Renewal

We know three couples who are being married Saturday. It's probably because of the age of our children and our friends, who are parents of the happy couples, but it seems like marriages have reached a cresendo this year and in fact this month. There also seem to be babies everywhere I look, and sources tell me there is a connection.

The signs of renewal are particularly welcome for me now. Life goes on and will continue to do so.

...Addendum on closing state parks. A friend has written to the gov and the parks commish and pointed out that a problem with closing parks is that people still go to them even when there are no lifeguards or attendants. Thus closed parks are actually a hazard - we did see a few people being scofflaws and swimming at the Thompson's Lake beach yesterday. Posting guards would keep people out, but that of course would be even more expensive than keeping them open. Still waiting for an answer from the official.

.... Addendum on canal operations: OK, the canal ain't cheap. The state Thruway Authority, which we all support with highway tolls, planned to spend $395 million on operations and upkeep 08-'12, according to an '07 report. It takes in only $2 million a year from tolls on the canal.

So it's not as simple in just taking money away from the Legislature to save the canal. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said the state should consider leasing or selling adjoining land to pay for it. Sounds good, but the last time that was considered it turned out to be a giveaway to someone with political connections. Maybe that's worth looking at again.

It would be nice if all of those children the new couples are going to produce would still have state parks to go to and a canal system to enjoy in the coming decades.