Ruth Roaming

LIAM IN THE NOT YET LUSH RUTH'S ROSE GARDEN

Thoughts, memories, images, dreams are all flooding in lately; or are they welling up from inside?   Visuals of childhood trips, Florida visits to my parents and conversations, snapshots and even videos of my mother, Ruth.  All in my head.  Are these from my forays into Meditation, Yoga, and Body Prayer?  Am I  awakening dormant energy out there or letting out repressed, forgotten events?  Or is it both?  Not sure.  I  feel like I cannot stop the thoughts, they just keep coming-Ruth is roaming about in my everyday life.  Not surprising as last Saturday, March 24th was the two year anniversary of her death.  I do not recall having Ruth connections last year- that was the snowy winter. This March was warm, as was March of 2010. Maybe the similar warmth has been a catalyst.  Last week we entered spring chronologically then leaped into summer temperatures.  The week was full of record breaking temps in the 70's, resulting in an explosion of early blooming flowers and trees.  Early in the week, I put out Ruth's Rose Garden sign.  Ruth's favorite photo of Liam is etched on the sign-it is the one she kept on her desk.  See next photo.

RUTH'S ROSE GARDEN OFFICIALLY OPEN

I wondered if this would  produce some karmic energy manifesting itself in a sign from Ruth.  Didn't know what I was hoping for, but something that would make me think of her. Nothing out of the ordinary happened all week.

Friday, March 23 was the day for Liam's biannual shots.  He does not like even entering the vet's office.

This time our experience is different.  Very shortly after we are seated in the waiting room (yes, Liam sits next to me on the bench)  we are asked to come back to the examination room. Wait, this is not the routine procedure. Usually, one of the staff comes out, takes Liam, endures his kisses and jumps, and disappears with him into one of the back rooms.  The injections are completed out of my sight.  Why are we going inside?  and together?  Going inside with me reminds Liam of the annual physical, an appointment during which he cries and groans. We are welcomed into the exam room by Kenny.  As Liam tries to back out, Kenny asks info while making entries on the PC.  Then he says, "Let's weigh Liam."  Liam slumps, stiffens, I cannot lift him; he has made himself dead weight, limp, immovable. There is no "give" here; I will need Kenny's professional assistance.

 LIAM AS A DEAD WEIGHT

Kenny steps in, lifts Liam up onto the metal weigh machine. Oh, Liam is upset.  I cannot believe he is only 34 pounds.  He felt a stone statue.  Kenny leaves.  I am confused.  What about the shots?  We are alone about 5 minutes. Seems like much longer.
Then Kenny returns with another person, a woman, petite, smiling,  I see a syringe in her hand.  She is older than I am.  She verifies with me that Liam is getting two injections, "Yes, a double dose today,"  I say.  I am still wondering why our visit has been ratcheted-up to an inside room, to a two person meeting, with a weigh-in and updates to the file. This appointment is special. Very caring and nice. Then I see the nameplate. The vet is Ruth.  Ruth is here!  Liam relaxes with her touch.  Here is a Ruth to comfort Liam.  And a double dose of Ruth, as her last name is almost identical to my mother's close friend in Fl. also a Ruth. Two Ruth's represented.  Wow. Shots administered by Ruth with Kenny holding Liam. Then we are done. We say goodbye, thank you, all that.

LIAM ROAMS THE GARDEN

I take it as an "Ruth" appearance for Liam, for me, for the anniversary.  I might have asked at the front, if the vet is new, visiting, and why the change in the procedure. I don't. I want it to be a Ruth sign.  If  I receive plausible explanations then the magic will be determined a coincidence.  No, I want it to be more.  

I am not sure if we will see our loved ones again.  If we do will they recognize us? Will we know them? 

I take what I can get now.  The "Ruth " vet is our sign and a double dose for two years she has been gone.  I know, a reach, perhaps, a little wacky.  I am open to such occurrences/visitations. Trying to be more so.

reflecting

thinking

focusing

on signs, energy, thoughts, memories, premonitions, messages  from wherever they come.

LIAM SURVEYING THE LAND, GARDEN UPPER LEFT

Woof, Woof

A Happy St. Patrick's Day

IS THIS LIKE THE EMERALD ISLE?

