NYC is heading in the right direction

While visiting NYC this past weekend I saw this very progressive concept in transportation modes. If you look at the words on the top directly above the cab you will see the description Clean Air Electric Bus. It appears that the Metropolitan Transit Authority has made a wise investment in our future by purchasing these buses that no longer spew out plumes of black smoke as they lumber around the city. Many NYers continue to walk great distances to get where they need to go. It is apparent to me that because they use their heels rather than their wheels many are in excellent shape. Kudos to NY for thinking green when it comes to getting around.

Enginuity

It is not often that I sing the praises of someone on this blog. However there are some people who just know their way around tools and have the creative thinking to solve mechanical problems. I am certainly not that kind of person but when I recognize the quality I just stand back in awe. They are just some people who have a vast toolkit and the knack for making the difficult task look easy.
We are so fortunate to know such a guy. He has been helping my family out for almost five years and we rely on him to come to our rescue for any all problems in and around our home. He has rebuilt our bathroom, put in two water heaters, created a sump pump that has kept our basement dry and C. sane. Repaired leaky faucets & fixed some faulty circuit breakers. Reinsulated some drafty windows and installed ceiling fans.
He even maintains our old cub cadet tractor and keeps it humming for the season. Sometimes against all obstacles. In the above picture the front tire went flat and he had to remove it. Observe how he hoisted it up with a jack, secured it on two beams leaving it in place so he can replace the tire with a new one tomorrow. Solution for every trouble. What a guy.
Hats off to you Joe!

The Williamsburg Flood disaster revisited

This weekend I learned that on May 16 1874 at approximately 8 am a reservoir that was held back by a very poorly constructed dam flooded over. The collapsing dam resulted in a catastrophe that swept away many homes and killed many people in Williamsburg/Haydenville Massachussetts.
The Meekins library did a splendid job in planning events that commerated this historical disaster. The highligt of the day was a hike through the woods to the site and great talk by our guide that gave us some interesting background about this horrible event.
The above photo clearly shows the destructive power of water as it collapsed & pushed away the dam wall, cascading water and debris down the Valley. In its wake it left nothing but drowning & destruction. At its peak we were told the wall of water was 40 feet high traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour. With no cellphones to warn of its coming people and homes were literally swept away.
Great thanks to the Meekins Library for planning and putting on this Community event. The weather cooperated by contributing cold rain and drizzle reminding us of how unforgiving nature can be.

New England blossoms & California Fruit make a nice photo

The weather on May 1 was as nice as could be and these avocados reflected the bright light with a mirror like shine. Not only did the sun's rays provide the brilliant illumination they also produced a gentle steady heat which the fruit absorbed promoting a sweet ripening to ultimately create some delicious guacamole.
I think that it would be most difficult to match the colors of this Spring day with any paint or dye and I am grateful that my camera was able to capture the moment using the digital images.