Halloween = Brooklyn + Tennessee

Two summers ago we took a road trip that began simply as a long-overdue visit with my aunt and uncle. They are terrific and generously invited us down for some food (my pastry-school-trained Aunt Geri's famous cheesecake) and baseball (my Uncle Sal may possibly be the world's biggest Dodgers fan.)

Thus, before I can write of our adventures through Alabama and Mississippi (and adventures they were) or tell the tales of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou, I must share the family fun. Particularly, since today, the first Halloween in many years in which I was to don a costume, was canceled because of the hurricane. Had Sandy behaved herself, I would have been a Brooklyn Dodger, courtesy of Sal.

Instead, I'm home, grateful that my neighborhood didn't suffer much damage, hoping that those who did will find power and peace restored quickly, and remembering the still-present sadness of what Katrina did in NoLa as I browse through my old photos. For me, a Brooklyn Halloween will happen next year. Tonight, I'll let my memory take me back to Chattanooga, and the Lookouts game we attended. Minor league ball is a special kind of fun. We went to see the Brooklyn Cyclones at Coney Island this summer and after seeing both teams I can confidently say that MLB doesn't have quite the same level of silliness.

The silliness continued at their home as we worked together to bake a cheesecake. (For those of you who don't know my personal theory on baking, the amount of fun you have is directly related to the size of the mess in the kitchen!)

This first leg of our journey wouldn't have been complete without a stop for some southern fast food. I will *not* turn this blog political. Suffice it to say, when in Tennessee...take funny pictures.

Next stop...Tuscaloosa, Alabama...