A few years ago I created a life size heavy duty coffin and used it in my halloween displays. I wish I could give you specific dimensions, but to be used correctly , meaning to have someone in it to scare people, it must be big enough to fit the person you want to hang out inside of it. Mine is over 6 1/2 feet tall. All I did was use a piece of 3/4 inch plywood. Basically start by measuring the person who is going in it.  Make it taller so they aren't squished and hitting their head. Add a few inches at least. After all, you never know what shoes they may wear. 

Then measure how wide their shoulders are and how far down from their head the shoulders are.  Add the few inches to that height.  Start at one of the 4 foot ends of the plywood. measure down the distance to the shoulders. That's your starting point. Measure the width for the shoulders, keeping in mind the need for moveable space.  Make sure that the line you space for the shoulders is square to the 8 foot edge of the plywood. Mark the halfway point and draw a line from the top to the bottom at the width of the halfway point. From the center line you just drew, decide how wide you want the top. Cut that number in half and measure each side of the line at the 4 foot side that width. Use a straight edge to connect the edge of the top to the edge of the shoulder line. Then using the height you determined at the beginning, measure down from the 4 foot end and mark the center line where you want it to stop. Determine the width for the bottom, then use a straight edge to make the outline from the foot to the shoulder. Cut it out. That's your base. Once that's done, determine how deep you need the coffin to be and cut strips of the plywood that wide. Cut them to your lengths of each section and screw it all together. Paint it black. Have your person wear all black inside and create something away from the coffin to distract visitors so they don't notice the person in the coffin and have the person in the coffin reach out and grab the visitors. If was a ton of fun when we did this. I still use the coffin as part of my halloween yard decor. I also make a top for it, and attached an antique looking cross on the top. It's a halloween decoration, it doesn't have to be perfect and I'll warn you that if you make this to hold a 6' 6" man, it will be very heavy!

The school of horticulture in Niagara Falls had many interesting plants, but because it was April, many were  not developed yet. However, there was a beautiful bed of periwinkle all in bloom.

Magnolia tree in various stages of bloom

Along Niagara Parkway there was a huge old magnolia tree and it had multiple stages of budding happening. Here are the pictures:

Early buds



emerging buds



full bloom

Trees in bloom, I think it's crab apple

Along Niagara Parkway there were so many trees in bloom. I can't be sure but I'm going with this as a crab apple tree. I always think of those cherry blossoms in Washington D.C as amazing, but these were just so pretty. If you recognize these as something else, let me know. I tried using my Audubon Tree Identification book to be sure.

Pictures of Niagara Falls, the Horseshoe Falls

Rainbows over Niagara Falls

I think this one was cool because it looks like it was split in half.



The large bird of prey flew in at just the right time.

What are the camping areas like at Fair Haven State Park?

Here are a few pictures from the bluffs area of Fair Haven State Park. These were the only sections open when I was there on April 23, 2016.

This is from the electric sites in the bluffs section 52-94 , the sites lower in number are a little closer together.

 

This is a picture of a sire and the rest room facility. The electric bluffs area is nicely wooded for shade and allows a little privacy between sites.



The non-electric sites along the bluff are on the side of the road away from the water.





But they have an awesome view.

What are the picnic facilities like at Fair Haven Beach State Park?

Fair Haven Beach State Park has two different areas for picnicking.  This first one is on a ledge overlooking part of the beach. It is located near a small playground, the parking area, and a bath house and rest rooms.

 You can see some of this picnic area between the two buildings.



There is another large picnic area where you can park close to the picnic area, but its further away from the beach.

What is the Beach Area like at Fair Haven State Park?

I always hate trying to decide what campgrounds to stay at if I haven't seen them, so I figured I would post a few pictures from places I've been so you know what to expect. These are pictures of the beach area. I'll also show other parts such as the playground, some camp sites, the picnic area, and views from the park. These were taken pre-season on April 23, 2016.




