Saturday, August 11, 2012

2012 Street Fair


Today is Red  Lion Street Fair day. The boro blocks off Main and Broadway, for about a block in all four directions.  Most of the usual suspects - police, fire, commercial booths for wireless phones, insurance, home repair/upgrade and solar energy.

Main Street, looking south from Broadway.


York Area Regional Police Mobile Command Unit

Remains of the RLFD rescue demo.


My favorite just down the street from me, the Big Green Ice Cream Machine!
 
I took the opportunity to visit a couple of places that I had not ventured into previously.

First was the American Legion Post.  Since I am not a veteran, I'm not normally allowed.  But today, they were open and selling food, so I stuck my head in.  Large hall, with a bar along most of one wall.  Don't think a photo is appropriate, since it was pretty full of members and guests.

My next stop was the train station.  They were running the trains on the big layout, and Ed, the society president, gave a little talk about it.

The original station sign.  Affectionately known as "The Ma and Pa" line.




Ed giving his talk.  Says he was "railroaded" into being president.

Round house and turntable


Looking across town east to the coal mine.




Balancing rocks.  Note gramma on top!  Whimsy abounds.

Hand built - not a kit!

Membership info.

Ed invited us back at Christmas time, to see the addition of two levels above the existing layout, complete with  three waterfalls!

My last stop was the Fitness Factory.  I met Larry, the owner.  He's a (young) retired basketball coach, who bought the gym about a year ago.  Really reasonable rates.  I'm going to have to join!

Next door to the Fitness Factory, I met  the young woman who runs the  massage therapy place that the dogs and I go by several times a week.

Relaxing Note Therapeutic Massage

 I also met Dr. Joe, the Dallastown chiropractor.  I'm looking for someone who isn't going to try and lock me into "the program".  He seems a promising candidate.

More, later!


Thursday, August 9, 2012

A Walk in the Park

Turns out there's a really nice park about 3 blocks from the house.  It has become the dog walking site of choice on really hot days.  I noticed that Dakota especially was beat up after even a short walk thru as much shade as possible around downtown  I did a little research, and discovered that dogs not only cool themselves by panting, but also thru the pads on their feet.  

Dakota seems much more energetic when we get back from our walks in the park.  My theory is that the abundance of shade, coupled with the shaded (cooler) ground, plus a usually nice breeze makes for a more dog-friendly (and me-friendly) walk.

Cool, happy dogs! Suzu on the left, Dakota on the right.

Nice patch of shade, one of many.

I've also noticed the occasional "installation" at the base of random trees.  Today, it was  this:


Sylvan offering?

A small circle, piled with nuts(?).  You can see the green husks scattered at  the right.

The first one I found left me thinking about "The Blair Witch Project", but that's just me.  I do wonder about their significance.

I'm remembering to take my phone with me, so I can get pictures as we walk.

More later!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Garden VII


The garden seemed to hit a stasis period, then it exploded:

Flowering Basil

Flowering Oregano - regenerating in the middle

Rosemary

Nectarine Stick

Baby Melon Victorian Perfume, I think

Potential watermelon??

Thai Basil Bush...

Thai Hot Peppers - teeny, tiny nubs of new peppers...

Quince - I pruned up the shoots so it would concentrate on growing up.

Corn - silks and tassles... puny, tho.

Muskmelon, methinks...

Garlic (in front) onions (in back).

Tiger Lilly, no lillies

Royal Candles

First decent size tomato!

Blackberries...


Newer squash plant

 
The beds encroach!

Then I started playing with the macro lens on the camera:


Macro lens Basil blossom
More Basil blossoms

Melon blossom

Squash blossom