Halloween in the 'Hood - Old Northeast

My seventh Halloween in the Old Northeast neighborhood.  Linda and Betty and Christine came up from Bradenton (about 40 minutes south of me) to join Steve and me for our Halloween tour around the 'hood.  We started with sandwich wraps and snacks before we headed out.  As time went on, the streets and sidewalks became more crowded.  We went out early enough and by the time the teenage crowds began to gather, we headed back home!

Happy (Belated) Birthday Mia!

I'm still playing catch up!  Happy Birthday Mia!  This photo was taken in Greenwich Village near my birthday this past summer.  I got to spend my day with Mia and Joe and Joy and Ruby and Red.

This picture was taken this past weekend (early November) when Mia was back in NYC for a few days.  She's with her best friend Ruby.

Mia will be finishing up and receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in December.  So it will be good to have her back on the East Coast!  Hopefully back in NYC!!!  I love you!!!

October Visit to Disney World

Adele informed us that The Manhattan Transfer would be performing at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on October 12 and 13.  So, a road trip was quick in the making.  It was Steve's first visit to Disney World.

We met up with Adele at Hollywood Studios just after 8 AM on Saturday.  Since it was early hours, the park was not very crowded yet so we got to practically walk on the several rides that we had selected.  We first headed over to the Hollywood Tower of Terror.  Always a must!  What fun!  Then we headed next door to pick up a fast pass to the Rockin' Roller Coaster.  In between we visited Star Tours and watched the new recruits duel with Darth Vader at the Jedi Training Academy.  We headed over to catch the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.  I have some friends in that show . . . the Turtle, the Black Fish and one of the Eels.  After the show we met up with Adele and had lunch at the Backlot Express.  We had hoped to eat at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, but because of a recent policy, visitors can reserve far in advance of visiting, so that all spots are booked before the park even opens!  I don't like that!!!

We then took the boat over to Epcot where we walked around the World Showcase visiting the different nations represented.  Just as we got there we caught one of the sets of the "British Revolution" at the United Kingdom exhibit.  They are so good!  Always a must see when there!  We then met up with Adele when she got out of work and caught the Manhattan Transfer show.  We had a great time, but being a Saturday night on a 3 day weekend (Columbus Day), the park was extremely crowded with people lined up for wine and food all around the World Showcase.

On Sunday morning we headed over to the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort where we met Gina for lunch in the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.  It was her first full day there for her new assignment.  I'm glad we got to catch her on her first day!

Now to plan more trips to Disney!

October Visit to NYC - Some Ruby and Red Time!

I was back in NYC for my seasonal visit to spend some G-Pa time with Ruby and Red.  Oh, and to visit with Joe and Joy too!  I found a place to stay via Airbnb right in the same building where the Js and Rs live.  It was a sweet commute in the elevator!

My trip was made, heck, my whole year was made when I first got there.  The battery on my cell phone had died and the phone would not even start up after we landed at LGA.  So, I got a cab over the LIC, headed up to the Js, and parked myself outside the apartment, plugging my phone into an outlet in the hall.  I wanted to send a text to Joy to let her know I had arrived.  I didn't want to knock or ring the door bell for fear of waking a possibly napping baby or toddler.  So I waited outside the door.  Very soon I heard some noise from the other side of the door and the door swung open.  There was Ruby and Red in the tandem stroller and Mama ready to wheel them out for an afternoon at the playground.  They were surprised to see me!  And Ruby said, "G-Pa!  Hi G-Pa!"  Right then and there she stole my heart!

The eight days were spent hanging with Ruby and Red.  Red has gotten so big already!  Six months old!  Playgrounds, playing games, reading books.  And . . . I was introduced to Peppa Pig and her family!  What a joy!

Thursday night I went into Manhattan to see the new musical "An Evening with Janis Joplin", still in reviews when I was there.  I LOVED IT!  I had seen Janis live four times back in the sixties.  I loved the musical numbers and the staging and lighting!

On Friday Gavin came down from Albany and we spent the day together.  We first headed over to the High Line Park and walked the length of it.  Then we headed down to the WTC.  We were going to attempt to go to the memorial, but the line for tickets stretched all the way to Terre Haute! We then walked over to the South Street Seaport and then up to Greenwich Village where we had lunch.

On Saturday I went with the Js and Rs to a seasonal pumpkin patch 'festival' out on Long Island.  We had a fun, although a bit (a bit?) overpriced!  Ruby loved the animals!

On Sunday we went into Manhattan and attempted to have lunch at the Shake Shack in the UWS.  Unfortunately the wait to get in was far too long, so we headed down to Bryant Park to get sandwiches at 'wichcraft.  It was overcast and a fine mist every so often, but we made the most of it.  And Ruby got to ride the merry-go-round!

As my time to return home approached, I made sure I got to spend as much time as possible with Ruby and Red.  On my last day Ruby and I got to spend a fun time at the new playground on the waterfront.  What fun she is to be with!  I'm looking forward to our next visit!  Hopefully, this January in Florida!