Philadelphia Bike Coalition's Holiday Ride

First there was the bum leg.

Then the bum car (after a deer ran into it).

Then the bum weather (warm, but rainy).

As they say in baseball, three strikes an you are out.

The bum leg meant Don wasn't sure if he could ride a bike.

The bum car meant the bike rack would have to go on my convertible, and would have to be two separate bikes instead of the tandem.

The bum weather meant we would get wet, and as we already had colds that would not be fun.

Instead we drove into Philadelphia and walked through the neighborhoods with the best displays. For me, this was a win ... I got to take pictures and enjoy the displays. Don, I think, missed the riding portion of the event. At least this way he could pick up the t-shirt he ordered to support the organization.

We did see them at the end zipping by too quickly to take pictures.

What fun is that?

There is also a trolley version

Christmastime in the City (2024)

Our annual Christmas in the City adventures were divided into to parts. The first happened on Sunday when Laura and Matt surprised us with a trip to the Big Apple to see Suffs. After riding the Nostalgia Train, we saw The Tree with mom, and the Macy's windows.

The weather was in the low-40s, but the sunshine made it feel warmer. It was a good day.

Suffs

Don and I returned that Thursday to see Suffs and Death Becomes Her. We already had our tickets when Laura and Matt said they were coming to town. That gave us time to walk around just the two of us. We squeezed through Bryant Park, barely able to glance in the stands as we were in a tight crowd.

Then we walked down Fifth Avenue. We passed Saks, which this year opted to only show merchandise instead of tell a holiday story, on our way to see the Louis Vuitton store -- it was transformed into a bunch of their trunks. 

This time of year I miss the classic windows of Lord & Taylors and Altman and Company (where Don first told me he loved me in 1989). Seeing the windows was always a must-do this time of year. Not so much the past few years.

Death Becomes Her

Louis Vuitton

My favorite holiday display

 

Holiday Card vs. Holiday Reality

Yesterday I mailed our holiday cards. Knowing they were going out later than usual, I ordered Happy New Year cards, despite not feeling the happiness of the New Year ever since the election results came in.

That's probably the first misleading statement on the cards.

The front has four pictures: Ashley tossing a graduation cap in the air; family photo with Santa including Ashley's girlfriend Anna; Don and I in an antique car in Cuba; and Don and I in the foreground with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House behind us. Plus the message: Sending Peace, Love and Cheer and a Happy New Year on the front.

All truths.

The message:

The big news this year is Ashley graduated summa cum laude from Muhlenberg College with a double degree in theater and psychology. She is the assistant technical director at Passage Theater in Trenton, and is working deck crew at Bucks County Playhouse. She and Anna celebrated their second anniversary together in May.

Don is enjoying his retirement gig working part time at REI in Mercer Mall. He celebrated his 60th birthday with family and friends by having a beer and ice cream party.

Jacquie volunteers at an archaeological site in West Chester, PA; conversing with students at the English School; writing the monthly newsletter for Alliance Francais; and the Voices of Ewing project at the Benjamin Temple House.

Don and Jacquie had several trips this year. Internationally we travelled to Cuba and Australia. We took road trips to Buffalo, NY to experience the eclipse; Columbus, Ohio to see the Smith family and Heidi; and North Carolina to see Karen and Sam Miller.

Our exchange son, Yoran, returned for a 10-day vacation this summer.

We enjoy catching up with friends and family, seeing shows, and taking day trips.

