White Post Farms — July 7, 2009

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© All rights reserved.

Harry had a great time at White Post Farms with Grandma and me. White Post Farms is in Melville, NY, on Long Island, and is a great place to take kids for the day or to have a children's party. The animals are all wonderful and the staff is friendly. There's also a garden center and produce market.

White Post Farms 250 Old Country Rd. ● Melville, NY 11747 Tel: (631) 351-9373

This family friendly attraction has been voted #1 among things to do with the kids by New York Magazine as well as being voted "Best of Long Island for Children's Parties" for the past three years in a row.

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The animal farm features many animals of all different species from around the world! Children can visit with new additions to the farm, including their American Buffalo, Tibetan Yak and Oryx Antelope, as well as your everyday favorites; goats, lambs, pigs, deer and alpacas. In the last few years they've traveled far and wide to bring many exotic animals such as a family of Ring-Tailed Lemurs from the forests of Southern Madagascar, Ostriches from Africa, Grevy Zebras from Kenya, Nilgai antelopes from India, Aoudads from Northern Africa and our Exotic Cattle.

The animals are all clean, well-fed and looked after, and they are not crammed into small spaces.

The History of White Post Farms

White Post Farms, as it is today, evolved from a family-owned and operated vegetable farm. The vegetables were trucked to the Brooklyn market during a period that began in the 1920's and continued into the 1980's. There was little change in the way farming was done for the first forty years of its existence.

The 1960's brought rapid change to the character of the farm. These changes reflected the trends and interests of the second generation of family members. A roadside farm stand was opened in 1964 and Greenhouses were erected so flower and vegetable plants could be grown therein. White Post Farms was one of the first farms on Long Island to erect greenhouses for the purpose of growing plants to sell at both retail and wholesale.

The 1990's produced more changes to the farm's character, again reflecting the trends and interests of yet another generation of the family: the third generation. Across this country farms are becoming the destination for American families seeking a different kind of experience, as in years gone by when city kids used to visit their country cousins.

Today schools and camps look to farms for educational tours as well as fun experiences. Families come to experience a one-day getaway. It is a time to bond and share in a park-like setting with the added benefit of a farm environment. A treat that is hard to find now-a-days. White Post Farms Animal Farm gives everyone a chance to learn about, interact with and enjoy animals in a natural farm setting.

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White Post Animal Farm uses its unique character for the benefit of the community as well as for community organizations. Through events like the Annual Fall Farm Festival White Farms continues an age old tradition of country fairs with a modern twist. The Annual Fall Festival is a fun filled family day that has become an annual tradition for many families. The Fall Festival boasts hayrides, children shows, games, food and pumpkin picking.

White Post Farms continues to support schools and organizations in their efforts to enrich the lives of those in need. Fundraisers are a big part of supporting community efforts and White Post Farms is a proud contributor.


(©2008 White Post Farms)

My Dad as a Little Boy

©2009 Suzanne Hayes / spookie

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved
Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

My Little Handsome Guy

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved

Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved

Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

(A little awkward; I'm holding the camera out in front of us, but I think he's too adorable to not share. Yes, I'm a little biased… maybe!)

©2009, All Rights Reserved
Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

Post Surgery Update

Tomorrow will be two weeks since my father's brain surgery to relieve the swelling caused by the necrotized tumor. He is no longer in the hospital; he was moved to a rehabilitation facility nearby, and we all visit daily. He's progressing as expected. Since he was taken off the steroids, he's very tired, but he has to do physical therapy a few times a day to regain his strength he lost in the many weeks prior to the surgery. Once he can use his arm and legs again, he can come back home.

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Tax Status: 501(c)(3)
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Address: 888 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20006

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Where's My Pony! And Other Toys from Childhood…

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved
Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

Okay, so I don't know whatever happened to my pony, or the little blue-haired finger puppet I had in this picture, but I do have the Dapper Dan doll sitting up in the closet in my son's room! When my friend had her daughter some 20+ years ago, I gave it to her. When I had my son, she sent it back to me. He's a bit worn, but he still has all his buttons… almost ;) Dapper Dan is really my brothers, but I don't think he minds at all. 

Maybe that little blue-haired finger puppet is why I've always liked to put a dash of color in my hair… or maybe that's my artistic side. 

Now I want to find my Flatsy doll and possibly the records to go with the Rockflower dolls I actually do still have saved, along with a bunch of Dawn dolls. I wonder how many people out there have also saved many of their dolls and some toys or gadgets from their childhood?

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved
Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

I had this Panasonic AM radio in red. Actually, I do still have it, but I have no idea where I stashed it away. I used to walk around wearing it on my wrist like a big bangle bracelet.

spookie, the CAT.

