You know, you guys almost mean more to me than my family!

Much appreciated!

What a spectacular greeting! So nice of you!

Cut it now!

You are right. I am trying to focus on the good in my life, and there is a lot of it.

I suppose I am dealing with a bit of a family induced emotional hangover from last weekend, but I will snap out of it.

Are you from the NY Cayuga Falls? They are very beautiful! Did I ask you this already? It's kind of late and I'm a bit sleepy, so I don't remember.

I'm from Ohio originally, grew up on the Cuyahoga River near the Falls there.

So kind of a play and twist on two places I love for my name.

I think I am missing my upstate NY origins. It's so beautiful up there. Here is what Cayuga Falls looks like there.







Anyway, it's a beautiful area, as is much of upstate NY. I just think it's one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the world, but of course, I am biased. I am sure where you are from is very beautiful as well.

I think you got us on beauty, I love their beauty. I used to hike a lot on vacations and I agree upstate NY is beautiful.

Here are some pics of what remains of Cuyahoga Falls today as the building of the dams destroyed the big falls.

Brandywine Falls


Remnants of the Big Falls...


The gorge


The Little Falls

I have done quite a bit of traveling, but I must say some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen are right here in our own backyards.

We really live in a country that is rich in natural beauty. It is a shame that we are being governed by someone who only shows the world our ugliest side.

Thank you for sharing, cayugafalls! Nice chatting with you!

Not great quality, but for some cheer, here's a photo of Penstemon (wilcoxii, I think) and some Cinquefoil trying to sneak in.

Thank you! Very beautiful! Such a nice treat!

Hope all is going well with you and your new little pupper! And of course Boog and the other babies! They are all so adorable!

And I know, it's tough for me, too, remembering birthdays I spent as a kid with my extended family. Hang in there and know that your DU family is here for you!

Good to hear from you! Such a kind message! You all make up for my family!

I haven't been in the video forum much since it's summer and everyone is on vacation, but I always appreciate your posts. I hope all is going well with you!

And many more!! I wish your first fam wasnt so unthinking but it sounds like you’ve got another kind of family of your choosing that love you to pieces!!!! And your DU family loves you, too!! Wishing you the very best and every happiness!!

Very kind of you!

You guys make up for everything!

You can't choose your family, so sometimes it's your friends who really make the difference, since after all, they chose you.

Very sweet of you!

If not for the pandemic, i would bake you a cake and we could smoke some weed and I'd play some killer tunes for you!

I'd then entertain you with my so called "humor"!

Smoke some weed anyway, and play some killer tunes for yourself!

You ALWAYS entertain me with your humor! Keep it coming!

People have already posted the things I would have said to you.

But I can empathize with feeling not as important to some people and it really hurts. I feel more vulnerable than I ever have in my life and when people can't be bothered to extend the smallest of courtesies, it hurts.

DU is family!

You get it. I appreciate your understanding!

Where have you been lately? Haven't seen much of you. Anyway, very sweet of you!

I'm sorry that I'm so late in wishing you a Happy Birthday.


I'm happy to hear that your friends remembered your birthday and always try to remember, family isn't always blood relation.