New Years Resolutions...Want to take a guess on which News Years Resolution is most common? Here's a hint...a fresh bagel and cream cheese can equate to almost half of my total calorie count for the day. Seems like all those diet centers and fitness gyms are busy with sign-ups the first wek in January! Happy New Year! :-) 
Back on the Island...I always sense a collective sigh about this time of the year. There is such inertia that builds as the holidays approach. It's the passing wave crest of stress and preparation that gives one pause to relax and take a breath. As wonderful as it is to see family members who are separated by miles of interstate it's also calming to sit still in your own living room, enjoy that cup of coffee and read the local paper. (This shot of the Robert Moses Causeway is best viewed in the large size...click on the image)
Hitting the Highway...Having spent two recent days on the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Turnpikes I can attest to the fact that very few of us are letting the price of oil cramp our driving styles. The sheer volume of traffic headed North or South at this time of year is scary when it's moving and anger provoking when it's not.
Mike of Mike's Farm...We met Mike, grower of Christmas trees, on our annual search for the perfect tree. Patient, friendly and earthy Mike added another layer to our sojourn into the maze of the Christmas Tree Farm field trip. Although we yearned for Mike to tell us that he was a Native American (bringing us closer to nature, I suppose), he is in fact Greek having come to Long Island thirty years ago. Sitting on several acres of what appears to be prime real estate Mike seems very happy and content raising and nuturing his cash crop for the short harvest of the holiday icon.
Christmas Trains...A long ago Christmas tradition at my house involved a model train platform and a basement that morphed into a fantasyland. A miniture city emerged complete with tiny lights, whistling trains and little metal cars. Early on Santa got the credit but then they foolishly sent us to school and we were made less naive. Dad spent evenings before the big day in a basement that became "off-limits" until Christmas morning, a rule that we didn't seem to mind at all. It was always a thrill to re-visit, in low light, that magical city of Lionel.
Christmas Memories...The anticipation of Christmas is all about memories. We don't realize it at the time but it's the seemingly little things that get stored in the cerebral cortex, not the "must have" plastic toy de' jour. The scent of a freshly cut tree, reflecting lights against the snow, church at midnight, the first taste of egg nog or a Johnny Mathis Christmas Carrol...these are the things that stick. Traditions may change over time, it's the emotional imprint that really matters. And of course, the joyful human yearning to experience it again one more time.
Looking East...Yesterday was a perfect "10" on the local weather scale. With temperatures in the mid-60's and a crystal blue sky it was not a Saturday to shop but rather an ideal opportunity to climb the 192 steps of the Fire Island Lighthouse. This breathtaking and sweeping vista is looking East toward the towns of Kismet and Ocean Beach. My camera is still smiling! :-)
Shopping Days...As a measure of time isn't this term antiquated? Used as in:.. "10 more Shopping Days till Christmas" seems redundant because there are only 10 more days till the big event anyway. It occurs to me that the elimination of "Blue Laws" allowed stores to stay open seven days a week making everyday a Shopping Day! (Yep, if you are under 40 you may be surprised to hear that stores were not permitted to do business on Sunday) Oh well...just a rambling Holiday Season observation. :-)
The Singer or the Football Player?...Exploring old cemeteries can be a walk through history and an opportunity for some unique photos. While on the North Shore the other day I came across this church graveyard in Miller Place, it dates to the mid-1700's. I plan to post several of these shots in my "Memories in Stone" gallery on the pBase website.
The Farm at Bethpage Restoration...A more simple and peaceful way of life? What we may see as less hectic and romantic was in reality mundane and tedious daily chores. I was reminded that central heat and proper plumbing are very underrated. It's nice to visit winter 1845 on the farm, I wouldn't want to live there. :-)
