A Historical Walk

After doing some research about the Erie Canal at Schoharie Crossing, the puppy and I took a hike along the historical canal. Barbara posed for me in some posies at the start of the hike.





Then, she quickly engrossed herself in the signage and history, learning about both the original and enlarged canals.








Here, she stopped at one of the old locks.

Along our travels, we saw hundreds of snapping turtles sunning on logs in the canals. Most of them dove into the water as we approached, but this old guy didn't seem to be fazed by one energetic puppy and one snapping photographer. We also saw a muskrat, numerous pairs of waterfowl, redwings, and many butterflies.

As I write this, snores are coming from the kennel. I think the pups is pooped!

(You can follow the many adventures of Barbara, the guiding eyes puppy in training, at Two Eyes, Four Paws.)

By the way, my book idea about the canal took a leap of its own today. Just two words on one of the displays have been floating this idea in a new direction. Stay tuned!

An Adirondack Adventure

Today, Barbara (the guiding eyes puppy), one of my daughter's friends, and I ventured to Nine Cornered Lake in the southern Adirondacks.


Barbara came back pooped and muddy! She is now soundly snoozing in her kennel!

You can follow all of Barbara's puppy adventures as she is raised to become a guiding eyes dog on Two Eyes, Four Paws.

49 Days!

Although there is snow in the forecast for tonight, the beach at Pine Lake opens in 49 glorious days!

Bring on the sunshine!

When I was there yesterday with the puppy, I first saw and then heard the loon. Summer is officially on its way!

There's no better sound than the loon. There's no better feeling than the sun on the face and the toes in the sand.

Keep the countdown coming!

Please note: This is not my photo. I do not have the equipment to shoot a close-up like this. I borrowed the photo from National Geographic. Please visit the site to learn more about this incredible critter.

Puppy at the Pine

The guiding eyes puppy, Barbara, and I ventured to Pine Lake in northwest Fulton County (upstate New York) to play in the water and enjoy the unusually warm weather.

She had a great time.

Is there anything better than a dirty puppy with a big stick?

You can follow her adventures at Two Eyes, Four Paws.

Spiders in the Library

Today, I spent a delightful morning at the Gloversville (NY) Public Library, where I taught many children (of all ages!) to sign some American Sign Language signs for Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider.

We learned words like ...

spider
wind
web
fly
cow
horse (the sign to the right)
duck
dog
cat
rooster
goat
sheep
owl

And because we're not spiders that eat flies, we learned some more delicious words like ...

French Fries
pizza
popcorn
soda
milk
juice
hot dog
hamburger

After learning the signs and signing The Very Busy Spider, we created our own rebus-like stories using ASL signs.

Click here to learn more about this program, "Sign it with Rebus."

Thanks, everyone, for making my morning a fun one!