halloween skywatch

happy halloween everyone! this is the twin from that house I posted about in farmingdale. I took this photograph the same day. when I saw the sky in the background I decided then that this had to be my skywatch for halloween. the homeowners have these white robed skeletons positioned at their front gates and in the corners of their yard. they look so theatrical to me, especially when the wind starts blowing their robes, they actually look like they are moving. it makes me laugh. I imagine that whoever decorates this property has a really good time doing so.
please go here if you would like to see more skies from around the world.

old westbury pond

located on post road in old westbury, this is one of my favorite little detours. On the occasion I need to get from the long island expressway over to jericho turnpike or northern state parkway, I sometimes use post road as a short cut. heading south on post road, from the LIE service road takes you half way around this small scenic pond complete with pretty trees and ducks. sometimes if I'm not in a rush I loop around the entire pond once or twice pretending I'm in the country for a moment before heading out to the larger more congested roadways of our island.
have you ever taken the prettier road even when it takes more time to do so?

pumpkin patch fundraiser

it is not unusual to see the front lawn of various congregations across long island filled with pumpkins this time of year. between halloween and thanksgiving, the high demand of pumpkins make them ideal for raising funds. these pumpkins come from navajo indian farmers in new mexico. two thirds of the pumpkin sales go back to the farmers to support their reservation. the balance supports the mission work of the community united methodist church pictured here. it seems like a great idea to me.
today is abc wednesday and todays letter is O. being that halloween is this friday I picked the word orange. please go here for more illustrated O words.
have you ever been involved in a fundraiser?

more halloween costumes

what can I say... this is the final week before halloween and I realized I have shown only one other picture of children wearing costumes here at long island daily photo. this picture is for all of my friends who live in other countries who do not celebrate halloween. though many adults love and partake of this tradition, most people in the united states started celebrating it when they were children. the most important part of this holiday is getting to "be" whatever you want to be. you can be a cat, a wizard, a soccer player or a nerdy pimply faced guy who wears bright red suspenders-please note the above photograph of typical long island children dressed in halloween costumes.
unlike adults, children get to go trick or treating parading from house to house ringing peoples doorbells and shouting "trick or treat!" amazingly, everyone opens up there doors, admires their costumes and then fills their goody bags with candy!
I love this part of "my world". if you would like to see what is going on in other parts of the world, please go here.

halloween spiders

does this strike you as odd? I love this idea. I think the keepers of this house have a lovely sense of humor. while we were taking pictures a woman walking by told us about a home in wantagh that has a pirate ship on their front lawn. according to her, there will be pirates acting out frightening scenarios halloween night. there is more to this story too. she said somehow they raise money for breast cancer research. I am hoping I will be able to find out more about this halloween pirate ship. what is the best halloween decoration you have ever seen?
if you would like to see more "odd shots" check out katney's blogroll on her sidebar at her blog, katney's kaboodle, by clicking here.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

only halloween isn't even over yet! I would say that with our current economy the stores have to start the holiday season early, though we all know I would be fooling myself. in america, stores traditionally stock christmas items early. yesterday while stopping over at hicks nurseries, we went from checking out their halloween story about otto the ghost to seeing what pretty christmas things they had for sale in their lovely gift shop. personally, I love these classic glass ornaments. I also think the shadows in this display bring out the old world charm that make these trinkets so appealing.

cute halloween costumes

I snapped this during my trip to huntington last weekend. this shop is called the instructor's choice and they sell active wear. I thought it was a pretty creative idea to dress up their mannequins in halloween costumes. it's very simple yet very effective. the lighting and color make for a very inviting display.
do you have a favorite halloween costume from when you were a child?

golden sky in suburbia

please click on this photo to see golden leaves in more detail.


do you think this has enough sky in it to qualify for a skywatch friday post? I took this photo only three or four days ago. I felt a tremendous sense of urgency to post this when I happened upon this very tree again, only to find out that every single leaf had already fallen off of it! this seems to be happening all over long island lately, trees loaded with abundant golden yellow leaves falling to the ground in what seems like an instant. I guess that is why they call this time of year around these parts, fall !
if you would like to enjoy more beautiful skies from all around the world, or you'd like to participate by sharing some of your own sky photos, please go here.

book hampton

please click on this photo to see more details.

this one is in east hampton. just look at this place! I love all the details, the adirondack chair in the window display, the pendant lights inside, hanging in a row, the cheery windows with white trim against the red brick. and most importantly they always have interesting books to read, books you'd like to peruse while getting away from it all.

