Hasta luego, Erie

More holiday cards written, ready to be sent - a few are past where they can be sent but I want to send greetings to friends and do NOT wish to haul (many) cards back to NYC. Got a lovely but heavy gift from my nephew and his wife. (They didn't think to consider weight.) [9:00 AM]

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We drove out to Chris's Aunt Shirley's car dealership where he washed Aunt Betty's car . We gave them a plate of Aunt Betty's great cookies and talked to his friend and colleague David. We then dropped off the last of the Christmas-come-New Year's cards then I went out to lunch with high school friend Donna Luciano at the Corner Stone on East 38th Street. We were waited on by a pleasant and attentive Martha. While we talked and caught up, Aunt Betty went home to her soaps. Picking us up after our lunch of fish and chips or in my case fish and mashed, Aunt Betty drove us down to the transportation intermodal center in northern Erie, not far from the Erie Dock. I had already called Discover and learned that while I hadn't received the confirmation, the charge for my Greyhound bus ticked had indeed gone through and the center's ticket attendant confirmed that Greyhound had my ticket recorded as well. He was kind enough to give me my bag tag so we can return about a half an hour before and wait for the bus.

Before dropping Donna home we also traveled over to the Peninsula a/k/a Presque Isle State Park. We drove a bit into the park, and Donna and I got out briefly to check out the snow dunes. I took several photos and then we took Donna home and I returned to Aunt Betty's home to pack. A bit of a struggle but I think it will do. I am leaving an old pair of shoes with some life in them but toss-able and a pretty Thomas Kinkade winter scene mug that didn't safely fit. Perhaps the next trip.

I'm not hungry. Just relaxing now until time to leave for the bus. Hope more snow cleanup has been done in my Queens neighborhood. I can hope. Hope I fit on the bus arriving from Cleveland and on the connecting bus leaving Buffalo. Could be an adventure. Wonder, too, if there will be Amish this trip. I should know in a few hours. (Peace hugs :)

Snowbound Sort of

Viewing the NYC blizzard from Aunt Betty Murphy's living room. The Queen's story of crappy cleanup evident on Facebook isn't being on corporate TV. It is all Manhattan. (It usually is all Manhattan.) Still someone in Chelsea pipes up about delayed service on the lower Westside of Manhattan. Non-tourist areas suffer.

Here in Erie I wonder when I can safely make it home to the Big Apple and my kittehs. Glad they have a good cat sitter.

Yesterday left Cleveland with Pat and Aunt Betty. Erie has only about an inch of snow -- what a difference. We set up the flat screen TV Pat and Beth had gotten for her before Pat returned home to the wilds of Ohio. Cousin Barbara and her husband John drove in Uncle John to see us this evening. Pleasant family visit complete with some of Aunt Betty's great Christmas cookies.

Neighbors are not generous in sharing their computer access this visit. Feel like I am living in an age of non-internet neutrality. ARGH. Much to write about/upload but cannot attempt much. More thoughts/pix will be saved for later upload. And there are those late Christmas/now New Years cards to write -- don't want to forget friends for long. Am sitting in Aunt Betty's kitchen wondering if I can even upload this. Better save it first to Text Edit. (Peace hugs, friends!)

Into the Midwest

I've arrived and am sitting in front of Michael Dylan and Gina's tree, far from the Big Apple. Relaxing. But with things to do. We're having a less stressful budget conscious Christmas. Or trying to. Spend time with people rather than spend money because of societal dictates. Certain gifts, yes. And house offerings as needed. And things we find -- like a Left Right Center game for Krista and Jon who drove me to Ohio yesterday -- and stuff for my kitties -- but my grandcats already have usurped a little of it. (Tito and Lola are family, too :) I like to be generous but I need to be sensible. I would rather buy things for people I love as I find them -- not at the demand of a calendar. And stuff for people who need stuff, certain stuff. Oh stuff it. Enuf (for now). Time for family and hugs. (Including peace hugs :)

Vacation?

Kate & Agatha
After an acupuncture appointment, I dropped off a Christmas package to my friend Sam Oast, paid for NYFOR's post office box and then stopped at the office to pick up a few items and send a few more holiday cards for my boss Steven. Of course, I ended up doing more. Then I reacted to the acupuncture (remember to hydrate, gang) and felt a bit weird. Several glasses of water later I was back to me and did a little more before leaving a little later -- a LOT later than I planned. But at least I remembered Agatha's photos. Miss her and her beautiful smile. She's moved down to Florida to be close to family. Family is important. Hope I get to see mine as planned. (Still feel like ending this Peace hugs! :)


Agatha

Christmas cards

I've turned into my mom again -- last minute Christmas cards / holiday cards (though less cherub/Hummel kids and more angels, peace doves, other animals, NYC, and trees) But in truth my friends know I frequently send out New Year's / Valentines Day, Spring and Easter cards in an attempt to stay in touch. This past year was less successful so I am determined to do better. Heck I moved down the street back in 2007 I think it was and I still have loyal friends sending cards to 39-30 instead of 39-56, my "new" house number. Too funny. But I'm lucky these are still getting to me, thanks to my postal carrier and/or my neighbor at 39-30. Please update your address lists, dear friends! And I'm putting Christmas music into my iPod in between figuring out cards. I'd better do less figuring and more writing. But music is essential. Now, back to work. [I still feel like ending blog posts with Peace hugs!]

More personal / less political

Do I really need another blog? Well, some folks say they want to be more personally in touch but they don't want to join Facebook. Plus I want to use the KateBrennan.net domain name for something legitimate rather than ugly ads "they" put on "my" page. Gotta fill a void right?!! And I got to communiKATE.

So do you have the right Kate Brennan? There are lots of 'em. I'm the NYC peace and justice activist also known as Kate Anne and on Twitter as PeaceHugs. I'm the Kate Brennan found on Facebook by my friends as kabrennan. I'm the baby boomer who has also lived in Erie, PA, and Northeastern Ohio. I'm and ENFP and a feminist who is also spiritual. I'm the mother of two grown kids, Michael Dylan and Katerina. If you've found me sit down a spell and chat on this post or on some follow-up. It is Christmastime as I write this and I am behind (typical) and I continue to get some Christmas mail to 39-30 instead of 39-56 so perhaps this may be where you need to find me.

As to how personal I get instead of political, time will tell, but this allows me another outlet. Thanks for dropping by.