Astoria Park in September

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Astoria Park, postaday2016

Words aren’t even necessary, just look at how beautiful the views are at Astoria Park. The juxtaposition between the water, the sky, the birds, the trees and man’s contribution, it makes for an incredible reality.

My mother’s garden’s end of summer

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gardens, postaday2016, spring

All of the plants in my mother’s garden have exploded, at least doubled in size since last year. I don’t think we are going to even bother trimming anything now, it would probably be best to allow the plants to store as much energy as possible for the winter months. My plan is to do some hard pruning come next spring, no plant will be spared. It has become a veritable jungle out there, Jack would feel at home poking in and around the shrubs and miniature trees, lol. This is nothing a sharp pair of pruners, some muscle and a few hours next spring can’t remedy. 

Fall colors in the garden

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fall, garden, postaday2016

Fall has shown its face in my garden, boo hoo. Don’t get me wrong, the colors are beautiful, I’m happy to have them. I suppose I’m railing at what comes with fall, cooler temperatures and shorter days. We went food shopping earlier, the apples have taken center stage in the produce aisle, I haven’t yet had my fill of nectarines, I want more time with my favorite fruit. I shouldn’t wallow in regrets over a fading season.

There are ways to turn a frown upside down, I could cheer myself up with visions of homemade apple tarts, warm pain aux raisins out of the oven and pots of hearty soup. You can’t stop the passage of time, so why not try to find the best out of what time deems suitable to give you.

Too much excitement this morning

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Lulu, postaday2016

Lulu is back home safe and sound after deciding to visit the neighborhood for a bit this morning, she gave us a bit of a scare, it wasn’t her fault, the gate blew open, the dogs got out, though Stanley and Jack got distracted by our next door neighbor’s dogs while Lulu gave in to her curiosity to see what was beyond our backyard. It took all of a few minutes for Lulu to get away, she didn’t get far, she was seen in the center of town and then at the fairgrounds. 

What is so frustrating about trying to track your dog down is that while you go one way, the dog is running the other way and then circling around past you in another direction. That is what must have happened this morning as I was first walking to find Lulu and then in the car, as I went down every side road in Blandford, through the park, into the fairgrounds and down in the cemetary. There was no sign of her, but luckily Lulu went right up to someone at the fairgrounds and with her tags, we were called by the dog officer, alerting us that she had Lulu all set to be picked up and taken back home. Small towns are great for situations just like this, a curious dog wanting to visit for a change.

Stanley and Jack were very happy to have their Lulu back home, they definitely showed her a lot of love, sniffing her and licking her all over, making sure she was fine. I don’t think she minded too much.

 

Midtown Manhattan and blue sky

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buildings, postaday2016

Another gorgeous day in New York City, blue skies with pretty clouds, providing a dramatic backdrop to a myriad of different architectural styles that makeup what we know and love of the skyline. I can see how photographers can spend countless hours taking shot after shot in the same place, the city provides so much material, so much spontaneity, so much drama, that I think you would be hard pressed to capture the same picture twice.

My favorite perspective for pictures is up, regardless of the subject, I especially love to see the juxtaposition between old and new, tall and short, sleek and boxy, all these descriptors point to buildings of course and New York’s diverse architecture is a rich treasure trove for any photographic enthusiast. There is so much to see in New York, I am having fun seeing it through my cell phone.

Union Square Park

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New York, postaday2016

We took my aunt to Union Square Park to show her how lovely our city park system is, small islands of nature in the sea of concrete and asphalt that constitutes this great city.

Walking through the park, I was reminded that we have our own statue of Abraham Lincoln right here in New York, I used to know the history of the statue, but it has been too long since I read about it. My aunt was happy to see Abraham Lincoln’s statue, she is very aware of his historical importance.

Today was a glorious day in the city and we had a very lovely time together.

New York by night

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aunt, postaday2016, visit

Tonight my husband and I are staying in the city because my aunt is visiting from France, I’m so happy she’s here, I’ve missed her. 

My mother and I went to pick her up at JFK, we came back to my mother’s and spent the afternoon talking. My husband’s chili made an appearance for dinner, which was perfect, because for one, there was no cooking and second, my aunt had never tasted chili, so it was a brand new experience and she found it to be excellent. 

Tomorrow my mother, my aunt and I are going to visit around the city, I’m looking forward to it.

Great news at the neurosurgeon

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breakfast, postaday2016

We’re at the International House of Pancakes celebrating the fact that my meningioma in my frontal lobe is benign, not associated with my cancer and we just have to monitor it every six months. Hooray for us! Pancakes all around, though our son chose to have the banana and Nutella crepes with his sunny side eggs, bacon and hash browns. I had my pancakes with two eggs over easy, sausage and rye toast whereas my husband had a Denver omelette to compliment his pancakes. If there is only one thing to say about IHOP, they make a very dependably good breakfast, complete with non stop coffee, can’t go wrong with that formula.

My favorite chili chef

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chili, postaday2016

My husband’s chili is my favorite, I used to order chili way back when during my college days in the village downtown New York City, when my friends and I would go out to the latest restaurants, but I had no idea how excellent chili could be until my husband made me his batch, 26 years ago. His chili is a thing of beauty, the different textures, colors, flavors and its graduation in heat and spice, it is a symphony of taste, everything comes together without losing its distinctive voice.

I’m not giving away secrets, but it is safe to share that a lot of peppers, beef, pork, lamb, sausage, all kinds of beans, tomatoes, garlic and onions, herbs and the list of spices is quite extensive, and it all comes together like clockwork each and every time my husband while it up. It’s a beautiful thing.

Slobbering Stanley

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postaday2016, Stanley

Boy does Stanley have a big head. When he wants a kiss, he isn’t shy about it, especially when papa is eating ice cream, Stanley loves his kisses sweet, lol. Stanley worships my husband, he loves us all, but he is especially attached to my husband which is what I wanted, my husband is the most dog crazy person I have ever met and having a special bond with Stanley makes him so very happy. When our son comes by, Stanley is over the moon, but when our son leaves Stanley doesn’t get sad because he has his papa right where he needs him.

I don’t get jealous at all, Stanley gives me the kind of attention I like, he sits quietly to my side and I pet him for as long as I like, when I’m done, Stanley knows to go lay down. Several times during the day, Stanley comes for his caresses, I give them and we’re both happy. Dogs are amazing, Stanley knows us, he understands our differences and responds appropriately, getting what he needs at that moment from the human most apt to give it. 

And yes, Stanley does slobber when he kisses, even when he hugs, he slobbers, towels are a necessity when loving a dog like Stanley.