This view is from the bridge area near the parking lot looking out towards the bluffs.


 This bridge crosses between two parts of the beach. The channel is for boats that are unloaded in the pond to cross over into Lake Ontario and back.



This view is from the parking lot out towards the pier.

I researched the options for solar power and this is what I found. Part 3: Purchasing the unit.

Option 3: Buying Solar Panels

Why would you buy if you can rent or be part of a solar community?

Buying is still the best way to save money over a longer period of time. The negative side is that you have to come up with the money up front, then get it back through government rebates. However, once you own the panels, they are warranteed and maintained under contract by the solar company, but you don’t pay anyone for the solar power. For the next 20 or more years, the cost of energy supplied by the panels is free to you.

What if I make more power than I need in the summer and less in the winter?  Welcome to New York State! If you make more power than you need in the summer, it is fed into National Grid, or your power company, and they then keep track of how much extra you made. When you need more energy in the winter, then you buy those kilowatts back from the energy company at no cost, kilowatt to kilowatt. If you still need more energy, then you can still get more from the energy company, but you would then have to pay them for amounts over the balance you have from your solar overage.

Important things to know about buying solar.

If you are in New York State:

NYSERDA:  New York State gives the installers of solar systems a rebate. This amount is based on the system size, not the estimated electricity production. Many companies will list this in their estimate incorrectly using the estimated electricity production which makes the rebate look larger than it is. Always check the math that the salesperson gives you.

In 2015, the NYSERDA rebate was $ 0.50 cents. In 2016 it dropped to $0.40. Out of state companies have not kept up on this NYS change. Watch for wrong calculations on this if you decide to look into buying.

Example: On the same system the following data can be used.

Estimated electricity 9896

System size: 8.840 kw

X 0.40 = $3536 rebate amount

Or System size 8.840 kw.

Estimated electricity: 9896

X 0.50 = $4948 rebate amount

As much as I’d prefer the bottom option to be correct, the top one is. If you know your tax laws, you will not get a rude awakening because your salesperson doesn’t.

Also for New York State also gives a tax rebate of up to ⅓ the cost of the system up to $5000.00. The disadvantage is you have to wait until next tax season to get this refund.

There is also a federal refund. It originally ended December 31, 2015, but was recently extended until 2023 provided or until the money set aside has been claimed. This refund also makes you wait until your next tax year and if the money you are due back from the feds is more than what you should be getting back, that tax rebate carries over from year to year.

Projected savings with Solar purchase over 25 year period:

If your current electrical bill is $339 and you install an 8.840 kw system, it won’t be enough to make all your electricity, However, over the course of the next 25  years, that system should save you approximately $88,134.00 in energy costs.

An example of the expense for a 34 panel installation is:

System cost: $29,317.00

NYSERDA:   -$  3,536.00

Out of pocket $25,781.00

NYS Incentive -$ 5,000.00

Fed Credit -$ 7,734.00

Final System cost $13047.00

In addition you may be able to also get credit for “SREC’s”  Solar Renewable Energy Credits. The New York companies are not as familiar with this as out of state companies. If you were to choose an out of state company, they may keep your SREC’s and credit you a few thousand. If you take them yourself, you can deal with a Stock Broker when the value increases and sell them to a company that needs SREC’s as a government requirement and possibly make substantially more if you wait until the value increases.

If you have questions, ask me!

I researched the options for solar power and this is what I found: Part 2: Renting Solar

Option 2: You can now have solar panels put on your house or in your yard at no cost to you!

It’s all about Renting the Solar System.  

In the last year, or two, an alternative to buying solar outright became available because many people couldn’t afford the expense of buying solar but still wanted to help the environment and save on their energy bills. Renting Solar became available. The Solar Company owns the panels, pays for the permits, pays for the electrician, deals with National Grid, installs the system, and even upgrades your power panel if necessary. Your up front cost is ZERO.

