lornagrl:::

Bicycle on Ocean Parkway 2020

Friday Evening Commute

Mermaid Parade, Coney Island 2007

Men on Coney Island Avenue 10/12/13

Offerings to Buddha

I picked up medication for Ophelia (more on that later). While I was on Avenue U, I stopped at a Vietenmese restaurant for some Bun.  There was an offering to Buddha near the door.  Most of the offerings are oranges, apples and cups of tea.  But today someone decided to bring him some Dunkin Donuts.

@ the 773 in Ditmas Park/Kensington

A few Sundays ago I stopped @ the 773 on Coney Island Avenue and had some drinks.  While I was there, I saw a guy with his sweet dog.  At one point the light hit him just right and I asked him if I could take his photo. He kindly said yes.  It's not easy to take a photo of a man in dark bar, and spritely dog after a few vodka and tonics.  But this one came out pretty well.  (with the help of PhotoShop)

Cleaning/Pandora's Box

It started innocently enough.  I went into the kitchen and noticed the floor needed to be swept.  So I got out the broom and dust pan and while I was sweeping I thought "might as well mop it".  So I got out a bucket, lysol and a mop.  Then I figured that since I had the mop and bucket out I might as well do the bathroom floors too. Then I was on my hands and knees and figured I might as well clean the toilet.  Then I looked at the moldings and decided to give them a wipe down as well..... and what started out as a quiet Saturday night turned into a cleaning fest. 

At least I didn't get too carried away and drag some carpets out on Ocean Parkway to be aired out.  Not sure if these carpets where laid out for a cleaning, or they are free for the taking:

Rainy...

I am enjoying a three day weekend.  I have no plans other than to do whatever I feel like doing.  I did have one errand to run today.  I had to pick up a book that was on hold for me at the library.  But when I got up it was pouring rain.  At first I thought stay home.. you don't want to go out in this, but then I remembered I had no food in the house and I was sick of eating chinese food. 

There is nice little grocery store on Ditmas Avenue that I like.  I don't shop there very often because it's kind of far, but if I happen to be in the neighborhood I will often stop by and pick things up.  It's also open 24 hours so if I ever have a hankering for nectarines at two in the morning, I will know where to go.

While I was shopping the rain got heavier.  But that didn't seem to stop others from buying their plums. 

Lark (Ditmas Park Coffee Shop)

This suppressing heat has made me a bit of a shut in.  All I can really do is sit in my bedroom sandwhiched between the fan and the air conditioner (and thank God I have an air conditioner).  By Sunday I was going a little stir crazy and decided to check out Lark - a new coffee shop in Ditmas Park that's all the buzz. 

It's located on Church Avenue just a few blocks off of Coney Island Avenue, right next door from a Thai place.  I managed to get there before the crowds.  The storefront it sits in is shallow (I think it was two placed) with wooden bench seats, and a window counter that faces a school. I was greeted warmly by a young woman covered with tattoos.   I ordered a black coffee (no sugar).  I didn't feel like a pastry so I got a bagel with cream cheese.  The bagel was very fresh. 

The best part is the "play room" complete with floor mats and pillows were kids are free to play and cavort while the other patrons can stay in the main part of the coffee shop to enjoy their brew and read without a screaming child.  It's not that I don't like children, but it's hard to read and enjoy your coffee while someone's toddler is bouncing around.

Petition for Extended Pool Hours

This morning I was heading to the grocery store when I ran into neighbors in the lobby.  It seems that a group of people are starting a petition to get the management to open the pool on Saturdays.  There was a major heat wave on Saturday and it would have been nice to take a dip in the pool.  It does seem ridiculous that we cannot enjoy the pool on Saturdays, especially since we have to pay for it. 

The note from the angry tenant was of course removed from the elevators the very next morning, but my blog post was picked up by Gothamist and the Windsor Terrace/Kensington Patch where one commenter thought that the story was fake.  I assure you the story is true.  You can read the posting of the pool rules here. 

I know this is totally unrelated but whenever I go to the grocery story, this little clip from Sesame Street runs through my head.