Maiden Voyage

here i am writing from my new office - a small, red room upstairs in my 165 year old house in upstate new york. i just relocated from Minnesota, where i lived for 3 years. Before that i was also living in upstate New York - Albany- and i'm starting to feel that my destiny is this area since i have unexpectedly ended up back here. it feels like i have been on an extended vacation and have recently returned home.

it's a nice place to be - beautiful geography, interesting people and lots to keep one entertained and amused. i love the eastern u.s. i have spent most of my adult life living in the east - except for a 6 year stint in the midwest - and i feel most comfortable and alive in this part of the country.

so, i will concentrate this initial post to my new blog on the my observations about the place i just left - minnesota, and my new home, upstate new york.

what i like/will miss about minnesota:

1. friends. i met a lot of great people in minnesota, and enjoyed many stimulating conversations and new experiences. some of the people i met there ( mushy, G, Radeloff and Jeff) will be friends for life.
2. the most amazing blue skies i have ever seen. the colors and brilliance are much to beautiful to adequately describe, so i will not even make an attempt. let's just say i can still see those bright blue skies in my mind whenever i desire.
3. minnesota wild rice soup. mmm, mmm good. i will especially miss this in the winter.
4. minneapolis. what a great city. somewhat small, and easy to negotiate with all of the cool things one can find in larger metropolitan areas. it's worth writing home about.

what i like about upstate new york:

1. the food. even in rural areas one can find delicious food of all kinds. it's amazing really.
2. the geogrpahy. lush, green and hilly. the smells of nature here are so comforting and theraputic.
3. starry skies. on most nights one can enjoy the most peaceful, starry skies set off by the dark (almost black) background of the night sky. breathtakingly beautiful.
4. real farmers' markets. unlike the midwest where most agriculture revolves around livestock, what is grown and consumed here is mostly produce. farmers' markets in upstate have locally grown vegetables, like blueberries, lettuce, peppers, beans etc etc. that are absolutely delicious. and they also offer homemade cheeses, and lots of baked goods. i've become a regular at the northstar farmers' market located about 5 miles from my home.
5. the people. new yorkers are friendly, down-to-earth and frank. so far i haven't had to endure the passive agrressiveness associated with minnesotans (or what is optimistically referred to as "minnesota nice") in upstate. people shoot straight, and i appreciate that direct honesty.

okay, these are my initial musings from upstate. i want to write more, but still have a lot of unpacking to do and general home maintenence..........

to be continued......

JB