My New York Family Affair...

After the fun in Florida, I settled down a bit with the fall colors in New York. I stayed for about six days at my Uncle Matt and Aunt Julie's house in Warwick New York. Their view from the front porch is amazing and if I could put it in my pocket to take out when I want I would. They introduced me to their community and invited me to participate. My first night in I was brought to their church potluck and sat in on a lecture about religious history. It was educational and warming to be around all those people.

To give me a homey welcoming....my uncle made me some yummy waffles.

On Saturday my Aunt Julie brought me to the church thrift store to volunteer for a few hours.

The next day I volunteered with my Aunt and Uncle at Warwick's AppleFest...There were more attendees to this event then there are people that live in the town...WOW!

I dedicated some time in their yard as a way to say thanks for their hospitality...I planted two trees (unfortunately it wasn't enough to offset all my traveling carbon, but it was a start)...

...then I helped paint my uncle's "barn" red.

I was able to spend some much needed time with my 89-year-old Grandma Lois and 91-year old Grandpa "Blaze". We ate some pizza (nothing like Italian food) and went for a spin in the car...

She brought me to the house that my mom first lived in, which is now a historical site.

Then, she brought me to my mom's old high school in Tappan Zee.

When we got home....She showed me her mother's wedding dress from 1903 and then her dress to my Grandfather William (my hero) from 1942.

They walked me to the door for a loving sendoff and of course tears were shed.

I love you grandma and grandpa

Burney and Tank were excited that I visited and saw me off as my Aunt Julie took me to the train station where I saw the last familiar person before heading off to Italy.

I would like thank every single person in my family for all the love and support that has been given to me in the over the past few months. It is becasue of you that I have made it this far in my life. I couldn't ask for a better group of siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, neices, nephews and parents. May all the love you have given to the world be returned to you in one way or another.

With Love,

Apes