my 10 favorite things about albany

Obviously I haven't posted anything for awhile. So not to skip out on the previous months we'll just go back in time to July 31st. On our seemingly longest car ride eve,r we got the chance to talk our heads off as we traveled from Logan, Utah to McCall Idaho. Eli was beyond tired and wanted nothing but to go to the beach, which was our destination. He refused to take a nap before going to the beach. We tried redirecting him onto other subjects asking him questions etc. but the only way to keep him from crying/whining was to talk about anything and everything nonstop so he didn't feel like the silent air needed to be filled with his own voice. Rambling away, I got onto the subject of favorites. This led to my 10 favorite things about Albany. Somehow Albany doesn't elicit great feeling around those with whom I associate. It is hard to like a place with negative stamped on it. Alas, we are on year five here and I have to say I do like Albany contrary to others and could see myself living here permanently (for the record, not in this apartment). I do have to say I can't remember everything I said on that last day in July but this will do. So here goes it...

1. Fall - you can't beat a northeast fall. The colors are amazing and I've never collected so many leaves in my life. They make the easiest, simplest cards when pressed. Though I have to say this year has been a bit drab. I think we got too much rain.

2. Blueberry picking, cherry picking - I ventured out on my own this year with the kids. Joe has school on Saturday mornings so I really wanted to beat the heat to pick berries. We went twice and wanted to go more but we were out of the state. We went home to make amazing jam. In fact so amazing I think twice about sharing it with guests.

3. Apple picking - I don't think you can be in a better state than this for apple picking. We love going and there are always animals to see and apple cider donuts to eat. We specifically bought a dehydrator a couple of years ago for the abundance of apples that we have.

4. Library - There are 5 library branches that I can think of in Albany. The Pine Hills branch is just down the street. We love going there for story time with Ms. Julia.

5. Location - Like I said we live just down the street from the library and a couple of stores are within walking distance. We have about three different parks about 1 mile away. If the weather is good we like walking to church too. It's lovely to walk when we can.

6. Location - The city (NY City), Boston, Palmyra, and many other great places to see are only 3 hours away. Too bad we don't have the time or mula to take advantage of a jaunt or two.

7. Green - It's always green here. It's beautiful. I love how beauty can take so many forms, because I feel the same way about southern Utah except it's red.

8. The Branch - It's a spiritual garden of everything with each it's own to offer in flavor.

9. Camping - With Joe's Saturday's occupied at school we have only chanced to do this twice. But both times were adventures of camping in wet weather yet we enjoyed it.

10. Family - My family's here why else would I want to live anywhere. Though it's kind of weird to think of my kids as New Yorkers. That's the only place they've lived and know as home. By the end of our 6 week stay out west, Eli wanted to go home, that is to Albany, New York.

The conclusion... Eli fared well with my endless chatter. We finally stopped along the river and I fed Emma while Eli had a Sunday swim in his church clothes. I've never seen a happier boy. After getting on the road again he was asleep within minutes... for our own sanity we probably should have stopped sooner, then again I wouldn't have had the chance to be a bit grateful and name some of my favorites.