Glinda Dragon (6) passed away suddenly. Kitty Lucy (12) and Kitty Mimi (5) are doing well.

~~~

All factually true. 

All lacking in the full truth.

Add in:

Ashley is still living at home because the rents are horribly expensive and though she is working two jobs, there is no chance of affording a place of her own.

We knew retirees spent a lot of time with doctors. We didn't realize by retiring early that just meant going to doctors earlier. Hurt my foot in September 2023 and spent more of 2024 hobbling and trying to fix it. Don burst a blood vessel in his eye, which necessitated more appointments. Nothing serious, but still tired of seeing doctors and physical therapists.

While I enjoy volunteering (and do more than I listed), I'd really rather have some gig work that gave me freedom to travel, as well as extra money to splurge on trips.

Came home with upset stomachs from Cuba, and a crutch from Australia. The crutch was when Don broke blood vessels in his leg on day four of our three week trip. Learned Australians have excellent health care. The Bali leg was cancelled due to volcanic ash. I spent two days moping about the lack of Bali beaches, and the money spent we would not get back.

Spent more time in airports, airplanes, and urgent care in Australia than we spent seeing the sights. Same with our road trips, except those were more time spent in the car or sleeping than enjoying the sights.

We enjoy spending time with family and friends. I do not enjoy spearheading most of those visits and having to smile and say I understand when the other person cancels on us, when I'd rather say: next time it is on you to schedule.

Even though it has been five years, Mimi and Lucy still do not get along and still hiss at each other. One sleeps upstairs and the other sleeps downstairs.

~~

Yet the annual card is a way to put a shiny face on our lives. Sent to over 100 people, the list is made up of people from all stages in my life, including people we have not seen in a over a decade and only communicate in this form. 

As you read the cards and see the smiling pictures, remember a lot of memories from the past year did not fit on the card or were edited out to keep people happy.

Man Pushed on Subway Tracks

A fun afternoon riding the Nostalgia train with Cousin Laura and Matt will always be a reminder of a 72-year old man being pushed on the tracks. 

News reports:

NBC on Monday

Patch

Pix

WNCT--includes the video the man was filming at the time it happened

CBS

Googling "man pushed on subway NYC" brings up an alarming number of hits. Seems this is happening at frequent rate.

The five of us (Laura, Matt, mom, Don, and I) decided to get off at the 34th Street/Herald Square station after having ridden the Nostalgia Train for over two hours. Laura and Matt only had a few more hours until they had to leave to catch their flight home. We wanted lunch. After getting off the train we paused to watch it go. I took a few more pictures. Matt shot a video of the train pulling out of the station.

Moments later a 72-year old man was on
those tracks. The man in the blue jacket
helped bring him back to the platform.

As I turned to Don, Laura, and mom to say something about getting some lunch, we heard shouts there was a man on the tracks. In those moments I saw both good and evil. Evil in that it was obviously not an accident. A 72-year old man was pushed onto the tracks by a stranger. No shouts were heard. No reason why him. It could have been any one of us. Why him? Likely we'll never know.

Then the good. Three strangers jumped onto the track to pick the man up. Two of them got back up by themselves. A third was helped up by another stranger. A woman, later identified as an FDNY EMT tended to him. She calmly took control of the situation, knowing exactly how to take care of him. Eagle Scout Matt stood by to help her. I did what was in my skill set: I called 9-1-1 to make sure the next train was stopped before it got to the station. By the time I told 9-1-1 a man was on the tracks at the 34th Street station, the other strangers had picked him up, so I shared that with the dispatcher. I could barely hear the voice on the phone. Someone else chased the criminal, but did not catch him.

Amazingly right next to where he was pushed there was an emergency call box. I vaguely remember someone using it.

A few minutes later the police came. I heard the woman taking care of the victim identify herself as an FDNY EMT. Knowing it was under control and there was nothing extra we could add, we started to leave. At the top of the stairs Matt looked at his camera and realized he had a video of the guy who did the pushing. Not the actual push, but bursting through the crowd.

We waited until Matt talked to the police before heading to lunch. We later learned the 72-year old was stable. As awful as it was, it could have been worse. So much worse. 

UPDATE: the victim wants to get his story out, but asked to only use his last name and not show his face. The New Yorker's name is Robert. He has broken bones, and is facing surgery today. He had to cancel his European family vacation. 

ANOTHER UPDATE: There were 17 people pushed on the tracks in 2023. That number is 24 this year. 

RANDOM THOUGHTS: I read a lot of murder mystery books. My brain went down the, er, track of what if this was a mob hit, or some other reason why he was the victim. Next thought was, oh my God, it could have been one of us! 

