ITHACA AND MEETUP WITH FRIENDS FROM UB CLASS OF 1967/68

We came out two days ago.  It seemed a long journey and left us tired, but here were Debbie, Mike, Dawn, Robin Bobbie, and so we had a good visit.

Elizabeth skipped supper at the Antler's.  Too bad.  I think it was the best food we have had.  I had a great prime rib, others had lobster rolls.  Everyone liked everything.  The green beans were said to be very good, and they were undercooked crisp, but I just can't get too excited about green beans, ever.

Elizabeth would come when we went to supper again.

We did not go to Moosewood Restaurant, although we had liked the recipes in their cookbooks.  Robin and Bobbie reported it was crowded as was the Mall and the Cornell Campus.

I lost interest in Cornell when Robin told the story of his interview for entrance in which were forced on him courses in language he did not want, especially Latin.  I suspect that had I been in an interview, I'd have not entered.  Then, of course, all these dear friends would not have been known, and I would have not been at home with my Dad for the last three years of his life.

I slept straight through the first night, probably because I had no diuretics in my system.  

In the morning we paid for a breakfast at the Hotel Marriott where we all stayed.  It was good, but fairly simple and cost extra.

We went to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, enjoyed the displays and took a long hike (getting a bit lost) in the Sapsucker Woods (photos below)  It is the farthest I have walked in a long, long while.  I did take my little three legged folding chair and rest a couple times.  Still, it was a good walk for me, and I'm delighted to have done it.

Then we ate at the Ithaca Bakery, and it was okay, but nothing special and had loud music.  It took a long while to get a few panini sandwiches.

We went to see the Ithaca Falls and it is my favorite Falls now.  I loved it.  I even could walk to the base of it and have my photo taken by some very pretty Asian girls. 

I just loved the Falls.  It is my favorite now, even over Niagara Falls.

I brought home a rock to use as a card protector in poker.

At the foot of the Falls fish gather and I talked to a fly fisherman hoping for a trout or salmon.  He had caught a perch and rock bass.  If I go again, I'll bring my fishing gear.

We stayed in from the shopping trip Bobbie and Robin took.  I did not get a nap, but a nice long swim in the pool.  Just as I was getting out, Eliz joined me.  It was a nice pool.  Small.  Needed a good vacuum for sand.  Also the jacuzzi was broken, but I still liked swimming in it very well.

Before supper we did some more lounge chatting and Elizabeth offered cheese and crackers while Bobbie offered a maple syrup brand drink.  

Later we ate at the Culinary Institute.  Good food, but it made me have indigestion all night, and the next day I did not eat anything for 24 hours.

We talked a while in the lounge. 

Neither Elizabeth or I slept well and were tired when we woke.  We went to breakfast, but skipped eating, just talking to the gang.  

I signed y published poems in past years edition of  Robin's Bluff and Vine.

Then Eliz and I went to have the tire looked at, choosing not the Midas place, but a Goodyear dealer Trombley Tire & Auto Tire Store in Ithaca | Goodyear Tires

They gave us great service and took the screw out of one tire and patched that one and another that was leaking.  Great place; all done in a couple hours.

Then we went back and visited with Robin and Bobbie until we could do an early check-in at the Embassy Motel.  Instead of the over $300 Marriott would have charged us for this last night, we paid a total of $124 and the breakfast was free.  It is a downscale motel, but comfortable for my tastes and needs if too downscale for Elizabeth.

It allowed us to spend all of Friday in Ithaca and get a good rest before driving back.  What used to be fairly easy drives seem to exhaust us nowadays.

We took a nap and are went to the Antler's just down the street for supper.  This time the special was BBQ and Elizabeth and I had a chicken.  The BBQ sauce is vinegar based, my favorite.

We had fried green tomatoes.  The best I ever had, all done with goat cheese and shrimp.  I'm going to try the recipe.

We had a long talk with Robin and Bobbie at the restaurant, finishing outside.  Good stuff.  We had trouble remembering where I first really met Bobbie.  It was when she joined us at Ristaurant Paradiso on Central and Robin in Albany (now a Mexican joint) with Janice and others a long, long time ago.

No more stomach issues, but I ate light to be sure, and I took half of the chicken home. Robin had the gumbo, but I was not impressed.  Bobbie had glazed salmon, and it looked tasty, and she had chicken with me.

So that was the meetup.  Good fun and fine old memories.  We were especially delighted that Dawn could join us, as she was not sure she could.

