The Ithaca Commons is the heart of downtown Ithaca. On any given day entertainers, students from Cornell and Ithaca Colleges, political advocates and the occasional civilian gravitate to the shops and restaurants located there. This year businesses there sponsored ice sculptures on The Commons and other venues around town. In return each shop received a sculpture representative of there business.

Updated: 12/8/2007

The Maine coast is a beautiful place, particularly so this last September weekend of 2007. The extended summer continued tempering cold breezes off the Atlantic. Joyce and I lodged at the Beachmear Inn in Ogunquit, Me , hard by the shore. With the Beachmere centrally located "downtown" a 10 minute to 15 minute walk in any direction took us to all of the town's attractions. This assumes one pays attention to where one is going. Both of us being geographically challenged we saw much more of the area than we'd expected.

Our primary occupations were eating, walking, shopping and eating. Downtown Ogunquit offered coffee and chocolate shops several to the block and restaurants from fast food to fine dining. We came back with shortened Christmas lists.

Pictured left the Atlantic surf meets the shoreline below the cliff at the Beachmere. Mainer's are proud of it's rocky coastline ... which is fortunate as they have so much of it.

Running about a mile from Perkin's Cove to Ogunquit Beach the Marginal Way skirts the seacoast offering ocean views to one side and those of some very expensive homes to the other. The 5-foot wide path occupies a thin strip of public property along the top of a cliff ceded by the homeowners to the town in the tradition of beaches being public to all in Maine. Studded with memorial benches and lookouts you can watch the ocean or the people walking by. We spent some time watching folks who lingered too long too far out as the tide rolled in. Taking too much time searching for a "feet dry" way back most got very wet. Entering conveniently from the Beachmere we enjoyed this walk every morning and evening of our stay.

John Lane's Ogunquit Playhouse offered a professional road show performance of "The Full Monty". Based on the original British film the Americanized play takes place in Buffalo, NY, around the closing of a steel mill. At the end of the play the cast does perform a Full Monty ... simultaneous with a bank of lights behind them comes on blinding the audience. Sally Struthers, Gloria on "All in the Family" played Jeanette, a brassy accompanist.

Our favorite spot on the Marginal Way was a nearby perennial garden, a portion of which is show below. The garden wrapped around a private home and was meticulously maintained.

We took an afternoon drive to Sanford, Maine where my parents lived when they were first married. During WWII Dad served in the Navy and was stationed for a time at the Naval Air Station - Sanford. Sanford was one of several auxiliary fields supporting the nearby primary Naval Air Station - Brunswick. All that remains from the 40's are the (then named) Sanford textile mill and the airfield.

Sohier Town Park, Maine, fronts Nubble Light, one of Maine's best known, most visited and photographed lighthouses. Sited on a small island access is via boat. The light and outbuildings have fallen into disrepair though the light is still an active U.S. Coast Guard navigation aid. To raise funds for restoration the town Historical Society was running a raffle, the first prize being a weekend at the light ... unfortunately prior to the restoration!

On arrival we'd read our room's guest book remarking that previous guests wrote of their fifth, tenth and even fifteenth stay in this particular room. Now we know why!

Updated: 10/23/2007

During the Dalai Lama's visit to Ithaca dedicating a local monastery for the Monks of the Namgyal Monastery, Tibetan monks constructed both Shri Kalachakra sand and Thread Cross Mandala's, temporary homes for Buddhist deities, at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art on the Cornell University campus. Formerly constructed only in monasteries the Dalai Lama has encouraged placing them in public places to spread Tibetan culture and preserve the tradition.

Both mandala's were deconstructed after the Dali Lama's visit to Ithaca was completed. Shri Kalachakra's sand grains were carried to the shore of Beebe lake where they were poured into the water freeing the blessings of the deities housed within.

Updated: 8/9/2007

The Phelps Mansion Museum, 191 Court Street Binghamton, NY, hosted its' first annual Civil War History Day on May 20, 2007. Reenactors portraying both civilian and military historical figures of the time gave an air of authenticity to the event. Architect Isaac G.Perry built the mansion in 1870 for Sherman D Phelps. Phelps, who served as mayor of Binghamton, was a banker and businessman. The Monday Afternoon Club currently resides at the Mansion. Sarah Phelps Ireland was the wife of the 137^thNY Regiment of Volunteer Infantry's Colonel, David Ireland.

