Category Archives: local business

We have had a couple of pretty nice (for January) days, and I have taken the poocher for a couple of long strolls.

Saturday was not as warm as Friday, but still perfectly acceptable walking temperatures. We set off shortly after Steven had departed for work, me keeping an eye out for bloggable observations and Tabby keeping a nose out for interesting smells. We passed three mail carriers. We got a cheery greeting from two and a polite one from the other. Not bad.

We strolled down Prospect Street, and I looked at the distinctive old building that used to house H.M. Quackenbush’s corporate offices. It is a forbidding looking brick structure, a rectangle with stern corners and some embellishment at the windows and roof. I like embellishment. Why be plain? Except, of course, when you are going for that stark, minimalist look, which can also be very nice. I wish somebody would do something with the Quackenbush building. It seems a shame to let such a historic looking building go to waste.

Speaking of waste, we walked down Main Street past several closed businesses, some of which have been closed so long they no longer show any sign of what they used to be. I slid on the ice on the sidewalk in front of one. I jerked the leash straightening myself and got a “What?” look from Tabby. I reflected that if more businesses were open, no doubt some shopkeeper would be moved to keep the sidewalks cleared and safe.

Tabby did not pull me up to the door at Hummel’s for once. She pulled me to State Route 5, but I declined to cross it with her. Too much traffic for my tastes. We walked along Albany Street to Bellinger instead. When we got to Meyers Park (not Weller; had to think a minute, I often get those two confused. I think it’s the “er” sound) Tabby opted to walk along the sidewalk on the perimeter, which is unusual for her. Usually we walk through the park itself or pass it by entirely.

As we went by St. Frances de Sales Church, I said good morning to St. Frances. I said it in my head, though, because of course saints can hear you think. Somebody put a bright red scarf on the statue of St. Frances in front of the church, and there are red lights in the bushes on either side of the statue. It looks nice, and reminds me I need to find something to do with the box of scarves I’ve made the last couple of years. No sense in letting them go to waste like all the downtown buildings.

Tabby and I had a slight disagreement when we were a block from our house on the opposite side of the street. She always wants to jay walk while I insist we follow the crosswalks, even though the paint is almost completely gone. Something else I wish somebody would do something about. I know, I’m somebody. But can you see me getting white paint and painting the crosswalks? I can’t.

It was a nice walk, and I hope an acceptable blog post. I have plans for this afternoon. I may have an Ilion Little Theatre project to blog about soon. As always, stay tuned!