I've been to the one in southampton too, but I had no idea there were four of these independent book stores out east. I am amazed there are actually any of these smaller type book stores left! if you are interested, go here to check out their website.

nightmare on conklin street

 

































here is but a small snippet of what is displayed on this front lawn in suburbia. this is the house erika, a fellow long islander left a comment about recently. as you can see, it really is amazing. for as long as I can remember they have gone to great lengths to elaborately decorate their entire front yard with all things halloween. if you click on the photo, you should be able to see the guillotine over on the right. better yet, take a drive over to farmingdale and see for yourself. f you like halloween as much as I do, you won't be disappointed.
if you would like to see less nightmarish daily photos, head on over to abc wednesdays. today's letter is n, and you guessed it, this one represents nightmare!

the original canterbury ales

please click on the photo to see the big spider up close.


my husband and I used to get fish and chips here before we were married. finding ourselves in huntington last weekend around dinner time we thought we might see if this place was still the same. I don't remember it being so noisy- I must be getting old! I also don't remember items on the menu like scotch egg. it is described as a hard boiled egg, wrapped in pork sausage, breaded and deep fried, served cold by tradition with hot mustard.
hmm... does that sound yummy to anyone?
those of you who follow this blog know I participate in skywatch fridays. the fun people who started that have begun a new meme called My World where every tuesday people can share interesting little bits of their lives. if you are interested, please go here to peruse the world around you.

do you see anything odd about this photo?

I can't remember the last time I bought gas and paid under $3 a gallon for it! the man at the gas station saw me taking photos and promptly asked me if I was taking pictures for newsday. I tried to explain that I needed the pics for my long island daily photo blog but I could tell he had no idea what I was talking about. he then told me the reason gas prices were down was because of the upcoming election and that once the election was over, prices would go back up. I told him I thought it had more to do with the current economic crisis and how the powers that be sense the american peoples frustration with their pockets being picked so they figure they better lower the gas prices before there is a revolt. the attendant told me that as long as the parking lots are full at the bars on friday nights, this will never happen. whatever the case may be, I am very happy gas prices are down.
this man is originally from turkey. I always find it interesting to get someones else's perspective on america, especially if they were born and raised in another country. so which is odder to you, our current gas prices, or my conversation with the gas station attendant?
today is odd shot monday. please go here to see more "odd" shots.

little switzerland dolls

is the name of this shop on main street in huntington, new york.

do you notice the shadows in this window display? I have been participating in shadow shot sunday for the last few sundays and it has been really helpful in changing the way I have been looking at subjects to photograph. I was really struck by how this establishment put this together with such dramatic lighting and color. I think it is really neat when people go out of their way to make something pleasing to the eye. if you click on the photo, you can see greater detail.

please go here if you would like to see more interesting shadow shots.

antique pumpkins

yep, another halloween photo! but this one is from a really neat antique store in bridgehampton on montauk highway. I neglected to write down the name of the store, but I couldn't resist posting this photo. they had the coolest display of antique pumpkins. if you click on this photo it will enlarge so you can get a closer look.

the shopkeeper told me they were made from molds and they were indeed antiques. upon closer inspection I noticed they averaged in price around $250.00 a piece- prompting me to place the pretty pumpkin back to its shelf! has anyone ever been to this shop?

lastly, & I know, everyone is just burning to find out the home of commodus from two days ago, drum roll please... commodus resides on the grounds of the parrish art museum in southampton village on job's lane. please click here if you'd like to see more information about the art museum.

rising moon

please click on photo to enlarge for greater details.

for this weeks skywatch. I took this photo last sunday while on a day trip out east. does this tower look familiar to anyone? it is right down the road from the sculpture in yesterdays post. when my son was little, his dad used to tell him an ogre lived in the top of the tower. I wonder how many other dads told their children such stories about this tower?

if you would like to see more skywatch photos from all around the globe, please go here.

commodus...

please click on sculpture to enlarge for greater details.

is the name of this roman emperor. can anyone guess where he is? I will give you a hint, there are two rows of emperors and they are all facing each other. Does that ring a bell? of course you would actually had to have seen this place at least once. I came upon this little sculpture garden by accident years ago. every time I am in this town I make sure to walk through it.

one more hint, it is in a town out east that I haven't mentioned before on this blog.

please go here to read more about commodus.

