It's been gray and a little rainy.
I saw two snowmobilers who were taking a break next to Nice 'n Easy and asked them how the riding was. They sort-of wrinkled up their faces and said - "So-so. But not great." But they're hoping to at least match - and double or triple! - last year's total of 100 miles.
Back northbound on Sanger Avenue .....
What's this?
An "Oooops!" already?
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At the Municipal Hall
the Utica Chapter of the America Red Cross was holding
a Blood Drive and Mary Campbell was donor #33.
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Once again, the historians are scrambling to find information about Celia Burleigh, who - with her husband, poet William H. Burleigh - spent the summer of 1870 (boarding?) at the Hubbard Homestead north of Waterville.
In the preface of a collection of his poems which she published in 1871, Celia wrote:
"… and early the spring following we went into the country, where we remained till November.
Able to do very little reading or literary work, he gave himself up to the enjoyment of the beautiful world about him. He took long walks over the hills, explored the woods and ravines, or sat by the hour together under the maples in front of the house, sometimes playing with the year-old baby, and at others drinking in the song of the birds, or the rustle of the wind among the boughs. “It is all so beautiful,” he used to say, his eyes sometimes filling with tears as he drank in the scene and felt its peaceful influence."
…
In November they returned to their home in Brooklyn, where Mr. Burleigh died the following March.
The person who is searching for information about Celia Burleigh is an author from Andover, Massachusetts, who is writing a book about Helen Hunt Jackson. He also is searching for information about a Ruth Ellis, who lived in Whitesboro in the 1870's. (Not the Ruth Ellis who was hanged in England in 1955!)
If these names "ring a bell" with any readers, we'd appreciate hearing from them!
He has introduced me to an entirely NEW way to spend time: go to "Google Books" and you'll find all sorts of publications digitized, ready to either read online or download!
