Beekman 1802

Wow! What fun! Last Sunday, me and three of my high school girls and the families went to Sharon Springs for the Harvest Fest. It was sponsored by the Fabulous Beekman Boys. A little history on Sharon Springs: once a spa town for those who were in need of healing baths, Sharon Springs had been abandoned and its resorts fallen to ruin for well over 50 years. Then, rebirth! Not really sure how, but I might have to attribute it to the work of Doug Plummer and Garth Roberts who with lots of money and hard work and a giantic dream brought the American Hotel back to life. http://americanhotelny.com/ It's been a long journey, and the area is still poor overall, but last weekend, you'd have thought you were in New England!

The Harvest Fest was simple, lots of vendors, crafts, vegetables, and farm animals. Brent Ridge, the stay at home farmer of the couple, was on the steps of the Roseboro all day Sunday answering questions and posing for photo ops! Very pleasant person! I thanked him for helping central NY by living there and having the show which of course helps to put Sharon Springs on the map. Rosie O'Donnell was there (I think on Saturday), but no Martha Stewart (Brent once was her advisor). The film crew was up at the farm, so I'm sure some good stuff will make it to air for Season 2 ( not until spring Brent said).

http://beekman1802.com/ Check out the website! And Brent's blog, which is likely more articulate and insightful than mine!

http://beekman1802.com/1802-blogs/dr-brents-blog

Dana and the kids got pictures and autographs! I was just happy to enjoy the pretty day and catch up with my own "Beekman Girl" Kylie, who had moved from the City and is now living on the family farm and making a go of it. Weather willing, we'll be out there next sunday harvesting potatoes! No film crew, but I imagine it will still be fun!

Random Connectiveness

With the event of the internet, we can connect with people from aol over. We can choose to bear our souls, connect, complain, get free advice etc....

But what did people do over 30 years ago?

Maybe, they randomly connected via phone. One thing that happened when I was a kid comes back to remind me frequently when I am online and specifically on blogs. One night, a teenaged girl called my house. My mom picked up and the girl started talking about her life, her concerns and her troubles. Over the course of months or maybe more, she would call from time to time and they'd chat. A girl from my town, yet a complete stranger. I remember my mom adding her name and number to our call list that hung above the phone.

I always tell my mom she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.

We may FB and use blogs all the time, but there are still people out there that will bear their souls to my mother. Who use her as a springboard to their inner feelings and worries. She's a listener and very good at it. Even for me, it's always been easy to be honest and forward with her. I can see how she inspires it in other people.

I wonder about random telephone girl. She'd be about 50 now! Wonder if she blogs! Wonder if she's become a good listener. We never really know how we inspire.

NYC!

Not sure why I never wrote about my trip to NYC with CK, lil M, and two teen boys: J2. Anyways, it was lovely even if I am an absolute nag sometimes.....must stop always needing to be the "Dad". I hadn't been down there in a year and it was over due. I just love to go to Manhattan and explore. We did a lot of walking, mainly from Grand Central through Times Square and over to 47th between 9th and 10th. That's where Mesekem, the Ethiopian restaurant is.

Please try Ethiopian food! Seriously, "We are the World" in the 1980's did as much damage to Ethiopia's image as it did good in raising funds. I know that as a teen I had no clue about Ethiopia. None! With Lil M being born there, it's helped me to know more about it.

Andthe food is AWESOME!!!!!

At M & M World you can buy trinkets and of course, M & M's in every color imaginable. It was super crowded and noisy and got on my nerves, but on a hot day, the M & M's were a handy little treat!

I think the picture above was at Poughkeepsie where we boarded the train. Big J was just great with lil M. :)

So our day: We went to Meskerem, an Ethiopian Restaurant on 47th street, the Central Park Zoo, M & M World, and Harlem Market. At Harlem Market (which is an open air flea market of some African goods) I bought two stone cats that are now sitting on the shelf below the TV and also I bought an Ethiopian bracelet from a nice woman who had fun talking about her homeland with us.

It was a long FUN day. Lil J is already beggin and conspiring for our next trip back! :)