I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I've left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I'm wearing a cloak, I've slipped on the ring,
I've swallowed the magic potion.
I've fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.

~ Julia Donaldson (b. Sept. 16, 1948) English writer,  2011 - 2013 Children's Laureate.

www.juliadonaldson.co.uk  [Photo from files lbw]

The grass so little has to do,
A sphere of simple green
With only butterflies to brood
And bees to entertain.

And stir all day to pretty tunes
The breezes fetch along
And hold the sunshine in its lap
And bow to everything.


~ Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) ~ Poetry for Young People, Edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin,
Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. 1994

John's Great Pumpkin

The Old Railway Bridge

The *New* Bridge ~ View From Ouse Street

The *New* Bridge in Use

All work ceased on the new bridge in November, 2014.  It sits unaligned with the highway.

Bridge Entrance Today

[Photos: lbw]

Jeff Russell works long shifts in his line of work - security.  Boring?  Never!  His life-long interest in crocheting is his constant passion.

At the age of thirteen, he crocheted an angel for the top of his Mother's friend's Christmas tree and he has not stopped. Today he turns out grand pieces of tigers, butterflies, horses ~ nothing is too complex for Jeff at this stage.  And of course, he has the twelve-hour shifts.

"A Tree Grows In Cayuga"

Trees Along Talbot in front of Towpath On The Grand