(Re)Creating (dis)Comfort

Saturday was a damp, grey day, certainly not the kind of day which inspires a 100 mile road trip. But, the plans had been made and downstate friends and I were meeting at my brother’s new house to celebrate his recent birthday. “House” is a bit of a misnomer in this case because where my … Continue reading (Re)Creating (dis)Comfort

10 great things I did this past weekend in upstate New York.

Friday night I went to the beautiful Argus Hotel for an event. It was a cocktail party fundraiser for Historic Albany and the space was absolutely gorgeous. I didn’t take full advantage of the venue and explore the guest rooms, but I did take a few moments to imagine how civilized it would be to sit … Continue reading 10 great things I did this past weekend in upstate New York.

Pedals over pedestrians

On Election Day, the community where I worked rejected a proposal to modify a stretch of Delaware Avenue in their town. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know all of the details (I don’t live in the district where I teach) but, from what I’ve read and heard, the plan would have … Continue reading Pedals over pedestrians

Wine me a river – The Peripheral Wine Fest in Hudson

You know how sometimes you imagine how something is going to be and it ends up being totally different in reality? I’m not speaking in code, here, either. This is not about romance or relationships. What I’m trying to say is more like, you picture one thing and from the moment you arrive there are … Continue reading Wine me a river – The Peripheral Wine Fest in Hudson

October CivMix recap

I try to publish a post weekly over at CivMix.com. Sometimes, I’m even successful in meeting that goal. This month, I managed to push out 3 pieces and, in typical Silvia fashion, they are pretty disparate in terms of topics. Subjects discussed include drinking, drugs and donuts. Hope you enjoy them. 3 Orchards, 0 Apples … Continue reading October CivMix recap

I dream of words

The other night when I woke up for my usual nocturnal visit to the bathroom, I opened my eyes with an unusual dream fresh in my memory. It was odd because my mind wasn’t filled with images or sounds or sensations from the dream I had been having, it was only occupied by words, and … Continue reading I dream of words

The house across the street

When I first viewed the house where I’ve lived for more than 25 years, my immediate thought was that it was too small for my eventual family. At the time it consisted of two 2-bedroom flats and I couldn’t imagine it accommodating the children my husband and I planned. At the Open House, where I … Continue reading The house across the street