Last swims and tomato pride

This poppy is from an evening lecture by Gary Snyder with an awesome garden party in the Botanical Gardens after. 

Ithaca glow

Cornell Campus during the golden hour 

Sometimes I sit by our garden like it is an old friend. I snuggle up the the Kentucky Wonder beans and wait for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird to stop by on its traplining route that includes the zinnias, the pole beans near the kitchen window and the Kentucky Wonders near the old boat.  I watched some ants take down a small dollup of rich blackberry jam made by my mom. A few weeks ago I spent nearly a whole Saturday soaking it up.

Recent adventures in kombucha-making have made for a rather sweet version, so I am still working on my timing. 

An abundance of fungus at Ringwood Nature Preserve lately 

Leaf bouquets 

While Eliot biked around Lake Cayuga, I went for a nice long run and then drove up the lake to Long Point State Park for some swimming and putzing around. I learned about the park from a man who sells jewelry at the Farmer's Market. A friend bought a necklace from him with these tiny little lake shore stones and old pieces of porcelain (like lake beach glass of the ceramic variety) and I asked him where he found them. He told me about this cool swimming and beach combing place, so I went to check it out. I've never been a huge fan of places where you have to swim in the designated "swimming area" and I am also a strict rule follower, so that made for a bad combo. I did meet a nice older couple who really wanted my picnic table and in exchange for the table, the women gave me a tip on the best spot to look for lucky stones. So, I foraged for stones with an elderly lady until I lucked upon one. With a measly google search, I can't figure out what causes these holes. Some sources say "fossil wormholes" and most others have lots to say about their ability to bring good luck. Sounds perfect! 

I finally got word from Eliot that he was close to the town of Aurora where we planned to have an early dinner before he finished the last leg home. Here he is with his turn sheet and some hearty poutine at Fargo Bar and Grill. I had to have one last dip in Cayuga before my drive home. 

The next day we had a big breakfast and a fun adventure. We swam at a secret waterfall, drove to The Farmhouse Brewery for a tasting and good company, stopped at the Route 96 Road Side BBQ Diner (don't worry, Diet Coke is a once a year thing for me), where Eliot had the Route 96 Fix (a special peanut butter and fried egg burger). Then, we couldn't pass up the maple shakes that we didn't have enough cash for and they kindly just gave to us. Oops! 

Bean pride and a plum tart made with the plums I canned in Idaho last summer. 

If you have yet to try the dosa at the Sadya Snacks booth at the Farmer's Market. Get yourself on down there! Perfectly paired with a Hopshire beer on a rainy evening. We used to get these every now and then in Sydney as a special treat. They are the perfect combo of salty and sour, but with all the comforts of crispy carbs. Delightful! 

Evening harp and Guinea fowl heading up to roost in Weeping Willow trees 

Garden pride and adorable caterpillar feet 

The Ellis Hollow Fair: friendly sheep, a dunking booth, a White Elephant Sale, an abundance of apple pie, a cake walk, a silent auction (totally scored a yoga pass), and a physics bus.