For the Love Of Tobey the Cat

I had to get outdoors New Year's Day, so I grabbed my camera to see what I could find. Near the falls in Beacon someone made a tribute to their cat, Tobey, who apparently passed on this last Christmas day. 

On the submerged ledge of the cement dam near the falls there were may coins, and probably more lie in the depths below it. Though not superstitious, I dropped a few coins myself for Tobey. Maybe more for myself.

Losing any pet hurts. I have long liked cats so this struck my heart and reminded me of all the kitties I have seen come and go. They all taught me about life and death, being alone, being a friend, taking care of someone. Enjoying a silly moment. Passing an afternoon with a book and the warm weight of a cat on my lap, or leaning against my legs. I miss them all - Harry, Malcolm, Roland, Yabo, By-Tor, Cheetah, Smokey, Woodstock, Jasper, Kitty Dukakis [sic], Tiger, and many more whose names escape me just now.

We often make fun of people for feeling down "because their dog died" as the expression goes. But it hurts just as much as losing any other family member. Stupid fucking Sara Maclachlan doesn't help, either, with her SPCA commercials. I have to turn away whenever she comes on. It's bad enough that her voice is so beautiful, but paired with the pictures of the animals who don't - and may never - know the love that Tobey did saddens me.

Goodbye, Tobey. I'll never see the falls at Beacon quite the same anymore.

Goodbye Vaclav Havel

The namesake for this website and many of my creative endeavors has passed on. Vaclav Havel had           died. I made the name Vaclav's Hovel as a pun on his years ago to first hang over a sheep shed, and then used it as a company name on order forms as a joke. Since then it has come to mean what he symbolized for the world: if a playwright can overthrow communism in his country, why can't a girl sail around the world, an actor be president of the United States? 

It's not just the seeming impossibility of the ideas that appeals to me. It's the idea that people are not limited to what they are labeled to be. It's the idea that what one does in one discipline may very well inform and make them better in another.

Havel was also friends with and a great admirer of Frank Zappa. Havel asked Zappa to be a cultural ambassador to the new Czech republic, but the Bush administration refused. I admire both men, and the name Vaclav's Hovel is a tribute to both. Zappa died in 1994.

Goodbye, Mr. Havel, and thank you for your work in freeing the Czech people.

Pictures From the Revolution #N17

When Cara said she'd be going to the #N17 event, I was thrilled. There's something in my family about causing trouble and being part of the protest - from tearing down papal bulls to kicking the Redcoats out of New England - and Cara continues the tradition. Hell, even if it was just a long walk with a lot of people, it was FUN for her.

Mom was not as thrilled so I told Cara that if she gets arrested she should call me. Thankfully, that did not happen. 

I was out with some  friends from work last night when she started sending pictures. She said at one point that they were about to go on the Brooklyn Bridge so I warned her that the police arrested people en masse the last time that happened. She assured me she was with a large group from her school and that they were all sticking close to legal observers who wear green hats to be easily identified in case of trouble. 

These are the few, confusing pictures she sent, and one video. Just to show you she was there. 

Hope your feet are OK this morning, Cara. 

Nesting Dolls (Matryoshka)

In Wappinger Falls there is a bright pink store at the corner of Routes 9D and New Hamburg road whose sign merely says, "Nesting Dolls". Nothing could be more descriptive. The store is full of matryoshka, the Russian stacking or nesting dolls. One might think this could get a little repetitive but the variety of the different designs available there proves otherwise.

The range goes from traditional to modern motifs. Aside from these ones of musicians, they also had some of political figures, movie stars and football players. Name your NFL team, they probably had a few of that team's most famous players nesting together.

There were these of cats, birds, and other animals as well.

Motifs from different cultures

The owners, Halina and Frank, are very friendly and always strike up a conversation. They are world travellers with many stories to share.

Open every weekend!

Around Beacon

Some scenes from Beacon the week before Halloween. Today was the Halloween parade, among other events. We stopped at the Farmer's Market and went to our favorite store, Mountain Tops. 

The dogs at Mountain Tops were dressed for Halloween.

The owners of Moutain Tops

Farmer's Market, Beacon waterfront.

Freshly cut sprouts.

Halloween Parade.

The police take up the back of the parade.

New Restaurant in Beacon: Tito Santana

A new restaurant called Tito Santana opened in Beacon about a month ago. It's right next to Mountain Tops, on Main. For those who knew the Barking Dog, this is what replaced it. We're glad.

The owner was outside the restaurant for the Halloween Parade. I got a shot of him and then we all went in for lunch. I had beef tacos, Cara had chicken tacos and corn, Jennifer and Mike got quesadillas. We were all satisfied. More than anything, we thought the owners were gracious and welcoming. We wish them well.

Don't let him scare you, he was just having fun for Halloween.

With the mask off he looks serious but don't be fooled, he's one of the nicest guys around. 

Cara enjoys her corn.

If the place looks a lot like the Barking Dog, it was the Barking Dog.  Aside from the food, the big difference is in the atmosphere and the friendly host. 

The owner had just finished a flan. This is about 12" around. I had always thought that flans were made in small dishes but he explained that this was how his family made them. He also said the recipe used for this particular one was a secret recipe in his wife's family.

Here's both side of the menu in case you get interested. 

The Drummers

The drummers at Trinity Street, another movie made from many still shots taken in rapid succession.