Back in the Country

I think I am a photographer because I can't paint. After selling about a dozen houses in the city of Rochester this summer, I finally have rounded up a couple of country clients and have been meandering along the country roads. I sold two houses this week, one in Steuben County and one in Wyoming County and between the two properties is about 50 miles of fabulous scenic views.

I love old barns and they inspire me to paint. Wouldn't this view make for a great oil painting, (sigh). Or a soft watercolor. Unfortunately, I can't paint. But I can push the shudder button on the digital camera. I hope you enjoy them.

Bugging Me

Gosh, I've never seen a bug like this before. We thought it was a stick till it started moving around. Does anyone know what kind of bug it is?

A Reflection on the American Way of Life

There is something very romantic about Smalltown, America and Atlanta (not Georgia) New York is very small town. While western New York is full of quaint little towns complete with an old Victorian Bed and Breakfast, Atlanta, NY is different. It just feels authentic, not all gussied up to attract tourist dollars.

The old train depot, peeling paint and all, could be a setting for a movie about the Wild West.

Getting Wiser

Letchworth State Park put on a photographers' Dream Day and this little lady was one of the models. She is a Saw-Whet Owl. They also provided photo ops with a Red Shouldered Hawk, but he wasn't nearly as tolerant as the owl. It was also a great day for a nature hike along the river gorge.

Fresh Veggies

Today was one of the days that leaves me wondering why I got into real estate. I started this morning with 3 offers to write for properties that I've shown during the past week. By noon all three opportunities evaporated! Well, at least I did not waste a lot of ink.

Maybe if I was as cute as the fresh veggie guy, I'd have more sales. I've not had the time or energy to cook in nearly three weeks but I just couldn't resist Mr. Veggies of Avon, NY. I loaded up on corn and squash and beans and peppers. He was just so cute!

Something's Corny in Rochester

Today, I showed a client a HUD house deep in the city of Rochester. On my way home, about 2 blocks away, there was a mini corn field right there on the city street! Check it out for yourself. Take a ride down Benton St. Lots of very nicely landscaped yards in this neighborhood and one with a corn field. Amazing!

Keep a Sunny Disposition!

A lot of people talk about a glass being half full or half empty. But I think Helen Keller said it so much better.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."

I love sunflowers! And I loved finding this field of sunflowers in Lima, New York today.

Meet Sparky

Sparky is either a house finch or a purple finch. My husband found him in our back yard. He was blind in one eye and had deformed wing. That didn't slow him down. Jim returned him to his nest several times and he would immediately jump out.
So we set up a new home for Sparky in a plastic tote, filled with twigs, grass and other nesting material. We feed him soggy Cheerios and he thrived. In fact, we discussed changing his name from Sparky to Spunky!

Unfortunately, Sparky didn't make it. When we got home from work tonight, he had passed. Sparky had only been in our life for less than a week, but we sure miss him!

Genesee Valley Park

Some people think of thistle as a weed. Not me! I just love its color and shape but especially that it attracts birds and bees.

One year I had a very large thistle plant in my yard. Once it bloomed, I had gold finches galore. My father offered to chop it down for me and I was insulted! Of course, once it had gone to seed and lots of baby thistle sprung up, I could never go barefoot in my yard again. Maybe father did know best!

These thistle plants are along the Genesee River in Genesee Valley Park, in the city of Rochester. There is a place to rent canoe or take a walk or just sit back and enjoy.

bees

Rochester Skyline

Sometimes I have too much time between real estate appointments. Today I had a couple of hours to kill so I walked along the Ford Street Bridge.

A Conesus Morning

Some mornings on Conesus Lake are just too beautiful to keep to yourself. This summer has been unsually hot and humid in Rochester. But this morning, the haze lifted and you could breath again. I guess that is excellent conditions for ballooning and fishing.

An Oasis

This is someone's front yard! I found it by accident. I was in East Bloomfield and pulled into the wrong driveway and this is what I came across. Wow!

Fast Ferry

Fast ferry service is scheduled to start this week between the Port of Rochester and Toronto.

Pretty Faces

Rochester, NY real estate exposes me to fine people and pretty faces.

Lilly

So, I'm a sucker for flowers. I sold a house last week in Rochester's 19th Ward and the front yard had the prettiest lillys.

Lake Views

 

Ferns

Sometimes the most lush gardens are found in the least expected places. I had to do a broker price opinion on a shack in South Dansville. The roof was leaking, the floor buckled but the yard had gone wild with huge lush ferns.

Lilacs in Bloom

Pinks, lite purple, deep purple, even white. Each May, Rochester hosts the Lilac Festival at Highland Park and you can see (and smell) many different varieties of lilacs.

Rochester's Highland Park

Rochester, NY has many beautiful parks and Highland Park is one of my favorite.