Bhavna and I both dislike cold weather, but on sunny days we can persuade ourselves to bundle to get outside. Normally at this time of the year, I would look forward to the weekend, waking up early to take a walk along the D&R Canal or a hike in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. January is ending and, with the exception of a short hike along Beden Brook, we have had little outdoor activity.
It was cold and damp again yesterday and I feel that yet another weekend has been “wasted” inside streaming content on Disney+ and Netflix or drinking ales from one of the local micro-breweries. My midsection grows softer and larger each day. 😊
It rained all day yesterday, so much that many local roads we flooded. I can only imagine that the hiking trails are soggy and slippery.
I am starting to feel the effects of the “winter blues”, from the cold, grey skies all day, and the limited exposure to sunlight. It’s frustrating that I can not do any of the suggested remedies.
Last weekend, after a super short and finger freezing photo session near Carnegie Lake with had exhausted my battery, I came home to prep my photo bag for a course I was taking the next day. I wanted to be sure that my batteries were charged and my equipment was ready. I discovered that my Fujifilm X-T2 would not turn on. I tried one battery after another, but the rear LCD and viewfinder remained blank. I connected the camera via USB to my iMac and the camera came on in USB mode. I took it to the Fujifilm service centre in Edison where I hope they can restore my camera. I am scheduled to attend a food photography workshop in March.
Our kids are both attending university so Bhavna and I have more time to spend with each other. In another week, we’ll drive to Oberlin, Ohio to return the youngest to college. I’ll miss her and her cat, Camilla, but with her return, we’ll have more freedom.
Despite my health challenges over the last few years, in 2018 we visited Seneca Lake in the finger lake region of New York staying at the Grist Mill Inn and Brewery. The previous year we did some road trips west into Pennsylvania stopping to tour the local breweries along the way.
The Hudson Valley Brewery in Beacon, New York has been on our tour to-do list for a few years. Hudson Valley produces some of my favourite sour IPAs.
The sun is out this morning so tie for a break. I’m heading outside for a walk around the neighbourhood. Gotta keeps my spirits up.
