Taking a little detour from the projects on my sewing table this week for a little walk along the Erie Canal. An ordinary walk on an average summer day.
Or so I thought!
The Erie Canal connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie, in other words Albany to Buffalo, east to west in the 1800s. Syracuse became a city because it was a significant stop along the canal because of its natural salt deposits, an essential for food preservation before refrigeration came on the scene.
Many parts of the canal have been restored for transit and recreation.
There is even a little store at this trail entry point.
An access point to the canal is located just a couple miles from my home.
Year round it's a great place for a walk along what used to be the towpaths - ropes connecting the barges on the canal to the mules that pulled - or towed - the barges along the canal. It's like walking on an old railroad bed - flat and few hills.
Today, there are no mules or barges, but there is a tour boat that operates by motor on the weekends for a quick history lesson.
For walkers, the trail is dotted with benches, often dedicated to a loved one who has passed on.
They look like this, I'm sure you've seen similar places to rest . . .
. . . Hold on! This bench is different. Instead of a memorial, the plaque says:
"On this site in 1897
Nothing Happened."
When I got home, I did an online search to learn that this type of plaque has been 'a thing' for at least 10 years or so.
You can purchase similar plaques from a number of online retailers like Amazon and Etsy. And the google search turns up many similar sightings around the world. Who knew? I got tired of scrolling, so I really don't know exactly when or why this 'nothing happened' thing started. I've probably walked this trail hundreds of times and this is the first time I've seen this particular bench.
As if the bench wasn't strange enough, I happened to catch a glimpse out of the corner of my eye to see - a googly-eyed tree!
Here'a a closer look! As if it's saying, 'here's my shocked face'. . .
Amused, I posted the photo in the Quilt. Stitch. Connect. facebook group to get some creative captions for the photo - some of which include, in no particular order:
- Oh no. . .They're back again!
- Oh my gosh!! Since when did this become a nude beach?
- Whatever it is, LEAF it BEE!!
- OMG, the quilters have taken over the pavilion!
- I knew I'd rather be a fence, I can't unsee this!
- Did you see the size of that Pileated Woodpecker?
Jump over to the group and read all the creative and amusing comments!
Now, what kind of person puts googly eyes on trees? It wasn't me, I swear! But this might just have to make an appearance in my yard at Halloween!
For next time. I'm feeling a little guilty. I performed drastic surgery on one of my quilts. I think everything will be okay. But I can't shake this uneasy feeling that I've done something wrong . . .
Happy Stitching!
Head Hummingbird
Hummingbird-Highway.com
Leave a Reply