debate '08 at hofstra university

photos courtesy of ian. please click on photos to enlarge for greater detail.



as I was driving through the hofstra campus late this afternoon I was lucky I had my son with his camera sitting next to me. as you can see, way down the road from where the presidential debates will be taking place, there are some peaceful demonstrations being held.

this is it everyone! the final debate. this means we are all a giant step closer to the final countdown. maybe I can go out on a limb here and say that regardless of what party you are leaning towards, we will all be glad when this is over!
I heard on the radio this morning that it cost 3.5 million dollars to have the debate at hofstra, all of which was given to the college by three hofstra alumni, peter s. kalikow, john d. miller and david s. mack.
I think it is great for the students and it's great for the college.
below you can see more police presence closer to where the debates are being held at the hofstra campus. please go here for more hofstra debate buzz.

thanks ian

Memories of Children in Halloween Costumes

please click on photo to enlarge for greater details.


many children love to dress up for halloween in america. long island natives are no exception. I can never get over the fact that every year people stockpile their homes with candy in anticipation of halloween trick or treaters such as this witch and this bumble bee. then again, everyone was a child at one point in their lives.
this photo was taken in 1995 in the suburbs of long island.
if you would like to participate in abc wednesdays, go here. todays letter is the letter M.
my picture is about memories, wonderful ones, here on long island.

popeye in the hamptons

please click on photo to enlarge for greater details


remember last august when I posted the giant ear of corn and bettye from 365 days in islip guessed that it was in bridgehampton? well, it's here in the background of this picture. see if you can spot it. sunday I woke up still feeling a little tired and sick but I knew I had to try and get out of the house so hubby and our son and I drove out east. it was the perfect day. the sun was shining, gas prices were down & after we stopped for breakfast, we all took a nap on the beach! it was so quiet. how lucky are we long islanders to have such easy access to some of the most beautiful beaches? I'd say we are very lucky. if there is any way you can take a day off, please do so. then do something simple and relaxing. I haven't in a while and it was truly the best medicine.
on the way home you can stop at some good farm stands for some fresh grilled corn and exceptionally fresh & reasonably priced locally grown produce.

halloween pranks in the parking lot

please click on the photo to see greater detail.


I was looking for a parking space at the Walt Whitman mall when this totally fooled me forcing me to do a double take. I thought this was so funny I drove back around to take this photo at the risk of losing a very good space. some things are just worth sacrificing for. besides, I wound up with a good enough space and I'm glad to see that people have still kept a sense of humor. has anything unusual happened to you lately?
if you would like to check out some other "odd shots" go here & check out katney's odd shots blogroll on her side bar.

p.s. thanks for everyone's well wishes! it must have worked because I am feeling so much better.

boston shadows

please click on photo to see pretty details.

being that my picture taking plans were foiled for today, I dug this one out from the archives. unfortunately I was stuck at home with a bad cold. I was pleasantly surprised I at least had a nice shadow shot from a trip I took last spring to boston. I found boston to be a very charming city and stumbled upon many pretty little shop windows just like this one. It's a great trip to take if you are from long island because it is not so far away & it's fairly affordable to stay overnight in the city of boston.
hey harriet over in australia started shadow shot sunday where anyone can share their photos, with shadows. so if you would like, go check them out here.

the ferris wheel...

 






























 

...is at the columbus day fair in farmingdale! now this is cause for celebration. remember thursday when I told you about how I loved overlooking the town while way up high in the ferris wheel?
well, here it is! as I was walking over to take this picture the lights turned on. this is exactly what I was hoping for.

halloween sky

I took this photo last halloween evening while walking through the neighborhood of garden city. it has hundreds of mature trees and beautiful plantings so the name garden city suits it perfectly.
I'll never forget taking this photo because I really didn't believe I would be able to capture the dark silhouette of the trees against the vivid colors of the sky. much to my amazement, this is exactly what the sky looked like.
don't you love it when a photo comes out just the way you want it too? please go here if you would like to see more beautiful photos of the sky from all around the world.

columbus day fair

I took this photo last year when I was at the top of the ferris wheel. it's interesting to note that one of the kids on the ride had their camera pointed in my direction.
I hope the fair will have the ferris wheel again this year. the view is incredible. in case you are in the mood for a typical long island fall fair, you can always come to farmingdale. the carnival with rides and games starts today at 5pm and lasts through Monday until 10 pm.
friday, saturday & sunday it is open until 11pm. there is a street fair 6 am-6 pm on saturday & sunday as well. the parade is on sunday from 5-7 pm & the fireworks are sunday night at 10 pm. the fireworks are on the howitt middle school track so bring a lawn chair. it's the best part of the weekend.

