Liam, one of my six precocious grandsons, lost his first tooth yesterday, According to his squeamish mother, while in the bathtub fiddling with the tooth that was holding on by a hair, the sucker finally let go. Liam was ecstatic; his mother, ready to puke. But I'll save her story for another Monday.
After showing everybody in the family not only the tooth, but the cavernous hole that remained, he diligently placed it under his pillow. By 8:30p.m. Liam was fast asleep and the tooth fairy made her way through the heavens to claim and pay up for yet another coveted acquisition.
I wonder if any of these toothless kids ever think for one minute about what the fairy actually does with all the rotten teeth she collects from virtually every household in the world!
Liam awakened unusually earlier today and, of course, lifted his pillow with reckless abandon. Lo and behold! Two crisp one dollar bills were there for the taking. Without any thought as to whether or not such a steep price for one measley tooth could have devastating consequences for the generous tooth fairy, Liam ran through the house shouting joyously that he was now a rich man! Brings to mind another famous person in storytelling lore by the name of Ebenezer!
In 1949 I lost my first tooth. I can't say I remember exactly what the circumstances were, but I do know what the tooth fairy paid me. Ten cents, a mere pitance compared to today's standards. That's an increase of 2000% over 65 years! At this rate, the poor tooth fairy will undoubtedly have to file for bankruptcy within the next day or two. She'll now be penniless, her home in foreclosure, and find herself out on the streets without promise or pension. After all the years bringing surprise and happiness to so many youngsters, the tooth fairy will be alone and broke.
Will anybody give a damn? Actually there are two entities that will be concerned. Namely, the IRS and the children who have yet to experience the lost of their first tooth.
The government will be looking into the tooth fairy's tax filings for over the past 100 years or so. Since I'm quite sure she's never even heard of the April 15th deadline, chances are her fines are going to be in the millions plus a stint in the pokey! Not paying taxes is a crime, tooth fairy, and if you do the crime, you'll have to do the time!
And as far as the kids go, lifting their pillows only to discover the absence of any sort of monetary gain for such an irreplaceable keepsake, their belief in the legendary fairy will be dashed forever! Sadly, Liam's two younger brothers will never experience the joy of being rich courtesy of the infamously bankrupt tooth fairy.
Bah humbub, tooth fairy! Oh, sorry, that's the other guy!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Playing Hooky
"Playing Hooky A Child's Path To Healing" is my first children's chapter book I plan to present to the public on March 15 or thereabouts depending on my cover illustrator. The story takes place in 1950 and centers around the Kolinski family: Mary and her two children, Betty Lou and Danny. Three years prior, Mary's husband was severely injured in the local steel mill where Frank worked as an operations supervisor. He died a few days later. Mary's compensation for her tragic loss was a matron's job, scrubbing floors and cleaning toilets.
After a particularly tough morning at St. Michael's Parochial School, the Kolinski Kids decide to play hooky.
However, if they had only known what awaited them down the road on that fateful day, perhaps they might have reconsidered. Without revealing more of the story, I can say that any negatives the children endured were nothing compared to the lessons they both learned, lessons that would impact them for the rest of their lives.
Believe me, I'm not advocating playing hooky, but oftentimes education is best served through actual experience.What this brother and sister discovered about the consequences of their actions, the loss of their beloved father, and the inner strength innate even to young children becomes the building blocks of their maturity and independence.
You may ask, how playing hooky could have possibly put these kids on the path to healing? As unlikely as it may seem, by taking the cinder path which leads to the creek running through their neighborhood, Betty Lou and Danny eventually realize the healing of their own bodies and spirits. Such lessons could have never been learned in any classroom whether in 1950 or today in 2014.
We find answers to our most difficult problems in the strangest of ways and places. As long as we stay open to possiblities in our lives, all things are just that, possible!
After a particularly tough morning at St. Michael's Parochial School, the Kolinski Kids decide to play hooky.
