Skywatch Friday - Autumn Red

Too late.

On Wednesday, I left my house in upstate New York a couple of minutes late, and walked into the most amazing display of "red sky in morning".

The problem was, I couldn't stop to take a picture.

By the time I was able to take a picture, most of the show had ended, but there was enough left to create a beautiful Skywatch.

For the next few minutes, I stopped and looked.

I love autumn sunrises.

Click here to view the posts of other Skywatch Friday participants.

Day 14 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  Join me tomorrow for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, where gardeners from all over the world show what is blooming in their yards or houses.

Transitions

Transitions.  You've had them.  I've had them.  Life is all about transition. I know more transitions are to come - some good, and some not so good.

In my life, I started out as a little girl.  Then, I went to school, then college.  Marriage and jobs followed.  One day, I became pregnant and everything changed again.

Then, the nest emptied. Another transition.

Now, as I approach the magic age (in our society) of 65, another transition looms, and this is a big one.

Retirement (yes or no?) looms on the horizon, plus my body reminds me daily that I am becoming a young senior.

A young senior.  There is something weird about that expression.  But one thing is certain - time is slipping away.

I try not to leap out of my seat too quickly.  I ponder throw rugs - aren't they a bit more slippery than they used to be?  I worry about bathtubs in motels, which, magically, keep getting harder and harder to get out of.  I see my mother in law, who is in her late 80's, age by the day.

I do exercises to maintain my strength so I can balance. Balance. It's something I used to take for granted.  I see seniors I know struggle with their aging bodies and know that their transitions will be mine one day, too, even if I try to fight them off with exercise and diet.

And there is something else that has started recently - I seem to want to spend more time in my memories. 

I think about the the past autumns I have lived through. Maybe that's because autumn, itself, is a time of transition.

I remember when I was young and used to pick up colorful leaves to take to school.

I smell leaves as I scuff though them and the scent makes me think of other times.

One view of downtown Binghamton, New York, October 12

It's almost like all these times exist simultaneously in my mind. 

I also know that if I take this picture on November 12, those trees will be bare and the ground may very well be covered with snow.  And in a few months, the trees will be in bloom once again.

I've gone through the cycle of seasons so many times now.  Transition after transition after transition.


What transitions have you had to live through recently?

Day 13 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge

Fantastic Fall - What Do You Take For Granted?

Fall in upstate New York is here.  Although my house escaped a frost last night, many of us were not so lucky. 

The foliage is starting to turn, with yellows leading the way.  It is hard to believe that these colors (except for the black) are the true color of the leaves, masked by the green of chlorophyll used to process sunlight into nutrients.

If we saw these colors every day, would we take them for granted?

But they are hidden most of the year, so during the few days the trees reveal themselves, we humans are humbled.

Otsiningo Park, near Binghamton.

Downtown Binghamton, New York.

A tree in my neighborhood.

But not all color is bright.

Taken by my guest photographer

There is also black.

Colors, not ordinary because they are rare, fleeting.  But rare only because they are usually hidden.

Let's slow down today, and contemplate our world.

What do you take for granted in your world?

Day 12 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Why Does The Man in the Red Sweater Want You?

Uncle Sam...no, I mean the man in the Red Sweater - wants you.

He wants you to register to vote today if you haven't already.  Don't wait for tomorrow because in some 12 states, tomorrow will be too late. (Here are the deadlines in each state).

Who is the Man in the Red Sweater?  I am not talking about the Man in the Red Sweater, the horrible dog breaker in Jack London's The Call of the Wild who taught the dog Buck that a man with a club was a law giver and must be obeyed.

No, the man in the red sweater is a man by the name of Ken Bone, an undecided voter who works in the energy industry who asked an energy related question of the two leading candidates during Sunday's Presidential debate.

He explained:   "I work in coal fired electricity and it's a big concern where I live in southern Illinois, the St. Louis metro area,"

People loved how he was dressed - a red sweater, black glasses.  And then, he memorialized his 15 seconds of fame with a disposable camera.

Not by taking a selfie with his cell phone.

In a season of unreality, he has become a possible route back to reality.

Whether you live in the United States (as I do) or elsewhere, you know that our 2016 Presidential election season has become a time of great division.  It has torn friends and family apart.  Normally sane people have posted the most hateful posts defending their candidate and even unfriended each other.