We stopped at a large local produce and found the wonderful Concord Grapes as well as some gourds, tomatoes, corn and other tasty bits.  The corn there was the kind my mother best liked, smaller kernels and a mild taste.  It cooked well in the new Instapot, the first I have used that.  I had the tomatoes in an open-faced tomato sandwich the first morning home, and they were tasty.  As we were coming in the yard, Neighbor Jack was walking out, having brought us more tomatoes (some green for the next recipe) and assorted hot peppers.  

We had come up my favorite I-88, but we went home 13 and then 20 and finally the Thruway.  13 was a fine route with fenced pasture full of cows and horses, even on full of long horns, quite a sight. On 20 I could not find the old cheese store I remembered, but Quack's Diner is still open.  We did not stop to eat, just snacked and drove on.  

We did not have much traffic and were home in good time even with the wandering in back country roads.

PHOTOS

Here are shots from the Antler's Restaurant, that ended up as our favorite spot to eat.   

This is the Currier and Ives

tHE PHOTO WAS NOT TOO GOOD, BUT IT SHOWS THE FRAME.   HERE IS THE FAMOUS CURRIER AND IVES PRINT CALLED "BROOK TROUT FISHING"

IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT IS A HUGE METAL SCULPTURE OF A MOOSE.

On our second visit with Bobbie and Robin, we sat next to this outside after supper until the bugs started to come at sundown.

THE CULINARY SCHOOL RESTAURANT

I liked the meal, but it did not like me.  This is the last I would eat for 24 hours, but not the last of the meal reminding me of richness.

DEBBIE WITH HER CREME BRULEE

THE ITHACA FALLS

I'm contemplating life and such in the photo below.

MIKE AND DAWN

BOBBIE AND ROBIN

ON THE TRAIL AT THE CORNELL LAB ORNITHOLOGY

NICE OF THE LAB TO LEND US GLASSES

ON THE TRAIL.  NO BIRDS OF NOTE  We just all talk too much for birds.

STOPPING ON THE WAY HOME FOR CONCORD GRAPES AND OTHER TASTY BITS

RIVERS TRIPS IN 2022

8/17/22

Well, I had my faced mushed into the felt this trip to Rivers, losing $365 for a yearly poker score of plus $276.

I did win $40 at VP JOB with another straight flush and a couple quads.

But that still put me down $325.

I started at a new table. Good players, but no bullies so the poker games were in my bankroll range.

In one large pot I should have called my opponents river bet of $36, but it is still unclear what he held. She showed a queen and later said he had an Ace to a buddy, but I put him on at least two pair. I had pocket kings. I would have beat A-Q.

Another hand I flopped a straight only to have it beat by a full house. There my opponent missed a bet. He had a full house, 6's full of 2's and waited for the river. A third deuce fell and so I knew I was beat by anything he would have called with, so I folded.

Other than that, it was just a draining. I think I played okay. Just bad cards this time.

I enjoyed the friendly banter.

But it is my worst loss this year.

I came home at 4PM which put me in early rush hour, but the driving was really not bad. I knew I could not wait until 7 with no more money I wanted to put at risk. Riccitello's is closed on Tuesday, or I would have assuaged my losses with cavatelli.

Instead, I took advantage of shop rite's $9 a pound lobster sale this week and added a bag of little neck clams. I stopped at a local veggie stand and got four ears of this very small corn at 25 cents an ear. And Elizabeth and I enjoyed a fine evening on the deck with lobster supper

8/11/22

Well, Elizabeth went off to take a friend for a birthday dinner. So, I went off to Rivers.

The timing was right because I wanted to test the hypothesis that softer players play   around 4PM.  That was not the case this time.

Then again I joined an active game, not a new game.  

New games usually are my favorite.  Less money to overwhelm, and usually a mix of player skill levels.

The game I joined was terrible.  Betting was high and heavy, and one fellow with about a thousand dollars was just bullying. He acted two players after me.  That was not where I wanted him.

8/4/22

 Elizabeth had a gathering of her book club here at the house, and so I had to vacate the property.  

Rivers seemed a good refuge.  This is my second trip since coming back from  Florida.

I can't find the other trip.  There too I broke even on the VP, but I lost $130 when I went "all-in" with Ace high flush on the turn only to have 4-10 offsuit call me and score a 4 for a river full house.  The pot was large.  My all-in bet was $91.  Oh, well.

I arrived on this trip about noon and was put at a newly starting table.  

This session was terrible.  Most of these players knew one another and how each played.  I just kept getting drained.  My one good hand was when I held A-A and my woman opponent held K-K.  She made a good push out bet and everyone ahead of me folded to me.  I made an all-in bet which was just a few dollars more than her bet.  Two more folded.  She called.

