The Rich Funke Blooper Reel- from his roast

Rochester, NY WHEC-TV 10 News/Sports Anchor Rich Funke was recently roasted. He's doing well and recuperating at home. :>

"The Rich Funke Blooper Reel from his roast: This is the blooper reel played at the Saints and Sinners Roast for Rich Funke on Monday, October 26."

Google Bike View

Google Bike View is coming to a street near you..... Very cool....

Harvest Home

It's autumn. It's my absolute favorite time of year. Spring is exciting, after the cold winter of our discontent, struggling and stressing and fretting, sick and closed in for months, if you live in the northern climes anyhow. Summer is a joy, freedom, time to run and play and party with long days which are warm and sunny. Do you ever get tired of it? I do. I find summer obligates me to activity, to garden, to work outdoors, BBQs and picnics and activities with the family.


But Autumn, along with its spoils of abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, brings a return to cooler days, often inclement, where nesting is sport. I like to find a quiet spot all to myself and settle in comfortably to relax, to read, or to just ponder. I like to have my housework done, and chill in a cozy room, all the better if a fire is lit. It internet is taking a little of this away from me. Do I ever find a moment? Not really- there's email and blogs and blogging and Twitter and Facebook updates. There I times I feel the need to just turn the computer off and make the world go away. It will wait for me. Nothing will be missed.


But we are going a little overboard here. It's October 12th and the weather bugs are bringing us snow. Earlier than last year. If that's possible. I'm not complaining, mind you, but I am sympathetic to the cause.


I've taken up hiking lately. I was afraid. I grew up camping and was a very outdoorsy little woman. I loved camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, and being a part of nature. I loved the National Parks, my favorites being Yosemite and Smokey Mountain National Parks. In fact, there are only 5 states I have not visited- Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Alabama, Rhode Island. But I married a man who is not an outdoorsman, aside from fishing, a man who doesn't like to camp or hike or be with nature. At my age, 50-something, I began to fear that I would grow old and never have the chance to spend time with nature again, camping, hiking, knowing the peace and joy in our natural environment. So I've joined a few hiking groups recently, thanks to the internet. I've been on two hikes, one which was a joy, the other nearly killed me but I'm fine. I just won't sign up for a "moderate" hike, and will not forget my nordic poles. But more on those later, in another post.


My other past-time lately has been dieting. I've got about 50 lbs. to lose, maybe slightly more. I'll spare you the picture. I've lost 12 lbs. and am quite satisfied with my progress. I have completely quit drinking alcohol- I feel it slows my metabolism so that I gain weight- but more so it stimulates my appetite and makes it so I don't care about the weight gain. I felt it was just best to quit. My new sobriety of about 1 month is sobering, I will say, and I am being fastideous about being non-dairy and avoiding the many foods to which I have allergies & sensitivities- dairy products, yeast breads, caffeine, chocolate, maltodextrin, sucralose, malitol. I have been happily juicing veggies for breakfast such as my favorite juice concoction- carrots, celery, orange, lemon, & ginger. Very fruity and satisfying. Today I used the food processor to chop some veggies for lunch and ate a rainbow- celery, onion, red pepper, yellow pepper, carrot, & cranberries, with lemon juice and olive oil- though I don't think the olive oil was necessary. And I found a raw food eBook of desserts which are raw food vegan, non-dairy, and quite healthy- except I think they may be fairly high calorie made with many nuts and coconut oil. I purchased Dr. Andrew Weil's Healthy Eating Magazine which looks mad interesting.


Needless to say, the season has brought a multitude of fresh fruits and veggies to nourish our needy hearts and minds and bodies. And it's brought us a time to relax and slow down from the rush of Summer. Happy Autumn!

Family On Bikes

I'm so envious of these folks- it was always a dream of mine to bike (&/or hike) an extended distance. This won't be happening for me and as I'm over the 50 mark, my chances to do most of the things I've loved or desired are over. But I've been following this Family On Bikes for most of their trek from their home in British Columbia, Canada, to the southern tip of South America, a 2 year trek with their twin 11 y/o boys, and Nancy and the family have done a wonderful job of documenting their trip. In fact, it's so good that you feel you are with them every step of the way- the ups, the downs, everything. Nothing is sugar-coated. The family is real, and really interesting.

My day, OTOH, has been pretty rotten. Last week I (think I) broke my right little toe. It most likely is but I never went to the hospital as there really isn't anything to do for it. Today I was in a hurry and knocked something off the wall. I realized awhile later that my left wrist is aching a lot, most likely strained and probably not much worse than that. Then I was on the balcony talking to Kate & Steph, turned around to walk back inside, and as I turned, hit my head on the door frame. Dang that smarted!! And I've got a bloody nasty URI on top of everything. Put me to bed and leave me alone! No, not to be.