Then, along came Ken Bone.

Yesterday, he went from 7 followers on Twitter to over 36,000.  And what does he say about voting in November?

He still hasn't made up his mind (and doesn't plan to until after the last debate) but he is telling America this:  "I'm really glad that so much attention has come my way, if for no other reason than I can get the message out that your voice can be heard, and please get out and vote in November. If you feel like your vote doesn't matter, it does. Make your voice heard."

And that's the most important message of all.

Fellow Americans, don't sit this one out.  Whatever your voting preference, please, PLEASE exercise that right this November.

Your country's future depends on it.

If you live in the United States, don't miss out.  And then, maybe, you can start talking to your family or your next door neighbor again.

Day 11 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Music Monday - You Don't Own Me

The best commercials tell a story.  And, the very best use good music.

I am so amused by a Toyota commercial currently playing in the United States.  It attempts to sell us a car by showing us people who are "not owned" by anyone, because they can do what they want, and they sing "you can't tell me what to do...."

Instead, they are racing on bicycles, competing in roller derby, camping, going to clubs, dancing near a bridge and participating in an increasingly popular performance art called cosplay.

Using, of course, the car the sponsor wants you to buy.  Buy this car, so you can be free, the song implies.

It is a catchy song they use, and I want to introduce you to the original version.  This isn't a song about buying cars but, rather, is an anthem for women.

"You Don't Own Me" was first recorded in 1963 by singer Leslie Gore, when she was 17 years ago.  It became her second hit.  Her real name was Leslie Sue Goldstein and she was from Brooklyn. 

She was a junior in high school, with no professional singing experience when she had her first hit "It's My Party"

But, she would outdo herself with her second hit.  Sadly, this great talent passed away last year.

These lyrics are so empowering, especially for 1963. I invite you to read them. 

 "I'm free to live my life the way I want", the woman in the song sings to a boyfriend who is trying to control her.  "I don't tell you what to say", she sings to him.  "So just let me be myself..."

It's a lesson we can all use today, when so many women are still held down, held back, by society, their families, and sometimes themselves.

Day 10 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Surrendering to Fall

I surrender, fall.

I was able to make believe it was summer until yesterday.  Last week, up near Rochester, New York (where I was visiting), temperatures were hitting in the mid-70's (22-24 Celsius), and I could pretend fall wasn't happening.

With a "fall" filter but the leaves are truly changing

But then I came home to my part of upstate New York, near Binghamton.  Just a few miles east of where I live, this is what the foliage looked like yesterday.

Today it is breezy and cool.  I am having to change out of my shorts and capris.  And tomorrow night, we will have our first frost.

So today, I went around, and said farewell to my summer garden.

Farewell, columnar basil.

Farewell, dahlias.  Soon, spouse will dig up your tubers and you will sleep sweetly through the winter.

Farewell, my pot of New Guinea impatiens and coleus.

Farewell, farewell, to my white asters in the back (a "free gift" from a wonderful nursery in Ithaca, New York).

Farewell, garden.  I will think of you fondly as the cold winds turn even colder.

One day, the first snowflakes will drift through the air.  I will put my shoes away and switch to boots.

And I will dream of this day, the day before the garden ended.  And hope that spring comes quickly.

Day 9 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Local Saturday - Grateful for the Frog Pond

 Why should I be grateful to a frog pond?

Today, a fall treat for my readers -a local (well, about 30 miles from where I live in the Binghamton, New York area, but it is well worth the drive) farm market called Frog Pond.

On the way there, we saw that our local trees are starting to color up.  In another week, to the east, we should be at peak, or near peak, color.  I hope to share some of that with you tomorrow.

Despite our drought, we've had (thankfully) a bountiful harvest - here, of winter squash and gourds.

More gourds.  The gourds on top are popular for bird houses.  Underneath are small pumpkins.

Brussel sprouts, onions, and local red peppers.  Elsewhere in the market were concord grapes and bottles of grape filling perfect for grape pies.

And last but not least, apples.  We are in a apple growing area, and enjoy varieties not necessarily found elsewhere in the United States.  Included in the selection were Cortlands, Macuons, Empire, Pippin, and my favorite, Honeycrisp.