However, if they had only known what awaited them down the road on that fateful day, perhaps they might have reconsidered. Without revealing more of the story, I can say that any negatives the children endured were nothing compared to the lessons they both learned, lessons that would impact them for the rest of their lives.
Believe me, I'm not advocating playing hooky, but oftentimes education is best served through actual experience.What this brother and sister discovered about the consequences of their actions, the loss of their beloved father, and the inner strength innate even to young children becomes the building blocks of their maturity and independence.
You may ask, how playing hooky could have possibly put these kids on the path to healing? As unlikely as it may seem, by taking the cinder path which leads to the creek running through their neighborhood, Betty Lou and Danny eventually realize the healing of their own bodies and spirits. Such lessons could have never been learned in any classroom whether in 1950 or today in 2014.
We find answers to our most difficult problems in the strangest of ways and places. As long as we stay open to possiblities in our lives, all things are just that, possible!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Rocco, the Hero!
Two weeks ago, Rocco, a canine officer in the city of Pittsburgh, as well as a number of men in blue were in pursuit of a local thug. Rocco led the charge, was shot at and was stabbed many times defending his comrades. If it hadn't been for the courageous efforts of this German Shepherd, several of the police said they could have lost their lives.
Rocco died a day later as the result of his horrific injuries.
The city conducted a funeral for the downed officer with full honors. His handler and family along with hundreds of service men and canines attended. People from all over came, too. Many expressed their sorrow and felt the need to be present to applaud Rocco's selflessness in person even though they'd never met him.
As a dog owner myself, my heart goes out to all the folks touched by the loss of this magnificent animal. Dogs are incredible creatures who are capable of unconditional love, perhaps the only living beings who are. There only purpose in life is to serve their loved ones in any and all ways possible.
Surprisingly, there were a few people who thought that such a send-off was over the top and inappropriate. One commented that "he was only a dog." Only a dog? Evidently he or she has never experienced the love shared between best friends. All I can say is such people are depriving themselves of a truly awesome relationship. Too bad for them.
Rocco died a hero. He will be remembered for his strong adherence to duty and his willingness to die for the men he was commissioned to protect.
Rest in peace, valiant officer. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Rocco died a day later as the result of his horrific injuries.
The city conducted a funeral for the downed officer with full honors. His handler and family along with hundreds of service men and canines attended. People from all over came, too. Many expressed their sorrow and felt the need to be present to applaud Rocco's selflessness in person even though they'd never met him.
As a dog owner myself, my heart goes out to all the folks touched by the loss of this magnificent animal. Dogs are incredible creatures who are capable of unconditional love, perhaps the only living beings who are. There only purpose in life is to serve their loved ones in any and all ways possible.
Surprisingly, there were a few people who thought that such a send-off was over the top and inappropriate. One commented that "he was only a dog." Only a dog? Evidently he or she has never experienced the love shared between best friends. All I can say is such people are depriving themselves of a truly awesome relationship. Too bad for them.
Rocco died a hero. He will be remembered for his strong adherence to duty and his willingness to die for the men he was commissioned to protect.
Rest in peace, valiant officer. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Monday, February 10, 2014
BE A CHARACTER IN AN ELVIS PRESLEY SONG TITLE BOOK CONTEST!
Who wouldn't want to be a character in a famous romance writer's novel? Pick me, pick me, pick me, I hear you screaming! Add to that that the new book is going to be dubbed with one of Elvis Presley's song titles. And finally, that you actually get to choose which of his many great hits it will be! Well, my very good friend and very talented author of tender love stories, Mimi Barbour, is offering you the chance of a lifetime. All during the month of February you can enter her contest by going to Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/
But rather than me going on and on and on about such a terrific opportunity, Mimi herself will give you all the details in my Monday morning blog. Take it away, Mimi!
