September 2023
Each year, the Scottish Games is held on the Altamont, NY fairgrounds. Scottish culture, food, and music are on display. Most importantly, the Games feature bagpipe bands in competitions, ensemble performances, and a mass band show. Below, I have posted videos of Ensemble and Mass Band performances.
Scottish Games – Ensembles (9.2.23)
Scottish Games – Mass Bands (9.2.23)
July 2023
After an 18-year gap in my vacation schedule, I made a cross-country trip (1) by train from Albany to Los Angeles, via Chicago, (2) by car from Los Angeles to San Francisco, (3) by train, from San Francisco back to Albany, via Chicago. The westbound and eastbound train trips took 3.5 days each. I reserved a private “roomette” (sleeping cabin) for each of the train trips. Below I have posted links to videos of the trip, which will allow you to access the files I posted on You Tube.
Westbound Trip (Chicago to LA) Part 1 (7.10.23)
Westbound Trip (Chicago to LA) Part 2 (7.11.23)
Westbound Trip (Chicago to LA) Part 3 (7.12.23)
Pacific Coast Hwy (CA-1) (7.13.23)
Eastbound – SF to Chicago 1 (7.15.23)
Eastbound – SF to Chicago 2 (7.16.23)
Eastbound – SF to Chicago 3 (7.17.23)
I recently had an array of beautiful art photographs matted and framed so I could hang them in my home. These photos, except for one, were taken by my son, Mark, and I wanted the framing to complement and enhance the amazing images. Quite accidentally, I stumbled on a talented young artist named Grace Tatara, the framing manager at Michael’s in Albany, NY. She did a beautiful job framing my photos. She has a superb eye for color and design.