’s Day. So, far he has requested tacos. I’m also thinking of a brownie cheesecake to end the meal (and of course, carry on throughout the week).

I was super excited to have a couple of dresses arrive by post. I’m obsessed with April Cornell clothing and have learned to pace myself to shop the sales. The weather is trying to warm up and unfortunately, the air quality has alerts because of the fires in Canada. Warmer air is wonderful and our walks allow us conversation with locals as people get out and sit on their porches.

I had to learn a hard lesson this past week. It was like a perfect storm of things that conspired against me. I am trying to figure out how I should proceed. Everything is for my good and as uncomfortable as it was, I will use it to better myself and help others. The doubt can creep in or it may simply body slam you into thinking that you have erred from a place of no return. Thank goodness for the atonement of Jesus Christ that allows us all to come back. We may need our moments of reflection to consider our way and choose our path but He is always standing there with His hands outstretched waiting for us to join Him.

Have a week of joy and stay safe!