This is the queen of the castle.

…and this was every cat BUT spookie in 2007. Tiggler is in this picture. Tiggler was my feral turned mushball lap cat.

©2009, Suzanne Hayes / spookie. All Rights Reserved

Images may not be reproduced or copied and reposted to other blogs or websites without permission.

My Father Had Brain Surgery — Success! NO CANCER in the Brain.

Yesterday, my father had the MRI to map his brain for the surgery. We knew the day before that brain surgery was almost the only option left, and if the MRI didn't show any roadblocks, the surgery would happen not too long after. All of us were on pins and needles, except my Dad. He knew this was his only option. He wanted the surgery.

Since last Thursday, we've all been unbelievably stressed to the maximum because of his condition. His lung cancer tumor has been shrinking, and so has the liver tumor. Both are smaller by 40%. We'd all just found out a few days earlier. He was more active and feeling better, and in fact, he was doing tax returns since it's "tax season." Suddenly, he became unable to lift his left arm, use the left hand or walk without the help of my brother. He was dizzy and tired. Even he knew that something was wrong. His hand swelled up and so did his left foot and calf. He was so tired, he could barely keep his eyes open.

By Thursday, he was almost immobilized.  All weekend, someone had to help with every move he made to make sure he didn't fall or trip. By Sunday night, it was BAD, and we were all very worried. We made a list of the observations we all noticed over the days — especially just on Sunday — and called the oncologist's on-call doctor. We were told to call 911 and get him admitted ASAP. Of course my Dad didn't want to go; he wanted to go to sleep. Earlier in the night, though, he knew something was wrong, and he told me. He said, "My brain is muddy." He told me he couldn't find words. He knew something was happening. We made the right decision in getting him into the hospital. There was swelling on the brain.

The brain cancer is gone. It was gone. CyberKnife had worked. The necrotized tumor caused pressure and swelling, and had to be removed. It was the size of a fingernail bed. My father was awake remarkably fast. The neurosurgeon said everything went amazingly well and that the right choice was made. We spoke to my Dad last night around 10pm, after they moved him from the surgical unit to the recovery ICU unit where visitation is allowed. He spoke with us and said he felt horrible. I told the nurse, and she said all brain surgery patients say that; it's the headache. Then he asked for some ice chips and said, "When can I go home?"

Today he's doing even better. The doctors all say it's remarkable. He is recovering better and faster than some people half his age.

Thank God for this wonderful blessing.

My son Harry and my Dad, summer 2008.

Mom and Dad on a trip, late winter 2008.

My Dad and his best friend since childhood, in my parents yard.

All images with my father are ©2009 Suzanne / spookie, All Rights Reserved. Not to be used without permission. Any unauthorized usage will result in prosecution. 

Peek-a-Boo! Snow!

We finally got our big snow! The weather people on the nightly news didn't exaggerate for a change. Usually a snowstorm in New York actually means 2" to 3" of snow. Panic ensues. Supermarket shelves empty. It's hilarious. This time we actually did have a snowstorm, with some gusty winds. It was Sunday night into Monday, and it dumped quite a nice coating on Long Island. It looked so lovely, until the plows and cars made muck of it and the dirt was tracked all over. Our four crocuses that already bloomed were buried, but today, I see they're back. Dozens more should bloom any time now.

Here's the yard:

My son Harry really had a blast! It was only in the mid-20's, so he couldn't stay out too long. When he came back indoors, he looked like a little boy on an adorable vintage postcard, with perfect rose-colored circles on his cheeks, a dab of snow on his hat and a big, bright smile. 

(I can't post those images until my online abuser is arrested or under the control of the authorities)

Peek-a-BOO!

Harry's Birthday, Christmas and Chanukkah

"Woo hoo, I am TWO!"

I usually color-correct my photos, but I decided to leave these as-is, and just show them as we took them. My son was born during the holidays, so he gets overly spoiled by me and his grandparents (my parents), but some relatives seem to think his birthday coming at the same time as major holidays means you can send one gift and "forget" the other. When he gets older, he'll be aware of this, and children get upset when they are aware that their birthday is being lumped together with the biggest holiday of the season. I hope those who lump it together now won't when he is older. It might not be about the gifts, but to a little boy, the gifts, no matter how small, mean a lot.

 

Is that not a smile to die for? This was just because he was happy to be with his family, playing and having fun. He's a super child, and I am biased. ; )


"Enough of this picture taking. Give me that camera!"