After I listened to an old Elvis Presley hit called “She’s Not You”, I couldn’t get the words out of my head. Finally, it came to me. The sentiments were so beautiful that the story they told should be written. So, I wrote the first chapter and the song stopped haunting me. I released book #1 of the Elvis Series late in Nov. When it came time to decide which of Elvis’s song should be chosen for Book #2, I decided who better than the readers themselves to make the choice.
Hence “Make an Elvis song into a book contest!” was born.
http://freshfiction.com/
. HERE IT IS LIVE THE WHOLE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Please let all your friends know about it! Tell your mom and her pals who grew up with the King!
Share the above link with your Facebook buddies and twitter followers. It'll be fun to see which of his songs will grace the cover of Book #2 in Mimi Barbour’s Elvis series.
HERE IS WHAT THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
1. The winner will have his/her favorite song chosen as the title and theme
for the next book in the Elvis series.
2. It will be dedicated to the winner.
3. And their name will be used for one of the characters.
Video of Elvis singing – Book #1 “She’s Not You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Thanks, Mimi, for taking the time to clue us in with the specifics. I already have the song in mind I'd submit if I weren't one of your buds! Hope one of the crime writers takes the hint and runs an Elvis contest. I think 'JAILHOUSE ROCK' would make an awesome story. And I'd make an awesome warden! love ya'll
But rather than me going on and on and on about such a terrific opportunity, Mimi herself will give you all the details in my Monday morning blog. Take it away, Mimi!
After I listened to an old Elvis Presley hit called “She’s Not You”, I couldn’t get the words out of my head. Finally, it came to me. The sentiments were so beautiful that the story they told should be written. So, I wrote the first chapter and the song stopped haunting me. I released book #1 of the Elvis Series late in Nov. When it came time to decide which of Elvis’s song should be chosen for Book #2, I decided who better than the readers themselves to make the choice.
Hence “Make an Elvis song into a book contest!” was born.
http://freshfiction.com/
. HERE IT IS LIVE THE WHOLE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Please let all your friends know about it! Tell your mom and her pals who grew up with the King!
Share the above link with your Facebook buddies and twitter followers. It'll be fun to see which of his songs will grace the cover of Book #2 in Mimi Barbour’s Elvis series.
HERE IS WHAT THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
1. The winner will have his/her favorite song chosen as the title and theme
for the next book in the Elvis series.
2. It will be dedicated to the winner.
3. And their name will be used for one of the characters.
Video of Elvis singing – Book #1 “She’s Not You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Thanks, Mimi, for taking the time to clue us in with the specifics. I already have the song in mind I'd submit if I weren't one of your buds! Hope one of the crime writers takes the hint and runs an Elvis contest. I think 'JAILHOUSE ROCK' would make an awesome story. And I'd make an awesome warden! love ya'll
Monday, February 3, 2014
Mental Health Awareness Week
Please let me begin by applauding you for having the courage for reading my blog despite its discomfort-inducing title. Most folks cannot even admit their thoughts about mental illness, let alone allow themselves to entertain the possibility that they or someone they know might be suffering from some form of it.
Perhaps a simple, clear definition of this debilitating and taboo disease would help with both its understanding and societal acceptance. Let me first say that the explanation you are about to be given is entirely my own opinion. I did not consult Mr.Webster or the AMA.
To me, mental illness is an imbalance in the brain due to an overabundance or lacking of chemicals important to normal brain functionality. I believe I'm qualified to define mental illness since I've officially suffered from depression for more than twenty-five years initiated by a painful physical condition that no doctor could identify. If you take into account that with the untimely death of my dad when I was three-years-old, I probably have been depressed for 66 of the 69 years I've been alive. That makes me an authority on the subject if I do say so myself.
Though millions of dollars have been spent on R&D in our country, to date the reasons people suffer from mental dysfunction remain elusive. In most cases while the symptoms are obvious, the causes for these imbalances are unknown.
Yes, though there are countless pharmacuticals availalbe to alleviate symptoms, many of the side effects produced by these drugs prohibit sufferers' usage. Nobody wants to walk around like a cloudy-headed zombie or a hyped-up crazy.
