Eclipse Day with Amelia

Today North America was treated to an eclipse. Here in Western New York we only saw a partial eclipse, but it was still something special.  We went out to Lollypop Farm, the Humane society of Rochester and Monroe County New York, and sat with the goats.

Here I am at the entrance to their field.

The goats were smart. For the most part they stayed in their enclosure with a fan!

They sold out of the special glasses, but I had a cereal box viewer, as well as a paper pinwheel thingie, and a colander!

A nice couple let me look through their special glasses. It was an amazing sight. It didn't get as dark as I thought, even though I know it was only a partial eclipse, but it was peaceful and the people were nice. And so were the goats and sheep!

Cabot visits Iceland

Earlier this year Cabot took a trip to Iceland!

Cabot overlooks Reykjavik harbor.

This is Cabot in front of a city map of Reykjavik. The red circle is exactly where he is, in our apartment overlooking the harbor.

 Cabot experiences the local drink Icelanders refer to as "Black Death" sort of fitting for a rat, yes?

This is Cabot in front of the Gullfoss Waterfalls in Iceland.

Cabot had a wonderful time, but it was VERY windy-he was afraid he might get blown away into the icy waters of Iceland! It was certainly an adventure-and he's ready for the next one!

Kutter's Cheese Factory

While driving through Corfu, NY I just had to stop at Kutter's Cheese Factory. They make and sell CHEESE here! The factory began in 1923 and moved to Corfu in 1947!

In addition to their own cheeses, Kutter's works together with Yancey's Fancy. Even more great cheese! Yummm.

Look at all the amazing choices! Today I picked Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger and Fresh Killer Dill!

Heaven! I'll take them all!!!

Cabot Visits India & Nepal

Here I am at the Newark airport. Waiting to board the plane to Delhi.

My new friend is keeping me company.

Aboard a tuk-tuk!

 On a local Indian bus.

Looking at Mt Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling. Isn't the view amazing?!

At a tea estate in Darjeeling.






 

Waiting for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Enjoying "puris" at an Indian breakfast.

Lost in a tea bush in Nepal. Quite a nice place to be lost, actually!

Posing in the hills of eastern Nepal.

Bees, Teas, and Cheese

Today I went to The Little Bleu Cheese Shop in the South Wedge in Rochester, NY. They are hosting a  special event - Bees, Teas, and Cheese!

The bees part of the event was HONEY!!! Yummm. This honey was from Seaway Trail Honey. I didn't realize there were different flavors of honey, depending on the season the honey is collected.

Teas were selected by Niraj, the owner of Happy Earth Tea. These teas are amazing. There was a cold brewed black tea (Himalyan Spring) as well as a heartier Darjeeling (Muscatal Valley) and a Spring green tea (Jade Mountain).

Kyrie brought some delightful cheeses from the Three Village Cheese Company. I LOVE CHEESE! The Nokkelost is a Norwegian type of cheese flavored with cumin, caraway, and cloves. It's traditionally served around the holidays. I say EVERY day is a holiday, so we can always eat this delicious cheese!

The Halloumi is an amazing Greek style cheese. It doesn't melt when you fry it, but transforms into amazing solid cheesy goodness.

Here is the Halloumi fried and made even better with a drizzle of Spring honey. Mmmmmmmm.

Thanks so much to the gracious hosts for the event. Here I am with the owners of The Little Bleu Cheese Shop.

Another peek before I leave of some of the amazing cheeses here.

St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church Egyptian Festival

Today I took a drive to North Tonawanda, NY for the Egyptian Festival at St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church.

The church is consecrated to Saint Mary and Saint Moses the Black.

The church is very warm and inviting.

Here's St. George. I enjoy looking at all of the saints. The artwork is beautiful.

The Coptic Church was founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in the city of Alexandria, Egypt approximately 43 A.D.

Here's a closer view of the altar.

These guys served the wonderful food. I had kofta-ground beef that’s seasoned with puréed onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic, black pepper and more, then grilled and served with a garlic sauce and rice. Delicious!!!

That's me and my friends and Father Mark. He made us all feel so welcome.

Cabot Spends Time in Fort Worth, TX

I spent some time in Fort Worth, Texas between March and July of this year.

I got to see the wonderful musical Cats!

Here I am with Deuteronomy. Isn't he wonderful?

In addition to the characters in the musical I got to meet some real cats too. This is my friend, Jack. I met him at a cat show in Houston.

I also met this lady. She's a python who lives in Waco.

I went to the Fort Worth Arboretum. Aren't these pansies pretty?

I'm getting hungry!

After the Arboretum it was time for a refreshing beverage! Hmmm, Long Island Iced Tea?

Or English beer?

Beer it is! Delicious.

While in Fort Worth I got to celebrate Litha. Litha is a major Sabbat. It's also known as the Summer Solstice or Midsummer. This is a Pagan altar.




Thanks so much to my hostess. I had a wonderful time in Texas!