It's a sobering thought that years ago, people did not dread winter because of the slippery ice and snow. Rather, they feared running out of food before spring came.

But we are fortunate.  We make our purchases, and are rung up by one of the owners, who adds everything up mentally.  It is so wonderful to watch.

Seeing a bountiful harvest truly makes me grateful.

What about you?

Day 8 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Falling Friday - The Dreaded Bathtub

Today, on day 6 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge,  I want to talk about something truly scary for some of us.

I am in my early 60's, and have fallen several times.  Last year, I took a falls prevention class.  But nothing prepared me for....

How can I be afraid of this?

... the motel bathtub.

I didn't always fear the bathtubs in motels.  But one day, and I don't remember just when it was, I started to have troubles getting out of motel bathtubs.  At first, I blamed the "newfangled bathtubs" that motels (those still with bath tubs, that is, because some newer ones seem to be only featuring showers) were installing.  Some didn't even have ledges to boost yourself out of the tub with.

But now I have to face facts.  I've crossed some kind of invisible line - the one between "middle aged" and "young senior".

I've had to travel several times in the past six weeks. Twice, I had to stay in motels.

I like to take baths.  It relaxes me and relaxes my back.

On my last trip, I had a nice soak in a motel bathtub.  But when it was time to get out, I couldn't.

As in "I couldn't get out".

 I rolled from my back to my knees, something that usually enables me to get in to a position where I can boost myself out.  But this time, the position didn't work.  The tub was slippery (it didn't have a rough surface, like many bathtubs do).  Some motels provide bathmats.  This one didn't.  I had thought nothing of it when I had drawn the bath.  But now I was afraid of slipping, and I was trapped in the bathtub.

Here, I also need to explain that  I know someone who died from a bathtub fall last year.  She fell and hit her head.  It was a terrible, lingering death.  So I was thinking of that, and knew I had to be careful.

I grabbed the towel I had placed on the floor, and put it on the tub floor.  It wasn't enough.

I called for my husband. He got more towels, and I was able to get myself out.  There was a grab bar, but it was not positioned in any way that would have done me any good.

What if I had been alone?  Perhaps a business woman, traveling on business.  It's a scary thought.

And I'm only 63.

I spoke to the desk clerk.  She said that others had complained.  They had no bathmats, but could bring me something for the next night to help.

But they never did.

Ironically, that same motel was asking me to hang up my towels so that the housekeeping staff would not have to wash them so they could help save the environment.  Well, they all ended up in the bathtub, soaking wet, and I wasn't about to hang them up.  I told the desk clerk about that, too.  I asked her to tell the owners these tubs were a problem, and I told her that someone I knew died last year from a bathtub fall.

It turns out I'm not the only one with this problem.

At one time, I had a Friday "Falling Friday" feature on my blog.  I will continue to feature it sporadically.

Throwback Thursday - Binghamton Does Dinosaurs

Welcome to day 6 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

In some ways, it's hard to believe that six years have passed since I took these pictures in downtown Binghamton.

The hope was that these dinosaurs would decorate downtown Binghamton, New York for a summer, and then be auctioned off.  This effort was spearheaded by a non profits called hART of BC.  The late John Hart, of BC comic fame, was a native of this area, and his grandson, who now does the BC Comic (and another comic, the Wizard of Id) is active in this charity.

Instead, many of the dinosaurs were vandalized, and they had to be removed to a safe place.  Eventually, they were auctioned off.  I know of at least two local businesses that still have them. 

But for a moment in time, the dinos belonged to the people. And now, I'd like to bring them to life one last time.

Binghamton Does Dinosaurs

Here are some other hART of BC dino sightings in and around downtown Binghamton, yesterday evening.

This first one-yes, it's a medical dino - comes to us courtesy of the Ladies Auxiliary of the local hospital.

This next one is one of my favorites.  Very simple but elegant.  The "coin" dinosaur.  (the bumps are pennies) in just the right location..

The "apartment building" 'saur.  And the "money" dinosaur.  The first is in front of the Broome County Courthouse (called GRRRR Hart) and the second (Hart on the Range) in front of Metrocenter (a failed downtown shopping mall, now converted to offices.)  For the latter, this dinosaur may represent the parking at Metrocenter - which if I remember correctly, is $20 to discourage the unfortunate office workers of downtown from daring to even TRY to use THEIR parking lot. 