Five years ago, I took matters into my own hands. I researched my physical condition on the internet, found a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who not only worked successfully with patients who reported my same symptoms, but actually had a name for it. I now see a Pittsburgh doctor who has continued the treatment began in Cleveland and for the most part I am asymptomatic. As my physical condition improved, so did my depression. Today I am free of the darkness associated with this mental illness and only take a minimal dose of an antidepressant for maintenance purposes.
For me, what began with emotional and physical initiators, turned into depression defined as mental illness. If I had succumbed to the belief that being mentally-ill was a stigma I would never escape, perhaps this blog would never have been written. But I didn't, and I did, and since you're reading it, this blog has indeed been written by a strong-minded, healthy, humorous lady who soon will celebrate her 70th birthday.
Instead of shying away from the term, mental illness, educate yourselves about what it really means, who and where to find excellent help, and how to be involved in erasing the taboo the keeps many people in denial and without the proper treatment that could make their lives meaningful and productive.
Dr. Grammy is in the house!
Perhaps a simple, clear definition of this debilitating and taboo disease would help with both its understanding and societal acceptance. Let me first say that the explanation you are about to be given is entirely my own opinion. I did not consult Mr.Webster or the AMA.
To me, mental illness is an imbalance in the brain due to an overabundance or lacking of chemicals important to normal brain functionality. I believe I'm qualified to define mental illness since I've officially suffered from depression for more than twenty-five years initiated by a painful physical condition that no doctor could identify. If you take into account that with the untimely death of my dad when I was three-years-old, I probably have been depressed for 66 of the 69 years I've been alive. That makes me an authority on the subject if I do say so myself.
Though millions of dollars have been spent on R&D in our country, to date the reasons people suffer from mental dysfunction remain elusive. In most cases while the symptoms are obvious, the causes for these imbalances are unknown.
Yes, though there are countless pharmacuticals availalbe to alleviate symptoms, many of the side effects produced by these drugs prohibit sufferers' usage. Nobody wants to walk around like a cloudy-headed zombie or a hyped-up crazy.
Five years ago, I took matters into my own hands. I researched my physical condition on the internet, found a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic who not only worked successfully with patients who reported my same symptoms, but actually had a name for it. I now see a Pittsburgh doctor who has continued the treatment began in Cleveland and for the most part I am asymptomatic. As my physical condition improved, so did my depression. Today I am free of the darkness associated with this mental illness and only take a minimal dose of an antidepressant for maintenance purposes.
For me, what began with emotional and physical initiators, turned into depression defined as mental illness. If I had succumbed to the belief that being mentally-ill was a stigma I would never escape, perhaps this blog would never have been written. But I didn't, and I did, and since you're reading it, this blog has indeed been written by a strong-minded, healthy, humorous lady who soon will celebrate her 70th birthday.
Instead of shying away from the term, mental illness, educate yourselves about what it really means, who and where to find excellent help, and how to be involved in erasing the taboo the keeps many people in denial and without the proper treatment that could make their lives meaningful and productive.
Dr. Grammy is in the house!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Our First Born
On Sunday, January 26, 1969, our first born child came into this world. And although it took me ten hours of intense labor before I actually laid eyes on her, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Yesterday she celebrated her 45th birthday. Hard to believe! Yet we as a family have done a lot of living in the past 45 years! Many gloriously happy times. A number of average days. And, of course, a few sad ones that occur in everyone's life experience.
So today I find myself reflecting on her birth. In 1969, my hubby wasn't permitted in the delivery room. He was relegated to the waiting room with nobody there to support him. I was wheeled into a cold, sterile place surrounded by a bunch of masked people. Since the doctor administered a spinal injection, the labor pains subsided leaving me with very strong abdominal pressure.
Next I was transferred to what seemed to be a cement slab and had my feet wedged into stirrups. I felt like I was in a precarious position and if I moved ever so slightly I would go crashing to the floor.
After pushing for a little while, the doctor extracted the newborn from my body without a hitch. The abdominal pressure instantly disappeared. He held up my baby girl, said happy birthday to her, and placed her on my tummy. A nurse wrote down the time of birth, 10:17a.m. and asked what we would be naming her. But since we thought she would be a he, I said we hadn't decided yet. In those days, there was no such thing as knowing the baby's sex beforehand.
Everything happened so fast I barely got a peek. I remember what worried me was that she didn't make a sound. I'd been told to wait for that first cry.
After cutting the cord, a nurse picked my baby up,placed her in a hospital cart and took her away. I went to recovery until a room was readied.
Once they got me settled, since I elected to have a spinal, I was instructed to lay flat, not raise my head, and could not get up even to go to the bathroom for the next 10 hours. That meant I couldn't hold my baby, not even see her until the time constraints were lifted.
A while later Barry came in with flowers and candy. He kissed me and told me about his interaction with the doctor upon delivery. When the doctor said, "you have a baby girl," my hubby's knee-jerk reply was, "what the hell am I going to do with a girl!" But, in the next breath, he said that she was the most beautiful baby in the world and that he wasn't just saying that because she was ours. When he got his first look at her, others were standing in front of the nursery window and expressed what a beauty the baby in the second crib was. Of course, he proudly announced to the group that the baby in the second crib was his daughter.
My mom and Aunt Eleanor arrived, congratulated us, and stayed for about an hour. I was hurting from having to lay flat and the dozens of hemorrhoids protruding from my derriere. I really wasn't up for visitors.
Shortly after they left, I told Barry to go home and get a good rest. I needed to sleep for a while, too.
That "while" lasted until about eight o'clock in the evening. As I opened my eyes, a very large nurse was standing at my bedside. I thought maybe it was time to be checked or moved. But she just stood there with the biggest smile on her face and presented me with our bundle of joy. She cranked up my bed and said I was now free to move about the "cabin" Once I had my baby in my arms securely, I was given a bottle and told to try and feed her. The nurse left the room.
As I gazed down at my tiny babe with her peachy complexion, perfectly-formed features, and the face of an angel, I realized she'd literally taken my breath away. My heart was beating rapidly and at first I couldn't grasp the true meaning of this moment. I was holding our first born child for the first time. All I could do was stare at her as tears rolled down my cheeks. I had never loved anyone more in my life.
I don't know how long she was with me, but when the nurse returned and saw I hadn't even begun feeding, she took her out of my arms and returned to the nursery. I felt such a great sense of loss at that moment. She was my daughter; I was her mother. Nobody had the right to take her from me. I know that was an irrational thought, but that's how I felt.
Yesterday, at around 10:17a.m. I closed my eyes and brought back all the feeling and emotions I'd experienced 45 years ago. She was my daughter; I was her mother and I had never loved anyone more in my life.
We named our first born child, Mary Joy.
Yesterday she celebrated her 45th birthday. Hard to believe! Yet we as a family have done a lot of living in the past 45 years! Many gloriously happy times. A number of average days. And, of course, a few sad ones that occur in everyone's life experience.
So today I find myself reflecting on her birth. In 1969, my hubby wasn't permitted in the delivery room. He was relegated to the waiting room with nobody there to support him. I was wheeled into a cold, sterile place surrounded by a bunch of masked people. Since the doctor administered a spinal injection, the labor pains subsided leaving me with very strong abdominal pressure.
Next I was transferred to what seemed to be a cement slab and had my feet wedged into stirrups. I felt like I was in a precarious position and if I moved ever so slightly I would go crashing to the floor.
After pushing for a little while, the doctor extracted the newborn from my body without a hitch. The abdominal pressure instantly disappeared. He held up my baby girl, said happy birthday to her, and placed her on my tummy. A nurse wrote down the time of birth, 10:17a.m. and asked what we would be naming her. But since we thought she would be a he, I said we hadn't decided yet. In those days, there was no such thing as knowing the baby's sex beforehand.
