Fun Stuff

We're having a few guests over tomorrow for a shitload of barbecue. We had to get another grill to accomodate it. Just a small one, as you can see.


Jennifer worked her ass off while I frittered around. Here she is returning from the garden with Lola.



Toward the end of the day I got out my great-grandfather's draw knife and whittled a seasoned sapling into a walking stick. In this picture is the stick (about 4.5'), the draw knife and a Stanley surform. The stick on the right is a remnant of the original sapling.


This will be the head. Should I carve something into it?

Whoops, the surform slipped.
After I took these pictures I sanded it. I love how well-seasoned wood works. Years ago I would make things like this from freshly cut wood, and it always worked out poorly. I cut this particular sapling down three years ago, when we first moved in. In fact, it may have been Jennifer's dad who cut it down (from the tree in this picture). It sat in the garage all that time.

Check back tomorrow for pictures of the wild and crazy barbecue Jennifer is preparing.

Reviving The Beacon

Not to be confused with the one in Manhattan.

A group called 4th Wall Productions recently purchased the old Beacon Theater in our town. Today they held an open house to ask for donations, spur interest, and recruit volunteers.



Visitors in the lobby being entertained by volunteers in the troupe.

Detail of glass in the back wall of the theater.

Detail of glass doors.

View of stage.

We've watched the vacant building for the three years we've lived here, and we're happy to see something coming of it. I hope they show films, too!

Central Park, July 5th, part II

Here is a video of Finn piloting the sub.

Central Park, July 5th

Over the last two years, I got Finn an r/c submarine and an r/c boat. We've used them in pools and local creeks, maybe the tub. But every time we've gone to Central Park in that time, we forgot to take them to the Conservatory Water. This past Monday, we remembered.

This is the sub coursing through the green water there. It was fun to make it dive and see where it would appear next. The alignment of the motors is a little messed up so it always turns a little one way or the other.


I guess I am only allowed to post one video, so I chose this one of Finn doing what any boy would do, and that is chasing the ducks in the water. They looked a little disgusted as they waddled off.




At first we were one of a dozen people there. But as the hour or two we spent there ran out, more and more people came through and for once, Finn was not watching other kids play and have fun there - he was the one being watched in envy. I shamefully admit I enjoyed giving him the experience.

Usually, there are people sailing r/c boats there. I am not sure who rents what or how much it costs.

Later that day we went to the Coxing trailhead of Mohonk Preserve to cool off. Here the Coxing Kill runs through a 30' 10-15' deep clove in the rock. The water is always cold, even on the hottest days.

Macy's Independence Day Fireworks, 2010

OK, Sarah, you asked for pictures - here ya go! There is a video at the end.

But first, the preliminaries. As the sun set, the barges lined up and some fireboats sprayed colored water.

This was the scene on the roof of the building whence we watched. We were on 40th street, about in the middle of the viewing area. This building is 32 stories high (33, really, and we were higher than that on the structures of the roof. My tripod is already setup at the edge of the roof.

Is it dark enough yet?

Behind us, the Empire State Building displayed patriotic colors.

Is it dark enough yet?

Yup.









To the viewers at ground level near the river, these ones are supposed to look like smiles. My angle and the shutter speed kinda kills it.




Some shots of the grand finale...








The video was taken with my phone.

I took over 400 still shots, most of which are garbage, but with a digital camera it doesn't matter. I did switch memory cards halfway through, and I switched between a wide-angle and telephoto lens a few times.

Long Beach, Again!

Manhattan, seen from the Whitestone bridge.

Finn buried in the sand.

Governors Island

Finn and I went to Governors Island, which is now a national park. We got on the ferry at the Battery. It's free, and runs every hour from 10 a.m.



Some pilings at the ferry slip.

The Staten Island Ferry is right next door. You can take the 1 train right to it.

Leaving Manhattan behind.

As we arrive at the island, a cormorant looks on.

Tree-lined street.
The tip of Manhattan from Governors Island.

Finn on the island on a bike with no name. Oh hahahHAHhahahah...
Details of Fort William.


A behemoth cruise ship docked in Brooklyn.
Places to relax.

As we left, I noticed the vent for the Brooklyn-Battery tunnel.

Gull where the cormorant was earlier.

Detail of ferry terminal.

I have no idea what this means. There was 'art' all over the place on the island, even on the ferry.
Guinevere*.

*if you understand the allusion, I'll buy you a pizza.