So, what's next? (and the last for tonight).  A musical dinosaur.  Brought to us by Rogers and HART? (couldn't resist.)  This baby is called the Philhartmonic.

Fantastic Fall - Tri Color Tree

Taken in Highland Park, Rochester, New York yesterday.

This is a tri color beech, a rare tree in this area.

Planted in 1892, it towers above people visiting this park.

In spring, the leaves are bordered in pink and white.  Now, in early fall, only the white remains.

Happy fall from upstate New York for day 5 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  What is happening in your world today?

If Ever I Should Leave You

Welcome to Day 4 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge. 

Years ago, an almost mandatory feature of a blog was something called a blogroll - a list of blogs a blogger enjoyed reading.

Blogger used to provide a way to link to the blog.  Along with the link, you could choose to have a short summary of the most current blog post.  It was interesting how that blogroll changed through the years, as my reading interests changed, or I found new blogs, or tried and true blogs I liked were no longer maintained.

But last week, my blogroll went missing.

This made me think about the blogs I really enjoy reading, because I had to chase them down and rebuild my blogroll.  Some of them I subscribe to by mail.  Others, I didn't subscribe - I would use the links in my blogroll to get to the blog.

There was only one little problem with my new blogroll.  Instead of calling it "Blogs I Enjoy Reading" I called it "Blogs I Enjoy Leaving".

Here's a helpful hint about blogging.  Never work on your blog when you are tired and are thinking of other things.

Erie Canal, near Pittsford, New York, October 2016

Like this beautiful, historic scenery.

Fortunately I found the mistake rather quickly!

So if you were listed on my blog, but no longer are, please know that you are not forgotten.

While I rebuild the blog roll (I'm not done yet), I am revisiting blogs I visit often, and blogs I rarely visit, but enjoy when I am there.  I've had some good reading experiences, so this incident hasn't been all bad.  In the meantime, I am more grateful to my readers than ever.

I don't intend to leave you, despite anything Blogger does to my blog.

Happy October!

Music Monday - Goodbye Norma Jean

On Friday, we said goodbye to 91 year old Norma Jean Bauerschmidt.

Norma was a 91 year old World War II Vet who declined treatment for uterine cancer discovered two days after her husband died.  She chose, instead, to travel the United States and do as many exciting things as possible.

Today, although this song is about a different Norma Jean (known better to us as Marilyn Monroe), I want to pay musical treatment to this remarkable woman.

Candle in the Wind - Elton John (live).  I would have picked the version Sir Elton played at Lady Diana's funeral (Goodbye English Rose) but it wouldn't have had the "Norma Jean" element.

And, one other Elton John song, an instrumental, "Funeral For a Friend".  (this is actually a joining of two songs, "Funeral for a Friend" and "Love Lies Bleeding". Feel free to leave the video about 5:32 when the singing begins because the song is a bit off topic, but I would recommend that you don't.)

Welcome to Day 3 of the #Ultimate Blog Challenge.

The Goodness of a Grape Pie

Outside of Naples, New York, late August 2016

Welcome to Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Grape season has come upon us here in upstate New York once again.  On the roadsides along the Finger Lakes (a little more than an hour from where I live), signs advertise grapes or grape juice for sale.  The wineries prepare for an onslaught of tourists for harvest season.

And then there is a regional favorite - grape pie.

I love to eat Concord grapes and, I have to admit, they do make a wonderful pie. I also put them on my breakfast cereal.  In season, I can't get enough of concord grapes.  Alas, this year, the crop wasn't a bumper crop due to a drought.  But at least I can get grapes.

For grape pie, though, I have to travel an hour and a half or so away from home.

You've heard of apple pie, strawberry/rhubarb pie, peach pie, pecan pie, and blueberry pie. Everyone has their favorite recipe for pie and many regions of our country have a pie that represents them.

For parts of upstate New York, our local pie of pride is grape pie, made with Concord grapes.

