It is always interesting what appears in the back yard in Cleveland Heights at Christmas. It is even more interesting to see what happens on Christmas Eve Day. Two years ago turkeys made themselves at home. Today a foursome treated the yard as their own buffet:
They certainly enjoyed themselves – and we enjoyed watching them.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Photo
Closed
for safety’s sake.
Closed
beauty yet to show.
Closed.
13 August 2011
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Photo
Open
to receive the sun.
Open
to reveal beauty.
Open.
13 August 2011
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Photo
Purple patterns
dance across
a backdrop
of green.
13 August 2011
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Photo
Find the deal at the bottom of the page.
Today brought my first trip to Sweetie Fry ice cream shop in Cleveland Heights. On a hot and humid day, the peanut butter, coffee with caramel swirl, and French toast provided wonderful refreshment even if they did make for a fairly boring picture.
A variety of traditional and unique flavors fill the menu. Sorbets and sherbets also appear. The heat proved a bit much to order the fries although all reports affirm them as quite fine.
Sweetie Fry recently made it to the semi-finals of The Plain Dealer’s Ice Cream Playoffs. Friends of the owner voted – friends of mine voted.
That brings me to the deal. Should you and I ever be in Cleveland Heights at the same time, let me know. I will get you to Sweetie Fry and allow you the pleasure of buying me some great ice cream.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Food, Photo
Yes. The commercialism of Christmas annoys me. On Tuesday, November 1, while on my way to have lunch with my friends Leo and Theresa Chavez Sauceda in Vallejo, I stopped by a drug store – one of the major chains, I forget which. Transition dominated the shelves that day. Of course by now, the transition is completed.
Halloween items: gone.
Shelves: stocked with Christmas items.
Yes. In many ways it is too early to begin thinking about Christmas. But, when one lives in multiple places, one has to plan time with care to do what one wants.
So my plans for December have begun:
Today, I added another item to the list.
On my way to worship with the saints of the United Presbyterian Church of Ozone Park, I noticed a woman wearing a hat. Her hat reminded me of my hat-wearing friend Merdine T. Morris. And I knew.
December needs to include time to see Merdine T.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Friends
A movement caught my eye.
I sat at the kitchen table in Cleveland Heights, working on one of the presentations I will make in Wooster this weekend.
The blur of dusky brown drew my attention from the computer. Deer appear regularly at the Erie Shire; more regularly than I do.
On this late afternoon, three doe (yes, only two appear in this picture) grazed the buffet of flora that our back yard offers. Not wanting to frighten them, I took pictures through the window.
Did she hear the shutter? I find it hard to believe, but doe closest to the window turned when she I took the first picture. It appeared to me that she gazed through the window, staring at me, posing the question, “Just who belongs, and who is the visitor here?”
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Photo
Barring a stay, the state of Florida will execute Manuel Valle tomorrow – September 28 – at 4:00 p.m. Valle, now 61, was convicted of killing Coral Gables police officer Louis Pena 33 years ago.
As officer Pena’s daughter noted, her father gave his life doing his job. I give thanks for his service and mourn his death. My prayers are with his family and friends.
But killing Manuel Valle will not bring officer Pena back. It will be an act of revenge. It will further tear and wound our society.
Opponents of the execution cite several reasons for Florida Governor Rick Scott to see that Mr. Valle receives clemency:
The death of any person diminishes us all. Many deaths cannot be prevented. Deaths that result from state executions can.
For these reasons, I pray for Manuel Valle and all who mourn for him.
And I have contacted Governor Rick Scott. I invite you to do so as well:
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Death Penalty
Headed on the road again. This time to Cleveland to hang out with Tricia and Eric. A trip to Louisville may prove necessary to deal with some issues at the Shire near the Ohio – also known as the original Shire. Yet another demonstration that while we may own things, things definitely own us.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Louisville
Went to Noble Road for worship today. Communion was celebrated – Eric helped serve – always cool to be present when that happens.
For a number of years, Noble Road has done “Epiphany Stars.” These are simple star shapes cut from paper. On the paper is written a word. People are invited to take a star and receive the word on that star as a gift from God – to reflect on it through the year – to see if and how the quality or meaning of that word plays out in the coming year.
Before people receive a star, there is an invitation to reflect on the stars of the previous year. Only a couple of people share reflections but they are usually profound. This year was no exception. One person received the gift of “courage” and had to find the courage to move – leaving behind a home of 56 years – and making a new start because of health reasons. Another person spoke through tears of receiving the star of “loyalty” – of having that star for two years – and of spending those two years saying a long good-bye to a partner who disappeared into the horror we know as Alzheimer’s.
Such witnesses – such experiences – make the rest of the day seem insignificant.
Football was watched – with the VanRoosDales and MillerBrandts coming to watch the Steelers-Browns on the new TV. In terms of support, the crowd leaned a little bit toward the Browns. As the game progressed and the Steelers dominated, some of the neutral folks shifted toward the Cleveland camp. Texting with Bridgett and Valerie helped to balance the odds and increased the fun.
The Packers-Bears were next with the Packers prevailing. Basketball then took the stage with the Cavaliers losing. Duke was playing tonight but was not broadcast in Cleveland and for some reason, the Winking Lizard was not showing it either. So Tricia followed it on her Android phone.
Scrabble was played again with Tricia winning one; Eric winning two; and Eric and I tying on the fourth game.
During all of this, I did laundry and some packing.
Tomorrow – travel to NYC and the Shire on the Hudson. Back to work on Tuesday.
And tomorrow marks the beginning (again – the previous times have been practice – can this be the real thing) of working for health goals.
See you along the Trail.
Filed under Cleveland Heights, Family, Football, Friends
Along the Graybeard Trail 