We went to the parade.  Six of us met up at Penn.  We trekked up to the suggested viewing position of the upper east side- the majority of people stay farther downtown.  The parade begins at 44th, the route is up 5th Avenue to 86th-follow the green line painted in the middle of 5th. We stood at the curb between 76th and 77th- perfect.  Took a little strategic elbowing in-but we all made it to the front. 
Here is a link with some St. Patrick's Day parade facts, in case you want a refresher.  http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/nyc/newyorkcity.htm 
I will share some happenings/highlights.  Liam remained at home. Not because dogs are not allowed-dogs and horses did march,

IRISH WOLFHOUNDS

WORK HORSES

but animals are required to be affiliated with an organization or have worked or currently be employed by a marching contingent.  Liam is unaffiliated and though a working blogger, no blogger group was marching- at least not any known to us.. 

Costumes 
I have to declare many of the outfits just that-costumes  We have had a warm winter. The young folks were dressing for the beach- thongs (on feet) shorts, tiny tank tops; there was scant body coverage.  Hats, face paint, green hair were popular. The scene as we walked through Penn station was evocative of Project Runway's wildest fashion creations. Our group also had its props-a tiara, a shamrocked face, beads, hats, neon lime backpacks and a green feather boa flecked with gold from New Orleans.  And then there were my earrings- later for that.  See our pic next.
 
Subway
went a better way than my usual 3-train journey. New way- E to 53rd then Lexington Ave to 77th. While on the subway platform, I was asked to pose for a pic by a woman who obviously recognized a willing subject.  After I shoved Paul aside (not towards the tracks)  I gave her the go ahead to shoot.  I knew it would go viral that night. Nothing yet. Guess it is for private use.


Famous people -Saw them all. 
Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Brian Williams. 
Then our NY Senator Chuck Schumer appeared.  Renée called to him and he came over. As they shook hands (or held hands, you decide) he exhorted us to give Renée a shout out.  

We did.  Must be the Big Easy boa karma. Woo hoo!  Renée on left-(green boa feather peaking out) Chuck on right.
We hoped that as the Manhattan College groups passed we would see that crazy weather guy- Kevin Grogan.  Hundreds and hundreds marched by, and after screaming his name hundreds of times, we were rewarded with a sighting and then a glance and a wave.  That is Kevin, green cap, beige sweater, blue denim jeans on left in next pic 
Check him out- on Twitter @ Kevstormnyc and blogger http://nycweatherguy.blogspot.com/

Earrings 
My earrings are an artist's creation.  I have them for many years, a gift from my best friend, Joanie. They are even signed on the back. DES At some point, one must have shot off my ear and landed on 5th. The young woman next to me asked while pointing to the street "is that your earring?"  "yes, yes, it is."  My arm could not reach.  Luckily, we were on a break from the marchers. a gap, and she hauled it in. Whew, got it.  I then realized it had fallen because the back fastener had come off.  While juggling my camera, texting and waving, I dropped it again-this time off to the left.  Renée used her Schumer command tone to get a marcher to retrieve it. Now where is the earring back?   About half hour later, I hear something hit the ground, the back. How did I hear the back of an earring fall?  I guess my hearing aids are worth it. 
Team effort, thanks all for the help.


343
Since 9/11, 343 flags carried by the FDNY for those lost that day.  No words necessary.

 

Side Fives 
these are very popular at the parade particularly among kids.  You hold out your hand and they slap you.   I like it because I always miss when doing a "high five" and this way I am passive and just are tagged. No pressure.


Rolf's  
An early dinner at Rolf's at 22nd and 3rd Avenue.  We subwayed there. Why a German restaurant?  charming kitsch (I mean that lovingly) atmosphere -the fake leaves lend that Bavarian forest feelgiant steins, dusty mementos, good and great food, and wursts as well as corned beef.
 http://rolfsnyc.com/ 
After our meal we walked back to Penn. The crowds were festive, lines outside bars long, corners full of green attire.  Folks pouring in as we are heading out.

LIRR
free ride both ways, way to go -

Regrets
missed a few marchers but next year, we plan on signs, synchronized shoutouts as well as advance notice of where the marchers are and with whom they are marching. 

not bringing my green feather wig.  I know someone would have worn it.