Yes, Concord Grapes.  Those grapes, the grapes you find in concord grape jelly and grape juice and yes, certain types of very sweet wine.  But, commercial varieties of those products don't always reveal the true taste of the concord grape.  (I never tasted "true" grape jelly until I was about 14 years old - and then, never went back to the commercial type.)

For that, and a grape pie, you need fresh Concord grapes, which are available in many farmers markets here in the Binghamton, New York area at this time of year.  These grapes can be more expensive than supermarket grapes but they are a native heirloom.  Support your local grape farmer!

Concord grapes were developed, in 1849, from a wild, North American grape.  I am not any kind of grape expert, but I do know there were problems with disease affecting European grapes that the early settlers tried to grow.  The Concord grape, developed in Concord, Massachusetts escaped those problems because of their native American heritage, plus they matured relatively early, perfect for escaping the first frosts.

In 1869, a New Jersey dentist, Dr.Welch, developed a bottled unfermented grape juice, using the then new process of pasteurization.

Some people do not enjoy eating these grapes fresh, because they have a very tart skin, but I love them. I find the texture of the grape inside to be something like muscadine grapes, but more bursting in flavor (and smaller, too). If I start eating a bunch, I can't stop.

I don't worry too much about eating a lot of these grapes, because Concord grapes are high in nutrition and low in calories.  They are high in polyphenol, an antioxidant.  They contain vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. One cup of concord grapes, according to online sources, contains 62 calories. As they are a good natural source of oxalates, these sources warn that people prone to kidney stones should watch intake of Concord grapes. (Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional.)

Since the initial Concord grapes, a seedless variety (smaller than the original) has been developed, but both varieties were for sale yesterday at a local farm stand.

In fact, I love fresh Concord grapes so much I never get around to making grape pie.  I'm not that good of a pie baker, anyway.  But if you want to try your hands at it, try this recipe.

If you really want to eat pie, you need to visit Naples, New York, home of the Grape Pie.

Monica's, Naples, New York, late August 2016

If you do, travel to a store called Monica's.   The purple door should give you a clue as to what they specialize in. (They are also known for their chicken pot pies).  The air smells just like grapes.

I could live in that store.

Buy a pie.  You'll never regret it.  There are two types, regular crust topping and crumb - your choice.

Does your area of the world have a favorite pie?

Local Saturday - Goodbye Norma Jean

On a typical day, I would say welcome, new readers and established readers, to day 1 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.  31 posts in 31 days is our goal.

But today is not an ordinary day.

A Japanese anemone blooming - my little tribute

Miss Norma has left us.  On the Facebook page set up to celebrate the last year of her life, the post was simple:

Norma Jean Bauerschmidt
March 31, 1925 - September 30, 2016

They say we live our life in the "dash" - the dash that separates our birth date from our date of departure.  For Norma Jean Bauerschmidt , she showed us a way to live our final days surrounded by love, aging with grace, and leaving this world with dignity.

At age 90, two days after the death of her husband in hospice, "Miss Norma" was told she had stage four uterine cancer.  Her doctors told her "start treatment". But this World War II vet, once a member of the first Navy Nurses Corp, had other ideas.

Her son and daughter in law were in the position of being able to drive Miss Norma (and her white poodle, Ringo) in an RV.  So, Miss Norma declined the recommended treatment of surgery, radiation, chemo.   With her family, she traveled the United States, gathering fans as she traveled.  Her family chronicled their journey.

In the above article, Miss Norma was quoted as saying:  “Living life to the fullest is important.Do what you want because the doctors aren’t always right.”

Over one year and a road trip that started in Michigan and ended, a month or so ago, in Washington State, Miss Norma showed us how to live, before finally joining her husband and daughter.

Rest in peace, Miss Norma.

Skywatch Friday - Upstate Afire

In upstate New York, we are finally starting to cool down after a hot summer and a warm beginning to fall.

And the sunrise of September 28 reflected that. 

But that beautiful sunrise wasn't enough for me.  Last night I missed the sunset because I was in a class, but when I finally got home, there were a few glimmerings of light left.

This is what I saw.  hard to see, but there is a remnant of what must have been a beautiful sunset in the middle of the picture.

Come visit the Skywatch Friday blog, and click on sunrise/sunset pictures from all over the world.

