Merry Christmas!!

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season!!!
Looking forward to 2014 and a Happy New Year!

Boom!

Last night, I had to ride out the 'BOOMS' with the wide-eyed Gracie Dog who was in 'altered states' upon hearing the very first whistling 'crackle'!! I live less than a mile from the city's fireworks launchpad also known as The Lake. The initial 'pop' ...grew into a 'bang' ...followed by a pattern of :

Boom! Light!..10 seconds...Boom! Light!..10 seconds...etc.

Thousands of people enjoy the traditional Syracuse Symphony Fourth of July 'Concert and Fireworks Display'. Grace did not share the joy. She was in constant motion and could not be consoled in any way. Back and forth between Mom's bed and mine, at one point she was above my head on the pillow and I think I was wearing her as a hat!! She would want to go out, and within 5 seconds there would be a boom which would send her into waist high jumps at the back door...to come back in! What next?

The finale!!!!!!!!!!This consists of a gazillion fireworks all set off within seconds causing simultaneous rapid fire rounds of sound and light. While I was staring out of the skylights while resting comfortably on my bed, I figured Grace was praying for the end. The deafening sound resembled the evening news report of wartime activity in Afghanistan. Perspective is everything. It reminded me of a 4th of July in 1971 when the sound of these booms had our friends who were Vietnam Vets crouched under the dining room table probably having some serious flashbacks that none of us could possibly imagine. God bless them all.

Meanwhile, back in 2010, and the finale is finally over. The dog is now stretched out on the floor, and not responding to her name. I'm thinking...'OMG...she's probably had a heart attack!!'

I touch her, and she moves, and joins me in bed...and not as my hat, this time. Aaahhh! Life has returned to normal for us. And just when you thought it was safe to come out of the woods...

The neighbor whose backyard is on the other side of my bedroom window...has fireworks.

And they are really, really colorful....

and TOO DAMN CLOSE...for the dog who has already been through many levels of fireworks hell.

Ya know, I wasn't born yesterday, and so when I think, "Whew! Glad that's all behind us...I know better than that ! Because tonight through my bedroom window, I am sure...we will get to experience the joy of...the other half of my neighbor's encore of sound and light!!! Boohoo!!."

Well, I guess that means there'll also be an encore of me sporting that 'poodle hat' that I treasure dearly.
Hot diggeddy, dog diggedly, "Boom" what you do to me[Grace]!
Fabricated thunder and lightning...what a concept!!

Field of Hopes and Dreams

In honor of Memorial Day and all that it represents, a local parochial school sponsored the "Field of Hopes and Dreams" at a local public park. There were 1200 flags in perfect lines each with a tag that stated, 'This Flag is Dedicated to..." with the name supplied by people who purchased them in memory of deceased veterans as well as in honor of living veterans. I purchased three flags: one in memory of my brother Tommy [Navy] which will be waving at my house, one in honor of my brother Paul [Air Force] which he will have at his house, and the third flag will fly at my son's house in memory of his father[ Army].There was a very moving ceremony at 7 PM on Saturday with a color guard, speaker or two, a band, and taps. After the Memorial Day weeekend is over, you return to the park and take your flag[s] home to fly as a 'forever ' prayer for your loved ones.

What a meaningful way to celebrate the essence of the day! You were able to honor your personal veterans while taking the time to recognize the true meaning of this national holiday. The community hosted a ceremony, the school benefitted from the sale of the flags [as it was a fund raiser], and there are 1200 more flags flying in honor of 'the red, white, and blue.' Wahoo!

Our testament happened as a result of a woman who while driving through Waterloo, NY [the official birthplace of Memorial Day] came upon "A Field of Hopes and Dreams" and was in awe of its powerful statement. She spearheaded the project and headed a committee to make it happen locally, and one year later, the dream became a reality. What an example of 'If you see something great, make it happen again so that more people can become involved.' This event touched the lives of many people, and was so successful that I have heard rumors of it happening again next year. There were many people who wished that they had known about it so that they could purchase and honor their relatives and friends in the military [past or present]. I hope that it becomes a reality for next year, too.

And there you have it! The ball is in your court. Perhaps your town, or city would be receptive to this awesome ceremonial testament to our veterans...

And let us not forget that there is also Veteran's Day in November.

Thank you to all of the people who got involved and made this happen both locally and on a personal yet public level.

Thank you to the many veterans, and their families whose lives are forever touched by service on behalf of our country.