In addition to the martial displays we were treated to period foods. I was partial to the dessert cookies. For the more adventurous hard tack, a cracker with the compressive strength of concrete was available. Given the absence of weevils and the fact that I was able to break off a chunk with my teeth authenticity is in question.

A reenactor portraying a Sergeant Major of 79^thNY Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, also known as the "Cameron Highlanders.", drew our attention on entering the mansions ballroom. No, we didn't ask what he wore, or did not wear, under his kilt.

A reenactor serving as a private at the company level can take on the persona of famous historical persons. Present today included Confederate officers Gens. Lewis Armistead and George Pickett, Col. John Bowie Magruder, and Union officers Gen. George S. Greene and Col. David Ireland.

Period dancing took place in the ballroom with all comers' welcome. Joyce dances a Virginia reel with the gallant Sgt. Major and other reenactors. Being on the awkward side I declined, pretending I had to take pictures.

Reenactors from the 137^thNY Regiment of Volunteer Infantry and the 1st Virginia Cavalry Company A who appeared at the Phelps mansion will also participate at the upcoming Fifth Annual Pierce Creek Civil War Event

"This From George." So ended many of the letters from Sergeant George Englis, a member of the 89^th NY Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, Binghamton's "other" regiment. Eileen Patch, right, a descendant of the soldier's sister, Sarah, presented transcriptions of Sgt. Englis's letters in Sarah's persona. The war was hard on George. The wound received one week prior to Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse led to his early death.

Updated: 9/2/2006

It's said you always remember your first time. My amateur dressage competitive debut occurred at the CDCT 2006 Casual Show at Foxtail Farm in Horseheads, NY. It was memorable.

Guided by my instructor, Donna, Tyler and I gelled over the winter of 2005 and spring of 2006. While not an accomplished rider I began to felt comfortable in the saddle. Compared to a real or "recognized" dressage competition a casual show allowed me to ride in front of a judge and audience in a low-pressure environment. A casual or schooling show is for learning. Dress rules are relaxed, coats, high boots, ties and white riding pants are optional ... just be neat. The judge can speak to you during or after the test with suggestions for improvement. At a recognized show conversation with a judge, more than a good morning or nod of the head, is a major no-no.

Preparation begins several days before a show. For cleaning nooks and crannies of saddle and tack toothbrushes and cue-tips are indispensable. "Bon Ami" works well on grungy stirrup pads but the secret to brightly polished boots will have to remain shrouded. Tyler had a tail shampoo then Donna banged, cut the end parallel with the ground, it.

The morning of the show Tyler got a bath and shine before loading him into the trailer. We shared a ride with Deborah and her horse, Spunks, who was also making his debut.

Behind every rider is a terrific groom. I don't think I was nervous but do remember trying to put my riding pants on over my walking shorts! Donna tacked Tyler, warmed us up and got us to be we were supposed to be on time. It was all I could do to take care of myself.

Tyler was relatively calm in spite of the new surroundings. Other than the horse eating white poles and trellises along the side of the warm-up ring and the long green boxes outside the competition arena, hiding god-only-knows what kind of monster just waiting for him to turn his back, he was fine.

We rode three tests, each a unique series of figures selected to show the harmony, or lack thereof. Think schooling figures in ice-skating. We began at the bottom of the difficulty ladder taking a few baby steps upward. Riding time is short for these simple test, the longest perhaps a minute and a half. We scored well and won a few ribbons but the point of the exercise is discovering your weak points and how to improve on your performance.

After the second test the judge told me I could work on getting Tyler more forward (can you ever get too forward?) but since he was a youngster he'd learn. When I mentioned he's 17 she told me "then you're young, you can learn."

Allow me one brag. Each test ends with a halt from a trot. Tyler and I "stuck" two of them, think a gymnast sticking a landing dismounting from a balance beam for example. We transitioned to the halt straight and square with no walk steps. Each score of "8" for the two brought a very big smile.