lighthouse at montauk point

please click on this photo for greater detail.



this photo was taken in the late spring approximately 11 years ago. unless I'm mistaken I think our son was staring at a butterfly. it is 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse, but oh so worth it. the view is spectacular. to me the lighthouse at montauk point is long islands ultimate landmark. not only is it the oldest lighthouse in new york state, it was also authorized under president george washington in 1792. for more interesting facts, go here.
today is abc wednesday where any blogger may participate by posting a photograph representing the letter of the week. you guessed it! this weeks letter is L. please go here if you'd like to see more L photographs.

more blow up decorations

please click on this photo to enlarge so you get the full effect. I just want to make sure you can see snoopy over there to the left, just behind the grim reaper with the orange glowing eyes. I wouldn't say this is the typical way most suburbanites decorate their homes for halloween. I would say most people keep it pretty simple. so maybe this is a tad bit out of the ordinary, but it's still fun. I imagine there is either parents with small children living in this house or energetic grandparents. neighbors of mine have just the grim reaper on their lawn. the other day I was walking my little dog priscilla when upon noticing the reaper, she stopped dead in her tracks. miss priscilla remained frozen until I picked her up and carried her across the street.

view from a bridge

riding my bike over the bridge on the bike trail I like to frequent, I had to stop when I noticed the pretty colors and the view of the southern state parkway. I have referred to this parkway as the southern state ever since I can remember. I never questioned its name until a childhood friend pointed out that none of the signs pointing to the well known long island roadway are labeled as such. that hasn't stopped me from calling it the southern state. force of habit I guess.
anyway, according to the info you may find here, it is indeed called southern state parkway. though the road signs label it as southern parkway. maybe there just wasn't enough room on the sign.
wikipedia says it is called both southern parkway or southern state parkway. interesting. what do you call it?

october shadows

please click on photo for greater pumpkin details



shadow shot sunday has begun!
I found these photos I took from yesterday and thought the shadow was fitting for october.
here you see a simple halloween decoration doing double duty- provided the sun is shining on it that is. I love the pale orange glow the sun is casting on the shingles of the house.
Go here to check out some other neat shadows.

october pumpkins

this was the real reason I stopped at nurseryland yesterday. these pretty groupings of pumpkins on display kept catching my eye every time I drove by. I just had to stop and investigate. the great thing about using pumpkins to decorate for halloween is that they double as thanksgiving decorations as well.

skywatch over at nurseryland

please click on photo to see close up of bulging green eyes.


this is what I saw when I looked up at the sky at nurseryland in westbury. please go here if you'd like to see more captivating skies.
halloween is a pretty big holiday here on long island. people have been known to decorate their front lawns with giant blow up characters like the one shown above. some even string up orange or purple lights in their windows. mostly everyone gets a pumpkin or at least buys candy to give to the neighborhood children when they knock on their door for a trick or a treat. what is your favorite thing to do on halloween?

autumn in the suburbs

does anyone know what kind of tree this is? I think this type of ornamental tree typifies what the suburbs are all about here on long island. if you take a good look around all the different neighborhoods, you will notice a lot of variations on the same theme. everyone seems to be carving out their own slice of paradise in their own unique way. I was walking around the corner when I came upon this pretty little bright spot of a tree. I imagined that whoever planted this found great pleasure in doing so.
sonia over at leaves of grass started an ecological day the second day of each month. I joined in late but couldn't resist seeing that it turns out I posted a photo of a tree today! Go here to see some beautiful & informative posts. many are in other languages but the sites are equipped with translator buttons so you can read them.

vintage parade...

please click on photo for greater detail.

on main street in farmingdale. inspired by the frequent black and white photos over at kitty's new york portraits and the vintage places and things ken mac likes to photograph for greenwich village daily photo, I started digging through some of my old photos from childhood taken here on long island. I'm guessing this was taken around 1969.

my brother and I are actually waiting for our older brother to march by us with his cub scout troop. you can barely see us over on the right there, he's blond & I'm wearing a plaid jumper.

I found it enjoyable noticing the assorted vintage details like the old cars, signage and the style of dress. check out the boots the marching girls are wearing.

and this may be hard to believe but the moby drugs pictured here is still in business!