On Saturday, I attended the book signing of “The Dimension Travel Trilogy”, met the young author, Joseph S. Pidoriano, and was glad to see so many books jumping off of the table and many of his fans waiting to have their books signed.  The books can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/go/aw/d/099688890X/.  Following are a number of photos from the event.  

 

 

 

Fleet Week 2016 begins today, Wednesday, at 8 a.m.  You can watch the parade of ships from the Alice Austen House Museum grounds at 2 Hylan Blvd., with Fred Rodriguez, a maritime historian, narrating.  Free coffee and donuts will be available. Ship tours, consisting of 5 Navy ships, 2 U.S. Coast Guard cutters and 3 Royal Canadian Navy ships, will be conducted…

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I hope you enjoyed the photos that my gentle readers shared last week of their mothers.  If you wish to send in a photo, I will post any and all of them.  This week, I took a long road trip with my son, daughter-in-law and two precious grandchildren.  It was trying at times and  filled with activity, but I was glad to spend four entire days with my loved ones.  I was also amazed how the parents were able to get the kiddies washed, dressed, fed and on the road to each of the events we attended without much ado.  Wow! Was I ever that good?  Kudos to Jeff and Divonne on their excellent parenting skills!

Read about a young writer, Joseph S. Pidoriano, who has just published his second novel in his science-fiction series called “The Dimension Travel…

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If you are a Mom, Aunt, Grandmother or Sister, I hope Mother’s Day was joyful.  If your Mom has passed, it can be a sad day remembering the many good times that you shared with her.  Also, if you have lost a child, your heart breaks when you relive every moment you spent loving that child. Mothers are special, but mothering is a hard job and at times, thankless.  However, when that same child smiles up at you or takes your hand in his, everything becomes so right with the world!  Thank you, my gentle readers—Diane Jakubowski Darconte, Frances Thompson, Dil Gillani, Trish Keogan Treadaway, Judie and Diane Zagajeski and Patricia Joyce for sharing the following photos that honor your moms and/or show you being honored and loved as well.

 

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As I continue to think about the quote, “The best things in life are not THINGS!”, I wonder how many of you agree.  If you would care to share your opinion, I am all ears!  My cousin told me he loves the security of money and what it can buy, especially his tools!  He is the type of guy who is happy in a t-shirt and jeans and not known for amassing lots of “stuff”--other than tools.  I agree with him that money gives you a sense of security, but as I de-clutter and give away things I have no use for and especially clothes that I have not worn in a long time, I question how and why I bought these “things” in the first place.  Should more thought be taken to help those who can’t help themselves, enjoy life in the present, be humble and kind?  I think I will…

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My grandson’s Topsy-Turvy strawberry planter is growing beautifully in my front yard and the water recycling barrels are starting to fill up (thanks to a couple of rainfalls this week).  My garlic, chive and sage plants are doing great.

Did you celebrate Earth Day at the St. George Day Festival or listen to Tales from Shakespeare with Staten Island OutLOUD at Every Thing Goes Book Café?  Did you take a Walking Tour of Historic Westerleigh, visit the juried photo exhibit at Alice Austen House Museum or learn about the art and language of cinema at the Staten Island Creative Community?  As I gathered together with family on Sunday, observing the interaction, silliness and smiles and enjoying each other’s company, my brother quoted someone very wise, “…

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It looks as if my favorite time of year has arrived—Spring!  I strolled through the garden in the back and front yards with my grandchildren admiring the various flowers, herbs and veggies that we have planted or which have reappeared from last year.  We also planted our starter vegetables that we had begun from seed inside.  My son and grandson set up a Topsy-Turvy strawberry planter in the front yard.  Hopefully, it will grow and we will have yummy fruit to eat.  We also have water recycling barrels attached to our drain pipes to recapture water to use in the garden.  

Friday, 4/22, is Earth Day!  What will you do to save the environment?  Do you recycle each week?  Do you use a travel coffee mug instead of disposable foam cups each day? Will you…

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The Tax gods have given you procrastinators a break!  April 18 is the new deadline this year to file your taxes.  If you are like me, I wait until the last second to file if I owe taxes.  I file immediately if I’m getting a refund.  Good luck! 

The year seems to be passing me by with a t-shirt-weather teaser for a week, then a brisk chill, then the threat of snow last weekend (which did not occur on my part of Staten Island at least) and now my lawn looks like a jungle because of all the rain the past number of days.  Will Spring finally arrive this week?

Please bear with me as I remind you once more:  Start making plans for your children and teens for the summer months.  Consider applying for the 2016 Summer Youth Employment Program. Contact DYCD…

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From the first day I met Jodi Kenny back in 2001, I could sense she was a woman who could see beauty and love in anything and anyone.  I sold her a commercial building, a former tavern, in Travis which we were marketing for land value. She transformed that building with her creativity and hard work into a masterpiece beyond belief creating the Jellybean Production Company and children's theater group.  Over the years, Ms. Kenny has raised three children, received a BA in Organizational Leadership and a Masters of Divinity.  She preaches once a month at the Reformed Church of Prince Bay and is currently Vice President; she has worked for the Reformed Church of Metuchen for the last two years doing their social media and is a minister in…

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Was a “music” event on your list of fun things to do this past weekend? Perhaps you attended the last of the Tavern Concerts or Motown at the St. George Library or “Guys and Dolls” at Susan Wagner H.S.--one of my favorite musicals.  You have another weekend to catch this wonderful musical.  Just visit  http://wagnerhightheater.org or call 718-698-4200 x 2841 for tickets and info.  We had some change of weather patterns with t-shirt warmth last Friday followed by a chilly, cold, “Wizard of Oz” kind of wind waking us and causing havoc on Saturday night. At least there was no snow!  Opening day for the Yankees was postponed till Tuesday because of inclement weather.  I hope you diehard fans bundled up because it is cold out there. 

Today, Wednesday, 4/6…

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Did you visit Jodi and Nothing New Thrift Shop this week?  Some of my gentle readers already let me know I inspired them to begin the overhaul of their closets.  I saw a hint online about saving the pop tabs from soda cans.  You loop it over your hanger and then add another hanger to the tab and then another, thus saving space in your closets.  We all need space in our closets.  Decluttering is one way.  Pop tabs can be another.  Did you make memories with your children on their Easter break at the Children’s Museum or start an indoor garden.  See how fast lettuce, celery, escarole and beans start to grow indoors. 

I’m considering putting the “starters” on the porch in the morning with the direct sun and bringing them inside so the frost doesn’t kill…

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