Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween


Halloween, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Trick or Treat...I suppose I've become "grumpy" but I'm always glad when this holiday is over, it has changed so much over the years. It was always a fun holiday for kids and we carved a pumpkin the night before which pretty much was it for elaborate decorations. Adults and teenaged siblings helped the costumed little kids go about the neighborhood getting free candy. Many in my generation can remember being "too old" to go Trick or Treating, usually somewhere around Jr. High age. Later generations saw a pillow case and a can of shaving cream as an ideal way to extort candy from the neighbors and adults began to have lavish parties that did not include any children. ... So what has happened? Retailers now call the season "Falloween", consumers spend more on decorations for Halloween than any other holiday and The National Trade Federation estimates about $6.8Billion (with a B) will be spent this year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween has the highest proportion of alcohol related traffic deaths of any holiday. There are 3% more of these type of fatalities on Halloween than on New Years Eve!!
So...Happy Halloween and be careful out there!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Dad


Philly Fan, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
I still love this shot of the napping Phillies fan! Hard to believe you've been gone a whole year. Thanks for the lessons, the laughs and the love.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Civil War Surgeon


Civil War Surgeon, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Members from the 67th New York/ 1st Long Island Volunteers gave a presentation through our local library this week. I'm always impressed with the realistic manner in which these docents present themselves. For them, it IS 1862. Of course, no Civil War presentation would be complete without the vivid and gory details of early battlefield surgical units. This always causes those in attendance to squirm and to also develop a newfound appreciation for anesthesia. (Myself included!)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

My Favorite Marsh


My Favorite Marsh, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Long Island's quiet side shows off the salt meadows decked out in fall colors.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Do Windows?


Big Job, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
This puts that window cleaning chore in perspective for me....

Monday, October 24, 2011

Foggy Morning


Foggy Morning, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Looks like several canceled flights due to the early morning fog.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Fire Island Ferry


Nicolet, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Another sure sign of the changing season is the decrease in ferry traffic on the Great South Bay. Nicolet's schedule, making the run from Patchogue to Davis Park, has gone from nine daily roundtrips to two. The service will stop for the season in November.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Fire Island Buck


Fire Island Buck, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
This very healthy looking buck is enjoying a meal by the bay. Fire Island deer appear to be well fed of late, perhaps population control efforts are paying off. In past seasons the numerous deer of Fire Island had seemed to be undernourished.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Recess At Anchor


Recess At Anchor, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Recess is the latest in a rather long line of family vessels dating back to the early '70's. She's not fancy, plush, sleek or eloquent. What she is is salty, dependable, safe and fast. The perfect boat for us at this point in our lives, Recess handles well in almost any weather conditions. Her pilothouse cabin keeps us dry and secure when the waves of the Great South Bay break over the windshield, the aft deck serves us perfectly when cruising or fishing in calmer water. It's funny how a boat can almost become a part of the family and during the past five years Recess has been a part of many adventures. There still are a few weeks to be enjoyed in this boating season with cool afternoons and early sunsets. Soon though Recess will have to suffer the indignity of sitting in the driveway as the only waves breaking over her bow will be of ice and snow.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Davis Dawn


Davis Dawn, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
The early light at Davis Park finds surf casters enjoying the peak of the fall run.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

October Beach


October Beach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Cool, crisp and delicious...and the view is worth the trip!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

City Sunset


City Sunset, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Perfect time and perfect place for a stroll to watch the setting sun! Life is Good.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Local Residents


Young Buck, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
October on Fire Island and the locals are happy to see the summer crowd gone!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Montauk Point


Montauk Point, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
October weather is here, take a hike and enjoy that air! Life is Good!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Union Pacific


Union Pacific, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Long Island trains, almost always LIRR commuter trains, may be ten or more cars long on average. I was reminded during my recent Wisconsin visit just how many freight cars make up a freight train! Rail road crossings require patience in the mid-west. :)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Bug Light B&W


Bug Light BW, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
There's something nostalgic about black and white photos. Now-a-days B&W is an effect that digital photographers can use in post processing. If you're of a certain age however, you may recall family snapshots always in B&W. The man at the drug store did some magic and within a few days a film canister was converted into a yellow paper billfold that held photos connected by perforated edges. And of course, B&W format was almost always the preferred medium of master photographers.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Two Sails


Two Sails, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Our Long Island weather continues to please well into the Columbus Day weekend! Life is Good!

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Money, Money


George Wall St, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Greed? Capitalism? Financial Elite?....Wall Street is always a worthwhile news item. Lately, Wall Street and the surrounding downtown area has become the scene of disenchanted crowds (10,000 reported yesterday) who have remained encamped at Zuccotti park. Occupy Wall Street seems to be a mix of various groups who claim that the nation's ills are rooted in "corporate greed". Gee...so what else is new? Did all these people "cut" their American History classes??

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

The Coach


The Coach, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
Vol-un-teer (noun)- a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task........Community based youth athletic programs are almost always staffed by unpaid, hard working volunteers. The number of youth teams operating on any given weekend around the country truly is impressive. I am of the opinion that the coaches and organizers of these athletic programs are a very under appreciated bunch. An observation by my cynical side is that these coaches are often pressured and coerced to volunteer. The criticism, second guessing and verbal abuse starts soon after agreeing to help. All the more reason for the rest of us to say "Thank You".

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Wisconsin Surf


Wisconsin Surf, originally uploaded by Chris S Thorpe.
During a visit with the mid-western grandkids I got a good look at Lake Michigan. Living on the east coast I tend to think of surf as an ocean generated happening but I was impressed with the power and sound along the Wisconsin shoreline. To me, the sound was different in that it did not have that ocean breathing "hiss" but rather a constant pounding energy. I left with a new found appreciation for the Great in the Great Lakes.