Because it was the holiday train, that track was dedicated to this one train going back and forth every hour. It was not due to return for another hour allowing plenty of time for the people to bring him up before the another train was due back at the station. Or maybe not. The nostalgia train starts out as the F line before switching to the Q line. I honestly don't know if it is timed so other trains share the line in-between rides.

What possesses someone to do this? The video shows the criminal jumped the turnstile, went to the crowd, and pushed one of the people onto the track before turning around and racing out of the station. 

May Robert have a full recovery.

May they find the person who did this.

2024 NYC Nostalgia Train

When Cousin Laura wrote that she and Matt were coming into NYC for a very quick trip, and invited free family members to join them, I immediately thought of the New York City Nostalgia Train. Matt is a train buff. It is a unique NYC holiday experience. The OMNY tap and go system makes it easier to do than in past years. At $2.90 for a subway ride ($2.60 if you use a debit card), it was an affordable activity.   

We first learned about these rides aroud 2015. It took a couple of years before we were able to go. The first year the three of us went (2017). I was blown away by the cosplay. I kept taking pictures and soaking up the experience. Don and returned the following year, since it wasn't the official / unofficial cosplay day, there were many less people dressed up. I'm guessing we were too busy in 2019. Then the pandemic hit. Though this is public transit (which operated during the pandemic), the antique cars draw a crowd. 

One lesson we learned in 2018 was that the trains become more crowded during the day. They make their first appearance at 10 am at the 2nd Avenue - Houston Street station on the F line. About 35 minutes later they end at 96th Street - 2nd Avenue on the Q line. It forms an L-shape. At 96th Street, the train left, and then returned. It stayed within sight, but with the doors closed. Back at Houston, it kept it doors open. People hopped on and off taking lots of pictures.

There were a solid number of people wearing vintage clothing and posing for pictures. I am sure there were many more the week before, but we were busy. 

Another lesson I've learned is to check the NJ Transit website to see if they are offering free transit tickets. They were! So, Don and I took the train from the Princeton Junction station. Getting on a stop earlier, mom went into NYC with us.

Mom enjoyed the trip back in time. She looked at the plastic straps from the earlier cars and said she remembered they were leather straps when she rode the train in the mid-1960s. I think we need a trip to the New York Transit Museum where we could ask someone on a quiet day when the straps were changed. The women dressed up in heels, carrying bags, reminded her of her daily commute.

Here are some pictures of cosplayers from the day. 

Her photographer brought
a light making her luminous

I noticed a lack of tinsel inside the trains, though they did have window decals. The accordion playing Santa was one station from the end. Laura had a great view of him from where she was standing. I could hear him, but not see him.

For the most part, the train was crowded. We started in the second car. Moved to the first. Moved back to the second. As we were only allowed to change cars at the station, and others had the same idea, we hopped out at a station and into the third car. That one was nice and quiet. We could all get seats. Matt was good about finding seats for my mom even when it didn't seem possible.

That first year I noticed a cosplaying photographer taking Polaroid pictures with his vintage looking camera. Noticing similar photographers this year, when the five of us sat down together, I asked him how much ($20) and if he takes cash (yes). As the price has not increased in seven years, that was an easy decision. 

Don's selfie

The Polaroid

Along with everyone else, we got off at the end and waited to be allowed back on. This time we started in the fourth car. I think we were able to change to the fifth car, but that was it. I was glad we were allowed to roam through the cars at the station.

We rode the full distance twice -- once uptown, then downtown. Then we rode it about halfway to the 34th Street -- Herald Square station so we could have lunch together before Laura and Matt had to leave to catch their flight home.

And all was good until we heard shouts there was a man on the tracks.

Santa Visits through the Years

Organizing my external hard drive filled with 7 years worth of photographs has encouraged me to create another "through the years" blog. This one is of visits with Santa. In most cases, the visit was with the true Santa, as agreed upon by my friend, Heidi.

2002

I was a new mom to a 7-month old baby. I thought the only place to see Santa was at the mall. Fortunately the line was not very long.

2003

When Ashley was a year old we stumbled upon Santa while touring Kuser Mansion in Hamilton, NJ. It took us a couple of years to discover the pattern and to make it a habit to see him.

2004

Looking back I must have been crazy, but at the time it seemed sane. Ashley and I went into NYC with Debbi and Christopher to see the Christmas decorations, and take a picture with Santa at Macy's Santaland. It was an ambitious day with two small kids and mass transit.

2005

We had a nice visit with Santa at Hershey Park the year Ashley was 3.

2006

When Ashley was 4 we returned to to Kuser Mansion to visit Santa. Over the years we've been able to have long chats with Santa.

2007

