Tuesday, July 23, 2013

10 Questions You Never Thought To Ask Me About Mormonism and Still Should Not...

 photo 100_6344_zps72e86f17.jpg
HILL CUMORAH PAGEANT! (http://www.hillcumorah.org/Pageant/index.php)  For several years, I've been trying to go to this.  Ever since I moved to Rochester and discovered that Mormonism was founded here.  IT IS AMAZING!  It's ten stories from the Bible and Book of Mormon reenacted by over 800 cast and crew, with over 1,300 costumes, on a 10-level stage, with more special effects than a KISS concert.  AND IT'S FREE!  

 photo 100_6339_zpse3050d1e.jpg
Here's a shot of the stage.  This is one of the rare moments I wish I had a high end telescopic camera.  I couldn't tell you how many people are here.  There's about 8,000 seats and tons of people sitting behind with their own lawn chairs and blankets.  And, the costumed cast walk around before the show starts.  Unfortunately, I didn't know about this and showed up too late to have my picture taken with anyone.  There's more on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_Cumorah_Pageant)

 photo 100_6347_zpsc86ef1e2.jpg
This is Nephi's vision of the tree of life.  Honestly, I'm not sure about this part of the story.  So, if you are interested you should visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) website at (http://www.lds.org).  But, that blue is some kind of a water fountain with a light feature.   

 photo 100_6346_zpsfe378282.jpg
Too blurry.  I could tell you this was a crown or what I had for dinner and you'd have to just take my word for it...

 photo 100_6348_zps54de0916.jpg
This is The Building of a Ship and The Voyage to Ancient America.  Again, don't take my word for it.  But the guy, Nephi, at the tree above was told by God to build a boat.  Him and his family sail the ship and upset God, which causes him to create a storm and nearly drown them.  They end up in America and Nephi writes part of the Book of Mormon.  His brothers that upset God are still causing trouble, which leads to more trouble later on.

 photo 100_6352_zps2158ccf8.jpg
What's that glowing at the top of the set?  It's JESUS!  I really need to figure out how they got his outfit to glow like that.  It's much more subtle in person, but still very noticeable.  

 photo 100_6350_zpsb62c80a0.jpg
I think this is a battle scene

 photo 100_6351_zps3e2dee73.jpg
I don't know what's going on here.  But, I will tell you that a guy named Mormon wrote a history of his people on gold plates.  He was killed and his son, Moroni finished his writing and buried the plates in Palmyra, New York (just outside of Rochester).  In the 1820s, Moroni is now an angel and tells Joseph Smith where he buried the golden plates.  Hint: they are in the hill where the play is taking place.  So, Joseph Smith has the golden plates printed as the Book of Mormon.  This is how the church started.

 photo 100_6353_zps979e1dcc.jpg
Just look at all the actors and actresses!

 photo 100_6354_zps9359dd9b.jpg
Again, please take what I say about this with a grain of salt.  My expertise in Mormonism is limited to a couple of pamphlets and wikipedia.  What I do have to say is this is a great show and I highly suggest going to it.  You know me, I love seeing and doing things that are unique to a region and the only place you'll see this is Rochester.  I just wish my photos could do it justice...

 photo 100_6356_zps3c6416f7.jpg
Here's some anti-Mormon protesters yelling about something.  I'm not sure about what.  They were very vocal though.  And, they seemed to be hurling insults I didn't understand.  The Pillsbury Doughboy seemed to upset one of them for some reason.

 photo 100_6357_zps9755291a.jpg
"Ask me why you deserve HELL."  Geez, I can think of a dozen reasons without having to ask someone what else to add to the list...