Liam
The Irish dog (one quarter Irish setter)  waited at home. He had been enjoying treats from his Dog Lover Gift Basket sent by Aunt B.   I confess that the cookies smelled so good I almost took a bite and the doggie beer a perfect wash down for the treats.  All natural ingredients of course.
maybe Liam will find an organization next year and he will march or leap-till then he'll be the "quiet man" watching the street parade on Baxter Avenue, New Hyde Park.
Woof. woof

Go to the light, get it and bring it home

EARLY MORNING LIGHT

I am taking Meditation classes, or maybe the better phrasing is the classes are taking me. On a journey. We are asked to imagine, visualize, go deep, name our ego, throw it aside, walk along an unlit road towards a light. The light is inside a church, temple, house and is visible from the dark road- I am not sure what my classmates are envisioning and we don't talk about it. My imaginary dark road ends with the church depicted in the last episode of Lost. The show ended its run in May 2010.  I remember a lot of light, a sacred place, a coming home. And all the Losties are reunited.  I found a clip on YouTube. The intense light and throwing open of the doors occur at about minute 3:29 of the clip.  It has been my "light" and  my "go to" place in every Meditation class-video follows-
Our teacher continues her gentle guiding talk. We go in. At least I do.  After a time, we are then asked to turn around, to leave and travel back down the road.   We are to take the light from our special place and bring it home. Liam always finds the light in every room-so I see him waiting in our home.If there is light, he is in it. 
So I add my light and wow!  These are my images right now, and they work.  I say right now because I did receive a card  (see photo below) for St.Paddy's Day with a glowing cottage, emanating light from within and rays of light from the sky. I did not have to read the back of the card to find the painter's name because I knew- a Thomas Kinkade painting,  The Painter of Light. This work is entitled Emerald Cottage.
A potential future meditation replacement for my "Lost" place of light. Serenity peaceful luminous iridescence  shimmer. 

MIGHT BE MY NEW HOUSE OF LIGHT

LIGHT AT HOME

Happy St. Patrick's Day all 

Woof, woof

Black Dog Syndrome

LIAM LOOKING/LICKING AT BROWN DOG IMAGE ON HIS BLANKET

We were at North Shore Animal League, New Year's Day, 2008. There were no available puppies remaining in the first two rooms.  All had signs in code that meant, "Being considered for adoption, potential human parents being vetted-don't get your hopes up on this pooch, keep moving."  We had gotten off to a late start and many people had been there before us.  In the last room on the bottom shelf of cages were two black puppies, cages side by side, brothers we were told.  The one we came upon first was Ernie, the future Liam. "That is the dog I want. There are only two left and we cannot leave him."  I was already projecting my continuing nightmare of being left alone onto this rescue dog.  A black dog being ignored.  No, we must save him.  I did not notice that day but Liam has white markings on his chest, shaped exactly like an upright bone.

WHITE BONE MARKING ON CHEST

We were approved and took him home.  Having only been Ernie for a few days, he transitioned to Liam quickly.  I still wonder about his brother.

 
On February 17, The View aired its annual Mutt show.  A four-month-old black dog, Bridget, was named best adoptable mutt by Westminster judge, David Frei.  I wondered at the time why he picked her as she was the youngest, a puppy still, and to me the most adoptable.  People always want the puppy.  David said something that got me thinking.  He explained that he often picks a dog that would be the toughest to be adopted, so based on what he knows about shelter dogs, he picked Bridget. 
I was surprised, as I always believed that puppies were the first to be adopted and older dogs were hardest to be placed.  You tube follows with the Bridget announcement

Every day I view Best in Show Pet Resort's  photos of the current day's playgroup. These photos are posted on their Facebook page.  I am always searching for Liam look alike dogs and often remark to Paul that all the dogs are light brown, white, multi-color etc. The few black dogs stand out-check link out for a look-the dogs are worth seeing.
https://www.facebook.com/bispr

Recently, I read an article in  Cesar's Way http://www.cesarsway.com/ about black dog syndrome  I had never heard of it- see link for a story about this-
http://www.cesarsway.com/community/pettravel/Travels-with-My-Dog-Casey-Black-Dog-Syndrome

There is a debate in our country about the existence of  black dog syndrome. Some rescue experts say there is a reluctance, resistance to adopting black dogs from shelters.  Bad qualities are attributed to black dogs.  I have read that Winston Churchill called his days of depression "black dog days" certainly not good.  The illustrations for the dog in the Sherlock Holmes mystery Hound of the Baskervilles show a menacing toothy glowing black hound.  Not a sweet licking docile doggie image.
I looked on You tube for more info and wow, there is testimony from rescue experts of a wariness about black dogs and I have included one


Were Liam and his brother unclaimed because they were black dogs?  Or were they just last to be seen, on the bottom row and not easily visible?  Did David Frei anoint Bridget because he believed she needed that title to give her an edge in being adopted?  Best in Show has proportionately fewer black dogs in its play groups.  Possibly black dog syndrome at work?  Is all this anecdotal?  Just observation,  Any real stats?
I never noticed as many friends have had black or mostly black dogs- Duffy, Molly, Rosie, Kendl.
Liam actually has a dark brown glow when in the sun-must be the one-quarter Irish setter. Passersby still refer to Liam as the little black dog on Baxter Avenue.  He can look like an alien as in the next photo

LIAM LOOKING SCARY-would you adopt this dog?

