Bongo's First Halloween

 It's Bongo's First Halloween!

The party is still going strong, but I'm taking a quick break to wish everyone a happy Halloween. Pep and Doughboy had fun helping Bongo choose his first costume. Bongo is Easy Rider, Doughboy is the Great Pumpkin and Pep opted to go with his Halloween sweater. 

Pep and friends weren't the only ones having a great time on Halloween. New York had perfect weather today and Jane and I went on an  adventure to the West Village. Even if we can't travel very far these days it was still possible to have a tourist day just four miles from home. We had no set plans and walked miles, spent time in a beautiful square and had a delicious lunch outdoors. We finished our afternoon with a wonderful gelato treat. 

Bewitched by the window at Grove Pharmacy

Captivated by Spider Man on West 23rd Street

Enticed at Empire Cake

The high point of the day... 

I'm leaving the high point of Halloween for tomorrow's post so we can start November with a fun surprise. 

I really can't believe that November begins tomorrow and that we are so close to 2021. This year seems endless, but clearly it's not. I miss making long term plans but I try to keep on as optimistically as possible. It's time to buy a 2021 planner and have faith that the year approaching will hold lots of great plans. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Hope your Halloween was lots of fun.    

 

Pink Saturday Celebrates Halloween

 

My two favorite costumes, Halloween 2020, as seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop. I was delighted to find a Halloween picture that had something pink for Pink Saturday fun. 

I read an article this afternoon that the retail forecast for Halloween this year was very low. But fortunately, the article reported, Halloween is in full swing all over the country. I had the same expectation for Halloween in New York City this year, too, and while things are more subdued, I can definitely see lots of signs of the holiday.     

This simple, but fun, decoration is right around the corner

 from my building. I smile every time I walk by. 

This is my favorite decoration of the season, at my favorite bakery in the neighborhood, Breads. I am always in awe of their well-carved pumpkin and this year lived up to the challenge. I wanted to see what their Halloween goodies looked like, but the line to get inside the store was literally out the door. It kept me from going in and I figure I saved at least a thousand calories.  

Boo Hoo! It's not even Halloween

I made my first visit in months to our neighborhood Marshalls this morning and was saddened to see Halloween goodies on sale already. Across the aisle there was a table of Thanksgiving treats and the staff was putting out the -- drumroll! -- Christmas selection. I was very tempted by a snowman soap dispenser, but I'm trying to restrain myself until at least November. I did buy two gifts, and if I can keep to plan, will get them wrapped and in the mail by December 1. 

I'll be back tomorrow with Pep and friends for Halloween fun. I hope you'll join the celebration. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

Happy Birthday, Subways of New York

 

From Broad Street to Coney Island, from Rockaway Park, Queens to Wakefield in the Bronx, a big happy birthday wish! 

When you think about New York City a few things come immediately to mind: the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, bagels and the vast NYC subway lines. I'm actually a couple of days late, but two days ago, on October 27, the New York City subway celebrated its 116th birthday. 

The first elevated trains were built in the nineteenth century and they were joined by the underground trains on October 27, 1904. The system was very different than the one we know today as it kept expanding to meet the growing city. Having an underground transportation system created the means for expansion in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens.

A mural designed by the noted artist, Jacob Lawrence, at the Times Square subway station

There are 472 stations in the system, which stretches 842 miles, including the miles of track in New York City Transit's yards, shops and storage areas. This is a longer distance than the 790 miles between New York and Chicago. Until this spring the system ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the hours now are 5:00 am to 1:00 am. 

Yes, it's an unusually clean and uncrowded subway car, but it is a real picture that I took a few years ago on the line that connects Times Square and Grand Central Station.

The subway is having some tough times these days with greatly diminished ridership, and a subsequent loss of fare. I'm hopeful that this iconic part of New York City will weather this most recent storm and keep providing transportation for many years to come. As a note to recent citizens of Buttercupland, I spent twenty years working for NYC Transit, which operates subways, buses and transportation for  people with disabilities. Most of my career was spent in the Department of Buses, but part of my responsibilities included subways. I am a great fan of all kinds of trains, but my heart is always with our subways.  

On a different note, this work week is coming to a close with no progress on our gas inspection. I think I was a little too optimistic that the promised event would take place promptly, and now I'm disappointed. I've kept my expectations low throughout this long wait, and now I will manage them again. But I'm hoping Santa knows how much I want a working stove for Christmas. Please, Santa!

 

Please be on the lookout for two days of Halloween in Buttercupland. I'm saving a surprise or two, but expect to see Pep (and friends) in his Halloween finery.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Gulf friends, prayers you came through this storm safely. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday at the Farmers Market

 

I've tried to do Wordless Wednesday posts, but there's always something I want to say, and this week is no exception. I stopped by the Farmers Market near Lincoln Center on Saturday and the bounty was, as always, beautiful. But unlike every other year masks were part of the scene and there were lines. 

I was definitely tempted to buy maple syrup and to try the maple cotton candy (at the far end of the booth). I successfully fought the temptation, but not sure if I will have the willpower when I walk by in the future. 

I loved to see the fabulous array of vegetables. My vegetable bin was well stocked last week, but I think I will need a return to indulge my veggie cravings for next week. 

I'm pleased to report that my visit to Best Buy yesterday was productive and Geek Squad member, Elijah, was able to get my mouse working properly. I realized it wasn't the mouse, but I may or may not have read the directions very well when I got it last April. And, as promised, I am supplying the link to my fabulous new masks at CAM Creations.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

It's Mailbox Monday

 

My new masks from my friends at CAM Creations.

We had days in March and April when the mailman didn't show up, so I've really come to value mail service. Often it's just solicitations and catalogues, but the last week has been a treasure trove of goodies. My first treat was my new masks. They're made by a friend and they may be the most comfortable masks in  my mask wardrobe. I loved being able to choose the fabrics and appreciate that they are reversible. I expect to mostly wear the buffalo plaid and the sock monkey sides, but it's nice to know that I can change them. I had hoped to include a link to CAM Creations site, but my mouse is beyond temperamental tonight, so no linking. I will post the link when I'm able.

A wonderful mailbox surprise from my

 Instagram friend, Ruth, who lives in Germany. 

Though I'm not traveling very far these days, I haven't lost my travel desire. Until traveling days return I'm happy to be a mailbox traveler.  The post card, featuring a castle that is now a school, now has a place of honor on my refrigerator, and the map book mark is waiting for me to begin my latest library book. Many thanks, Ruth!

Too cute, or what! These three little kittens have come to visit via Deb at A Day in the Life.  Thanks, Deb. I've put them on the refrigerator, too, and I smile every time I walk into my kitchen.

I made a list for the week and have launched right into it. I got to the post office this afternoon and bought my first set of stamps for holiday cards. I stopped at the drugstore to replenish some of my dwindling necessities and also managed to walk two miles in the process, which felt great. What's on your list for this week?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

It Looks Like Peak Pink Saturday

 

My lunch view on Thursday, Washington, Connecticut

Does it get more beautiful?

You know my answer to the question above. No! I've loved eating out of doors in New York City and so grateful for it, but I doubt if I will find a better luncheon view in 2020. I celebrated a friend's November birthday in her hometown in Connecticut. We have a favorite place there that was only doing takeout, so we went to somewhere untried, and we will be back again. It's starting to get chilly and our visit may have to wait for the spring, but it would be lovely any time of year. 

We opted out of indoor dining -- not my choice these days and anyway the day was so glorious -- but this would be lovely in the winter. There is a big stone fireplace and eating next to its warmth and glow is something I am looking forward to. December 2021??

After lunch it was time for leaf peeping. We drove around Lake Waramaug, and it was beautiful in every direction. The proverbial New England question at this time of year is "Is it peak?" It may have just reached the peak of autumn leaf season this weekend with just a few more cold nights to help things along, but Thursday was about as close to peak as I could desire. 

The view from the road to the lake...

And when I turned around this blaze of glory was in front of me. 

Some of my favorite moments were off the road at a small lake. There were no other visitors, no other cars and one lone kayak across the lake.

Waters ripple and flow

This may be my favorite picture of all the pictures that I photographed. It combines my bittersweet feelings about autumn. I love the beauty and the bright colors, but the falling leaves speak to my sadness about the end of summer and the coming of shorter, darker days. But on this gorgeous autumn day I was once lulled into forgetting what the weather might look like in two months and the layers I might be wrapped in. 

I've loved revisiting Connecticut today and glad you could all join me for this Pink Saturday. I hope you'll be back during the week for a museum visit and a few photographs from around New York City. I'm also pretty sure Pep and a few friends will be showing off their Halloween costumes.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!

 

(Optimistic) Breaking News

 I was about to title this post, "Breaking News." But I realized that in 2020, no good would be expected to arise from a post heralding breaking news. I had prepared several other posts that are much more photogenic, but when I got the news that the gas line (pictured above in my floor's trash closet) is scheduled to be inspected next week. There's still no word what day next week or if (praying and hoping!) the lines pass inspection the gas service will be restored. But this is a major step in my return to cooking and baking via my stove. I'm trying not to get too excited, but at least once an hour I start to dream about baking cookies in a real oven. 

Autumn in Connecticut

I don't want my only photograph of this post to be the trash  room, so as a feature of coming attractions, my Pink Saturday post for this week, I'm posting one of the pictures I took yesterday on a quick trip to Northwest Connecticut. This was taken only two hours from New York City, but it felt as though I'd entered another world. 

We're still enjoying warm and (mostly) sunny days, which means it's  possible and enjoyable to eat out of doors, including a lovely birthday lunch for a friend in Connecticut yesterday. So grateful for this beautiful weather, always enjoyable, but absolutely precious this year.  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care! 

Welcome to The Velvet Mill

Welcome to The Velvet Mill

In a world not that long gone, in Connecticut and all of New England, much of the employment was in mills and the factories that later replaced the original mills. When I was growing up in Hartford in the 1950s and 1960s, Hartford wasn't just the "Insurance Capital of the World," but one of the leading sites for manufacturing typewriters. Both Underwood, later bought by Olivetti, and Royal typewriters were made there and employed thousands, including my father, who worked at Underwood for eighteen years. 

But much of the manufacturing world of New England is now history or remains in a different ways. When I visited Connecticut in September we found a fascinating repurposed velvet mill in Stonington, The Velvet Mill. It's now an event space and home to restaurants and small businesses.

Once this was the home of Wimpfheimer Velvets manufacturing, which moved to Stonington from Astoria, New York in the early 1890s because of a malaria epidemic. The building had been built by the town of Stonington to encourage industrial development. 

Years ago -- before the company moved to Virginia in 1996 -- looms to make velvet filled these spaces. 

Some of the men and women who worked at those looms. 

 

We found this fun-looking ice cream shop -- a genuine old-fashioned soda fountain -- at the end of one of the aisles. Unfortunately it wasn't open so we couldn't sample the ice cream. However, since Sift Bake Shop was our next stop that day, we didn't spoil our appetites. 

I posted the picture of the beautiful black velvet dress above on my Facebook page. Several friends asked if I was tempted to buy it. Perhaps in a different time I might have been tempted. But I can only remember wearing a dress once in 2020, and my clothing purchases are mostly replacements for the few things I've worn out this year. Once we're socializing in person again -- how's that for optimism! -- I'm pretty sure I will look for a new dress for the first big event I'm invited to.   

On a different note, Wimpfheimer's Velvet is still producing fabric at its Virginia location. I noted on their website that they sell small orders to home sewers. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take care. 

Pink Saturday Goes to Stonington

 

The view from Stonington, Connecticut 

I  know we all enjoyed our visit to Mystic last week. But after we've had one last cookie at Sift Bakery and stopped for a slice of pizza, we would be remiss if we didn't drive east to one of the loveliest towns in all of New England, Stonington. You'll know you drove too far if you see signs that you're in Rhode Island. 

Stonington is at the far southeastern corner of Connecticut. It was first settled by European colonists in 1649. This area of what would become Connecticut was then land belonging to the Pequot people. The town began to thrive when its fleet became active in the fur trade in the 1790s. A remnant of Stonington's seafarer years is the Lighthouse Museum, built in 1840.

Alas, the museum is only open on weekends after Labor Day, so I wasn't able to see the interior and the exhibit. One more reason to return to Stonington. 

The day is sunny and mostly clear, but the winds were not calm. It was so windy that it took at least three tries before I could close the car door.   

We'll be returning to Stonington in the next post for a look at The Velvet Mill, that's now become an event space and a home to restaurants, craftspeople and shops. My visit to Stonington wasn't long enough and I missed getting photographs of the beautifully preserved houses in the center of town. That, too, requires another visit there. But even with this omission I'm glad I can share one of my favorite places as part of Pink Saturday.  

