Amaryllis

I had forgotten about my amaryllis...until it bloomed. Isn't it beautiffimus??

Power Vista

The last post I'll share from our vacation is about our trip to the Power Vista. The United States and Canada have an agreement to divert about half the water that would otherwise flow over Niagara Falls and use it to create power.

These two photos show what these mammoth concrete structures look like on the US and Canadian sides of the Niagara River. I thought it was incredible to learn that the concrete was formed from the rocks blasted out of the sides of the gorge.

On the US side, they have a visitors center, called Power Vista. Inside is a museum and hands-on learning center. Considering that King J is a Master Electrician, he was in 7th heaven. My dad is a retired engineering project manager for a boiler manufacturer. The two of them were like little boys exploring.

We did attempt to indroduce the concepts of hydro-electric power generation to Princess E. She was much more interested in riding in the bucket truck to "work" on the overhead transmission lines, or climbing up the pole to check out the transformer. I'm thinking that next time, I should probably crop the photo so her feet aren't showing. Ha!

Anyway, I learned more about electricity generation than I had known before. This facility produces about 10% of the electricity for the State of New York...just by harnessing the force of the water moving along the Niagara River. Amazing!

Niagara Parks Police Torch Run for Special Olympics

One of the treats we witnessed while in Ontario was the participation of their local police in the Torch Run for Special Olympics. We had the privilege of cheering for the runners. If I understood correctly, they were running to Toronto.

Erie Canal

The Erie Canal

I've got a mule,
Her name is Sal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker
And a good old pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day
Filled with lumber, coal and hay
And ev'ry inch of the way I know
From Albany to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated On the Erie Canal.


Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.

We better get along
On our way, old gal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Cause you bet your life
I'd never part with Sal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Git up there, mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock.
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo.

Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.
Low Bridge, ev'rybody down,
For it's Low Bridge,
We're coming to a town!
You can always tell your neighbor,
You can always tell your pal,
If you've ever navigated
On the Erie Canal.

William S. Allen

Presidential History

While we were in the Buffalo area, we continued our family tradition of visiting historical sites.

We spent an hour or so touring through Forest Lawn Cemetery, which is the final resting place for a number of notable individuals. Here is Princess E standing at the monument for Millard Fillmore, who was the 13th President of our United States.

We also visited the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. I believe Princess E absorbs so much more of our history (and every other subject) when she can see/hear/touch. This site did a wonderful job of bringing Mr. Roosevelt to life for her.

I was rather impressed by the skillfully plastered ceilings.

Upstairs is a replica of the Green Room at the White House. Each child (and adult) was offered the opportunity to sit behind a replica desk and sign executive orders, or have a front-page newpaper article prepared. I chose not to post the newspaper article, since it uses her real name.

I should have had it prepared as President Princess. Wouldn't that be funny?

Prayer Request

Update 07/31: Dad went home yesterday. Yay! They've been able to figure out some of the issues and take corrective action. He's feeling better. Thank you for the prayers lifted on his behalf.

Please remember my Father in your prayers. We were traveling this past week to visit family in a neighboring state. He is not in the best of health; but took a definite turn for the worse while we were gone. Thursday, while traveling home, it became apparent he was really struggling. Once we arriving in our hometown, we took him straight to the hospital. He was admitted last night.

Without sharing too much of his medical history, it appears this current crisis affects multiple systems. We have not yet learned the results of the numerous tests that were run today. We expect to hear more during doctor's rounds Saturday morning. He does seem to be slightly more comfortable today, although he is still quite ill.

I appreciate your prayers and wishes as we travel through this season.

Olcott Beach, NY

Olcott Beach, New York is right along the shores of Lake Ontario. I really wanted for us to see Lake Ontario, since we were so close. Okay, I really wanted to swim there; but it was too cold. We could look across Lake Ontario and see...what else...Toronto, Ontario.

This is the lighthouse that was moved to this location once it was no longer needed for it's original purpose. Isn't it lovely? I enjoy visiting lighthouses.

At one time, Olcott Beach was a resort town. There was an incredible resort built here. Clearly a place for the richest members of society. Years later, the resort was gone, but the terraced walls remain. Dad was waving down to us, but it sure looks like he's preaching a sermon.

