A Saturday With Biking and Juggling

This past Saturday, Sockie and I decided to go out and meet my best friend, Rachel, at a juggling event. Originally we were going to go downtown and go to a Bollywood workshop thingamajig at the library, but in the end best friend won over Bollywood. Being a silly person, I didn't check the bus schedules early enough and we ended up missing the bus. So...I decided to bike! Hey, why not? It was only a few miles and it was warm out. Thus began our adventure...

I knew of a nice, pretty trail that would lead me where I wanted to go, so I started off on it. Here is where Sockie and I stopped for a water break. Isn't that little body of water just gorgeous?

Sockie waiting patiently as I drank my refreshing cold water.

The trail ahead of us! It's much nicer and greener in the summer.

After biking for a bit, I took another small breather. Ah, I've always been fascinated by that building in the background... I'm not sure why.

These wires seem to stretch on for a long time. I think it's cool! Electrical wires have always been so beautiful to me in the strangest way since I was very little.

After 40 minutes of biking, Sockie and I finally made it to the college where the juggling event was being held. We met up with Rachel and her boyfriend and we got something to eat. While we were eating, Rachel tied up Sockie and turned him into a pretzel. It's a shame I didn't get a picture of that. After that, we went back and talked and sat on the bleachers for a while. Here's Sockie posing in front of the jugglers in the background.

I didn't take any more pictures after that, but we ended up going to see a really cool juggling show that night with Rachel's brother in it. It was amazing! Those people were so good at what they did. I wish I could juggle. Unfortunately, it is not a skill I've ever been able to pick up. Maybe one day... ;)

I had a delightful time hanging out with everyone that day and they all loved seeing Sockie. Definitely a great Saturday!

Sockie and the Pigeons

Today Sockie and I had a short adventure. We decided to go out and visit the pigeons! We've raised pigeons since I was very very young. They're very cute and personable animals.


Click! She's a sweet bird. The reason her name is Click is because she clicked her beak when she was younger.

Blackbeak! We named him that because he's always had a darker beak. Yes, I named him after a pirate. He is the leader of the cage and the oldest bird.

Fluff! Oh, my dear Fluffy. I raised her by hand. She's the smallest bird in the cage. However, don't let her size fool you. She can stand up for herself quite well. 

Snowy! Snowy is the youngest bird in the cage. She is Blackbeak's mate.

Speckles! Speckles is Click's mate. He's constantly fighting with Blackbeak for control of the cage, but he still doesn't have it. 

Flower! Contrary to his name, Flower is, in fact, a boy. ...We thought he was a girl before. He is Fluff's mate and the biggest bird in the cage.

Sockie wanted to take a picture with everyone. Here's the gang all together!

The pigeons are always fun to visit. :)

A Birthday Night Out

A little note: I was going to post this last week, but unfortunately I've been very sick and unable to write for long periods of time so I did not. Oh well. Better late than never!


On the last Friday in March, I decided to do something fun for my birthday (which was actually that Sunday, but eh), so I went out for a night on the town with Sockie. I was originally going to go to a favourite restaurant of mine, but by the time I got home from various activities and errands, it was too late to make a reservation. So, being moi, I decided to just wing it and find something. Sockie and I caught the bus around 6 and made it downtown, where I reached my first destination, Java's. I think it is quite possibly one of my favourite places to go. It's a little cafe, tucked away on a little side street, right by the Eatsman Theatre. When I got in, I ordered my drink and sat at a little table in the back of the establishment. It's a wonderful place to relax.

My yummy drink! I don't remember the name exactly, something like a "caramel catapan," but it was a delicious creation made with a double shot of espresso, milk, and caramel.

The wall near where I was seated. I really like the art everywhere!

Downstairs, they have the bathrooms and a room with some pool tables. Sockie decided to chill out on one. ;)

After Java's, I was hungry for dinner, so I walked down East Ave to find someplace to eat. I saw a lot of bars and fancy restaurants and more mainstream places, but I finally decided on a little Italian looking restaurant called Veneto. I walked in and they gave me a seat at the bar because there were a lot of parties there that night and it was quite full. I ordered an absolutely delicious meal of venetian free-range chicken with fettuccine, sauteed spinach, and roasted bell peppers. Mmmm, it was so good! Sockie hung out in his monkey sack while he waited for me to finish my meal. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures there, but it was a lovely place. The interior was Italian themed and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I would definitely recommend that  place and go there again myself. After I ate, Sockie and I left and walked back down towards Java's. The air was quite chilly by then, but the night was absolutely gorgeous! I love wandering downtown in the evenings.

Walking down the little street that Java's is on! I love the lights on the trees. They're so magical looking. 

