Every Once In a While

Every once in a while there is a day that just happens.   Today we had a late lunch/early supper with half of our gang (other half snowbirds).   The ride to Wellsville and then on to the Whitesville Hotel in Whitesville, NY was beautiful.  Again today clear blue sky, the snow looked so white with a blue cast to it.  Most of the ride was on top of the ridges looking down and across some pretty wide valleys.  The kind of views that make the phrase Peace on Earth almost a reality.  Being the passenger gives me the luxury of seeing every mile of beauty and able to think of what a beautiful world we live in. Of course my mind was thinking of so many things, (it never stops drifting) every turn in the road reminded me of so many things.  I'm sure Dick wonders......does she ever run out of things to talk about? No.   Once we turned at Yorks Corners to Whitesville the terrain changed, this is where we rode the ridges.  Farms are plentiful and the fields are flat, wide and long.  Snow drifts were frequent along the road, ripples of snow in the fields and stubs of long forgotten corn stalks.  Flocks of crows, lots of crows were fluttering to find what kernels of corn were left behind by the harvester.  A few hawks setting high on  a hedge row of trees looking for a meal.  Wind is vicious on open hill tops.

Once at the hotel we did our usual to catch up on happenings since the last time we were together.  Never a doubt everyone takes a shot (not bang) at each other, a little picking and get the blood pressure surging.  It's all in fun and keeping it interesting. Then Ron asked me, "Does this place remind you of Newton's Tavern?"  I still can't say beer joint as others called it.  This place sure did!  I will describe it as "Old World" charm.  Low ceilings,  few windows, tables on the side and lots of  beautiful deep rich mahogany wood.  Oh ya, this is bringing back the memory of Chuck and Janie's bar in downtown Shinglehouse.  Writing this brings regrets that it's over, that old time bar is just a memory.  Now wouldn't it be great to write a book on the bar stories, maybe. Chuck and Marion Anderson bought the bar from Janie,  they continued the tradition along with Marion's great soup and delishous hamburgers.  The building was demolished a few years back as all the old buildings that lined the street were.  Just a remember when.

Back to the Whitesville Hotel.  I had Kentucky Bourbon chicken wings.  I don't know why, I never order them for fear they will not be crispy enough or slimy on the inside.  I think Kentucky Bourbon sealed the deal.  They were perfect along with fresh cut french fries, also very good.  The next time we go I will trade the french fries for their homemade potato chips!  I tried a couple of the hubs and they are the "bomb"!  Notice I say next time, that is how good the food is and a very reasonable price plus that "Old World" charm will be calling our name.  A glass of Red Cat wine finished the meal.   All the food at our table looked great.  From jumbo shrimp, beef stroganoff, fish fry, cheese steak sub and chicken wrap, we all had a great meal and conversation.  Not to mention stepping back in time for a few hours.  The gang did the ultimate surprise......they had the bar play Happy Birthday and Hale Hale the Gang's All Here to honor Richard's Birthday!  ♡Priceless♡ He was just a little embarrassed.

Ron and Marcia took us to their friend's farm to see his huge Belgian Draft horses.  If I thought our Smokey was intimidating these big guys made him look miniature.  Good grief they are big but oh so gentle and loving.  A little rub on the nose and hand fulls of hay, they were all sweet.  The farm is on top of a long ridge with open fields and forever views on all sides.  A wood shop on one side of the barn with a cozy wood stove and a couple comfy rockers.  Now that is what I call a true "man cave".  I have a feeling someone might be thinking this is just what he needs in his barn.  Heck, I would love it with a little window looking in the barn.  I could spend winter days watching the chickens.   This guy looks like Sean Connery,  I'm not kidding.  That was an added treat!

Feeding time no matter what farm we are on.  Crazy but I love the smell
of horses, hearing them whinny and trying to nuzzle.