Everything happened so fast I barely got a peek. I remember what worried me was that she didn't make a sound. I'd been told to wait for that first cry.
After cutting the cord, a nurse picked my baby up,placed her in a hospital cart and took her away. I went to recovery until a room was readied.
Once they got me settled, since I elected to have a spinal, I was instructed to lay flat, not raise my head, and could not get up even to go to the bathroom for the next 10 hours. That meant I couldn't hold my baby, not even see her until the time constraints were lifted.
A while later Barry came in with flowers and candy. He kissed me and told me about his interaction with the doctor upon delivery. When the doctor said, "you have a baby girl," my hubby's knee-jerk reply was, "what the hell am I going to do with a girl!" But, in the next breath, he said that she was the most beautiful baby in the world and that he wasn't just saying that because she was ours. When he got his first look at her, others were standing in front of the nursery window and expressed what a beauty the baby in the second crib was. Of course, he proudly announced to the group that the baby in the second crib was his daughter.
My mom and Aunt Eleanor arrived, congratulated us, and stayed for about an hour. I was hurting from having to lay flat and the dozens of hemorrhoids protruding from my derriere. I really wasn't up for visitors.
Shortly after they left, I told Barry to go home and get a good rest. I needed to sleep for a while, too.
That "while" lasted until about eight o'clock in the evening. As I opened my eyes, a very large nurse was standing at my bedside. I thought maybe it was time to be checked or moved. But she just stood there with the biggest smile on her face and presented me with our bundle of joy. She cranked up my bed and said I was now free to move about the "cabin" Once I had my baby in my arms securely, I was given a bottle and told to try and feed her. The nurse left the room.
As I gazed down at my tiny babe with her peachy complexion, perfectly-formed features, and the face of an angel, I realized she'd literally taken my breath away. My heart was beating rapidly and at first I couldn't grasp the true meaning of this moment. I was holding our first born child for the first time. All I could do was stare at her as tears rolled down my cheeks. I had never loved anyone more in my life.
I don't know how long she was with me, but when the nurse returned and saw I hadn't even begun feeding, she took her out of my arms and returned to the nursery. I felt such a great sense of loss at that moment. She was my daughter; I was her mother. Nobody had the right to take her from me. I know that was an irrational thought, but that's how I felt.
Yesterday, at around 10:17a.m. I closed my eyes and brought back all the feeling and emotions I'd experienced 45 years ago. She was my daughter; I was her mother and I had never loved anyone more in my life.
We named our first born child, Mary Joy.
Monday, January 20, 2014
For Better Or Worse in PA
I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and love it, at least most of the time. Spring is a glorious season of soft rains, green grass, and sprouting daffodils. It's when I get excited about my gardening projects of the new year. I map out what veggies are going to be planted in a certain area, which flowers are going to be included to draw useful insects for pollination, and what fencing repairs are needed before anything can be done. I test the soil for pH balance and add whatever is lacking. I aerate the ground by digging it up and sprinkling it with peat moss. I research seed catalogues and the local greenhouses to find the best hybrid selections that resist harmful insects and disease. I choose wisely, and finally, I plant my choices and wait. All the above describes what's better about PA in the Spring.
Now for what's worse. As soon as the new plants poke their heads out of the ground, the deer arrive as if I'd sent them invitations. They stick their heads over the fence and nibble everything to a nub. Their cohorts, the groundhogs defy the fencing by coming in via the underground tunnels they've constructed. Between the two, plus the usual aphid infestation and mold proliferation, I'm lucky if I harvest at least half of what could have been!
PA in the summer is awesome! In Pittsburgh, Point State Park where the three rivers come together, is just one of the places families always enjoy. The annual Arts Festival is a special attraction that draws people from all over the country. The beautiful creations, the food, the music, and the crowd gatherings are certainly worthwhile. What could be better?
