Yesterday was Columbus Day. As a government employee, I had the day off work. So, I drove to my old stomping grounds in Irvington and went to Angie’s house. We went to the video store, had Luca Pizza for lunch, watched Iron Man and then took Ben to Ellenburger Park for one of the last warm days before fall really sets in and replaces sunny, warm days with cloudy, gray, lay-on-the-couch-and-eat days. I just bought a new digital camera and took it with me to take some practice shots. Ben is so photogenic anyway, he makes it really easy for me to feel like a pro. Here are some pics from our trip:
This is the way we go down the slide.
This is how we blow bubbles
Like this!
In the fall I am always brought back to Irvington. I grew up there, attending Our Lady of Lourdes grade school and Scecina Memorial High School. A majority of my fondest childhood and teen memories took place in Irvington. I don’t know why it’s the fall that draws me back every year. Maybe it’s the memory of the story my grandma told me about running through the park with the leaves crunching under her feet, thinking it was the sound of someone following her. Her birthday was in October. Maybe it’s memories of the Irvington Fall Festival every year and painting a window at Norm Vogel’s. Maybe it’s the stories of all the haunted houses in Irvington. No matter what the reason, I find myself every fall returning to Irvington for the comfort, warmth, friends and familiarity. Don’t get me wrong, Irvington is nice in the summer, but there is an undeniable attraction I feel to it in the fall and I can’t say no.
My newest favorite place to go in the fall and winter in Irvington is Lazy Daze coffee house. It’s a cozy little shop off a side street just East of Ritter. They have free wi-fi, GREAT drinks, live music, and local art. Once, while sitting outside, a man in a suit and top hat recited an Edgar Allen Poe poem to my friends and me. You don’t see that every day… at least I don’t. Irvington is also host to ghost tours through October. I’m sure there are plenty of activities all October long to keep us busy, active and excited for Halloween.
This Thursday I’m going to host a pumpkin carving party. I’ll definitely have to post pics from that. We’re going to have chili and cider and we’re going to, of course, carve pumpkins. I can’t wait to see how they turn out! I love it when it starts to get cold and windy outside and the sky is gray and it’s the perfect weather for curling up with a scary movie.
