Straight to yellow this fall

I’ve been looking for that big splash of fall color. Usually I spy slightly changing leaves by the end of August here in Central New York. This year has been different. Finally, this week outside my workplace at the Liverpool Public Library I spotted a full-blown transformation. This tree on Second Street decided to go…

Now that’s a Shocker

I saw the beauty above parked outside the Sheraton on my way up to the Carrier Dome for a Syracuse Orange football game. Nice advertisement for Shock Top beer, sure. I wonder if they drive it home like that.

Bigger hopes for Orange catch up with me

I always look forward to that first dash out of the tunnel for the Syracuse Orange football players. The first kneel in the corner is pretty cool, too. This being the second season under Coach Dino Babers, I had some hopes that last year’s two-win season would be solidly in the rear view. Indeed, that…

The emotional roar of Lion stretches long

Oh, what happened to 5-year-old Saroo. He’s already living a tough life in India, trying to please his wily older brother Guddu and in turn their hard-working mother, navigating the dusty streets and mean markets to bring home a few coins and maybe a couple slim bags of milk to fill cups from them and…

You treated us special, Hawaii

We flew into Kona Airport on Delta from Seattle. After seven satisfying days for my dear wife Karen, terrific daughter Elisabeth, fantastic significant George Three and I for the second edition of the family reunion, out we had to go. This time Hawaiian Airlines would take us to our first connection, a short jump to…

Book ’em, Dano

They have a beautiful, big library just off the main drag of Ali’i Drive in Kona. It’s next to the Farmer’s Market. True confession: I didn’t see it first. My dear wife Karen, terrific daughter Elisabeth and sensational significant George Three wondered aloud if I wanted to take photos of it after we’d passed it…

Here’s who loved swimming in Hawaii the most

A couple days into the big family reunion, Flynn and Lanie flew in from Seattle, joining sibling Steve and his super wife Joan. Having them with us at Kona By the Sea was a joy. Lanie loved the pool. The fact that she brought along some little friends made it more special. Tomorrow: I have…

Pina Coladas, real pineapple and more

I enjoyed my Pina Colada straight-up. Karen got one at Sam Choy’s with a special jolt. Elisabeth’s was called a Lava Flow because it was better off red. Elisabeth appreciated some sort of drink inside of a pineapple. And then there was this special dessert Elisabeth ordered at Drew and Maritza’s wedding dinner. Once in…

Eat well in Hawaii we did

Where are we going to eat? We faced that decision several times daily on our dream family vacation to Kona. Well, a few times we spared ourselves by shopping at the Sack and Save and munching sandwiches or salads at the suite at Kona By the Sea. George used his knife skills to treat us…

We feast all the way around at one heck of a luau

When my smart daughter Elisabeth when luau shopping for us online, she decided to go big. She selected the feast down the road from Kona By the Sea, at the big resort with trees that reminded me of a certain signature fruit. Did I mention that it was a huge party? There was seating set…