Marc Chagall, from Reims to High Falls

When I saw the magnificent stained glass works by Marc Chagall in the Reims Cathedral I was mesmerized, the beauty undeniable. I though about Chagall and back to the period in his life when he lived just down the road from my home in the small village of High Falls. The though that a genius whose works are revered around the world in major sites stirs my soul. It isn’t a well known fact that Chagall spent time in Ulster County yet I do understand just what might have attracted him, the light here is special, lighter. One quote of his I love is, “great art takes up where nature ends.” The change of seasons makes the little village different all the time. I am not sure where he lived during the period he spent here after fleeing Europe during WWII; it is on my list of things to discover here in the place I love, the list grows endless.

Harvesting at the Gill Farm, Ulster County New York

Picking produce isn't an easy job but these guys at the Gill Farm here in Ulster County were doing just fine and smiling. Every year the same folks come back to harvest the great growth. They have living quarters and their own lifestyle. It is great to see people working hard and taking pride in hard work. I doubt if it fits my rambling but markets and farm stands have always drawn me in.

Ulster County a Bit Like Tuscany, The New York Post and I Agree

I went to a great dinner party last night, a fantastic night sitting on the bluestone patio behind an 18th century stone farmhouse. As the sunlight faded the conversation turned from the world’s problems to how lucky we all were to live in such a beautiful area. I was asked what places I have visited most resembled Ulster County , NY . I though awhile and answered Tuscany.

I was surprised when reading the NY Post Magazine this morning that new weekend resident and fashion designer Edoardo Mantelli, stated the same thing in his interview. From the pictures I knew just the house he bought, another 18th century Dutch stone house down the road. I only wish I could have expressed my love for the area as well as he did. As I headed to a couple of local farm stands to get fresh corn, flowers and some wine it occurred to me that shopping for dinner here in Ulster County was again very similar to Tuscany. Welcome to the neighborhood Edoardo, you fit in just perfectly!

Ulster County's Train Tracks Lead to Sweden, Finland and Australia

I took a break from the desk today and wandered to an old train that I have passed by on the road for years on RT 209. I have loved steel rails since I was a kid. Here in Ulster County the railroad was once a powerful mode of transportation. In fact two houses down from mine an old station has been converted into a very cool home. Every morning I am home I walk the rail tracks that now go through the woods. As I explored the abandoned rail cars today I thought about some trips by train I have recently taken, Sweden, Finland and Australia. There is something so comfortable about a mode of transportation where all you have to do is stare out of the window and watch the world go by, All Aboard.