I took quite a few photos of Princess E by the stone wall. This one's kinda cute.

Here's a family shot of the three of us.

Considering this was a spur-of-the-moment trip, I think it turned out beautifully.

Oh, I did get my feet wet, too. There's good reason folks weren't swimming. It was some majorly stinky water and they didn't want me to get back in the car.

Niagara Falls, Canada

We also visited Niagara Falls on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. The views of the falls were so much better from the Canadian side. I took this photo of Horseshoe Falls from the observation deck at Skylon Towers.

Here's another shot of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, also taken from Skylon Tower.

Niagara Falls, USA

Last week, we were on vacation in the Niagara Falls/Buffalo area. We had a great time! When we toured Niagara Falls State Park on the US side, we rode the trolley around the rather large park.

Here is a view of the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, taken from the observation tower.

Princess E and I were hamming it up at the top of the observation tower. We stayed up there a while after our Maid of the Mist boat tour. We were a little wet, and it was a little windy, so it was kinda like standing under a humongous hair dryer.

This is a shot of the observation tower, taken from the Maid of the Mist tour boat. The rainbows were incredible!

Show Us Where You Live Friday - Children's Birthday Parties

For her 7th birthday party, Princess E finally had the opportunity to invite her classmates. For months ahead of the big day, she asked for an Asian themed birthday party. After a good, long search, we finally found this lovely dress at an Asian boutique in Kissimmee, Florida. (We were on vacation at the time.)



We served foods that were eaten with chopsticks. Each child received a carry-out box full of goodies, including milk candies. It was quite a fun party.



Here is the birthday girl posing with an afghan crocheted for her by a friend/co-worker of her Daddy's. Isn't the afghan beautiful? It was such a sweet gift.

Thanks to Kelly for hosting this blog carnival! To see more Children's Parties, head on over to Kelly's blog here.

Fun in the Summertime

Is any explanation really necessary here?

Chick-Fil-A had a clown doing face painting last week. Here are the girls with their masterpieces. Um...WOW!

Princess E is nothing if not creative. Burning off energy by riding Grandma's recumbent bike. Notice she is on it backwards. I guess that gives her a better view of the television. Can you guess who is holding the teacup on the television screen?

Not Me! Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

Do not forget to enter my giveaway here.

I did not take the Princesses to two movies last week. We did not see Kit Kittredge: American Girl. It was not an excellent movie and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else.

We also didn’t see Spiderwick Chronicles. It wasn’t totally too graphic for my 7 year old, who did not end up in my lap with her face buried in my neck during one particular scene.

I did not send my girls outside to play in the backyard. They did not complain that they had nothing to do back there. There isn’t a swingset in the back yard. There are no other toys, either. I did not make them stay outside anyway, so that I could not mop the floor.

We did not get to see the fireworks on Independence Day. If we had seen them, we certainly wouldn’t have been seated just outside the fireline, only feet from the command center. That wouldn’t have been totally incredible.

The giveaway on my blog isn’t almost over. Today isn’t the last day. If you don’t want to check it out, don’t click here.

What haven’t you been up to this week?

God Bless America

God bless America,

Land that I love,

Stand beside her and guide her

Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans white with foam,

God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

God bless America,

My home, sweet home.

Written by Irving Berlin

Copyright Trustees of the God Bless America Fund

Show Us Where You Live Friday - Yard & Garage Edition

This is our flag (Oh really? I bet you'd have never figured it out! LOL!). It is the highlight of our yard.

Here is our garage. What's that you say? It's not a garage? Well, that's true, but it serves the same purpose. It's just mobile. We just bought this back in April. It has served us well so far.

Our backyard is rather boring. The princesses were playing in the backyard yesterday. They didn't stay long because "there's nothing to do". I sure am glad we spent the money to buy a super-sized swingset!

Here is a photo of Princess E in the front yard. This was taken on the first day of school last September. Our yard is pretty plain, except for a small flower garden in the center of the yard, and a hosta bed in the nook at the corner of the house. We like it that way.

So, that's our yard and garden. Thanks to Kelly for hosting the "Show us where you live Friday" Carnival! Head on over to her blog to see more.

Oh...don't forget to enter my giveaway here. Only four days left!