I'm Not Missing This At All!

After a long stint of unseasonably warm temperatures, we're now standing at a very seasonable (for this area) 36F. My gosh, you'd think the world was coming to an end with some folks complaining about the cold! We've been so lucky so far this December! Well, with the exception of all of the cloudy days and rain.

But, after a horribly cold and icy December the past few years, I'll take this weather any day! We've had no measurable snow as yet ... which means no icy sidewalks! I really don't mind the cold so much. I know how to layer up. It's the ice and snow which get to me as a pedestrian about town.

I took this shot of the NJ Transit train arriving at the Bridgewater Train Station on December 17, 2013.

Sea the Sunrise

A solitary man in the glow of an Atlantic Ocean sunrise.

Ah, bliss.

Even during this time of year, I love the ocean. As a matter of fact, I think I like it better during the off season. I'd rather be there than here today!

Another Gordon Ramsay Statistic

 

In better days, warmer ones at that, the staff at Blackberry's out on Watchung Avenue giving passerby some sweet iced tea. I liked Blackberry's. It had a yellow and purple outside and a rather funky soul albums hanging and posted on the walls motif inside. The folks working there were pleasant; the food was good. The prices were very reasonable.

Then came Gordon Ramsay and his Kitchen Nightmares crew. "Let's paint this place a depressing grey! Let's set up the dining room as if it's a high class kind of place! Get that Motown out of here!" Apparently there was in-fighting amongst the staff at the restaurant, but I never saw that during my meals taken there. I do know that parking issues might play into a lack of business.

But, as far as I'm concerned, Ramsay killed it. I did an online search and, while he supposedly rescues businesses already in trouble, the majority of his "rescues" have gone out of business within a year or two of his involvement. Yikes!

Just a Commute?

 

For me, there's always inherent mysteries about train stations. Sure, most of the time in my life, it's just a commute. But sometimes I'm off for an adventure. At times the 'just a commute' turns into an adventure, or perhaps just a slice of life in the conversations with (or eavesdropping on) strangers on the train. If the stations themselves could talk, oh what tales they could tell! Love stories, excited children and maybe a killing or two. Maybe they could tell the dreams some of us once dreamt.

What Goes Up Must Come Down

 

"Spinning wheel gotta go 'round ... ride a painted pony, let the spinning wheel spin ..." -- David Clayton-Thomas

At this stage of my life, the only painted pony I might ever own would probably be a Paint-By-Number pony. I'm sure my landlord would be irked if I brought a real pony into my apartment, not even thinking about how Vincent the Cat would feel about it.

I took this shot while on vacation a few years ago in Corolla, the Outer Banks. You don't know how much I'd love to live year 'round where I could look out the window and see wild horses grazing. Instead, I look out my window to see squirrels racing on the barren winter branches. Well, they're cool, too.

Not as cool as wild horses, though.

Another Umbrella Day Ahead

 

More rain expected today here. With temperatures flirting with the 60 degree mark at the end of December, it's all very odd. I'm sure, once I return to work, the snow and cold will arrive. It's just waiting for me. I know it is.

Vincent's Happy Holidays

 

This was made for me, featuring a photo of Vincent, by a dear friend (Linda, AKA Zoetawny) a few years back. Being a cat inside a safe and loving home, Vincent himself always has happy holidays -- full of cat treats, cat naps, canned food with gravy that he likes to lick the gravy off and leave the chunks, a shoulder to purr on and cool toys like a peanut to knock around the living room. 

If only all pets had it that good. 

CitiBikes in the City

 

Nah, these aren't seen in Plainfield, NJ. These CitiBike stands are set up throughout New York City. I really should have adjusted all of the seats on these to a uniform level before taking my shot! I'd rent one of these some day, but the thought of riding around Manhattan on bicycle is the stuff of nightmares!

Already Thinking of Spring

 

Yep, winter has barely started and we haven't even had any measurable snow here as yet.

But I'd still rather it be spring.

I'm just that way as I get older.

Why, if it Isn't a Frog

 

Look! There, next to the cement piece! It's a teensy frog! 

He thinks he's hiding.

I'll let him believe that.