Commuter Lifestyle

Here's an art installation at Village Gate during First Friday.  Unfortunately, it appears we just missed some great presentation.

I wish I knew the story about this outhouse (aka the rockin' crapper).  If you know, please feel free to share.  I'm very curious...

Instead of driving through traffic jams through ugly suburbs, this is my commute right now.  "Always look at the bright side of life" (in the key of Monty Python).

FINALLY SOME BUDS ON THE TREES!

A good place to relax.

$1 Easter candy at Big Lots.  I don't think so.  25 cents = Happy Mike

Please check out my art at:

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Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

SUMMER DAYS! (Limited Time ONLY)

Bringing a little bit of Chicago to Rochester.  Take a nice walk on a 80 degree day, running errands, with an adult Capri Sun...

Unlimited entertainment.  The neighbors are chopping down/trimming a bunch of trees.  I've never seen such creative use of a chainsaw before.

FINALLY!  Megan walking Scout through Linear Park for the first time on my commute to work.  This was a really big weekend for Scout with all the walks and all.  With the warm sun out, she discovered that she does like going outside now. 

Megan and Scout along Irondequoit Creek.   

Heaven is sitting on the porch chewing a stick 

 A good place to cool off and hide from Megan's scary rake.

This was a good weekend.

Time to rest now that winter is coming back...

Please check out my art at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MikeKrausArt

Don't see anything you'd like, let me know and I could create something special for you!

Quesobago

Hiking at Thousand Acre Swamp (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/placesweprotect/centralwesternnewyork/wherewework/central-thousand-acre-swamp.xml) in the Polar Vortex!  If there was ever a time for the Quesobago to appear, this was it (http://www.quesoforall.com/).

This is the first time we've been out here on a winter hike.  During the summer, it's so primordial.   You almost expect a dinosaur or something to pop out.  

More vines overtaking the trees. 

A clearing in the middle of the forest.  It appears to be old farmland.  You can't see it in the picture, but theirs an old stone fence just slightly in the woods.  In the summer, the grass and other plants are over your head.

Snow covered boardwalk leading into the pond.  Just follow the little animal prints. 

Megan stomping through the snow. 

Steve's Diner (http://www.simos.net/steve/) for lunch.  We've only visited for breakfast and we've been missing out.  This is the O.C.D. Burger with sauerkraut, fried pickles, swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing.  You had me at steak fries...

After eating that burger, time to burn off some calories with more winter hiking through Linear/Channing Philbrick Park.  With the fresh snowfall, it looks like a scene from Calvin and Hobbes.

Snow hanging out on the rocks in Irondequoit Creek 

The little island in Irondequoit Creek 

Well, if there's one dog ready for spring, it's Scout...

Not sure if anyone else is on Reddit, but if you are please friend me at: http://www.reddit.com/user/mikekraus/

Our New Dog Scout

Here's our new puppy, Scout.  She's a nine week old Lab/Terrier/Shepherd/Squirrel/Kangaroo/Meerkat mix.

 And, especially for Katie, here's a puppy photo extravaganza!

She has a quick and sneaky tongue (Scout, not Megan)... 

She's a pretty calm dog unless you release her from her crate.  Then she's a blur. 

 Belly scratchin'!

She will do everything in her power to be in your lap at all times.

Pose...  Pose...  Sneak attack! 

 Licking the ears.

STOOOOOOP!!! 

Megan and Scout at Corbett's Glen watching the salmon. 

That's a fur baby photo montage...

Fishermen at Corbett's Glen.  The guy on the left is lugging around a giant salmon.

APPLE PICKING UPDATE:  Per my last blog, we went apple picking.  Therefore, Megan's been on an apple food marathon.  Here is apple cake, which is a great substitute for every meal.

Mmmmm...  Baked apple

That's it.  I'm going to bother our dog now...

7 Things To Make Up For Last Weekend...

We met another one of our fine neighbors.  This is Kiki the Yorkie.  She was barking in the middle of the road.  Megan crouched down and said "Here puppy" and she ran over and lept into her lap.  Fierce guard dog.  She's back home with her loving family.

 Kiki likes laps

Kiki does like the grass

Thanks to Jen, we went to a Western New York Flash (http://www.wnyflash.com/) game.  This is outside at Sahlen Stadium 

Pretty good seats! 

CORNER KICK!

Abby Wambach penalty kick.  Did not go, but we did see her head in another goal earlier in the game.

Baby deer update:  They are all good.  Had a little bit of a scare last Saturday finding a fawn hit by a car on Five Mile Line Road.

Megan at Irondequoit Creek in Linear Park

Me at the same place

That is a really red sweatshirt...

Sgoh-Sa-Is-Thah.  Saw this sign on the other side of Irondequoit Creek when we were wandering around finding new paths.

 Moving!  Not us again (thank god).  Dave and Alison got a new place and we helped them move.

Megan in "Mom's Attic" resting once everything was unloaded.

 Stella seems to like the new house

Stella's also tired from a long day of moving...

Yotini's finally opened up near us (just northwest of the intersection of Penfield (441) and Five Mile Line Road at Liberty Street).  Haven't tried it yet.  Lots of yogurt shops going in lately.

And, you know what this means.  The Battle Against Beige Tyranny continues at the Bell/Kraus household.  The first coat is up and we'll finish it up this weekend.