a funny story about a mural in Williamsport, PA...

This past weekend I took a road trip with my mom to visit her Mother-in-Law Mrs. B. in Williamsport, PA. We stayed overnight and the next morning Mrs. B. said, "I lay awake last night thinking I need to remember to tell you to see this mural." She knew of my interest in art, and thought I'd enjoy this local spectacle in downtown Williamsport.

So when the three of us ventured out for lunch, my mom made a point to drive to this mural, which covers the buildings on 3 sides of a parking alcove. I'm not sure what the buildings currently house - Mrs. B., who has lived in Williamsport most of her life, said they used to be "beer halls."

The murals were amazing, filled with crowds of human figures (including famous faces as diverse as Sam Clemens, Frederick Douglas and Bonnie Rait!) and so many ornate details to be studied it would take longer than our short visit. I snapped as many quick photos as I could (most are pretty crummy) and on we went to lunch.

When I returned home, I hit Google for more information about the intriguing murals. What a surprise to discover they were painted by Tim's old Sheridan College roommate Mike Pilato!


more information about his mural work here on Mike's website

(p.s. The Genetti Hotel is Mrs. B's favorite place to dine, though we had lunch elsewhere that day...)

5 things that made me happy this week:

1. microfiber fleece sheets - soooo soft & cozy!!! perfect for this damp, drizzly January


2. replaced a blown 40 watt lightbulb with a 60 watt bulb and it completely transformed the room -
extra bright light seems necessary lately, it's been too grey outside.


3. cut my own hair! (just a basic choppy trim)


4. found a new source for delicious, locally (& "mindfully") roasted coffee beans:
The Dalai Java in Canandaigua, NY
(discovered via a Christmas gift :)


5. great Netflix watches lately (we don't have regular TV or cable) - I highly recommend these two series:

"Long Way Round" - Actors Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman take a motorbike trip around the world - it's like the ultimate grown boy's adventure! (can't wait to watch their 2nd trip: "Long Way Down")



"Human Planet" about the ingenious ways humans have adapted to different habitats around the world:



*BONUS HAPPY NEWS: The oak tree across the street hasn't been removed yet! - probably because the weather hasn't been cooperative for such endeavors... The take-down is inevitable, but for now we continue to enjoy the tree.

She makes me laugh!
(sorry about the ad)

view of our yard from the tree across the street:

This beautiful old oak tree in our neighbor's yard across the road has suddenly developed large cracks in it's base (possibly due to unusually strong winds we've had recently) and so it's been determined that the tree needs to come down. The local highway department is scheduled to remove it later today. :(

In these photos it's difficult to get a sense of how grand this tree is - and the poor thing has been butchered over the years due to it's proximity to the road - plus it's bareness during this season does not reveal it's full majesty. I can't imagine all the critters it has harbored and fed over the years (including our own kitties who enjoyed it as a playground for chasing squirrels and chipmunks), or weary travelers who lingered under it for shade (I like to dally there whenever walking by). All the sunrises and sunsets it enjoyed, while the scenery around it changed through the decades and centuries... Mr. Verheil, Naples' resident historian, told us this tree was planted to commemorate the War of 1812 - so it would be celebrating it's 200th birthday this year!

Cake - "It's Coming Down"

(this song isn't about a tree, but the chorus is stuck in my head today and the overall sadness of the sound seems fitting)

late afternoon

this fallen log serves as a bridge for several critters:


faces in the ice



dried weeds looking like pieces of jewelry:



all kind of critters' tracks:

including of course...

..and me!

cold, brittle sunrise

Attended my first Kirtan - Govinda Jaya Jaya was one of the chants we sang...!




Something new I just learned (thank you, internet): After traveling to India in the late 1960s, George Harrison embraced Hindu culture and music, ultimately becoming a life-long devotee.. At one point he asked guru Prabhupada if he should shave his head and join the temple. The guru told George that he could do more for the theology through his music. George H. has since been credited as a pivotal figure in exposing this music to the Western mainstream. (the second video is his own song)

Free Cabin Porn! - click here

can't wait to see this...

so what, I still like Wes Anderson!

Kimbra: something new & different

A little weird, very creative, theatrical,
great dancing + what a voice!
She's from New Zealand!