The Stations of the Cross

As we were driving home from Watkins Glen, we travelled through Olean, NY, home of St. Bonaventure University. I've driven through before but didn't have time to stop to take pictures at the enormous cemetery there. Luckily, Dave was game, so we took a break so I could take some photos.

St. Bonaventure Cemetery is home to a stunning collection of the Stations of the Cross.
The Stations of the Cross tell the story of the Passion of Christ in 14 steps. It's a common Lenten practice for Catholics to follow the Stations as a reflection of Christ's sacrifice. I'm a lapsed Catholic myself, so my interest in these was purely from an artistic standpoint. They are incredible.

The Stations at St. Bonaventure were constructed in 1926, and they are showing their age beautifully. I processed all of these in my beloved Lomo (A2D, link in sidebar).

Station I: Jesus is Condemned to Death

Station II: Jesus Receives the Cross

Station III: The First Fall

Station IV: Jesus Meets His Mother

Station V: Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross

Station VI: Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face with Her Veil

Station VII: The Second Fall

Station VIII: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station IX: The Third Fall
Station X: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

Station XI: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Station XII: Jesus Dies on the Cross

(Note: The Twelfth Station is built into a beautiful grotto with a statue of The Crucifixion on top. More on this tomorrow.)

Station XIII: Jesus' Body is Removed from the Cross

Station XIV: Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb

Name that Bug

As we were walking up some of the hundreds of stairs at Watkins Glen, we spied this strange beetle.

He was black with an iridescent, almost coppery sheen.

He was pretty docile, not trying to get away, even when I picked him up to move him to a safer location so he wouldn't get smushed.

Anyone know what he is? I looked at a couple of online guides but couldn't find anything similar.
Special note to DMack, regarding your query in yesterday's comments: No, they are not matching Chucks! Mine are grey lowtops and his are black hightops. :-P

Watkins Glen State Park

On Sunday, we woke before the sun was up. There was rain, but not too bad. We tore down camp, found a spot for breakfast (read: coffee) and hit Watkins Glen State Park.

The gorge trail extends for more than a mile and overlooks some 19 waterfalls. It was stunning, even in the grey conditions.

There are staircases and pathways cut through the stone....all very dark and mysterious.

And at every turn, you are rewarded with the most gorgeous views.

Lazy Summer

Yesterday, D. and I took a drive to Cook's Forest.

We had an awesome time. More fun than a state park should allow, in fact.

Snapped a few shots, but to be honest, taking pictures wasn't first and foremost in my mind, so you're missing all the best parts.

All in all, I'm enjoying my days and nights lately. Maybe even over-enjoying them.

Strange Days and the Passing of Time

I have no excuses besides some laziness for not posting anything here in over a month. Time just has a way of accelerating sometimes, doesn't it?

In the past 6 weeks, I have been (mostly) more happy than I have in the past 12 years.

baby geese with guardian, Presque Isle, late May

Dan has moved out. The sad part of that for me is that Liam is staying mostly with him for the summer. This is good for Liam and I know Dan will take decent care of him. It's just that Dan and I differ widely on what is appropriate and not appropriate for an eight-year-old boy, so when Liam comes back to me full-time for the school year, I'm sure I'll be faced with a very spoiled kid. No matter, though, I'll face that when I come to it.

In the meantime, I busy myself with working and taking pictures...

Waterfall at Wintergreen Gorge, Early June

and I have found a friend to have adventures with. (This would be a big part of the reason for my current state of happiness.)

At Rimrock Overlook, early June

Meanwhile, the kiddos seem to be adjusting just fine. Less tension is always a good thing for everyone.

At Cook's Forest, mid June

Emily and I are getting on well...she's attending summer school for Geometry so she can move on with her current math track in the fall. Her pierced lip still bothers me some.

At Presque Isle, mid June



And I am adjusting to this new sensation of calmness. I think this is what life is supposed to be like. The song I chose for this entry is called "Light and Day" by The Polyphonic Spree. One of the lines is "just follow the day and reach for the sun." Good advice, right?Sunset, late June.