OTHER BUSINESS:

 photo 100_6328_zpsc5c63ddd.jpg
The Big Bobber Floating Cooler.  Dave and Alison really outdid themselves this time.  I can't wait to get Dick the matching fishing pole.

 photo 100_6329_zps3dc6e0b2.jpg
This is Penny.  This photo of her is way larger than her actual size.  

 photo 100_6334_zps4f105e6f.jpg

 photo 100_6335_zpsad7f83f4.jpg

A little birds nest in a hanging plant.

 photo 100_6336_zpscb5e2bbe.jpg
Mmmmmm...  Sak's Thai Restaurant (http://saksthaicuisine.net/) in Perinton.  This is the last place I'd expect to find a good Thai restaurant (on 31 between Pittsford and Palmyra).  But, I got my curry fix before Hill Cumorah.  What a great night.

 photo 100_6362_zpse1b3e232.jpg
Conceptual art?  Perhaps we're trying to make our backyard more comfortable?  Or, are we just cleaning the cushions of our couch?  It's a mystery we may never know...

 photo 100_6360_zpsde69768b.jpg
THERE BACK!  Here's the doe with her two fawn playing in our backyard.  I've never seen deer play like this before.  The two fawns were darting all over the place chasing each other.  I guess that partially explains why the grass is so matted down.

 photo 100_6361_zps225bd3cf.jpg

 photo 100_6359_zps3f4be65b.jpg

I admit I spend way too much time looking out my back windows to see if the deer are there.  It's the first thing I do in the morning and I pretty much peek every time I walk by a window.

That's all for now.  Gotta go get some dinner and buy a dehumidifier.  Take care of a few things before Megan gets back from her conference.  No big plans this week...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Downtown Ra-cha-cha

 photo 100_6317_zps26292c18.jpg
Downtown Rochester looking west.  I haven't been down here in a while.  

 photo 100_6318_zps0e789f81.jpg
Mercury Statue (http://rocwiki.org/Mercury_statue) at the old Kimball Tobacco Factory (http://rocwiki.org/William_S._Kimball_Tobacco_Factory) with the Times Square Building (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_Building_(Rochester)) behind it.

 photo 100_6319_zps9213e6f9.jpg
First Federal Plaza (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Federal_Plaza).  Too bad the revolving restaurant isn't on the top anymore...

 photo 100_6320_zps0ca0f093.jpg
The Granite Building (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite_Building) is one of my favorite buildings in the area.  

 photo 100_6321_zps9d35c342.jpg
Chase Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_Tower_(Rochester))  Seems like this is where God banks...

 photo 100_6325_zps7abd3ca1.jpg
And, of course, the old Lehigh Valley Railroad Station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lehigh_Valley_Railroad_Station_(Rochester,_New_York)), which is now Dinosaur BBQ (http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/)

 photo 100_6323_zps3412fcea.jpg
Here's where the first photographic film was produced by Kodak.  Now, it's just another parking garage in a city of parking garages.  

 photo 100_6326_zpsd2b72a8c.jpg
THE BUNNY!  I'm not sure what Megan would do if she saw this hopping at her in the backyard...

 photo 100_6327_zps4381b197.jpg

Rachel and I hunting for ribbits (frogs) at Papa's house.

That's it.  Now to go have Megan's car repaired...  again...

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Three Babies

 photo 999493_1015301030020003D2C_zps3d0b5cd0.jpg
CONGRATS MALLORY, TIM, AND BIG BROTHER EZRA ON THE NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY.  This is my 1st cousin once removed (cousin's kid) Hallie Rose Deibel.  Born yesterday.  YEAH!

 photo 100_6314_zpsbecb3f96.jpg
That's not the only addition.  The doe that's been way too friendly with us in our back yard give birth to two fawns very recently.  This will add another wrinkle to our ability to enjoy our fire pit...

 photo 100_6315_zps9531c7c5.jpg
A fawn after my own heart.  Who doesn't love a hammock?  If only I wasn't taking a picture through a window when it was raining.  WHY WON'T IT STOP RAINING!??!?!

 photo 100_6311_zps52ccec62.jpg
This is more of a note to myself.  I need to figure out what plant this is.  It's a really bushy 12 foot tree with these flowers.  Essentially, where that open field is behind the deer above will be filled in with various kinds of flower, trees, and bushes along a path to the fire pit.  Trying to make a nice secluded private area to hang out in the back yard.  
That's it.  A rather uneventful week.  I've watched way more movies and read way too much of East of Eden than I'd care to admit.  That's what three straight weeks or so of rain will do to you...

