Simple Pleasures

Before today I'd never been to one of the most famous BBQ places on Long Island (North Fork Bacon & Smokehouse). That's because it's far away and only open a few days a week. But today is one of those days and I was eager to ride my rocket-ship for a couple of hours. So history was made.

They have a sandwich called the "Heart Attack" so my choice was clear. The Heart Attack contains brisket, pulled pork, mac-n-cheese and French Fries on a bun. Cheese adds just the right amount of moisture to pull the various ingredients together. Yum!

Afterward I went next door for coffee and had a nice long conversation with the owner whose new Triumph Thruxton 900 was perched in front. Bikers establish easy rapport and can talk for hours.

Later I cruised to Wildwood State Park in Wading River where I hiked to the beach, ambled down to a flat boulder, climbed aboard and listened to rhapsodic waves lapping the shore while reading a biography of Rachel Carson whose 1962 book, "Silent Spring," founded our modern environmental concerns. Pics follow...

With A Little Help From My Friends

Last July I rode my motorcycle up to Toronto to see a good friend, Suzanne. During my visit we went clothes-shopping. Of course.

Suzanne then gave me one of the greatest gifts ever -- the courage to try on women's clothing in a store dressing-room. I'd never done that before. Suzanne's presence and support gave me the strength needed to cross this bridge. As you know, trying on clothes is very important because you can't tell how a garment is going to look until you put it on. In the past I was too scared to do this and often bought clothes only to later discover they don't fit right.

In one store, I took a dozen items into the dressing-room. I was shocked to see how many of them looked bad when I anticipated them to look good. One dress, however, a slinky, ruched black velvet beauty fit me perfectly. I had doubts about it before trying it on but was pleasantly surprised when I did.

Here is the dress. What do you think? I'm also wearing a mermaid necklace that was a sweet gift from a friend.

April Fool's Jokes

April 1st is Sunday. Are you ready?

Every year I design a new April Fool's joke. They're fun when the idea is clever, not cruel. Many admire my past efforts which you're invited to use for inspiration. Like this one (2017), this one (2016), this one (2015) and this one (2013).

Here are some other ideas:

1. Remove all your partner's clothes from two dresser-drawers and put them back in the wrong drawer. When he goes looking for his underwear, he'll find sweaters.

2. Replace a prominent framed photo with another image that your partner finds funny. This year I'm switching a picture of us with a photo of Pee-Wee Herman.

3. Hide an alarm clock and set it for a good time. Your partner will hear the noise, wander around the house and say, "What the hell is that?"

4. Tape a plastic bug on the inside of a lamp. (See picture.)

5. If you've done pranks in the past and your partner is expecting one (my situation), tape an innocent sign on your refrigerator door: "Happy April First!" Your partner will spend hours trying to figure out which food you switched/contaminated. Of course, you didn't touch any of them, which makes it a really easy prank.

Are you going to do a joke this year?

Huntington Rural Cemetery

I was passing by our local cemetery when harsh sunlight caught my eye. It back-lit gravestones and created an arresting visual. Can you spot a flag?

Touching The Past

I'm writing a letter to a 93-year old neighbor who, during my childhood, often invited me into her house after school for milk and cookies because my mom was still at work. Telling Mrs. Devine how much I appreciated her kindness makes me feel good.

Why don't you write a letter today? You'll enjoy it.

The Roaring Twenties

Despite the presence of lingering snow on the ground, I was enticed to venture out today by bright sunshine, warming temperature and a new exhibition at a local art museum. The subject of the show is the Roaring Twenties, a period similar to our own. I took my trusted racehorse (BMW S1000R), recently serviced and ready for some spirited action.

The Twenties began early -- on November 11, 1918, the day World War I ended. The decade was full of transition, chaos and unpredicted social change. Art and culture evolved rapidly; women got the vote. Countries like ours prospered immensely, without awareness that financial ruin was just around the corner (1929).

Also like our age, "everything seemed feasible through modern technology." Airplanes crossed oceans. Flying and automobiles became available to ordinary folk.

Below are some images from the era that appealed to me today.

The Twenties, a century ago, were obviously before I was born (1957). But I feel an affinity for that time. Surrealism, in particular, speaks to me. We will soon start a new Twenties (2020+) and I suspect it will be equally momentous. The drastic changes we're about to experience (e.g., robotic companions) may be understood by looking back at the last Twenties and drawing lessons from this time. At least I'm trying to do that.

What do you foresee in the next decade?

Spring

Despite a snowstorm we had yesterday it is actually Spring.

When I got home today, I saw these two guys in my backyard. The first one is eating a slice of bread I left out.

Are you seeing any signs of Spring?