"The Irish Riviera"

Thank you, Mr. Beller's Neighborhood for publishing my new story, "The Irish Riviera." 

"On a muggy summer morning in 1961, with my parents still asleep, I crept into the kitchen and turned on the oven. I was seven years old..."

Rockaway memories warm my soul. 

This is my 20th Mr. Beller's Neighborhood story. 

My first, "Developing a Habit", May 2006. 

That was the kick in the ass I needed to push my writing forward.

Thank you, Tom & everyone in the MBN family.

 Your site makes our city shine.

My family at Rockaway back to 1924. Plus a few 2012 shots taken three months before Sandy.
 

Rockaway The Days

 The Rockaway Beach photos here and in the link below were taken July 2012 three months before Sandy crippled the peninsula. This glorious New York City summer beacon recovered and thrives again.

Rockaway public photo album July 1, 2012.

Some of my favorite scenes.

Rockaway the days, forever.

Two of Us

Two old friends at Coney Island

"Two of Us" riding nowhere,

spending someone's hard earned pay.
You and me Sunday driving, 

not arriving, 

on our way back home.

Goodbye, my brother.

Eddie Ekis & Tommy

Bailey the Beach 108 Puppy Endorses "River to River"

Yesterday at Rockaway Beach, I met my first book customer, Bailey the Puppy being cuddled by two Beach 108th Street boys.

Bailey told me he ordered "River to River ~ New York Scenes from a Bicycle," a moment after YBK published it last Thursday. He confirmed his purchase with a printout of his Amazon receipt.  Bailey paid for the book with Greenies. I was touched and gave him a hug for giving up his tasty treats.

After a nice visit with Bailey and his two buddies, I headed down to Surf City at Beach 96th Street.  I watched many Dudes and Dudettes hang ten, riding waves all the way in on their surf boards. Sold five books to the band playing under the boardwalk, literally.  Sold one copy to the guy in the hammock.  Said it was for his sick mother.

All in all, another groovy day in the Rockaways.