When Ashley was 5 we took her to Kale's Nursery, a local florist, to see "the best Santa," according to an acquaintance. He was closer to home, and was available more hours, but he was not the true Santa.

2008

Back to Kuser Mansion to see the true Santa. Ashley and Baby, her doll, dressed like Santa for the picture.

My mom's other grandchildren could not make it to Kuser to meet Santa, so we met up at Marketfair Mall instead. Ashley was in first grade, but I was homeschooling her that year, so our schedule was flexible. We were the first ones at the mall. While waiting, a photographer from the US 1 Newspaper asked if Ashley was afraid of Santa. I said no. He asked Ashley and Santa to do a small photo shoot together. It was on the cover of the US 1 newspaper the following week.

2009

When Ashley was 7 years old, she asked Santa for a pair of spats. From here on out, Santa calls Ashley "Spats." 

2010

8-year old Ashley showing Santa the spats he brought her the year before. She then asked him for a sewing machine.

2011

At 9 Ashley asked Santa for a bearded dragon. Yeah, right, like that stands a chance of happening! There is no way I was going to allow a reptile to live in our house. 

2012

This year 10-year old Ashley brought Sandy Claws to meet Santa Claus.







2013 

Visiting Santa a Desiree Daniels annual open house. They asked about Sandy.

2014 

Back at Desiree Daniel's Open House. They asked again about Sandy. He has been pooping too much to take him out in public. This year our 12 year old asked for a trip to Europe. Amazing how the ante keeps getting upped.

2015

Back to Desiree Daniel's house again for a quick sneak visit before dashing to school to be aged 60 years from 13 to mid-70s to turn into Scrooge. Santa noted she has grown again. Ashley has been too busy to think about what she wants for Christmas this year. Does this mean Santa gets off easy this year?

2016

For the first time I did not take a picture of just Ashley with Santa. A sign the times are changing and that I was more excited to see Santa than she was? Heidi also started a new tradition -- she invited Santa to her holiday party. We also saw him at Desiree Daniels' house (timed well so we arrived at a lull). For the second year in a row, Ashley didn't tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. 

2017

It is so nice having Santa living back in New Jersey again! This year Santa had a regular gig at Kale's Nursery in Lawrenceville. We also saw him at the Heidi's caroling party.

2018 

Two trips to see Santa at Kale's because the first time I forgot to take a picture of Ashley alone with Santa. So out of habit. So glad he is close. Ashley knit the cap she is wearing. We caught him quickly at Heidi's caroling party. Santa was very busy this year, but always makes time for those on his "Good List." 

Merry Christmas!

2019

We are entering a new stage. with Ashley working retail, seeing Santa was a bit of a challenge. Kale's was out because they had similar hours. We did find one evening at Kuser Mansion, but nearly missed it because we thought he was there until 9 (it was really 8) and we stopped for dinner after WiNK church service. We did it, and the tradition continued. With Ashley going to college next year, we'll see what happens.

2020

We popped in to see Santa at Kale's Nursery over Thanksgiving weekend because it is 2020 and who knows what will happen! Dr. Fauci said Santa cannot get Coronavirus, but there is always the chance non-essential businesses will be forced to close again. Santa sat back a few feet from us on his throne. We sat on the white bench in front of him. We wore masks when talking to him. We were told we could take them off for the picture, meanwhile he wore a clear plastic face guard as protection. A strange year to say the least.

2021

We are slowly making progress towards life two years ago. Because Santa knew we are fully vaccinated (including boosters) we were allowed to visit up close and even sit on his lap (well, Ashley did). We brought Yoran, our Belgian exchange student, with us. Santa eyed him up and said this year he gets a handshake. If he comes back next year, he gets a hug like the rest of us. We tried to explain he'll be back in Belgium by next Christmas -- no, he is not her boyfriend! This was the picture that made our Christmas card. Funny, no one asked about him. To be fair, we did mention him on the back when we talked about our news for the year.

2022

We returned to Kales for our annual Christmas photo over Thanksgiving weekend. I suppose Ashley finally graduated from being told to sit on Santa's lap.

2023

When Santa tapped his knee and asked Ashley to sit there, I felt he was asking her to model a Santa Visit for the growing line of little ones at Kale's Nursey. Last year we thought she graduated from sitting on Santa's knee, but we were mistaken. Santa is very busy, by the end of the weekend he had already seen over 1,000 children. 

2024

A new twist: adding Anna to our annual Santa photo. Kale's Nursery closed. Within days of the announcement, Carroll's Tree Farm, another Lawrenceville nursery asked him to be with them this year. He greets guests in a tiny stone building near the street. With the space heater, it is very cozy. Given the space, the next family has to wait outside, making it very private. 

Don and I went to see him at Kuser Mansion a week later for old time's sake. That line was nearly 45-minutes long. The kids played while the adults waited patiently. The mild weather helped -- a lot! The cold snap had broken, and the rains had not yet come.