 The Eastman Theatre has such cool lights. Walking under them is always fun.

 Sockie and I sat in the little park in the corner to wait for a friend to pick us up. While we were sitting there, we we looked around at the buildings and enjoyed the beauty around us. Here's Sockie just relaxing on one of the benches.

 The Eastman Theatre! Isn't it just gorgeous looking at night?

I think I had a wonderful birthday night out with my dashing date, Sockie. ;) I hope I can have another night out again sometime soon!

Pancakes, Pine Trees, and Maple Syrup

Saturday, mummy dragged me out of bed early to go to a pancake breakfast with her and daddy at Cummings Nature Center. I fell out of bed (yes, I really did. I'm not exaggerating), got changed and packed up Sockie, and away we went. The drive was long, but it was so very pretty. I like driving around in the country, even if I am half asleep and longing to be back in my warm bed.

When we got there, we got our meal tickets and made our way downstairs, where we were handed our delicious meals. Doesn't it look good? They make the syrup there at the nature center.

There's mummy and Sockie, full and happy after our yummy breakfast.

After that, we went back upstairs and looked at the mounted animals and birds. That is where Sockie met a bear...

Then Sockie met another bear. ...Or at least, part of one. I think Sockie likes bears.

After we moseyed around in there, we watched a short video about maple syrup and then we looked at the turtles.

We then decided to go outside for a short bit. It was chilly, so we didn't spend too much time out there, but I only wanted to see one thing. That one thing was this path. It is probably my favourite spot in all of NY. I'd like to go back this summer. It's absolutely gorgeous then! 

Sockie wanted to hang around in a tree while I gazed down the path.

I wish I had warmer gear that day. I like cross-country skiing. It's been years since I've done it.

We had a great morning out. That breakfast filled me for a while and the drive home was just as wonderful as the drive there. When I got home, I took a long nap. I definitely needed one! I do hope I can go back to Cummings this summer.

The Attic Of Oddities

Yesterday, we had a mild break from the cold, so I took Sockie outside and we decided to explore the garage attic. It was actually quite warm in there and very nice. There were so many interesting things to discover!

First, Sockie and I found some dead wasps. Some of them looked quite intimidating with their stingers still attached to their little yellow and black bodies...

Next, we found an interesting superhero...I do believe we have found the ultimate hero, ready for anything that comes her way. ;)

Sockie then found my old banana seat bike hanging from the ceiling. Ah, I used to adore that old bike.

Sockie and I found one of our sleds and a really pretty lamp. That sled reminds me that I still haven't gone sledding this winter. Oh, busy schedules...

More sleds! Unfortunately, these don't glide as well as our other sleds. These work better on ice.

Awww, Sockie looked adorable in our old little wagon. What a cute monkey he is!

Next, I discovered my old rocking camel that my grandpa made for me when I was very young. It's a tad dark back there, but Sockie didn't mind.

And what kind of monkey would Sockie be if he didn't swing from the rafters?

 After all of that, Sockie was an awfully dusty monkey, so I cleaned him up.

Ah, attics. Lovely places to explore! 

An Icy Adventure

Last week I had some coupons to go ice skating at our local rink, so I grabbed Sockie and called up a friend and headed over. It was absolutely fantastic. I do enjoy gliding around on the ice, regardless of the fact that I'm not very good at skating. There's something so peaceful and relaxing about it...

Sockie doesn't skate, so he sat and watched along the side. ;)

Sockie also got to meet my lovely friend, Sarah!

We all had a wonderful time skating. I need to find another rink that's open year-round. I'd like to skate again soon. Maybe I can get better at it!

Exploring Close To Home

Sometimes, you can have an adventure in your own backyard. That is what Sockie and I did the other day.
After sewing all afternoon, I was tired and decided that I needed a break from needles and thread. Small, fluffy snowflakes were falling outside my window, so I grabbed my stuffed simian companion and dashed outside. The temperature was about 20, balmy in comparison to the subzero temperatures we've been experiencing recently. It was a lovely winter wonderland.
Our first stop was the bench. It was far too cold for me to sit on, but Sockie didn't mind in the least.

 Our next stop was one of our trees. It branches off at the bottom into a "y" and it made for a perfect monkey seat!

 While we were making footprints in the snow, we found a bit of greenery!

 

 The snow started falling faster as we checked out the apple tree. Unfortunately, its fruit always gets stolen by squirrels in the fall, and we never get a chance to eat any. 

At this point, the wind was starting to pick up, so Sockie and I went back inside to warm up. He looked very grateful to be sitting on the warm radiator.

 All in all, it was a wonderful snowy adventure for us that afternoon!