How can this be? It’s easy. The solar company collects the solar energy then sells it to you at a cost lower than National Grid. Their bill to you is less, but it’s enough to pay for the equipment and installation, (plus a little extra for them I’m sure).It’s usually about ⅓ less than National Grid. It’s still saving you money and helping reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, but you don’t have to do anything but give up the space to put up panels. Over the life of the panels, you won't save as much as if you purchased the panels, but it still saves money and it's a more affordable option for many people.

I researched the options for solar power and this is what I found: Part 1 Community Solar.

I am a consumer, I don't work for a solar company. I am in the process of getting solar on my home. I have talked to a number of different companies and tried to be sure I understood all the information before making my decision. Between mistakes made by the companies and misrepresentations, I decided to post what I've learned to hopefully make it easier for someone else. There are three options described here. Community solar, renting solar, and purchasing solar.

Option 1: Solar Energy: The New Alternative: Community Solar Projects.

Shared Renewables

The Shared Renewables initiative (also referred to as community distributed generation) provides opportunities for renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools, and businesses to join together to set up shared solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects resulting in healthier and stronger communities and solar for all. Each individual member’s production will appear as a credit on their monthly utility bill. The first phase of Shared Renewables will focus on promoting low-income customer participation and installations in areas of the power grid that can benefit most from local power production.  Community Solar is an installation large enough to supply a community.

‘The Shared Renewables initiative will help people and communities across the state save money on local clean energy projects,’ Cuomo says, in a statement. ‘This program is about protecting the environment and ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of their ZIP code or income, have the opportunity to access clean and affordable power.’

Centralizing the location of solar systems has advantages over residential installation that include:

• ~Trees, roof size and/or configuration, adjacent buildings, the immediate microclimate and/or other factors which may reduce power output.
• ~Building codes, zoning restrictions, homeowner association rules and aesthetic concerns.
• ~Lack of skills and commitment to install and maintain solar systems.
• ~Expanding participation to include renters and others who are not residential property owners.

There is a local Solar company in upstate New York that just opened their Solar Community farm

You many have a Solar Community Farm near you. They can work in rather large areas. Don't be afraid to call and find out.

Allows homeowners or business owners an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of solar even if:

• Your roof is shaded or not south-facing
• In a historical area or in the middle of a forest.

It is owned by a third party who is responsible for the system.

The benefit to you is a lower energy bill and a green alternative.

I pose for the Papparazi, signed Canada Goose

So I came along and I saw this Canada Goose. I slowed down and pulled over to see if it would stay long enough for me to take its picture. I pulled down the window and asked if it was ok. I've never had an animal answer, but I was brought up to be polite. It posed for me, turning its head a different angle with every picture. If I had a camera that clicked as the pictures were taken, I'd have assumed it was responding to the clicks, but I was using my I Phone. I think the Canada Goose is just a diva.

White tail deer pose for the camera

There was a group of deer grazing right near the road at the north end of Riverside Mall tonight. They got a little nervous when I stopped and most walked a little ways away and turned there backs to me but these two played sentry and watched to see if I was a threat.  I've always found deer to be some of the prettiest wild animals.

Snow is finally leaving upstate N.Y.

The snow is almost gone and can be seen only in shady spots like under this pine. It's located along a small stream in South Trenton, N.Y. It's even hard to see, just under the arch in the branches can you catch a glimpse.

Muskrat Lodge almost ready for a new year

This is a muskrat house near the road in a small pond at the corner of Coombs Road and Mallory Road in Holland Patent, NY.  I know a lot of people find muskrats just large water rats, but I love to watch them swim and build their huts.  I think these guys are still hiding from the cold.  I know I'm showing my age but every time I hear the term muskrat, I think of "The Captain and Tennille" a musical duo from the 1970's or 1980's that had a song called "Muskrat Love". I think it's about time a rapper remade "Muskrat Love"!



