Bars
Over the last few years, Alexis and I spent a good amount of time at the Pioneer Bar. There was nothing particularly special about the place other than that it was right down the street from us- reliably open with a nice back patio, somewhat reliable bbq and beer, and later a grey tuxedo cat named Ferris* (whom they named Sgt. Pickles), a stray who adopted the bar and was in turn adopted by the people who worked there. They also helped host our wedding march after party, probably one of the best days that we ever had. Pioneer's gate has been locked for a few weeks now...and it looks like it's for good. I wonder what will move in.

* I loved Ferris. He would have made a good boyfriend for Olive.

Sunken Treasure

Another Red Hook goner that I forgot to post last month - one of my favorite old abandoned houses on King Street off of Richards, there when we left for Turkey, completely gone when we returned. This place had been sinking into the ground for a while and was probably past the point of salvage but regardless, it was a pretty little house, at least in my eyes. Again, I wonder what will move in. Another ugly condo tower, perhaps?

Cats
The other day, somebody actually asked me if we still had cats, as I hadn't written about them in a while. Yes, the cats still exist and are currently earning their keep in kilos of fur that they shed daily for the black market. Here's a short clip of Irving and Olive. Well, to be more accurate, a confused cameo by Irving and a brief glimpse into Olive's infatuation with running water. Hint: she loves to involve her entire head/neck in the process.

P.S. Bonus Lil'O-Oy shot: