october gratitudes {october 31, 2022}

“When gratitude becomes an essential foundation in our lives, miracles start to appear everywhere.”  ~ Emmanuel Dagher

Looking back at the month of October and I am grateful for...

🎃  Meeting up with sorority sisters for another fun Homecoming at Wittenberg and Stomping on the Seal, a privilege extended to graduates which started in 1990.

🎃  Watching the trees transition from summer to fall. The colors have been particularly vibrant this year.

🎃 After closing on our house in Columbus and driving back to Dayton, T had to be on a work call, so we stopped in Springfield and got subs from Mike and Rosie's. We went over to Wittenberg's campus and while T was on the phone, I walked around campus. Wittenberg has an observatory and while I was taking photos of the building, a professor emeritus walked out, we started talking, and he told me about his upcoming trip to the Grand Canyon where he will be the Astronomer in Residence from November 21 to December 21. Can you imagine spending a month star gazing at the Grand Canyon?

🎃 My little grandson is 4 months old and he is rolling over. I am so lucky to be his Didi.

🎃 Seeing the full Hunter's Moon as a big, orange ball in the sky. How appropriate for the month of October.

🎃 Having fun with cooking, challenging myself to use up food in the pantry and freezer before going to the grocery store. These inflationary food prices have made me focus on use what you have so there is no food waste.

🎃 The first year Cleveland Guardians in their short but fun run to the World Series.

🎃 My first job after college was working as a paralegal in the largest law firm in Dayton. A good friend from those days at the law firm retired from his legal career and his wife had a surprise retirement party for him. So much fun catching up with people I hadn't seen from that part of my life for lots of years.

🎃 A trip to NYC with good friends. Three days packed full of sight-seeing, walking, eating, immersing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the city. When we were on the subway, the "Poetry in Motion" on some of the subway cars made me smile. 

🎃 Doing Fall things: Taking a walk at Cox Arboretum, walking round the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow with over 1000 carved pumpkins, walks at Carillon Park, and historic Woodland Cemetery.

🎃 Buying two gigantic heads of cabbage from my friend's farmer's market and then making and freezing two dozen cabbage rolls. 

🎃 Celebrating my brother's birthday with a dinner in Cincinnati and then the next day celebrating my son's birthday in Cleveland with wonderful desserts (cannoli, tiramisu, and creme brulee) from Presti's Bakery in Little Italy.

🎃 And on this last night of October, Trick-or-Treat night, the Monday Night Football game put the Cleveland Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a four game losing streak, the Browns beat Bengals 32-13 in the Battle of Ohio. My family went to the game and I stayed with my sweet grandson. Everyone was happy with their Halloween treat.

roosevelt island {october 30, 2022}

Planes, trains, Lyfts, and one more way we got around NYC, the Roosevelt Island Tram.

The Roosevelt Island Tram runs from 2nd Avenue and the 59th Street Bridge (aka the Feelin’ Groovy Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, and the Ed Koch Bridge) over to Roosevelt Island. Our unlimited MTA passes got us there and back with gorgeous birds’ eye views of the Manhattan skyline, the bridge, and the East River.

Roosevelt Island used to be closed to the public but is now home to a residential community and a number of parks and landmarks. Historically, one sees glimpses into New York’s past: the Renwick Ruin, a former smallpox hospital; the Octagon tower, the remains of an insane asylum; and a 19th century lighthouse on the northern tip. The island was called Minnehanonck by the Lenape and Varkens Eylandt (Hog Island) by the Dutch during the colonial era and later Blackwell's Island. It was known as Welfare Island when it was used principally for hospitals, from 1921 to 1973. It was renamed Roosevelt Island in honor of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1973.

Upon our arrival to Roosevelt Island, we strolled along the riverside walk to the south end of the island while admiring views of the Upper East Side and the United Nations. Our destination, Four Freedoms Park, a four-acre memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelt that celebrates the Four Freedoms he articulated in his State of the Union Address to Congress on January 6, 1941.

Here comes da tram!

Peekaboo, I see you, Empire State Building!

Old signage in Brooklyn

The UN with the ESB peeking over its shoulder

FDR's Four Freedoms

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech, and expression—everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium.

It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.

the witch of bethesda terrace {october 29, 2022}

Prior to our trip to NYC, I had seen a post on Instagram about a witch carving on one of the stone posts at the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. I put it in my notes of “Things to Find.” It’s easy for little details to go unnoticed, especially in a place as big as Central Park. Bethesda Terrace is an iconic, two-level point of interest with so many stunning visuals: the fountain, the lake, the boats, the Minton Tiles, the musicians, the people roaming around. It’s so easy to get sucked into all of that and consequently overlook the details.

At the top of the Bethesda Terrace and at the north end of the Central Park Mall, right before the staircase that can suck you into the tiles of the Bethesda Arcade, go the to the western pier. Here’s where you’ll find two stone posts. The Witch flies on the western face of the western post and at this time of year is a bewitching tribute to Halloween. The owl perches on the southern face and fits into the Halloween theme, too.

