We were in central New York for the past few days, visiting my father, staying at the lake where I grew up. Early on the last morning, a deer walked slowly across the grass near the house, on her way to the water's edge, stopping to graze now and then, lifting her head to sniff and listen. We hardly ever see deer so close to the house, so I was surprised and grateful. I had been feeling sad to be leaving, and this beautiful animal felt like a sign to me that all was well, all would be well.
A little while later I went out to see if she was still there. The deer had disappeared, like the apparition she seemed to be, but the morning light was extraordinary as the mist blew across the water.
Someone had already had their breakfast:
And thousands of miniature worlds hung suspended in the dew.
The day before we had driven to Cooperstown with my father and his friend, through the green hills...
...and fields where the corn was just emerging.
We saw a lot of wildlife. Flocks of geese in the fields, and on the water with many goslings. Delicate wild bunnies. Herons and hawks. Skunks and woodchucks. Lots of deer. Wild turkeys. And even a gloriously blue bluebird.
And here's Dad and me at our destination: that most American and summer-celebratory of institutions, the Baseball Hall of Fame, with a couple of pretty good hitters behind us.
It's hard to believe, but even though I've been in Cooperstown countless times - I practically lived there one winter long ago - I'd never been to the BHoF before. We had fun. And were sorry to just miss meeting up with Phoenicia author and good friend Marly Youmans, who lives nearby. Next time!
Lovely photos.
Posted by: Nina T | June 05, 2015 at 03:53 PM
Such a nice shot of you and your dad! Neither of you ever ages.....please tell him hi from our family!!!
XXOO
Posted by: Kathy Hughes | June 05, 2015 at 06:16 PM
These photographs are gorgeous and they remind me of the forest here at Scarborough. I like the fact that you are wearing green too. It is a colour I will never tire of. And I too, for the first time in my life saw a deer beside the river in the forest. It is something I will never forget.
Posted by: Priya | June 05, 2015 at 06:55 PM
Great photo of the two of you! Well, the four of you...
And that first picture of the lake is breathtaking.
Posted by: Martine | June 05, 2015 at 07:14 PM
So wonderful and life affirming. I recognize Babe Ruth,but who is the other batter?
Posted by: Hattie | June 05, 2015 at 07:38 PM
Glad to see your father still looking so good!
Posted by: Dave | June 06, 2015 at 01:43 AM
Definitely next time!
Posted by: Marly Youmans | June 06, 2015 at 12:09 PM
That's a terrific photo! Isn't that Joe DiMaggio with Ruth?
Posted by: Duchesse | June 06, 2015 at 05:35 PM
beautiful pics.Thanks. Think thats Ted Williams with the Babe
Posted by: john | June 09, 2015 at 12:44 AM
Very daring of you to use "verdant", I don't have that kind of courage. I've always thought it belonged to the same genre of expression as "idyll" and "halcyon", words whose meanings were not entirely certain and were in any case only used by poets.
Despite my inadequacy in this matter I have seen two of BBHoF's residents in action: the late and much lamented Roberto Clementi, winner of many Golden Glove awards, and Sandy Koufax who suffered the opposite of apotheosis when he descended from the sublime heights of the pitcher's mound to become the world's worst sports commentator. Sic transit...
I leave irrelevant comments of this sort behind me in order to prove that I have not - in the words of certain noncomformists - yet been translated into glory.
Posted by: Roderick Robinson | June 09, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Beth: A friend of mine visiting here looked through How Many Roads and adores it.As do I.
Posted by: Hattie | June 10, 2015 at 01:50 AM
Stunning photos of a stunning place. You're lucky to have grown up there and to have it still part of your inner geography. Wish you could have got a picture of the deer too!
You and your Dad...such a moving, lovely image. I can see the strong connection between you. He's still a handsome man, isn't he?
Posted by: Natalie | June 10, 2015 at 07:50 PM
Wooah! I imagine a paradise as I was seeing the stunning photos and views. Great blog! How about shrubs and garden accessories experts as well providing landscaping services.
Posted by: Les Serres Latour | June 16, 2015 at 11:41 AM