The first week in the Finger Lakes zooms by

   VALOIS, NY - The summer always flies by in the Finger Lakes for me. But it seems like this first week has been even more packed than normal.
     After arriving last Friday at the cottage, there's been the normal spring cleanup outside and in.
     But added to that was the Bicentennial Celebration in the nearby Village of Burdett, political events, an open house at Hector Handmade, music events every night and some mad dashing around to deal with a broken toe.

At Amanda's in Watkins Glen - ready to zoom to Valois

     Somewhere in there I had thought I would get back to work on the next novel. Maybe over the weekend?
     Summer is trying hard to arrive after a winter and spring that gave the region a helluva a pasting. But the weather prognosticators promise 80 degree temperatures in the next few days.
     More rain on Sunday. But by then I should be dried out.
     In the meantime there's no shortage of column topics for the Finger Lakes Times.
     It sounds like the vacation rentals in Watkins Glen are causing the police headaches again. The homes that were badly damaged in last summer's epic rainstorm are concerned about their tax bills (no income from summer rentals!). And the Geneva City Council is in the middle of a political meltdown.
     But those can wait a few days. I have a lawn to mow.

At home in Valois

First Finger Lakes' meal of the summer - at Village Marina in Watkins

Sunset from the Valois overlook