I would remind everyone that today is the day of the Congressional primary here in Shandaken. So don't forget to cast your vote.
The M.F Whitney firehouse on Rt 214 is the polling place for Woodland Valley. The sample ballots for both Democrats and Republicans are on the wall outside the main room.
Yes, I know that all eyes are on the presidential contest, but elections are important at every level of government so please get to the polls and make your voice heard!
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Monday, June 27, 2016
Mama Bear
Just as I was wondering what to post today Woodland Valley resident Jim Alessi sent me this message and photo.
"This big Momma bear was in my backyard on Saturday (see photo below). If you look close you can see one of her cubs walking behind her in the shadows. There is a second cub who climbed up a tree just out of camera view by the time I opened my window to take a picture. They were only there for two or three minutes but a thrill none the less. The mom has to be at least 275 lbs. and the cubs might be 50 lbs. each.
Saw another lone black bear that crossing Woodland Valley Road below the Woodland Valley campground on Sunday. That bear had a State Wildlife Tag in each of its ears but I couldn’t get my camera phone out fast enough to snap a picture. Guess I’m getting a little slow in my old age…
Well just wanted to send in this photo and remind everyone that we really live in a pretty wild wilderness area!"
Best Regards,
Jim
I think I saw the same bear with the two ear tags last night while I was at my neighbor's house. He was beautiful. But the tag in each ear means that he is a very badly behaved bear. When a bear gets to be a nuisance (breaking into houses, roaming in populated areas, etc) they trap him/her and tag an ear. If that bear gets into trouble again they trap them again and tag the other ear. The third time the bear gets into trouble they euthanize him/her. So let's hope this big guy stays out of trouble.
"This big Momma bear was in my backyard on Saturday (see photo below). If you look close you can see one of her cubs walking behind her in the shadows. There is a second cub who climbed up a tree just out of camera view by the time I opened my window to take a picture. They were only there for two or three minutes but a thrill none the less. The mom has to be at least 275 lbs. and the cubs might be 50 lbs. each.
Saw another lone black bear that crossing Woodland Valley Road below the Woodland Valley campground on Sunday. That bear had a State Wildlife Tag in each of its ears but I couldn’t get my camera phone out fast enough to snap a picture. Guess I’m getting a little slow in my old age…
Well just wanted to send in this photo and remind everyone that we really live in a pretty wild wilderness area!"
Best Regards,
Jim
I think I saw the same bear with the two ear tags last night while I was at my neighbor's house. He was beautiful. But the tag in each ear means that he is a very badly behaved bear. When a bear gets to be a nuisance (breaking into houses, roaming in populated areas, etc) they trap him/her and tag an ear. If that bear gets into trouble again they trap them again and tag the other ear. The third time the bear gets into trouble they euthanize him/her. So let's hope this big guy stays out of trouble.
And to close this post I would ask everyone (weekenders especially) to secure their garbage. The bears have been overturning garbage bins all along the WV road and scattering the litter everywhere. If it happens with your garbage a lot I would ask you to consider getting a bear proof metal box.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Save Water
Sorry that it has been a while since I last posted. The weather up here has been super gorgeous and I took this time to start to get caught up on my outdoor chores.
Anyway, for any of you at the beginning of the valley who are in the Phoenicia Water District, water superintendent Rick Ricciardella has requested that you take measures to conserve water. The spring and early summer have been dry and after a dry winter the reservoirs are not at their peak. So Rick requests that you start cutting back on unnecessary water use to help the district avoid future problems.
And for those of us with wells, we should all pay attention to our water usage in drier times too. So be mindful when you turn on your faucets!
Anyway, for any of you at the beginning of the valley who are in the Phoenicia Water District, water superintendent Rick Ricciardella has requested that you take measures to conserve water. The spring and early summer have been dry and after a dry winter the reservoirs are not at their peak. So Rick requests that you start cutting back on unnecessary water use to help the district avoid future problems.
And for those of us with wells, we should all pay attention to our water usage in drier times too. So be mindful when you turn on your faucets!
Friday, June 10, 2016
Library Fair Tomorrow, June 11th!
The Phoenicia Library is having it's annual library fair tomorrow June 11th from 10am to 2pm. There will be music, a bake sale, a plant sale, a silent auction and a book sale. Woodland Valley residents George Holz and Rebecca Ffrench have donated signed copies of their books for the silent auction. And there are LOTS of other great things too. WCA member Ricarda O'Conner has donated a healing session with her amazing gongs. I have done this myself and it is awesome! There are also gift certificates to restaurants, spas and lodging in the area. So come to the library fair tomorrow. At the very least you will see lots of neighbors and friends! See you there!!
Friday, June 3, 2016
The Joys Of Your Spouse
Here is a new poem from Woodland Valley's own Mike O'Neil aka Boreegard. I think it is very amusing!
Consider the Joy of your Spouse
Consider the joy of your spouse,
When after much pain and aggravation,
You suspect that a foreign object,
A goddam LIVING, sucking, foreign entity,
Has attached itself to the nether quarter of your arse.
You cannot see it of course.
OH to have eyes in the back of one’s head.
“Darling,” you finally say, “If
I drop trow, will you please
Inspect the suspicious area?”
She laughs.
She is happy to do so.
She finds this exercise completely entertaining.
Eventually, with steady tweezers,
The engorged bloodsucker is removed,
Full of your life’s blood,
And hopeful salves are administered.
But bunky, there are no guarantees.
Prayer may be the next course.
Boreegard
Consider the Joy of your Spouse
Consider the joy of your spouse,
When after much pain and aggravation,
You suspect that a foreign object,
A goddam LIVING, sucking, foreign entity,
Has attached itself to the nether quarter of your arse.
You cannot see it of course.
OH to have eyes in the back of one’s head.
“Darling,” you finally say, “If
I drop trow, will you please
Inspect the suspicious area?”
She laughs.
She is happy to do so.
She finds this exercise completely entertaining.
Eventually, with steady tweezers,
The engorged bloodsucker is removed,
Full of your life’s blood,
And hopeful salves are administered.
But bunky, there are no guarantees.
Prayer may be the next course.
Boreegard
