Faerieland: Sundays in My City

Unknown Mami has a series called Sundays in my City and I'm joining the tour this week. When you're out for your Sunday blog walk, be sure to visit her to see who else is participating this week!


During my recent stay in the country I got to explore my friend's gardens with their hidden treasures. Now is the time of year that the gardens are being "put to bed" for the winter. But there are still things to discover... especially the faeries.



Some are in plain sight and others are hidden.

It's a treat to come across one of these.

One saves water in a flower for the birds.

Some are impish.

While others are more
contemplative.

Some faeries show the effects of the seasons, but have friends to keep them company.

Their expressions seem to change depending upon the time of day and the time of year.

And there's always the frog prince to keep them company...

All are a delightful treat to stumble upon!

Here's hoping that you'll find your own hidden treasures this week!

Beer, Beer Everywhere: Sundays in My City

It's time once again for....

This week I'm taking you on a tour of another Rochester landmark, this one made famous by my "Collections" post earlier this week. Many of you gasped in amazement at the mention of this local institution. Unfortunately, it's not actually open on Sundays, but I'm using it for Sundays in My City anyway... deal with it!

Anyway, here it is.... The photo tour of...

Beers of the World!

Not much to look at on the outside, I know, but once you step inside there's a beautiful, welcoming sight that awaits.

Beer, Beer Everywhere and Every Drop to Drink!

Imagine beers from every corner of the earth:

Every continent, excepting Antarctica, is represented here.

Offering many fine labels from which to choose....

The Genny Cream Ale is from our local brewery, while the others are from a little farther afield.

The Paulaner actually has my name in it... how cool is that?

And how could one possibly by-pass something called the Old Leghumper... I mean, really?

Every princess with Huge Tracts of Land needs Monty Python's Holy (Gr)ail Ale. (Tempered over burning witches.)

There's the Mojo in case yours goes missing, the 8 Ball Stout if you're looking for a better future and the Lake Placid Ubu Ale, complete with Adirnondack chair for relaxing.

St. Peter's Organic English Ale comes in a bottle shaped like Snake Oil Elixir.

From the Ukraine, there's Obolon "Svitle", which I chose over the Obolon "Bile"... because the name "Bile" made me throw up in my mouth a little bit.

There's the Celebrator, which even comes with a commemorative plastic goat figurine. (Perfect for Nanny Goats in Panties... if I can ever wrestle the little goat away from Vlad it's yours, Margaret!)

It was a tough decision on what to get Vlad for his birthday, but I finally settled on this collection for around $20:

They even have a wide variety of unusual beers in kegs for your next large gathering and a large collection of glassware from a variety of breweries for those of you who are a bit more refined and want to drink out of a glass.

I'm not sure how many beers they have from how many countries, but I do know this.... They have more beer in one place than this CatLady has ever seen before. And they're always happy to see you!

(Although I'm still wondering a little bit about the whole "the world's treasure to pleasure" bit... somehow is sounds just slightly naughty. Maybe it will make more sense after a few more beers.)

Hope you've enjoyed today's tour... Cheers! Iechyd Da! Skol! Salud!

A Stroll Through the Cemetery: Sundays in My City

Unknown Mami has a series called Sundays in my City and I thought I'd join the tour this week. When you're out for your Sunday blog walk, be sure to visit her to see who else is participating this week!

Since Halloween will be upon us before we know it, I decided to take you on a tour of...

Mt. Hope Cemetery

There's nothing like a stroll through the cemetery in early October to get your blood moving. Unless, of course, it's creeping through a cemetery Halloween night.  Nonetheless, Mt. Hope Cemetery is a popular destination for dog walkers and joggers in Rochester.  It has the distinction of being the first municipal cemetery in the United States and provides a home to the last earthly remains of some pretty awesome people.

For example, this  fine lady, whose name is synonymous with Women's Rights....

Susan B. Anthony's grave is unassuming and a little difficult to find if you don't know where it is.  In recent years they've added a little sign to point you in the right direction.

Upstate New York was a hotbed of rabble rousing women and the National Women's Hall of Fame is located not far from Rochester in Seneca Falls.

While Susan B. Anthony was a rather small, mousy looking woman, her voice was loud and strong!

Another Rochesterian with a strong voice was Frederick Douglass.  His physical stature was much larger than Susan's, as is his grave marker.

Frederick Douglass was a great orator, abolitionist and champion of women's rights who published the abolitionist newspaper, The North Star.  The paper's motto was:

"Right is of no Sex - Truth is of no Color - God is the father of us all - and we are all brethren."

A rather more obscure person, Buffalo Bill Cody's foster son, Johnny Baker, is also buried in Mt. Hope and it takes a real diehard to find his grave...  it's almost unaccessible, hidden behind a rather large mausoleum.  If I were him, I'd want my money back for the gravesite.  But then, I guess it's a little late to ask. 

Especially after these other folks moved in next door.  What's up with that?  (Epic fail on their unfortunate choice of tombstone fonts... I think they had to be Lawrence Welk fans.)

And the tombstone award for the most unusual name goes to:

XZOMIA

Now there's a memorable name.  I bet poor Xzomia got teased mercilessly in grade school.

Xzomia's memorable name leads me to a memorable event. 

While we were at the cemetery these people showed up...  

Nothing says "auspicious occasion" like having your wedding at a cemetery.   Although they do have a swell gazebo for wedding photos.

With it's steep, wooded hills, Mt. Hope is a beautiful place to spend eternity.  As for me, I'd just as soon be cremated and have my ashes scattered under a beautiful beech tree like this one.  

So, I hope you've enjoyed this little trip through Mt. Hope.  Until next time at "Sundays in My City."