I’m excited to start a new chapter

I’m returning to an old friend in many ways. On Monday, May 16, I’ll jump into my Chevy Cruze in the driveway of the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood at about 8 o’clock and head north just a handful of miles. Destination: The Liverpool Public Library. She’s a beautiful sight, the…

I’ve learned a lot at the store

For seven months, I’ve been proud to pull on that red vest and talk to customers. Working at the store has been interesting, every shift, every day. Yes, even when I spilled paint on my favorite pair of work shoes. Here’s the most important of what I’ve learned since October, when I started as a…

Ellie B puts her best paw forward for the Chiefs

The Syracuse Chiefs were thankful that the last Saturday in April went to the dogs. Our Triple-A baseball team has been having one heck of a time with the spring weather so far this season, general manager Jason Smorol pointed out several times with the microphone in his hand during the pregame pooch parade at…

Is your yard looking tired?

A good idea spotted on a walk in the blocks surrounding the Little Bitty in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood perked up Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle and I. I wanted to take a photo with my iPhone 6. My cherished rescue mutt wanted to breathe in its deep scent. This neighbor had found…

The sun almost also rises before 6 a.m.

Two weeks ago, I offered what I thought was a pretty picture of the sun getting ready to wake up at 5:51 a.m., outside the store before my opening shift started exactly nine minutes later. Yesterday I thought the view to the east was even more breath-taking. Yes, it was again 5:51 a.m. A lot…

Beware the deep hole

Some stop signs are just there. And some stop signs scream out for you to obey them. On a recent walk around the blocks surrounding the Little Bitty in our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle and I came up short at one particular marked street corner. Past the shouting red…

Thank you, burst of color

This is the time of year when on a day off from the store, I walk out the side door of the Little Bitty, take a left, and soak it all in. Spring is settling into the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood. I appreciate every little burst of color. My dear wife Karen predicts that…

The long and the short of it

I’m not saying I waited too long for the first mow of spring 2016 in the yard of the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood but … The back before I took out the red pusher mid-week was, shall I say, a bit tangled. The front wasn’t as bad, but it’s all…

A shining moment for our student

We gathered at Kelley’s 15 strong Wednesday night to break bread for Elisabeth, to show this amazing young woman how proud we all are of what she’s accomplished these past two years. The food was good. The smiles were better. We were thrilled to then head down the road apiece to Onondaga Community College. My…