In Pittsburgh

A chilly day with snow flurries and a freezing wind.

We are staying in the Wyndham hotel in the downtown area near State Point park where three rivers meet.

Due to recent weather the huge landmark fountain is switched off and the area around is flooded as the rivers rise.

Flowering trees such as this early dogwood are struggling with the cold conditions.

The redbud is coming..

Cherry Blossom is out but shivering somewhat in the wind!



This evening in the hotel bar the tv was showing a live baseball match being played across the river at the Pittsburgh Pirates stadium...not exactly baseball weather..

Point of Rocks

Cleaning the Ducts!

It’s a beautiful day but the sounds of the birds singing are completely drowned out by the noise of this giant vacuum cleaner on the back of a truck, cleaning out all the air ducts of the heating/cooling system!

Celebrating 90 years

On Monday at my Leaving Potluck, we also celebrated the very special birthday of a fellow volunteer.

Yesterday when she came to the Bargain Loft at lunch time for her afternoon cashier shift, she had a surprise welcoming party with balloons, cupcakes and a little fizz!

Ruth has volunteered for the Bargain Loft for more than 35 years.  Many years before that she came to the US from her native Sweden.  

Hence April’s very apt decoration on her birthday cupcakes! Swedish Fish!

Table/desk for sale!

There are a few things that are just too heavy/fragile/awkward to bring home - or we don’t have a place for them.  One such is this unusual table with school desk insert that I bought at The Bargain Loft.

Hence we are trying out some of the local selling groups - without too much luck so far.

It is an interesting item!

Final Fire!

It was very chilly today and much higher temperatures are forecast for the end of the week.

Time to use up the last of the firewood - and the final few coloured cones that Lauren gave to David a few birthdays ago, to make a truly colourful final fire!

Leaving Lunch

This is a beautiful and very clever cake made by April  for my ‘Leaving Potluck’ today with fellow Bargain Loft volunteers.

A wonderful array of different savory dishes and desserts.

Lots of conversation and the celebration of another volunteer’s very special birthday.

 




A ‘team’ photo.  I am going to miss these lovely people!