25th High School Reunion

I hadn't attended a high school reunion in a quarter century until now. There was a 10-year event while I was either in Illinois or Germany, and the pandemic put the kibosh on anything in 2020, so when some classmates with whom I am still connected on Facebook started planning an event on a September weekend when I was miraculously free, I decided to pack my high school memory box, my yearbooks, and my graduation dress into my car and drive down from Pittsburgh. Being a pack rat turns out to come in handy for things like anniversaries and reunions. The space was lavishly decorated in red and black (school colors) and silver/gold (anniversary).

"With class, elegance, and sophistication, the Class of 2000 has no limitations!"

The planning committee put together gift bags that included, among other things, a bingo card to get us talking with each other. "Published author" was one of the squares!

Familiar faces in the slide show:

One of my classmates' dessert business catered the event in addition to what the restaurant provided.

Unfortunately, six of our classmates have died in the last 25 years.

 The only two things I regret were having to change in the restaurant bathroom and the fact that there were no name tags. I am even worse with names now than I was 25 years ago, but I recognized some faces, and many people recognized me, so in the end, I'm glad I went.

TSPGH: Randyland

Why did it take Dear Husband and me almost a decade to visit the iconic Randyland?

Thankfully dear friend C.M. came to visit, so we all went together.

Randyland is the brain child of Randy Gilson and his partner, Mac McDermott, Yinzers who started turning their house on the Northside and the lots, walls, and fences around it into a rainbow-hued wonderland of brightly painted found and re-purposed objects in 1995.

The only time this outdoor art installation has been closed was in 2019, when fans raised enough money to send the couple on their dream vacation, and in 2019, when Mac died of prostate cancer.

Entrance is free. Signs point toward local landmarks or say "welcome" in a variety of languages.

Randy(land) encourages visitors to take care of themselves, each other, and the world.

It was Mayor’s Award for Public Art in 2019.

RandyLand only "<3s hearts" / No Brains / Thinking / Only Stuff / Recycling / Finds / Repurpose SELF

There's a sandpit with toys and chairs if families want to come enjoy the outside.

Brains: Over Rated Not Reliable / Must be driven / Not Automatic / Beware Brains Break Very Often

Unsurprisingly, it's a popular destination for the selfie and Instagram set.

Here I was trying to capture the cacophony of crystal chandeliers on the pergola.

Pink flamingos. 'Nuff said.

Wall of mirrors.

Mannequins

We arrived at dusk on a Saturday evening and basically had the place to ourselves as the sun set. 

We stuffed some dollar bills in the "karma slot" and thanked Randy on our way out.

He was in his workshop, cooking up something else exuberant and playful.

That's so Pittsburgh.