Meet you at the New England Aquarium!

With the weekend's focus on Boston, it reminded me of the trip that my son and I made to that historic city about twenty years ago in the good 'ol summertime. Jer and I were traveling from central NY, Janet was driving from NJ [+1 kid] and Patt was vacationing from Arizona [+3 kids]in the city of Boston. Three women[teachers and college sorority sisters] and 5 kids on a 4 day vacation set to begin by meeting in Boston. [And this was before the days when everyone had a cell phone in their possession!] Having a severe case of 'map avoidance' and compounded by my advanced degree in 'Phobically Directionally Challenged', I asked a local friend who had already been to Boston many times to suggest a place that the three traveling friends could meet relatively easily.

"Meet at the New England Aquarium. It's a great way to start the fun, there are billboards everywhere on the highways with directions, and there's no way that you won't be able to find it."

Alrighty then! That became the plan!

The car had a full tank of gas, mother and son had a cooler with our favorite snacks, and the radio was providing the music/entertainment. Yahoo!! Ahhh...all was well! The thruway part of the trip was a piece of cake, but once that ended..the ride became more of a ...'Better hang on...I think it's going to be a bumpy ride!' Needless to say, it was a totally different experience.

I hate maps.

Let me say that again...I hate maps. They are lines and numbers and words that require logic...which is not my strong suit. Give me directions verbally...one step at a time...possibly with visuals helps like...'Turn right at Krispy Kreme Donut Store' ...and I will write them down and follow them with no problem. And I will remember the familiarity for future trips once I've been there.

So when the sign said...'Here's Boston', you would think that the sigh of relief said it all.

However, it is when the aggravation really began.
I saw NO signs advertising 'The New England Aquarium..Take exit 7' or something like that.

I had to ask directions seven times...that was 7 times!

I asked at the toll booth. And remembered the first 2 steps.

I got off of the highway and went into a Ramada Inn to ask the local folks for assistance. They told me to go 'through the tunnel'...through the same tunnel that I just came through?? Yes.

Back through the tunnel...in the traffic...and I mean traffic.

"Do you know the way to.... to the New England Aquarium?"

The last person I asked was a taxicab driver, and I was very close to just getting out of the car and handing over the keys!! I was late arriving at the 'easy to find New England Aquarium'. I finally connected with my friends, neither of whom could begin to understand how it was difficult for me. That would be because maps are no problem-o [!!] for them.

'It's easy! What was the problem??'

I was thinking, "Step back...and no one will get hurt!!"

Well, the party of eight actually had a good time. We explored the Boston Common, Paul Revere's church, and took a boat ride out of the harbor. The best part, in my opinion, was a trolley ride that made about nine stops at historic places. The driver was a history teacher , on summer break, who gave spirited and mesmerizing accounts of all that we saw. It was obvious that he loved what he was doing! And the learning was fun!!

The next trip that we took together was to the Grand Canyon, and, thankfully, the pilot had his own navigator and so getting there was stress free for me!!

Hallelujah!!

Patience is a virtue...

'The View' has been broadcast from Disneyland this past week. Each day, the View ladies were escorted to their table by a Disney character. Friday's choice immediately brought back a memory that most likely puts me in a category all by myself. It was Donald Duck.

It was 1989 when this little scenario occurred.
My son, Jer, was about 10 and my friend Janet had 9 year old Jennifer jumping up and down with excitement ready to get to it.

"Let's go! Come on...Let's go!"

We were vacationing for 5 days and staying somewhere quite nice within the Disney complex, and the kids were ready to explore The Magic Kingdom. Through the gates we went, and young Jennifer had her autograph book and pen in hand to get the signatures of as many Disney characters as possible. We were through the gates and within 11 seconds, who do we see larger than life?
Well, it was Donald Duck with about 20 kids surrounding him awaiting his signature. Okay, perspective is everything. Jennifer ran right up to the gathering and she was ready to get her autograph book started with Donald as # 1! The other 3 in our 'party' were ready to keep going and catch up with 'The Donald' later on in the day. After all, we had only been in The Magic Kingdom for 11 seconds! So, I politely explained to Jennifer that we could get Donald's signature later as we were going to be there all day...and two more days, too!

Well, Mr. Duck calmly broke away from his little crowd and waddled right over to me, and shook his finger at me. It was like, "Eh-eh-eh!!!" Perhaps he thought that I lacked patience. Not so...but he thought so! It really was quite funny. And I'm sure he thought that I should slow down and chill out since I was obviously on vacation.

