A Lack of Something

Certainly my motivation to blog has been lacking of late, settling for the daily Facebook interactions, which can be quite satisfying, but my creative juices have suffered because of it. In addition, the summer time isn't always the best time to blog, what with all the outdoor distractions that come with it. Throw in a busy 3 year old and... Oh my god I'm making excuses again!

At least I'm not the only one.

Ok, really, enough with my excuses! Focus... dedicate...

So a quick catch-up is in order.



No, not that kind of ketchup.

Sierra got a taste of pre-school this summer. After being referred to EEE (Early Education) for speech, they decided to rush her into a 6 week summer program (which was only 5 weeks due to our annual camping vacation), 30 minutes twice a week one-on-one, then in September she will begin 2 hours twice a week with other kids. So far she loves her school and her speech has picked up a little bit but she still has a long way to go (Thursday's child has far to go).

With a couple of flips and flops, the decision to move to New Hampshire for my job is off. Mistakes were made but I think this is the right thing to do. As a result, my mother is trying really hard to get me to move back to New York but I'm not sure about that yet.

We had another excellent week at Lake Groton. It wasn't all that warm save for a couple of days but it only rained 2 out of 8 days, so overall it was a success, Sierra enjoyed herself and we made it out of the campground to enjoy some of the other things - the Nature Center, Boulder Beach across the lake.

Enjoy some pics. Maybe I'll post again sooner than 3-4 months.

Peak Leaf Peeping

Just outside my door, looking down my street. Gorgeous in the early morning light as I head to the car.




Outside my window at work.



Drive-by photo of Camel's Hump from Bolton, VT.

Early Autumn in Vermont - Appalachian Gap

As always, clicky the piccy to biggy.


Heading up the gap on Vermont Route 17. Switchbacks ahead.


From the summit of Appalachian Gap looking west. Elevation 2375 feet, or 724 metres. In Vermont, the term "gap" or "notch" is used instead of "pass".




Radio tower also at the saddle.


The challenging gap is popular route for bicyclists. I snapped this brave fellow right before he crested, then he rode back down to his trailing mate to lend some support and crest the gap again.




Another lovely sunset from our third floor window, actually Sierra's room. She has the best view in the flat.

Monday Video to Start Your Week Off Right: Lake Groton 2008

Since I started last Monday off with a video, I thought I'd do another one for this Monday.

Here is a collection of the photos we took while we were in Groton, and a few at the end of Sand Bar State Park on Lake Champlain at the end where we went after coming home from Groton to escape the heat.

Pet Therapy and Get Your Wellies On

Click to enlarge, of course.

The flooded Winooski River.

The not-so-famous Vermont Hiking Cows. Look at them get way up this steep hill!

Camel's Hump shrouded in clouds.

Subtitle: Stay clear or he could rip your arm off.

Our illustrious maintenance facility manager is nowhere to be found most of the time. Most likely he's enjoying himself at our Florida facility. Or parked next to the fire station stealing wifi.

When my co-worker wore her wellies to work, I had to take a picture of them for Jayne as I know she is wont to wear her wellies all day, even when it's not rainy. And these are fancy heart wellies.

So the little beast that could rip your arm off made an appearance.

She was not shy at all to ripping my arm off licking me to death.

Outside, the rain came pissiting down.

The Mad River was also running up on its banks and this narrow rock filled area was creating some severe rapids.

To conclude, possibly 2 of the cutest houses in Vermont, directly across from each other in Moretown, VT.

Have a good weekend!

The After-Party

The stage in the daylight over a sea of automobiles.

Well, thank you McDonalds. We will try not to throw trash at your employees while sweeping.


The cheap seats. Reeeaaaallll cheap.


Nighttime lights of the stage.

Some more links to follow for more coverage:

Story by WCAX CBS channel 3. - Do NOT miss the link to the video coverage. Reporter Jack Thurston is super duper excited to be in the presence of Sir Elton. Most likely the best story of his young career to date.

Slide show - Champlain Valley Expo

We couldn't stay for the whole thing, Sierra was getting tired. But he did some favorites before we left:

The Bitch is Back
Tiny Dancer
Levon
Believe
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Daniel

and a couple of others we didn't know.

Silent Sunday: NEK photos around Lake Groton

For more photos see The Girl's blog.