Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - November 2, 2014

Welcome to my weekly off television topic post! Each week I take a journey through the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. My next post will indeed be about television -- stay tuned!

Random musings about the week:

• I could do this get an extra hour of sleep thing every day.
• We had nice temperatures and some nice days, then some really icky cold rain. Now it's just cold. I guess it's really late autumn. Sigh.
• At least it didn't rain for the kids on Halloween. Not that I had any trick or treaters knocking on my door. I never do here.
• My superintendent told me the person upstairs is a younger guy. I think the "younger" bit is relative. He can't be too young or he couldn't afford to live alone there. I'm think probably 30ish-young. But I did kind of call it right. I still haven't seen him. He's still not annoying. Yay!
• I'm tired. Can I retire yet? I'm really getting tired of being exhausted day in and day out. There has to be a better way!
• While I had way too many "out of stock" items on my Peapod grocery delivery order this week -- they're still adjusting to the new huge distribution center in Jersey City -- they more than made good on it. They told me they'd remove the delivery charge and put the sale items missed in my cart at the sale price for my next order. Well, since I ordered on Super Saver Wednesday, instead of $6.95 delivery, it was $5 off, then another $1 off as I chose the wide delivery window which they narrow down to two hours the day before. So, technically, my delivery cost a 95 cent delivery charge. (I also get $1 off for paying by electronic check, so ...!) I received an email from them. They took $10 off the order.
• I also received an email from the Plainfield Library in regard to the photo contest. I won something, but don't know what. The awards presentation and exhibition is slated for November 15th.

Onto the photos for this week -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new Photobucket window. You can make it even larger there and just close out that window to return to the blog.

A touch of color

I took this shot of ivy on a building adjacent to the Plainfield Train Station.

Oh my

What the heck broke into that locomotive engine car? This is one of the new fancy/schmancy locomotives which runs diesel and can convert to electric for a one seat ride on the Raritan Valley Line into NYC. Since our line is diesel, we've always had to switch trains in Newark as diesel locomotives can't run in the tunnels. Now, with these new locomotives, some of the trains run directly into the city, but not every train. There are also tunnel crowding logistics running amok in the planning. I'm thinking this locomotive might have struck a tree branch. I'm innocent. Plainfield Train Station.

This week's Flowers and Foliage slideshow has photos taken in Plainfield, Westfield and Bridgewater. Clicking on the diagonal arrow on the bottom right will make it full screen for you!

Yes, I see you, Squirrel.

Is it Rocket J. Squirrel? East Front Street, Plainfield.

**CLICK THE 'READ MORE' LINK TO SEE THE REST OF THE PHOTOS**

 

Now he has a new cause

The Religion and Politics Shouter with his megaphone now has picked up a Ban Ebola cause to add to his repertoire. East Front and Park Avenue, Plainfield.

Relocation

I first encountered the marks on the pavement. I thought it was odd chalk drawings until I realized someone had moved one of the really heavy chess tables about thirty feet away. Park and East Front, Plainfield.

Banking on beer

I know I've photographed this old bank turned bar before. But this time the neon beer signs are lighted. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Autumn PPD

The Plainfield Police Department surrounded by a beautiful autumn day. Watching and East Fourth Street, Plainfield.

Foggy morning

Not only was it dark as night, it was foggy as I walked to the train station one morning. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Early train station

The gingko trees are turning yellow at the Plainfield Train Station.

I see dead people saga goes on

This guy slept through his train station stop. Other than people taking the risk of me photographing them as they sleep on the train, they also can miss their stops and be late for work! Raritan Valley Line, NJ Transit

Bee on an Italian squash blossom

The Cucuzza continues to grow over the back fence of my apartment building.

The blossom turns to squash

The huge one on the ground

This shot was taken through the fence into their garden area. That's a 55 gallon drum and the Cucuzza on the ground has to be well over three feet long. None growing over the fence onto our side have gotten that big. I finally snagged one that's about 18" long. I read if you keep it attached to part of a vine, it might still grow more. I'll give it a while and then experiment with cooking it. I fear that the frosts to come will kill them off for the season.

Sunset at Bridgewater

I worked a few hours later than usual one day and caught the sunset in Bridgewater.

Westfield street lamps

The town of Westfield (where I visit Trader Joe's and sometimes Mindowaskin Park) has cool double old-fashioned street lamps with planters on them.

Sunset over East Front Street

Plainfield, NJ

Gingko by streetlamp

Methodist sunset

The Methodist church steeple surrounded by pinks and greys. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Moon sliver and sunset

Looking down East Second Street in Plainfield.

Same sunset, different view

Checking it out over the homes on Berckman Street in Plainfield.

Ready for my day off

Yes, Vincent is ready for MY day off. He thinks I've planned activities for us all day long!