It's truly autumn in New York now. It's socks weather and I've come to the realization that eating outdoors may get a lot less pleasant as the weather is less cooperative. I'm trying to enjoy as much of the time outside as possible and remember that there is no bad weather, just bad clothes, or so I am told. I do think there will be some weather that will be much less conducive to enjoying lunch out of doors, even with heaters and tenting. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

It's Monkey Monday: Meet Bongo

 

                                        Pep and Bongo

Though last week was a tough week, we did have a little (very good) excitement. Thanks to my friend Lonni, Pep got a new buddy to spend time with. Please meet Bongo. Bongo is lively and a lot of fun and has been described as "drumatic." He's also a sharp dresser and made himself right at home with Pep and the group. Pep has been a lot more upbeat since Bongo arrived. 

 Several friends of Buttercupland and Pep have asked about the status of Pep and Nessie's relationship, including the big question. Will the two lovebirds get back together? I'd say it's fifty-fifty and for now they're both enjoying their single lives. However, I did see Nessie looking at wedding gown ideas on Instagram, so I'd never say never. 

In other news, today was fifty degrees and raining. As much as I'd like to hang on to every last scrap of warm weather and long days, the seasons change and autumn has fully arrived. We may get some warm days, but the days will grow shorter and one day I will take out my gloves and hat and acknowledge that sock season is fully here, whether I like it or not. I haven't yet heard any Christmas music in stores yet, so until then on warmer days I can pretend that October will last forever. 

Central Park on Sunday and a preview of 

Wedding Wednesday's Central Park wedding pictures  

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

Pink Saturday Returns to Mystic

 

We're visiting Mystic, Connecticut (as seen from the Mystic River Bascule Bridge) for our Pink Saturday fun

A slightly different view from the bridge, equally beautiful

I spent some time walking the main street and doing both window and actual shopping. I loved the big rocking horse and the autumn leaves in the background. The leaves had just begun to change last week, but with cooler nights, the area now must look spectacular.

I didn't eat here -- my focus was on local seafood -- but couldn't resist taking a picture for all the fans of the movie.
 

I've been home from Mystic for a little over a week and it's been a tough re-entry. Usually when I get home from being away it takes a day or two to get back into my routine of gym, Weight Watchers, errands and swimming. Add in time with friends, a museum visit and perhaps a play or movie and by the end of the next week I'm totally back on track. I have seen friends, done errands and I went to virtual Weight Watchers meeting and services, but the other pieces of autumn in New York are missing. No whining -- or at least not much -- but I miss the anticipation of a new season, as well as the new season of theater, movies and concerts. 

But I am starting a new virtual class on studying Bible texts from an interfaith perspective this week, going to a virtual author program sponsored by a major publishing company on Saturday and looking for a few virtual theater events to add to my calendar for the coming weeks. We've also got a big Monkey Monday announcement tomorrow and a fun Wedding Wednesday in Central Park upcoming, so I hope you'll stop by. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.   

Happy Birtday, Mom

 

Mom and a very squirmy Buttercup, winter of 1951

Today is what would have been my mother's 106th birthday. She's been gone over thirty years, but rarely a day goes by that I don't think of something I'd like to tell her. Maybe it's a television show I think she would like or time spent with a friend that she knew. Maybe we would be discussing something I saw on the news or a book that I am reading. 

My mother died a decade before computers became a regular part of our lives, but it would have been great to send photos to her and do video chats. But even without computers we found ways to keep in close touch and the phone and the postal service were our connections. I know she would have taken to technology and I'm sure she would have a treasured and well used Kindle next to her knitting on the coffee table.

As I've done so many times in the last thirty years, thanks again, Mom. Thanks for teaching me to cook and bake from scratch. Thanks for making sure I wore my retainers and went to Hebrew School, even when I was not very willing. In the last year I am especially grateful that my mother encouraged me to learn how to keep busy and enjoy my own company. One day when I was about eight or nine during summer vacation I complained that I was bored. To my mother, who was never bored, this was a violation of the Eleventh Commandment, Thou Shalt not be Bored. She gave me the choice of dusting or weeding the lawn. I never complained that I was bored again.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I had a great walk in Central Park yesterday and there will pictures to come during the week. What have you enjoyed this weekend?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Imagine: Remembering John Lennon

 

Remembering John Lennon, on what would 

have been his eightieth birthday 

It seems light years ago, but just a little over a year ago I spent a glorious three weeks exploring England, Ireland and Scotland. One of my fondest memories of the trip was spending time with my blog buddies, Ralph and Sheilagh in Liverpool. Another great memory of the time spent in England was visiting the Museum of Liverpool and seeing a wonderful special exhibit about John Lennon's life.