Riding in front of my friends was great fun. I'd volunteered at many club shows and how have a view from the competitors side. What's next? The club sponsors a recognized show each summer and I plan to be there, both as a volunteer and a competitor.

Updated: 9/6/2006

While visiting in Akron, Ohio, my brother Dale and I visited the MAPS Air Museum located just off the Canton - Akron airport grounds.

Aircraft are both displayed and restored at MAPS. Currently a North American F100 Super Sabre, Martin B26 Marauder and Link ANT-18 flight trainer are in the restoration shop. The Link trainer includes the operators console which I had never seen before, even in pictures.

All of the propeller driven aircraft at MAPS are flight worthy. The operating costs and bureaucratic red tape required to fly a former military jet are, however, prohibitive.

Here are photos of the more notable aircraft at MAPS. Clicking a link will open a new window containing the MAPS web page with additional information on the aircraft type.

North American F100D SuperSaber in restoration	Chance Vought A7E Corsair II
Grumman F11F Tiger	Grumman S2F Tracker
North American T28 Trojan - Army Colors	Dale in a MIG-17 "Fresco"
Stinson V77 Reliant	State of the Art - 1930's

Grumman, North American, Stinson and Chance Vought are no more, victims of the relentless consolidation in the aerospace industry over the last 25 years.

Updated: 8/19/2006

During a recent visit with friends living outside Philadelphia, and with David McCullough's book, 1776, fresh in mind, we visited the Valley Forge National Historic Park.

Natural defenses protected the camp. It was far enough from Philadelphia, occupied the British army, to prevent a surprise attack yet close enough to monitor British activities. A soldier who'd been here in 1776 wouldn't recognize the lush forests covering the site's rolling hills today. Trees for miles around had been cut for building material and firewood.

The Visitor Center, pictured left, presents a detailed history of the American Army's winter stay through historical artifacts, words and pictures. Details of camp life were particularly interesting. Did you know a $12 dollar prize was awarded to the 12 man squad completing the first winter hut? Dice and decks of cards were used to while away the hours, and probably to separate food and cash from less than expert players.

Exiting the rear of General Washington's headquarters we saw, in the distance, the general himself walking toward us. Portrayed by a remarkable reenactor with a physical appearance, tall and solidly built, with confident demeanor, presented a man who expected and deserved respect. The General took questions from all comers and responded in character. Click here to read all of General Washington's papers.

We also visited the Mercer Museum in Doyelstown, P.A. Founded by Henry Mercer and completed in 1916 the museum displays the tools of daily American life of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Ahead of his time Mercer's building material of choice was concrete, including even window frames. The stairwells between the museums 6 levels are indistinguishable from those of today's parking garage.

Each of the over 55 display rooms is dedicated to a single trade or skill including, barbering, horn and tortoise shell working and solar salt maker. A gallows, the tool of the executioner, is included. The buildings central core is open from the first through 6^th levels. Large items, a whaling skiff among, them are hung at various levels.

Wireless audio players are included in the admission price. There are 15 stations throughout the museum where detailed descriptions of selected exhibits can be heard.

Mercer's interests were unbounded. While he made many purchases himself he employed full-time buyers who traveled Pennsylvania and nearby states.

There is an overwhelming, mind numbing really, amount of "stuff" in the place. While the museum includes changing temporary displays, the dust covered and cluttered items in the 55 rooms appear to be as Mercer might have left them when he completed the museum.

Updated: 11/13/2005

Over Memorial Day weekend I visited Kathy and Michael, friends who moved from Endicott to Philadelphia last year. In addition to sleeping late and breakfasts on the deck we visited Longwood Gardens and downtown Philly.

Pierre S. du Pont established Longwood Gardens, located west of Philadelphia near Valley Forge, early in the last century. Spread over 34 acres are indoor and outdoor gardens, gardens on a large scale. Specimens of bonsai, topiary, and plants of all sizes in between cover the grounds. Standing in the center of the orchid display I saw and photographed over two dozen examples simply by turning around.

After touring the grounds we had dinner at the Garden's restaurant, attended a jazz concert on the grounds and capped the evening with the Color & Light & water show after dark.