But, what's worse is that during this two week plus event, it usually rains at least 8-10 days, and sometimes the storms can be so strong they send vendor tents flying.
Autumn is perhaps the most wonderful season of all in PA. The weather is still warm, but the best part is the changing of the leaves. If you've never seen its beauty, take the time to ride through the hills of PA in mid-October. The marvelous plethora of color will LEAVE you breathless. No pun intended. The fruit stands along the way are filled with freshly-picked apples, cider, and homemade apple pies. I can smell them even now. For me, Autumn is the BEST of PA, surpassing better by a long shot.
The worst thing about Autumn in PA is that it goes by too fast leaving the door wide open for Old Man Winter.
Now, don't get me wrong, winter in PA certainly has its good points, too. I love to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood dressed in hat, coat and gloves. I eagerly anticipate the first snowfall. Looking out my window at night and seeing the white flakes silently falling can actually be a spiritual experience. My grandchildren living in Charlotte call me quite often to find out if we have snow. They lament the fact that they hardly if ever get snow at their house and want to know when they can visit. And when they do come up, we sled ride, build snow people, and have snowball wars with gusto. They'd stay here till Spring if they could. Oh dear, what a scary thought!
The worse part of winter in PA is that the snow keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Which means we keep shoveling, and shoveling, and shoveling. As you can image, it gets old after a while.
Or maybe, its that we are getting older and shoveling just isn't our thing anymore.
So there you have it. The good and the not so good of Pennsylvania. But folks, we were born, raised, and will live here until we kick the bucket, for BETTER OR WORSE!
Now for what's worse. As soon as the new plants poke their heads out of the ground, the deer arrive as if I'd sent them invitations. They stick their heads over the fence and nibble everything to a nub. Their cohorts, the groundhogs defy the fencing by coming in via the underground tunnels they've constructed. Between the two, plus the usual aphid infestation and mold proliferation, I'm lucky if I harvest at least half of what could have been!
PA in the summer is awesome! In Pittsburgh, Point State Park where the three rivers come together, is just one of the places families always enjoy. The annual Arts Festival is a special attraction that draws people from all over the country. The beautiful creations, the food, the music, and the crowd gatherings are certainly worthwhile. What could be better?
But, what's worse is that during this two week plus event, it usually rains at least 8-10 days, and sometimes the storms can be so strong they send vendor tents flying.
Autumn is perhaps the most wonderful season of all in PA. The weather is still warm, but the best part is the changing of the leaves. If you've never seen its beauty, take the time to ride through the hills of PA in mid-October. The marvelous plethora of color will LEAVE you breathless. No pun intended. The fruit stands along the way are filled with freshly-picked apples, cider, and homemade apple pies. I can smell them even now. For me, Autumn is the BEST of PA, surpassing better by a long shot.
The worst thing about Autumn in PA is that it goes by too fast leaving the door wide open for Old Man Winter.
Now, don't get me wrong, winter in PA certainly has its good points, too. I love to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood dressed in hat, coat and gloves. I eagerly anticipate the first snowfall. Looking out my window at night and seeing the white flakes silently falling can actually be a spiritual experience. My grandchildren living in Charlotte call me quite often to find out if we have snow. They lament the fact that they hardly if ever get snow at their house and want to know when they can visit. And when they do come up, we sled ride, build snow people, and have snowball wars with gusto. They'd stay here till Spring if they could. Oh dear, what a scary thought!
The worse part of winter in PA is that the snow keeps coming, and coming, and coming. Which means we keep shoveling, and shoveling, and shoveling. As you can image, it gets old after a while.
Or maybe, its that we are getting older and shoveling just isn't our thing anymore.
So there you have it. The good and the not so good of Pennsylvania. But folks, we were born, raised, and will live here until we kick the bucket, for BETTER OR WORSE!
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