Old Bethpage Restoration Village

Two old barrels sit in the barn on what was once the Powell Farm. The farm was really located here in Bethpage but the historic building were transported to save them from demolition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm originally a city girl. I didn't know anything about pigs.

They were so cute with their long pink eyelashes, until they turned and walked away.

Their feet went, squish, squish, squish, through the mud!

And what a sight!

More of Old Bethpage Restoration Village

The Hat Shop

Everyone wore hats back in the 1800s.

Do you know where the expression came from, "The Mad Hatter"?

Hatters boiled the animal fur to make felt, with mercury!

Years of inhaling mercury, poisoned the hatters!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ladies in colonial period clothing, sit and wait and knit some socks for winter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Town Square Bell

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Milk pitcher decorated with the likeness of a pig.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Old Bethpage Restoration Village

Walk through the town and you feel like it is the 1800s.
This is the Old Bethpage Restoration Village where the historic homes are transplanted from other areas of Long Island and are in the restored condition of the 1800s.
It is an interesting place to see and there is so much to learn about the time period.
One of the museum docents or "tour guides" explained that museum visitors are not as great in number as they once were.
People no longer visit on weekends.
I guess they all go shopping or take the kids to soccer.
I don't know really. At one time, a weekend family sightseeing trip was the thing to do.
Times do change.

moooooooo....

Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Today we went to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
It is a restored village dating back to the 1800s with farm houses and blacksmith shop,
as well as the hat shop and school house.
The day was overcast and gray, so photos were limited to just a few.
It was wonderful to get back to those old days and listen to the volunteers
give their explanation of the homes and lifestyles.
This is a photo of the Powell Farm c. 1855

Back to the morning routine....

The holiday is over, the left-overs are all gone.
It's time to get back to reality and the daily routine.
Read the paper with the morning coffee, check email and post some photos.
Don't you just love the NY Times font?

The ending of November

November is coming to an end.
Yes. Today, many people begin shopping for their holiday gifts.
The leftover turkey gets eaten.
The Christmas lights go up.
The weather gets colder.
I like the part about eating the leftover turkey.
As the cook, it seems that the turkey dinner is always better the second day..after the company has left, and the cook can relax.
I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderul!
I had a great time with family and friends. It was everything you want Thanksgiving to be.
Good food, family and friends.
And did I mention the desserts? We have that leftover too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you have a wonderful holiday, filled with family, friends, good food and good health!

Sayville at Night

I went down to the bay tonight, with my tripod.
Sayville.
There is a park near the bay with a walkway and play equipment for kids.
I saw some people walking their dogs. Someone was at the marina checking on his boat.
Soon all boats will have to be out of the water at the town docks.
This is the shot I took.....eerie and getting colder.
The park is to the right, the bay is on the left.
You can see the darkness of the water and lights in the distance.
I didn't stay too long. My hands got cold.
Yep, winter is coming.

Christmas Cactus in November

This is my Christmas Cactus.
The point is....it blooms each year for Thanksgiving and again at Easter!
I know it must be a different variety of "Christmas Cactus" and I am happy that it is blooming now.
Our Thanksgiving guests will be treated to these beautiful flowers as well as the food and company of family and friends.

Winter Berries

On our ususal morning walk, we came upon some winter berries.
I wish I new the names of all the plants I see.
There is so much to learn and never enough time.

November in Bellport, Long Island

We took a ride today to Bellport, just to see the photo opportunities.
This is one of the best from today, the Carman's River.
The boats are being pulled out of the water for winter, and just one or two remain.

Some of my top photos on Flickr.com......I've been a member for over one year and have more than 2,000 photos online.

Jessica, smiling for the camera...and me!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I wish I could say it to him in person. He died in 1994.

Born in 1908, he would have been 98 years old today.

This is my most favorite photo of him, in the store, where I guess he was the most comfortable.

He loved the store and he loved us, his children.

So, happy birthday daddy, and know that we are thinking of you today.

Sayville Town dock at night......

First Sailboat Ride

Kevin and his girlfriend Ragan on our friend's sailboat.

It was Ragan's first time on a sailboat.... and she loved it!

The weather was beautiful and we took a boat ride with our friend Dave to Fire Island.

Dave wanted to give his 30' Newport a "last ride" before it's taken out of the water for winter.

We walked on the empty beach and Ragan, who only saw the ocean once before, took off her shoes and ran through the waves!

It was wonderful to see Kevin and Ragan so happy!

The photo below is from the same day.

Went to Fire Island yesterday. Thought we'd get a boat ride in before it has to be taken out of the water for winter.
Fire Island was spectacular as ususal.
The birds, the sand and sunshine, and an empty beach...just wonderful!

We took a very long walk yesterday, Thursday, through the Connetquot River State Park and Preserve. It is a quiet, peaceful, oasis in the middle of the suburbs. The only sounds are from the birds. Occassionaly a plane will pass overhead (the airport is not far). And occassionaly a deer will be seen running through the brush after hearing us approach.

Check out the website for the Park information.

The Park.

The Grist Mill in the Connetquot State Park and Preserve...

Our Thursday walk was through Connetquot State Park and Preserve. There is an old Grist Mill there that is currently being restored.

Sorry I haven't posted any photos in awhile. I've been busy. Yes, I know that is no excuse but you know how things go. It rained today, all day. I took some shots of the rain. And the wet leaves. And the wet walkway. Just one of those days. You know.

Rainy day project.....Take a plant and some string and make a black and white photo. This was the assignment from utata.org....just to keep me experimenting.

Calm breezes on Fire Island in November..... Another week has gone by and I don't know where the time is going. I feel like we just came into autumn and now we're getting ready with our Thanksgiving plans. The stores and shopping malls are decorated for Christmas and winter holidays! When does it slow down?

Gentle colors from a bouquet of flowers!

One of the most wonderful things about living on Long Island, is that is so close to New York City. We were in the "city" yesterday and the city was busy and exciting. You could feel the energy. Everyone is getting ready for today's big race! Stay tuned!

Migrating Birds

The birds are migrating over the Great South Bay.

They travel west it seems. I think they travel along the coast all the way from Canada and then down along the New Jersey coast and points south.

It's a long flight for these flocks, but there is plenty to eat along the way.

We have seen so many fish in the Great South Bay this summer.

The birds, the fish....That's a good sign!

Fire Island, looking west at Talisman.

Just another sunset over the river.

November at the beach on Fire Island... I am amazed at the number of vehicles that travel along the Fire Island Seashore. There are no paved roads along the barrier beach but utility vehicles and maintenance workers travel along to their destinations. After the recent rains and storm, the sand is relatively solid. It's a great place to take a long walk....and it's right here on Long Island.

November 1 and the sunset is perfect!

Getting just a little too cold for fly-fishing......I guess we'll have to wait for spring!

This photo has become so popular. It has won a weekly contest on Flickr and has gotten a great deal of attention. Just thought I would post it again. It is one of my favorites.