My Aces held up and that was a good pot, bringing me back from almost obscurity.

I got my payback when another fellow beat my pocket pair of queens with his pocket pair of Aces.

In the end I left $180 down and limped over to the DD Bonus VP, hoping I'd get a royal.

They have a full-pay pay table in one section.  It earns no points, but it a great deal.  I was up and down and played almost two hours, cashing out even.

No Aces or Royal, just a few good quads.

Now normally I go up to treat myself to John Ricitello's for my supper, and I certainly thought I would do that, especially since the Savoy up near Turning Stone is closing, so that sort of old fashioned Italian restaurant is getting harder to find.  

But I just did not have enough appetite, and some days I just don't want to eat alone, even if the spot is a favorite and the food grand.

I won't drive home that early in rush hour traffic, so I checked to see about playing poker again.  After a few minutes, I again was at a new starting table.  

It was so much better.

There were some players who I did not think played very well.  One was to my right, had bought in for a good bit of money, and at first I was just happy to have what I expected would be good position on him.

My first hand was pocket Aces.  A decent bet put me head to head with this well funded fellow.  On the turn I had trips. I checked to see the river card as $300 is the high hand award, and four Aces is worth having.  Then I bet what I thought he would call, and he did.  

That one hand got me almost even for the day.  

The next hand I got A-10 suited, and by the river it had become two pair, so I took another good pot from the same fellow.  He was very unhappy.  Two hands we had played and his stack was greatly diminished.

He did not say, "Nice hand."

I liked the action at the table.  There were two and later three young guys who knew one another and they bantered with each other, so it was the tone of the kind of game I love, and a grand break from just a bunch of grumpy old men just talking the poker. 

I don't get into many conversations, because I wear a mask.  It isolates me talk.  I don't like that part.  I do like that it covers my tells.  

I did play at least one hand poorly, chasing a straight and calling my one opponent.  I did not catch.  He did not bet the river and only had A-K but I did not even have a pair to beat him.  

I liked showing because it gave the impression that I am not always as tight as I really am.

I did not like having lost the hand.

In the end it was a relaxed evening.  And when I left at just before 7PM I was $45 ahead for the day.

So since I started this move to no limit poker, in Florida, I am  ahead $470.  Not a bad score.

Some things about this poker room I love and some I do not.  We can't replenish chips from the dealer.  We have to go to the cage.  Next time I'll buy more than my usual $130 buy in and put the excess in my pocket.

I'm not a slot player, but I saw a guy not get signed into the poker because the time he spent at that table actually averaged back against his slot time and cost him comp money.  Seems a bit crazy to me.

The dealers are all good, keep the game going, are friendly and accommodating and often full of humor. The room itself is quiet with comfortable seats.  The dealers were remarking on the new felt tops which were easier for the dealers as the cards "popped".  I'm not certain what that means.

The casino floor by afternoon was very, very loud.  Next time I'll bring my noise reduction earphones.  There was on Irish slot turned up very high and overwhelming.

They have dropped the senior day of $55 rooms for those over 55.    Otherwise, I might stay and play two days in a row.

The RESTROOMS are close and easy to find.  They seem to have good security, which I would use were I to hit a large payout because there are a few seedy characters usually just outside the door.

I can't comment on slots as I never play them.  But for 55 and older who earn 55 points on a Wednesday, there are drawings for a few hundred dollars starting at 4PM.

I'm not impressed with the food.  I like the little Asian place, but it is a bit too table close for covid and not on my diet anyway.  The cafeteria has regular hamburger and fries sort of meals, and there is a dessert area with really rich looking cooking, cakes. etc.  Again, off my diet.

I can't beat John Ricitello's.  I spend $20 for a grand meal and portions are such that I take half home.  There are great homemade pies, but Ii

rarely indulge.

DRIVING

Driving is a great challenge for me.  It is better now as the Outback car has electronics for lane changes and such, but I am anxious.  As a result, I rarely drive anywhere.  

This new phone GPS route to the casino is so much better than the old one.  It avoids all the crazy ramps and such that have confused many of my guests and usually sent me in the wrong direction.  I developed my own route through the city, but now the GPS gets me there much easier than either of those.  

It even warned me of a speed trap.

And coming home, I was astounded at how little traffic was on the expressway.  I think rush hour has changed since the old days, so I just need to wait it out.  

And now I think the supper hour might be the best time to play poker.

So, all in all a good day of gambling.