Or sweet and calm as in the next photo.

NON-SCARY LIAM-adoptable?

BTW, Liam does not sleep there.  He was warming it up for Daddy Paul.

Woof, woof

Leap Day was yesterday and....

LIAM LEAP YEAR 2008 AND MY EYE

Leap Year occurs every 4 years.  We need them to put the extra hours from the intervening three years somewhere. The sun is involved and how we rotate around it.  We have some leftover hours each year after we rotate, like 365 plus 5 hours. Julius Caesar wanted to fix the calendar to make it even.  Capture those excess hours by inserting an extra day in February every 4 years and bingo, it is all okay. -read more if you like .http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leapyear.html

Leap days are February 29.  Special events are planned for this day and unusual occurrences are welcomed and expected.  It is the first anniversary of Liam leaps Leap Day 2008.  Yes, readers, I have referred to it before in the blog and have shown pix.  Here is a brief revisit, with an update and new photos.

Leap Day four years ago fell on a Friday.  I also fell on that Friday when puppy Liam leaped for a tree bound squirrel and I slammed face down onto concrete.  Neither hand shot out to break the fall, my right arm was leashed to Liam, the other unprepared, did nothing but join in the journey down.  I was shocked to have my face on the pavement.  My sunglasses provided a sort of goggle shield.  I thought only of my teeth, not my eye. I got up, walked home, holding Liam close and avoiding trees.  I became a "dentist emergency"-one who goes ahead and delays everyone else. Always wondered who those folks were.  He said nothing was broken but shifting and fallout might occur later. Not sure if  "fallout" was referring to my entire body or specific to teeth. Then I went to Stat Med, was cleared of a concussion.  The doctor marveled that the "eye socket" had done its job, explaining that they are there to protect the eye from being gouged out.  All cleared injury wise, I proceeded to advertise.

I made good use of my smart phone for texting the news.  By Saturday morning, I had a rainbow eye.  I was so taken with it that I took a photo. This took a while as my blackberry (2008 version) had only a front view camera and I took several pix of my ear, chin and eyebrow before I even got part of my eye.   I did finally land the shot, and promptly clicked it off in a text to friends.

I made a hard copy and framed it where it hangs on the kitchen wall above Liam's eating area.   Impressionistic.  Possibly Picasso/Van Gogh/Matisse.  For special outings during my recovery from rainbow eye,  I added various colors of eyeshadow to make a more complete circle under my eye.  At times, I also painted my other eye to match.  A creative friend used my eye in a series of collages.  It took weeks to heal.  I often forgot about it while out and people would stare at me.

Fast forward 4 years.  Liam is a teenager and I am a senior dog mother.  I know that I am a senior in the dog world because when I renewed Liam's license my age allowed me to pay the senior rate of  $2.50 instead of  $7.50.  Huge discount.  I know Liam is a teenager because he is twice the size of that little dog in the first photo and he has been crate-free for almost 4 years. Teenage Liam eats and drinks beneath my eye  photo.

TEENAGE LIAM AND MY EYE

On our walks, Liam still pulls.  He leaps for squirrels off leash when free in the yard.  I bet he would leap on leash but I am always ready.  My teeth have stayed put.  However, fallout did occur-something I just noticed this past Thanksgiving.  My niece took a side photo-real close-up, yikes- and I saw something when looking at the pic-my right cheekbone is bigger, more pronounced. than the left one.  There is a slight discoloration, not attributable to freckles.  This has to be a Liam leap injury. People pay for cheekbones,  I now have one. No one has ever told me in four years.  Perhaps it just erupted for the anniversary leap. 
A matching left one would be high fashion.

Leap Day 2012, was calm.   Rainy, raw, grey, bleak-my kind of day.  Not a dog walking day. Liam hates

DON'T MAKE ME GO OUT

the rain.  He will not go out.  We have to carry him out to the yard to do his business  I wonder if he would have commemorated Leap Day 2012 with a leap. I might have had a chance at a left cheekbone. Turn left and offer my left cheek to the pavement.  Didn't happen.

NO LEAPING IN 2012

Hope your leap day was memorable in all good ways.  Happy March.

