During my vacation over the past couple of weeks, some random things popped into my head. I’ll have some more in-depth things soon.

My posts take 2-6 hours to write and another 30 minutes to post. I have dozens I want to do, but never seem to be able to find the time to get them done.

Also, my cat, Cinders, has been on my lap since I returned home from vacation. There is little else I can do except pet her. My legs are numb. Her claws are permanently embedded in my leg.

I am in a debate with myself over whether I should try to get something I wrote published or just throw it up on my website.

Paul is upset he didn’t see any aliens while in New York. We passed through Pine Bush several times, but there were no visible aliens. Paul hopes they will kidnap him next time so he can cross that adventure off his bucket list.

My cousin, Kaylie, swore she saw one in Middletown, but it was just the stealth bomber buzzing the treeline on its way to the Stewart Air National Guard Base for a public viewing. In Kaylie’s defense, she was about 10 years old when it happened. I think she’s smarter now.

A shop that welcomes everyone.

For the record, I’m pretty sure all the sightings in the sky are experimental aircraft coming from the Stewart. But whatever, believe in little green men if you want to.

Even with no internet connection, I still heard about Trump. The only international news I could find on a regular basis was on RT. Not the best choice, but my only option at the time.

Saffron is a damned fine Indian restaurant. If you’re ever in Middletown, go eat at Saffron. Every dish is good. I’m partial to chicken Korma. The garlic naan is fantastic as well.

My family still embarrasses me in public. They do this even at nice Indian restaurants.

Gabe Pressman died while I was on vacation. Pressman, along with Chuck Scarborough[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Scarborough] and Sue Simmons[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Simmons], was a staple of my childhood. His career spanned six decades.

I don’t miss the friggin’ humidity in New York. Yes, I said friggin’. I believe it’s required by law in New York State to include that word whenever you speak of the humidity. I have no idea how I grew up there without air conditioning and survived.

A view from the air of the Newburgh and Beacon area. The Newburgh-Beacon bridge can be seen center-left.

I miss the trees in New York. There really aren’t enough trees in western Nebraska.

There are 19 books on my desk. Given the fact that I have read eight books in six months, I don’t think I can read them all before 2017 is over.

A Bavarian Kreme donut from Dunkin’ Donuts at the Hoboken train station.

I got my Bavarian Kreme donut at Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s a good donut.

Vacation time is limited, so I didn’t get to see everyone I would have liked to have seen. Hopefully, next time I will. My cousin Patrick has already guilted me enough for not seeing him.

I am thankful for the invention of Imodium.

There is this awesome thing at Legacy of the Plains museum on Monday, June 26, from 5:30-7 p.m. It’s called the “Eclipse MegaMovie Awareness Tour.” I’d really like to go, but I’m still wiped out from vacation and I really don’t want to work on my last day of vacation. I know. I know. I’m going to regret not going, but I need some rest.

The terror of going outside and talking to people is still there. It will probably never go away.

People who take selfies and pose for glamour shots in front of the World Trade Center memorial are assholes.

The I-84 diner in Fishkill, New York still has the best cheesecake on the planet.

American Airlines was mostly okay. They should offer more than two Biscoff cookies on a flight. I certainly paid enough money to warrant some kind of snack.

The best snack cake ever made.

If you give me Funny Bones, I will probably love you forever.