National Coffee Day Confession

Many, many years ago I worked in an office where I was the only non-coffee drinker.  I would have my daily cup of black tea (made from a tea bag) while my co-workers stumbled to the coffee pot.  One even said to me one day, zombie like before his first cup, "how can you start your day without a cup of coffee?"

How, indeed?

Many, many years later I have a confession.

I've put the tea bags away (for the most part).  Like many Americans, I am a coffee drinker.

Today, in the United States, it is National Coffee Day.  To celebrate, a number of chains selling coffee have specials.

But there is an underside to National Coffee Day.  Its name is K-Cup, and I have a Konfession.

I use them.  Yes, I hang my head in shame, but we all have our vices.  I love them.  In theory.

A K-Cup is a single serve convenient way to make coffee, and right now they are quite popular in our country.  They are easy - you stick them in a special coffee maker, close the lid, add water and a couple of minutes later, coffee! (maybe not the best coffee, but coffee). When you have company, your guest can choose their favorite.

Shown above, you can see the problem.  They consist of ground coffee, filter, and lots and lots of plastic.  Which, incidentally, is not recyclable.  Yet.

So into landfills they go, because few of us have the time or patience to disassemble our K-Cups.  Which, actually, I used to do (somewhat) back when I practiced worm agriculture.  I fed the worms the used grounds.  But that isn't good enough for our environment.

It seems that even the creator of K-Cups regrets what they have become.

The top K-Cup above is an attempt to make a better K-Cup.  And, you know what?  It makes a good cup of coffee.  But it isn't good enough.

So let's celebrate National Coffee Day with a good cup of coffee, and hope that we don't drown in a sea of non recycled K-Cups before they come up with a solution.

True confession time for you, my reader.  Do you drink coffee?  Do you use K-Cups?

Fantastic Fall - Final Flowers

This is the first Fantastic Fall post of the year.

In upstate New York, the last of the flowers are lighting up the approach to the first frost.  In fact, some areas in our county have already had their first frost.

These purple asters are in my front yard. 

These dahlias are, too.

But wait, there's more!

In a yard in Binghamton, in upstate New York, this plant was as big as a bush.

Hydrangeas (also on the West Side of Binghamton) are still going strong.

We've had a warmer than normal fall, but, already, temperatures are dropping, and daylight is decreasing at an increased rate.

What else will I blog about this fall?  Come back every Wednesday for another seasonal post.

Death of a Ballplayer

You don't have to follow baseball to appreciate this story, and I hope my non-baseball fan readers will stick around and read this.

A young man defects from Cuba at the age of 15, successful on his fourth try.  During that fourth try, his mother fell overboard, and the teenager saved her.

Baseball has been a part of his life since his early childhood.  He goes to high school in Tampa, Florida, where I lived many years ago.  He becomes a star baseball player with the Miami Marlins.  At 24, he learns he will be a father for the first time.  He is popular.  He earns respect.

And then, he dies in a tragic boating accident Sunday, in the early morning when their boat rammed into a jetty.  Two other men die with him.  Speed was a factor.  No life jackets were on the boat, but they may not have helped.

His team cancels their Sunday game, something which is Just Not Done in major league baseball.

Monday evening, they play against "my" home team, the New York Mets, so the game is televised.  After the National Anthem is played, the members of the two teams cried and embraced.  Every member of the Marlins is wearing a shirt with the late ballplayer's name and number. The players gather around the pitching mound and inscribe his name and number in the dirt.

The Mets baseball announcers are holding back tears.  One wasn't entirely successful.

The Marlins come to bat, and the very first player hits a home run.  Afterwards the player breaks down in tears.  The Marlins go on to win, 7-3.

If Hollywood had made a movie from a fictional story, who know how many tickets it would have sold?

But it is no movie.  It was real life for a young man by the name of Jose Fernandez.

His child will never know him.  And millions of baseball fans, stunned, mourn the death of a man gone too soon.    A small thing, this death, compared to the going-on's in the world, but it reminds us that the end for each of us can come at any time, without warning.  We must make the most of the time we have on this earth doing what we love to do.

We must make a difference.

May his death be a lesson for all of us.

Would your demise be widely mourned?

Music Monday - Autumn

I had to travel this past weekend.