In this year where mortality seems to so close to every thought I didn't expect to be so sad thinking about how short John Lennon's life was. This year that he would have turned eighty is also the year that we remember the fortieth anniversary of his death at forty in December, 1980. His life was taken too soon and so senselessly. 

I know this isn't the usual post for Buttercupland, but it seems remembering John Lennon has opened the gates of sadness that I've, for the most part, held back throughout the long dark months of 2020. I will return to my more usual upbeat posts tomorrow, but tonight my thoughts are bittersweet, of great music and a life cut way too short. 

Museum of Liverpool

The photo at the top of the post is from the exhibit I saw at the museum, Imagine Peace, the sign for which you can see in the museum window. There were hundreds of little post-its surrounding John's photograph left by visitors to the exhibit. I know one of them was mine, though I have no memory of what I wrote. If I had the opportunity to write a post-it now I think my message would be just a few words.

Thanks, John Lennon. Miss you and love you still.

If you were writing a note of remembrance, what would you write? 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. Prayers for our friends in Louisiana. 

Pink Saturday Goes to the (Best) Bake Shop

 

The fabulous Sift Bake Shop, Mystic, CT

I was only away for slightly less than three days, but my visit to Connecticut included great scenery, history, fun and great food. It's difficult to choose a favorite eating place, but Sift Bake Shop, was an amazing discovery. The only difficult part of visiting Sift was making a choice. I almost ordered three pastries, but quickly realized that was more sugar than I'd had in months and restrained myself. If you look to the left bottom of the photo above, you'll see my choice. I ordered a lemon meringue croissant, which was croissant filled with lemon curd and topped with perfect meringue. 

I added one of the pumpkin chai macarons to my order because it was both unusual and the pumpkin drew me in. I hoped to save it and take it back to New York for a snack, but not surprisingly, I ate it the same night, and it was, not surprisingly, delicious.  

My other big temptation was the fabulous looking cinnamon sugar brioche, named for Ebbe, the wife of owner, Adam Young. I guess I need a return visit to Mystic to sample one of these goodies.  

My favorite flavors are lemon and ginger, and I'm not an especial chocolate fan, but these brownies called out to me. 

Please excuse the reflection from the plastic wrap, but I wanted to keep the notebooks brand new for our Challenge winner. In addition to our fun time at Sift Bakery, we have a winner for the Buttercupland Walking Challenge, Deb, from A Day in the Life. Our friend, Ruth, who lives in Germany set a walking record with 129 miles, but opted out of participating in the giveaway. Deb, congratulations! I'll be following up with you to get your address. Ruth, there will be a little surprise coming to you, too. Thanks, all, for being part of the Challenge.

A big thanks to Bev, who puts together our Pink Saturday fun every week. Buttercupland was featured in this week's post. What a nice surprise! Please stop by and have some Pink Saturday fun. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Happy Autumn

 

My dinner view last night, the Mystic River

Until dinner last night I was still living in summer. It was flip-flops and shorts weather and it seemed that it would go on forever. But as the sun started to set last night -- a beautiful out of door dinner looking at the Mystic River -- there was a chill in the air. I was glad I had opted for sneakers and long pants and had a jacket with me. Right on schedule autumn arrived in Connecticut. 

I wasn't away for much more than forty eight hours, but it felt a lot longer. I'm still sorting out my pictures and in the next few days I'll be sharing both scenery and food pictures. One of the food high points was a phenomenal bakery, Sift, that was as good as any bakery I've ever visited, and definitely deserves its own post. 

I've chosen my well-worn sneaker surrounded by autumn leaves to call for entrants to the First Buttercupland Walking Challenge. If you walked one mile for twenty-five days in September, you qualify. If there are ten or less entrants, there will be one prize and if there are more than ten entrants, two prizes. My goal was eighty miles and I'm happy to report I walked 82.2 miles in September. I'm setting that as my goal for October, too, but hope to do better this month. Please post your mileage by Monday, October 5 at noon and I will post the winner -- and the prize -- on Monday night. If you didn't quite make twenty-five miles, but came close, please join in. The goal was to encourage walking and the distance is less important than getting exercise. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.