Harry LOVES cameras, especially digital cameras. In fact, he likes all technology. Hide your cameras, cell phones and PDA's when around him, or he'll demand to have a look-see and try them out ; )

PLEASE NOTE: I'd post more, and say more, but I can't. My blogging must be edited and censored because I'm the victim of a cyberbully: an anti-semitic and cruel stalker online. Pictures that contain myself, my father or other family members might be used without my permission (she has done it before and still takes copyrighted images from me) for her own personal pleasure — glee and joy — by using them to mock my family and make fun of cancer and other hardships we might have. The Improper Adoptee is a very cruel and hateful person, and because of her, I feel extremely violated; she steals my images, she makes fun of my father's terminal illness and she tries to use anything she can to get strangers and acquaintances to turn against me and attack me. This blog shows Christmas AND Hanukkah, and The Improper Adoptee has said many anti-semitic comments towards me and others, and she has said boatloads of anti-Christian comments as well, especially anti-Catholic, which is how I was raised. Both religions make her blood boil, so I am a victim of religious persecution by her and a victim of her libel and sick obsession to "prove I'm evil," along with her made-up fantasy about my non-existent connection to adoption. She is also angry because I am not anti-adoption, nor pro-adoption. Because of this sick woman, I have to censor my blog, and I am against censorship. Libel and defamatory, derogatory blogs are another story, but a personal blog should not have to be censored because a lunatic is watching you.

Funny Faces in the 70's (and some old memories)

Guess who! Yep, this is me back in the 70's. I can still remember sneaking out of my room to hide behind the couch to watch TV shows my parents were watching, or to hear them playing board games in the kitchen with friends. I wondered if they knew I was sneaking out of my room often, so I asked the other day, and my mom said, "no, I only caught you a few times." Ha ha! I watched one series that was after my bedtime, I just can't recall the name of it. I can't believe no one heard me breathing behind the couch, or saw my head poking out of the side. 

I climbed trees, even if they were a few stories high, and I played baseball and wiffleball. (I was tougher than some of the boys on the block.) I had metal clamp-on roller skates and a fiberglass skateboard made by BUNGER. Whoops, no, the fiberglass board replaced my wooden skateboard I had at this age. I eventually smashed the nose of the wooden deck in a slight crash ;) My parents taught me to swim when I was very young, so by the age you see me here, I was able to dive off the high board and I was on the swim team for a while. Every summer we spent at the beach; here on Long Island and at least 3 to 4 weeks in Florida. When we were in Florida, my grandparents were with us, too. My grandfather had a plane, a Navion, and sometimes he flew some of down. My son is named after him. I'd flew in that plane from 6 months old on. My grandfather taught me to scuba dive, too. I've been face to face with barracudas right off Hollywood beach in FL. and watched electric eels duck into their homes in the warm waters off Cozumel.

Even danger has never been a stranger. The year a commercial airliner crashed in Virginia from wind shear, we were flying back from Florida and a storm suddenly moved into our path. It was one of the most amazing things to witness — being in the center of open sky with angry dark cloud surrounding you — fighting clouds, thundering and lighting bolts like you can't see from the earth. My face was glued to the window in awe. My grandfather had to land, and we were being guided to a little airport. The entire way down was bumpy and frightening. We'd drop so many feet in seconds, I was holding onto the bottom of my seat, as it that would help! The plane was swaying left and right so drastically, my grandmother was hysterical and my sister was just silent; mortified. We didn't land the first time — wind shear. It hit, and it almost flipped the plane. We headed for a hangar, and my grandfather told us to be as calm as possible. My grandma, a totally non-religious woman, screamed out, "Oh God, God, we're going to die! Harry! Do something!!!" I actually think at that moment, my grandmother probably did ask God to save us. My grandfather's response? "Shut up, Rose, I'm trying to fly the plane!!!" This was not said in a cruel way, but in a moment of stress and a need to concentrate on getting us back into the sky and as far away from the hangar, which was getting closer each second. Seconds before we hit, my grandfather managed to get his plane up and over that hangar, and we were back in the sky, circling the airport again. The tower asked if he'd like to give it another shot, and my grandpa said yes. On the go-ahead, he brought the plane down; it was the most bumpy, frightening landing of all the landings I'd ever experienced. The plane tried to flip to the left, then to the right...it was so close to hitting the ground with a wing. Then we landed.

My grandfather got a standing ovation when we walked into the little waiting area at that small airport. People shook his hand, congratulated him and told him how brave he was. And he was. 

I sure can't complain; between my Dad and my Grandpa, I got to do almost everything. Who could ask for anything more! 

Wow, what a tangent I went on! Back to the funny faces pictures!

Thanks Dad! One of hundreds of fun and silly days we can remember :)

All images ©2008 Suzanne/spookie Not to be Used Without Permission.