Long Island has had one of the heaviest snows in a long time. I've seen worst blizzards here but never I have I seen the Long Island Expressway closed for clean-up.
I was snowed-in for three days with three children under 6 yrs old. I miss the grandkids when I'm in Florida and now I had the pleasure of watching them in their first snow experience. What fun!
These are the advantages to being retired. Had I still been working, a closed roadway would have been a disaster. Retired, I just play with the kids!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Michael's Liquor Store, Sayville
Just had to write about my experience!
We just got off the plane from Florida, in time for the snow-storm apparently, and we shopped for dinner at Stop & Shop in Sayville. We stopped next door at Michael's Liquor Store for a bottle of Chardonnay to go with our evening's dinner.
My husband and I have been in this store, Michael's Liquors, more than once, and every time we thought that it was probably a bad idea.
The man and woman who work there are not friendly and sometimes even rude. Don't know if they are the owners or managers. The shop's prices are somewhat higher than other liquor stores in the area too. I know it's difficult for liquor stores to price competitively with the larger chains nearby, but a smile and good service would bring more people in to shop.
On this recent visit, after food shopping in the supermarket next door, we wanted a bottle of wine to go with our dinner. It was a Greg Norman $14 bottle, usually about $10-12 in other stores. We didn't mind paying extra for the convenience of being right there.
When we opened the bottle at home, the cork was dry and broke apart: not a good sign. We noticed the color of the wine was very dark, not usual for Chardonnay. Just one sip told us the wine went bad. Too rancid to drink, we covered the top and took it back with the receipt.
The owners/managers would not refund our money or give any credit or another bottle. They pointed to a sign on the counter that said, "ALL SALES FINAL!" They said it was the NY State law. Well, of course, I wouldn't expect them to take a bottle of liquor back and resell it, but this was bad wine. Shouldn't it have been dumped out and the bottle given back to the supplier for credit. Shouldn't we have been given credit or a replacement bottle of wine? We paid good money for something we had to throw out.
My husband and I could not believe the attitude of these people. It wasn't their fault apparently. Bad merchandise, is our problem? Really?
What angered me even more was the woman said I should write to the wine company and they will send me "free wine"! Oh, so now I'll get free wine, like that was the reason I was there? No, I didn't want free wine, just credit for something I paid for and had to throw out. That attitude, too often seen in the general population, is that you do whatever you can in order to get something for free.
Well, I don't do that!
I will never walk into that store again!
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
back in New York
Had to leave the great Florida weather for a visit home, Long Island. We're not happy about the cold weather but really needed to come home for a few days. Love our home here and would never give it up!
We want to see the grandkids and our friends. Some things just can't be ignored!
We want to see the grandkids and our friends. Some things just can't be ignored!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
spanish moss
I love the spanish moss growing on these southern trees. As the temperature rises, I know I'm not in NY!
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Florida undeveloped
We did some Florida hiking, in great weather:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
For more info click here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Dickinson_State_Park
Sunday, January 06, 2013
cigars in his pocket, Cuba
cigar pocket, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.
Bonito, a tobacco farmer in the Viñales Valley of Cuba, shares his cigars.
You can see my Cuba photos, in two slideshows with music, on YouTube:
First video Cuba #1:
Cuba #2
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
sunrise New Years Day
sunrise New Years Day, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.
Juno Beach Pier, sunrise 2013, day one...
I'm a snow bird now. My winters are spent in Florida. It's the "sunshine state" and there is a good reason it gets the name. The sun always seems to shine and I love the warm sunshine!
Every year, on New Year's Day, I take a photo of the sunrise. I started this back in the year 2000. Remember Y2K?
My husband and I thought, as many other people did at the time, that there could be a big problem with clocks, computers, and all electronics due to the change in the year's digits, from 19-- to 20--.
Well there was no big problem, but we woke up on January 1st, 2000, waiting to hear about some major catastrophe. We were ready.
I had my camera in hand and we walked down to the beach and waited for sunrise.
I took some photos with my little point & shoot digital camera, one of the first. Those photos were grainy and pixelated.
Well, the tradition continues and so here is the photo to usher in 2013, the next chapter of our lives.
It started a little cloudy in Florida, but the sun still came up, right on schedule.
Hope your upcoming year is a good one!
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 27, 2012
artist student
Our legal visit to Cuba was a "People to People" cultural exchange so we met many people. Here is an art student at the National Art School of Cuba.
The art school was once a golf course for the elite.
Read about the Cuban Art School:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Art_Schools_%28Cuba%29
And watch the trailer for the documentary, "Unfinished Spaces"
www.unfinishedspaces.com/trailer.html
The art school was once a golf course for the elite.