Living here in the Northeast United States, I realize that, by the end of September, leaves are going to start to turn.  And temperatures are going to start to drop.

So, on the drive from upstate New York to New Jersey, I was not surprised to see some trees starting to turn, both in Pennsylvania, and even northern New Jersey.  The changing trees have a long way to go at this point, though.

Because of a drought, our leaves are turning earlier than usual, so it is time to turn our Music Monday ears to songs about fall and autumn leaves, songs that make you think of fall weather or songs that mention leaves.

More Than This by Roxy Music.  "Falling leaves in the night...."

Autumn in New York, as sung by Billie Holiday.

Autumn Leaves, as sung by Nat King Cole.  More a song about love, but it qualifies, in my opinion.

November Rain, by Guns and Roses.  True, it isn't quite about autumn rain, and more about love, but I'm including it because - what it is about autumn and lost love, anyway?

Let us enjoy autumn while we can - the pumpkin spice, the apples, the falling leaves, the beautiful blue skies and everything else that comes with it, for all too soon winter will be here.

Throwback Sunday - Unsolved Mystery of the Cheesequake

Today, I repeat a blog about a bit of a mystery.  It's actually partially solved, although I still don't know how the locals pronounce it.

It's a simple question - or is it?

The Unsolved Mystery of the Cheesequake

Today's trivia question:  What is a Cheesequake?  I originally asked this question in 2010, after attending a wedding out of town.  I never found out.  So, four years later, I am hoping you, my blog readers, can help me.

Is a cheesequake
a.  What Wisconsin natives yell when the earth moves under their feet?
b.  A San Francisco boutique cheesecake (now renamed) producer?
c.  A Washington State cheeseburger? or
d.  A New Jersey toll road service area?

If you answered "c", you've taken too many "How to Ace the SAT" review courses.

The correct answer, of course, is b, c and d.  And thereby hangs a tale.

b.  San Francisco Cheesequakes ("Cheesecakes that Rock")had the most intriguing sounding cheesecakes, not that I've ever had one, so this is not a plug.  Apparently, since 2010, the company has been renamed and is now called San Francisco Cheesecake Company - ah, well. 

c.  How about a Double Cheesequake at the X Earthquakes Biggest Burgers in Pullyap, Washington?  (And, are they still in business?)

d.  The New Jersey Cheesequake.  There is my mystery.

In July of 2010, spouse and I traveled to the Jersey Shore from the Binghamton, New York area.  This involved travel on the Garden State Parkway, known as the country's busiest toll road.  We had been warned about the traffic and we already knew how aggressive and high speed the driving would be, so neither came as a shock.  We proceeded through The Oranges and The Amboys when to our wondering eyes did appear, near exit 120....

The Cheesequake Service Area.

Cheesequake? 

Spouse and I turned to each other simultaneously.  What was a Cheesequake?  We pondered various answers.  A strange New Jersey restaurant chain?  A former cheese factory that had exploded and was now a historical site?  Some kind of corrupted Native American word?

Our wonder grew as we passed by a sign for Cheesequake State Park.

Turns out spouse's guess of a corrupted Native American word was correct.  My spouse, however, speculated that "Cheesequake" came from the same word that Chesapeake (as in Chesapeake Bay) derived from.  That apparently is not the case, according to what I was able to research back then.  If my sources are correct, Chesapeake comes from a Algonquian word meaning a village "at a big river" while Cheesequake comes from a Lenape word for "upland village".

Drawing from my (too long ago) college anthropology courses, I recalled that the Lenapes (formerly known as the Delaware) are part of a much larger Native American group-age called the Algonquians.  So, there may still be some truth to this speculation.

At any rate the word has nothing to do with neither cheese nor earthquakes.

Cheesequake State Park does sound fascinating.  It may even help for me to learn how it is pronounced.

The service area, apart from the full service (mandatory in New Jersey) gas it sold for 20 cents less a gallon than Binghamton gas when we left, was not at all distinguished. 

But still, it left us with a desire to go back and visit the park.  All these years later, it is still a dream.

I have a partial answer since 2010, by the way, about how "Cheesequake" is pronounced.  Enough to know that this website, which postulates "chezquake" still may not be right.

Or, is it?

Dear reader, do you know?