Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 7:48 P.M.

Permission granted by �Ann� : http://www.theviewfromhere.us/illustrated/.

PAGE ONE: Scraps of Autumn Patch of bright sunlight on the floor, laid down by slanting rays of an autumn sun streaming through the window. Chill in the air with a touch of leftover warmth. Steps crisply crackling with sounds of nature�s dried deposit scattered everywhere. Disrobing trees with limbs outstretched, casually floating their coverings to the ground. Long shadows of trees lined against the lowering sun; light and dark brush stroked across a khaki lawn.

PAGE TWO: Autumn in New York It just came back to me, after all these years. I can �hear� the mellow blending of the Norman Luboff Choir�Is there anyone else out there who remembers� Autumn in New York Why does it seem so inviting Autumn in New York It spells the thrill of first-nighting Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds In canyons of steel They�re making me feel - I�m home It�s autumn in New York That brings the promise of new love Autumn in new york Is often mingled with pain Dreamers with empty hands They sigh for exotic lands It�s autumn in New York It�s good to live it again. Well, I don�t think I was ever in New York in autumn, (except for a quick drive past on the way from Maryland to Connecticut) but my daughter and her little family are there, as I write. Today they put in a quick call on their cell phone to alert us to the fact that we would spot them in the crowd standing �right behind Shannon Sharp� on the NFL Today being televised from downtown Manhattan. We quickly tuned in, and there they were. It looked like they were having a ball. Becky�s husband, Tim, lived there while attending Actors School in New York before they were married. He fell in love with the city. This fall, when he was asked to be a speaker at a special event conference there, he seized the opportunity to take Becky and Christopher along for a family sightseeing adventure. I can hardly wait to hear all about it. Christopher Ready for His Flight to N.Y.

PAGE THREE: An October Birthday to Remember

My grandson Christopher�s birthday month is October. This is probably one he will long remember. He just turned eleven years old.

Before their trip to New York, we spent last week at their home in the Las Vegas area. We try to make it over to celebrate his birthday, whenever possible. The first evening we were there, he had four buddies come for a �sleep-over� with the trimmings of a pizza supper, a trip to the movies, followed by whatever they wanted to order at Dairy Queen. He said it was the �best birthday ever.�

But he didn�t know what was yet to come. None of us did.

His �party� had been on Friday night, but his actual birthday was the following Tuesday. Shortly after Tim arrived home from work around 6:P.M., there was a knock at the front door. �Is everybody ready?� A voice rang out.

For what?

We went to the door, and �Dad� had ordered a limo to escort Christopher and the rest of the family on a drive from their home in Henderson, down to the Las Vegas Strip to �cruise the strip�. The limo had a sunroof. Driving down Las Vegas Boulevard, Christopher stood with his head out of the limo roof, taking it all in. The driver was instructed to go to Toys-R-Us, where C. was to pick out the gift of his choice (within reason.) We then proceeded to �In and Out Burger� (probably a West Coast only hamburger chain) where we purchased burgers and fries...returned to the limo� and drove home to eat. What fun!

The very next day we saw them off at the airport for their New York flight.

Yesterday, I was one of those people you have seen on recent news telecasts... all lined up for a flu shot. I did not personally make the news, but Albertson�s pharmacy held the last shot clinic in this area, and people came from miles around hopefully to receive an inoculation.

I arrived late at 8:A.M. Some had been in line since daybreak. But I only had to wait in line for four hours. I had gone prepared with folding lawn chair, water, and a McDonald�s breakfast. It really was not a traumatic experience. There was a genuine camaraderie in the crowd, and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the woman next to me in line. She had driven over from a neighboring town. Of course, when one arrived at the nurse�s station for the shot, it was over in about 10 seconds. I hope it will be well worth the wait and the persistence, when the flu season arrives.

Thanks for reading! If you have never read my �bio� entry, see the link below.

Short BIO Found Here

Text � copyright 2003 - 2008 The Homespun Philosopher

This site designed by

2008