Read about the Cuban Art School:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Art_Schools_%28Cuba%29
And watch the trailer for the documentary, "Unfinished Spaces"
www.unfinishedspaces.com/trailer.html
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
used books Havana
Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Could it be because the internet is illegal and almost no one has a computer so the population is reading and not playing video games? Hmmm,?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Habana streetcleaner
Recently went to Cuba (legally) and it was like stepping through a time machine!
The Malecón: there are still workers who clean the streets on foot.
Chevy in Cuba
Recently went to Cuba (legally) and it was like stepping through a time machine!
It was not only the old cars, but the lack of cell phones, the internet, and so much more.
More photos will follow.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Meadow Croft, Sayville
The house will be decorated for the Christmas celebration, December 1st and 2nd, 2012.
Meadow Croft garden, Sayville
The garden in winter....
The house will be decorated for the Christmas celebration, December 1st and 2nd, 2012.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Christmas at Meadow Croft, Sayville
'Twas the night before Christmas......
All local residents are invited to the annual
Christmas at Meadow Croft.
Event will be held on
Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2, 2012
at the Estate located at
299 Middle Road, on the Bayport-Sayville border from
noon to 4pm.
Musical selections will be played on the original Roosevelt Grand Piano.
Come visit with Santa, see exhibits and drink some hot chocolate.
All decorations will be raffled off.
For further information: call 631-363-6487
Monday, November 19, 2012
Bellport & Fire Island
This same spot before and after Hurricane Sandy:
This is taken from Fire Island, looking north to Bellport, Brookhaven Township.
The little island with the beach house is "Pelican Island"
This is the site of just one breach on Fire Island.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
The storm has hit Long Island and the the entire northeast coast and I cannot bring myself to post photos of the damage and floods.
It's day 13 and still many Long Islanders have no electricity.
If you are looking for photos of flood damage, there are many websites that have recent images.
Here are some links:
fireisland.com
CNN.com
or go to Google.com and search: hurricane sandy floods, images
Thursday, November 01, 2012
hurricane approaching
The storm approaching. You can see the water rising above the dock and pilings. Hurricane Sandy is on the way.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Arboretum river
The Long Island Autumn colors are at their peak right now. Don't wait to take those photos as we have a short "peak" period and the leaves will soon be gone!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Autumn Marsh Grass
Autumn on Fire Island.
This photo was taken at Watch Hill on the Fire Island National Seashore.
Watch Hill Dock
Spent the day at Watch Hill and walked to Davis Park. What a glorious day! The weather could not have been more perfect.
Fire Island has its own colors in autumn. The greens are mostly gone but the brown and crimsons are there. I hope to post some more photos in the next few days. It may have been my last Fire Island visit until springtime!
Monday, October 08, 2012
on the hunt
Each day, mid-morning, this osprey comes to our canal. We often see fish breaking the surface of the water and the osprey knows he can get a quick meal here. He doesn't stay long, maybe about a half-hour, but he "sits" and waits perched on this branch, then swoops down, catches something, and flies away. Wonderful to see, and most times, I just want to watch and not reach for the camera. Some images are just better seen with two eyes!
Thursday, October 04, 2012
Rainy Foggy Thursday
I woke up today to a misty, foggy morning.
Something is so nice about sitting by the window and watching the fog roll by, drinking my morning coffee.........
Sunday, September 30, 2012
So close
You wonder why there aren't more accidents in horse racing.....
This is the Belmont Race Track.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Causeway
Robert Moses Causeway
It's the last few warm days of boating! As the weather gets cooler, we take the boat out less frequently. When we do, the jackets are worn and fishing becomes the major activity. It's all good, just different with each season!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
building 92
building 92, a photo by Alida's Photos on Flickr.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard, Flushing Ave in Brooklyn.
There are tours of the yard, so check out their website!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Dingy on Great South Bay
Robert Moses Bridge in the background...
Summer has come to an end, but playing on the Great South Bay is still a wonderful way to spend your free time.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Beaver Dam Creek entrance
Beautiful weekend for boating.......Be careful out there since it is a busy weekend on the water!
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Domino Sugar
Whatever happened to the Domino Sugar Plant? I know it's not refining sugar anymore and there was a group formed to save the building. Hmmm, I'll have to find out.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Pier 17
Passing the South Street Seaport area and Pier 17. We are headed up the East River, morning of Day 4...
Hudson River sunrise
Beginning of the fourth day.....
We sailed from New Jersey just as the sun was rising in the east, over Manhattan.
Saturday, August 04, 2012
Friday, August 03, 2012
Night Lights
The end to our second day of sailing. We settled into a marina in New Jersey and had the spectacular view of lower Manhattan,NYC and the Freedom Tower.
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