VISIT TO TARA AND DANA

  To visit Dana and Tara we left midday on Friday and returned before dark on Sunday.  Tara let us have her apartment and stayed with Dana for the weekend.  It was just grand.

Her place is right on the Boston Harbor, but set back a bit. Her apartment lacks a full view of the harbor, but does have a good angular view and much can be seen,

 including a new tall ship turned restaurant that looks very cool and is all lit at night. If you wait through some of the day shots, you can see how she looks after dark.

The Tall Ship Boston | Welcome Aboard

Directly across the harbor was the downtown Boston skyline.  It was grand

There was an old Ferry here that took people for one cent and buggies for 6 cents.  It was always packed, and unlike the modern taxi boat, it did not have old tires as bumpers but just slammed into some well placed telephone poles.

There is a ferry now that runs weekdays.

Tara's apartment was very comfortable, clean and fresh.  Very fancy.  Just a hotel room in the area would have cost $800 for the two nights and not given us the full kitchen or as much space. 

Thanks again, Tara. 

Dana took the car and parked it at his place, driving over each day to take us places.  There was easy unloading parking right in front of Tara's place, and Dana took care of luggage.  It was all very comfortable.  Luggage is always an issue and driving in city traffic very difficult for both of us.

Friday night we ate fish and chips take out in the room. 

Saturday we went to see Jeff,  a friend of Dana's, play a gig at the 400th Anniversary of Weymouth, Mass.  There were some stands set up to tell of local places and services.  There was bling.  We came away with a nice carry bag and fanny pack from the bank.  Unfortunately, they did not fill it with hundred dollar bills. 
It was too hot in the sun, and a man working at the fair gave us some seats and water.  

I was just wiped out.  I had taken meds late and they kept me up going to the bathroom all night.  I think I counted 20 trips, so I was very tired on Saturday, even with getting two naps.

We had just grabbed a premade and heated egg and sausage from the local market in the morning.  By supper we were hungry, but also very tired.

We went down to the harbor and went to a restaurant by water taxi which ended up being quite long ride, so we really got a grand tour around both sides of the harbor. 

In this one, the downtown harbor skyline is visible.

In this one we are passing an old fire fighting ship.  

At the restaurant we ate these Aussie style  tasty meat and veggie pies with a side of Caesar's salad.  We were lucky because we got in just before the restaurant closed and were the last to be served.  Like everyone these days, they are having trouble finding help.

Across the street were some murals. One was of huge gulls.  On the top of one building was a huge fish sculpture.  I think it was this one, at least it is very similar.

We walked back to Dana's along the harbor and through Piers Park.

Piers Park (Local Guide) (bostoncentral.com)

Everything was very clean.   Way above average for a city.

Most of the folks in the park spoke Spanish, so as we walked I got a refreshing taste of phrases here and there. 

On  Sunday   Elizabeth and I walked the short block to the harbor and looked out at the views.  Amazing really.  

This one below is looking back at Tara's apartment house.

Above is the tall ship, now a restaurant.

This is the harbor where boats are tied to docks.

These roses were along the harbor, but they were more impressive at the Piers Park where we had gone the day before.  Very colorful.

There is a snowy egret on the second to the last rock in this photo.  It was funny to see this touch of Florida.

Dana and Tara arrived and we went about 10.30 am to a restaurant on the harbor called 75 and had wonderful clam chowder, seafood chowder, and a concoction of lobster on toast.  It was all very good.  

Across the street was the Boston Fish Market.

The weekend was rich in conversation:

mathematics - Dana's specialty.  He was quite interesting to listen to about how mathematics might be viewed more in conjunction with philosophy and history rather than just calculation.

old stories- Of course, there were loads of stories and jokes and banter from other times and places.

Dana showed us a painting of his father Paul which he is going to have restored.  In the painting Paul is looking out across the beach and to the ocean.  He is very young.  

Years ago I gave Dana a book of Goya paintings, and I borrowed it to read over while we stayed at Tara's.  It is a good companion to the one I found at a library sale for $1.  The art is better reproduced, but the discussions are short and succinct.  

The book is edited by Janice Anderson.

At Tara's, I amused myself with her Oxford book of quotations.  I particularly liked this one.

Alas, Alack!

by Walter de la Mare

ANN , Ann!
 Come! quick as you can!
There's a fish that talks
 In the frying-pan.
Out of the fat,
 As clear as glass,
He put up his mouth
 And moaned ‘Alas!’
Oh, most mournful,
 ‘Alas, alack!’
Then turned to his sizzling,
 And sank him back.