Looking Glass Pond

Looking Glass Pond at Burnt-Rossman State Forest is a serene and scenic water feature located in Schoharie County, New York. Nestled within the state forest’s expansive natural landscape, the pond offers a peaceful escape for outdoor enthusiasts. This tranquil pond provides opportunities for fishing and boating, with fishing platforms maintained by the Fulton Fish and Game club. Its calm waters reflect the surrounding forest, creating a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy.

Your forties, I troublesome but wonderful decade

In my forties I fully expect to loose one or both of my parents to advanced age. It’s something I realize is inevitable as is probably me settling down and traveling less. It’s sad to think of the coming loss and change ahead but I should try to enjoy as many memories as possible before it’s forever gone.

At the same time I’m going to be moving into my second decade with my company, and God willing, I will continue to move forward and upward with a six figure income which with inflation these days doesn’t seem like what it once was. But it’s wonderful having gotten the private corner office, a division to oversee with all those responsibilities and the ability to participate in management decisions.

Every day I see the age creeping into my face, the gray in my hair both from experience and years of worry and struggle. No life follows a perfectly straight path upwards, I’ve had my downs too. Yet thanks to my healthier lifestyle in a physical sense I feel younger than I have in years.

Soul Train

Bonus: Soul Train

10/5/21 by NPR

Web player: https://podcastaddict.com/episode/129401847
Episode: https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510333/edge1.pod.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/throughline/2021/10/20211005_throughline_ibam_bonus_ep_final_mix_wads_lw_100421.mp3

When Soul Train was first nationally syndicated in October 1971, there was nothing else like it on TV. It was the iconic Black music and dance show, a party every weekend that anyone could join from their living room. Our friends at It’s Been A Minute with Sam Sanders break down the lasting influence of Soul Train on the culture and ask why there’s never been a show like it since.

Callahans Corners

Driving through Callahans Corners outside of South Bethlehem on an autumn day.

Ban Helium Balloons 🎈

Ban Helium Balloons 🎈

Five years ago, probably the biggest form of wind blown litter you would find in the woods was plastic shopping bags. They blow off garbage dumps, out car windows, trash cans and even back porches. They were banned in New York State and they became much less or a problem.

But now more and more I’m finding helium balloons in the woods. I get that helium balloons are fun for parties and telling sick people to get well but too many of them accidentally escape then float out in the woods. The metalized plastic might not be the biggest hazard in the world but it still will kill birds and wildlife that eat it, gets trapped in trees and will last forever, at least until the forest is burned over or somebody removes it.

To boot, helium is increasingly short supply due to decades of the government under pricing it to ensure wide availability for medical, research and scientific applications. Helium Balloons are a complete waste of this limited resource and they are killing wildlife to boot.