things i learned today: on the road to buffalo, new york

I learned that New York is nicknamed the Empire State, commonly believed to refer to the state’s wealth and resources. The true origin of the name is questionable, however.

I learned that the Tim Hortons restaurant chain crosses the border into New York even though Tim, a professional ice hockey player, was Canadian.

I learned that some fools think Trump is really going to save them.

I learned that a hamlet can actually have a name like Kill Buck.

I learned that you can drive legally on the shoulder of a highway for long distances when it is under construction.

I learned that wineries can have tacky names like Buddy Boy.

I learned that people try to be clever when spelling names, like Earth Worx and Leighty’s (Lady’s or maybe it’s just the person’s name??) Boot Warehouse.

I learned that I love songs by John Prine and Chip Taylor.

I learned that I love to sing along with a song that says “uh-huh, uh-huh” numerous times.

I learned that some people don’t need “room to breathe.”

I learned that deer don’t have a chance on America’s highways.

I learned that “anywhere you stand is my piece of land.”

I learned that I get annoyed driving on America’s byways – two-lane roads – where I’m stuck behind slowpokes crawling through small towns.

I learned that I’m going to ignore TLC’s advice NOT to “go chasing waterfalls.”

I learned that Elmwood Village has been named “one of the 10 Great Neighborhoods in America” and has green spaces designed by Frederick Olmsted.

I learned that I was able to say thank you in Japanese without even thinking about it: arigato gozaimas.

I learned that I’ll always be suckered into buying books at shops with names like Talking Leaves…Books.

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“PROSE” INVITATION: I invite you to write a 250-350 word post on your own blog about a recently visited particular destination (not journeys in general). Concentrate on any intention you set for your prose.  In this case, one of my intentions for my trip to Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls, was to write a “things I learned today” list each day.

It doesn’t matter whether you write fiction or non-fiction for this invitation.  You can either set your own writing intentions, or use one of the prompts I’ve listed on this page: writing prompts: prose & poetry.  (This page is a work in process.) You can also include photos, of course.

Include the link in the comments below by Monday, August 27 at 1:00 p.m. EST.  When I write my post in response to this invitation on Tuesday, August 28, I’ll include your links in that post.

This will be an ongoing invitation. Feel free to jump in at any time. 🙂

I hope you’ll join in our community. I look forward to reading your posts!

the ~ wander.essence ~ community

I invite you all to settle in and read a few posts from our wandering community.  I promise, you’ll be inspired!

• Jude, of Travel Words, wrote of her visit to Yvoire, a floral medieval village in France on Lac Léman (lake Geneva).
  • Impressions
• Meg, of snippetsandsnaps ~ Potato Point and beyond, wrote a third person nostalgic account of life in an Aussie town that wraps up a woman’s sufferings and celebrations all in one.
  • Swamped by the past
• Suzanne, of Being in Nature, wrote a beautiful post about a conflict with an aboriginal man at a bushland reserve; the conflict shakes her to her core, and brings her to a realization of how stuck she has been.
  • Moving on

Thanks to all of you who wrote prosaic posts following intentions you set for yourself.  🙂