Things to do in Ithaca, NY
Three years ago when I moved here, practically everyone I met volunteered things to do in Ithaca, so as not to be bored. They felt it vitally important to share with every newbie—and potential former Ithaca resident. I kept hearing the exact same three things from the different people who live here. Someone would say “ohh if you like Mexican food, we've got the best Mexican downtown it's called Viva …Gimme Coffee has the best coffee…of course you’ve got to go to the famous Ithaca farmers market .” These things always came up as a tri…
Why did I Choose Whitby?
Because, I have never fallen as quickly or thoroughly in love with a place, since first visiting Puerto Viejo over a decade ago. Sunset over Whitby Rail Station, January 2025 I hopped off the train and strode purposefully toward the pier,toward my lodgings for the next four days. The seaside resort town was awash with the amber glow of sunset, and I had minutes to spare before oranges gave way to purples, then blues, then black in the night sky. 50 meters from the station, I turned around, grinning at the world and snapped my first photograp…
Bob Mortimer Cured my Scuirophobia
A lifelong crippling phobia, gone. I'm free. I read a book that retold--practically verbatim--the story of my first meeting a new friend in a London bar, it also engaged squirrels in new and interesting ways, and eventually solved a murder mystery...all while making me laugh out loud every few chapters. People on the bus no longer sit near me. The Satsuma Complex is written by Bob Mortimer, a comedian from Middlesborough, who has lived a colorful life and pissed in more than one teapot in hotels across England. The germaphobe and tea-lov…
Drugs, in That London
Here I am down in That London , minding my own business, when I legit for offered drugs for purchase. Both 'Spice' and 'Ket' were on offer. So it was kinda like walking through Baltimore...made me feel right at home --except I was not fearful of being shot, accosted by panhandling addicts, or any of the usual. London 2024, Camden Town Plus I don't think they're selling much pot substitute or * horse tranquilizer much on streets of the United States...it is still very much a crack/ heroin market. Anyway, that's wha…
Walking in DC
At the exhibition we reclined in the cool underwater chill out space, listening to soothing drum and bass, a welcomed contrast to the hot sultry city streets above. DC Delicacies: Macaron from Laduree at Union Station (pistachio, salted caramel, chocolate, and rose water). As the start of school fast approaches, we decided to take a day trip to Washington DC, to catch the exhibition, From the Deep, by artist Ayana V. Jackson, at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art. We biked to the Marc Train, took an hour ride to DC's Union Station, w…
The Bard, On Love at First Sight
I am currently reading Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, for the first time ever. By reading, I mean that I sit in the park on a blanket, taking in the sun, and reading aloud to the birds, bees, and passersby walking their dogs. Thankfully it's a big park (Sherwood Gardens). Anyway, very early in the play, I come upon the brief mono by Olivia, after having just met Cesario (Violet disguised as a young lad) for the first time. She has fallen immediately and irretrievably in love: What is your parentage? 'Above my fortunes, yet my state …
Walking in NYC
(and a bit more about my departed social anxiety ) Today we strolled to Moynihan Train Hall (formerly New York’s Penn Station) and I exclaimed to hubby, “I can’t say when I’ve been happier than this…this has been the best trip!” Then I kissed his lips—slightly sweet from the kettle corn that we polished off a few minutes earlier (purchased at the the 9th Avenue Food Festival) . His response was to warn me against hyperbole. But then I told him why…not only was I in the presence of my favorite fella, having just munched on my favorite snack,…
Walking in Baltimore, Mid-May
Gorgeous pink and peach roses, in a dry garden... I decided to bike from my neck of the woods to visit a friend who lives a couple miles north. After enjoying the ride for a few blocks, I opted to hop out of the saddle and stroll, taking in much more of this glorious day. Dogwood shrubs, and no wire! On my first photographic pause, I bent down to pick up some trash in the parking lot of the Northwood shopping center, a redeveloped retail space meant to serve the community. My personal feelings do no align with those of community members and ne…
Start of Festival Season
It's Here, Finally... Back when I lived in Baltimore's queer hub, the Mt Vernon community, the Flower Mart was hailed as the official start of festival season. One weekend in May, Mt Vernon place/Washington Monument exploded in plants, music, and food. A view of the Washington Monument from our seat in the grass, at the 2023 Flower Mart. Friends and I would walk over from my apartment, usually hungover, to enjoy Flower Mart. It was the gateway...afterward we could then look forward to: the Pow wow (now being re-tooled as a better…
Walking in Baltimore
It has been raining for days on end, but I had to pause by this chain link fence and dogwood for a quick photo (there's a cemetery on the other side of that fence, 20 yards back) I have my own problems with this city, but most are not larger than the problems that abound across the United States. Generally, I take things lightly and look for the beauty in whatever surroundings I'm in. As it turns out, it's possible that my brain may be hard-wired to be awestruck (more about that in a later post). Needless to say, walking through t…
On Socials