I'm back in Syracuse

Oliver, originally uploaded by Melsky.

after my trip to California. It's good to be back. I had wondered if I would feel sad that I didn't live in California anymore but I really don't. I did enjoy the super cold summer weather in San Francisco a lot, and the bars and restaurants and the efficient and affordable transit.

After the Mojave desert, Syracuse seems really green and lush. Today it's not too hot, it's overcast and it was a pleasant day to get back. I slept all day after taking the night flight (left Ontario, CA airport at midnight).

My trip was very inspirational, I got a lot of ideas for paintings and other art. Since part of the trip was getting stuff from my old house in the desert I got a ton of beads and art stuff that I had forgotten that I had. I have to find a gallery or cafe to display my artwork here.

It's so great to see my garden and cats again too. The garden has grown a lot and did not have to be watered at all while I was gone. That is amazing if you have grown up in California having to irrigate everything.

Traveling

Oliver Helps Me Pack, originally uploaded by Melsky.

I've been traveling in California - San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, Hemet and the Mojave Desert. My cat Oliver helped me pack for the trip. People I talk to are surprised how cheap Syracuse real estate prices are.

Downtown Syracuse

Downtown Syracuse, originally uploaded by Melsky.

I really love that red and black building.

Jefferson Clinton Hotel

Jefferson Clinton Hotel, originally uploaded by Melsky.

I'm waiting to hear if the offer for our house is accepted. If it is I will post some photos here. They said it may be today but the person who has to officially accept the offer has been very busy. We are buying a foreclosure.

We had a nice fourth of July weekend. We had a barbecue on Friday and we went on a walk where we saw the fireflies I talked about in my last post. Then on Saturday my husband went to work and I did some work around the house and garden. Saturday night we ate at Lemon Grass, a Thai restaurant in downtown Syracuse. It's a great place, but expensive.

I have a bunch of restaurant reviews to write. Each time we go to a restaurant in Syracuse I write notes on it and tell myself I'm going to write it up in my blog.

Twilight in Eastwood

Twilight in Eastwood, originally uploaded by Melsky.

a great sunset the other night!

We have an offer on a house now. It's on Tipp Hill, which is on the west side of downtown. I'm really hoping it goes through.

Yesterday it was the fourth of July and we went on a walk. We saw some fireworks, both the ones on the lake from a distance and people shooting them off in the neighborhood up close. But they paled in comparison to the coolest thing - fireflies! Fireflies are magical and create an amazing sense of calmness and joy to see them.

Hello

Hello Cat Sign, originally uploaded by Melsky.

I've been very busy lately. We are house hunting and also planning a trip to California so I have not been online much! But soon I will upload some photos I've taken while driving around looking at houses.

We are probably moving to Tipp Hill, which is very exciting.