The irony is that I am a patient person. One of a very few east of The Mississippi!

Well, I'm out of therapy now. But I think that it was Donald who should have been in therapy. Just because he dressed up as a great big duck didn't give him the right to chew me out...anonymously and in public, no less! It just ain't right!! Stupid duck. Just kidding, of course!!

I'm ok now...really I am. But if you ever find yourself within 3 feet of Mr. Donald Duck, consider yourself forewarned! [hehe]

Not sure how this one started!

Well, I stood in the doorway and waved the white hankie as my brother began his roadtrip back to the Jersey shore. Somewhere in our family history, the tradition of standing at the door and waving the white hankie became a tradition. Often times, you will see a tissue become visible out of the car's window as a kind of 'kindred spiritedness.' I don't know how or when or who started it, but it is definitely here to stay.

I packed him a goodie bag to eat along the way, and Flo and I will be awaiting the word that he is home safely. It is about a 5-6 hour ride, and once you are on the road it's not so bad, but the anticipation of that long ride is like a grey cloud hangin' in the picture.

My son is on the road, too. He is traveling with the hockey team and will be riding the bus home with them overnight. It's always a worry when family and friends are traveling.



Paul is responsible for coining the phrase, "Hurray for January 2nd!" I totally understand it, and now that the 'holidaze' are behind us, things will settle down and return to 'normal'.[whatever that is!] About the New Year, I say bring it on! And I hope it's a good one for everyone.

Peace Be With You!

It is New Year's Eve and it's already been memorable, for sure!!

While my Christmas gift to my son was a bonafide homerun, my Christmas surprise for my brother was clearly 'out of the park'!

Paul is visiting from NJ and spending a couple of days with Mom and me. Since Flo has moved in with me after her stroke, my brother has made the six hour trip many times, and each time he has made a pitch to take Mom to church. She, however, resists these efforts because of her wheelchair self-consciousness. Being out in public is not on her agenda, and at 97 her vote trumps all others.

A good friend of mine works in the parish rectory and told me that the pastor, a much loved priest and friend, has occasionally said Mass in people's homes. I asked her to inquire what the odds were that Father would be able to come to my house and say Mass while my brother was in town. The window of opportunity was small considering Paul's scheduled visit and Father's schedule and the New Year's Celebrations and activities. My holiday gift bag to Paul had some exotic soups which I was sure that he would like. And then I told him to look again because there was something else in the bag. Watching his face was fun, fun, fun...as he read that New Year's Eve Mass would be at 6PM at my house with our Mom.

At 6PM, Mass was held in my living room and it was truly a special event for my brother, my mother, and me. [The remaining trio of my immediate family!] It was snowing wildly, and with the colorful holiday lights as a background and Gracie [Amazing Grace...poodle extraordinaire] stretched right out in front of the 'altar', I'm thinking that is about as unique as you can get!

For a part of the service, as I sat next to my mom, I was fearful that she was going to 'leave us' right there in the presence of the priest. He told her that it wouldn't necessarily be a bad time because he could also give her the sacrament formerly known as 'the last rites'. As nervous and/or as pious as she looked, all was well. We even had the benefit of a general confession and absolution before the service.

So, Paul got to attend Mass with Flo as they had every Sunday when she used to spend weekends with him[before the stroke], Flo attended her first Mass since April '07 and didn't have to be seen out in public in her wheelchair, and I was treated to an 'Our Father' with everyone holding hands...in the comfort of my living room...priceless.

It was good. And I am thankful. God bless Father Dennis...and Marg.

Let there be light[s]...action...camera!

Last night , St. Nick[Flo's caregiver and friend...mine, too!] came back over to the house when it got dark so that we could take Mom on a ride to see all of the holiday lights and decorations. It was fun driving around and pointing out the different colorful displays to each other. The main reason for the trip was to see the 'light show' that was two blocks from the house. Forty thousand lights and many different displays were a part of the scenery, and you could turn your radio to a station that was playing the music that accompanied the lighting arrangements. The Trans Siberian Orchestra played on the radio in the car while out on the house's front lawn, the lights clicked on and off exactly in time with music. It was quite the show. My mom talked about looking at the decorations many years ago and compared them to what modern technology and computers have added to the mix! Both of these photos are clip art. Imagine 40,000 lights flashing to the beat of the music.

