Dan and I woke up took another run up to the revolutionary war park.… And said goodbye to this Airbnb

I was speaking at an event on play and creativity today.… It was actually a very fun event. It was hosted by my friend David Cox… He did a really fun intro duction to a day in his life. Thing I took away is that he suggested this movie. Putting the picture here so I don’t forget.

Diane spent the morning walking around the Yorktown campus, which is really beautiful. As soon as my talk was done she and I got in the car and headed south. We’re heading down to the Baltimore area… Pikesville actually… For my great aunt Ellens funeral. She died last week at age 96. She was an amazing woman… I knew that a ton of relatives would be in town and well, I was sad about Helen. I was really looking forward to seeing all my relatives.

Here are Ellen, Arnal an all their kids. Arnall died back in 2010. He was my fathers uncle.. but they were Close enough in age that he was like another older brother to my dad.

 

Here are the kids Ireland Helens on kids, which are John, Susie and David… Their nephew Sam came to live with them when his parents were killed in an airplane crash in 1973

Ellen’s daughter Susie lives in the house next-door to Ellen and Arnold’s house. And their cousin the cord live right across the street. It’s kind of like a little family compound. Both houses were full of people filtering in for the funeral tomorrow.… There was tons of food tons of catching up. It was really fun touring around and seeing all that artwork and other memorabilia. I used to come here on my way up to Boston for school.… Lots of memories.

 

 

One treat was to see my cousin Kate’s artwork… it’s aamazing.. .. fun and poignant. there was even a bust of herself made entirely out of insects! .\Kate and her wife also Kate live here too.…

we hung out for a while then went back tot he hotel to sleep

tomorrow is the funeral.   that will be sad and interesting. I’m glad we’re here

nite all, nite sam
-me

This morning Diane and I took a run around our Airbnb .. Turns out that Peekskill has a ton of history. right down the street are the ruins of a Revolutionary era hill fort that factored in to he protection of the Hudson River
THe hill is also the site of a graveyard used by a local moenstary… It was a beutiful and peaceful place 

I drove in to Yorktown and spent the day meetign with old friends and conencting on several ongoign projects I’m still helping with. It was great seeing everybody again..  Even though I am still in close contact by email/zoom.. niting is like seeing old freinds face to face 

That night diane and I explored Peekskill. We had dinner in a really nice  Salvadoran place. then exploring the town… It’s got an amazing riverfront

 

Very cute town.. I’m glad we visited. 

Nite all, nite sam
-me

Today DIane and I drove down to Peekskill NY. I’ve been invited to speak at an IBM even on Tuesday and took advantage of that trip to do soem much needed reconnectign with IBM Freinds

On the way down we listtened to “Ambundence’ the new book by Ezra Kline (NYT) and Derrick Johnson (The Atlantic) Its about how the liberal mindset (and I absolutely have a liberal mindset)  has inadvertently contributed tot he slowdown of ‘getting things done’… like building affordable housing, revitalizing manufacturing like semiconductors and mass transit. The authors say our deep conviction to consider everyones concerns, and look out for everyone’s causes  has contributed to so much friction in the system.. that projects take longer and cost more than anyoen intended. It’s a very interestign read.. I dont agree with everything the authors say.. but there are soen deep truths in there. 

After settlign into our Airbnb in Peekskill.. what a cute town .. we headed over to our good freinds Ruchir and Rashi;s . Ruchir has been a close friend and co-worker for more than 20 years..  We have a mtual mentoring relations hip that I value very. very much.   We also feel close ot  Ruchirs wife Rashi, their kids TIsha and Anika… and even  Rashi’s parents.

We had a wonderful home cooked indian dinner that Rashi and her mom had cooked.. amazingly delicious. over dinner . talked about life,. kids, work, politics.. 

it felt so good to catch up !

Nite all, nite sam
-me

We woke up leisurely this morning..  and slowly got ourselves together for brunch at a really great deli. I had the loc plate and latkes.. The mornign was cool but not cold.. so we sat outside whihc knocked at leaast a half hour out of our wait. While we did wait was at a really nice coffee bar across the street. Run by a lebaneses (I think ) family.. super montrealish !

I took an interesting picture of Deb’s eye. while we waited. 

We then drove up to Mount Royal to visit the cathederal of St. Joseph. It’s a massive place with beutiful views of the city. The cathederal was started by a Friar named Andres.. now St. Andrea… who supposedly  healed the sick just by visiting with him. There was a wal full f crrutches left by pilgrams that were heeled by St Andres. 

The building was impressive. and fillled with relics, art and other cool history

It was about 2 when we headed back towards vermont.. 

it was great being up in montreal.. 
Canadians were very nice to us in spite of the dumb stuff our government is doing to piss them off

nite all, nite sam 
-me