Festive Moments

First, a rant: Pumpkins aren't expensive, so why would anyone steal the ones that the college put out as decorations? Like too many situations these days, it makes me despair about others' behavior. Have (some) people always been so selfish and greedy? Perhaps I've been too naive positive about human nature in the past and now, at 65, I'm finally seeing The Truth? I freely admit that I'm stupidly ethical, and that I intend to remain that way.

The sun and blue sky have returned to New York if not to Washington, where it's currently flooding. So far, the weather here is mild enough to allow this heat loving coleus to thrive. I love their variety of colors and designs!

However, I don't think the annuals have long, if you look at the low temperatures for the upcoming week. Older Daughter wasn't thrilled to see that snowflake for next Saturday either.

The trees are becoming more colorful though due to the colder nights.

The deer were grazing on campus, and Little Guy got to admire them. "Deer, deer!" He would rather they be "diggers" and asks for "more dig dig" every time we walk by campus. How to explain to a 17 month old that the construction crew has finished their work and that the sidewalks are now done? 

The sun was shining through the trees on our walking route, and after the Nor'Easter, that was wonderful to see. 

I dressed up (Haha!) in a plaid shirt, my best coat and boots to attend a college party. Before you get the wrong idea, it was for college staff and families and it was focused on activities for the little ones. Grandson enjoyed the sensory station with the dried corn and poured it between a couple of containers for what felt like hours. :)

My son-in-law knows I prefer to drink locally, so I've been savoring an occasional Brooklyn Oktoberfest. It's delicious! We'll be carving these pumpkins tonight as my visit (sadly) winds down. Little Guy will dress up in his monkey costume this weekend and I intend to take 100 several photos. In not so festive news, I miscounted my blood pressure pills and will be one short. Luckily, I take only 5 milligrams of Bisoprolol, so I should be OK. (hopefully) I'll save one for my Monday travel day since I'm sure I'll need it then as I re-navigate the Metro North, Grand Central Terminal, Ubers and JFK Airport. In the meantime, I'll ignore the reality of those stresses, as well as the worries about what faces me at home. It's all about trying to enjoy the moments right in front of us, isn't it? 

Comments

[Ally Bean]

People steal pumpkins then smash them in the street. It happens every year about this time. I don't get the appeal, but there you go.

Good luck with your travel plans. Having been at home for so long all the deets of your travel sound complicated, yet I know they aren't. You'll do great.

[kayak woman]

My husband has heard somewhere of pumpkin shortages. Certainly not around here and I don't think we import them from China ;-) Of course he also tried to tell me that Biden was going to give $500,000 to EVERY immigrant. Say what?

[Liora]

I despair about human nature a lot lately. Don't know what's happened to society. Now I'm sounding like an old person, I know.

[Joyce]

They steal and smash pumpkins around here...they like to smash them against our rural mailboxes. And yes they cause damage to the mailbox.
Can you get a BP med from a local pharmacy? Like a partial script?

[DougM]

What a rotten shame about the pumpkins being stolen from that display... I'll never understand the need for that (or seeing walls covered in graffiti in old buildings and the like, it's depressing & criminal). Anyway, it sounds like you've been enjoying your long visit, glad to hear it! :^)

[Kathy]

I drove past the I-84 exit for Poughkeepsie today on my way to Vermont! Enjoy the rest of your trip...

[DrumMajor]

Sounds like a jolly college party! Linda in Kansas

[Joanne Noragon]

Hard to believe it's ending; it's only just begun.
I'm sure disappearing pumpkins and college students work together.

[Zazzy]

Some people are incredibly thoughtless and stupid. I rarely see people even put out pumpkins anymore - in my teen years people went around the neighborhood and smashed them. I'm hiding inside for Halloween as I did not but treats.

I love that purple coleus! I have not seen one that color before. Have a safe trip home!

[Linda]

Hint from frequent traveler --- ALWAYS take more meds with you than the days you plan on being away. Emergencies can pop up at any time--- weather, plane delays, illness or just a change in plans. Also, always have your script number with you, just in case you need more meds or lose meds. Not a Dr. here, but 1 day without a pill should be alright. Safe travels home!!

[AC]

I didn't note the place, but some kids recently went into a cemetery and splashed black paint on numerous headstones. How can anyone enjoy doing that of all pranks?

[Ed]

Sadly people have always stolen or damaged what isn't theirs.

[Marie K]

Everything is expensive now, even pumpkins. And yes, people can be awful. I absolutely love your photos! The coleus would make a great screen saver or background!

[Tonya Watkins]

So sad about the pumpkins. I'm sure smashing them somewhere was the goal. There have always been awful people, I know, but it just seems like we are awash in them now.

I used to have coleus as a house plant, and for a while (sometimes QUITE a while, they would thrive and be absolutely beautiful). And then suddenly their leaves would dry up and fall and that would be that. I haven't had any luck here with house plants, as it's quite dim, surprisingly. I miss my garden window at our Des Moines house. (But I DON'T miss anything else about that house!) Heh.