What Caught My Eye: Building and Sky at Runnings Parking Lot Photo

 I snapped this photo in the parking lot of the Runnings store. The store is adjacent to Hannaford grocery store on Arsenal St. in Watertown, NY.  This is an example of what I call a "flat" photo. No real emphasis on depth or clearly defined separation of foreground and background. It's what caught my eye on this day, Wednesday January 29, 2025.

What Caught My Eye: Building and Sky at Runnings Parking Lot

Snow Sculptors at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown NY: Photos

 The photos presented here were taken yesterday (Saturday), January 25, 2025 at the Dry Hill Ski Area. The snow sculptures were created as part of Watertown Snow Town Festival. The event wrapped up this evening with a closing ceremony and fireworks. I didn't attend that. 

By the way, this is me, photo taken by Jerry Merrill.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

Snow sculpture event at Dry Hill Ski Area, Watertown, NY.

A Cold and Beautiful North Country Day

It was a cold and beautiful day here in the North Country. When I first got up t was 5 below zero at our house in Chaumont NY. I drove my 2011 Kia Sedona van to Cheney Tire on State St in Watertown dropping it off to have some repairs done. From there I walked to our Clay St apartment and spent next 3 hours shoveling snow. The air was crisp and cold. The work kept me warm. People find it hard to believe, but I enjoyed every bit of it. Later in afternoon Cheney Tire called and said it was doubtful my van would be finished today. Work being done started out as replacing rear shocks and springs. However on way into town a new sound erupted. A thumping, bumping kind of thing. Tuns out a front wheel was loose. I guess I never torqued down the lug nuts on the wheel after I changed the front strut assembly last week.

This resulted in damage to the wheel, the lug nuts, and lug nut studs. So... more repairs... more $$.

State St, Watertown, NY this morning.

Selfie of me during walk from Cheney Tire to Clay St.

Cold, snowy scene in Watertown, NY.

Recent snow on tenants car, Clay St, Watertown, NY

Our Clay St house after I shoveled snow for 2.5 hours

2019 Kia Sorento Rear Brake Job

Friday January 10, 2025 I replaced the rear brake pads and rotors on our 2019 Kia Sorento. Actually I only got the passenger side done. The next morning I did the driver side. There had been some pretty ugly sounds coming from the brakes which prompted me to get it done. Parts cost from Auto Zone totaled $194.58   As for weather it was sunny, no wind to speak of and temperatures from 17- 20 degrees. 

2019 Kia Sorento rear brake job. 

2019 Kia Sorento rear brake job. 

2019 Kia Sorento rear brake job. 

2019 Kia Sorento rear brake job. 

Flat Tire, Broken Spring, New Tire, New Strut, 2011 Kia Sedona

Side wall damaged by broken spring reveals why tire went flat. 

So yesterday I took the flat tire wheel off my 2011 Kia Sedona and discovered a spring broke and the sharp end gouged through the sidewall of the tire. This was the passenger side front. This same situation occurred on the drivers side a year or so ago. I bought a replacement tire from Cheney Tire in Watertown. Price with tax & fees came to $247.66 

I then went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and bought a strut and spring assembly to the tune of $235.43    

Detail of reciept from Cheney Tire in Watertown for a Firestone all season radial tire, size 220 70R/16

 

Detail of receipt from O'Reilly Auto Parts for loaded strut assembly for 2011 Ki Sedona.

Today I removed the broken strut. It was 15 to 19 degrees outdoors today. I spent a good deal of time out there and was very combfortable. There was sun and no wind. I wore 2 shirts, a winter vest and a winter coat on top of all that. I also wore long johns and a knit hat, gloves. 

3/8 socket on brake line retainer bolt

17mm wrench on strut to steering knuckle bolt.

Strut and spring assembly removed.

View of broken spring on the strut.

Flat Tire Today

Front passenger side flat tire on my 2011 Kia Sedona van

About 10:30 this morning I pulled out of the driveway and heard a grity, grating sort of sound. I thought it was probably some ice built up in fender well and rubbing on a tire. Got a couple hundred feet down the road and heard a loud noise, maybe a bang or a snap. Got back into the driveway and discovered a flat tire on passenger side front. My tire pressure warning light never came on to alert me of low pressure. If that is defective then it's possible I drove around yesterday on an under inflated tire. Then by this morning it was totally flat. I haven't bothered to take the wheel off today. I suspect there is more wrong than just a flat tire. 

Other than that it was rather a nice day. Sun all day with some snow fall and high of 26 degrees. The snow was the light, fluffy type. Last nights low was 14. 

Later in the day I found someone's debit bank card in the parking lot of the Coffeen St Kinney Drug Store. I took it inside and gave it to one of the pharmacists. She recognized the name as someone she waited on about an hour earlier.

Found a debit card at Kinney Drug Store, Watertown NY. I altered name & account number with photoshop for the image posted here.

About 5:00 today I started a charcoal fire and grilled some hamburgers. At this time the temperature was 15 degrees.

Guitar at Flower Memorial Library 120th Anniversary

 

Inside the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY.

Today, Saturday January 4, 2025, marks the120th year of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY. I played guitar at their 2 hour party.There was a good turnout for the event. Quite a few people I knew attended as well as city dignitaries and other politicians and friends of the library. This was my first gig for 2025. I received many compliments. It went well. BUT- I forgot once again to ask someone to snap a photo of me playing at the event. I usually hand my iPhone off to someone to take a photo. It's possible I might get a photo from one of the attendees. Also, the local TV station was on hand covering the event. I'm writing this at 10:45 or so as I wait for the 11:00pm news. Maybe I'll show up in the piece.