Coleslilwitch’s blog

After all the recent season and series finales, what are you watching on TV these days?

Just shows on CourTV. I like all the Cops shows. Other than that, we just watch our favorite shows on DVD or movies.

We're not home a whole lot during the summer, so I tend to watch movies on my laptop or PSP when we're traveling.

What is the most interesting class you have ever taken? 
Submitted by Melissa. 

There have been quite a few classes I've enjoyed taking, but I think one on mythology was my favorite. I have always been interested in the Greek and Roman Gods, so it was really fun to see how they compare to current religions. It might surprise some how close they truly are.

After a great rib BBQ at our house, we decided to grab the bikes and head out to a local trail for a ride. The trail is about 9 miles from our house and is gorgeous.
The weather was just perfect for a long ride, not real hot, just cool enough to make it nice.

We start riding and the trail is empty. We take it easy and stop quite a lot to get off the bikes and explore the ghost towns, side trails and just to rest. We ended up going 11 miles round trip. My legs were like jelly, but that's just a sign I need to get in shape.

While we were riding, we saw a HUGE bird flying around and when it got closer, we realized it was a bald eagle. I had seen them in zoos and aviaries, but never in the wild. It's quite a sight to see.

We stopped at a swinging bridge and crossed over. I do not do well on heights, so I was holding onto hubby in a death grip. The kids ran right across with no fear. Can't remember the last time I felt that free.

With the warm weather here, we'll be going on lots more day trips like this. Next weekend is the drive in and a baseball game. Hopefully, we'll get canoeing the following weekend and out camping.

VA Tech slaughter

I just had to do the hardest interview ever. One of the students who was slaughtered down there is from our area. Jeremy Herbstritt was a 27-year old graduate student who was a really good kid and could have done a lot had he been given the chance.

I had to call his grandparents and have them relive that horror of finding out their pride and joy had been murdered. :( The grandpa started crying, so I started crying. I felt like a fool, but I couldn't help myself.

This is the part I really hate about my job.

The eighth annual chainsaw carving rendezvous ends today. It was another nice event. I spent the week walking around the area, taking photos and talking to the carvers for the newspaper. They are a super bunch of people and I've never met one that wasn't willing to take time to talk or pose for photos.

For those who have never heard of this artform, the carvers use a chainsaw to make the most beautiful creations out of a log. It's incredible to watch them work. Our town is called the Chainsaw Capital of the World and every carver in the world wants to come here to learn and share.

I was finally able to buy a walking stick this year and I absolutely love it! Every year, they go too fast and I always seem to miss out on one. This year, I made sure to grab one the first hour of the 'vous. It'll get a lot of use this year as we're hiking around the State. Thanks to Jake Albright of Hanover, PA for your awesome work!

The auction was this afternoon and they had well over 200 pieces donated. The money raised goes in part to charity and to help continue the event next year. Several thousand dollars were raised while I was there for just about an hour, so I'm sure it'll be a good amount by the time it ends.

Hubby and I are going skiing with the middle school ski club this afternoon. No, you won't catch this girl strapping boards on her feet and fllying down a hill. I'll be in the lodge drinking cocoa and watching everyone fall. :)

This is the last ski club trip of the season. The kids are real excited and so is hubby. He loves skiing. As the kids were running out the door this morning, they deposit a stack of clothes that "have to be washed" before the trip. ARRGGGHHH!!! Why do they do this? I even asked them last night to make sure they had everything they needed ready. "We're ready, Mom" is all I hear. Then the morning comes and .......

Let spring get here soon and we can do what I love - go backpacking and camping. Then I can be warm.

Just got a call that my request for credentials to photograph Penn State gymnastics has been approved. :) That means I'm allowed on the floor for all their meets! They're hosting several big meets this season, so I'll get some awesome photos.

The first meet I'll get to is this Saturday. I'll be at two meets earlier that morning and afternoon, so it's a full day of gymnastics for us. Hubby also is a photographer and got his credentials as well.

Our kids will go with. T will videotape for us and A always likes to run numbers for the judges and time the balance beam for them. She hopes to join the local high school team next year when she hits 9th grade.

After the last meet, we'll stay with my brother and Sunday go to a State College Spikes (minor league baseball) fan fest. I hope to get credentials for that sport when it starts up this spring. Never tried before, so I have no idea how strict they are about freelancers getting on the field.