Halloween in the hood - 2025 edition

 

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday.

So, I just love the fact that my hood has turned into the go-to-place for over-the-top decorations in Manhattan.

When people began posting photos and addresses from last year on Instagram, I was a bit concerned. 

 What if these folks didn’t feel like decorating this year?

Worse yet, what if they moved?

If they did, I sure hope they told the people who bought their houses what was expected of them.

Can you imagine what it would be like to have bunches of disappointed people stalking your house?

When I saw a pic of this set up online, I just had to go check it out.  (60 East 85^th St.)  It’s going to be hard to beat.

Meanwhile 78^th Street between Park and 2^nd is particularly festive.  Apparently, they have a block party planned.

I may just have to crash. 😉

Here are some blogs from previous years…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2024/10/halloween-in-hood-2024-p2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/11/halloween-gone-wild-part-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2020/11/halloween-in-hood-4.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2015/11/halloween-2.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/11/halloween-in-hood.html

Trick or treat!

PJ

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Bonsai @ BBG

 

This is the 100^th anniversary of the bonsai tree collection at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

When I heard that they were celebrating by showing off additional selections I decided it would definitely be worth a visit.

Especially since several of my cousins actually cultivate them.  Imagine that.

I’m struggling with all my indoor plants these days.  Yes.  I have become a chronic over-waterer.  Sigh.

I timed my visit for the end of the exhibit so I could catch some fall foliage.

Of course, the red maple stole the show.

I also caught a variety of fruit  - oranges anyone?

Or maybe grapefruits?

Not all of the specimens were dated, but among those that were, this Daimyo Oak is the oldest – from 1851. Wow.

And because my friend Tim is so into naked trees, I couldn’t help but notice that this one had the most impressive trunk.

The show runs through 10/19/25, so there’s still time to check it out if you are a fan.

Here are some previous blogs from BBG…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/06/brooklyn-botanical-gardens.html

 

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-touch-of-spring.html

 

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2014/04/japanese-gardens.html

 

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

Water lilies @ NYBG

 

When I headed to the New York Botanical Garden earlier this month to see the Van Gogh sunflower exhibit,

I thought I would also check out the water lilies and lotus blossoms since they were peaking.

This is the first chance I have had to catch them at leisure.

I have to say that I was really impressed.  Their collection is even better than the one at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Water lilies have a storied history – petals have been found in 3000-year-old Egyptian tombs.

And, the sacred lotus Nelumbo Nucifera symbolizes eternal life in Buddhism.

Then there’s Monet, who once wrote –

“It took me time to understand my water lilies.”

“I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them.”

And they have dragonflies and koi fish too. 😊

Here are some other water lilies blogs …

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2012/11/water-lilies-lotus-flowers.html

 

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2020/11/water-lilies-2.html

 

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2021/09/water-lilies-3.html

 

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/08/water-lilies-4.html

 

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer