July 10: Only the Weather and Climate Change

Today’s post is dedicated to several students in my class that I’ve been reminded of late for one reason or another. They are Sander, Rivan, Victoria, Adam, Isabella, and Ellie. I hope they’re having a really great summer. They’re all nice, well-behaved students who have a desire to do well and learn, which is appreciated by this teacher and will be by other teachers to come.

“It doesn’t mean you’re weak because you’re having a hard time. Never forget that it takes strength to struggle.” Unknown

Jam at the Ridge Campgrounds

It used to be a ski resort

The downtown of LeRoy, New York

Just an unusual bug I found

Downtown LeRoy

When the original inventor of Jell-O sold his business and patent for $450 the new owner told his employees to go out and give away as many boxes of Jell-O as they could, so people would get hooked on it. It Worked!

Yep, there was coffee flavored Jell-O. Sounds disgusting to me.

Who had these in your kitchen growing up. I know I did.

I can't remember why this giraffe if important to the Jell-O museum, but it is and that giraffe is a real, stuffed giraffe.

Gross

"I want a BIG one!"

"Hot Dog!!"

She has the best line in the movie, "I was saving this for a divorce in case I ever get married."

Women's Rights Museum

George Bailey's bridge

So why is this random plant picture here? I just wanted to share that I have not yet killed this lovely plant, that I have named, Ben. He rides with me everywhere in my gigantic cup holder, then he comes in and sits on my camper table every evening. He was given to me by my dear friend, Candi and I'm so glad I've kept it going for my whole trip. It came with the Monarch butterfly, which loved. Every time I see one, I say, "Hi, Ben."

Today started off with a nice long walk with the dogs who behaved themselves so well at this campsite. They really enjoyed hanging out in the grass. Very few other dogs were there to distract them. Then we packed up and went into LeRoy. We first took a little walk around downtown. Then, we stopped at the farmer’s market. I bought peaches, eggs, and carrots. Then, we went across the street to the Jell-O Museum. LeRoy is famous for being the birthplace of Jell-O. Is it a solid or a liquid? It was quite interesting. I was the first person to come into the museum and sign the guest book since they closed for the pandemic in March 2020. I had to vote for my favorite flavor, so I voted for orange in honor of the place I’ve lived the longest in my life, Orange, California. I bought Jell-O shirts for the grandkids and me. There was only a very small mention of Bill Cosby in the museum for obvious reasons. I don’t think “rapist” sells very much Jell-O even in this age of tolerance. One disappointment was that there was no Jell-O for sale. Wouldn’t that have been a good idea? They could have had boxes or refrigerated cups for sale, marked up of course and you know everyone would buy one.

Next stop, Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the women’s movement and inspiration for Bedford Falls in the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The boys and I really enjoyed this little town. First of all it’s very pretty. There is a waterfall near Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home. There is a bridge that is the place where Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Bailey jumps off to save Clarence, his guardian angel. I really don’t know anyone who hasn’t seen this movie, but if you haven’t you should. No matter your religious background or whatever, the movie’s message is a good one. The museum is full of memorabilia for each of the characters, even ZuZu, Pete, Janie, and the baby, Tommy. It’s my sister-in-law, Jackie’s favorite movie and so I bought her an exact replica of the bell on the tree at the end of the movie, made by the same company that made the original bell. A nice man was watching me take pictures of the dogs and trying to take a selfie with them and came over and offered to take our picture.

The actual Women’s Rights Museum was closed, but the National Park Exhibit was open and we were able to tag along with a tourist group and hear some pretty fascinating facts about the convention and the Declaration of Sentiments that came out of that famous weekend so long ago in Seneca Falls, 1848. If you haven’t read Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s autobiography, you might find it an enjoyable read. I did. It’s amazing when she goes to meet a local abolitionist for the first time in her new hometown of Seneca Falls and finds Lucretia Mott (who she met in London on her honeymoon) there. She was only there for a short time to give a talk to other Quaker abolitionists. They had a discussion that led to the Seneca Falls Convention that very weekend. They wanted to hold the convention while Lucretia was still in town. It was meant to be. It makes me want to read more about the Quakers. I bought a Seneca Falls Convention t-shirt from a very sweet lady who was just loving Jean-Luc. Whenever he would let out a bark - she would laugh and he would do it again. We left Seneca Falls about 3:00.

It was a 3.5 hour drive to Granville. On the New York Thruway there are no exits per say, just these enormous rest areas that have Burger King, a gift shop and restrooms. Also, you can fill up your gas tank. Before each rest stop a sign will tell you which restaurants or fast foods are available. All of the Starbucks were shut down and I was starting to get sleepy from the very boring drive. I did find a caffeinated drink at one of the gift shops, which tasted terrible, but got me to Granville. We pulled into the Thistle Downs Farm (the name of my brother’s farm) driveway at 6:11. It was nice to receive a hug. Terry looks really good - gray headed, but healthy. He backed my trailer into a spot by the barn. He bought me a table with an umbrella and two chairs that are fold up rocking chairs for camping. Jackie came out in her motorized scooter. Man, that lady gets around. Seems like nothing will stop her from doing what she needs to get done. My dad and Max did not come out to greet me and they also did not answer their door when I rang the bell and knocked. Terry said to not take it personally, but it’s hard not to when you've come more than 3,000 miles and haven’t seen them since 2008. I’ll try again tomorrow. We ate some very good pizza and it was time to turn in.

So the reason for today’s title, Only the Weather and Climate Change. This is because I have been through so many towns, cities, villages, tourist spots, gas stations, rest stops, and campgrounds and my observation is that they are all much the same. There are good people and bad people. There are kind people and rude people. There are educated and uneducated. There are rich and poor. The only thing that changes is the weather, climate, and fauna. Happiness is really between our ears. Once you’ve found the climate you enjoy; that allows you to do the things you love to do, the rest is really just carving out a life for yourself and your loved ones. Even if your family and friends aren’t close by, you can have fun, memorable visits. We come into this life alone and we will leave alone, so the most important person to you should be you. I don’t mean this in a selfish sense. I mean you’ve got to take care of yourself and do what feels right for you. If you don’t you may become resentful (I know this from experience) towards those you have put ahead of yourself. Take time to look at yourself (not in the mirror) and assess your happiness level. Is there something that you want to do? What’s holding you back? Whatever it is - it’s something that you can overcome. Check out Erik Weihenmayer, a remarkable human being. The First Blind Man to Climb Mt. Everest, No Barriers Life, Erik Weihenmayer