Here's the Vogel video link:

Bicycling Nicaragua and Costa Rica from John Vogel on Vimeo.

Ride for the FD

A motorcycle ride was held today to raise money for families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The ride terminated in Brockport at the Vet's Club and there must have been 300 motorcycles parked. A large flag was raised over Rt. 31 as a symbol of patriotism. We forgot the camera, as usual, and had to use Gary's cell phone camera, which takes poor pictures and it is iffy whether they are received on my blog or not. I'm sorry the pictures of the guys riding by on their bikes didn't make it, but here are pictures of the flag, and folding the flag as it is put away.

YouTube: The PERFECT School Answering Machine

....and SO appropriate for the 1st day of school locally! Cate is a Senior- amazing! Hoorah!

Our Day @ The Great New York State Fair

Feed Me Gelato!

In 2000, I travelled with the Rochester Oratorio Society, with which I sang, to Roma- Italia, to Rome, Florence, & Milan, Italy. As we discovered these wonderful cities and cultures, on each corner we found a "gelateria." Each corner store looked somewhat like an ice cream store, except that the cases held square stainless steel basins laden high with a myriad of flavors and colors of gelato, an ice cream-like confection. It was delicioso! At the foot of Florence's Boboli Gardens was a small plaza. A few of my traveling mates and I had lunch there, which I finished with a Double Chocolate gelato. I'd never tasted anything like it, and haven't since. Gelato and the gelateria is slowly making its way to the US and spreading in popularity. I'm on a mission. I'm looking for that same delicioso Double Chocolate gelato that I had that hot summer day in Florence. Ciao bella!

Taken after lunch at the Boboli Gardens, Florence, Italy, July 2000

OK, so you're American. What, you ask, is Gelato? Gelato is Italian ice cream, only with a few variations. Gelato is generally made with fresh and natural ingredients. It has a very creamy, smooth texture-- with less air it is denser and therefore is more concentrated. The flavors are more intense. Gelato is a little bit of pure heaven!

La Dolce Gelato

May 20th 2007, 8:02am By Sarah Rose Stone

A light, delicious summertime treat, gelato is Italy’s version of ice cream, with three major differences. First, gelato has a more dense texture than ice cream, due to the fact that no air is mixed into the batch. Second, it’s moved into a forced air freezer immediately after it’s made, which keeps it about 10-15 degrees warmer than ice cream. Lastly, gelato has significantly less butterfat than ice cream, typically 8% versus ice cream’s 10% (and often much higher). By no means does that difference in milk fat mean it has less richness. The flavor develops as it melts in your mouth, giving you the guilty pleasure of ice cream with a smidge less guilt.

Ross Runfola, owner of La Dolce Vita, finds that his crowds get a bit larger in the summer, when the café serves up seven different flavors of gelato. Their gelato is available for take-out in three different sizes, or in a cone if you just can’t wait to dig in. They also serve gelato year round, so if you’re craving a cup in December, you can find it here.

As if gelato weren’t enough of an indulgence, imagine the sweet, creamy combination of combining a scoop with a shot of espresso. Called “affogato” in Italian, the steaming hot espresso melts the outermost layer while the gelato instantly cools the espresso, creating the most heavenly dessert on a hot summer night. Try it with chocolate hazelnut gelato. It can’t be beat.

La Dolce Vita, 1472 Hertel, 446.5690, call for hours

Note from the Editor: Though gelato is the term most of us are comfortable with, it is important to note that it is the singular form of the word, gelati being the plural.

All About Gelato:

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelato
WhyGelato.com: http://www.whygelato.com
Italian Gelato Flavors Decoded: http://www.italylogue.com/food-drink/italian-gelato-flavors-decoded.html



I went on an internet search for gelato in my home town of Rochester, NY, and some nearby communities. Here are my results.

