Bicycling

After I was laid off at the beginning of the summer, my wife Ginny and I started going for bike rides on the Erie canal by Syracuse.  We started with just a 3 mile ride out and back.  after a couple of weeks of several rides a week, we went on a 12 mile bike ride to  Canastota, where we had lunch, then biked back.  I am now back to work with another company and I ride my bike 3 miles to work each day.  I feel much better health wise.  And we have a regular 6 mile trip out on the canal on Saturdays.  We have seen the seasons turn from late spring, and now into fall.  Often we see a great blue heron wading or slowly flying down the canal.  Early in the summer, there were geese families along the paths, with the parents hissing at us if we came close.  Ginny actually hit one by accident, as they refuesed to give us space on the canal.
We have had bikes in the past, but never did a lot of biking.  We both bought new schwinn bikes at WalMart last fall, for about $200 apiece.  And now we are in a biking phase.  So far only one  flat tire.

Universal Design

As I have aged, I have become more interested in handicap accessiblity.  We realize that our physical prowess diminishes.   We have lever type handles on all of our faucets.   When we switched our toilets to low flush 1.28 gallons per flush, we got the Kohler tank type "Comfort Height", meaning handicap height.  The higher toilet has been much easier to use.  Our contractor for the kitchen is "  ", which means

Kitchen Finished

Temporary Kitchen

After having our refrigerator in the living room, and using our toilet room sink for washing dishes for 4 months, we are moving back into our kitchen.
The room was completely rearranged, and appears to have more usable space.
Some new items:  The stove now has an exhaust fan, which also exhausts the new over the stove microwave. The dishwasher.  A large sink.  Lots of countertop.  New counters and countertop.  New walls, ceiling, refinished floor, plumbing, electric.  Part of the extra room was created by removing the cast iron radiator, which is replaced by a grill in the floor.  Ginny had a broom closet added as well, which is significant, since we have no closets on the first floor.
BEFORE PICTURES

Hoosier, toaster oven in background

Sink, radiator under window at left

Sink, Refrigerator, Stove at right

AFTER PICTURES

Stove and microwave/exhaust fan

Refrigerator where the stove used to be

Sink and Dishwasher