Old Memories, New Eyes

Cruising up 81 North from Syracuse today, 9/21/25, I thought I'd grab my memory stash and end up dancing through the woods.

We had 40 acres off Route 17 when I was 12. Now, heading towards Panther Lake in the Town of Amboy , Oswego County, I realize I don't know where that was exactly tly.

I just recall we had 40 acres of woods, a pond and a cabin.

Ferns eventually hugged my feet, and I would sit for hours, trying to write. The silence was wind and leaves talking to one another. We had only paper maps back then and never got lost. There was a public beach then and Mom would walk us there for a Saturday swim.

Today, as I struggle with the GPS giving me different commands over various hairpin turns on the county routes, we finally arrive at Panther Lake. I do remember the turn for the road that brought us to the rocky beach and convenience store. Now, it's all private houses, those on woodside and others , waterfront. We saw a sale sign

on one front lawn and discovered a large tent filled with usual memorabilia no longer needed. We talked with, ' Jan' who escaped Syracuse and loves her life there.

We chat for 35 minutes before heading on,

and found out her brother lives across the lake road on waterfront, but she likes her woodside place. I left my cards for my books and a sample of my humor.

The lake looks a lot more crowded

now. Somehow, the new visit there never took away my memory. I was too young and introverted to make any friends at the lake at 12. I came and went with family. Now I leave with a conversation and perspective. Old memories need new eyes and ears.

Heading north we find a Circle K and opt for a quick , easy bite which turns out to be a hot dog, chicken sandwich and coffee.

Jan ( at Panther Lake) had told us about a healing center with a labyrinth, but try as we might, our GPS couldn't find much on nearby county roads. It was suppose to be just 15 minutes away.

Getting back on track to 81 south was a drive. The scenery was lush and green and stress, besides the misfiring GPS, was low.

I was pulled into signs for the Salmon River preserve and trail area. I dragged my husband down the trail where we witnessed dozens of fishermen cast a reflection on the water that surrounded them. I took pictures , and enjoyed the freshness of the surrounding high trees.

During our pause near the lake, not one fish had been caught.

Back on the road ,my eye now caught 'Sale Today' and a series of open storage bays just about 2 miles from 81. Hubby is now remodeling a few units and needing a small gas stove among other things.

I saw it first. It sat there in the third open storage bay

and soon I found the manager and wife sitting in a little shack in front of the U HAUL store.

Every space had been filled up and walking through building rooms they were there at the end.

It was going to be just $100.00 to take the stove . The older man came and helped us load this in our van.

Before leaving we struck up conversation.

" Did I always live in Syracuse? " He asked. He soon opened his views on the right to bear arms-

and the fact that he's glad he left Albany .

His neice runs a bookshop in an airport near Orlando, and he took my cards.

Coming home was uneventful.

My excitement comes with new conversations, different perspectives.

I think of all the fisherman, standing in that cool water and realized how we all fish for memories. We hope to recapture, relive, ; when what we need is to see with new eyes and weave our unfolding life events and the best memories into the person we are becoming.

It takes patience. And the journey can be beautiful, all along the river.