Gelato in Rochester on Rochester Wiki
http://rocwiki.org/Ice_Cream?action=search&inline_string=gelato&x=0&y=0

Orien's Cafe- My favorite at present
1100 Long Pond Road, Greece (Corner of Long Pond & Maiden Lane)
http://www.orienscafe.net/

Roman Holiday Gelato (Open seasonally)
747 Park Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607

The George Eastman House Cafe', Rochester
900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
http://www.eastmanhouse.org/inc/press_room/07-06-21-3.php

Royal Cafe'
15 N. Main St., Fairport

Mona Lisa Cafe'
807 Ridge Rd, Webster, NY, 14580
http://www.monalisacafe.net/

Carmen’s Ice Cream & Gelato
1550 Route 332, (next to Farmington Country Plaza), Farmington
http://www.mpnnow.com/homepage/x1743989813/Gelato-is-only-the-beginning

Brandani's Pizza
2595 West Henrietta Road, Rochester NY, 14623

Roam Cafe'
260 Park Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607
http://roamcafe.com/

Gusto (dessert selections)
277 Alexander St, Rochester NY 14607
http://www.eatwithgusto.com/

Bacco's Ristorante (dessert selections)
263 Park Avenue, Rochester NY, 14607

Taka House Japanese Restaurant (dessert selections)
809 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580

Mio Gelato E Cafe
2703 W State St, Olean, NY

Dolci & Gelato
732 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/the_summer_weather_has_put

La Dolce Vita 1472 Hertel, Buffalo
http://archives.buffalorising.com/story/favoloso_gelato

Mario's Italian Steakhouse & Catering (dessert selections)
2740 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
http://www.mariosviaabruzzi.com/

Now closed are Wegmans Canandaigua Gelateria and Gelateria Parmalat in Eastview Mall.

Delta Airlines Honor Guard

Forwarded to me by an e-friend:

Dear Net members,

As a retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Colonel, I am truly touched by the actions of Delta's Honor Guard people and proud of Delta Air Lines for making this caring moment possible for our fallen heroes. What a tribute to those men and women who have sacrificed their lives to insure our freedom and safety. God Bless them.

This is from a friend at Delta.....makes me very proud of the Delta family:

My son, Ura (aka Bucky) told me about this video and the program Delta started a few years ago at the Atlanta airport. DL carries a lot of human remains shipments and they started an honor guard to meet and honor all our veterans. The honor guard initially was on the day shift only but recently expanded to the night shift and Ura has become involved. They honor all veterans not just those of our most recent conflict. In this case, the veteran is the father of a DL employee and he is being escorted by his grandson who is in the Air Force. A videographer saw one of these ceremonies and asked if he could film one and this is the resulting video. Brian McConnell is the DL employee who is heading this honor guard and he is trying to be sure we also honor the casualties of the Iraq/Afghanistan. I think this is a wonderful thing that was started by employees and makes me proud of DL. Ura has always been involved with things that honor our military like the military lounge DL sets up each Christmas. (in fact that is where he met his wife. They were both volunteering in the lounge). I am very proud of his participation.

Delta's Atlanta Worldport Honor Guard
March 20, 2006

"Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me and my life is done."
~William Shakespeare

One evening on the Atlanta ramp, Tom Schenk was delivering bags to a gate when he saw what appeared to be a soldier standing at the front of the aircraft saluting a coffin. Compelled to investigate, he walked to the belt loader, wading through bags and workers in their flurry of activity. There he saw a female Marine; she had tears in her eyes. He stood at attention and joined her in rendering honors. After the body was loaded onto a cart, Mr. Schenk, a retired Navy Petty Officer, introduced himself and inquired about the deceased.

The young Marine escort revealed that the casket contained the body of her brother. He was killed in Iraq protecting her and others in their unit. Unsure of just what to do, Tom Schenk determined at that moment that we must begin to show a greater degree of honor and caring when we have the opportunity. His passion drove him to rally support from many willing Delta employees.

The paint shop in Atlanta designed and created a special cart, on their own time, to be used when receiving a military body. Worldport leadership has continuously offered assistance, removing operational obstacles by allowing volunteer agents time to help in this effort. Caring people in Worldport Cargo have worked hard to make sure the special cart makes it to the inbound on time and that the escorts are carried to the correct outbound gate. The ACS Forum has welcomed, supported and promoted the Honor Guard all over the Delta system. A host of Customer Service Agents have dedicated themselves to making this unique service outstanding – occasionally donating time on their off days to make it happen. The Chief Pilot's office has made it a priority to keep everyone informed whenever they have a military HR and escort. A VFW post and other anonymous individuals have donated money to purchase flags, emblems and vests. What a caring and focused team we have here!

"It's the least we can do." says Mr. Schenk, "These people took a stand for us so we can continue our way of life." One of the escorts said it best, "It's so uplifting at a time like this to be surrounded by people who really care. It's an honor and privilege to know the people of this airline." We agree. -- Frank 'n' Carol Ann (Legge Wichterman) Faulkner, Chandler, AZ

Seashell- A Moment of Relaxation, by KassandraCreations