Woof, Woof

Dogs on View

LIAM IS INTO THE AWARDS RACE

It is awards season.  The Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild, The Directors Guild, The Producers Guild,  British Academy Film Awards and many more. While the actors move forward through these preliminary competitions to the Academy Awards-the canine world is also showing, competing and celebrating its stars with Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New York's Madison Square Garden.   In addition, the first awards competition for performing pooches was held this year in Los Angeles -The Golden Collar Awards. The doggie post award parties include daytime TV shows, a restaurant lunch at Sardi's as well as appearances with human celebrities at various Red Carpet functions.

Westminster Dog Show
A two day competition held in NYC, February 13 and 14th. http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/
Dogs are grouped into categories and a best in each group is chosen.  Then there is The Best in Show. Malachy a very fluffy Pekingese, won. 

Sardi's
The treat for the Westminster winner is a lunch at Sardi's --see link- endangered tradition that went ahead despite some opposition
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/for-champion-dogs-the-traditional-sardis-feast-will-continue/

The View
An annual tradition has become The View's Mutt show featuring adoptable dogs, and viewer's dogs. A special guest dog was Uggie, star of the much award nominated film, The Artist.   More about Uggie later.

Also on hand (or paw) David Frei, Westminster Kennel Club judge, who was recently featured in the Metropolitan section of the Sunday NY Times.
BTW this section features a little piece each week about the Sundays of notable New Yorkers- see link
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/nyregion/david-frei-living-a-dog-mans-life-on-sundays.html?scp=1&sq=david%20frei&st=cse

The Chew
This ABC show had their chefs guesting with their dogs.  The show was billed as Family Day and chew toys. see link
http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/episodes/February-17-2012

Liam just wants his treat stuffed Kong in front of his fireplace (the hot air vent)

The Oscars
This year, a silent black and white film, The Artist,  is gaining momentum as Best in Show. The star of The Artist is as much Uggie as it is its male human lead, Dejardin.  Uggie retired after this role.  He has already won the 2012 Golden Collar Award- the Dog Oscar. He competed against himself in another movie in which he was nominated Water for Elephants.

Liam gives a bark out for Uggie to win best actor.  Liam feels a canineship with Uggie who is also a rescue dog.

FOR BARKING OUT LOUD, VOTE FOR UGGIE

Enjoy the Oscars this coming Sunday, watch Uggie steal the show.

Woof, Woof

A saga of quarters, lost gloves, lattes and Regis

ARE WE WALKING TO THE TRAIN?

City Trip Friday, February 10, 2012

Quarters
I do not have any quarters.  I need them for the meter in the municipal lot near the New Hyde Park LIRR.station. The meters were recently changed.  A quarter now only buys you a half hour. Didn't you anticipate, you may ask?  Since I retired, I don't receive change anymore.  No transaction produces pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters.  Paul saves quarters for me but my frequent forays into NYC have depleted our supply.  I did anticipate, asking Paul to obtain a roll of quarters on his trip to the bank the night before.  He returned without them- apparently the bank does not give rolls of quarters anymore. There are no "quarter roller" positions in the bank. So now it is the Friday morning of the once a month meeting with my friend at Starbucks on Columbus and 67th. The walk to the LIRR train is a 20-25 minutes. It will be cold.  Paul offers to drive me to the station on his way to work. This makes me very early for the 9:31AM  but I will occupy myself.

MOMMY IS USUALLY GONE ABOUT 5 HOURS

Gloves
Not driving involves a switch to warmer gloves. I bring along my fluffy fleece lime colored gloves. I'll need them for the long walk home from the station at the end of the day-no Paul pickup.  In addition to being fluffy, these gloves are puffy and do not fit easily into my pocket. That's okay, let them stick out, they add some color. I sit in the waiting room- texting, reading, observing.  The train is announced and I go up to the platform, sit, take out my ticket and settle in.  In 35 minutes, I emerge into Penn, hit the restroom and go off to the #1 uptown. That is when I notice my gloves are gone.  I retrace my path from the train, to the bathroom, nothing. Great. My favorite gloves. I start noticing that most folks are not wearing gloves. I find myself annoyed with those few who are. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods"  pops into my head-where did that come from? Those rote recitations from school are there just lurking in my memory ready to scold and humble and make me guilty about unkind thoughts.

Meanwhile at home Liam's day goes forward.

I'LL PLAY WITH MY TOYS

THIS COULD LAST A WHILE

THAT'S DONE, WHAT NOW?

