Previously Published 22 June 20.
As we have followed the national and world demonstrations against racial injustice, we have continually thought back to our emotional experience, last summer, at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, in Montgomery. Exactly because the concept of the memorial is unbelievably simple, the power is absolutely overwhelming. It is a damning testament to our systemic racial injustice, that has been part of our country since the beginning.
Previously Published 20 April 20.
We are amazed by how many people that we see out walking and riding their bicycles recently. Yesterday morning, while riding, there were four other cyclists and 6 people walking along Route 35. In 36 years, there have never been this amount of families just out enjoying the spectacular day. And we see this most days. While we, like everyone else, want to get back to normal, we truly hope that everyone excerising outside will continue to remain the new normal.
Previously Published 3 April 20.
Usually, there is the sound of airplanes overhead. Typically, there are contrails all over the sky. When you don’t hear them or see them, like now, you know that something with wide societal impact has occurred.
Previously Published 14 August 19.
This year’s garlic harvest. Teresa reports this is down somewhat from last year. Still, they look like a school of sea creatures, or the stems of truffula tufts, or an array of modular building components, or..
Previously Published 27 September 17
This has to be one of the world’s most sensitive buildings. It has organic, curving lines. It has a traditional gable roof. It is without any discernable style. And it fits in to the landscape. It is located on Route 174 near Otisco Lake.
Previously Published 26 June 17
This derelect power plant has a fantastic industrial beauty. The metal clad forms on this side of the building make this piece nearly timeless. It is on Route 7 between Afton and Bainbridge. Buildings like this are what put the Empire in New York State.
Previously Published 17 April 17
I just don’t understand how it can possibly be that loud. When you stand looking down at our pond at sunset, the noise is so great that if you turn your head a certain way, it hurts your ears. This is from the peepers, or baby frogs. Maybe it is the natural bowl shape of the ground surrounding the pond that focuses the sound. It is one of the most amazing things you will ever hear.
Previously Published 14 December 16
Sagrada Familia. If there is one building that we encourage everyone to see, it is the Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrade Familia, by the Architect Gaudi, in Barcelona. During a recent trip there, we were nearly overcome by the experience of being inside the building. For us at least, no other building that we have ever been in gives such an unbelievable mix of wonder, awe, delight and peace.
Previously Published 18 November 16
The Hanson Aggregates industrial plant just outside of Oriskany Falls, NY is an amazing place. We happened to be driving down 12B and basically had to stop in the middle of the road. This is a fully functioning gravel processing facility that conveys material across the road. While there is no doubt that aggregate mining is environmentally destructive, there is a stunning beauty to this type of industrial fabric. And a quick consultation of the DEC website states that mineral production contributes substantially to the New York State economy.
Previously Published 21 June 2016
One of our favorite days of the year is when our fields are cut for hay. It’s not like we do it ourselves. Rather, Roger Erway and his family, harvest the hay for their cows. The Erway dairy farm is one of the last in the area. Roger and his son, Terry, have International Harvester 1066 tractors that were recently rebuilt and repainted. They have inline 6 cylinder turbo diesel engines. The tractors were built in 1974, which makes them, to use Roger’s term, antiques. And with the love and care they get, they will run forever.
