what about the plastic animals?

The Andre Monument

Jumping back to New York, but staying with the revolution theme, this little monument within a circle certainly looks peaceful enough but it has had a contentious history.  The monument is to British Major John Andre, who plotted with Benedict Arnold to turn West Point over to the British.  Those plans went awry and Andre was soon caught in Tarrytown.  He was then brought across the Hudson to Washington's headquarters in Tappan.  Andre was tried and convicted in the '76 House tavern (still open after 230 years!).   The monument, is maybe a half-mile away from the center of Tappan and is where Andre was hung and buried.

Andre's remains were returned to England in 1821.  In 1879, Cyrus Field, who laid the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable, paid for this monument.  Despite being a century after the revolution, the monument was controversial and was vandalized and blown up.  Field replaced the original monument with the current one and surrounded the new monument with the iron fence.  Someone tried again to blow it up in 1885, but it's been pretty peaceful since then.  After Field died his heirs refused to pay the property tax on the small plot of land and Rockland County, which could not find a buyer, took possession. 

The tacky brass plaque commemorating "the fortitude of Washington and his generals" was attached to the monument by the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society in 1905.

If you're really motivated and read the pages I've linked to you'll notice some confusion about the ownership of the land.  Rockland County says they took possession from the ASHPS in 1983.  Other sources say the county got the land in 1904.  If it weren't past my bedtime I'd investigate further.

They're Back

How long to geese live in the wild?  A pair of Canadian Geese return to campus every year, hatch a group of goslings, and leave once the kids are old enough to fly.  I noticed the geese a couple of weeks ago but haven't had time to bother them until now.

Speaking of large, flightless birds, the penguin cam at SeaWorld San Diego.

Soggy Sparkill

This is what happens when eight inches of rain falls in five days.  I went out for lunch on Friday only to be diverted through Sparkill because of a flooded road.  The Sparkill was mostly within its banks, but there was a large puddle on the lawn of the Saint Charles A.M.E. Zion Church.  I was too early for their St. Patrick's fish dinner, which is one day later this week.

More Grazers

These are the beasts I saw on my way to lunch this noon.  The deer on the left is our friend from last week.  The other deer was limping and doesn't look too healthy.  Old Tom completely ignored me as I stopped to take his picture.

Three Months of Change

13 May 2009

7 August 2009

This tent caterpillar nest hasn't fared to well over the summer.

Palisades Berry Report

The weather was too nice this afternoon to stare at a computer inside so I took a walk.  Blackberries weren't nearly ready.  A couple of blueberries were almost blue but most were not.  The Hudson was very brown from all the rain.

Orange Fungus

I noticed this big, beautiful orange and yellow fungus growing out of a dead tree while on a walk one day.

Verdant Nature Scene

I've been feeling burnt out the last few days and have had no desire to sit in front of a computer.  For a change of scenery I went for a hike in the woods while at work yesterday.  It was humid, the mosquitoes were hungry, and the black raspberries were just beginning to ripen.

'Shrooms on a Log

Seen on a rotting log during an afternoon walk at work last week.

Remembered:  Tomatoes for the bagel brunch.  Too bad I noticed them tonight.

Near Tragedy:  Fire burns down part of Gatorland.

Vote:  Tuesday.  Before primary I got more than one mailing reminding me of my voting location.  I've received none for the general election.  Hope I'm not disenfranchised.

Delicious: Pumpkin pie milk shake!

On Leaves

I took the top picture for no particular reason while taking a walk this afternoon.  The bottom photo is a slightly manipulated version.  It looks better large.