Halloween Happenings

After Jeff got home from work tonight, we stopped by Jenn and John's in our Halloween costumes. Most of their block was decorated, and the streets were filled with trick-or-treaters. It was awesome. It reminded me of a day that I thought was long gone: a day of trick-or-treating. OK, these trick-or-treaters went around their neighborhood with their parents; we were allowed to go by ourselves.

We spent about an hour with Jenn and John--had heaven and hell themed jello shots--their treats for the parents--handed out candy, and visited. It was fun and a big difference from our place--we haven't had trick-or-treaters in years.

On Saturday the 21st, we went to our second Haunting at Mill Hill. Like last year, we heard tales of six Norwalkers and their deaths. This year added a haunted maze. Fun.

Jenn and John had their annual Halloween party on the 14th. The theme was heaven and hell.  I wore a costume that I really liked: St. Roch the patron saint of dogs. I word a brown robe that Jeff had used for a previous costume. I bought a tonsure wig, a curtain tie as a rope, and Jeff bought me a large cross. I carried a stuffed beagle to complete my costume. Jeff went as Thor. We saw lots of angels and devils, another monk or two, even Jesus. The couple next door had the best costumes: stairway to heaven and the road to hell. Both consisted of sandwich boards (for lack of a better word.) One depicted a highway--wired with lights. The road to hell was decorated with small cars. Great from the couple who previously  used "poster boards "for devil dogs and angel food cakes.

Two New Brews

I was driving home from a tutoring appointment last week and saw a sign for a brewery. I was psyched to see one nearby--Jeff and I enjoy sampling flights. We saw online that the grand opening was on Saturday. We decided to check it out. After all, we had a good time at the grand opening of Sedona Tap House.

When we reached Nod Hill, we saw a line outside. I usually don't wait in line, but the line didn't seem that long, it was a warm day, and we had driven for a half-hour to get there. A tent was set up outside with Hoodoo Brown BBQ  for sale. We ate a sandwich as we waited to enter the taproom.

Unfortunately, we had to wait another 20 minutes for a a beer. I wouldn't have gone inside if I knew how long the wait would be. As we waited, I said that we should have gone to Hell or High Water in Norwalk, a brewpub that seemed to take forever to open, but we hadn't visited yet. Jeff mentioned we could have visited The Redding Beer Co. I hadn't even heard of that--it just opened two weeks earlier.

Redding Beer Co. was on the way home so we went there. Apparently it was also packed on its opening day, but it was mellow last Saturday.

Two breweries, two good flights.

A Year-and-a-Half with Lola

Sunday was our anniversary with Lola. It's been great getting to know her, and watching her become more comfortable with us and sure of herself. Here's the story of her first few days here.

Several people have commented on how much friendlier and confident Lola is. As one said, she prances around the dog park with her head held high. This week she even walked for about a block on the sidewalk (twice.) Our parking lot spaces were re-striped and we had to park on the street.

We're still going to a park or trail everyday for daily walks. Lola would get more walking time if she were willing to walk around the neighborhood. We haven't pushed this hard because she gets for frightened. But it's a long range goal to walk locally.

In a few weeks, we'll be going away to the Interlaken Inn with Lola for the first time. She's only been to Jeff's sister's place overnight with us before and didn't adjust well to that.But I think she's ready for more and will do well at Interlaken. It has nice grounds, and is close to lots of hiking. We can all use a getaway.

On Dad, Greg, Bill and Elaine

Today is my father's birthday--he would have been 93. His death came as a shock to me, although I knew he was in bad health. Part of me was relieved because it was hard for me to be here in Connecticut while he was in Florida. One time I called the hospital after he was admitted with a knee injury. A nurse asked if I was going to pick him up. I told her I wouldn't do much good up in Connecticut with a cast on my leg. When I visited him after that, we were cane twins, hobbling around together.

I mostly miss Dad to reflect on shared memories of trips, hear family stories and share music. Jeff and I had planned to spend Christmas with him the year he died--in April. I regret we never made that trip.

Just about a month ago, my cousin Greg died. Greg was my second cousin--I still think of him as the boy on a family vacation to Disney World that my sister organized. I think he was about seven. He was 39 when he died, with a wife and two children. I don't think I've seen Greg since 2011.

That may have been the last time I saw any of my cousins. Greg's death has me thinking more about this. I'd like to see them. Several live within a reasonable driving distance (about three hours.) But I know realistically that I'm not suddenly going to go visiting everyone. One cousin wants to come here to visit, but not in winter. So I guess we can only agree to try to see each other.

Next, I'm thinking about my friends. I know several people I call friends who don't live nearby. But how can I think of making plans to see them when I don't see the friends who are close?

Our friend Bill died in April. I hadn't seen him often, but did visit him a few times in a rehabilitation complex before he died. Even that didn't inspire me to spend more time with other friends.

Last week I discovered that Elaine is in intensive care after brain surgery. Elaine was my first real friend in Connecticut. We were roommates for a few years too. Recently we drifted apart. It was no-one's fault: just one of those things.

Again, wasted opportunities and regrets.

At Taylor Farm

We go to Taylor Farm every Friday for Dog Park Fridays when the weather is good before daylight savings time makes it too dark too early.

Lola and I also visited Taylor Farm on Tuesday last week. I wanted to get salmon at Pagano's and Taylor Farm is convenient to Pagano's.We saw Kevin and his dog Tipper. Spike loved Kevin because he had treats. Jeff and I love Kevin because he was the one who saw Lola when she was lost last year and called us.

Lola and I also saw the black squirrel. I hadn't seen him for a while, so I was psyched. Kevin and I chatted about black squirrels in other towns.

The clouds seemed especially billowy and vertical. I only got one photo before they dissipated. Unfortunately, it doesn't capture what I saw.

A few other photos from DPF's at Taylor Farm.

RIP Tom Petty

After a day of confused and conflicting reports, it became official Monday night: Tom Petty is dead at 66.

For most of yesterday, I had "American Girl" running through my head. Later it was "Free Fallin." Funny how my favorite Tom Petty song, "The Waiting" didn't make an appearance.

This morning I woke up thinking about the song, "You Got Lucky."

No, we didn't.