As I run I always look for distinctive features or entertaining happenings to share with my readers, and the other day I came up with one.
There used to be a rather unsavory drainage ditch that crossed German Street. Trees and bushes were growing in it, people had thrown in garbage, and it was a breeding ground for a number of unpleasant insects. The village cleaned it out, filled it in and now there remains a black top path surrounded by grass, flowers and young trees. A pleasant addition to a run or walk.
Yesterday I ran down as much of the path as I encountered. This morning I ran in the opposite direction. Halfway through my run I realized I was quite thirsty so directed my steps toward the spring. Ah, bliss! We are so blessed to live in a village with a handily located spring.
As I ran on I saw the hills that comprise both the front and back way to Herkimer County Community College, but I cravenly avoided them. (I may not be much of a runner, but at least I can rock the adverbs. When was the last time you heard somebody use “cravenly” in a sentence?) Both days I ran I noticed houses with a Boilermaker banner hanging out front. Ah, I feel bad to miss it this year. 2012, Utica! I’ll be there!
Of course I always look at other people’s flowers for ideas for my own yard. Today I particularly noticed day lilies. We have some day lilies that were here when we bought the house, and I’ve always thought they look blowsy. I keep seeing ones where whole plant is fuller, the stem with the bloom has nice spiky leaves all the way up and they are only knee high. Not like the ones in my yard, where a tall, bare stalk holds the bloom. As I ran I also saw some tall ones like mine, but they were in a larger area. There, they didn’t look so bad. It’s all about setting.
I also saw people on their front porches enjoying a cup of coffee. That motivated me to keep running, because I promised myself the same treat after my shower. A very effective bribe. Perhaps one day I’ll invest in a lap top, so I can blog from the deck. After all, my blog is all about enjoying what can be found in our own backyard.
Mohawk Valley Girl 