I'LL LICK A LATTE

Starbucks
I arrive on time- 10:30.  My friend is there and we have a situation.  A prime table is available, but there is a catch.  Sitting on an unoccupied table is a Starbucks bag with items-2 waters and a list. The first item on the list is a latte-no latte in this bag.  No apparent owner nearby.  After much discussion, we move the bag to the counter and sit down.  Looks like someone just forgot  the bag with the waters and took the latte bag. Probably someone filling an order for coworkers. Yet, another expression comes to mind, "if you see something, say something."  I tell the server about the bag.  "Oh, yeah, I remember her; she must have left part of the order."  Good.  Well not for her, but at least there is nothing ticking in it.  On with our chat.

SOME TV PASSES THE TIME

Star Struck after Starbucks  
We are at the end of our meeting, it is about 1:05PM. At this time, my pal's hubby calls and lets us know he is on West 67th street. This is the procedure lately. He drives in to take my friend home, calls when he arrives, and waits in the car on the street. This time though, he has more news.  Regis is there with wife Joy, parked right in front of him.  He has seen them come out of the building and enter their car. We hurry out and I do the unthinkable, I take out my camera.  No New Yorker ever does that. The understood code is that if  you see a celeb you keep walking,  no eye contact, and OMG no camera.  Anyway, who uses a camera anymore?  I do. My friend and I stand at the car.  Regis comes out of his car, looking very annoyed (guess the person they are waiting for is late)  He goes into the building, but first turns and looks right at me.  I snap. No turning back now. I have a pic  A blurry mess- but it is the Reege. He enters the building.  I feel awful.  What possessed me?  He was already upset.  Did I add to it?

SHE SHOULD BE WALKING UP THE STREET NOW

Train
Due to my Regis gawking/stalking, I miss my 1:31 train at Penn.  I have an hour to go until the next one at 2:29.  I go to Starbucks, order another latte.  When my name is announced, the cup shows a creative new spelling.  I am no longer Carol.  I am Carrol.  Double r. That explains it!  That crazed fan who snapped Regis is not me. I have a multiple personality. She is the one who acted so irrationally.  Note to self-use this when convenient to excuse future inappropriate actions.

LATTE OF A CRAZED FAN

I enter the LIRR waiting room-no seats.  A teenager gets up and gives me his seat.  Being a woman has its advantages. Or maybe it is being older.  That does not mean being old.  It means being older than 14, which I estimate to be the age of my polite young hero. Several people smile in approval.  A young man with manners!  I give him a thumbs up and he returns the gesture. My seat faces the men's room.

MAYBE THERE IS ARE SOME CRUMBS AROUND

Drunken speeches
A man is using the men's room entrance as a stage from which to give speeches.  I have a front row view, an  orchestra seat.  I cannot make out his words but he is quite happy with his captive audience. This bathroom orator is removed three times by the LIRR personnel but seems to know a secret entrance and slips back into position repeatedly.

TAKING A SIESTA

Cops and LIRR invasion
The LIRR female agent then announces that the waiting room is only for LIRR passengers, we must show our tickets. I feel so superior. I have a ticket.  Another expression comes to mind  "throw out the bums"
A few of us display our tickets and as this procedure goes on, two cops burst in and announce that no one should be in here unless they have a ticket; adding we had better show our tickets to them.  What is this? A simultaneous frisk?  The LIRR agent then turns on the cops and says, "I have the situation in hand."  "Yes Ma'am"  they humbly respond and they leave. Missing the train is proving quite entertaining. We erupt into polite applause. Not sure why.

ENJOYING THE HEAT

Walk home 
I am back at New Hyde Park,  I have to walk home. First though,  I check the station waiting room for my gloves. Not there. My jacket is a slidey material so my handbag keeps slipping off my shoulder, requiring I hold it in place. That hand quickly gets cold, so I keep switching hands. I am an hour later than I intended, school is out, hooded kids wearing shorts are all over the streets, traffic is heavy.  I keep trying to cross New Hyde Park Road and I cannot.  The lights are too short, the traffic unrelenting. I have my hood covering my head, hands now in pockets, bag dangling, smacking my leg as I walk.  I pause by a crossing guard.  She comes over and says  "I'll help you cross"  then I turn and she says  "Oh. I thought. you were a little kid."  I explain that just an hour before I got a seat because I was thought to be old,  now I am getting help because I am thought to be young. She stops the traffic. We cross together. I join groups of kids walking home. I arrive at our house at 3:45 PM.

Hope Liam is awake.  I have so much to tell him.

SO TIRED OF WAITING, PLAYING, SLEEPING, RESTING

Woof, Woof