If you don't know the song, here's a link to a youtube video of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs

This beach is the one they used for the white sand scene in Pirates of the Caribbean. This view was from our lunch pavilion with the Grand Bahamas Nature Tours. After lunch we were given tim to swim or walk on the beach. The sand was so soft and the waves were gentle. By far the best beach I have ever been on.

http://www.grandbahamanaturetours.com/

Dolphins Jumping in Close Encounter by UNEXSO

We went on the UNEXSO Dolphin Tours in Freeport Grand Bahamas.  They offer choices of swimming with the dolphins, or to be kissed by a dolphin. The staff was entertaining and knowledgeable. We chose the meet the dolphin and got kissed by the dolphins, but the following pictures were of the two dolphins we got to meet as they swam around and showed off after they were used as educators.

https://unexso.com/tours/dolphin-close-encounter-2/

Raccoons on Grand Bahama Island eat out of your hands!

 We went on the Grand Bahamas Nature Tours out of Freeport, Bahamas. The tour guide was great and knowledgeable. The kayaking through the mangroves was awesome. I really recommend this tour. And the best part was the raccoons. There's no rabies on the island and the raccoons come out and beg at the lunch pavilion and are trained to stay at the edges where you can feed them. They were so cute.

The link below is for the company that gives the tours:
http://www.grandbahamanaturetours.com/tour1.html

Nature Watch at Hudson River in Staatsburgh, NY

Watchable Wildlife at Mills Norrie State Park

Staatsburgh, Dutchess County
Among the wildlife that can be enjoyed atMills Norrie State Park are: wood ducks, common mergansers, great blue herons, bluebirds, muskrats, white-tailed deer, red foxes and river otters.

River otters, members of the weasel family, are particularly popular with the public. Cute and clownish, they are natural if inadvertent entertainers. For example, when otters slide downhill through snow, they appear to be having fun as they form troughs reminiscent of the pattern left by children usingsaucers. Although river otters are active year-round, they spend most of their time in the water. Look for them there or along the shores of various water bodies.

Nature Notes: River otters are primarily visual predators; their eyes are shaped in a way that helps them see under water. When the water is murky, their whiskers help them locate the movement of prey. Read more about river otters in Conservationist, The River Otter: Surprising Little Clown (December 2013).

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/1413a23

Great Nature Trail and Park near Rochester, N.Y.

Hike of the Month: Mendon Ponds Park

Monroe County
Mendon Ponds Park, named to the National Registry of Natural Landmarks, has 30 miles of self-guided trails and abundant wildlife. A kettle pond known as the Devil's Bathtub can be accessed via an easy .67-mile walk and is one of the unique glacial features from 11,000 years ago. The challenging East Esker Trail is a 4.7-mile hilly hike and travels through woods and fields of wildflowers. Most of the ten trail loops in the 2,500-acre park are between one and three-miles long. Six lodges and seven shelters are available for rental, and the park offers a sensory garden as well.

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https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYSDEC/bulletins/1413a23

Traditional London Tourist Sights

The London Tower

Tower Bridge

Big Ben

the Gherkin

What to do in Florence Italy

I only had one day in Florence, soooo, do I spend a long time waiting in line to tour a museum to see the statue of "David"? Or do I take a picture of the "David" statue outside the museum meant to entice me in?  I took the outside picture and went on my way to see other things.

Like what every tourist really wants!  Gelato!  And this shop had the tallest mounds of Gelato I had ever seen, and trust me, when I am in Italy, I try to be sure to sample as much gelato as I can.

Why yes, I did cut off his head. I wanted to see the architecture in the background, but now the only thing people notice is the headless statue.

You have to see  the Baptistry of St. John. The picture doesn't do the details and coloring of this structure justice.

 The famous bronze doors, you need to see those.

And the most important thing to do before leaving Florence is to rub the nose of "El Porcinello" at the straw market because if you rub it's nose, it means you will return to Florence. It's located at the edge of the old straw market. It's worked for me twice, we'll see if I get to go back again after this third time.