Up Close!

Central Park the night before the Macy's Parade is the place to be to see the spectacle of the balloons being inflated. The crowd was thick, but we had a special pass allowing us to cross over the barricades and get close enough to poke them and get these great pics.

Helium, Anyone?

One of the many trucks bringing helium to the balloons laid out in Central Park the night before the Macy's Parade.

No Longer Shady

So many trees were downed during Hurricane Sandy in Shady Park it may need a new name.

Visiting My Dad

Back in the Midwest, I got to spend a day with my dad. The place he is staying is now bringing in dogs to visit the residents. This one was so shy he had to be pulled up to get close enough to be petted. I was told that he came to the place with so much energy and had to be scolded to not jump. Apparently he's been so abused in the past that he overcompensates when corrected. Poor thing.

Total Loss

There are many cars parked along our block with a murky film of condensation in their windows--cars that were flooded by Hurricane Sandy. This one has been inspected by the insurer, Geico, and has "T/L" marked on the windshield indicating "total loss."