Science Marches On!

Rainbow HQ

We have some amazing views from our new home. Most of them I knew about before we moved in. But now that we're here we've learned about a new perk: we have an especially good perspective for seeing rainbows. We've already seen three, including this double-rainbow treat, after being here about ten weeks.

We suspect that big building in the middle is a leprechaun base.

Farewell to a Blessed Year

Of course there were many, many, many more great moments this year -- ending in a wonderful Christmas.  And there were not-so-great moments too.  For a second I might have been tempted to think of 2015 as a tough year -- until I stop to recognize the many ways we are surrounded by love and support, by wonderful family and fantastic friends. And until I remember the laughs we had through the lows as well as the highs.

Let's close the year with a couple of those highs -- such as the joy in Jonathan's face when he discovered he got into his first choice high school, and Isabella's pride as a citywide finalist in the Wise Quality of Life Innovations Competition. Congratulations!  And here's to more great moments in 2016!

NY Comic Con, October 2015

I like to think of New York Comic Con as a family tradition not to be missed -- but the reality is that it has become so difficult to obtain tickets that who knows when we might get shut out entirely.  Getting tickets to this year's event required hovering over a laptop, tablet and phone for three hours. But it was worth it!  Let's hope we can return next year.

Secret Summer Part Three: WaterFire

For New Yorkers who think they reside in the center of the universe, Providence, Rhode Island may not come to mind as an important cultural retreat.  Yet the city's periodic WaterFire festivals -- combining dramatic fires on the water, great music, dance, food, and a magical atmosphere -- are some of the best city festivals I've ever experienced.  Another summer delight a little off the beaten path.

Secret Summer Part Two: Best Fireworks Viewing Spot Ever

Not long after the movie, we got to use our new backpack chairs at what may be the best place in NYC to view the July Fourth fireworks: Roosevelt Island.  Years earlier I had heard stories of great views and no crowding at little to no cost -- but then the fireworks were moved from the east to the west side and were no longer visible from Roosevelt Island.  In 2014 our new mayor moved the fireworks to the east again -- but placed them so far south that Roosevelt Island wasn't an option.  But, finally, in 2015 they were visible again from there.  Perhaps a week before the event, the island made free reservations available online. The views were fantastic and we were never ever stuck in a crowd.  Beautiful!  

Secret Summer Part One: An Outdoor Movie with Room to Relax

I love hanging out on a summer night and watching a movie outdoors.  But I don't love guarding a tiny spot for hours before the movie begins.  This year we discovered a rooftop movie series with food and activities before the movie and plenty of room to spread out during the movie -- even if you don't arrive far in advance.  Where is this secret gem?  On the rooftop of the Bronx Terminal Market.

To add to the convenience, once we got there I went to the Target inside and picked up backpack folding chairs for us to use.  The movie, Home, was cute and perfect for a summer night.