Good news to start my day

One of the teachers stopped me today to tell me about her son, who was also my student 7 years ago. She said, “My son has a job because of you.” He had taken a job and when she said, “I see that your college education is paying off.”  He said that it hadn’t because he had learned this from me!!! It made my day.

 Today is going to be a great day. I am trying to avoid thinking about cleaning the stove later. 

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Works for Me Wednesday – Backwards

Family is coming for Thanksgiving. Since they all arrive at different times because they don’t own watches :) I serve appetizers until everyone comes. I have plenty of ideas for cold appetizers and for dips, but I need some hot appetizers (and not ones that involve hot dogs or tuna fish). Something delicious and served hot is needed.

 So can anyone point me to a good recipe for a hot classy appetizer???

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Tackle it Tuesday

I’ve been procrastinating on this one area of the house. The downstairs bathroom gets a lot of traffic. It’s a very small bathroom, but it used when we are entertaining or just hanging out downstairs. The mirror on the bathroom door was getting old and I knew we needed to get a new one, but that would also mean repainting the door and the molding.So Saturday we purchased a new mirror. Today, I tackled the painting. It’s drying and I am very happy that it is done, looks great and fresh.

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Why hasn’t Marty Markowitz Stepped Up to Help Joy Chatel?

Joy Chatel owns 227 Duffield Street.  Chatel, a widowed grandmother has researched the history of the home since 2004. Abolitionists were found to be the original owners.  Even the discovery done by the city shows that there is historical significance to the home. The city had plans to destroy the building and make way for an underground parking lot for the two hotels across the street drom Chatel’s building.  So why haven’t the plans been changed yet?

Brooklyn is the largest of the five boroughs with about 2.5 million residents. Marty Markowitz is the Brooklyn Borough President. Why hasn’t he offered Chatel help? How come he hasn’t made a plan for the Brooklyn Underground Railroad? Markowitz spent $475,000 on a trolley to go around to cultural sites in Brooklyn. This is a cultural site and Markowitz should be making plans for their to be a smaller underground parking lot, a park and the Brooklyn Underground Railroad Museum.  Where is Marty?

When Markowitz runs for Mayor next year, will Brooklyn say Fuggetaboutit?

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Kathy at Head for the Hills Blog is the winner of the Fall Ya’All Bloggy Giveaway. Congratulations Kathy!

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227 Duffield Street – Brooklyn

The owner of 227 Duffield Street is an widowed grandmother.

 The city of NY is trying to use eminent domain to take her home and turn it into a parking lot for two new hotels on the block.

227 Duffield Street has been found to have been an Abolitionist Home. The City of NY needs to rethink their plans for this building.  

So how can you help?

Please e-mail Jack Hammer at:   [email protected]. 

 Dear Jack Hammer,

I do not believe that the Duffield Abolitionist homes should be destroyed. Further research is needed to discover the historical significance of these homes as they may have had a role in the Underground Railroad slave safehouse movement.

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Even though it’s cloudy out, I am glad I woke up early to get the day started.

Edit: It was a great day because I started shopping for Thanksgiving. Yes, I started this early because I don’t like to rush at the last minute. I also did a lot of organizing in the kitchen.

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Your E-mail Can Save History

I’m sure you are all aware of the eminent domain proceedings happening in New York. Eminent domain is a loophole that allows the government to force you to give up your home/property. Originially it was needed for governments to build highways or public places. Yet here in NYC, the government gives the property to private developers for below cost.

I’m from Brooklyn and there are many of us who are concerned about Duffield Street in Downtown Brooklyn. There are several houses which have been found to be connected to the Underground Railroad. The city wants to take these homes, crush them and build a parking lot for two new hotels. Yet, the city has decided to take public opinion until Monday, November 5th! Full story here: http://duffieldst.blogspot.com/

So how can you help?

Please e-mail Jack Hammer at:   [email protected].

Dear Jack Hammer,

I do not believe that the Duffield Abolitionist homes should be destroyed. Further research is needed to discover the historical significance of these homes as they may have had a role in the Underground Railroad slave safehouse movement.

Thank you!

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Enough

“Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough…Give the world the best you have anyway…….You see in the final analysis it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. ”      Mother Teresa

 I saw these words for the first time today. They were definately touching and moving. i think I need to get this printed and hung up somewhere.

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Memories, Phases of Life

The secretary at my school retired last year and her retirement party is tomorrow. I was working on the Powerpoint presenation for her party. Who knew that a series of pictures showing life and how it progresses with some sappy song can have such an affect on me. Anyway, I hope I can be as kind, patient and loving as this woman. Everyday, she would say to me, “Good morning Baby Girl.” I miss hearing that in the morning. I miss her and her laughter.

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Halloween was quiet in Brooklyn

I hardly had any trick or treaters come my way this year. It’s sad to see that the holiday is dying down in some parts of Brooklyn. In Bay ridge it is alive and well though. My friend Sue said she had almost 200 trick or treaters because she lives near Owls Head Park and the kids go to the festival there and then walk past her house when they head home. She invited me to take an hour there next year!

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Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! My house is decked with tons of decorations. Actually, our house is the only house that is decorated and the sound effects went on when I came home. Lee put up a moving ghost that goes “Booooooooooooooooo Boooooooooo.”  It’s cool.  A lot of people in Brooklyn have stopped celebrating Halloween due to personal or relgious reasons (witches or the former history of begging for food on Halloween). To me, Halloween is just a day to enjoy being a kid and get candy.   

I have great memories of trick or treating in my neighborhood. Some of the neighbors made us popcorn balls and candied apples. So many great neighbors gave us treats. I thought about them today as I asked God to shine upon them for giving me such sweet memories.

 So the candy is stocked and my witch costume is on. Let the trick or treating begin. I’m ready!

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