It was fun hunting for the witch. As I was taking photos, other people noticed, and soon there was a line to take the witch’s picture. 

What’s that saying? The devil (or in this case, the witch) is in the details.

🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂 🎃 🎂

Today is the birthday for two very special men in my life who gave me some important firsts. My brother Mike, my first sibling and the one who made me a big sister. My son Patrick, my first child and the one who made me a mom. Forever grateful. Thank you, gentlemen!

schaller & weber {october 28, 2022}

A few years ago a friend who is a native New York City boy (Hell’s Kitchen) told us about the German influence on the Upper East Side. As time has passed, the German businesses have moved or closed, but Schaller & Weber which has been there since 1937 remains and is still going strong.

The original store has been standing near the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 86th Street since Ferdinand Schaller and Tony Weber founded the company. In that era, butchers were known for focusing on one style. The two founders specialized in pork, and the founders were there every day, producing each product by hand until the city knew Schaller & Weber was, and is, a true charcuterie.

Since then, the people and the neighborhood have changed and changed again, but the Schaller & Weber store remains. Development companies have offered to buy the space and most likely build a high rise building in its place, but the Schaller & Weber families have said “NO.” They could be gazillionaires by selling their property but they pride themselves as  neighborhood and New York institutions. No bologna…these guys are in it for the long run!

the concrete jungle {october 27, 2022}

This view never fails to bring a never-ending smile and a full heart. T knows to book an A seat for me and even if the seat is close to the wing and the window is a little off kilter, I will twist around to get that photo of the Lower Manhattan skyline and the approach into LaGuardia.

The three bridges (L to R): Brooklyn (can't see that one too well), Manhattan, and Williamsburg. Use the mnemonic device BMW to remember the order. That works for me because that's what I drive.

The approach into LGA: the runway juts out into the East River, Riker's Island is to its right.

Time for the happy dance!

The New York City subway system opened 118 years ago today. The rapid transit subway's formal opening went from City Hall to 145th Street.

The only time we were in a car was in the Lyft to and from the airport. We got around  the city with the $33.00 week's unlimited ride passes and by walking approximately 10 miles/day. I so appreciate comfortable shoes and the public transportation systems in big cities.

wordy wednesday...carillon {october 26, 2022}

Carillon: a set of stationary bells hung in a tower and sounded by manual or pedal action, or by machinery.

Dayton, OH has the distinction of having the largest carillon in the state of Ohio. The Deeds Carillon, located at Carillon Park, towers at 151 feet and has 57 bells that send melodies over the surrounding area.

Carillon Historical Park owes its existence to the generosity of inventor and industrialist Colonel Edward Andrew Deeds (1874-1960) and Edith Walton Deeds (1869-1947). In the 1930s, while traveling in Bruges, Belgium, Edith, an accomplished musician, found inspiration in magnificent carillon music, and she dreamed of sharing this music with the people of Dayton. Edith’s dream became reality through the construction of Deeds Carillon—her most visible legacy to the community she loved.

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearth-stones of a continent,

    And made forlorn

    The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

    "For hate is strong,

    And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

    The Wrong shall fail,

    The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

~ Longfellow

Dedicated to Colonel Edward Andrew Deeds

stoddard avenue pumpkin glow {october 25, 2022}

This year, the hill behind the Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton's Grafton Hills neighborhood came alive with close to 1,000 intricately carved pumpkins. Over the years it's grown from 100 pumpkins to now 1,000 and each year the number of pumpkins increases. Some of these pumpkins are absolutely gourd-geous!

Dayton's famous Wright Brothers

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

Squash blossom

Ssssssnaaaaaaake! (This was my favorite)

MJ...for my oldest kid

🎃 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃 🎃

first in flight {october 24, 2022}

Ohio and North Carolina have a long feud about which state deserves credit for the first airplane flight.

Orville and Wilbur Wright, who made that first historic flight, were from Ohio and built the first plane at their shop in Dayton, Ohio, but that plane made its first flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

North Carolina's license plate boasts "FIRST IN FLIGHT" while Ohio's states it the "BIRTHPLACE OF AVIATION." 

On a recent walk through Woodland Cemetery where the Wright Brothers are buried, one visitor to the gravesite continued the debate...

The shell on Wilbur's grave says, "OH first! Thank you! 

cox arboretum {october 23, 2022}

Cox Arboretum and Gardens is one of the many parks located in the Five Rivers MetroParks system. It is particularly beautiful this time of year with the fall colors gracing the many varieties of trees. We climbed the 81-step Tree Tower to get a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Photo: Five Rivers MetroParks

The grounds of the Arboretum are easy to walk. The natural area and Conservation Corner offer about 2.5 miles of trails through woodlands and meadows. Paved paths provide another mile to navigate through cultivated gardens which now are on their last legs until spring.

Two busy roads, Route 741 on the east and I-75 on the west, border Cox. Although the traffic noise is audible, Cox is a peaceful place to appreciate the wonder of the gardens and natural areas, discover habitats of native wildlife, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and if you're a gardener, get inspiration for plants to put in your own garden. I'm planning a pollinator garden for 2023.

🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁

Back in the day when my kids had to do a leaf project for school, the idea was to walk around the neighborhood, pick up leaves, and then identify them by leafing through a book (see what I did there 🤣). One of the neighborhood moms who had a couple leaf projects under her belt told me go to Cox with some baggies, index cards, and a pen. The trees are labeled so put a leaf in a Baggie, write the tree name on the index card, put the card in the Baggie, and boom...leaf identification done in an afternoon. Nowadays leaf identification is easy with all the plant and tree apps that are available at the touch of our fingertips.

viola {october 22, 2022}

When I was in 5th grade, the new kid at a new school, musical instrument day came to school. Musicians played, talked about, and answered questions regarding the various instruments to see if there was anyone interested in joining the school’s band or orchestra. I was very shy, I liked music, and the thought of being around people with a common interest seemed like a good thing to do.

The string instrument demonstration fascinated me, especially the viola. I had never heard of the viola but its low, deep, and mellow tones really caught my attention. The conductor explained that the viola most often plays the “inner voices,” the accompaniment parts, whereas the violins get the primary melody parts. The viola was important but not front and center. I could relate to that.

I played the viola all the way through high school and wanted to continue in college. When I went over to the music school and told them I would like to play with a musical group, the first question was, “Are you a music major?”

“No.” An explanation followed that people who aren’t interested in pursuing a musical path really don’t have a place in the music school. It had to do with their idea of commitment and it was there my viola playing days ended.

Playing the viola gave me an appreciation for listening to the background parts in a musical piece or song. I enjoy watching the viola players at the symphony; I listen for their part. It gave me time management and organizational skills, fitting in practice, homework, time with friends, and chores at home. The sense of achievement finally mastering a tough passage. For a quiet, shy kid, music brought about confidence and helped with stage fright while giving a presentation in class. So many benefits, friendships, and life lessons from those seven years of musical instruction.

9 doves {october 21, 2022}

The other day while hand delivering tax returns, my last stop was City Hall at the tax office for the City of Dayton. This mural was in the lobby and it has one heck of a story behind it. It's a story of loss and a story of hope.

A little over three years ago, an angry young man went on a shooting spree in the Oregon District in Dayton, Ohio. This horrible incident rocked the city and its surrounding communities. 

There were so many responses to this and they came in the forms of vigils, businesses raising money for the families of the victims, benefit concerts,  a releasing of doves, and artists creating pieces to express grief and hope and to bring the community together.

This piece is in Dayton's City Hall lobby.

Jes McMillan, a mosaic artist, was inspired by the release of doves at a vigil following the Aug. 4, 2019, mass shooting.

She and her team designed the mural, “a memorial of loss but also of the community coming together,” so the public could take part in its creation.

Upturned hands at the bottom of the mosaic signify the release of the nine doves, each dove representing a person killed. More than 300 people placed one and two-inch porcelain pieces in the sky surrounding the doves. Many wrote messages, prayers and hopes on the individual tiles. Among the sentiments on the tiles are “Dayton Loves You,” “Be Kind To Each Other,” and “God’s Angels.” 

This was art as a therapeutic first response to tragedy. Art to heal, art to remind, art to bring hope.

color and cut {october 20, 2022}

 Beautiful color.

Terrible cut!

wordy wednesdsay...aibohphobia {october 19, 2022}

You have nothing to fear but fear itself.

And palindromes.

Actually, the word "Aibohphobia", meaning "fear of palindromes", is a joke word deliberately constructed to be a palindrome.

Dammit I'm mad.

thought for the day {october 18, 2022}

Big wisdom from a small antique cup:

Say little but think much

street money {october 17, 2022}

The other day after hand delivering some tax forms, extra time was left on the parking meter, it was a beautiful day, so I used that time to stroll around downtown Dayton. It was a walk down memory lane from our year when we lived downtown and my big dog Ted and I would take our 2-3 times daily rambles. As Ted and I meandered, I would typically find coins on the street. During my recent walk, I kept my eyes out for street money. Just this year, downtown Dayton has upgraded to using a parking app to pay for parking so I wondered if technology would take away the amount of coins that fell from peoples' pockets or purses.

On my 30 minute walk, I found 18¢: 8 pennies and one dime. I smiled when I found the dime. I was walking past the Juvenile Court Building and during my time downtown, I never once found a coin around there. Always a lot of people in that area. But the other day, a dime sparkled in the sunshine. When my dad was alive, he found lots of dimes, so whenever I find a dime, it makes me think of my dad.

cleveland rocks! {october 16, 2022}

Game 3 of the ALDS and the young, first year Cleveland Guardians are playing toward the World Series. What an exciting game last night when they were down 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, two outs, and the batter, Oscar Gonzalez, was down to his last strike. He hit a two-run single; the Guardians won 6-5. The Guardians now lead the series 2-1 over the Yankees. My boys were at the game and right in the middle of the post-game mayhem. Here's hoping that the Guardians win this series tonight at their home field!

Photos: Kevin Milstead