The Dogs Are In

 

  

  Gail convinced me to go to the intramural level of agility competition she does with Roxy.  It was pretty entertaining and action-packed, but more than a few barking dogs and neurotic owners.

   Once the course is set up, all the handlers walk it to plan out their directions for the dogs.  It took a lot to not run out there and pretend to be a confused dog.

   Dogs of all sizes are involved.  I had flashbacks to skiing with Bean watching this competitor.   I'm not planning to go to the full competition when there are three times as many dogs.  And there's no truth to the rumor that the last-place team has to compete under the name The Old Yellers at the next event.

Pirate Radio

  

  More opportunities have arisen to take up air space at WVBR, 93.5 on your FM dial.  With the students away, I offered to keep the sidewalk shoveled (no, there's no connection to those points).  I figured while I was up there, and they weren't broadcasting regular shows, I could take over and play whatever music I wanted.  I adhere to the tradition of the Salt Creek Show and stick with music people expect to hear on it.  My first order of business was perfectly acceptable for Salt Creek, a few of the John Prine albums in the library.  I did two or three hours a night Christmas week and had a good time.  Listeners checked in from the Upper Peninsula to Florida.  I played more than Prine, but plenty of him too.

   I forgot to play this one night, and ran out of time another.  Maybe next year.

People I've Known and Seen

 

  A trip to see family in Erie County resulted in finding some old pics.  my parents were always optimistic the Bills could win district and dressed for it, but resigned to the reality too.  Some of our dearly departed, and a mid-90s version of yours truly.

 

I made a stop in Black Rock to see Pat, Helene, Will and Henry.  It was my lucky day to be there for the annual deer skull boiling.  Could become an annual excursion.  No pictures from the family gathering in Hamburg, or breakfast with the Raukers, but it was good to see everyone.

  Talia made it into the country despite having me in her contacts.  She ran the Turkey Trot on a cold, windy day.  Somehow, she managed to get Nafisa away from her books for a visit.

   More students, past and present.  I considered riding with Nano to visit NYC, but didn't go.  Still haven't been there since before COVID.  She had a good time and has the benefit of a free place to stay.  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is not the time to get a hotel deal.  Without identifying current students, I present the old dish soap challenge and see if you can spot the teacher's hand amongst the students.

 A basketball trivia calendar caused all kinds of trash talk and bragging rights at work.  Greg is enjoying his retirement job at IHS but trying to stay humble doing it.  Probably should have written in Bubba Gary to get anyone to recognize him from his Bona's days.

I've never been to Spain, but the Collins have.  They hoped to visit Ithaca, but this trip was a higher priority.  Probably a good choice.

   Shannon paid the price for having a birthday.

   Gail and I couldn't make it to Chicago for Colleen and Quill's wedding, but with the texting going on by my siblings that weekend it was almost as if I was there.  Nice to get photos too.

 

Alan and Marylin are in Florida, walking on the beach.

  Amy had her cookie extravaganza at the inn to celebrate the holidays.  Always worth loading up on steroids to ward off the reaction to gluten.  Leigh was two balls down in pocket pool but not giving up.

 

Early Cold

 

  As a skier and skater, this November and December has been excellent.  Not that I actually got out to skate, but knowing the opportunity was there helps.  Lots of skiing, all local from the house.

 

  Not all the skiing went as planned.  A new trail in the dark sent me off course and down this former stone wall.  I landed on my chest at the spot in the top pic.  The bottom pic shows how far I made it before bailing out.  I was unable to turn to get off the rocks.  There was slightly more snow the day that happened than the day I took the pictures.

 

  A wait of more than 20 years is over.  The rail trail has been cleared enough on the Coddington Valley section to ski.  I made it out to Brooktondale in decent conditions.  It was easier to move the logs than ski or walk over them.  No way to get around the gully cutting through.  Where's that confounded bridge?

   This old map shows the rail line and how it just catches Dryden and Danby.

   The newest addition to Ithaca's devotion to Safe Streets.  Frequently part of my commute, this stretch of Thurston Ave could be unnerving as vehicles raced up and down.  It's far enough away from the street that the plow hasn't dumped snow on it, yet. 

   The most recent iteration of the Whack Saw.  I'll never work without it again.  The electric weed whacker has proven its worth too.

  

What happens to the packaging when I order new saw blades.