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Marriage Bliss

 photo 100_6280_zps0adb29f7.jpg
HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY MEGAN!  What better way to celebrate than a Chicago Omelette at the New Yorker Restaurant (165 W. Commercial St. E. Rochester, NY)?

 photo 100_6281_zpsdd77bb77.jpg
Not to be outdone, got myself the Banana Nut Rum French Toast.  We'll need the energy for the days next activity

 photo 100_6282_zps90165470.jpg
KAYAKING DOWN THE ERIE CANAL!


 photo 100_6290_zps99847575.jpg
Picked up a kayak at the Erie Canal Boat Company (http://www.eriecanalboatcompany.com/)

 photo 100_6285_zpsb67ae081.jpg
Don't know about the Erie Canal and why it's important?  Don't worry, there's a wikipedia page for that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal

 photo 100_6283_zps2e9a9c24.jpg
Luckily, this was the only sunny weather we've had in the last three weeks

 photo 100_6284_zpse23e9282.jpg

 photo 100_6288_zps450a52c9.jpg
Paddling back to Fairport from Macedon.  

 photo 100_6286_zps67049b75.jpg
A Turtle.  Saw quite a bit of wildlife: heron, hawks, fish and all sorts of stuff I wasn't quick enough to take pictures of...

 photo 100_6289_zps9271b564.jpg
We're back.  Oddly enough, when we pulled up to the dock there was a lady with a still and video camera that wanted to interview us.  There's a guy by the name of John Robinson that is biking the Erie Canal and making a documentary about it.  Interesting story and I'm sure we'll end up on the cutting room floor.  But, I suggest checking it out at Our Ability (http://www.ourability.com/)

 photo 100_6295_zps0e63bdb9.jpg
Now to the serious business of getting ice cream

 photo 100_6293_zps5901b19d.jpg
If you know Megan, you know she takes ice cream very seriously...

 photo 100_6294_zps032e1ea9.jpg
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream (before being committed).  Moonlight Creamery (http://www.moonlightcreamery.com/) is one of the best and most interesting ice cream places I've ever been to.  They're all about the environment.  And, it's the first time I've ever had Kenyan Mango something or another and whatever the second scoop was.  Highly recommended.

 photo 100_6297_zpsb29f14ec.jpg
And, what better way can you end a day than dinner on the patio at Richardson's (http://www.richardsonscanalhouse.net/)?

 photo 100_6299_zps88bd32cd.jpg


 photo 100_6300_zps94011177.jpg
Tree stump art along the canal at Richardson's.  There's a lot to look at while having a few drinks along the canal: the lighthouse, log cabins, pine trees, and all sorts of little details.  I will have to do some research on this.

GREAT ANNIVERSARY AND I LOVE YOU MEGAN!!!

 photo 100_6307_zps88d404c7.jpg
Other pressing business: Penfield 4th of July fireworks on June 29th (what can I say, they don't procrastinate).  Pretty impressive display and I have to wait until next year to experience the parade that passes my house.

 photo 100_6305_zpsc00df721.jpg  
Whoa man!

 photo 100_6308_zps2dea4b46.jpg
It seems this firework was about to attack my face...

 photo 100_6278_zps108663e0.jpg
Embers of my long dormant fire pit.  When will it finally stop raining so we can have S'mores?

 photo 100_6274_zpsc411cf92.jpg
Our pet deer.  They are not scared of us.  They don't care about us.  They may actually have the deed to our house.

 photo 100_6272_zpsf4935e17.jpg
This part is for Dee, the flower expert: What are these?  This one is from our yard.

 photo 100_6302_zps749a2220.jpg

These are from our yard too (and not photoshopped either)

 photo 100_6296_zpsccdc20a7.jpg

Not from our yard, but Megan would like them to be.

 photo 100_6291_zpsa0fefa96.jpg
Glad Megan didn't see this guy floating past us in the Erie Canal...


 photo 100_6273_zps19bf707c.jpg
Yotini's yogurt about to open up on July 10(ish).  I guess this will be a new stop on our walk to the library and back.

 photo 100_6310_zps809f999f.jpg
Poor Athena can't get this monkey off her back...

If you like this, you might like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...