[ I guess my New Year's Resolution really should be to learn how to use my digital camera to capture the pictures and then transfer those photos to my computer.]

All in good time.

Mom's kindling brings a blaze of 'Wahoo!'

I did it!
The tortoise has edged ahead of the hare, if only for a short time. My Christmas present to my son had him wondering when I mentioned that I was looking forward to seeing his face when he opened his gift. The surprise was said to be something that he wouldn't expect...or guess! That's a tall order!!

When I saw this advertised [at Amazon.com], I knew it was perfect for him.

It's a kindle. A technological wizard!! [a wireless reading device ]
About the size of hardcover best seller, it is a bookstore in a box!

For a fee of less than half the price of the best seller, you can purchase a book and it will be downloaded to the 'kindle' in minutes. And then you can read it now, or take it on the road with you. The pages are advanced by the push of a button, and if there is a word that you don't know, a dictionary is easily and immediately accessible to expand your vocabulary!! You can purchase books, magazines, and newspapers and not a single tree has been lost in the process. Not to mention that it also eliminates the need to recycle the newspapers and magazines. Jer has been traveling with a NY college's hockey and basketball teams, and has already experienced airline delays, weather related highway issues[when he was a passenger riding with the team on their bus], and other occasions where he's found himself with time to fill. Now, he can access that 'kindle' and...voila! a multitude of choices.


I was his first reading partner, and now I get to be a part of it again. Yet, I must say, that it was certainly fun, fun, fun, when he opened it...and for a nanosecond wasn't totally aware of what it was or could do. Within the hour, he had downloaded the book that he had left at his home and finished it before calling it a night. And so I sign off,


'the formerly computer phobic...I'll never be able to effectively use that stupid machine...now have my toes in technology... and once again his reading partner... 'Momma Bear'.

Memories of Christmas past...

Today, I drove to a large mall to pick up my picture window shade that had been restrung. A couple of things surprised me. The first thing was that I got the telephone call telling me that it was ready at 715AM. It must be because with Christmas hours being 7AM through midnight[!], time becomes a nebulous thing. Happy to be able to get that pleated shade back in its place, I drove 45 minutes in less than desirable weather. The drive didn't scare me...it was some of the other drivers who were riding my tail or passing me when visibility wasn't good.
I was surprised at how many people were shopping. So much stuff...

Christmas really is for kids and family. Speaking of that, my son will be here on Wednesday and I look forward to seeing his face...especially when he opens his gift. He would never expect or guess what it is. Thinking back over the years, I can still see the Scooby Doo sleeping bag that was a big hit. And books, and records, and puzzles.


Matchbook cars...And when he was about 6 years, Jer got a blue jeep and his best buddy Nick got a red convertible -the kind that you had to peddle to make it go- and the fun of watching them peddle around a local park was priceless!



Hands down winner of all: It was the 2 volume scrapbook that I spent the
entire month of December recreating my son's entire life in his "A Star is Born" albums. It detailed pre- birth through graduation from high school, and it included his college acceptance letters, too. It was a labor of love [and almost as exhausting as the other labor that he was involved in.]

It was the same Christmas that Jer and I drove to NJ to my mom's house,
and as we got closer and closer, I felt sicker and sicker. Immediately upon arriving, I climbed into bed, missed all the holiday festivities, and wound up in the emergency room on Christmas Day with strep. And if that wasn't enough unnecessary roughness, 24 hours later was the moment that my body decided to react to the penacillin that was prescribed to fight the infection. And since I didn't have a doctor in NJ and no one would treat a non-patient, my only option was to call my doctor in NY and ask him to call in a different prescription to a NJ pharmacy so that I could get well enough to drive back to NY...a memorable weekend, for sure.

To end on a more positive note, my favorite childhood memory was the year that I received those 'Melody Bells' that I was so desiring!! {See, my musical background goes back a long way!!} I remember that on the way home from a store, the bags in the trunk of the car must have shifted, and I was sure that I had heard a lone bell's ring. But I was told,"No way! Not possible." And back then, at the age of 7, there was no arguing with your parents. So imagine my glee, when on Christmas morning, Melody Bells were a'ringin as I shook that package before opening it! Oh, what joy! Maybe not for everyone else, but 'hey, that's life!!'
As Christmases come and go, some are more memorable than others. But just as in baseball... you win some, you lose some, and some get rained out...But you get dressed for all of 'em.
So...Merry Christmas everyone! And may this be your "Melody Bell" year, too!!