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Elephant Herd at Boston Public Garden!

October 4, 2026September 5, 2026Posted in Animals, Artwork, blogging, environment, wildlife, writingTagged blogging, environment, Nature, wildlifeLeave a comment

The herd’s indigenous creators made each elephant from an invasive weed in India: lantana camara. This aggressive plant can be found in TX, FL, CA, Australia, India and inland at the Galapagos. These Indian artisans of the Real Elephant Collective in southern India use the invasive weed to construct the elephants. I tried to capture their work in the photos below. Fortunately I saw the herd on tour in Boston, MA. For more info regarding their next stops, check out: TheGreatElephantMigration.org

You’ll see one red elephant named “Mayflower”. This elephant is to represent those in the real world when they would turn red when coating themselves in iron-rich clay. They do this to protect their skin from the sun and as a natural barrier against bugs.

It was a wonderful opportunity to see the work of these indigenous artisans, using an invasive weed, and creating a magnificent display of powerful animals! BTW, each sculpture is for sale.

The “Paper House” in Massachusetts

October 1, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, education, environment, history, Nature, travelLeave a comment

The “Paper House” in Rockport, Massachusetts was an interesting quick visit. This 1924 house with paper walls and furniture has survived a century! It was a summer camp to live in; only roof, floor and house frame wooden when originally built, the rest from paper.

The Stenman family read 3 newspapers per day. With additional newspapers from others, they built this house and made various furniture pieces, such as the grandfather clock. It was built in 1933 from the capital city papers from 48 states at that time:

Walls were newspaper pages pasted … with mixture of flour, water and apple peels…. with lacquer then applied. Walls were layered 215 sheets thick and were for insulation; now covered to hold the walls in shape.

Visitors to the property can step into the house and see all the created pieces. Some are tightly rolled or folded paper structures, but the piano is real and covered with paper. When you visit, look closely at some furniture and you’ll see historical headlines from the 1920’s.

Need a place to stay for the night? Check out the Blue Shutters in Gloucester

Wish to eat a lobster roll? Check out Charlie’s Place. Take a short hike at Halibut Point… plenty to visit along the coast; enjoy!

Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill

September 27, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, travel, USA2 Comments

Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt had another property, Val-Kill, a short distance from the home Franklin grew up in. While Eleanor and Franklin lived with his parents and at the White House, Val-Kill was a place Eleanor started Val-Kill Industries. Here rural youth and underemployed workers learned woodworking. Creating handicrafts allowed farmers to also keep afloat during tough times. She closed the industry down in 1936 and moved in after Franklin’s death in 1945. Eleanor certainly contributed to her husband’s work during his presidency and was called upon by others even after his death. Plenty of history regarding her!

I toured this property and museum and viewed an informative 20 minute film. There are well groomed trails to walk here. It’s a beautiful place!

Plenty of conversation around this table!

Beautiful grounds with water and trails.

FDR’s Home, Museum and Library

September 24, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, travel, USALeave a comment

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was our President for many years (March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945) and lived in Hyde Park, New York where we now find his home and Presidential Museum and Library. Years ago, when at the Walkway over the Hudson River with my friend, we only drove past these places. This trip I toured his home:

His father encouraged him to know birds in the area, so Franklin did learn 300 birds and did taxidermy work too.

Many rooms as he and Eleanor lived in this home with his parents.

The family owned many acres of land which overlooked the Hudson River. Due to numerous trees planted by his family, a river view is no longer as the trees grew nicely through the decades.

Once upon a time one could see the Hudson River.

The Presidential Library is available to researchers and the museum is open to all. Many hours and even days are needed if one was to read all in the museum! It is well done! Videos also available to break up the reading and displays. So many initiatives from Franklin D. Roosevelt during his years as President.

By the way, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Presidential Library is the first presidential library ever built.

Did you hear? July 4 of this year the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library just opened in North Dakota. Looks great, I’ll have to visit it someday!

A Memory & Learning Something New on a Bridge

September 20, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in Bike paths, blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged bicycling, history, insects, science, travel1 Comment

The bridge is the only pedestrian-bridge across NY’s Hudson River, known as “Walkway over the Hudson”. In 1979, this Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places; 2016, inducted into the Rail Trail Hall of Fame. Great re-purposing of the railroad bridge as many people now walk or bicycle across.

Four years ago my best friend and I visited this bridge as I had written about in previous posts. Since her death 3 years ago, I have walked the bridge each time I travel to the east coast. While I walk from gate to gate, just over a mile each way, I remind myself of good times we had during the 40 years we were friends. Wonderful memories! I am continually grateful for that friendship.

I love learning new things everyday. This time I discovered an elevator from Upper Landing Park area to the bridge! I rode it and had a nice chat with its operator. I learned locals use the bridge to get from home to work on opposite sides of the river. Saved time and no gasoline as they walked or cycled over the walkway.

While walking the bridge I saw a young boy stepping on an insect, and then another and another. Sometimes the insect would jump before the boy could step on it, but in the next second, the boy got it. Not recognizing the insect, I used iNaturalist app to identify the insect. A spotted lanternfly!! I read about these invasive planthoppers and the destruction they can cause fruit trees and trees for our lumber industry. No doubt this young boy was doing a great removal service!

Quite a walk on the bridge …

Walkway over the Hudson. Some people use the bridge as part of their commute to work!

Spotted lanternfly. Wings spread… then red color can be seen

Fungi Galore!

September 13, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, Plants, writingTagged blogging, environment, hiking, Nature2 Comments

The wet ground in upstate New York forested area was the perfect place for fungi to grow. On one hike here are the various fungi I observed with help from my 2 friends.

Fungi are helpful in decomposing organic material; much needed!

Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY

September 10, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged environment, history, Nature, travel, wildlife3 Comments

Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.

I appreciate his interest in protecting this land!

Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.

Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.

People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.

If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!

Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.

Labor Day 2026

September 6, 2026August 29, 2026Posted in blogging, history, writingTagged blogging, celebrate, history, holiday, story, USALeave a comment

September 7 is Labor Day; take a moment to honor the power and work of every American worker!

Mushrooms in New York State

September 3, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, PlantsTagged blogging, environment, NatureLeave a comment

Mushrooms were everywhere during our latest hike at Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs near Lansing, New York. The mushrooms took on all colors and shapes. I do not know one mushroom/fungi from another, but loved looking at and photographing them. Enjoy!

Finger Lakes Land Trust in NYS

August 30, 2026August 10, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, environment, wildflowers, wildlife, writingTagged birds, environment, hiking, Nature, travel, wildlifeLeave a comment

New York State has a new trail thanks to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Near Lansing New York is a 224 acre protected conservation area named Sims-Jennings Preserve at Cayuga Cliffs. The out and back 3.4 mile trail can be located on AllTrails app.

Ample parking is available at start, then a leisurely meadow walk and pollinator garden. Great hike for anyone wanting shade. Since it rained recently, we saw numerous examples of fungi. Plenty of black raspberries ready to pick! Further along there are vista points; cliffs over-looking Cayuga Lake; bench available to sit and relax. Four thousand feet of shoreline so better views could be from a boat if you happen to be on the lake!

A trail worth checking out if you are in the area! Bird-wise it was quiet, so I distracted myself looking at mushrooms. Next blog post I’ll share some photos of fungi!