Tenement Museum

One of the great things about living in an "Active Adult Community" is the activities. Yes, the adults are definitely active. Last week I was on a bus trip to the Lower East Side of New York City to see the Tenement Museum at 97 Orchard Street and take a walking tour of the neighborhood.

How fitting that there is a fabric store on the corner. But this was the heart of the garment factory area at one time and there are still a lot of small factories in the neighborhood.

It was a step back in time. The building has apartments set up from various eras, 1863, 1930 and others. The docents are very knowledgeable about some of the tenants and the area. The best thing was the apartment set up for 1863. The museum has been able to develop factual information about the tenants who were German immigrants who met and married in the US. The husband disappeared some years later, leaving four children and his wife. Can you say single mother? Census records show that the youngest child died, but the wife became a seamstress and was able to provide for her family. The parlor had a treadle sewing machine and garments and laces from the period.

After the tours we walked up to Katz' Deli. Great food. The deli scene from "When Harry met Sally" was filmed there. We also stoped at a Knish Bakery and Russ and Daughters which specializes in dried fish and fruit. Then we went to Economy Candy, a little store filled with candy from our childhoods (for those of us of a certain age).

The entire day was wonderful, albeit cold, and I got to know some of the "active adults" here a little better.

Lakeside Shell is the Best!!

We had an adventure yesterday when the alternator went out on our 99 Ford Explorer. We had been out shopping about 30 miles from home when the lights started going crazy on the dash. Kevin thought he could get home, get the other car and make it to our local dealership.

When the car started stalling we were still more than 15 miles from home. We pulled into a Chrylser dealership less than a mile from a Ford dealer (just couldn't go that extra mile). Then we discovered that the Chrysler dealership wouldn't work on a Ford. They "didn't have the equipment".

Thank goodness for AAA. After negotiating the tow and where we would be going, we were taken to Lakeside Shell in Trenton, NJ. The station is just off 195 at the Arena/South Broad St exit. The car was fixed in less time than it took to tow it to the shop. Kevin had talked to the head mechanic on the phone after AAA said that's where we would be taken. He explained the problem and answered some questions about make/model of the car . They had the part waiting for us when we got there.

Even though it's a busy station with 3 bays and 11 tow trucks, they took great care of us and had us on our way within an hour! Thank you Vic and Christopher and everyone at Lakeside Shell.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ketchup, again

This really must happen more often. Life is finally settling into some kind of routine. The move was completed in July. We finally got a buyer for the MN house, but closing has been delayed. Hopefully it will be done by the end of this month.

Everything is unpacked, I think, and there's only been one thing, so far, that hasn't been located. Quilting is picking up again and I've started seriously crocheting.

The local quilt shop, Mouse Creek Quilts on Route 9 in Howell, (http://www.mousecreekquilts.com/ ) is sponsoring a "house tour". They provided the pattern and the final block had to be 18 x 22. The tour is in December when the blocks will be on display in the shop. A donation to the local food pantry will enable a vote.

These were made using packaged bias tape, some trims and Angelina for the windows.

This was made for my BILs wedding to his long-time girlfriend. They are both avid gardners. The center blocks are state flowers or vegetables. The quilting is flowers and leaves.

There is a chapter of the Brandeis National Committee here and they sponsor "learning opportunities" and events. I joined and have gotten a little involved. I donated several items for a silent auction and I've been asked to teach a crochet class and a fabric class next spring.

Here are some of the auction items:

There were about 25 items in all that kept me busy for two weeks. I'm working on gifts right now so postings on those will be after they've been given.