"There is nothing more satisfying than building something yourself.
Ya, I know, Margaret wants me to fix a few things first."
Actually this is a neighbor's barn just down the street
Our address is: 1007 Newell Road, Middlesex, New York 14507
Yes, James Bond's "1007"
Well, it's been since April that we posted our last blog. We hadn't meant to be so slow to re-post, but we have been pretty busy since arriving in New York in June. As you know we came here to the Finger Lakes region of central New York state to build a small summer home on land left to me by my father. Last winter we made all the preparations we thought we needed to do to take occupancy in early July.
However, as anyone who has ever built from scratch will tell you, "Plan on doubling your estimated move in date." The lot is five beautiful, hilly acres located a mile away from Canandaigua Lake ("Beautiful Spot" in the Seneca Indian tongue) with an unbelievable view for miles. But as we found out it is also in a Water Shed District. That meant weeks of delay while more permits, changes and tests were done to give us the go-ahead. Those issues and about ten others meant we could not move in until August 17. Although it took more time that we anticipated we were happy to see it all come together while were were here.
The greatest pleasure was gathering family and friends together on a Monday morning and watching the two huge trailer trucks pull each piece of the house up our hill and lay them perfectly on their pad. We all cheered when the job was done. Below are a few pictures of our progress.
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| Getting ready to break ground |
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| The hill was carved out and the foundation blocks layed |
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| Foundation filled with rock and cap poured with utilities imbeded |
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| What skill these men have for moving the huge halves of the house onto the foundation . Laid it down within 1/8" |
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| Margaret videoing the movement down our circular driveway onto the pad. |
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| They labeled them Part A and Part B We had twins delivered |
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| Later they installed our propane tanks. |
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| Our beautiful creation yet without its concrete skirting |
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| The deck is on with its breathtaking views |
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| A view looking up from the trees below. |
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| The living room and edge of the kitchen |
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| Our bedroom. The headboard is from 150 year old tin ceiling tiles from the old Buffalo, New York train station. |
We are now happily settled and can call it a real home now. Every morning we get up and look out the back windows and count the white tale deer grazing in the field. Once in a while a red tailed hawk will pay us a visit. And at night we listen for the howls of the coyotes in the neighborhood. There is never a dry week here. We get more than our fair share of rain. At least two or three thunder storms a week this year. This has caused us to live in a mud hole at times as we still have not been able to replant our hill and erosion builds up fast.
We do lack for conveniences here. They closed the only grocery store in town a few months ago. It was called "Margaret's Market". But no dice. Margaret will not reopen it even if it bares her name. So, we drive about 16 miles up to Canandaigue to shop. If we forget something it will have to wait till next time.
We love our little branch at Penn Yan about 20 miles south of us. They have always been small in number, about 30 to 50 out to services, but just like any other ward or branch in the Church have a nice small building and a great spirit. Our branch president has willingly served for 14 years. And is still going strong.
Margaret and I, although not formal members of the branch, have been asked to teach the Temple Preparation class. We have three members getting ready to go to the temple. We hope to still be here when their time comes.
If we leave a half hour earlier than usual on Sunday to go to Church we can see all the Mennonite and Amish farming families leaving also for their church services. There are dozens of small, black carriages on the edge of the roads with one horse pulling each. Then either in front or behind are dozens of their children riding their bikes. They are wonderful people. They buy up old farms here for pennies on the dollar in cash and within a year or two they have made them neat and beautiful show places. But they do stay pretty much to themselves.
We have met many wonderful neighbors since moving in. Because we are so few and far between we watch out for one another. There are many more local gatherings that bring us together like the monthly roast beef diner sponsored by the local fire department or the late evening fire ring around the lake. We all bring long highway flairs and light them at dusk to circle the lake in a bright crimson glow. So quiet and beautiful.
But most of all we have enjoyed the visits by so many family and friends. Even though the cabin was not done for most of them we did enjoy the beauties of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, Niagara Fall and boat rides up and down the Erie Canal. Elaine and Tina were here when the big move was on and we didn't get a picture.
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| Joe and family in the sacred grove |
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| Jay and Norma Mansfied at Niagra Falls |
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| Lane and Merilee Herrick on the canal near Seneca Falls |
Shout outs for these last few months.
Brindee and Koy graduated.
Tragen came home from his mission,
Raymond and Candy going to Idaho to see family, Chuck and Joanne going to Alabama to help children, Phil and family being chased by bison at Yellowstone, Elaine and Colton got engaged, and Gilbert released as bishop. If we missed someone it is because you haven't told us so we can share.
One sad event to note, dear Dorothy passed away in July after a long hospitalization and numerous surgeries. All our sympathy goes out to Paul and his family.
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| Dorothy Marie Domm Hickey July 4, 1972-July 17 2013 |
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| Julie and Nicole |
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| Sheena and Casey |
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| Jonny in the middle with friends |
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| Phil, George and Julie |
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| Paul and Julie |
Now that most of the work is done we can finally start to do some family history research and reading for which we came. Margaret has already assisted a sister in the branch find many of her ancestors who were Dutch and settled in Palmyra. I bought new tires recently only to find out that my salesman was a "Domm" on his mother's side. Surprises all over the place. We love it here and know we did the right thing coming back. We will be busy and happy for many years here. Come see us when you can. We'll be back in Utah early in December.
In closing here is an old Ozark saying, "Always be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."
Good by till next time.
