481 to 90 to 91 to 15 and back

I've been making this drive from Fulton, NY to Hamden, CT almost every weekend for about 6 weeks. I could probably do it in my sleep, but my understanding is that is not the best way to drive. So I try to keep my eyes open.

I've noticed some odd things in my travels. I have seen Oreo cows. Black on either end and a third white in the middle. When I'm northbound in NY, there is a very cool/creepy house on the southbound side that looks like the Bates house behind the motel in Psycho. It's not near an exit and there is no safe place to pull over to take a picture, so you'll just have to take my word for it. I never see it when I'm southbound.

I've also noticed that in New York, towns seem to overlay each other. I work in Syracuse - or East Syracuse - or DeWitt - or Fayetteville. I live in Fulton - or Volney. I'm thinking it may be similar to Mount Carmel, Spring Glen and Whitneyville which are all sections of Hamden (CT). New Haven (CT) has Fair Haven and Westville. North Haven (CT) has Montowese. Wallingford (CT) has Yalesville. Meriden (CT) has Tracey. But, you generally don't see those sections or neighborhoods on maps, so I'm still a little confused. But as far as the Post Office is concerned, 13069 is Fulton, NY.

I still get a bit of a kick from Rt 481. I pick it up in Syracuse and it's an Interstate highway. About 10 miles up, as we cross I-81, it becomes a state highway. Looks exactly the same, just the sign changes, and 20 more miles, when we get to Fulton, there is a traffic light and 481 is magically transformed into a regular old road. Continues on to Oswego and Lake Ontario which are only a few miles away. This is 481 in Fulton:

That's it for today. I hope you enjoyed my little tour.

Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend.

Time set aside to thank and remember the members of our armed services who gave their lives for our country.

It is also a time to remember and to reflect on the events of our lives. This past year has been pretty sucky for me. Lots of loss. And as much as I know everyone means well, if I hear "one door closes, another door opens" one more time, I'm going to scream. I am hanging on the edge of a cliff. For now, I'm OK. I have a job and I have a place to live. Have to wait and see what happens come January.

For now, I am going to look at Memorial Day as the unofficial start to summer. There are many places in my new environs that I want to explore. The Erie Canal for one. Lake Ontario for another. I want to find flea markets, quilt shops, contra dances, check out some churches, maybe join the choir. I want to de-beige my apartment. I want to get my furniture moved up there.

But first, I need to settle things in Connecticut so I don't have to drive back here every weekend. This is the house I'm leaving behind. It looks a little scruffy in the photo. It is a 1926 bungalow and I'm really going to miss it. Been here 11 years.

The room across the front upstairs was my studio. Lots of light. Going to miss that too. The apartment I've rented is a bit short on windows. One per room, plus sliders out to the deck off the living room. I'm on the second floor.

But it is where I have landed for now. The people are nice, the stars are bright and plentiful. I believe I have been brought here for a reason. I just don't know what that reason is. I may never know. But I am going to view this as an opportunity and see what develops.

More to come...