Sunday we drove into downtown Philadelphia, visiting Constitution Square where the Liberty Bell is on display Constitution Hall where the Declaration was signed and within whose walls the first Senate and House of Representatives met.

We picking up tickets for the Constitution Hall tour, reservations are free but visitors must have one, and joined the site security line. It struck me as ironic and sad that at this shrine to personal liberty we were forced to empty our pockets, open our bags and remove our shoes before entering.

On a slow day you're allowed to touch the Liberty Bell but this was no slow day and visitor crowded around. Michael took the photo of the bell with Constitution Hall in the background.

Clearing another line we entered Constitution Hall. A game of who's the youngest and who's the oldest visitor left me standing with a shrinking cohort for a disturbingly long time until the ranger said "If you're between 55 and 59 you can sit down." I'm an avid U.S. history reader. However reading and actually being there are two different things as we sat and walked where Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Franklin, et. al. invented our country.

With the retirement of my working partner Dick D., power supply design for the project, the four electrical design departments, has come to me. The name 'Mr. Buck' derives from 'Buck Converter', the configuration of choice for the processors (imagine a PC on one small circuit board) that are our product line. Twelve designs are in production and three more in development.

A challenge as I get older is reading the printing on the small parts, although that's been mitigated somewhat as many of them are too small to print anything on anyway. One thing learned early is NEVER open two bags of identical looking teeny parts at the same time :-)

The work is great fun. The challenges include reducing the size, cost and waste heat the supply produces in normal operation. Design reuse is a prime goal. Developing design tools, spreadsheets primarily, to reduce the cost of the second, third, etc. variant has been a significant and satisfying part of the job.

It seems that no matter how hard I work the result is too large, too costly and too hot for someone's new application :-) The next generation power supply design is on the drawing boards now for several new products. Luckily I can use many of the same parts found inside the typical notebook or laptop computer. The commercial industry pressure constantly drives down component size and cost.

After Niko discovered he was the alpha horse in our little herd of two it was all I could do to get him trotting. What I'd thought signs of affection, pushing me with his head for instance, were tests of dominance, which he won!

While searching for a new mount I rode my instructors Lippizaner mare, Melissa, photo below. What a ride! A major change from Niko. A little touch and away she goes, trotting faster than Niko's canter! With a very soft mouth I couldn't get away with hand aids alone, had to use leg aids as well. Walked and trotted, adjust to her tempo, my hands eventually staying in the vicinity of her withers :-) She's a gentle sitting trot. Cantering waited for later when my adrenaline level returned to normal. Melissa is way too much horse for me given my current capabilities but a lot of fun to ride.

Deme(Demetra), a Hanoverian mare, is a joy to ride. She keeps me honest requiring both rein and leg aids for a desired responses but not a particular as Melissa. From lessons learned with Niko I've discouraged any misbehavior quickly with an instant whack upon transgression, not to hurt, she weighs over 1100 pounds, but to get her attention. Discounting the time she bit me we're doing OK :-)

My earliest riding memory is from Camp Santa Maria on Turkeyfoot lake near Akron, Ohio, on a very large, very slow, animal at least 10 feet tall. Fortunately the horses at camp paid no attention to what the rug-rats on top were doing. Also fortunate is that no photographic record remains.

In Fall of 2001 my friend Mary put me on her horse, Amber, and at the end of a lunge line and we bounced around the ring, oblivious to what I should be doing but it was fun. (See left, Amber and I on a Spring, 2003 visit.) I began riding lessons that Fall, on and off, never quite getting the hang of it.

Mary rescued me again finding a certified dressage instructor close to Endicott. Donna has made all the difference. An excellent rider, competing at Grand Prix level, she's even a better teacher with infinite patience and an ability to make clear the mysteries of dressage. She's slowly turning me from a passenger to a rider. I've learned that whatever goes wrong is always the riders fault :-)

Since regaining my health earlier this year, with the strength now to actually finish a lesson, I'm improving. On Niko, a 20 something, 14 1/2 hand Appaloosa gelding, we've progressed from walk to trot to canter. (first, second and third gear for the equine impaired.) For a split second or two everything clicks and we look terrific, see right.